Even seeing his sister lying with her head pillowed on a strange man's lap, Kamisato Ayato didn't break.
Because something far more despairing had already happened.
Just like Ayaka had once mentioned— that "eternal dream" had truly come into being.
And it had spread with terrifying speed.
Despite all of Ayato's preparations, who could have imagined that in just a single day, the Shogun's dream would blanket every soul in Inazuma?
Even he could not uproot the entire Kamisato household and flee in time.
"Good morning, Ayaka."
Ayato gave his sister a gentle smile.
But the words of greeting tasted bitter in his mouth.
"Brother, this is…"
Ayaka's gaze shifted from him to Su Ran.
Her instincts told her—something grave had occurred.
Could it be… that Lord Su Ran had already asked for her hand?
Her cheeks flushed at the thought.
She was still young, yes, but in most noble houses, she was well past the age for marriage.
"Nothing much. Just a chat with my future brother-in-law. But… it seems he isn't entirely pleased with Inazuma's current state."
Once again, Su Ran deliberately jabbed at Ayato's bottom line.
Brother-in-law?
So blatant already?!
Ayato clenched his fist.
Yes, Su Ran was terrifyingly strong— but the Kamisato clan were no pushovers either.
If it came down to it, he'd rather die standing than bow to this arrogance.
"I see… so it was only that."
Ayaka exhaled in relief.
She'd thought her brother opposed her being with Su Ran.
But then, realizing how poorly timed her reaction was, she patted her cheeks to compose herself.
With her brother in such a dark mood, how could she appear so… glad?
"Then what troubles you, Brother? I believe Lord Su Ran and the Shogun will surely resolve Inazuma's plight."
"…It doesn't matter anymore."
Ayato's spirit was waning.
Back during the Vision Hunt Decree, resistance had meant merely correcting a god's mistake.
But now— to resist was to oppose gods themselves.
This dreamscape was in the grasp of three divinities.
To defy them here was to place one's life on their palms, and then raise a blade in rebellion.
Nothing short of suicide.
He had no way to shatter the dream.
It was a construct of divinity.
Su Ran looked at Ayato's defeated expression, and chose not to crush him further.
Yes—mortals could stand against gods, if their will was strong enough.
But against the unknowable creativity of a genius?
No resolve could bridge that gulf.
The dream's weakness lay hidden, beyond Ayato's sight.
Even the Traveler—whom Su Ran awaited as the true protagonist—would not discover it unaided.
Only when Su Ran, as creator, gave deliberate hints might the dream be undone.
But until then— they would all face a complete Raiden Shogun.
And who could stand against that?
"Since you're interested in my sister, Lord Su Ran," Ayato shifted the topic, "when shall we drink to your wedding?"
"Brother!"
Ayaka's face burned crimson.
Were it not for Su Ran's presence— and Kujou Sara standing right there— she would have scolded Ayato on the spot.
How could he tease her so?
They hadn't even held hands yet!
"Ayaka, you're not a child anymore. When you're by Lord Su Ran's side, you mustn't throw tantrums."
The more he said, the more mortified she became.
"I've never thrown a tantrum!"
Ayato sighed inwardly.
Secretly contacting the resistance behind his back— was that not a tantrum?
A misstep there could have destroyed the Kamisato clan.
But none of it mattered now.
"My lord, Sara has something to report."
Seeing that Ayato and Su Ran's exchange was drifting from serious matters, Kujou Sara finally stepped in.
"What is it?"
Su Ran regarded her thoughtfully.
She likely didn't yet know that her clan head had been seized yesterday.
"The front-line resistance leader—Watatsumi's Divine Priestess—has requested peace talks. She wishes… to speak directly with a god."
The proposal was bizarre, and Sara dared not decide alone.
That was why she'd returned to Tenshukaku yesterday.
"Why didn't you bring this up yesterday?"
Peace talks? With whom?
If even the resistance no longer resisted, wouldn't Inazuma's story just end in a neat little circle?
"Yesterday… you left too quickly with Lady Ayaka. Sara had no chance to speak. By evening… I… grew drowsy, and…"
She could never admit what had really shaken her.
The moment she awoke to find herself leaning on Su Ran— her heart had nearly stopped.
Ayato's gaze then had been like daggers.
For an instant, she had even considered silencing him permanently.
That was why, when Ayaka later awoke, she had seen only Sara's deeply awkward expression.
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