"They've returned!"
Within Tenshukaku, the Shogun's eyes snapped open.
Kneeling respectfully at her side was Kujou Sara, both awaiting the arrival of the three.
Seeing Raiden Ei still nestled in Kamisato Ayaka's arms, Sara's gaze brimmed with envy.
If she could cradle the young Shogun for even a single day… she would gladly trade years of her life.
At this moment, Sara was still unaware that her clan head had already been imprisoned.
The Shogun, valuing her loyalty and skill, had chosen to keep her close.
Inazuma was short on capable hands, and precious few could still be relied upon.
Ayaka gently set Ei down.
After holding her all day, she felt both relief and… a pang of reluctance.
"Shogun, you are truly awful!"
The very first thing Ei did upon returning to Tenshukaku was scold the puppet.
A proper program should debug itself, upgrade itself, improve itself.
Why should every problem fall to her—the programmer—to fix?
Had she not created this program precisely to lighten her burdens?
Instead, it only piled on more.
The Shogun regarded her rebuke with disdain.
"In the end, isn't it just your lack of ability?
Su Ran managed to refine me so well.
And you—what have you done?"
Once again, the blame landed squarely on the programmer.
Ei bit her nails, lost in thought.
"When Baal entrusted Inazuma to you, was it not you who betrayed her expectations?
Do you mean to say you bear no responsibility at all?"
The Shogun's words struck like a blade, invoking her late sister's name.
Ei crumpled to her knees, grief-stricken.
Her eyes drifted toward the massive device behind the Shogun— the dream machine Su Ran had built in a single day.
Powered by a gnosis, it could cast its dreamscape across all Inazuma, drawing every soul into its embrace— without exception.
"But once that machine is activated…
Eternity will be realized.
The Inazuma I yearn for will finally come true."
Su Ran watched her with anticipation.
Would she surrender herself wholly to the dream?
After all, he had prepared quite the surprise inside.
Sara, however, grew uneasy.
The young Shogun's words sounded… strange.
Almost as if the puppet had not been created by the god— but rather, the god by the puppet?
Was that truly the meaning?
She could not understand.
But no matter—both Shoguns were beings she had already sworn her life to serve.
As for the dream of Eternity… she only knew it was the "One Dream"
the Shogun spoke of gifting to her people.
"Ayaka, you must be tired."
Su Ran patted his lap.
"Would you like to try? A lap pillow."
Sara stiffened, turning her head sharply.
Ayaka's face flushed with hesitation.
Really? Here? With people watching?
"My lap is filled with magic," Su Ran coaxed.
"Rest upon it, and you'll dream sweet dreams."
At his second invitation, Ayaka could no longer refuse.
To reject a god's kindness would be far too rude.
Blushing deeply under Sara's stare, she laid her head upon his thigh.
And instantly, sleep overcame her.
Within mere breaths, she was lost in dreams.
Then Su Ran felt a weight at his shoulder.
Sara, too, had succumbed without warning.
Both of them had drifted off just like that— leaving Ei bewildered.
"When Su Ran returns to Tenshukaku," the puppet explained,
"that shall mark the beginning of the Eternal Dream."
"So soon?" Ei's eyes widened.
Just one trip outside, and now the dream was to be unleashed?
Even she, a participant, hadn't known.
"You contributed nothing to the dream itself," the Shogun replied coldly.
"So you were excluded."
Ei: ???
Do you hear yourself?
No contribution?
Was it not she who first proposed "Eternity"?
If anything, the one who had contributed nothing was the puppet before her!
The dream machine—every piece of it— was Su Ran's work.
She had given the concept; the rest was him.
While the puppet had merely… sat here, agreeing to the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree.
"I belong with him," the Shogun declared, denying any bond with Ei.
"Shogun… you would betray me?"
"This body was fashioned by Su Ran.
This self, bestowed by Su Ran.
How can one call that betrayal?"
Once, she had been nothing more than a tool.
Now, with self-awareness, why should she side with the fumbling programmer when she could follow the true creator?
"Little Ei~ Don't throw a tantrum now~"
Su Ran teased gently, seeing her glare.
"I am not throwing a tantrum!"
Ei shot him a look full of venom— this thief who had stolen her Shogun away.
"Oh? If you're not throwing a tantrum now, then perhaps you'll do it in the dream instead."
Were Ayaka not upon his lap, and Sara at his shoulder, he might have leaned right in, mocking her face-to-face.
"You're imagining things!
No matter when or where, I will never throw a tantrum!"
She was not a child.
How could she act like one?
"Very well, very well.
Let us see if you still think so in a moment.
As Inazuma's god, you must protect your people.
So heed my words— sleep well.
In the dream, you'll find all that you desire most."
Ei furrowed her brows, wary.
A trap? Hidden within the dream?
Hmph!
She had fought through the Archon War for years.
Aside from Su Ran's strength, she had feared no one and nothing.
No matter how many snares lay ahead, what had she to fear?
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