When the topic turned to his thoughts about her, Raiden Ei—who had been zoning out—suddenly focused.
She too wanted to hear what this man really thought of her.
"Stubborn? Naïve? Simple-minded… and not even strong physically?"
If it were someone else, Su Ran could probably list a few merits.
But for Ei… he honestly came up blank.
Ei's hands trembled with rage.
She nearly wanted to draw her blade right there.
It was one thing to say she wasn't smart— but to say she was weak?
Unforgivable.
She was the shadow warrior of Inazuma's archon.
Even if Morax himself came knocking, she could still put up a fight.
On what basis did Su Ran claim she wasn't strong?
"…Then what about my good points?"
Surely it couldn't all be negative?
If even her strength was denied, what did she have left in his eyes?
Raiden Makoto was speechless.
Her little sister couldn't possibly be that worthless.
If not for Ei, Inazuma wouldn't even belong to the twins.
Yes, Makoto ruled internally while Ei handled the battlefield— but during the Archon War, victory had always depended on overwhelming might.
Good governance alone couldn't save a defeated god.
And not every archon had willingly yielded their seat.
That was why, in Makoto's view, her own accomplishments meant little.
Otherwise, the people wouldn't remember Inazuma's "Almighty Narukami" as a warrior first and foremost.
And yet… Su Ran was saying her sister had no strengths at all?
"…Does looking as pretty as you count?"
By his own standards, that was all he could come up with.
Her ability to fight didn't impress him.
So what if she was strong? Could she take on an Aeon?
Or even match a Messenger? Clearly not.
The puppet Shogun was about her equal, and the gap between either of them and Su Ran was vast.
He couldn't claim to be the top among Messengers, but he certainly wasn't weaker than most.
After all, before even becoming one, he had already evolved his body.
Not quite to the level of an Ultraman, perhaps, but certainly beyond any native archon of this world.
That alone already put him ahead of most Messengers— since they merely received a fragment of an Aeon's gaze, not a true evolution.
In short: glass cannons.
Devastating, but not invincible.
Well, aside from the Path of Preservation and the Path of Abundance— those were always hard to kill.
From Su Ran's perspective, Ei's strength surpassed most destiny-walkers, but against Messengers? She still came up short.
If she could, he'd have already taken her to the Blue Planet to meet Herta.
After all, if he himself was #85,
then surely #83—Herta—must exist too.
So no, her strength was nothing to brag about.
"What are you thinking?"
Makoto didn't blush at being called pretty.
Instead, she frowned at Su Ran's absent-mindedness.
Could he be… entertaining thoughts about having both sisters?
"…I was wondering if I should let Herta teach Ei a lesson."
"Herta? Who's that?"
The unfamiliar name made Makoto pause.
No one in Teyvat was called that.
And from the sound of it, it didn't even seem like a woman's name.
"I haven't met her, but she's a genius even more famous than me."
He might be a member of the Genius Society himself, but he had never appeared in the public eye.
Compared to Herta, who had long been a household name, his reputation couldn't measure up.
"…So she's stronger than you?"
Ei perked up slightly at the idea.
Someone stronger than Su Ran?
"Not necessarily. In terms of talent, I easily surpass her.
I even have a cheat of my own.
Strength-wise, we're probably on the same level— both Messengers of Erudition.
She may be more experienced, but my body is unquestionably superior."
After all, even an Aeon had acknowledged his unique evolution.
A lifeform beyond even their understanding.
How could Herta, still human, compare?
"…Then why let her educate Ei?"
Makoto glanced at her sister.
If Herta truly outclassed Su Ran, it would make sense.
But if not, why not teach Ei himself?
They were family, after all.
"Because Herta's personality is nasty.
If she were the one to teach Ei, the results would probably be more effective.
Maybe then I'd finally see some merits in her."
What kind of twisted logic was that?
Makoto felt like she just couldn't keep up with this man's brain.
Ei had no strengths, so someone had to manufacture some for her?
"…And what kind of merits would those be?"
"How about turning her into a virtuous wife and loving mother?"
"…Really?"
Makoto was… tempted.
Her sister, who had just tried to steal a gift meant for her child— if she could become a model wife and mother, that would be wonderful indeed.
"…Not sure."
"…"
Then why bring it up at all?!
Was he just mocking her?
Makoto deflated in disappointment.
"…So that was all just nonsense, then?"
"I meant it. I really do want to help Ei develop some good points."
Su Ran looked seriously at the dazed Ei.
Liyue's Archon, Morax—knowledgeable, humble, virtuous.
And Ei?
Aside from being female, she didn't seem to measure up in anything.
"…Makoto, may I cut him down?"
Ei could no longer hold back her temper.
The torrent of belittlement had driven her past her limit.
Was she truly so worthless in his eyes?
"Family conflict is unacceptable!"
Makoto pressed a hand to her forehead, quickly stopping her sister from lashing out.
Family conflict?
Ei froze, momentarily forgetting her anger.
Ayaka, meanwhile, looked left and right in confusion.
Family conflict?
What "family" was Raiden Makoto referring to?
Was there actually blood between Su Ran and the Raiden sisters?
"…Sigh. Even if Ei is lacking, since her elder sister insists, I'll reluctantly accept her."
From the moment the shogi match began, Su Ran had noticed Makoto's persistent attempts to push Ei toward him.
It was just that her sister wasn't exactly… cooperative.
But that was fine. He was strong enough to carry it.
Even if his wife was a mere vase, he'd manage.
Cooking skills could always be trained.
After all, Raiden Mei's cooking had been terrible at first— and she'd improved eventually.
"Su Ran… what nonsense are you spouting now?"
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