Speaking of recent events, that terrifying Mushroom Man, Dark Version Eula, Sylvanas' reemployment—the Knave.
Lately, Arlecchino has been getting close to Furina, making little Furina very uncomfortable. Ever since the Knave watched her performance last time, for some reason, she's been observing Furina every day. Those who don't know might think she's secretly in love with Furina, like some kind of obsessed fan. And she's the kind of fan who can chase her idol with public funds, frequently meeting Furina under the guise of a diplomat.
This has left Furina quite distressed. I'm really scared of you, okay? Lucian told me you'll attack me in the future, so can you please stop getting close to me? Neuvillette isn't always available! If Lucian hasn't come and you attack me, fine, but if Lucian comes and you still attack me, wouldn't that mean Lucian came for nothing?
Unfortunately, these words can't be said to Arlecchino. Furina can't show fear in front of her.
Back to the story. Kujou Takayuki's logic doesn't seem like that of a normal person, so the Traveler didn't bother continuing to argue with him. Kujou Sara felt the same, so she stopped talking to Kujou Takayuki and chose to head to the Tenshukaku to correct the Shogun's judgment.
[Kujou Takayuki: "Go if you want. No one can shake the Kujou Clan's position now, and the current situation won't change because of you."]
["The Shogun is currently in the Tenshukaku, receiving a diplomat from Snezhnaya—the Fatui Harbinger known as 'Signora.'"]
Readers laughed. Look at this guy! You didn't even ask, and he's already spilling information. What a nice person! No wonder he works with Scaramouche—they both love handing intelligence to their enemies.
Even if Ei is a bit oblivious, that's fine. The two puppets she made being oblivious is also understandable since they're her creations, so some inherited traits make sense. But you, a commissioner who's not even part of the Raiden Clan, why are you so careless?
Speaking of the Raiden Clan, all the emotional intelligence went to Raiden Makoto. After Makoto's death, the entire Raiden Clan didn't have a single high-EQ person left. Raiden Ei ended up being the one with the highest emotional intelligence.
Back to the story, right after Kujou Takayuki shared this information, Kujou Sara had already dashed off. The Traveler was just a step behind. By the time the Traveler reached the Tenshukaku, the "Hatamoto Samurai" guarding it were already sprawled across the ground. They had tried to stop Kujou Sara, but she was in such a hurry that they couldn't hold her back, and she stormed straight in.
This made things convenient for the Traveler, who entered the Tenshukaku without any obstacles. When the Traveler arrived before Raiden Shogun, they found Kujou Sara already lying on the ground, with Signora standing nearby. Despite being only a step behind, it felt like the Traveler had missed an entire episode.
It seemed Kujou Sara was no match for Signora and had been knocked out. In reality, Kujou Sara's expression was grave—this Signora was stronger than she had imagined. If Arataki Itto were here, he'd probably say something like he'd take Kujou Sara as his underling and deal with Signora himself next time. But Kujou Sara would definitely ignore him. Arataki Itto can't even beat himself, let alone Signora.
Kujou Sara continued reading and was deeply moved by the Shogun's words.
[Raiden Shogun: "The faults of Inazuma's people shall be judged by me. You have no authority, 'Signora.'"]
Yes, this very line touched Kujou Sara's heart. I stormed into the Tenshukaku, yet the Shogun is still protecting me! She'll even punish me herself! The Shogun is truly so kind. Her logic was something Barbara could understand. When the Skyward Harp was damaged, Barbara had similar thoughts. It was clearly Venti's fault, but she still felt it was her own, thinking the Anemo Archon was too kind. Kujou Sara was the same—despite Ei being at fault first, she still blamed herself.
This is the mindset of a diehard loyalist, incomprehensible to ordinary people. Still, the people of Inazuma deeply respect their Narukami. Seeing the Shogun's firm stance made them quite satisfied.
In the story, the Traveler called out Signora's "name" with some anger.
[Signora, smiling: "Alright, alright, I know you can't forget me. No need to keep my name on your lips all the time."]
For most readers, Signora is indeed a familiar face. She appeared in Mondstadt and Liyue, always with an arrogant and sharp-tongued demeanor. Readers have already labeled her as such, so even though they can't hear her tone, they imagine it in their minds, finding her words dripping with sarcasm.
If Yae Miko said this line, readers might fall into a "charmed" state. If Kamisato Ayaka or Naganohara Yoimiya said it, they might feel "flustered." But when Signora says it, everyone just feels "mocked."
The Traveler felt the same, choosing to denounce Signora's crimes before the Raiden Shogun. However, Signora didn't care at all, as her only mission was to complete the Tsaritsa's tasks.
[Signora: "Those insignificant characters whose names won't even be remembered, participating in this revolution to reach 'Eternity' and becoming stepping stones…"]
["For their fleeting lives, isn't that already a great honor?"]
["Lord Shogun, what I've said shouldn't be wrong, right?"]
[Raiden Shogun: "…"]
The Shogun didn't speak, and the people of Inazuma felt their hearts tighten. Could it be that the Shogun really thinks this way? Are our fleeting lives, to the Narukami pursuing "Eternity," truly just insignificant figures, mere stepping stones unworthy of a god's gaze?
Are we… never noticed by our god…?
[Signora continued to the Traveler: "Storming into the Tenshukaku and spouting nonsense before the Shogun—what is that if not walking into a trap?"]
Signora wasn't wrong. Her status as a Snezhnayan diplomat contrasted with the Traveler's status as a fugitive, creating a clear difference in their positions. But Signora's words were indeed hard to swallow. If not for her status, she'd have been cut down long ago. This "status" refers not only to Signora's diplomatic role but also to the Raiden Shogun's.
The Raiden Shogun puppet has some autonomy, but in most cases, it operates according to pre-set protocols. For matters beyond its decision-making authority, it follows its inner core. And that inner core, Ei, is currently lost in her eternal meditation. Otherwise, with her temperament, she'd have already cut down both Signora and the Traveler, too lazy to listen to their chatter.
Unfortunately, per the pre-set protocols, the Raiden Shogun won't attack a diplomatic envoy without reason. So, after hearing Signora's words, she remained silent and didn't act.
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Character Voice · Raiden Shogun: About Lucian
"…The enemy of Eternity! But I grudgingly acknowledge his strength."