"Similar thing? What kind of similar thing? Mei."
Not expecting Makoto to give such an answer, Miko was also very curious about what these words meant.
However, after asking, she realized that this might have been said by the real Mei, and not by Makoto.
[Miss Mei, how should I answer this?]
Because She was merely repeating the words Mei gave Her, Makoto really didn't know the best way to answer Miko's question. She was even curious Herself why Mei would say that.
[Just say my name.] Acheron quickly provided an answer.
Name?
The name Acheron?
Subconsciously thinking this, Makoto spoke with a hint of doubt: "It is related to my name."
"Mei's name? Acheron?"
Upon hearing words that she couldn't distinguish as coming from Makoto or Mei, Miko immediately thought of the name Acheron.
But soon, she recalled the full name Mei had mentioned to her before.
"Raiden Mei, Warden of the Forgotten River?" Miko recited Mei's full name while recalling it. "You are referring to this name, right?"
Raiden Mei, Warden of the Forgotten River?
So that is Miss Mei's full name?
And...
Warden of the Forgotten River?
I see...
Now Makoto finally understood why Miss Mei carried the name Acheron.
But there was one thing She was very curious about: was Miss Mei truly the Warden of that realm?
And more importantly, does that place really exist?
Wait a moment...
Could it be that I am able to stand on the soil of Inazuma once again precisely because of Mei's ability?
Suddenly thinking of this point, Makoto seemed to understand something.
But even so, She still felt very surprised.
After all, shouldn't matters of life and death be governed by those two Archons?
Did something happen over these past few hundred years?
Mulling it over, Makoto couldn't help but think along these lines.
Raiden Mei, Warden of the Forgotten River?
Just like Makoto, Ei naturally understood the meaning of this name, but the thoughts it triggered in Her were different from Makoto's.
There was no helping it; in Her line of sight, the person before Her was Acheron, and She couldn't yet be certain it was Makoto.
However, after hearing her name, She felt the probability of the other party being Makoto was higher.
"That's right." While Ei and the others were each thinking about their own matters, Makoto nodded.
Although She didn't look like She was pondering something like Ei and Miko next to Her, She was also puzzled. It was just that because She was currently 'Miss Mei,' She couldn't show her confusion.
But it didn't matter; She could ask Miss Mei directly.
[Miss Mei, are you... truly the Warden of that realm? And does that place really exist?]
Regarding matters of life and death, even as a god, She was unaware.
[You can consider it a metaphor.]
After thinking for a moment, Acheron provided Makoto with this answer.
There was no helping it; she knew what place Makoto was referring to, but the actual situation wasn't that simple. Coupled with the fact that she didn't want to say too much about her abilities, she simply said it was just a metaphor.
A metaphor?
But Miss Mei's words felt like they held a deeper meaning...
After receiving such an answer, Makoto couldn't help but think this way.
Although She wanted to continue asking, She knew Miss Mei probably didn't want to answer anymore, and since they hadn't known each other for long, She spoke up.
[I see, I think I understand.]
"Oh my, I didn't expect Mei to be an official. When can you take me to the Forgotten River to sit for a while?" Miko suddenly said such a sentence at this moment, causing both Makoto and Ei to look at her.
"I can send you there right now, Miko."
Looking at Miko, Ei spoke faintly.
"No need, no need. How could I dare trouble Her Excellency, the Shogun? I'd better go with Mei."
Regarding Ei's words, Miko naturally rejected them.
She was actually just speaking casually just now; she didn't really want to go to a place one only visits after dying.
Of course, if Mei could take her there and bring her back in half a day, she would still want to see it.
As for Ei sending her there? Forget it. She didn't want a one-way trip.
"Then next time." Seeing Miko say this, Makoto answered her without asking Mei.
Miko: "..."
Hearing these words, Miko felt something was strange. She didn't know if it was Makoto or Mei speaking to her right now.
If it was Mei, then perhaps she really could visit that place.
But if it was Makoto, then She was probably just playing along with her previous remark.
On Makoto's side, after finishing that sentence, She realized something was wrong, and then She asked Mei:
[Miss Mei, can you really take people to that place? I subconsciously agreed to Miko just now. I wonder if Ei will want to go too or something.]
[We can go, but it might not be the same as what they are imagining.]
After thinking for a moment, Acheron answered in this way.
Eh?
Not expecting Miss Mei's answer to be like this, Makoto was also startled.
"I think it's better to send Miko over right now." Following Makoto's words, Ei looked at Miko as if She wanted to send her to that place immediately, scaring Miko into hurriedly hiding behind Makoto.
"Ei, you are really bad. You aren't the Ei I know anymore."
Hiding behind Makoto, Miko didn't forget to continue bantering with Ei.
There was no helping it; with Makoto by her side now, she really couldn't resist going toe-to-toe with Ei.
Anyway, no matter what happened, Makoto would be there to cover for her in the end, so she felt she couldn't waste such an opportunity.
But contrary to what Miko thought, the current Ei did not show any anger. Instead, She looked at her—or rather, at Makoto—with a somewhat strange expression.
What is going on with Ei?
Did I say something too excessive?
Looking at Ei acting like this, Miko couldn't help but think this way.
Logically speaking, Ei should be angry or say something.
Miko...
Does she already know that she is Makoto?
Looking at the way Miko was hiding behind Acheron, Ei felt there must be something fishy about this.
However, She also knew that this might merely be proof that Miko and Acheron were very familiar with each other, and not what She was thinking.
But as for which situation it was, She didn't know yet.
Although logically speaking, if Makoto had truly returned, Miko would definitely tell Her, She knew Miko was not someone who could be judged by common sense, even when facing Her.
"You said yourself that you wanted to go. I was merely satisfying you." After being silent for a while, Ei finally spoke.
____
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