Within the Plane of Euthymia, the thunderstorm seemed endless.
After Severin's departure, Raiden Ei found her heart no longer calm—no longer still.
Her statues stood across all of Teyvat, most notably the grand statue at Grand Narukami Shrine, which continued to receive daily offerings and prayers from countless worshippers.
Once, she had listened to her people's wishes through those statues.
Now, she herself had severed that connection.
If she could no longer bear the hopes and faith of her people…
Was the "eternity" she clung to truly what they desired?
"…Someone else has entered."
Ei opened her eyes.
A sword steeped in malevolence streaked toward her heart like lightning.
"Dark power!"
She did not hesitate, responding with full force.
Having fought the abyss before, she understood better than anyone how treacherous and vicious such enemies could be.
Yet behind the icy blade light, she suddenly saw a pair of crimson eyes—
Cold. Violent. Twisted with hatred.
Then she saw the single horn upon the intruder's forehead.
"You are… Chiyo?"
The surging thunder around Ei receded like a retreating tide.
Her grip on Musou Isshin loosened. She stood still, gazing at the charging figure, and called out softly:
"Chiyo… you're home."
Ei smiled, slowly opening her arms.
Just like five hundred years ago—
The first time they met.
Back then, the proud oni girl had sworn to carve undying glory for her declining clan.
Hearing her name spoken once more, Mikoshi Chiyo could no longer suppress her longing.
She discarded her sword and threw herself into Ei's embrace.
The banquet at the Kamisato estate gradually drew to a close.
Whether it was a success or not could be judged easily—half of the Snezhnayan delegation was already drunk senseless.
Even the Prince of Snezhnaya himself, despite his formidable tolerance, wore his intoxication openly.
The Inazuman Gnosis had been secured.
The diplomatic mission was complete.
And with Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko keeping him company, Severin's mood soared.
Truth be told, it had been a long time since he'd allowed himself to get drunk.
But tonight—he wanted to.
This, too, was a mortal's happiness.
A similarly tipsy Kamisato Ayato let out a long breath and exchanged a smile with his sister.
In hosting the Snezhnayan delegation, the Yashiro Commission had clearly outperformed both the Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission, adding yet another achievement to the Kamisato name.
As for Kujou Takayuki, he had smiled throughout the night—but everyone could tell it looked worse than crying.
When Yae Miko came over for another toast, Severin finally reached his limit and rose to leave.
He wanted to be drunk—but not blackout drunk.
Moderation mattered.
"Everyone, drink well. I'll return to my room to rest."
The Mirror Maiden stepped forward to support him.
"You stay behind," Severin said. "Discuss cultural exchanges between our nations with the Kamisato siblings. I'll head back alone."
He then looked toward Hiiragi Chisato.
"Miss Hiiragi, Inazuma's policies will soon undergo major changes. Since the Kanjou Commission oversees finance, it would be wise to discuss cooperation with Snezhnaya in advance."
After a moment's thought, Chisato replied,
"Inazuma's fisheries are strong, while Snezhnaya is rich in natural resources. There is great potential for cooperation."
"Speak with my attendant."
The Mirror Maiden's heart raced.
She would be negotiating on Severin's behalf with Inazuma's elite—far beyond the duties of a mere attendant.
The Prince had never treated her as just a servant, but rather as a trusted aide.
That difference alone could change a person's fate.
No wonder her sisters had fought so fiercely for the chance to accompany him.
She understood now—
Severin intended to depart for the next nation as soon as possible.
Even if it meant working through the night.
The Kamisato estate prepared a luxurious suite for Severin.
After soaking in the hot springs, buoyed by alcohol, he fell asleep early.
Days of seasickness had finally ended—tonight, he would sleep well.
Deep into the night, a figure entered the dim room.
From the familiar curves, Severin judged it was the Mirror Maiden.
She removed her gown and slipped quietly beneath the covers.
"So soon?" he murmured. "You work efficiently."
He could still smell her hair.
He asked deliberately—both to show he was awake, and to make clear that anything further required his consent.
"The talks usually drag on," he added. "I expected them to last until dawn."
The voice beside him was still hers—
But the words were not.
"You guessed wrong. Ei and Sister Chiyo didn't fight. They embraced, cried… and reminisced together."
Severin's eyes snapped open.
The voice was the Mirror Maiden's, but the meaning was unmistakable.
"I'm no god—being wrong now and then is natural," he said calmly.
"But Lady Guuji, aren't you bold? Possessing a Snezhnayan envoy like this—aren't you worried about a diplomatic incident?"
Only Yae Miko knew what had transpired within the Plane of Euthymia.
The answer was obvious.
She had seized control of the Mirror Maiden's consciousness—and body.
"Prince of Snezhnaya," Yae Miko said softly, "I've made my decision."
"I cannot bear the thought of losing Ei—just as she cannot bear losing Chiyo and Lady Saiguu. In some ways, I fear loss even more than she does."
"Inazuma's pursuit of eternity is the will of its people. But Ei chose an extreme path—abandoning her body, sealing herself away, creating the Raiden Shogun to carry out her obsession, all while she fled reality."
"I will still guide Inazuma toward eternity—but in a different way."
Then her voice turned grave.
"Celestia is supreme. To defy it risks repeating the fate of Khaenri'ah. Has Snezhnaya truly prepared for that?"
"Prince… do you truly believe you can defy Celestia?"
The fall of Khaenri'ah was etched into memory.
Anyone who had witnessed Celestia's wrath would feel awe—and helplessness.
"Miko," Severin replied evenly,
"I cannot promise victory. I may die. The Tsaritsa herself is prepared for that outcome."
"But one thing is certain—Snezhnaya's arrow is already nocked, aimed straight at Celestia."
"This war is coming."
His words were calm—yet carried immense weight.
"Then I will be honest as well," Yae Miko said.
"I accept your compensation proposal. Do you understand what that means?"
"I am placing Inazuma's hope for eternity… entirely in your hands."
"Prince of Snezhnaya—
I hope you can defeat Celestia."
Severin was about to respond—
When the woman in his arms leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
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