Although the Puppet Shogun had challenged Lu Heng, and Lu Heng had even gone back in time to rescue Raiden Makoto, in truth only a little more than two hours had passed.
Now, as noon approached, the Tenshukaku was bustling with activity.
The return of Raiden Makoto was an event that had to be proclaimed to the entire nation.
And to celebrate her return, a grand luncheon was being prepared.
Aside from Ei and Yae Miko, the two happiest people were Kamisato Ayato and Kujou Sara.
For Ayato, the historical Raiden Makoto was famed for her wisdom.
Though Inazuma's development, due to geography, never rivaled Liyue Harbor, it was never poor under her rule.
If Inazuma were still under her governance today, things would undoubtedly be dozens of times better!
That was no exaggeration.
To have a wise ruler at the helm was a blessing to her retainers. With a clear direction and the strength of a sovereign's support, they could act with greater confidence.
So of course Ayato was overjoyed—Makoto's return was nothing short of miraculous for him.
And for Kujou Sara, the joy was just as deep.
Everyone knew how devoted she was to the Shogun. In the past, she had never realized there were actually multiple "Shoguns." In her heart, there had only ever been one.
But she had noticed something odd: most of the time, the Shogun was cold, distant, her aura radiating oppressive authority. That was the Puppet Shogun.
And at rare moments when the Shogun seemed a little absentminded—that had been Ei.
Now, to see the wise ruler of legend, Raiden Makoto, return to life—this meant there were three Shoguns before her!
For a loyal admirer like Sara, this was sheer bliss.
Three distinct Shoguns, each with their own personality—the world had never seemed warmer.
Her heart bursting with joy, even her work gained new vigor.
"I want… three different statues of Her Excellency, the Almighty Shogun!" Sara declared with resolve.
How could a single statue ever be enough?
Of course she had to have three!
She imagined it: one above her head, one to the left, one to the right, as she slept at night…
"Hehehe…"
Sara let out a strange, lovestruck laugh.
No, she wasn't deranged. She would never do anything improper to the statues.
Just having them near her brought her happiness beyond words.
Serving the Shogun had always been her life's pursuit.
Now, with three Shoguns, she could triple her devotion!
Three times the joy—what could be better?
It was easy to see the difference between Makoto and Ei.
Take this moment, for example:
After only a brief glance at Inazuma's current state, Makoto already knew what needed to be done.
Ei, on the other hand, would have required several days just to grasp the situation, and even then she would have fallen into long, brooding contemplation.
Makoto, however, wasted no time. She was a woman who had seen decline and could predict hardship before it struck.
Even Yae Miko felt her heart ease upon Makoto's return. She was like the pillar of this household.
Though not the strongest in battle, whenever trouble arose, everyone instinctively turned to her for guidance—and she always gave the right answer.
"Do you have anything else to add, Sister?" Ei asked, her face still glowing with excitement.
Makoto thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No, that should be enough. I'll handle the rest myself."
"Something else?" Ei blinked in confusion.
"Idiot," Yae Miko rolled her eyes. "After everything Lu Heng has done for you, you've already forgotten?"
"Ah?" Ei froze, then muttered, "I didn't forget—I just wasn't thinking about it…"
"I'll go too!" Ei quickly said.
"No need."
Makoto shook her head. "I'll go alone."
"Oh?" Miko arched a brow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "So when you met Lu Heng, were you sealed up and brought straight back? Or…"
Makoto shook her head. "Of course not. We spent several days together in Inazuma of that era."
"Oooh~" Miko's tone was rich with implication. "No wonder you want to go by yourself. Afraid we'll get in the way?"
Before she could finish, Makoto flusteredly cut her off. A faint blush colored her cheeks. "Miko!"
Miko raised her hands in mock surrender, eyes twinkling.
Ei, however, looked uneasy. "Sister, you…"
"Ei."
Makoto turned to her, her voice soft but firm. "Lu Heng is a dear friend to me. He fulfilled many of my wishes and even brought me back to life. Of course I must thank him personally."
Ei fell silent, overwhelmed by the sudden flood of insight into human relationships. She sank into thought, leaving no room for further questions.
Miko, watching, sighed inwardly. Ei was too easy to distract—without reminders, she'd quickly forget why she'd been suspicious in the first place.
"What a fool," the Puppet Shogun sneered inside Ei's mind, her glee growing. She had no intention of helping Ei become sharper—competition was the last thing she wanted.
"You've no place to speak," Ei shot back coldly in her heart. She was already considering how to eventually wipe the puppet's mind clean.
The Puppet Shogun only laughed. Ei's will was strong, yes—but hers was no weaker. As long as Ei lacked an escape plan, she could continue to exist. That was the consequence of Ei's past choices—and she couldn't help but praise her for it.
Without Ei, she wouldn't be here at all.
And so, she whispered to herself with a feverish grin:
"All I need is to win Lu Heng's favor… then 'eternity' will truly be mine."
Meanwhile, in the real world—
"Ei, Miko, you stay here and make sure everything runs smoothly. I'll step outside for a bit," Makoto said.
"Alright," Ei nodded automatically.
She had long grown used to following her sister's lead. That obedience felt both strange and familiar after centuries without anyone to command her. Yet it filled her heart with warmth.
Everything felt right again.
Miko also agreed with a nod, though her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't help but wonder just what Makoto and Lu Heng had experienced together in the past. Makoto's concern for him seemed far beyond gratitude.
Was it her imagination?
She didn't think so.
Not that she opposed it—she was simply curious.
"I'll be going then," Makoto said, leaving the Tenshukaku behind.
Thanks to Miko, she knew where Lu Heng's card shop was located.
As she walked, she observed Inazuma as it was now. Though the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku had ended, their shadow lingered. Relief was written on people's faces, but the scars of oppression would take time—and leadership—to fade.
Makoto bore no blame toward her sister. She knew Ei too well. From now on, she herself would shoulder these burdens. Let her silly little sister live happily—governance had never been Ei's strength anyway.
…
"You think I'd ignore my own shop?" Lu Heng chuckled over the phone. "Don't worry. Of course I'll spend most of my time between Mondstadt and Inazuma."
For Mondstadt, Venti always worried. Though carefree on the surface, he was never careless with serious matters.
"Good! Then I'll treat you to a meal in a few days. For now, I'm going to sneak some tea leaves from the old man's stash," Venti laughed.
"Try not to get beaten half to death."
"Relax! I'll just beg for mercy if I get caught."
As their banter ended, a soft voice called from behind Lu Heng:
"Mr. Lu?"
He turned. Sitting with her hands folded gracefully, Raiden Makoto smiled gently in the noontime sun and gave a small wave.
"I'll call you back, Venti," Lu Heng said, hanging up before Venti could respond.
"Forgive me for intruding," Makoto said, bowing lightly.
"You've only just reunited with your sister and friends. What brings you here so soon?" Lu Heng asked in surprise.
"To celebrate my return, a banquet has been prepared at the Tenshukaku. Since it was you who made my reunion with Ei and Miko possible, how could I let you be absent? I came to invite you," Makoto replied warmly.
Lu Heng nodded. "That works out. I was just wondering what to eat."
"Then shall we go?"
"Let's."
They stepped out together.
On the way, Lu Heng handed her a bundle of photographs. "They won't fade with time. Each one will always look as if it were just taken."
Makoto accepted them reverently, tucking them away. "I'll treasure them."
"Are you ready?" Lu Heng asked, glancing at her. "For you, waking up meant losing countless friends overnight. I imagine the grief hits hardest when you see their faces again."
"I'm prepared," Makoto said softly, lowering her eyes before lifting them again with a smile. "Just don't mistake me for Ei, even if we look alike."
"How could I confuse you two?" Lu Heng chuckled.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have said it like that," she admitted with a shy laugh. "Still… to rediscover this era's Inazuma is no burden. But Ei and Miko insist the times have changed completely—and that's because of you. I was hoping you might explain things to me more clearly."
"You don't trust Miko to explain?" Lu Heng raised a brow.
"No, no!" Makoto waved her hands quickly. "It's just… since you're the one who set all these changes in motion, your explanation would be easier for me to grasp. But if I'm troubling you…"
She trailed off, nervous.
After a moment's thought, Lu Heng nodded. "It's no trouble."
Makoto's eyes brightened. "Thank you!"
"Nothing to thank. Explaining my own work is no big deal."
He glanced at her again, smiling faintly.
Some intentions… clearly went beyond the surface.
Makoto stiffened under his gaze, her face heating. "I—I didn't mean anything by it!"
"Of course. I believe you," Lu Heng said seriously.
But Makoto could tell. He had noticed.
Her heart fluttered with embarrassment. She would have rather Yae Miko teased her than have Lu Heng himself catch on.
Stealing a sidelong glance at him, she found him strolling with hands clasped behind his back, serene as an old man taking a walk in the park. His face betrayed nothing.
But she knew. He understood. And he was playing along.
Makoto suddenly wished the ground would swallow her whole.
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T/N:
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