The battle ended swiftly—just like when the Fatui Skirmishers had ambushed the Nobushi earlier.
This time, Futsu Mitama didn't bother with restraint either. He tore through the Fatui like paper, showing no trace of martial ethics. The so-called elite Skirmishers were utterly crushed by his hands alone.
Had anyone witnessed it, they would have been dumbfounded.
Because in everyone's eyes, Aila wasn't just Futsu Mitama's maid—she was his bodyguard. Aila was renowned for her combat ability, while Futsu Mitama had always been considered more of a harmless mascot, the kind who cheered on others from the sidelines.
No one expected that, in truth, Futsu Mitama's strength far surpassed Aila's.
"Sigh, my strength's risen again," Futsu Mitama muttered, tossing the red tachi aside. "I nearly lost control and killed them all this time."
He looked at the massive crater left by the explosion and shook his head helplessly. If possible, he would've preferred to keep things quiet. Stirring up such a commotion could only attract her attention—the sly fox from the Grand Narukami Shrine.
After all, that woman saw everything that happened in Inazuma. From the collusion between the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions to the Fatui's quiet machinations, nothing escaped her gaze.
Under the Raiden Shogun's rule of "Eternity," Inazuma had not yet collapsed precisely because of that cunning fox. Without her countless secret interventions, this nation might have long since fallen under the joint control of the Hiiragi and Kujou Clans.
That was precisely why Futsu Mitama had hoped to avoid crossing paths with her. If Yae Miko ever learned the extent of his strength, she would undoubtedly weave him into her schemes to "save" Inazuma.
Unfortunately, avoiding her was now impossible.
"Truly fascinating. I never thought someone without a Vision could possess such power," a teasing, melodious voice said from behind him.
A flicker of resignation passed through Futsu Mitama's eyes. She had come faster than he'd expected—and he hadn't sensed her at all.
He turned to see the familiar figure: pink hair swaying like petals, a playful smile curving her lips—the sly fox herself, Yae Miko.
This wasn't their first meeting. As a transmigrator who had lived in Inazuma for several years, Futsu Mitama had gone to the Grand Narukami Shrine before to draw fortunes. Perhaps thanks to Aila, he had crossed paths with the legendary Guuji more than once.
"You flatter me, Yae Guuji," Futsu Mitama said evenly, glancing at the unconscious Kairagi brothers nearby. "I didn't expect their talismans to be so volatile."
Even now, he was trying to shift the blame, as though the destruction around them had nothing to do with him.
Yae Miko approached him with graceful steps, her smile deepening. "The power of talismans merely channels elemental energy into weapons," she explained. "It's a crude method—lose control for even a moment, and the backlash could kill you."
Her gaze sharpened. "But you— you balanced two elements, Electro and Pyro, stabilizing them until the exact instant of detonation."
She circled him slowly, tails of her sleeves fluttering. "If you were to receive a Vision, your power might increase severalfold."
It was rare praise from Yae Miko—she had never met a mortal capable of manipulating two elemental forces unaided. Until now, she had assumed that Aila was the prodigy among them. Clearly, she had misjudged.
Futsu Mitama looked toward the wounded Nobushi struggling to breathe. "Compared to that, shouldn't you tend to them first, Guuji?" he reminded.
Yae Miko chuckled, amused. "My, I didn't expect you to care for these men."
With a flick of her wrist, several glowing talismans drifted into the air. They ignited softly, releasing warm light that seeped into the Nobushi's bodies. Their ragged breathing steadied at once.
"Now then, little one," Yae Miko said sweetly, "come with me to the Grand Narukami Shrine. Staying here will only invite suspicion."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and began walking up the mountain, hips swaying lazily. Futsu Mitama followed, knowing full well that she wanted to leave before the Tenryou Commission's forces arrived—an arrival she herself had orchestrated.
How did he know? Simple—Aila had joined the operation to "rescue" him, and she had already uploaded everything she saw to the Chat Group.
—
On the towering Mt. Yougou, the Grand Narukami Shrine stood solemn beneath the Sacred Sakura tree, its blossoms glowing faintly. Under the astonished gazes of the shrine maidens, Yae Miko led a handsome young man toward the sacred tree, looking as radiant as if she had just acquired a priceless treasure.
The shrine maidens exchanged curious glances. The last time their Guuji had looked this pleased was when Yae Publishing House had released several best-selling novels.
What had happened this time?
When they reached the base of the Sacred Sakura, Yae Miko turned to him with an amused smile. "To be honest, I didn't think you'd be this bold," she said lightly. "When I first met you, you seemed so quiet. But now, I find you've singlehandedly annihilated a squad of Fatui Skirmishers."
Indeed, Yae Miko had witnessed everything from the moment Futsu Mitama had been tied up at the foot of Mt. Yougou.
Normally, she wouldn't have intervened—kidnappings among the nobility were hardly new, and she knew perfectly well who orchestrated them. But when she learned that the Lady, a Fatui Harbinger, had personally invited Futsu Mitama to Snezhnaya, her curiosity was piqued.
Anyone the Lady sought out was never ordinary. And sure enough, what Yae Miko saw left her astonished—and pleased. If not for the Fatui's meddling, she might never have discovered such a talent hidden within Inazuma.
"Self-preservation, that's all," Futsu Mitama said, shrugging lightly. "I only wanted to live as a humble winemaker. But I didn't expect the Fatui and the Hiiragi Clan to take an interest in me. So I fought back."
He exhaled. "Still, Yae Guuji-sama, you didn't call me up here just to chat, did you?"
Yae Miko chuckled softly, her tone lilting. "Oh, don't be so defensive~ I was merely curious about you. And since the Tenryou Commission was on its way, I thought I'd save you some trouble—and myself a bit of fun."
She sighed theatrically. "If you'd stayed there, surrounded by unconscious Fatui and dying Nobushi, it would've been difficult to explain, wouldn't it? So I 'sacrificed' myself to take you in~"
Her mock-pitiful expression could have melted steel. To anyone else, it would've worked.
But not on Futsu Mitama. He smiled politely. "Thank you, Guuji-sama."
Nothing more, nothing less.
The shrine fell quiet for a moment. Yae Miko studied him, those clever eyes gleaming with interest. Then, she sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright, little one, you win," she said with a wry smile. "Consider this a favor from me. You're free to go."
"Then I'll take my leave. Goodbye, Guuji-sama." Futsu Mitama bowed and turned away without hesitation.
Yae Miko didn't stop him. She watched his retreating figure with a faint smirk. He was cautious—too cautious, as if he already knew how she operated.
"Hmm… have I been too obvious?" she murmured. Perhaps she had paid too much attention to Aila before, letting her true intentions show.
Then she laughed quietly to herself. "No matter. As long as he remains in Inazuma, we have all the time in the world to build trust."
Her eyes sparkled with cunning amusement.
—
When Futsu Mitama descended Mt. Yougou, several Tenryou Commission soldiers were already waiting at the foot of the mountain. Among them stood Aila—and a shrine maiden he didn't recognize.
Seeing him safe, the lead officer exhaled in visible relief. "Thank the Archon, Mr. Futsu Mitama is unharmed," he said earnestly. "Escort him back to Inazuma City at once."
Turning to the shrine maiden, he added, "Please convey my thanks to Lady Guuji for her assistance. I have other matters to attend to."
He departed quickly, leaving a small escort detail to accompany Futsu Mitama and Aila. The journey back was uneventful. No Fatui, no ambushes—the Kujou Clan would never allow another humiliation so soon. Upon reaching the city, the soldiers reminded him gravely to stay within Inazuma's walls for his own safety. Then they saluted and left.
Back at home, Futsu Mitama and Aila stepped inside to find Kuki Shinobu calmly pouring tea.
"You're back," she said evenly.
"Yeah," Futsu Mitama sighed, taking a seat. "Didn't expect to run into Yae Miko, though."
He rubbed his temples, half-amused, half-tired. "I had a plan for the Tenryou Commission's interrogation but that fox ruined it."
Her intervention might have solved one problem—but it had created another.
Now, Futsu Mitama had the full attention of the slyest fox in Inazuma.