[Ei to the Traveler: "Your being is filled with countless uncertainties. In other words, you are the furthest from 'Eternity.'"]
["Therefore, I have no intention of making you understand its meaning. It is enough for me to act as the agent of 'Eternity' for this mortal realm."]
It must be said, the Raiden Clan must have a hereditary tendency to spill secrets. The Traveler hasn't even asked anything, yet Ei has already said it all. Seeing this, Venti's brow furrows.
Has the Electro Archon's pursuit of Eternity come to this? The winds bring "stories" to Venti, but there's no wind in the Plane of Euthymia, so he's only now learning of Ei's thoughts. Acting as the agent of "Eternity" for the mortal realm—in Venti's eyes, this is the complete opposite of freedom. To act on behalf of the world means forcing everyone to walk the path of her prescribed "Eternity," a "static Eternity." It implies that everything in the future must follow her plan, with no unexpected changes.
No wonder "Eternity" is said to be closest to the "Heavenly Principles." The Heavenly Principles, nicknamed "Little Electro Archon," can't even compare to Ei's divine plan for Eternity! The "static Eternity" Ei pursues is impossible to achieve. Humans aren't turtles—how can they remain completely still? Human thoughts never stop. As long as humans keep "thinking for themselves," their progress won't halt. You never know when someone might have a spark of inspiration and come up with a new idea. Even if humans could remain "static," time keeps moving. Such an Eternity will inevitably be shattered.
Sigh. Venti lets out a soft sigh. Back then, Makoto's idea was to pursue a "fleeting Eternity," embracing everything time brings, letting it flow while humans exist eternally within it. The past, too, could remain "eternal" in memory. That kind of "Eternity" shared a slight commonality with Venti's pursuit of "freedom," and both he and Makoto had countless ties to Istaroth. But now, Makoto's sister, Beelzebul, has adopted a mindset opposite to Venti's. How could one not feel emotional?
Back to the story, in just a few words, the Traveler sees Ei's stubbornness and gives up on persuading her through normal means.
[Traveler: "The 'Plane of Euthymia'… it's a space formed by your consciousness, isn't it?"]
[Ei, frankly: "Correct. I'm surprised you know this…"]
Ei upholds the Raiden Clan's tradition of answering everything, asked or unasked.
["Very well. Are you seeking… an opportunity to shake my will?"]
[Traveler: "I don't want to argue with you anymore. I'll just 'refute' you directly."]
The Traveler didn't expect that using force to "persuade" Ei would be more effective than words. Since words can't "refute" her, they'll have to do it physically. Originally, they thought the Raiden Shogun's most formidable trait was her unparalleled martial prowess, but her stubborn temperament surpasses even that. Truly, a strong opponent is full of surprises!
[Ei: "…Very well. You who defy Eternity, show me your resolve!"]
Unexpectedly, Lucian includes an illustration here—a close-up of Ei's face. In the image, Ei's expression is calm, her small face slightly raised, her brows and eyes neatly aligned like a single stroke. This lets readers notice some differences between Ei and the Shogun. Ei's calm expression isn't cold or intimidating; it feels a bit aloof, almost cute. Next to the illustration is a small chibi-style emote of Ei with her blank, cold expression, raising her blade—making her even cuter. Some readers even wonder, Shikikan, are you drawing this to make us defect to her side?
Fortunately, the people of Inazuma aren't worried about such considerations—they're already on the Electro Archon's side. That said, Inazuma's readers now hope the Traveler can defeat the Shogun, because otherwise, she won't listen to anyone.
However, their expectations are dashed. Even with special training, the Traveler can't defeat the Raiden Shogun, especially since the battlefield is her home turf, the "Plane of Euthymia." In theory, as long as the Raiden Shogun doesn't concede, there's no way to defeat her unless you're strong enough to obliterate the entire Plane of Euthymia.
Lucian's book describes the Traveler gripping their sword tightly, charging at the Electro Archon. A full-powered strike is met with the Raiden Shogun's expressionless parry, and with a swing of her naginata, she forces the Traveler back. The Traveler falls to one knee, supporting themselves with their sword, already low on stamina, while Ei remains completely at ease.
At that moment, the Traveler notices their "phone" ringing. Pulling it out, they see the amulet given by Yae Miko glowing. As the amulet's light fades, Yae Miko makes a dazzling entrance—literally dazzling, as her appearance is accompanied by pink cherry blossom effects from the amulet.
[Yae Miko walks to the Traveler's side, playfully raising an eyebrow: "Oh my~ Did you only just remember me?"]
Raiden Ei, seeing Yae Miko's arrival, furrows her brow, though her expression somehow feels a bit silly, not at all intimidating.
[Raiden Ei: "Miko, is this your scheme?"]
Raiden Ei declares, I've figured it out again.
[Yae Miko gracefully steps forward: "Don't forget, I'm the one who taught you how to imbue consciousness into objects."]
Case closed—Yae Miko is the true mastermind! Lucian drew an illustration for this "mastermind," showing Yae Miko leaning close to the Traveler's ear. In the image, Yae Miko bends slightly, her red lips near the Traveler's ear, whispering seductively, utterly captivating. And Lumine, treated this way by Yae Miko, is also a beautiful girl, making the scene incredibly pleasing to the eye.
[Yae Miko, softly: "You didn't think you could overcome Ei's will with just your own 'desire,' did you?"]
[Leaning even closer to the Traveler: "Though you're here, 'their' desires have long been entrusted to you."]
The Traveler closes their eyes, feeling "their" desires.
["To reach the depths of the Mare Jivari."]
["To become the greatest swordmaster in the world."]
["To find a way to heal my daughter."]
["For my people to be treated equally."]
[And, alongside the Traveler, Teppei's desire: "I hope the Vision Hunt Decree can be abolished!"]
The purple sky of the Plane of Euthymia is illuminated by "countless stars." One desire after another lights up the gloomy sky, restoring its brilliance.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Raiden Ei: About the Raiden Shogun
"Hm… What was that term Lucian used? Baka? Yes, that sounds right. I'll fix the baka in the Shogun's system."