Ye Xi felt utterly helpless. Raiden Ei's straightforward, no-nonsense personality was a bit tough to handle.
This woman had ruled Inazuma for far too long, isolated at the pinnacle of power where no one could reach her, carrying an imperious attitude that everyone had to obey her commands.
Their first meeting had already given him enough of a headache.
He'd been terrified back then that if this Electro Archon took a dislike to him, she'd just unleash her Musou no Hitotachi and cleave him in two.
Even now, he wasn't a match for Ei.
Though Raiden Ei's current level was stuck at [40], just like Yae Miko's, unable to break through.
But—
With the divine power and the Gnosis she'd accumulated over centuries of governance, it was more than enough to grant this god unmatched strength!
Luckily, back then, he'd been on good terms with the ladies handling the Raiden Shogun character design project. They often collaborated over milk tea.
So, he was pretty familiar with the Raiden Shogun's persona.
For instance, Raiden Ei had a twin sister, much like Shadow Sisters.
When the project kicked off, it wasn't without references.
To make things smooth, the company had directly pulled in the big shots who'd designed characters for Honkai Impact 3rd.
They'd modeled the Raiden sisters after Duck (Bronya) and Seele from Honkai.
The designs were fleshed out at first, but one of the leads felt something was missing.
Ye Xi only learned later—it was the sword.
True to the company's style, when the project wrapped up, Baalzebul's sister got stabbed through the heart with that blade.
When he saw the character report back then, it pissed him off so much he couldn't eat for three days.
But that wasn't even the worst part.
The worst was the relentless knives that followed.
Everyone around Baalzebul—her Tengu Clan subordinate Kujou Sara, her beloved retainer Mikoshi Chiyo, her friend Kitsune Saiguu...
Almost every close friend and family member by Baalzebul's side ended up dead.
Ye Xi had nearly stormed into the design team with a knife of his own, ready to give the project lead three stabs and six holes.
What infuriated him most was that he, as the director, had to take the fall!
Because she'd lost so many dear friends, Ye Xi hadn't opposed Ei's Sakoku Decree now.
The one who tied the bell must untie it.
To change Raiden Ei's mind would take time.
It was like depression—you couldn't just tell someone "What's the big deal?" and expect them to snap out of it.
He sighed and pulled out the lunchbox containing the Tri-colored Dango. "Ei, some snacks I prepared for you."
"Tri-colored Dango?"
The coldness in Raiden Ei's eyes vanished at the sight of the box. Filled with anticipation, she snatched it away and eagerly opened it.
Only sweets could she not refuse.
But when she saw the meager few skewers inside, disappointment spread across her face.
"Xi, with this little sincerity, it's hard for me to help you out."
Ye Xi nearly blacked out, struck dead by her words.
[Who the hell did she pick up this catchphrase from?]
[Can you not be such a troll?]
[I don't remember writing any of these cheeky lines in my novels.]
Hearing his inner thoughts, Raiden Ei secretly chuckled to herself. Of course, those were lines from Ye Xi's own previous inner monologues.
Yae Miko, who had also caught Ye Xi's thoughts, covered her mouth with a light laugh from the side, gloating as she said, "Xi, Ei thinks you lack sincerity, so you might as well not leave. Just stay in Inazuma with peace of mind—the royalties from Yae Publishing House will keep you fed just fine."
This damn fox! Still stirring the pot from the sidelines!
Ye Xi shot Yae Miko a glare and retorted, "You're barking up the wrong tree here. I made a lot, but a certain greedy fox snuck off with plenty."
At that, Raiden Ei puffed up in anger and turned her displeased gaze toward Yae Miko beside her.
Sweets and light novels were sacred and inviolable!
Yae Miko turned her head away, avoiding Raiden Ei's stare, acting as if it had nothing to do with her.
"Hmph."
With a thought from Raiden Ei, a wooden table and tea set materialized. She sat down and began enjoying her treats.
"I hear you're planning a trip for novel research?"
At Raiden Ei's question, Ye Xi poured himself some tea to quench his thirst and nodded slightly.
"Inazuma is so vast— isn't that enough for you to explore?"
"Think you can only find inspiration by leaving Inazuma? Are you looking down on our land and its customs?"
Watching Raiden Ei elegantly savor her sweets with a blissful expression, while pretending to be upset to stop him from leaving, Ye Xi sighed.
She had zero persuasive power like this...
"Ei, don't make this hard for me. The trip won't be long—I'll be back soon."
"I'll make you more snacks then."
"Don't you want to try Liyue's treats?"
Raiden Ei paused, seemingly finding the logic sound.
Liyue's pastries were exquisite too. Back when she'd met the other Archons in Liyue for drinks, she'd tried a lotus flower crisp that was absolutely delicious.
Ever since issuing the Sakoku Decree, she'd started to miss that flavor.
Seeing her best friend falter at the temptation of food, Yae Miko cleared her throat lightly.
Raiden Ei snapped out of her reminiscence.
If Ye Xi left Inazuma, wouldn't she lose out on Tri-colored Dango altogether?
Most crucially, there were the novels!
She was a die-hard fan of Author Ye Xi—every book she reread multiple times!
Yae Miko whispered a reminder: "Ei, didn't you say you had a way?"
Last night, when she'd come over to banter with Raiden Ei, the latter had mentioned coming up with a clever plan.
With that nudge, Raiden Ei's eyes lit up.
"Xi, Inazuma is rife with dangers these days. The Fatui are sweet on the surface but treacherous underneath. Though the Three Commissions govern Inazuma, troubles are inevitable."
"I have decided..."
Ye Xi lifted his teacup for a sip, suppressing the ominous feeling in his chest.
Here it comes.
The scheme cooked up by that damn fox and Ei was about to drop.
How should he counter it?
Yae Miko watched from the side with playful eyes, a sly fox-like smirk tugging at her lips.
She knew her best friend's schemes better than anyone.
Though Raiden Ei had teased her with it last night without spilling the details, she was a five-hundred-year-old fox spirit.
With her wisdom, she could easily guess it.
No need to think—the plan was to abdicate the Electro Archon position to Ye Xi, binding him to Inazuma in the process.
Raiden Ei was obsessed with pursuing eternity and avoiding "wear and tear" these days, utterly disinterested in worldly affairs.
Handing it off to that "puppet" outside was one thing, but why not to Ye Xi? It would tie him down, and who knows what unexpected benefits might arise.
It was a win-win.
"I have decided—"
"To let you marry Yae Miko!"
Raiden Ei calmly revealed her "brilliant plan."
"Cough cough—"
Ye Xi choked on his tea, coughing nonstop.
Yae Miko beside him froze in place. In the next instant, the fur on her tail bristled straight up.