Inazuma.
Narukami Island, Kamisato Estate.
Compared to Mondstadt's pastoral European style, or Liyue's flourishing and splendid aesthetic, Inazuma's style is also unique in its own way.
Under the dim sky, a light breeze and fine rain fall upon vast stretches of purple blossoms blooming on this oppressive land. A cool wind brushes past, the flowers swaying gently in the drizzle. Wooden buildings stand in dense rows throughout the city, lending a certain sense of peace and quiet.
The Kamisato clan of the Yashiro Commission, one of the Three Commissions.
Their understated and elegant estate stands silently by the boundless sea. Carefully trimmed round wooden rockeries surround lush flowering trees, all vying to bloom in the soft rain.
At this moment, in a spacious covered corridor in the courtyard, a young girl is seated.
She wears a light blue haori, paired with a deep blue pleated skirt.
Delicate patterns of falling sakura and flowing water are embroidered along the hem. As she kneels in seiza, the skirt spreads softly around her, like scattered blossoms carried by a stream.
Her neck is fair and slender, her snowy hair tied high into a ponytail and slightly mussed by the fine wind and rain.
The strands of hair hanging by her cheeks frame a gentle face—features pure and refined, clear eyes like rippling water, her bearing calm and dignified, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley.
This is none other than the eldest daughter of the Kamisato clan—Kamisato Ayaka.
Right now, several flower-and-bird folding screens are set up in the wide corridor.
Ayaka is kneeling at a long table in front of the screens, her slender, pale fingers trimming the flowers before her. The branch thick with blossoms, after her careful pruning, becomes like a poised young lady—demurely standing in the jade vase.
Studying ikebana is a compulsory course for noble girls.
"Milady!"
Just as Ayaka finishes arranging the flowers before her, a capable and handsome young man walks in from outside, holding a letter in his hand.
It is the Kamisato clan's housekeeper, Thoma.
But aside from being a housekeeper, Thoma is also an active local fixer in Inazuma. Though he is not a pure-blooded Inazuman, his frank and cheerful personality has earned him wide connections.
Even though Inazuma is currently under the Sakoku Decree, he still has ways to learn a great many things happening outside Inazuma.
He can resolve many troubles for his lord, loyal and reliable—this is one of the reasons the Kamisato clan places great trust in him.
In many unknown corners of Inazuma, Thoma has always been extending the Yashiro Commission's influence in his own way.
"Thoma, is there some new information?"
Ayaka sets down the scissors in her hand and places both hands neatly on her thighs. Her clear gaze passes through the silky screen, resting on the young man standing not far away.
"That's right, milady." Thoma's tone is bright and easy-going as he smiles. "I've already obtained the latest news regarding that Traveler and the Great Prophet from the Adventurers' Guild. This is a letter for you from Miss Katheryne. I believe it will be of help to you."
Thoma respectfully places the letter on the small table behind the screen.
Ayaka picks it up and opens the finely made envelope. Seeing the graceful handwriting inside, her pure and transcendent face slowly blooms with a smile, like raindrops falling upon a lotus blossom—suddenly dazzling, vivid, and noble.
Although Inazuma is surrounded by thunderstorms, nearly cutting off all contact with the outside world…
The Adventurers' Guild still has its own special information channels.
Thoma also has his own network, which allows him to gather news from the outside world for Ayaka.
Ayaka had received word of the Great Prophet and the Traveler a month ago.
Rumor had it that there was a Great Prophet from Blue Star with the ability to foresee the future and look back into the past. He not only predicted the dragon calamity in Mondstadt, but also provided a solution, and together with that mysterious Traveler, rendered great service to Mondstadt.
This is why Ayaka pays attention to those two.
Because Inazuma's current situation is even worse than Mondstadt's or Liyue's past predicaments. She hopes to obtain some assistance to change the present state of affairs.
After all—
If one wishes to turn the heart that hangs high in the heavens, one must first have the ability to ascend to the clouds.
For such gifted and extraordinary individuals, Ayaka is very willing to befriend them. To her, a good friend is like emerald at the tip of frosted leaves, like the gleam running along a sword—an accent rich with the sense of fate.
However, due to the thunderstorm blockade, information does not travel as quickly as it once did. By the time Ayaka first received the news, the Great Prophet and the Traveler had already left Mondstadt and headed to Liyue.
Now, as she reads this new report, the fair-faced princess cannot help but look a little excited.
According to the letter, after arriving in Liyue, the Great Prophet helped Liyue resolve the crisis of the god Osial.
The Traveler also did many things to aid Liyue.
Because of the intervention of these two, Liyue successfully shifted from rule by the gods to rule by humans, and they managed to kill Osial and Beisht, removing these latent threats to Liyue.
Moreover, the letter clearly states that the Traveler has already boarded Beidou's Crux fleet ship, the Alcor, and is on the way to Inazuma.
Although the Great Prophet has not yet arrived, Ayaka has learned something very important from this.
The Great Prophet will occasionally invite companions to visit Blue Star; those invited to Blue Star will always gain some kind of opportunity.
Perhaps she might randomly be chosen as one of the invited companions. That way, she might come up with a better way to change Inazuma's current situation.
This makes Ayaka look forward to the Great Prophet all the more.
"Milady, is the Traveler coming?"
Even though they are separated by a folding screen, Thoma can still sense the change in Ayaka's mood.
This makes him sigh inwardly.
In the eyes of outsiders, the dignified, elegant, steadfast, and pure Frostflake Heron actually has a carefree little girl living in her heart. But in order to shoulder the family's burdens, she has no choice but to present herself as composed, gentle, and graceful.
Thoma has more than once seen Ayaka, after shrugging off her disguise and burdens, quietly avoid the servants' notice, sneak into the kitchen humming a tune, and make herself a simple bowl of rice with tea.
She has even, during tea ceremony lessons, used the shapes of tea leaves to divine her romantic fortune.
This side of Ayaka, unknown to others, is no longer the revered Frostflake Heron—they are just… Ayaka.
Sadly, even this true self is something Ayaka considers a luxury.
For the vast majority of her time, she must be Kamisato Ayaka of the Yashiro Commission, to shield her elder brother from the attacks and schemes of other nobles. She can only put away her true self, striving for perfection in all she does.
Perhaps the Traveler's arrival will be a blessing not only for Inazuma, but also for Ayaka herself.
"Yes. The Traveler has accompanied the Crux Fleet to Inazuma, and is expected to arrive in half a month."
Ayaka stands up, her clear eyes gazing at the boundless ocean in the distance. Her voice carries a trace of the bright liveliness unique to young girls. "Thoma, when they arrive, arrange for me to meet the Traveler. I would like to see her."
The Kamisato Estate, built by the sea, enjoys a beautiful and elegant view.
But for the Kamisato siblings, there are very few chances to truly appreciate such beauty.
Whether it is her elder brother or herself, they are busy every day with family affairs.
This picturesque scenery is, in the end, nothing more than passing time, flowing away with the years.
"I understand."
Thoma's collaboration with Beidou is not a one-time thing.
With the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree in force, the people's lives in Inazuma are far from peaceful. Internal strife continues. If one wishes to make the commoners' lives as stable as possible, foreign trade must not be completely cut off.
However, it cannot be carried out openly.
So Thoma privately cooperates with Beidou, occasionally bringing in outside goods, which at least alleviates some immediate shortages.
After glancing at the young lady behind the screen, Thoma quietly withdraws. For this noble, elegant woman like a white heron, he harbors no ulterior motives—only pure loyalty.
"If only times this peaceful and quiet could last a little longer."
The girl gazes at the endless sea in the distance, watching as petals of crimson sakura are carried by the wind from afar. Her snowy white hair flutters in the breeze, carrying a certain lonely, desolate beauty.
But just as she is staring into the distance, a faintly perceptible ripple suddenly spreads from midair.
"Hm?"
Ayaka instinctively turns around, and when she sees the vortex-like gate that had appeared in the sky at some unknown moment, her delicate body trembles. Her once-melancholy face is now completely covered by excitement.
"An invitation from the Great Prophet?"
Ayaka recalls the information provided by the Adventurers' Guild. Supposedly, whenever the Great Prophet invites a companion, a vortex gate shimmering with flowing light appears. Once someone steps through this door, they arrive on Blue Star, a world wholly different from Teyvat.
Just now, she had been thinking about the Great Prophet.
She never expected that in just a short moment, she herself would receive the invitation.
Staring at this ancient and mysterious gate, Ayaka feels slightly uneasy in her heart. She cannot be certain whether the world beyond the door is truly the rumored Blue Star.
Nor can she be sure whether the invitation is extended with goodwill.
But thinking about how this is something she has longed for for so long—why hesitate?
Once a decision is made, women of the Kamisato clan do not retreat.
Ayaka smooths her skirt. She feels the flowing light lifting her body, carrying her gently up into the sky.
Though the power feels as gentle as a soft spring breeze, it contains an irresistible force.
Even if she wanted to resist, she would not be able to.
…
Blue Star.
Considering that a new guest would be arriving, Ken had taken out a tea set in advance and was seated on a floor cushion by the floor-to-ceiling window brewing tea.
The fragrance of tea mixes with the fresh scent of plums outside the window, weaving together into a marvelously elegant and refreshing aroma in the air.
"Tap… tap… tap…"
Clear, crisp footsteps sound from within the vortex gate. The newly invited guest has arrived.
Within the special passageway of flowing light, Ayaka looks around at everything, but these lights cannot answer her questions. Not until she sees the door in the distance.
"Hoo…"
Ayaka takes a deep breath, steps to the door, and gently pushes it open with her fair hand.
Bright daylight mixed with the clear scent of tea rushes into her eyes at once.
Confronted with this unfamiliar environment, Ayaka lightly presses her lips together and walks into the living room with elegant steps, her bright eyes filled with curiosity and surprise, and a trace of unease.
When her gaze falls upon Ken, seated by the floor-to-ceiling window, she pauses.
The clothes the man wears are completely different from Inazuman styles. His wide, flowing sleeves drape around him like layered clouds, naturally spilling down at his sides.
Golden thread outlines floral patterns on the fabric, adding a touch of luxury.
But what truly stuns Ayaka is his appearance.
His bearing is like that of orchids and jade trees, his temperament refined. Sitting there on the floor cushion, he seems as transcendent as the cherry blossoms blooming atop Inazuma's mountains—fresh, elegant, and gentle as warm jade.
"Please, sit."
Seeing the faintly surprised look in Ayaka's eyes, Ken is also a bit taken aback.
He hadn't expected that the one summoned this time would be the eldest daughter of the Kamisato clan, the Frostflake Heron—Kamisato Ayaka.
In the game, that stunning dance of hers had made who knows how many people immediately throw down their ATM to bring her home.
Yet compared to the Ayaka in the game, this Ayaka before him is even more breathtaking.
Her demeanor is as graceful as a white heron on a tranquil lake, her features as pure as an orchid in an empty valley, her figure light and ethereal. Her entire person radiates the noble air of a great house, yet she is not arrogant and feels approachable.
Like frost crystallized into splendor, like a heron in the courtyard.
This noble aura, paired with Ayaka's unique gentleness, is like the warmest spring breeze, quietly brushing past.
"I presume you must be the Great Prophet, Mister Ken?"
The uneasiness in Ayaka's heart gradually dissipates.
There is no malice in his calm and composed manner. On the contrary, the way he lowers his eyes while brewing tea is particularly elegant.
She kneels on the floor cushion, watching the teapot as it simmers, then glances at the green plums outside the window, her bright eyes flashing with curiosity.
"I am Ken. Welcome, Ayaka, to Blue Star as my guest."
Ken smiles at her and pours a cup of tea for her.
Looking at the jade-green tea before her, Ayaka nods slightly. "You truly are the Great Prophet, sir. You recognized me at a single glance."
"Was it that hard to guess?" Ken jokes lightly. "The world-famous Frostflake Heron truly lives up to her name."
Ayaka's cheeks flush slightly, and she doesn't quite know how to respond.
The title of "Frostflake Heron" is, to her, both a term of praise and an invisible burden.
"There's no need to be so formal. This is not Inazuma. Whatever you wish to say, say it; whatever you want to ask, ask. I believe Blue Star will broaden your horizons and leave you marveling at the wonders of the world."
Ken smiles at her without further small talk, instead calmly brewing tea and admiring the scenery, as if the two are old friends chatting idly.
Precisely because of this, Ayaka relaxes all the more.
Moving among the nobility of Inazuma, her conduct and speech have always been impeccable. Many people come to her, all wanting to be her friend.
But those friends are not true friends.
They are just friends of Lady Kamisato, friends of the Frostflake Heron.
In front of such people, etiquette and status weigh too heavily.
Compared to that kind of socializing, she prefers relationships built on equality, unconstrained by rank or worldly protocol—brought together only by shared interests.
Although she has not spoken with Ken for long, she already feels very at ease.
This is not Inazuma, and she is not the eldest daughter of the Yashiro Commission.
She doesn't need to maintain a posture, protect an image, or perform the etiquette of a noble lady while navigating the crowd.
In this moment, she is simply Kamisato Ayaka.
This burdenless feeling is something she likes very much.
...