"This is… his power?" the Raiden Shogun asked in surprise.
It was the power of the Geo Archon.
Victor Wang had long since activated his one and only trump card—calling Alice.
Although the "call" had connected quickly, Alice had listened to his request with her usual calm and replied that she was currently a bit busy and wouldn't be able to come…
"Then what am I supposed to do? You were my ace in the hole!"
"Don't panic~ you still have that… that thing, don't you? It should be enough to block one strike, right?"
"Which thing??"
"The one the Geo Archon gave you… ahem, it's called the Array Stone, isn't it?"
"Oh, right! I have it, I have it!" Grasping the Array Stone like a lifeline, Victor Wang suddenly realized something. "Wait—have you been eavesdropping on me this whole time? Don't tell me you've been watching, too?!"
"How could that be~ I have a very talented astrologist friend. She's the one who told me all that."
"Funny, an astrologist once told me my destiny was hidden."
"…Anyway, now's not the time for me to step in. If you're in danger, just throw that stone out."
"…Then this call doesn't count as using up my one request for help, right?"
"That's hard to say. Guidance and advice can be considered help—it depends on how I decide to define it."
"You are spying on me."
"…Just checking in from time to time when I'm bored. Don't make such a big deal out of it, all right?"
"Whatever you say."
From the other end of the bracelet, Alice sighed. "Fine, fine, this one doesn't count as official help. But don't say it like I didn't do anything."
So, he had called for Alice… but ended up with the Geo Archon himself.
Even as sturdy as the runic inscriptions of the Array Stone were, they were still rootless and source-less—destined to fade away. In the end, they condensed into a single streak of spiritual light, just like the one Zhongli had once bestowed upon him, gently sinking into Victor Wang's brow.
When he sensed the information contained within, Victor was stunned. The Array Stone actually had two layers!
The Array Stone was like a second-tier puzzle cube—with hidden structures inside. Aside from the outer runic formations, when the runes were flipped, an internal set of patterns was revealed!
If it hadn't been shattered and forced itself into his mind, who could've ever guessed?
While the mortals on the ground were still speechless from shock, the Raiden Shogun landed gracefully. "Yae, did you have your fun this time?"
"Quite~ quite~ You haven't swung such a serious blade in ages. It was worth giving the Yae Publishing House a day off just to watch this spectacle."
"The world outside has changed so much… How many things have you kept from me for the sake of this 'spectacle'?"
"Things I haven't told you?" Yae Miko tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh—don't get me wrong, Ei. As for this little fellow, the only thing I haven't told you is that he and I had never met before, yet the first time we did, he acted like he already knew me. Aside from that, before he came to Inazuma, he was a total nobody."
"A nobody?"
A so-called "nobody" who carried the scent of Khaenri'ah from five hundred years ago… who had blocked her Musou no Hitotachi thrice… and who had received the Geo Archon's protection? That only made him more unfathomable.
The Raiden Shogun sighed, finally turning her eyes directly toward Victor Wang. "You've won."
"I've won…"
Feeling the profound silence that settled across the heavens and the earth, and recalling the past eleven days of his actions, Victor Wang couldn't help but grow reflective.
Everything had begun in those few seconds of thought at the milk tea stall.
Three Duels Before the Throne—where losing meant death. The Raiden Shogun would choose her combatants carefully. Because she didn't want to grant his request, she had to win.
Even knowing Yae Miko was his acquaintance, she would naturally choose her for the third match. Since losing truly meant death, personal ties would normally be meaningless in such duels… so the plan was simple: use the Array Stone to survive the divine punishment in the final round. That secured one victory.
As for the first and second rounds, there weren't many candidates.
Inazuma had once been home to yokai foxes, tanuki, tengu, and oni—powerful races—but it seemed they had all withered away five hundred years ago. Below Yae Miko, there was a clear gap in power.
So, whoever the Shogun chose for the first two rounds—if they surrendered, he'd let them bear the strike instead; if not, he'd use the power he'd prepared to block it himself.
The second opponent being Hanachirusato had been unexpected, but in truth, it was good news.
And Kujou Sara, the first opponent, had survived. That was also good.
"Yes," Victor Wang said softly, "I won."
"State your request."
"Uh… right now? Here?"
He glanced at Yae Miko beside him, then around the courtyard. The Shogunate soldiers, Okuzumeshuu, members of the Tri-Commission, countless spectators—and his friends—were all watching. "It's… not convenient right now. Could we talk privately?" he asked in a low voice.
"Oh?" Yae Miko arched a brow. "Is your request something that can't be said openly? This isn't something to joke about, little one. Show disrespect to the divine, and you might get struck by lightning~"
"What are you thinking?! It's just… a private matter."
"Hehe~ just looking out for you."
"So… is that all right?"
"I don't mind," the Raiden Shogun said. "When you're ready, have the Okuzumeshuu notify me." She conjured a pass out of thin air and handed it to him before turning to ascend the steps.
Thud, thud, thud!
"This Duel Before the Throne is concluded! The victor—Victor Wang!" an Okuzumeshuu officer proclaimed in a booming voice, echoing the Shogun's will.
"That's it? It's over? He actually won?!"
The crowd, stunned into silence, suddenly erupted louder than ever before.
"He really won!"
"An unprecedented three Duels Before the Throne, and the challenger won them all?!"
"Three strikes! Three! The milk tea vendor blocked Musou no Hitotachi thrice! When that last one fell, I couldn't even stand—the sky itself split apart! Who still dares say Musou no Hitotachi isn't the strongest?!"
"I said I'd drink bubble tea for a year, and I mean it!"
Even without offering help, people naturally sympathized with the weaker side. Against the Raiden Shogun, Victor Wang was that underdog. No matter the era or land, people loved stories of those who defied fate and created miracles—and Victor had just done that.
And people adored happy endings. Three Duels Before the Throne, no deaths—a miracle Victor himself had made real.
It was like a passerby who didn't even understand sports suddenly seeing a perfect goal; though most of them had no connection to Victor Wang, watching those three duels had linked them to him, if only for a moment.
"Fox Mask! Fox Mask!! Fox Mask!!!"
"Milk Tea Master! Milk Tea Master!! Milk Tea Master!!!"
"What are you shouting for?! He has a name—it's Victor!" Paimon's protest was drowned by the roar of the crowd. She flew up high, waving vigorously toward Victor Wang.
Even Lumine found it hard to believe. The "best outcome" she had only dared to imagine had actually come true. Victor's already become this strong…
Amid the thunderous cheers, the Raiden Shogun entered Tenshukaku once more.
Thud, thud, thud!
"This Duel Before the Throne has concluded. Please remain calm and leave the Tenshukaku in an orderly manner. Unauthorized persons must not linger, to avoid disturbing Her Excellency the Shogun!"
After three drumbeats and three announcements, the majority of the crowd dispersed, satisfied beyond measure by the extraordinary spectacle they had just witnessed.
"So, how does it feel? You not only achieved your goal but stole the entire spotlight~"
Seeing his thoughts laid bare by Yae Miko's teasing, Victor Wang rubbed his nose. "Feels… not bad, I guess."
"Hehe, go on then. Your friends are waiting. I should check what the Yae Publishing House authors thought of the show."
A group still clustered around the milk tea stall, unwilling to leave.
Arataki Itto was the first to give a thumbs-up. "Victor! The great Arataki Itto's gotta admit—you were awesome today!"
Paimon puffed up proudly. "You were amazing, Victor!"
Kokomi smiled and nodded, while Beidou gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder. It was like a small celebration of praise.
The Yae Publishing House staff were just as excited. One of them waved a notebook at Yae Miko. "Lady Miko! I've just thought of a hilariously dangerous novel idea—it's called 'Reincarnated: My Milk Tea Stall Is Blessed by the Seven Archons!'"
"How dangerous are we talking?"
"The protagonist just wants a quiet life selling milk tea, but accidentally wins over all six Archons with his unique blend! The Geo Archon helps build his shop and expand the space; the Dendro Archon provides tea leaves, paper cups, and straws; the Hydro Archon supplies the finest water sources; the Pyro Archon boils the milk tea; the Cryo Archon handles the ice; and the Anemo Archon spreads its aroma across the world with the wind!"
"And what about the Electro Archon?"
"The Electro Archon is a passing customer who misunderstands the protagonist—and his milk tea! To change her opinion, the protagonist finally accepts the other six Archons' request to take him as their disciple. After rigorous training, he challenges the Electro Archon to a triple Duel Before the Throne!"
"Hm… surprisingly interesting. Go ahead and write it just like that."