Rover gazed at the shrine gate ahead, momentarily lost in thought as a few cherry blossom petals drifted down to land at his feet.
"My, what an interesting group."
A woman had already been waiting at the entrance, eyeing the trio before her with an amused smile.
"One is a traveler from the abyss, another is a hero from a foreign land, and the last... is a little bird?"
Upon hearing this, Changli slowly closed her umbrella and stepped beside the woman, her expression showing no trace of anger as she replied leisurely,
"A phoenix, actually. The fox lady ought to look more carefully."
As soon as she finished speaking, flames erupted from beneath Changli, surging outward in all directions. The woman's ears twitched playfully as she transformed into a purple afterimage, effortlessly evading the burst of fire.
"Such scorching flames indeed. I am Yae Miko—you may also call me Guuji Yae."
The woman named Yae Miko glanced at the small tail that had inadvertently slipped out behind her, chuckled, and tucked it away again. Then, picking up a piece of fried tofu with her chopsticks from nearby, she took a bite.
"A pleasure, Changli."
Changli set her paper umbrella aside in a corner, while Rover made no move to interrupt the exchange between the two women.
After all, as a man, he didn't quite understand such matters, and Dainsleif had also chosen to remain silent.
"Kano Nana, remember to clear the surrounding area. I'd like to have a proper discussion with these guests."
Kano Nana, holding Sayu by the scruff of her neck, nodded at Yae Miko before quickly mobilizing into action alongside Sayu.
"Now then, your purpose?"
Yae Miko leisurely served tea to her guests. Dainsleif stepped forward, gazing out the window at the massive tree deep within the shrine—its trunk resembling a fox and emitting a faint glow.
"That tree... it's extraordinary."
Dainsleif's tone carried a note of admiration. Yae Miko took a sip of water but remained silent, as if waiting for the man to continue.
"That tree is the key—the linchpin of the ley lines across Narukami Island. To put it simply, it's a purification hub. Its roots absorb the impurities of the ley lines."
Hearing this, Rover turned to Yae Miko and finally answered her question.
"The Abyss Order intends to interfere with Inazuma's ley lines. We've tracked them all the way here, but we're unfamiliar with the situation across Narukami Island. We need a local who knows the land well."
At this, Yae Miko's expression grew solemn. She massaged her temples before pushing the documents on the table to the side.
"Just the Fatui alone have been giving me headaches. Now the Abyss Order is added to the mix—how exhausting."
Rover glanced at the documents, which seemed to detail the Fatui's infiltration of Inazuma.
Yae Miko drummed her slender fingers on the table before finally relaxing her brow, having found a solution. She penned a letter and looked toward the door.
"Sayu."
Her voice was soft, but immediately, Sayu's nervous reply came from outside.
"I-I'm here!"
Sayu hurriedly scrambled inside. Yae Miko leaned close to whisper instructions into her ear before handing her the letter.
Sayu's face twisted with reluctance as she stuffed the letter into her clothes and turned to leave.
"As things stand, only he can assist you now."
...
Aether stared at the towering statue before him, its surface embedded with numerous dulled Visions, evoking a sense of desolation and solemnity.
"By enforcing the Sakoku Decree to halt the flow of people and relying on the Tri-Commission to stabilize the nation, the Raiden Shogun seeks to preserve Inazuma in this state—allowing the river of time to flow past while Inazuma remains unmoved, enduring until eternity."
Thoma looked up as he explained the origins of the Vision Hunt Decree to Aether.
Even though Zhongli had mentioned it before, witnessing the Statue of the Omnipresent God in person still filled Aether with an inexplicable sense of awe.
Because this statue was the embodiment of divine will.
"Visions grant power to the people, but the Raiden Shogun's vision of eternity cannot tolerate such an unstable element..."
Aether murmured, raising his hand to stare at his palm before sighing inwardly.
This journey to Inazuma would undoubtedly be perilous. Aether could already imagine that if he were to meet the Raiden Shogun, he might be struck down before even uttering a word.
"Isn't the Shogun's approach just selfish?!"
Paimon crossed her arms, voicing her indignation.
"Visions are symbols of people's ambitions. How can the Shogun just take them away like that?"
Thoma shook his head, noticing Aether's deep contemplation, and continued,
"The Vision Hunt Decree should never have existed. From the moment it was enacted, our Lady Kamisato resolved to oppose it."
Aether remained silent, staring at the statue for a long while. When his fingertips finally brushed against it, a cacophony of voices suddenly flooded his mind.
The voices lingered, fragmented, in varying tones.
Yet whenever Aether strained to listen closely, they grew indistinct again.
"What's wrong?"
Paimon sensed something amiss. Aether shook his head, suppressing his doubts.
Indeed, Aether suspected he had heard the wishes within those extinguished Visions—and it raised a question within him.
Were Visions not merely sources of power? Could the burning, fervent ambitions behind them also resonate with him?
"It's nothing. Thoma, please continue."
Thoma nodded, his tone brightening.
"Now, let's head to our next stop—the Kamisato Estate."
Upon entering the estate, Paimon realized that the residences of the Tri-Commission were far more modest than she had imagined.
"After seeing the Jade Chamber and Dawn Winery, this doesn't seem all that grand."
Aether stepped forward, facing a folding screen—undoubtedly, the young lady of the Kamisato Clan was concealed behind it.
Ahem. "Welcome, both of you, to our estate. As the young lady of the Yashiro Commission, this is how Lady Kamisato typically receives guests. Please understand."
To avoid any misunderstandings, Thoma quickly explained.
"I've always believed that the two of you possess the power to change the course of events. Please convey to your friend that Kamisato Ayaka sincerely invites him to the estate. For now, let us discuss serious matters."
.....
"The intricacies of this board game are truly profound."
Yae Miko studied the match between Changli and Rover, muttering to herself before sensing something and glancing toward the door.
Changli and Rover exchanged a look, storing away the unfinished game as they stood. Nearby, Dainsleif, who had been resting with his eyes closed, also opened his eyes.
A tall, slender figure pushed open the door and stepped into view.
"Kamisato Ayato, at your service. A pleasure to meet you all."