After dealing with the ronin issue, the Traveler returned to Kokomi, who decided to reward them for their efforts.
However, she found it difficult—promotion wasn't an option since the Traveler had just become a captain, and increasing their provisions was tough because Watatsumi Island was already struggling financially. At this rate, she might as well reward them with herself.
Though the reward was tricky, Kokomi still had to assign the Traveler another mission—after all, the resistance was short on personnel. Worst case, she'd just have to offer herself as compensation.
This time, the mission involved investigating a remnant of a fallen god. The ruins were located between the encampments of Watatsumi Island and Seirai Island, where supply convoys frequently vanished.
Kokomi had sent people to investigate before, but they found nothing. Now, she had to rely on the more experienced Traveler to look into it again. She seemed to recognize the Traveler's "Conan-like luck"—where nothing happens when others go, but trouble always follows the Traveler.
Before setting off, the Traveler visited Teppei, who had just returned from a mission.
Teppei shared good news—he had been promoted to captain of the Herring First Squad, managing his team using tactics he learned from novels.
However, his health seemed to have worsened. Though he spoke enthusiastically, he occasionally coughed. It wasn't obvious, and even Teppei himself didn't notice, too excited about finally becoming a captain—and not just any squad, but a newly formed special operations unit! His chance to make a name for himself had arrived!
Most readers, however, weren't optimistic about him.
For one, Teppei's combat abilities had never been strong—far below the standard for a special ops member, let alone a captain.
Secondly, the fact that he was leading his squad based on tactics from novels was absurd.
"I've read 'Reborn as the Raiden Shogun and Invincible' too—does that mean I should get to sit on the throne for a couple of days?"
Even within the resistance, those who knew Teppei wondered: He's a good guy, but is he really fit to lead a special ops squad?
Whether Teppei was capable or not, the Traveler certainly was—they had already set off to complete Kokomi's mission.
During the Traveler's investigation, a Thunderhelm Lawachurl was drawn to the commotion. Unfortunately, it was no match for the Traveler and was forced to return to the Ley Lines in defeat.
After the Traveler dealt with the Lawachurl, Teppei arrived.
He had heard about the disturbance and came to help, hoping to play the hero.
But when he arrived, he found that the one in trouble was the very hero who had saved him before.
[Teppei and Lumine discuss the area's history:]
Teppei: "This place is close to the remains of the fallen god Orobashi, so the Tatarigami's presence is strong here."
Paimon (confused): "Orobashi… who's that?"
Teppei (pointing at the massive serpent skeleton nearby): "That's Orobashi's remains."
Teppei: "Orobashi brought our ancestors from Enkanomiya to the surface, leading to the founding of Watatsumi Island."
Teppei: "Our ancestors revered it as a guardian deity. But during the Archon War, Orobashi invaded Yashiori Island."
Teppei: "The Raiden Shogun herself arrived and struck it down with the 'Musou no Hitotachi'—that slash created the 'Musoujin Gorge' we see today."
Teppei: "After Orobashi's death, tensions grew between Watatsumi and the Shogunate. But this time, our rebellion isn't about faith—it's against the Vision Hunt Decree."
The people of Inazuma had always held grudges against Watatsumi Island, and now that they were rebelling against the Shogun, their resentment only grew. However, the resistance's cause this time was undeniably just—ironically, a "justice" handed to them by the Shogun herself. It left the opposition with no room to argue.
Meanwhile, those outside Inazuma focused on the "Musou no Hitotachi" and "Musoujin Gorge."
Not many foreigners knew this story, and now, witnessing the Electro Archon's might, they were stunned.
No wonder Kaedehara Kazuha's story described "facing the wrath of lightning" as something terrifying.
At first, they thought, "What's so scary about lightning?" But now they understood—this was a lightning strike that could split an island in half.
A god, along with the land itself, cleaved apart by a single slash—what kind of power was that?
In comparison, Liyue had to mobilize countless forces just to reseal Osial beneath the waves.
Now they realized just how much courage Kazuha's friend must have had to stand against the Shogun's might—no wonder he was granted a Vision.
In that regard, Watatsumi's resistance deserved recognition for daring to oppose a god despite knowing her power.
On another note:
The Anemo Archon flattened mountains and dispersed blizzards.
The Geo Archon raised islands and erected towering peaks.
The Electro Archon sundered gods and split land apart.
"You're all ridiculously powerful—what kind of feats will the next Archons show?"
As one of the "next Archons," Furina gaped in disbelief.
"You three set the bar so high, it's impossible for me to follow! Should I just show off by eating an entire cake in one bite? That's something normal people can't do!"
Nahida, however, didn't worry about such comparisons. She already accepted that she wasn't a combat-focused god and had no intention of competing with the three older Archons—she surrendered by default.
As an actual god, she didn't need to prove herself through power. Furina, who wasn't a god, was the one feeling insecure and trying to compensate.
In some ways, Nahida and Ei were similar—both had "locked themselves away."
One did so voluntarily, believing herself omniscient—a genius!
The other was forced, believing herself ignorant—a fool!
Yet ironically, Ei knew very little, while Nahida knew much more.
Now, Nahida eagerly absorbed knowledge from the outside world, while Ei rejected it entirely.
But they did share some traits—both were goddesses, and both loved sweets.
Perhaps after suffering for 500 years, they craved something sweet. Furina was no exception.
Back to the story—after resolving the issue, the Traveler returned to Kokomi, only for the resistance to face a new problem.
True to their "Conan-like" nature, trouble followed wherever the Traveler went.
This time, the issue was Delusions, which had begun circulating among the resistance.
Delusions boosted combat power at the cost of lifespan—overuse led to shortened lives or death. Naturally, Kokomi forbade them.
For the Fatui to mass-produce Delusions in Inazuma, they must have had local support. To stop them, the resistance needed to locate the factory first.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Sangonomiya Kokomi: About Lucian
"Him? As a strategist, he's the last kind of enemy I'd want to face—he anticipates all my tactics. Thankfully, we're not enemies."