Just then, Kamisato Ayaka stepped out from the entrance of the Kamisato Estate, holding a beautifully wrapped gift box with both hands.
She walked gently up behind the three and asked softly, "Everyone, I'm ready. Shall we depart?"
Paimon turned her head, her curiosity immediately drawn to the box in Ayaka's hands. "Ayaka, what's that you're holding?"
Ayaka looked down at the gift box and smiled. "It's a gift prepared for Lady Yae Miko—'fried tofu.' Since we're going to ask for her help, bringing a small token of respect and sincerity is only proper."
Paimon's eyes lit up. "Ayaka, you're so thoughtful! None of us even thought of that."
Ayaka responded with a modest smile, "No need to thank me—it's our duty. Well then, shall we?"
Carrying the carefully selected gift, Ayaka led Shao Yun and the others out of the estate. Turning right, they began their slow ascent along the winding mountain path toward the Grand Narukami Shrine at the mountaintop.
The climb from the foot of the mountain to the summit demanded considerable effort and time.
Though the path was no longer as broken-down and weathered as it had been in the original story, Shao Yun and the others still found the climb somewhat exhausting.
To ensure everyone would be in their best condition when meeting Yae Miko, Ayaka occasionally suggested short breaks along the way, giving them a chance to enjoy the scenery.
After walking intermittently for a while, Shao Yun spotted the vermilion torii gate up ahead. He knew they were almost there.
Standing by the temizuya outside the shrine, shrine maiden Inagi Hotomi noticed their approach.
She stepped forward with a slight bow and asked politely, "Good day, Miss Kamisato. Is there something we can help you with today?"
Ayaka gave a polite nod. "We've come to pay a special visit to Lady Yae Miko. Is she currently at the shrine?"
Hotaru stepped aside and gestured toward the inner grounds. "The Guuji is admiring the scenery beneath the Sacred Sakura right now. Shall I go inform her?"
Ayaka gently shook her head and replied calmly, "No need to trouble yourself. We'll go to her directly. Thank you for your kindness."
Hotaru smiled. "It's no trouble at all. I hope you enjoy your time here."
…
Inside the Grand Narukami Shrine, sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting dappled golden light across the figure of a beautiful and enigmatic woman.
Her long pink hair flowed like a waterfall, tied at the ends.
She had fox ears, and her left ear was adorned with a dangling earring inlaid with an Electro Vision.
Dressed in a red and white shrine maiden robe, her exposed, slender legs were smooth and pale like white jade.
This was Yae Miko. She stood beneath the Sacred Sakura, quietly gazing at the tree pruned into the shape of a fox.
Suddenly, her ears twitched slightly—she'd heard something faint.
She slowly turned and saw a figure approaching in the distance.
It was Kamisato Ayaka, smiling gently and holding a gift.
"Well well, if it isn't the Kamisato family's young lady, the Frostflake Heron. What brings you to my shrine today?" Yae Miko's lips curved playfully, her fox-like eyes filled with mirth and curiosity.
Ayaka approached and offered a graceful bow before presenting the gift. "Lady Guuji, forgive us for calling on you without notice. This small offering is for you—I hope you'll like it."
Yae Miko accepted the box, gave it a quick sniff, and smiled with satisfaction. "Ah, that familiar aroma—fried tofu. I do like it. You're very thoughtful, Miss Ayaka."
Seeing Yae Miko's pleased expression, Ayaka said respectfully, "I'm glad you like it, Lady Guuji."
Her fingers then brushed the envelope handed over with the gift. Carefully opening it, Yae Miko scanned the contents—the handwriting of Kamisato Ayato was all too familiar. She now understood the purpose of their visit.
"I see. And where are our three guests?"
Ayaka looked around. "Strange, they were just behind me…"
Just then, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon hurried up the steps, a little late for a reason.
Shao Yun had been sketching at the shrine's entrance, while Lumine took Paimon to unlock a teleport waypoint hidden from most.
Yae Miko smiled as her gaze fell upon the three. "If I'm not mistaken, you must be the foreign travelers—Mr. Shao Yun, Miss Lumine, and Miss Paimon. Welcome."
Shao Yun blinked and muttered to Lumine, "Looks like we're pretty famous."
Yae Miko gently touched her lips, a sly smile on her face. "But of course. The famous blonde traveler and her white companion... and the very man who inspired the main character in The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine. How could I not know you?"
Shao Yun chuckled and shook his head. "That book is... wildly exaggerated. Please don't take it too seriously."
The truth was far stranger than fiction.
Yae Miko stepped forward, eyes carefully scanning Lumine, Paimon, and Shao Yun. Then she said, "I'm Yae Miko—chief priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine and chief editor of the Yae Publishing House. It's a pleasure to meet you. Since the Kamisato clan has sent word ahead, tell me—what brings you here?"
Since she got right to the point, Shao Yun responded just as directly. "We want to meet the Raiden Shogun. Lord Ayato said that you're the only one in all of Inazuma who can make that happen, which is why we've come."
Yae Miko tapped her chin thoughtfully. "So that's how it is…"
After a moment's silence, she turned her gaze to Ayaka with a kind smile. "My apologies, Miss Kamisato. May we have a moment in private?"
Ayaka glanced at Yae Miko, then at Shao Yun and the others, and quickly nodded. "Of course. I'll wait outside the shrine."
She turned and quietly exited, leaving the four alone inside.
Yae Miko folded her arms and looked at them with keen curiosity. "Now that it's just us—may I ask why you want to see the Raiden Shogun?"
Shao Yun glanced around, noting the shrine maidens nearby sweeping the grounds.
Yae Miko caught the look and clapped her hands gently.
The shrine maidens stopped, looked up, and followed Yae Miko's subtle gesture toward the entrance.
They understood immediately and quietly exited the area, taking their brooms with them.
Yae Miko turned back to Shao Yun, her eyes twinkling with interest. "There. Now that we're alone—I'm curious. A personal letter from the Kamisato clan head, Ayaka personally guiding you here… no one else in Inazuma receives such treatment. Care to enlighten me?"
Shao Yun took a deep breath and answered earnestly. "We were sent by the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt and the Geo Archon of Liyue to meet the Electro Archon. As for why… it's complicated. But we mean no harm. We just want to speak with her."
Yae Miko nodded slowly, lips curling in a knowing smile. "Ah, I see… sent on behalf of others."
The letter had already outlined their mission—she wasn't surprised. But the curiosity in her gaze didn't waver.
She looked at Shao Yun again and asked calmly, "I understand your purpose. But I need to clarify something: do you wish to see the Shogun, or the Raiden?"
Paimon tilted her head, confused. "Aren't they the same person?"
Yae Miko smirked, a hint of mystery in her voice. "Don't be fooled by appearances. The 'Raiden Shogun' in Tenshukaku is just a puppet—not the Archon herself."
That revelation left Paimon and Lumine both startled and confused.
"Huh? Then where's the real Raiden?" Paimon asked, completely baffled.
Yae Miko sighed, memories of five hundred years ago flashing through her mind. "It's a long story… and complicated."
But Shao Yun waved a hand dismissively. "That's fine. The puppet's enough. As long as we can meet her."
As long as he could meet the puppet, the rest was simple. He had plenty of ways to draw the real Raiden out from her Plane of Euthymia.
Like a formal duel. Or setting fire to Tenshukaku, for example.
Seeing Shao Yun's firm attitude, Yae Miko nodded slightly. "In that case, it's not as difficult—but there are still challenges."
"A month ago, I could've invited the Shogun to the shrine to meet you. But now, well…"
Shao Yun narrowed his eyes. "Ayato mentioned something similar. What exactly happened a month ago?"
Yae Miko looked at Lumine and Paimon, then blinked playfully and asked, "Can I share this with just you, Mr. Shao Yun?"
Shao Yun frowned. 'What is this fox scheming now?'
He asked cautiously, "Why?"
"Because…" Yae Miko cast a meaningful glance past Shao Yun, letting out a soft laugh and saying mysteriously, "You know why."
Shao Yun froze. A fine sweat broke out on his forehead. Slowly, he turned his head.
His heartbeat quickened, nearly to the point of suffocation.
After a few seconds, he exhaled and steadied himself.
He pressed his lips together and said with effort, "Lumine, Paimon… could you go take a stroll around the shrine?"
Lumine stared at him, baffled. "What's going on?"
Shao Yun gently patted her golden hair and said softly, "Trust me, Lumine. Leave it to me."
Seeing the confidence in his eyes, Lumine felt an inexplicable sense of trust.
Still a little confused, she nodded. "Okay…"
Lumine and Paimon walked off to explore the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Shao Yun turned a serious gaze toward Yae Miko.
"You saw that, didn't you." His tone was grave.
Yae Miko raised a brow, tapping her beautiful eyes lightly. "Indeed. Foxes see many strange things. But who was that behind you? Won't you introduce me?"
Before he could answer, Yae Miko blinked, her expression changing. "Oh dear, that one's a shy one. I only glanced at it and—poof—gone."
Shao Yun's eyes widened. 'She's nuts. That thing's a demon!'
He quickly changed the subject. "Forget about it. What happened a month ago?"
Yae Miko's fox ears twitched—she sensed his growing tension.
She blinked and replied gently, "A month ago, Inazuma's ley lines were unstable for an entire day, then abruptly returned to normal."
"That anomaly affected the Shogun. Since then, she hasn't left her chamber. As for what exactly happened… even I'm not sure."
Inside, Shao Yun murmured to himself, 'Ley line instability… what on earth happened?'