"Did you hear? There's been an anomaly in the thunderstorms off Inazuma's coast!"
"What do you mean, 'an anomaly'? They're already drifting toward Inazuma!"
"Weren't those thunderstorms created by the Almighty Shogun herself? Could they really destroy Inazuma?"
"Who knows. I heard the Shogun recently announced she's retreating for seclusion and rest. Hah, just when everyone was saying the Sakoku Decree would finally be lifted, looks like I'll have to wait and see again—"
Without needing any insider information from the North Wing, Victor Wang had already heard the rumors about the storm's disturbance from several customers over the past two days.
After sending off the last two, his next customer was Yoimiya.
"Your business gets better every day!"
"Too bad I forgot to buy some beautiful fireworks for your grand opening."
"It's not too late to make up for it now~"
After the usual exchange of pleasantries, Yoimiya handed him a bulging cloth bag. "Here's what you asked for."
Inside were seven Visions of different colors. Their texture was crystal-clear and smooth to the touch—almost indistinguishable from the real thing, except they couldn't channel elemental power.
"Thanks. So, what'll you have today?"
"One hundred sticks of bubble gum."
"That much?"
Before Yoimiya could answer, Arataki Itto, blowing a bubble behind the milk tea stall, chimed in loudly, "Hahaha! She lost the bubble-blowing contest to me, so she's gotta practice more!"
"I just… I just want to hand them out to the kids! And so, what if I lost once? Haven't you lost to me plenty of times before?"
"Hmph, admit it—when it comes to blowing bubbles, I'm number one in Teyvat!"
"You do blow pretty big bubbles," Victor Wang interjected, cutting short their bickering, "but you're not quite number one yet. Someone else once blew an even bigger bubble—and that person won the 'First Annual Teyvat Bubble-Blowing Championship.'"
"Ha?! I never heard of that or joined it! How can it be called 'the First Teyvat Championship' without me?"
"You'll have to ask the Raiden Shogun that. And besides, even with your skill, you wouldn't have beaten that person."
Letting out a long sigh, Arataki Itto sat back down on his tiny stool. As his three henchmen—who never seemed to leave—played cards, he went back to practicing blowing bubbles.
When Yoimiya left with all that bubble gum, it seemed she'd made up her mind about something...
When the stall finally quieted down, Victor Wang took out the fake Visions. Among the various elemental types, only the Anemo Vision was suitable as a smoke bomb—no doubt about that. What troubled him was where he should wear it.
Where would someone wear a real Vision?
People placed them all over—most wore them at the waist, but the cloak he usually wore made that area hard to notice. Perhaps the neck area… or sewn onto the cloak itself.
Just as he hesitated, familiar voices approached.
"Bubble tea has become quite popular in Inazuma City lately. I heard the stall is on this very street."
"Bubble tea… yes, it's quite good. I've had it many times recently. Even though the pearls are made from Slimes, the texture and flavor have been improved remarkably. Its popularity is well-deserved."
"Slimes? Inazuma people eat Slimes?"
While Paimon was still skeptical, Lumine had already sensed something from the timing of bubble tea's appearance. "Perhaps bubble tea wasn't invented by the people of Inazuma…"
Then she saw Victor Wang.
Paimon saw him too. "Wow! It's Victor?!"
Raiden Shogun also noticed Victor Wang.
He ventured a greeting. "Three cups of bubble tea?"
Before Lumine or Paimon could respond, the Raiden Shogun passed by the stall without even looking. "There's nothing special about bubble tea. I'll pass."
"Ei…?"
"Lumine, Paimon—let's keep walking."
"But…"
While Paimon pouted over missing her drink, Lumine's heart sank with a sense of dread.
The Shogun didn't wait for them and continued forward alone.
"Your Excellency, the Shogun!"
Despite Victor Wang's call, the Raiden Shogun gave no sign of hearing.
"'The Duel Before the Throne is solemn and cruel. The loser faces divine punishment, the victor gains a chance at redemption.' Those are your rules. I challenge you to a Duel Before the Throne. If I win, I want you to do me a favor. You won't go back on your own decree, will you?"
At last, the Raiden Shogun stopped, turning to face him for the first time. "The Duel Before the Throne is an opportunity granted to the people. In principle, I do not refuse such challenges. However, 'redemption' does not mean I must fulfill any request. So, no—I will not accept your challenge."
Victor Wang drew in a deep breath, locking eyes with her. "Are you afraid?"
Paimon gasped, clutching her head, realizing things were about to explode!
"A petty provocation. Aren't you afraid I'll strike you down where you stand?"
"If I can't persuade you to help me, then perhaps death isn't such a bad end."
The tension between them was suffocating. Lumine and Arataki Itto wanted to step in but couldn't find the words.
Fortunately, Victor Wang eased up. "It's not really a provocation. After all, as a Duel Before the Throne, you wouldn't take part yourself. I don't presume to challenge an archon. What I mean is—are you afraid your subordinates can't beat me?"
"Hmph. Ridiculous."
"If you're so sure of their victory, why refuse me?"
"The Duel Before the Throne is no child's play. The loser faces divine punishment. I promised Yae Miko I wouldn't harm you. That's all."
"I'll explain it to her myself. Even if I die in the duel or under divine judgment, I'll have no regrets."
"Even if you're bent on dying, I still see no reason to grant your request."
Those words almost admitted she'd considered losing—but clearly, the Shogun wasn't falling for such a simple provocation.
"The Sacred Sakura Tree… we helped restore it. You don't yet understand its significance, but you will. Saving it wasn't all my doing, and I don't expect you to grant my favor out of gratitude. I'm only asking—do you dare give me a chance?"
The Sacred Sakura had once protected Inazuma, and even now, it continued to absorb filth from the ley lines. The hardest days had passed; as long as she lived, no corruption could not be cut away. Still, the people of Inazuma would suffer again in battle… Fine. Protecting the Sacred Sakura was indeed a worthy feat.
The Raiden Shogun hesitated.
"…Three matches. Win three Duels Before the Throne in a row, and not only will I change my opinion of you—I'll grant you one request. Do you dare?"
Victor Wang's thoughts flashed back to his conversation with Yae Miko.
…
"I need to ask the Raiden Shogun for her help."
"You know as well as I do—even I can only advise Ei. There are few in this world who can demand anything of her. Given your… unique status, the best I can do is keep you out of trouble."
"I understand. Then what about the Duel Before the Throne? How feasible is it?"
"It's meant as a chance for those condemned or rebellious to earn redemption. That doesn't mean Ei will grant your request. And if you lose—you'll face her Musou no Hitotachi."
"If I win, she'll have to grant my request, right?"
"In theory, yes… But are you really willing to take such a risk?"
"I am."
The Sacred Sakura was saved, Yashiori Island restored, Watatsumi aided—Inazuma was at peace. But his main purpose for coming here was to purify the Electro element, wasn't it?
Seeing Victor Wang's resolve, Yae Miko sighed softly and said no more.
He'd then asked, "Can you tell me more about the Musou no Hitotachi? If I lose, I should at least have a plan."
There were four recorded instances of its use in battle.
The first—slaying Orobashi, the mightiest blow of all, killing a god and creating the Musoujin Gorge.
The second—striking down The Fair Lady within Tenshukaku. With a single cut, she was reduced to ashes, body and bones gone.
The third—cutting down Kazuha's friend, who stood against the Vision Hunt Decree. His sword shattered, his life ended, but his body remained intact—his Vision carried away by Kazuha.
The fourth—the strike aimed at Lumine before Tenshukaku, deflected by Kazuha and his friend's Vision.
Looking at the data, Victor Wang analyzed:
Orobashi was too strong—he survived the cut long enough to leave a corpse.
The Fair Lady, weaker and wounded after battling Lumine, was utterly erased.
Kazuha's friend was not stronger than The Fair Lady, much less Orobashi, yet his body remained intact.
And the blow aimed at Lumine was clearly weaker than the one that killed Orobashi.
Raiden Ei herself once said, "The Musou no Hitotachi is not used lightly, nor for venting emotion. The reason behind a strike determines its form and its limit."
Thus, Victor Wang concluded—the blade's power varied with the opponent and the intent behind it.
Meaning that, if his strength surged in that instant, perhaps that blade could be endured.
Indeed, Yae Miko had revealed the truth: "The Musou no Hitotachi holds special meaning for Ei. It ensures the loser dies in the Duel Before the Throne, but that doesn't mean she always uses her full strength. If you survive divine punishment, she won't pursue it further."
"Then… there's room to maneuver."
…
Returning from that memory, Victor Wang now faced a new problem—what was once a single strike had become three.
As if in response to his earlier taunt, the Shogun's voice carried a faint mockery. "Three consecutive duels. If you don't have the courage, just withdraw. There's no shame in that."
The Arataki Gang, Lumine, and Paimon all gestured frantically for him to calm down.
Victor Wang closed his eyes in thought for a few seconds, then said, "I accept."
"Oh?"
"No, don't!" Paimon squeaked in protest.
"Hey, maybe think this through!" Arataki Itto grabbed Victor's shoulder.
"Calm down—that's a Duel Before the Throne, and three in a row! The loser dies, so your opponents will fight to the death! Winning three matches in a row under that condition is nearly impossible…" Lumine pleaded, standing between them.
"…But there's no other way to make the Raiden Shogun help me, is there?"
Lumine turned toward the Shogun, eyes full of hope.
Her answer was silence.
"Lumine, Paimon, Itto—everyone, don't worry about me. I'll win."
"So, you truly agree to three consecutive Duels Before the Throne? Think carefully. Once spoken, there's no taking it back." The Shogun's final confirmation came cold and steady.
"I agree."
"Very well. I'll grant you ten days of preparation. Ten days from now, in Tenshukaku, you'll face three opponents of my choosing—three Duels Before the Throne in succession. Until then, train as you will."
With that, the Raiden Shogun turned and left.
Lumine, who had been accompanying her to ease her mind amidst the storms plaguing Inazuma's seas, now stood unsure what to do.
"Go after her," Victor Wang said. "We're not mortal enemies, and I don't plan to die in the duel. Maybe one day, we can even be friends. Don't let me ruin the bond you share."
"But… someone always dies in a Duel Before the Throne…"
"Lumine, you must've guessed it by now. I'm searching for the Seven Archons. My illness can only be cured by them. I know duels mean death, and I don't want to harm anyone. I'll just… try my best."
"Try your best? What are you planning—"
"The Raiden Shogun's leaving. Go, before she's gone too far."