To pit her own mechanisms against the Raiden Shogun's body—
Cloud Retainer was shrewd enough to know that no matter the outcome, it would end poorly.
If she lost, it would be humiliation.
If she won, it would be an insult to the God of Thunder herself.
Far better not to compete at all.
"Just now, this Adeptus overheard your words with the Traveler.
Forgive my boldness, but…
Lord Baal, are you truly planning to marry this Descender?"
When she had first heard the claim, she nearly plummeted from the skies.
Baal—the Electro Archon of Inazuma— seeking marriage?!
And her intended spouse, no less, a Descender?!
Among the Archons, never had there been precedent for such a thing.
Surely it was nothing more than a joke to tease that blonde child.
But Ei's expression was calm, though troubled.
"It is not entirely false.
I have indeed thought of binding him forever to Inazuma.
Marriage would be… one way."
If such a bond could keep Su Ran tethered to her nation, then anyone—save Makoto—would suffice.
Yet the problem was that this man refused all bonds.
He would not allow himself to be confined.
If he were a mere mortal, it would be simple— overwhelm him with force and call it done.
But he was powerful, so powerful that her own pride as a warrior meant nothing.
And so, she could only seek gentler means.
"Hhhh…"
Cloud Retainer inhaled sharply, feathers ruffling.
Even the Raiden Shogun herself… enthralled by mortal love?
The thought shook her to the core.
Still—considering the strength of Descenders, it was hardly a case of him taking advantage.
In fact, Inazuma stood to gain from such a union.
So long as it did not provoke the Heavenly Principles as the last Descender had.
"Enough of that.
True Lord, surely you came for more pressing matters."
Their "marriage," after all, was little more than words for now.
Su Ran had entertained the thought, and Ei had spoken seriously…
but they both knew it was far too early.
He was still young.
Still untraveled.
He had not yet wandered the stars— why chain himself in wedlock already?
"…Yes, yes! This Adeptus was so startled by your union, I nearly forgot!"
Cloud Retainer shook herself.
The vital matter was Rex Lapis!
Why had he vanished?
How could the God of Contracts break faith with his people at the Rite of Descension?
"You two—have you any clue?"
"There are possibilities," Su Ran replied smoothly.
"Why not ask the Liyue Qixing what happened during last year's Rite?
Gather the clues first, then decide."
The crane thought carefully, then nodded.
Perhaps because Su Ran stood at Baal's side, she felt no suspicion.
In ages past, the Seven had once been close, often gathering together.
And while Ei was not the first Raiden Shogun, she had long been among those who attended.
Of the Archons' successors, Cloud Retainer knew her best.
"Very well. Then this Adeptus shall question the Qixing and act upon what I learn.
I will not intrude upon your… private meeting further."
Spreading her vast wings, Cloud Retainer soared upward, heading swiftly toward Liyue Harbor.
"…Private meeting, huh."
Su Ran smirked, leaning toward Ei.
"You hear that? We're having a tryst."
Any ordinary woman might have flushed bright red.
But this was Ei.
She was no ordinary woman.
"…Mn."
A simple, flat acknowledgment.
His teasing fell flat.
Was she wooden?
Or simply a complete novice at matters of the heart?
Not a trace of feminine reaction in her.
If it were Ayaka instead, he was certain she would blush and falter exactly as he wished.
"You seem disappointed," Ei remarked quietly.
Though dense in emotion, she was keen in perception.
"Tell me, Ei. Did Makoto ever tease you?"
"Of course."
The name brought a glimmer of warmth to her eyes.
"And how did you react?"
"…"
What reaction indeed?
She had never felt hurt.
They were family.
Makoto could never truly wound her.
"…I suppose I felt a little sulky."
She had been grown, yet Makoto still treated her like a child.
"Then why no reaction now?"
Su Ran reached out and poked her cheek with a finger.
"You… were teasing me just now?"
Ei blinked, belatedly pointing to herself.
Why had she felt nothing at all?
Had her heart already been tempered to perfection?
"Flirting counts as teasing, doesn't it?"
Clearly, normal "girl rules" did not apply to Ei.
"…I didn't notice." She shook her head.
With Makoto, at least she could tell when she was being teased.
But with Su Ran, everything felt natural— as if this was simply how things were meant to be.
"Feels less satisfying than Ayaka."
That pricked her pride. Ei's voice grew firm.
"I am better than her."
She was a god, after all!
How could she lose to a mortal maiden?
"But when I hug her, she blushes."
"That is because she is timid!"
Ei's rebuttal was immediate, decisive.
Did he judge companions only by their flaws?
Blushing when embraced—what kind of "virtue" was that?
She, after all, was strong.
And if one listened to Yae Miko, her figure was also impeccable.
That Ayaka could hardly compare.
"Besides, I allow you to hug me as well— whether in the Shogun's body, or in that smaller puppet form."
Su Ran was struck silent.
She really did make it sound… perfectly reasonable.
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