After sharing the detailed travel plans with Miko and Ei, their worries clearly eased a lot.
"Ei, while I'm away from Inazuma, you can still go for walks on the streets of Inazuma by yourself."
"The tri-colored dango outside is delicious too."
"A brief parting is for a better reunion. Wait for me to come back."
He was still a bit uneasy about Raiden Ei.
Yae Miko was the head priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine and the chief editor of Yae Publishing House, always busy with affairs and leading a fulfilling life—no need to worry too much about her.
Kamisato Ayaka was obedient and sensible, highly respected in Inazuma City. She spent her days arranging flowers, brewing tea, practicing sword dance, and reciting poetry, full of elegance—no concerns there either.
Only Ei remained. She was still trapped in her closed-off state, and being alone for too long could easily lead to some psychological issues.
Especially since she didn't sleep at night, she was prone to getting emo.
[As expected, the one I'm most worried about leaving behind in Inazuma is Ei...]
His inner voice flowed gently into their hearts like a stream.
Yae Miko immediately felt a surge of envy toward her best friend, her single tail whipping against Raiden Ei's body.
Raiden Ei jumped in surprise and shot Yae Miko a glare. Seeing the jealousy in Yae Miko's eyes, Ei suddenly felt smug.
That look in her eyes practically screamed—See? The person Xi cares about most is me.
The frivolous expression made Yae Miko's tail twitch in irritation, almost knotting up.
"Ei, did you hear that?" Ye Xi noticed Raiden Ei and Yae Miko staring each other down, not sure what they were up to, and found it a bit odd.
"Soft...? I... I heard it..."
Raiden Ei lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly from the teasing.
She didn't understand why Ye Xi kept these words locked in his heart instead of saying them out loud.
If he did say them, she would drop everything and go with him.
[Is Ei feeling shy?]
Ye Xi was a little surprised.
Raiden Ei realized her current demeanor lacked the dignity of the Raiden Shogun and quickly cleared her throat, adding, "Ahem... You need to come back soon, or I'll come find you myself."
Herself—
Better not.
Ye Xi gave a helpless smile. That was just like the Raiden Shogun's style.
If Inazuma's secluded ruler suddenly appeared in Liyue or Mondstadt, it would probably shock the world.
"Alright, when I get back, I'll teach you how to make Liyue's lotus crisp." As he spoke, Ye Xi mused inwardly.
[I feel like Ei's getting a bit clingy?]
Hearing his inner voice, Raiden Ei's cheeks flushed slightly. "Don't make me cook. I can do anything, but I really can't cook." Ye Xi burst out laughing.
In this regard, she was exactly as in the setting—Ei hadn't changed at all.
But in other ways, there seemed to be changes.
If everyone in this world stayed rigidly true to their game personas without alteration, then this place would just be a game.
Yet, if changes bloomed from the original foundations, full of vitality, it meant this world had come alive.
Only in those moments did Ye Xi feel that this wasn't the rigid game world, but a real one.
He hoped some things wouldn't change, but also hoped others would.
Like helping Raiden Ei break free from her heart's knots, find new meaning in life, and face the [Erosion] head-on.
After bidding farewell to Raiden Ei, Ye Xi and Yae Miko left Tenshukaku.
Night had fallen, and they walked along the small path in Chinju Forest.
The scent of grass and earth brought a refreshing feeling.
Paired with the intermittent chirping of insects, it created quite the poetic atmosphere.
Ye Xi spoke up. "After I leave, Inazuma's in your hands. Keep an eye on Ei for me until I return."
"You're really concerned about Ei, huh, Xi?"
Yae Miko's tone carried a hint of jealousy as she reminded him, "Yae Publishing House doesn't give you many vacation days. You better come back soon, or the bestseller list for light novels won't have your name on it anymore."
Ye Xi smiled. "Got it, Chief Editor."
[Am I that concerned about Ei? Not really.]
[It's just that I think she should undergo some changes.]
Hearing Ye Xi's inner voice, Yae Miko felt a mix of emotions inside.
As Raiden Ei's best friend, she not only understood Ei but could also see the changes in her now.
And the one influencing Raiden Ei wasn't her, or even Ei herself, but Ye Xi!
When they returned to Mount Yougou, the full moon hung high.
The fortune-seekers had all descended the mountain, and the shrine maidens were resting.
Under the Sacred Sakura Tree, cherry blossoms danced in the air.
In this sacred place, Yae Miko suddenly grabbed Ye Xi, who was about to return to his Small World.
"Hm? Is there something else?"
Ye Xi turned back, only to see Yae Miko pull something from her pocket.
"Wear this on you—as a farewell gift."
"It's an omamori from the Grand Narukami Shrine. They're always very effective. I prepared one especially for you."
She had a faint premonition that Raiden Ei couldn't keep Ye Xi, so she'd made this one herself. Unexpectedly, it came in handy.
This omamori was one-of-a-kind, infused with her demon power.
Whenever she wanted, she could use it to reach Ye Xi's side.
This ability to lodge her consciousness in an object was the same as Raiden Ei's lodging the Plane of Euthymia in her sword.
With such a talisman on him, she could rush to his side in time if he was in danger.
Ye Xi naturally understood what this talisman meant and accepted it without hesitation, smiling as he teased back, "Is this a perk for Yae Publishing House authors?" The omamori carried that unique ethereal aura of Yae Miko's—just the scent alone made him think of this sly fox at any moment.
Yae Miko lightly covered her mouth with a smile. "This is special treatment only you'd get."
[Hiss—]
[This sly fox is way too good at flirting.]
[Luckily, the marriage thing today was just a joke, or I wouldn't be able to keep up with the... demands.]
Ye Xi's thoughts naturally reached Yae Miko's heart, earning her a meaningful smile.
There would be plenty of chances for marriage in the future—no rush for a day or two.
Anyway, she had Ye Xi locked down.
Ye Xi was never one to take without giving back. Since he'd accepted Yae Miko's farewell gift, he wouldn't hold back either.
"Miko, I have some gifts for you too. Come with me."
Yae Miko smiled with interest. "Are you going to show me your big treasure? I'm looking forward to it~"
"Cough cough..."
"Who did you learn that from?!"
Ye Xi had planned to take Yae Miko to his little treasury, but her out-of-nowhere comment nearly made him bite his tongue.
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