Raiden Ei watched Kitsune Saiguu and Yae Miko. Though they were clearly heartbroken, they were still bickering.
Ei knelt in the Plane of Euthymia, looking at the meal box before her. She raised her head, and for a moment, it was as if she saw the cherry blossoms from back then.
This time, when she looked down, her friends beside her hadn't vanished, and she didn't need to show that expression anymore.
"This isn't a dream—how wonderful. I wish this moment could be eternal…" Ei murmured in a voice neither of them could hear.
The two foxes didn't hear, but Lucian, sitting beside Ei, did.
Lucian, as you know, never misses a chance to tease.
"The mortal world is like a fleeting dream, like dew, like lightning," Lucian said. "My lady, you're attached."
"…" Ei shot Lucian a sidelong glance. Stealing another god's lines is one thing, but stealing my lines?
And saying I'm attached?
You little punk, you're getting bolder lately, thinking I can't handle you, huh?
But besides giving Lucian a couple of eye-rolls, Ei really couldn't say much else.
Lucian's physical abilities had improved rapidly (thanks to the system modifier), and his martial skills had made great strides (thanks to superhuman memory).
Plus, Lucian had done so much for her and even brought back Kitsune Saiguu—she couldn't bring herself to do anything to him.
And Lucian wasn't wrong. She was attached. She had once resolved to abandon emotions, but as expected, she couldn't let them go.
In Ei's heart, Lucian had become an important "friend," so she couldn't do anything to him.
You must know, the Raiden family—aside from her sister Makoto—were all hot-tempered, each one more skilled at fighting than the last.
Ei would draw her blade at the slightest issue—chop, chop, everything chopped.
The Shogun was even more extreme than Ei. While Ei hesitated to draw her blade against those she cared for, the Shogun didn't care, even slicing her creator without hesitation.
And the other member of the Raiden family, Raiden Cannon, was no slouch either—his name was literally Kunikuzushi.
At this moment, Scaramouche, or rather Raiden Cannon, had already shown his penchant for action, the ashes of books on the ground serving as proof.
"Regrets, old friends, hmph," Scaramouche gritted his teeth.
But he restrained his expression, tilting his head and pursing his lips, hiding the fact that he was gnashing his teeth while reading.
Writing such a story is one thing, but give me the Gnosis already! You still haven't given it to me—I could jump up and slap you twice.
But Scaramouche could only think it. Lucian was now in a cooperative relationship with the Fatui, and to some extent, even his "superior."
The Raiden family was full of action, yet not one of them could lift a hand against Lucian.
Given the Raiden family's "active" nature, Ei only rolling her eyes after Lucian's jab was already quite restrained.
If it had been Venti pulling that stunt, Ei would've insisted on treating the Anemo Archon to a "fine meal"—spiced pure malt beer, numbing malt beer.
Venti, playing his lyre in the tavern, suddenly felt his nose itch for no reason.
Now, over in Fontaine, Furina immediately handed the story to Neuvillette, urging him to read it.
So, what's the weather in Fontaine today? ( ), a freebie question, 2 points.
"What do you think?" Furina asked, her eyes red.
Having lived with human emotions and will for centuries, Furina had experienced far too many partings.
At first, she tried to remember everyone's names, stories, and backgrounds, hoping to befriend them.
But they all left, and their departures weren't the end of the story. Some day later, their descendants might visit Furina again.
It was as if they were reminding her of time's passage, of her old friends' absence.
So little Furina deeply related. After reading, she immediately shared the great story with Neuvillette—how kind!
Neuvillette: "…"
"So? What do you think, what do you think?" Furina pressed, seeing Neuvillette's silence.
She now understood Lucian's point—good stories must be shared.
Paired with Kitsune Saiguu's story from Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, this was a double emotional blow!
I couldn't handle it, so Neuvillette, you better not handle it either!
Seeing Furina's expectant gaze, Neuvillette struggled to understand. Why did he sense "anticipation" in the Hydro Archon's eyes?
Those bright, shining eyes clearly screamed "Wow, so cool (excited, thrilled)"!
Shouldn't this story evoke a different emotion?
Neuvillette sighed lightly. He truly didn't understand human or Archon emotions.
"The story is good, Lady Furina, but if possible, please don't disturb me while I'm working…"
Neuvillette couldn't take it. The story was great, filling him with Hydro energy.
But I don't need to be filled with Hydro energy!
Regarding "regret," he had his own. He didn't regret his past judgments, but… he really wanted to see them again. It was his failure to protect them.
But… why did his mindset feel so human now?
Neuvillette felt his emotions were becoming human, even Archon-like, yet something was off. The "Archon" in front of him seemed quite happy.
Seeing Neuvillette's melancholy, Furina was delighted. So this was Lucian's feeling? Now she got it.
Everyone related to Yae Miko, but Furina related to Lucian.
"Huh? Reading a book to relax won't hurt, right?" Furina said, mimicking Lucian's words.
In her view, it was true—what harm was there in taking a moment to read?
Neuvillette stayed silent. You think it's no big deal, but it's affecting my work mood!
Speaking of which, Neuvillette found it odd. Why did Furina always manage to make him sad whenever she brought a book to him?
He didn't know why Furina had such a knack for getting under his skin.
Why, indeed?
Lucian made a peace sign.
Furina, unaware of Neuvillette's thoughts, pouted when he ignored her.
But she was still quite happy. Though Neuvillette showed little expression, she could sense he was sad.
Good—he's sad. It'd be awful if I were the only one feeling this way.
But Furina's happiness didn't last long, as Arlecchino, having read the story, was about to visit her.
As the saying goes, the oriole catches the cicada. What? The mantis catches the cicada?
No, no, Furina was the mantis, having gained a bit of happiness from Neuvillette, but it was so faint she'd been downgraded to a "cicada."
And Arlecchino, the oriole, was about to gain her own happiness from Furina.