Seeing the "beautiful portrait" of Miko in the illustration, Kitsune Saiguu laughed.
"Hehehe, Little Lucian sure observes carefully, doesn't he?" Kitsune Saiguu teased.
"?" Lucian sprouted a small blade of grass above his head with Anemo, forming a question mark.
Don't talk nonsense! I don't need models for my illustrations! It's all drawn from memory in my mind.
If I really used a model, wouldn't I have to stare at Ei's scars while drawing her unsheathing her blade? How rude would that be!
"Oh my, so the reason there are so few illustrations of Lady Saiguu is because you didn't look enough?" Yae Miko retorted, not backing down.
Then, with a smile, she said, "Guess I'll have to find time to take a good look at Lady Saiguu."
"Such a pity we didn't take a photo back then," Yae Miko said regretfully.
The "back then" she referred to was when Kitsune Saiguu had just been revived, without clothes.
Lucian quietly scooted closer to Ei, pretending not to hear. Ei's the best—simple and straightforward, no fancy tricks.
You two foxes can duel it out, but don't drag me into it. I don't want to get caught in the crossfire.
Ei looked at Lucian scooting closer, her expression blank. She handed him the tricolor dango in her hand.
She always had that expression—no one could tell if she was genuinely clueless or saw through everything.
Back to the story, in the second illustration, the hundred spirits had completely obscured the moon, cloaking the stars and sealing the moonlight.
The scene made Paimon exclaim in awe, marveling at its grandeur.
[Yae Miko: "From the spectacle alone, it's quite intimidating."]
["But I know they're just a bunch of noisy fellows, all brave and good fellows."]
["Even if they fell in cruel battles, their souls never wavered or grieved."]
["But time is fleeting."]
Inazumans' hearts ached. These "noisy" fellows, who gathered to tell stories, who cared about others' well-being, had all died in the war centuries ago.
They died protecting Inazuma, for the things they loved, so future youkai could still freely hold the Hyakki Yagyo.
That's why they were all brave, good fellows.
In the next illustration, Miko spread her arms, striking the opening pose of a dance.
With a flick of her gohei, the bells rang, and light shot into the sky. The time for the youkai had come, but it also meant their final moments had arrived.
[Yae Miko: "Every banquet must end."]
["Since we're reluctant to part, why don't you join me in chanting?"]
["'Declare to Hakushin, the reason for calming souls'"]
Everyone looked up at the sky, at the moon already shrouded.
["'Permit me to offer blessings…'"]
[The three in unison: "'Guide the lamps back home…'"]
In the darkness where the moonlight was blocked, lights began to shine, like countless stars in the sky—but these "stars" floated upward from the ground.
The specks of light weren't dazzling but numerous, like sky lanterns carrying "wishes" as they drifted into the heavens.
Seeing this scene in the illustration, readers' tears began to fall.
It was a beautiful scene, so romantic and heartwarming, meant to be joyful.
Yet, for some reason, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions, and the overwhelming feeling broke through their tear ducts.
In the image, each speck of starlight represented the people praying at that moment. The "secret fox lady technique" taught by Yae Miko was this guiding chant.
Inazumans believed it could grant wishes, so when they recited these words, their "willpower" transformed into light, flying toward the place of blessings.
The people in the story, seeing this, even those who initially didn't believe, began to quietly chant along.
["'Declare to Hakushin, the reason for calming souls'"]
["'Permit me to offer blessings, guide the lamps back home'"]
["'In awe of divine might…'"]
["'Reverent and fearful'"]
The people's "willpower" became guiding lamps, showing the youkai their final path.
These were lanterns of farewell, but also beacons of welcome, heralding the youkai's return.
This was the parting ceremony Yae Miko had prepared for them.
The one who hated trouble the most had meticulously crafted this gift for her old friends.
[Yae Miko looked up: "Urakusai, you asked me earlier if I was doing well."]
["I really am happy every day. But…"]
["Watching you all leave now, I still feel a little lonely."]
["Hmm…"]
[Yae Miko lowered her gaze: "Just a tiny bit, though."]
These words, spoken without raising her head, seemed meant for herself.
Seeing the dejected Yae Miko, readers couldn't bear it.
A person who was always smiling suddenly turning melancholic—this contrast was heart-wrenching.
It was like back in Mondstadt, atop the statue, when the usually cheerful Venti's tone sank as he spoke of his old friend.
This scene echoed what Kitsune Saiguu once said: "Last year's autumn moon still shines brightly tonight—but those who gazed at it with me are now forever separated by time."
In reality, Yae Miko was a bit shaken. Too much had happened lately, layer upon layer of emotional weight—it was hard not to break down.
First, Kitsune Saiguu returned, and now, in the story, she saw Urakusai. Even with Yae Miko's composure, it was tough to bear.
But thankfully, the great fox lady was skilled at hiding her emotions—at least, no one else could see through her.
Of course, "no one else" didn't include foxes. Kitsune Saiguu sighed: "'The long autumn night sky has its name, but a single glance, and dawn has come.'"
Indeed, just meeting an old friend for a moment, and it was already time to say goodbye.
Yae Miko didn't want to express her emotions, but Kitsune Saiguu didn't mind speaking for her.
"A short poem… not bad," Ei nodded quietly.
She was also a bit shaken, but she was even more "stubborn" than Yae Miko.
And as always, as long as she kept her blank expression, no one could tell what she was thinking.
They didn't know that Lucian's system had already exposed everything.
Meeting a departed friend for a fleeting moment only to part again—how could such a feeling not be painful?
Perhaps Hu Tao understood this best, as she often experienced it.
In the beginning, she too had such regrets. She wanted to make up for them, to see her grandfather one last time, to say a final goodbye.
But she didn't see him. In that place, she didn't see the person she longed for.
At first, she was disappointed, even cried. She waited, hoping for that figure to appear.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Hu Tao: Reuniting with an "Old Friend"
"If you get such a chance, seize it. Say what you feel without regrets, because… it's a rare miracle."