Indeed, it was Raiden Ei who cleaved the Musoujin Gorge with her blade. Ei simply allocated all her stat points—even those meant for intelligence—into martial prowess, making her a warrior with an intelligence stat of ⑨.
Her elder sister, on the other hand, allocated her martial stats into intelligence.
Originally, the two complemented each other perfectly. Unfortunately, Makoto was gone, and Ei suddenly lost her "external brain."
To make matters worse, Ei was stubborn and unwilling to replace her "external brain."
While Makoto could keep Ei in check, Yae Miko could not. As a result, after losing her "external brain," Ei was easily deceived by her subordinates.
In such circumstances, Yae Miko could only resort to "gentle persuasion," trying to make Ei realize her mistakes.
If it were Makoto, she would've just taken off her shoe and smacked Ei a few times—problem solved.
Though, given Makoto's personality, she wouldn't actually do that. Still, Ei would listen to Makoto. She might not understand, but she would obey.
In the story, Yae Miko also mentions that the "Plane of Euthymia" is Ei's inner world, a place ordinary people cannot set foot in. Only the Traveler, an "anomaly beyond eternity," could enter it.
This was because Ei was deeply interested in the Traveler and actively pulled them into her "QQ Space."
Everyone else was blocked, but the Traveler had special privileges.
Afterward, Yae Miko took the Traveler to undergo "Anti-Raiden Shogun Training."
However, the people of Inazuma remained pessimistic. The Traveler was strong, but compared to the Shogun, the gap was far too wide. No amount of training would help.
To change the Shogun's mind, one would have to defeat her within the Plane of Euthymia. How was that possible?
Forget the sheer difference in strength—the Plane of Euthymia was the Shogun's mental domain. The only way to "defeat" her there was if she willingly conceded.
In a mental space, concepts like victory, defeat, and death held no meaning. The last time the Traveler was dragged into the Plane of Euthymia and beaten to a pulp, they merely passed out in the end.
Ei was a stubborn god who pursued eternity—her mental fortitude needed no explanation.
To make such a stubborn Shogun admit defeat, one not only had to overpower her but also convince her while doing so! How impossible was that?!
Though readers held no expectations for the Traveler defeating the Shogun, the Traveler still successfully completed the Anti-Raiden Shogun Training.
After finishing the training, the Traveler asked Yae Miko why she understood the Raiden Shogun so well.
Yae Miko replied:
["Perhaps because… I am the 「Thunder God's Familiar.」"]
Readers outside Inazuma's borders had their brains working overtime—so now, the Thunder God's Familiar was leading the charge against the Thunder God?
What was up with these gods?
The Anemo Archon's familiar, Dvalin, fought against the Anemo Archon.
The Geo Archon's "familiar," Azhdaha, fought against the Geo Archon.
The Electro Archon's familiar, Yae Miko, was now opposing the Electro Archon.
Well, strictly speaking, Azhdaha wasn't Zhongli's familiar but his comrade-in-arms, and Yae Miko had no intention of personally fighting Ei.
But still, it was always the "familiars" going against their gods!
Yae Miko had even more buffs—not only was she a familiar, but she was also the god's shrine maiden.
This was like if Barbara became the Anemo Archon's familiar and then led a rebellion against him—what kind of dream was this?
[Paimon: "Huh! So it's like Dvalin and Barbatos' relationship? I really couldn't tell…"]
Indeed, it wasn't obvious. Dvalin was a dragon, while Yae Miko took on a human form.
[Yae Miko: "Hehe, so it seems you're more interested in my 「Lady Fox」 form?"]
[The Traveler immediately said: "I want to see it…"]
Not just the Traveler—readers also wanted to see it. If Yae Miko transformed into her fox form, Shikikan would surely draw an illustration, right?
Unfortunately, Yae Miko flatly refused.
[Yae Miko giggled: "Wishful thinking~."]
For some reason, even though Yae Miko had rejected them, readers didn't dislike her way of speaking—in fact, they found it somewhat endearing.
Speaking of which, the previous two archons' "familiars" were dragons, so why was the Electro Archon's familiar an adorable fox?
[Yae Miko continued: "Actually, the strange part isn't my form, but the fact that she and I no longer meet, don't you think?"]
["「An unchanging nation」 was our shared dream, but I don't believe that means complete 「stagnation.」"]
The people of Inazuma nodded inwardly—Lady Miko was absolutely right! Eternity didn't mean stagnation!
Miko was great—no further explanation needed! If the Shogun's seat had been given to Miko for even two days, Inazuma's problems would've been solved long ago!
[Yae Miko said: "Before Ei entered the 「Plane of Euthymia,」 she didn't bid me farewell."]
["Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but I believe this is her way of preserving our friendship for eternity."]
["No farewells, no further meetings—our relationship remains forever as it was in those days, at least in her heart."]
If Ei, who was currently avoiding prophecy books to protect her mental state, were to read this, Yae Miko's words would undoubtedly shake her.
Ei, who valued "emotions," definitely wanted to see Yae Miko—she was just enduring it. It hurt, but she wouldn't say it.
If she saw Yae Miko interpreting her feelings like this, she'd want to see her even more—she wouldn't be able to hold back.
Ever since Ei entered the Plane of Euthymia, Yae Miko had never seen her again. Even when delivering books, she only sent them to Tenshukaku.
The guards would then pass them to the Raiden Shogun, allowing Ei to read them—but the two never met in person.
This was why the real Yae Miko eagerly awaited the Traveler's arrival—because she, too, couldn't persuade Ei. Ei's "QQ Space" denied her access.
In the story, the Traveler completed "Anti-Raiden Shogun Training Phase II." Paimon asked if they could defeat the Raiden Shogun now, to which Yae Miko bluntly replied, "Absolutely no chance of winning."
Yae Miko explained that the Traveler was a crucial piece in defeating the Shogun. She had already devised a plan, so the Traveler need not worry.
However, Yae Miko didn't reveal her plan and instead shifted the topic to the resistance.
["Speaking of which… Traveler, what are your thoughts on the resistance forces?"]
In Yae Miko's view, while the resistance was nothing more than a ragtag group to the Raiden Shogun, their will to resist could still be of use to her.
This made the people of Watatsumi Island seethe with frustration, but they couldn't refute it.
Indeed, to the Raiden Shogun, they were nothing but small fry—even their squad name was "Gobius Squad" (lit. "shrimps and crabs").
Even Orobashi couldn't withstand the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi.
Their resistance seemed doomed from the start, but they wouldn't give up.
If Yae Miko could use them to oppose the Shogun, then so be it—let her use them to her heart's content.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice • Sangonomiya Kokomi: About Yae Miko
"What a troublesome woman. When she couldn't trick me, she went after Gorou instead… Sigh.
Still… Hmm, Lady Hina is quite interesting. Maybe this outcome isn't so bad after all."