All the way to Tenshukaku, neither Lu Heng nor Raiden Makoto said a word.
When Yae Miko spotted the two of them, she suddenly sensed something subtle between them.
What's going on here?
Her curiosity burned even hotter, though she kept a calm face. Smiling, she asked Lu Heng,
"Why did you slip away without saying a word?"
"I just wanted to give you sisters plenty of time alone together," Lu Heng replied with a grin. "Wouldn't it be awkward if I stayed?"
"It's all family here, what's there to worry about?" Yae Miko shook her head, then looked at Makoto with a sly smile.
"Don't you think so too, elder sister?"
Makoto was not someone who missed the undertone of a tease. Yae Miko's words—all family—she understood them instantly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly at Yae Miko, then she answered softly,
"Yes, it's fine."
That was the charm of words. If Makoto had no such thoughts, she would have deflected with something else. But she agreed so directly, and that alone revealed much.
Yae Miko's curiosity about Lu Heng only grew. What exactly had he and Raiden Makoto experienced together across history that brought them this close?
At the same time, Miko couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.
Lu Heng really was sought after.
If you didn't know him, you'd think nothing of him.
But once you met him, once you began to understand him—you realized how extraordinary he was.
"You two, why are you just standing there? Why not come sit?" came Raiden Ei's puzzled voice.
Yae Miko pulled her thoughts back and smiled at them.
"Let's go. If we take any longer, a certain someone who can't wait to eat sweets will come drag us over."
Makoto went speechless at that.
Lu Heng chuckled. "She's right. We'd better not keep everyone waiting."
Inside Tenshukaku, the hall was lively.
The Kamisato siblings were there, Kujou Sara too, along with several heads of minor clans. These weaker families had survived simply because they didn't dare involve themselves too deeply.
Their presence today had a simple purpose: to meet the one who would lead Inazuma from here on.
After the recent purge, these families would keep quiet for years to come. And by then, new blood would be ready to take over anyway.
"Today is a joyous day. There's no need for all the formalities—please, everyone, make yourselves at home," Raiden Makoto declared.
Raiden Ei scanned the crowd. The moment no one was looking, she moved as quick as lightning and snatched up a sweet, slipping it into her mouth.
The instant the taste hit her tongue, bliss washed over her.
—
Meanwhile, in Liyue Harbor, at the Traveler's residence.
Lumine had just finished eating and went live a minute later.
Because her streams were always lively, tens of thousands joined almost instantly. Most weren't even watching closely, just leaving her voice in the background like music, something to pass the time.
"Brothers, today I'll be streaming some Genshin quests!" Lumine raised her phone, cheerfully shouting, "Primitive man, start digging!"
Paimon smacked her lips, giving her a look of pure confusion.
'Streamer, really? At a time like this you still have the mood to play?'
'Yeah! Just now the world almost ended, I thought my whole life was over!'
'So what's actually going on?'
'The end of the world is today! Quick, go do all the things you were too scared to before!'
"Oh, that thing?" Lumine's expression lit up with understanding. "Hah! You guys don't know, do you? But I do—I've got insider news! Relax, relax, Teyvat isn't going anywhere. Live your lives in peace, nothing to worry about!"
'What?! The streamer has insider news?'
'No way. At that level of power, how could you possibly have insider info?'
'Wait… do you actually have that kind of pull?'
"Of course, little brothers!" Lumine smirked, clicking her tongue. "My relationship with Brother Lu is common knowledge, isn't it?"
'True. Everyone knows Lumine's standard is Mr. Lu. Everyone also knows… Mr. Lu probably doesn't see her that way.'
'Exactly! Like some streamer dreaming of landing a man like Mr. Lu—ridiculous!'
'Streamer, ever tried looking in a mirror? Do you really think Mr. Lu would like you?'
"That's too much!" Lumine slammed her fist into her palm, fuming. "I can't beat Celestia, but don't think I can't beat you! I saw a few of you are in Liyue Harbor—meet me at the South Wharf if you dare! I'll show you my strength!"
The barrage of comments only mocked her harder.
Grinding her teeth, Lumine finally snapped, "Enough! You brats don't believe me? Fine—look at this!"
She lifted her phone to show her chat log with Lu Heng.
Folding her arms, she let Paimon adjust the camera so she appeared to be gazing down on the audience.
'Not that angle, Paimon! Unless you want to reveal our exact location to these maniacs?'
'Careful! If she gets mad and comes after us, we're doomed!'
"Tch. As if I'd show you the whole thing," Lumine scoffed.
'So it's for Mr. Lu's eyes only, huh?'
'Exactly, brother. Exactly.'
"Alright, enough nonsense!" Lumine coughed lightly, then grew serious. The viewer count had already shot past a hundred thousand.
"Listen up, everyone. This is an official announcement."
The chat went wild—until she cut in firmly:
"This morning, the puppet Shogun challenged Mr. Lu. He only revealed a fraction of his power, and you all saw the aftermath with your own eyes. Afterwards, he went back five hundred years into the past and brought back Raiden Ei's elder sister, Raiden Makoto—safe and whole. In other words… he resurrected her."
The stream fell silent.
'Streamer… what did you just say?'
'Did I hear that right? He went back five hundred years and brought someone to the present?'
'That's insane!'
"Children, don't be so shocked." Lumine waved it off. "For Mr. Lu, this is nothing more than a small favor."
Paimon nodded in perfect agreement.
"And now," Lumine continued, "it is Raiden Makoto who governs Inazuma. The Vision Hunt Decree, the Sakoku Decree—those days are gone. Trade and travel will be safe. New policies are being introduced to benefit merchants, so if you want to make money, now's the time!"
The chat exploded again.
And just like that, the news spread across Teyvat.
—
Makoto's return was a blessing for all of Inazuma.
For years, people had wondered why the once wise and gentle Shogun had turned so harsh five centuries ago. Most blamed the great calamity, when countless lives were lost, thinking the tragedy had changed her.
Now, the truth was revealed: there had always been two of them.
Makoto, the one suited for governance.
Ei, the one destined for war.
With Makoto ruling and Ei wielding power only in battle, the balance was finally right.
"I believe with my sister here, Inazuma will flourish," Ei said, her voice heavy with relief. Yet guilt lingered. "I'm sorry for leaving you such a mess…"
"It's alright," Makoto shook her head gently. That disaster had been sudden; Ei had done all she could, even if her path had gone astray. The people might blame her, but Makoto never would.
"I'll set things right. Don't worry, Ei."
She turned her gaze toward Yae Miko, who stiffened the moment Makoto's eyes landed on her.
"Oh my," Miko feigned surprise. "I still need to take Lu Heng around to see the sights, don't I?"
"?" Makoto blinked and turned to Lu Heng.
"…True," Lu Heng admitted with a nod. It had been mentioned when he first arrived.
"Then I'll leave him in your care."
"Don't worry, elder sister." Yae Miko smiled sweetly. "I'll take very good care of him."
Makoto frowned faintly. Somehow, that smile felt… suspicious.
"What about me?" Ei asked, noticing everyone else seemed busy while she had nothing to do.
"You…" Makoto thought for a moment, then said, "You should focus on resolving your issue with the puppet Shogun first."
"Oh, right!" Ei clenched her fists, thinking of that puppet still running in the background, acting beyond her control. "I'll deal with you yet!" she growled to herself, determination blazing.
And with that, Ei disappeared in a flash of lightning to face her other self.
—
Lu Heng and Yae Miko stepped out of Tenshukaku.
"So, where to?" he asked.
"Hmm…" She thought for a moment, then said, "Why don't we stop by the Yae Publishing House?"
"Sure." Lu Heng chuckled. "At this point, your publishing house might as well become a website. Everyone reads online now, hardly anyone buys physical books."
"I've already set things in motion," Yae Miko said with a nod. Then she leaned close, her voice dropping to a playful whisper by his ear.
"Tell me… does this count as us going on a date behind Makoto's back?"
"?" Lu Heng froze, half amused, half exasperated. "What kind of line is that?"
"What do you think?" Yae Miko laughed, her smile radiant as cherry blossoms in full bloom.
--------
T/N:
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