"Have you heard? Today is Princess's wedding day! Lady Kamisato is getting married!"
"Nonsense! Of course we've heard. Word is the groom is just an ordinary man without a Vision."
"Well, he is marrying in as a son-in-law. If he hadn't been betrothed to Lady Kamisato years ago, how else could he have the qualifications to marry into the Kamisato Clan?"
"That's true. They say this son-in-law is so weak he can't carry anything heavy, and spends all day reading a few useless books. The Kamisato Clan is famed for their mastery of the sword, but this boy can't even beat a wild boar, let alone practice kendo."
"That's not entirely true. His ancestors were once a renowned martial family from Liyue. When they moved to Inazuma, their sword school became well-known here too. But the family patriarch passed away early, leaving a child to manage a large family estate. With no one to guide him, it was inevitable that things would decline."
"Still, it's such a shame… All because of an old engagement, Lady Kamisato is about to step into this pit. Painful just to think about!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down. It's her wedding day. If anyone overhears you, you'll be in serious trouble."
***
Inazuma, Kamisato Estate
"This is ridiculous… I really traveled through time!"
"And I actually married Kamisato Ayaka?!"
I stared at the bright red wedding drapes, the celebratory characters pasted on the windows, and—most outrageous of all—the fact that I was wearing a red bridal veil!
Please… This is Inazuma. Shouldn't white be the traditional wedding color here?
Then it hit me.
This must be the Kamisato Clan making a cultural concession for my Liyue heritage. In recent years, Liyue's customs had been gaining influence in Inazuma, and red—symbolizing joy—had started appearing more often at weddings.
I thought back to my previous life. Just before I ended up here, I had been reading a Genshin Impact fan novel on a certain app. I'd left a five-star review, written a glowing comment, and kept following the author's updates.
Could it be…
That was the key? A good review, transmigration into Teyvat, marrying a beautiful, wealthy woman, and instantly reaching the peak of life?
No… That secret stays locked deep in my heart. No one must ever know.
Of course, I had always admired Ayaka's portrait.
"If I could marry Ayaka Kamisato, my life would be complete."
Well, not only complete—downright perfect.
But the bliss didn't last long. There was an undeniable truth: I was here as a son-in-law.
That's why I was wearing the red veil.
Honestly, can we follow customs correctly? A grown man wearing this—where's my dignity?
…Then again, my wife is Ayaka. Maybe dignity can take a back seat.
My family, the Luo clan, were once sword masters in Liyue who later settled in Inazuma to continue their art. After generations, our sword hall became respected in its own right. But tragedy struck early—my parents died in a storm on the way to a Liyue sword tournament. My grandfather took over the sword hall, but age and declining health took their toll. After years of strain, he passed away too.
I, Luo Yun, with no real talent for swordsmanship, inherited the family hall. Without my grandfather's skill and reputation, customers vanished. Creditors came knocking. One by one, I sold everything off until the once-proud Luo Family Sword Hall was an empty shell.
Still, there had been one connection left. Years ago, my grandfather had saved Kamisato Ayaka's father before he rose to prominence, even taking him in and teaching him like a half-disciple. Out of gratitude, the two families arranged a marriage between their children.
But fate took its twists. The down-and-out young man my grandfather helped eventually rose to become Yashiro Commissioner, one of Inazuma's most important figures. My grandfather had long since buried the engagement deep in his heart, mentioning it to me only as a joke before he died.
A month ago, Kamisato Ayato himself came to my ruined hall. He spoke of honoring that old promise.
I should have been suspicious—but my predecessor had admired Ayaka from afar for years. Faced with the chance to marry her, I naturally agreed.
Only after arriving at the Kamisato Estate did I realize the deeper scheme.
The Shogun had long withdrawn from governance. Power in Inazuma rested in the hands of the Tenryou Commission. The current Tenryou Commissioner sought to undermine the Yashiro Commission and force Ayaka into marrying a member of the Kujo family's side branch, consolidating total control.
Ayato could not openly defy them—the Tenryou Commission's power was too great. Petitioning the Shogun risked disaster; if she approved such a marriage, the Yashiro Commission would be reduced to puppets, and Ayaka's position would be precarious.
So Ayato turned to me—the long-forgotten fiancé. A weakling I may be, but by fulfilling the engagement, Ayaka could remain in her family, and the Kamisato's honor would be upheld: if even the highborn "White Heron Princess" kept her word to a man beneath her station, the Yashiro Commission's integrity would shine for all to see.
It was a perfect political move—protect Ayaka, foil the Tenryou Commission, and win public support.
Ayaka, of course, was less than thrilled. Noble, beautiful, accomplished in sword and art—her ideal husband would be a hero, someone who could surpass her skill. In all of Inazuma, only the Shogun and Ayato could match her blade.
And me? A man she'd never heard of, unable to lift a sword. Thomas told her I couldn't even do heavy chores. Among ordinary people, I was considered weak.
But as the dutiful eldest daughter of the Yashiro Commission, she accepted. Perhaps to show her displeasure—or simply to avoid me—she stayed at Komore Teahouse under the pretext of work.
Still, it was our wedding day. Both bride and groom absent would make the Kamisato Clan a laughingstock.
This marriage was a political performance for all of Inazuma to witness.
And me? I was just a prop.
I smiled bitterly. Even as a son-in-law, I didn't have the awe-inspiring image of a warrior returning home with armies at his back. I would be lucky just to have the strength of an average man.
But I decided then—I would stay, even if Ayaka saw me only as a tool. Food, shelter, and safety here were worth far more than my past life's struggles under heartless bosses.
Wait… This is before the Traveler's arrival?
No… I remember the game's story. During the Sakoku Decree, the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions conspired together against the Yashiro Commission. But here, only the Tenryou Commissioner held sway…
Could it be…?
This world has no Traveler at all. No "player-controlled" hero to interfere.
This was a fully real Teyvat, unfolding on its own.
[Ding!]
[Welcome to the "Sign-In" system. Sign in at representative locations to receive rewards!]
A system? My heart leapt. Just when I was ready to settle into a quiet life, the heavens handed me a golden ticket.
I quickly reviewed Inazuma's map in my mind. The Tenshukaku, the Grand Narukami Shrine, Ritou, Yashiori Island… So many sign-in spots.
Some, like Watatsumi Island, might be dangerous with its rebels and strange creatures—but also beautiful, with coral seas and rare fish.
Traveling to other nations—Mondstadt, Liyue, Sumeru—would be harder. The lockdown was still in place. And as a son-in-law, I had no reason to wander freely.
"But if I completed these sign-ins… My future would be limitless. Why settle for being "just" a son-in-law when my goal could be the sea of stars?"
"Maybe I should speak with Ayaka later…"
As I mused, the door suddenly opened.
A soft, elegant voice drifted in.
"I fear I've been a poor wife, letting my husband grow bored on our wedding day."
"Mr. Luo, if I have neglected anything, you may tell me freely."
There was a faint edge of mockery in her tone.
***
Im not too well versed with Genshin Impact lore…just let me know if I got something wrong ✌️😹