Inside the tea room, Yuki and Ei sat facing each other.
Ei knelt neatly in the proper seiza position, then picked up the teaware on the low table to brew a pot of tea for Yuki. Since Inazuma's architecture followed traditional Japanese style, the tea room naturally had a tatami floor.
He watched as Ei poured hot water over the tea leaves to rinse the teaware, then added fresh water to steep the tea. In no time, a pot was ready.
"Please, Yuki-kun." Ei poured him a cup, then stopped, watching intently as he tasted the tea she had made.
After thanking her, Yuki picked up the cup, blew away the rising steam, and took a small sip.
"This is green tea, isn't it?" He set the cup down and savored the taste for a moment—slightly bitter, with a fresh, sweet aftertaste. He quickly identified the type, and Ei nodded.
"Green tea loses its flavor if stored too long. This one's been sitting for quite a while, hasn't it?" Yuki commented on the tea's quality, noting that the flavor had faded.
"Is that so? I see. I used to think all teas got better with age." Ei's expression turned thoughtful.
"Heh. Some teas do, but green tea doesn't." Yuki smiled and took another sip.
"I see. Thank you for the lesson." Ei inclined her head slightly, her eyes sincere. As a warrior, she lacked knowledge in many aspects of daily life. In the past, her sister had handled all of that. The thought made her feel a pang of sadness.
"I'll make a fresh pot for you." The sorrow came and went quickly, and Ei soon composed herself. She reached for the teapot to pour it out.
"No need. It'd be a waste. Let's just drink this." Yuki waved a hand. The flavor wasn't ideal, but it was still drinkable.
Since he insisted, Ei let it go. "Now, tell me about the situation."
Yuki took another sip, glanced around the tea room, then turned his gaze to Ei. She picked up her own cup, took a small sip, and began.
"Recently, I've heard the officials discussing rumors circulating around Watatsumi Island…" As she drank, Ei explained what was happening in Inazuma.
In short, whispers were spreading among the people of Inazuma that the residents of Watatsumi Island were plotting to retake Narukami Island in the name of resurrecting their god.
According to the rumors, they had even received the permission of the Heavenly Principles—which had granted every single Watatsumi Islander a Vision.
What was a Vision? It was proof that a mortal could ascend to godhood. Those who possessed one could wield elemental power, rising from ordinary human to supernatural existence.
Nearly every being in Teyvat longed for one. To obtain a Vision, one needed the recognition of a god—a far more difficult condition than most imagined. As a result, Visions were rare. Even on Narukami Island, fewer than three out of ten people had a Vision.
So the rumor that nearly every islander now had one naturally filled the people of Narukami with unease and fear.
The relationship between Narukami and Watatsumi was complicated. Though both were technically part of the nation of Inazuma, Watatsumi had its own beliefs.
The god they revered was Orobashi, the great serpent—also known as the Watatsumi Omikami. He was to the people of Watatsumi what the Raiden Shogun was to the people of Narukami—a divine object of worship.
But that alone wasn't the main source of tension between Narukami and Watatsumi. After all, even with different beliefs, the two sides could coexist peacefully—each governing their own, neither interfering with the other.
The real problem lay deeper. The people of Watatsumi harbored lingering resentment toward Narukami—or more precisely, toward the Raiden Shogun whom the people of Narukami revered. That resentment stemmed from the Archon War, when Watatsumi's god, Orobashi, had marched east to attack Narukami Island.
The war had been brutal, with heavy losses on both sides. It ended when Ei slew Orobashi on Yashiori Island. With that, the war instigated by the serpent god of Watatsumi ended in defeat for the island nation. After the war, Watatsumi—now without its god—was absorbed into the domain of Inazuma.
"Even though Watatsumi falls under Inazuma's rule—under the Raiden Shogun's rule—their right to worship their fallen god was never taken away. But now, with rumors that nearly every islander has received a Vision, the people of Watatsumi are starting to stir.
Because of that, I've already received petitions from several officials, begging me to descend divine punishment upon Watatsumi Island. And it's not just the officials—many citizens of Narukami are calling for the same thing."
That was what troubled Ei. She could ignore the officials. But she couldn't ignore the pleas of her people. Inazuma wasn't just hers. It also belonged to her late sister.
She had promised her sister—promised to protect Inazuma. Every citizen, every single person under her rule, she was determined to safeguard. She always took their concerns seriously. But this time… she hesitated. She was torn.
"I see." Yuki nodded, signaling that he understood. "You don't want to punish the people of Watatsumi, do you, Ei?"
"Yes. Because I made a promise to someone… to treat them well." Ei nodded, her expression heavy.
Yuki already knew who she meant. "The serpent god, Orobashi?"
"Indeed. A promise made to him should be kept." He took a sip of tea and spoke calmly.
Ei froze for a moment when she heard him say that name. "You… how do you know about that?!" But she quickly caught on and realized. "Ah, that's right. You have omniscience. The truth of the past can't be hidden from you."
She remembered now. Yuki was a being who surpassed all. The sovereign of countless worlds—what secret in all of existence could escape him? If he wished, he could know the state of any world at any time. A small continent like Teyvat was nothing in comparison.