At her command, eight anchors broke the surface and were hauled back into the hold.
"Creak, creak."
The red sails unfurled, billowing in the wind with a resounding snap.
The massive oars on the ship's sides struck the water, sending up huge sprays.
The dragon-headed prow turned, setting sail toward Liyue!
Ye Xi stood at the stern, waving back at Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko on the shore as they waved goodbye.
[Inazuma, wait for my return.]
His inner voice echoed like a receding tide in the hearts of the two women on shore.
The familiar voice grew fainter and fainter, the warmth fading, leaving an empty ache.
Rivals in affection, yet sharing the same sentiment in this moment.
In Tenshukaku, a terrifying power rippled outward.
It was like a shockwave spreading across the sea.
"Big Sis—the Thunder Barrier has cleared!"
The lookout at the bow shouted in joyous excitement, pumping his fist.
"What? The Thunder Barrier is gone?"
"No way!"
"Ever since the Sakoku Decree, the surrounding seas have been sealed by the Raiden Shogun's own storms!"
"How could they just vanish?"
The crew all turned to gaze at the horizon where sea met sky.
What should have been a storm of thunder was now clear skies over open waters.
The sea and blue sky formed a natural masterpiece.
Beidou looked out, inwardly shocked, her gaze shifting to Ye Xi at the stern, still bidding farewell to the shore.
'Even the Raiden Shogun clears the way for you, Ye Xi?'
The others on board pieced it together too, murmuring among themselves.
"Who the heck is this guy Big Sis knows?"
"Yeah, even that merciless Raiden Shogun lifts the storms for him—what kind of big shot is he?"
"I've never heard of anyone influencing the Electro Archon's will!"
"No wonder Big Sis waited so long for him. He's no ordinary fellow—maybe even the Geo Archon would roll out the red carpet!"
"Could he be an envoy from Inazuma?"
"I gotta know how Big Sis even met this Ye Xi guy!"
"I heard they're drinking buddies..."
At the bow, a young man perched on a spar, facing the wind and waves, murmured, "To think someone could sway the might of thunder..."
A nearby sailor boomed heartily, "Kazuha, lad, this trip back to Liyue's gonna be smooth sailing!"
Beidou's hearty laugh rang out from behind. "Hah! This voyage is all sunshine—perfect for a drink! Bring the booze!"
Ritou, on the shore.
As the ship shrank to a fuzzy speck and vanished over the horizon, Kamisato Ayaka withdrew her longing gaze.
When she sensed eyes on her and looked up, she found Yae Miko watching her.
This sent a flicker of fear through Kamisato Ayaka's heart. She instinctively clutched the jade flute tighter and took half a step back.
"Lady Yae, this flute... Xi gave it to me..."
Seeing her cradle the flute protectively, as if afraid it would be snatched away, Yae Miko suddenly thought of something.
She crossed her arms, lightly covering her pink lips with a jade hand, and smiled faintly. "I won't take your jade flute."
"Young lady of the Yashiro Commission, I think we need to have a proper talk."
"Tonight, at the Grand Narukami Shrine."
With that, Yae Miko unleashed a bit of her demon power and vanished from the spot.
Only after she left did the surrounding crowd breathe a collective sigh of relief.
As the head priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine and the Raiden Shogun's familiar, Yae Miko exuded an oppressive aura that weighed on everyone.
Now, the discussions began.
"I can't believe Lady Yae herself came to see Lord Ye Xi off!"
"It must be the will of the Narukami!"
"This is huge—our young lady exchanged tokens of affection with Lord Ye Xi! With him backing the Kamisato Clan, we'll get closer to Lady Yae and earn the Narukami's favor! The Kamisato Clan is on the rise!"
"Yeah, when Lord Ye Xi returns and they get engaged and married, the Kamisato Clan will be Inazuma's top family!"
"Top family! Top family!"
"Woo... After the old lord and lady passed away one after another, I thought the Kamisato Clan was done for, but now..."
"Lord Ye Xi is the savior of our Kamisato Clan!"
Many of the older Kamisato retainers teared up with emotion.
They had witnessed the clan's hardships firsthand!
During the old clan head's reign, the Kamisato Clan fell victim to Fatui schemes and betrayal by a national treasure-level swordsmith, losing many retainers and suffering severe punishments.
From then on, the clan's status in the Shogunate plummeted.
After the old head's death, they were utterly despairing!
Even with Kamisato Ayato taking over as clan head, it was merely clinging to survival!
As servants of the Kamisato Clan, they shared in its fortunes and misfortunes—rise together, fall together!
They'd thought the clan was doomed to decline!
But now, their young lady had caught the eye of Ye Xi.
The clan was reborn, poised to reclaim its top position—imminent!
How could they not be thrilled?
Seeing his household staff and Yashiro Commission subordinates cheering wildly, Kamisato Ayato emerged from the shadows, his face alight with excitement.
"Men!"
"Here!" Several retainers knelt on one knee, awaiting orders.
"Spread the news immediately: the young lady of the Kamisato Clan and Lord Ye Xi have exchanged tokens of affection!"
"Yes!"
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