In the end, the ones who suffered were the people of Inazuma—because even if they wanted to participate, they couldn't.
To be fair, even their Archon was a martial fanatic. Under the influence of their deity, Inazuma had no shortage of such enthusiasts, and they were practically scratching their heads in frustration.
It felt like ants were crawling all over them, an unbearable itch. Never before had they so vehemently opposed the Shogun's Sakoku Decree.
Arataki Itto wasn't exactly a martial fanatic, but he loved this kind of excitement. Being unable to participate in the tournament was driving him mad.
"Damn it, I wanna go too!!! Once this stupid Sakoku Decree is over, I'm definitely heading to Liyue!" Itto fumed.
Yet, from his words, it was clear that Itto believed this unreasonable decree would inevitably be lifted.
Even without Lucian's book spoiling Inazuma's future, Itto held onto that conviction.
Speaking of which, Lucian hadn't expected this story to cause such an uproar over the tournament news.
He had thought the focus would be on where Kazuha's ownerless Vision came from.
After all, for most people in Teyvat, Visions still held significant allure.
But who would've guessed? Now, the Vision had become a mere "side character," while the tournament—originally meant as a filter—had taken center stage.
That said, not everyone was indifferent to the Vision. Business-minded individuals like Dori, Ningguang, and Pantalone were all very interested in this ownerless Vision.
However, by the end of the story, even they felt a tinge of disappointment.
Kazuha's Vision held special meaning—there was no way they'd ever get their hands on it.
[Kaedehara Kazuha: "The idea that an ownerless Vision can reignite... I've only heard of it in a handful of legends."]
Reading this, Ningguang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Others dismissed reigniting a dead Vision as mere myth.
Yet she had actually done it—and the worst part was, she hadn't even meant to!
She had intended to sell it, so why had it suddenly lit up on its own?!
Truly Murphy's Law—Kazuha searched for someone who could reignite a Vision but failed, while Ningguang, who wanted nothing to do with it, ended up triggering it anyway.
In the story, Kazuha recounted the tale of this Vision.
[He was once my closest friend. That day, he asked me, "Have you ever heard of the 'Musou no Hitotachi'?"]
An illustration accompanied these words, depicting Kazuha and his friend from behind.
Seeing this, Kazuha's pupils constricted, his breathing growing noticeably quicker.
[I said of course—that blade can only be witnessed when divine punishment is delivered.]
[That strike represents the pinnacle of the Raiden Shogun's martial prowess, the ultimate symbol of strength.]
Another illustration followed—a silhouette of the Raiden Shogun, her blade slightly drawn, slashes of light tearing through the space around her.
Kujou Sara's eyes widened. Carefully, she peeled the illustration from the page and pasted it onto her wall.
Wonderful. She, too, had been blessed with "good content."
Regardless of how Inazumans felt about the Shogun, none would ever question the terrifying might of that strike—a force no mortal could withstand.
[Yet he said, "That blade... may not be beyond reach."]
["There will always be those who dare to brave the lightning's glow."]
Inazumans were stunned. How could anyone say such a thing?
Outlanders might not understand, but how could someone who had witnessed that strike dare to speak so boldly?
Even islands and gods could not withstand its radiance—how could a mere human hope to match it?
For most Inazumans, the Raiden Shogun's blade was an article of faith carved into their bones.
They trusted that a ruler wielding such martial prowess could protect them under any circumstances.
But intertwined with that trust was fear—awe before divine might, trembling reverence.
Who wouldn't fear such terrifying radiance?
[Then, the Vision Hunt Decree arrived without warning.]
[The people's aspirations became bricks in the edifice of "Eternity."]
Inazumans fell silent. Few had opposed the Vision Hunt Decree, and even fewer dared to challenge the lightning's glow.
[As I wandered helplessly, I heard that he had challenged the executor of the Vision Hunt Decree to a "Duel Before the Throne."]
[A Duel Before the Throne is solemn and cruel—the loser faces divine punishment, the winner earns a reprieve.]
[Perhaps he believed he was the one best suited to stand forward. To face the "Musou no Hitotachi" had always been his life's desire.]
Two illustrations: one of Kazuha's friend from behind, the other a frontal silhouette of the Raiden Shogun and Kujou Sara.
[By the time I reached Tenshukaku, the duel was already over. All I heard was the clatter of his broken blade after divine punishment had been dealt.]
[That must have been the light he sought to witness. What expression did he wear in his final moments?]
[There was no time to guess. I could only rush forward, snatch up his dimming Vision, and flee.]
[All I knew was this—his blazing ambition could not be entombed within a cold statue.]
The story ended. Kujou Sara stood in silence.
She still remembered Kazuha's friend. She remembered all worthy opponents.
She felt regret—but not remorse. Her duty was only to defend the path chosen by Her Excellency.
Her gaze shifted to the illustration Lucian had drawn, now pasted on her wall.
This was the first time Lucian had depicted the Raiden Shogun—albeit just a faceless silhouette—but Sara cherished it nonetheless.
"Her Excellency... cannot be wrong," Sara affirmed.
"Her Excellency... is truly mistaken," Kamisato Ayaka thought differently.
To her, the Shogun's current path was undeniably wrong. She still revered her deity—but wrong was wrong.
Yae Miko, too, believed Ei was mistaken. All she could do now was hope for someone to break the deadlock before Ei strayed further down this misguided road.
Meanwhile, Kazuha closed the book and looked up, his gaze settling on a seagull perched atop the mast.
As he lost himself in thought, his vision was suddenly blocked by the base of a liquor bottle.
"Kazuha, care to drink with me?" Beidou waved the bottle in front of him.
"Captain! How can you make Young Master Kazuha drink?!" the crew protested.
They had been busy preparing the venue for the "Number One Under Heaven Martial Arts Tournament" and hadn't had time to read.
Kazuha smiled faintly and took the bottle. "Very well. I shall accompany you."
Kazuha got drunk—but for once, he thought, being drunk wasn't so bad.
"Hahaha! Alright, lads, let's make this venue even bigger!" Beidou roared with laughter.
"Captain, why make it so huge?" the sailors asked, puzzled.
Though they were hosting a tournament, everyone knew turnout wouldn't be massive.
Beidou was famous in Liyue, but she hadn't actively promoted this event, and it was all rather last-minute.
"The reason's in the book—just get to work for now!" Beidou cheerfully joined the crew in expanding the grounds.
Readers began to notice something: so far, every Anemo male character featured was short and had lost a dear friend.
Was this intentional... or just a coincidence?
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Kujou Sara: About Kazuha's Friend
"I am sorry... but if given the choice again, I would still draw my blade.
Loyalty to the Raiden Shogun is the sole creed of my life."