"The eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan—why would she be living in the Shogun's residence?"
Her identity could have been faked, but her temperament was impossible to imitate.
From her attire to the way she held herself, the girl before Yelan exuded an air of nobility that no commoner could mimic.
"You're not from Inazuma, are you, Miss Kidnapper? In fact, I'd say you only arrived quite recently."
Even though she was tied up, Kamisato Ayaka remained perfectly calm.
After failing to knock her out twice, Yelan had given up and simply gagged her instead.
Which meant Ayaka had been awake the entire time—watching as Yelan carried her all the way to the Yae Publishing House's staff dormitory.
Judging by where they were, her kidnapper was clearly one of Yae Miko's subordinates.
Even if this abduction hadn't been Miko's idea, Ayaka was sure her background had already been investigated.
There was nothing to worry about. Yae Miko wasn't that kind of person.
Being read like an open book left Yelan momentarily stunned.
Had she actually captured someone that important?
Wait—the White Heron Princess herself was already a well-known figure in Inazuma.
"I'm staying in Tenshukaku because I was ordered to serve the god who resides there,"
Ayaka explained softly, smiling as she continued, "Since you seem unaware of this, you must have arrived in Inazuma quite recently, correct?"
"…"
Yelan's heart sank.
Oh no… I've done it now.
She hadn't just kidnapped some noble lady—she'd kidnapped the attendant of a god.
If the Shogun realized Ayaka was missing tomorrow…
She'd be finished.
Not just her, but maybe the whole of Liyue too.
"Scared, Miss Kidnapper?"
Ayaka's smile deepened, a faint glimmer of amusement in her eyes.
Perhaps it was because she'd been so lonely lately, but this unexpected turn of events was… oddly entertaining.
This little lady is terrifying, Yelan thought grimly.
This wasn't just fear—it was pure despair.
If the Shogun discovered that a foreign spy had infiltrated Inazuma, it could easily become an international incident.
"…You're right. I am a little scared," Yelan admitted, forcing a smile.
"How about this, Miss Kamisato—let me ask you a few questions, and then I'll send you home, all right?"
She truly didn't want trouble.
"You don't have to worry so much," Ayaka said sweetly. "The Shogun left Inazuma some time ago."
Yelan exhaled in relief.
So the Shogun wasn't around—good. That made things easier.
As long as she got the girl back before the Shogun's return, everything would be fine…
assuming the girl behaved herself.
"But…" Ayaka tilted her head innocently, "there are still two other Shoguns in Tenshukaku."
"WHAT?!" Yelan nearly bit her tongue.
"Two other Shoguns? What is this, some kind of Shogun factory?!"
Every nation only had one god—well, except Sumeru once upon a time.
But three Shoguns in one country?
Even Morax himself would hesitate to pick a fight!
If only Yelan knew that the Geo Archon himself was currently locked up in Inazuma's prison,
she probably would've surrendered on the spot.
"You're aware that no one can leave Inazuma right now, yes?"
Yelan nodded cautiously.
"That's because this place isn't the real Inazuma," Ayaka continued with a calm smile.
"What you're standing in right now is a dream—a shared dream of all living beings trapped here.
Unless the god who created this dream allows it, no one can wake up."
Yelan blinked. "A dream? That's impossible."
To test it, she drew a dagger and nicked her fingertip— and then froze as the wound instantly healed.
There had been pain, but no blood, no scar.
Silence.
So… it was true.
Despair crept up her spine.
In all her years of espionage, no mission—no ambush, no betrayal— had ever left her feeling so powerless.
"Then what if I go to the Shogun and confess?" she muttered.
"Maybe, if I beg her for mercy—for Morax's sake—she might let me leave?"
"I'm afraid not," Ayaka said, shaking her head gently.
"Not because she wouldn't want to—but because even she cannot."
"What do you mean?"
"The Shogun may have wished for this dream, but she isn't its master."
A faint spark of hope flickered in Yelan's eyes.
"If she isn't the master, then who is?"
Ayaka's expression softened.
"The true master of this dream… is the god I serve."
"…"
Yelan stared at her blankly.
Was this girl ever going to stop?!
First despair, then hope, then despair again—
Was she enjoying this psychological torture?
"I didn't expect the White Heron Princess to be so mischievous," Yelan said flatly.
"That's not what the rumors say at all."
"Rumors are just rumors," Ayaka smiled, eyes glimmering with amusement.
"Perhaps I've changed a little. Maybe it's because of my god— he enjoys teasing me the same way."
Yelan slumped back, defeated.
"…Great. I've been played— and I even got fed a mouthful of dog food while at it."
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