"Ah... I see, Shogun-sama... Was it you who saved Inazuma?"
"...Mm."
Ei did not answer immediately. She fell silent for a moment before finally nodding, her expression complicated.
"I knew it! Cough! Believing in Shogun-sama was the right choice after all. As long as you are here, Inazuma will... Haa... cough... endure forever."
"Do not speak any further... Your injuries are severe."
Seeing his condition, the Shogun urged him not to talk. If this continued, he would—
"Heh... I am fine... Hearing this news, I can finally breathe easy. I am so tired... so tired... I truly wish... I could just fall asleep like this. Thank you, Shogun-sama..."
Buzz~
A white glow emerged from his body, and in the blink of an eye he vanished. The other soldiers, who were barely clinging to life around him, dissipated along with him.
"...He disappeared."
She murmured softly.
"Mm..."
Ei responded in a low voice.
"..."
She turned to look at Ei's sorrowful profile, concern written across her face.
"If I am not mistaken... what we just witnessed was likely a memory left behind in this land by a certain samurai."
Ei spoke quietly.
"A remnant from the past... from five hundred years ago?"
"That is correct..."
Ei nodded.
She understood the principle as well. The Sacred Sakura could absorb and purify the filth within the ley lines. After being attacked by the Riftwolves, the surface of its trunk had been damaged, allowing the impurities within to leak out and gather into tangible forms—shadows of the past. Of course, they were only temporary. Some lasted mere minutes, others perhaps tens of minutes at most.
"He... even at the moment of his disappearance, believed that I had saved Inazuma. I am truly a shameless liar."
Ei lowered her eyes and pressed her lips together, laughing at herself bitterly.
"I deceived him. At that time... I failed to return in time. Back then... Haa... I truly could do nothing at all."
Ei slowly rose to her feet, pressing her fingertips against her temple as though recalling memories that filled her with regret.
"Ei... do not be like this."
Heart aching, she took the hand pressing against Ei's temple and gently pulled it away.
"Haa... Forgive me... I worried you. Whenever I think of those days, I cannot help but feel remorse."
Ei apologized softly.
"...It has already passed. Do not torment yourself like this anymore."
Her nose stung faintly as she reached up to touch Ei's face and forehead.
"Shogun... will you sit with me for a while?"
After steadying her breath, Ei asked her quietly.
"Of course. Come."
She nodded without hesitation. Led by the mother at her side, she walked to a tree trunk that grew low along the ground. One after the other, they sat shoulder to shoulder upon its gently sloped surface. Their hands never separated, remaining clasped together.
"Back then... Inazuma faced multiple crises. Some arose locally, and others... from a fallen nation—Khaenri'ah."
Ei's eyes grew distant, tinged with memory as she gazed toward the horizon. Her voice was soft and ethereal as she recounted her story.
"At that time... I was merely a shadow warrior. Inazuma's calamity weighed heavily upon me. If it was not halted swiftly, it would eventually spread across the entirety of Teyvat. My friend, Kitsune Saiguu, told me she would marshal every force at her disposal to defend Inazuma and clear away my worries, so that I could act without restraint."
"..."
She did not interrupt. She simply listened quietly, her fingers tightening around Ei's hand. Though the memories existed faintly within her own mind, hearing her mother recount them personally made them far more real—so vivid that the sense of authenticity multiplied.
"...Even if none of us spoke it aloud, we all understood. This battle would demand sacrifice. The road ahead was fraught with peril."
As she said this, a trace of coldness flickered through Ei's eyes, as though she had returned to her former self upon the battlefield. Yet when her gaze fell upon her daughter's fingers entwined with hers, that icy sharpness melted instantly, and she softened once more into the warmth of a mother.
"When Khaenri'ah was attacked, countless monsters suddenly appeared across Inazuma's land. Haa... not just Inazuma. I once heard Morax say that Liyue also suffered an invasion of monsters. They paid a grievous price to repel them... and so did we."
Ei drew in a quiet breath.
"Kitsune Saiguu... in order to protect the people, ultimately gave her life."
Seeing her daughter staring blankly, Ei let out a faint sigh—a sigh of regret.
"I did not see her one last time. Yet I still believe that until her final moment, she upheld her promise to me. If she were still alive, Shogun... you might have had a wonderful older sister."
Ei smiled at the child beside her, her eyes shimmering faintly as though misted with tears.
"...Mm."
At this, the Shogun lowered her gaze and nodded obediently.
"Even so... even though Kitsune Saiguu used her life as the medium to protect Inazuma, the nation still suffered grievous wounds. Many people... never returned. That scar remains etched upon this land—and upon my heart."
She knew how heavy Ei's burdens were, how cruel her experiences had been. Yet hearing it spoken directly by Ei herself made that weight feel even greater, so heavy that she too felt almost unable to breathe. Perhaps she still did not understand her mother enough.
"As for what happened five hundred years ago, your memories are still somewhat hazy, are they not? I have told you so much all at once... perhaps that was inappropriate."
Ei looked at her gently, stroking her soft hair as she spoke.
"Mm... You once shared your memories with me, but to me they still feel unreal—like a dream."
She nodded carefully.
"Why be so cautious? There is nothing wrong with that."
Ei smiled reassuringly.
"Seeing you so sad... I feel useless. Even though I am your daughter, I—"
"Shogun... do you remember what I told you before? There is no need to think so much. I, Raiden Ei, am not someone who collapses at the first setback. Now that I have you by my side, I am content."
Ei pulled her into her arms, holding her tightly. Her hand brushed through her hair and along her back, as though cherishing a priceless treasure—her most important treasure.
"Promise me... Shogun. Do not leave me, alright?"
"...Mm. I will not."
Though Ei's breath tickled her neck faintly, she did not push her away. Instead, she remained obediently in her embrace and made her promise in a soft voice.
"It is a promise. If you break it, I truly will be angry."
Ei held her even tighter, her voice trembling slightly.
"Mm..."
The person in her arms nodded, her movement causing the fabric of their clothing to brush together with a soft rustle rustle.
"Come... let us look elsewhere."
"Alright... I will follow your lead."
Looking at her incomparably well-behaved daughter in her arms, Ei felt her heart melt. Smiling with tender eyes, she took her hand and led her toward the abandoned village in the distance.
...
"After crossing blades with humanity's 'wishes,' I have reflected on many things. My gaze cannot remain fixed on the past forever."
Rustle rustle~
The soles of their shoes stepped across the soft green earth, producing crisp, gentle sounds. From time to time, small animals darted past their feet, and cool breezes drifted low along the ground, brushing against the flowers and grass before lifting the hems of their garments. Ei's voice carried from ahead, drifting through the wind into her ears.
Whoosh whoosh~
The surrounding trees swayed and murmured in the breeze.
"Mm... You have figured it out."
Walking behind her, the Shogun's lips curved faintly upward.
"Yes... When we toured Inazuma before, I witnessed the progress of these past centuries—and the possibilities of humanity. Everything exceeded my expectations."
Strolling leisurely along the grassy path, Ei seemed to be recalling something beautiful, a trace of quiet satisfaction appearing on her face.
"The old you was the one most afraid to 'move forward.'"
She looked at Ei's slender back and teased her with a faint smile.
"Heh... Indeed. The former me might not even have dared entertain such thoughts. But that is no longer the case. Just as you once told me—within this world, only change itself is eternal."
Ei stopped walking and turned to face her. As she approached, they stood before one another, gazes meeting.
"Moving forward may bring loss, but it also creates 'encounters.' I understand that meaning more and more now."
Ei lowered her eyes to her raised hand, then gently placed it against her daughter's forehead.
"You are the finest example, Shogun."
She had parted from Makoto once, yet she had encountered the Shogun. She had gained a daughter of her own. Perhaps that was the new 'encounter' born from loss. And she swore she would never allow herself to lose again.
"...///"
Feeling Ei's words and touch, she flushed uncontrollably. A soft shimmer of shy moisture gathered in her eyes as she instinctively averted her gaze to the grass beneath her feet.
As Ei's attitude toward 'eternity' changed, she herself seemed to be stepping out of her shadows. Her smiles had grown more frequent. She did not know whether this was Ei's true nature once suppressed, or something she herself had influenced—but one thing was certain. Ei seemed increasingly proactive, especially toward her own daughter. This sudden intimacy caught her off guard.
"Come. We still need to investigate the damage to the Sacred Sakura."
Perhaps noticing her daughter's blushing expression, Ei refrained from going any further. She merely chuckled softly, took her hand, and resumed walking.
They followed the upward slope ahead and arrived at another location where a Sacred Sakura root was anchored. As expected, the area had already been surrounded by numerous Riftwolves. They were using their sharp fangs to gnaw at the root in the center. The wooden bark was gradually cracking, and that familiar blue sap began to seep out.
Just like before.
Ei did not allow her to act. As earlier, she simply drew her blade and struck once. The gap in strength between them was far too vast. The battle lasted less than a few seconds. She merely stood to the side in silence, watching her mother sheath her blade with practiced ease.
"...As long as I am here, there is no need for you to act."
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Ei explained somewhat awkwardly.
It was instinctive—a mother's urge to protect. Even if those monsters could not harm her child in the slightest.
"I understand."
She did not mind. They were only a few beasts. It made no difference who dealt with them.
"Mm... Good. Haa... I was afraid you might take offense."
Ei let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Why would I? Look over there... It is happening again."
She shook her head helplessly. Within the Sacred Sakura root, the flowing blue sap once more emitted a white glow. The light illuminated the area and projected a scene—like an illusion formed from recorded memories.
"Let us go take a look..."
"Mm..."
After Ei stepped forward first, she moved to follow.
But just as she took a step, that violent headache returned.
The same familiar sensation flooded her mind. Her body lost its strength. Her vision blurred.
Bzzzt bzzzt~
"Mm..."
Her steps faltered. She instinctively clutched her temple. Her face turned pale once more, brows tightly knitted as she bit her lip and endured the pain.
Because she was forced to stop, the distance between her and Ei grew wider and wider. Through half-lidded, weakening eyes, she stared at the increasingly distant, blurry figure ahead. A surge of fear rose within her. She subconsciously reached out, trying to grasp at the air.
She caught nothing.
Her legs gave way. In the next second, she was about to collapse to the ground.
"Shogun!!"
Walking ahead and sensing something amiss, Ei turned around—only to witness her daughter crumpling. Her pupils shrank instantly. It felt as though her heart skipped a beat. In a flash, she appeared at her side and caught her in her arms at the final moment.
"Shogun! What is wrong? Where does it hurt?"
For the first time, her usual composure was gone. Looking at her daughter's pale face, even her questioning voice trembled.
"...Haa... haa..."
The woman in her arms could only gasp for breath. Her beautiful face was twisted in obvious pain. Her lips pressed together, cold sweat covering her skin.
"Shogun... Shogun... Speak to me... Do not frighten me."
Ei quickly sat down on her knees, placing her daughter gently across her lap. Her voice carried a trace of raw emotion.
"Ei..."
Lying weakly against Ei's knees, she slowly opened her eyes and instinctively murmured her mother's name.
"Mm... I am here."
Ei responded immediately.
"My head... hurts... I have... no strength."
Her voice was so faint it was barely more than breath.
"...Is something wrong with your body? Let me see..."
Ei's face paled as well. She pressed her hand to her daughter's forehead—it was ice cold. Then she supported her waist and lifted her so she sat against her own lap, holding her upright with one arm while her other hand reached behind her neck.
Hidden beneath her long hair was the purple triple-magatama mark.
Hum~
The instant Ei touched it, the mark glowed violet. Her eyes and the Shogun's eyes resonated together, both shining with an electronic purple light. The Shogun's body trembled faintly at the connection. Seeing this, Ei gently pressed her helpless body closer into her embrace.
Hum~
Code-like patterns flickered rapidly within Ei's glowing eyes. Meanwhile, the Shogun was on the verge of losing consciousness. Her body slackened, her gaze growing increasingly vacant.
"Shogun... Shogun! Do not sleep! Please!"
The connection feed began to distort with static. Panic crept into Ei's voice as she shook her daughter's weakening form.
"...!"
Hearing the call that seemed to echo directly within her soul, the nearly unconscious woman forced herself awake once more. A faint bit of strength returned, though her eyes remained dim.
"Ei... I..."
"Do not speak. Save your strength."
Ei, lips pressed tight, spoke in a tone that was almost reproachful—though filled with pain.
"..."
The Shogun obediently fell silent, remaining pale as she felt her mother's consciousness interfacing with her internal system.
Several minutes passed...
"Haa... Strange..."
Ei's glowing eyes opened fully, confusion spreading across her face.
"Cough... It is... useless... right?"
The Shogun coughed weakly, as though she had already guessed the outcome.
"...Why? Why can I not detect any malfunction?"
Everything was normal?!
How could that be?!
She did not believe it.
Her daughter was in this state!!!
Why?!
Ei's expression twisted with fury. Her former calm was gone. She looked disheveled, as though someone had struck her reverse scale.