[No.3]
[Raiden Makoto]
[The original Electro Archon of this century, creator of Inazuma, the first Raiden Shogun, one of the Four Shades, and the reincarnation of Naberius.]
--+--
(T/N: This is before the Four Shades reveal video and before knowing that Rhinedottir is Naberius)
"Sis... is, is this you?" Raiden Ei stared up dumbfounded, looking at Makoto with disbelief.
Makoto gave a slight shake of her head, not saying anything.
But as she looked at her own portrait and the accompanying introduction—especially the part naming her one of the Shades and the reincarnation of Naberius—she couldn't help feeling puzzled.
The other Archons felt the same.
Others might not think much of it, but they knew full well that 'Four Shades' was another name for the Sustainers of Heavenly Principles, the four shadows of the divine will.
They represented Void, Time, Life, and Death.
So did that mean Naberius was the former Shade of Life?
"It probably isn't a true cycle of reincarnation... but there's most likely a connection, nonetheless," Buer offered with a gentle smile.
Nahida listened, only half-understanding.
--+--
[No.4]
[Raiden Ei]
[The second Raiden Shogun of this world, the second Electro Archon, one half of the demon god Baal, once a shadow, later a younger sister.]
--+--
"I knew it!"
"Both versions of the Shogun got caught too!"
"But isn't the young mistress a girl? How does it make sense for her to marry the Raiden sisters?!"
All of Teyvat was buzzing.
Inevitably, everyone was gossiping about it.
Raiden Makoto, her figure graceful, gazed up at the sky.
She remembered now.
Once, in a moment of ignorant clarity, she had created Raiden Ei as her sister.
That inexplicable spark of inspiration must have drawn from the process the Heavenly Principles used to create the Four Shades, hadn't it?
She truly wasn't the Ruler of Life, because the Ruler of Life had already fallen.
She was a demon god who had drawn new life from the lingering remnants of the Ruler of Life.
And so, she lacked martial prowess, while her sister lacked cunning.
They complemented each other.
"It seems even if we marry someday, we sisters will never truly be parted..." Makoto turned her gaze to her sister, a soft, tender smile gracing her lips.
"Mhm!" Ei nodded firmly.
--+--
[No.5]
[Raiden Shogun]
[The third Raiden Shogun of this world, the third Electro Archon, the one who has actually presided over Inazuma for the past five hundred years, a puppet created by Beelzebul using her own body.]
--+--
"Great, just great!"
"Of course she got snatched up too!"
It was only recently, from the changes in Inazuma, that everyone had learned the full story.
You had to admit, it was like a set of nesting dolls.
You thought Inazuma was still ruled by Baal.
But actually, it was Beelzebul.
And just when you thought it was Beelzebul, it turned out she was just the Raiden Shogun.
And she'd been AFK the whole time! How did that work?
--+--
[No.6]
[Buer]
[The original Dendro Archon of this world, Dendro Sovereign, incarnation of the Irminsul, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.]
--+--
"It seems I didn't escape either~" the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata said with a light laugh.
She was taking it rather well.
After all, just like Raiden Makoto, once she realized the young mistress's so-called 'harem list' started with the Heavenly Principles and their Sustainers, she understood the young mistress preferred women.
If the target was female, then probably not a single female Archon would escape, right?
This wasn't blind confidence, but a reasoned deduction.
Because, when seeking a mate, one always chooses an excellent partner.
It's an instinct every living creature shares.
And they, the Archons, were first-rate in every aspect—beauty, status, and position.
How many would pass up such candidates?
Sure enough!
The next few entries were exactly as expected.
--+--
[No.7]
[Nahida]
[The second Dendro Archon of this world, second Dendro Sovereign, a branch of the Irminsul, the Lesser Lord Kusanali.]
--+--
[No.8]
[Furina]
[The second Hydro Archon of this world, the human aspect, Hydro Sovereign, Queen of all Waters, Kindreds, Peoples, and Laws, God of Justice.]
--+--
"Lady Furina, boo hoo hoo... my Lady Furina!"
"Dammit! Even my Lady Furina didn't get away?"
"Wait, the next one couldn't be..."
--+--
[No.9]
[Focalors]
[The second Hydro Archon of this world, the divine aspect, Hydro Sovereign, Queen of all Waters, Kindreds, Peoples, and Laws, God of Justice.]
--+--
Perfect!
Our anxiously waiting hearts are now thoroughly dead.
When the sky-screen revealed the three Raiden Shoguns before, all of Inazuma acted like their parents had died.
Sumeru was quick to follow.
Now!
It's Fontaine's turn.
This is bull!
Hydro Archon, how are we supposed to go on without you?
"If Lady Furina and Lady Focalors get married, will Fontaine even have a Hydro Archon anymore?"
--+--
[No.10]
[Mavuika]
[Officially recognized by Celestia as the second Pyro Archon, Pyro Sovereign, Demon God Phenex, God of War.]
--+--
"Just as I thought! I'm on the list too." Mavuika ran a hand through her fiery red hair.
In an instant, her hair seemed to burst into flame, flowing, swaying, blazing, yet warm.
--+--
[No.11]
[Barnabas]
[The second Cryo Archon of this world, Cryo Sovereign, Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya (Former)]
--+--
Let's be real. That word 'Former' is just chef's kiss on the nose.
Barnabas nearly lost her composure, and every last former citizen of Snezhnaya across Teyvat completely lost it too.
How vile!
You can't do this...
This isn't just rubbing salt in the wound, it's doing a jig on it!
Too cruel!
--+--
[No.12]
[Nabu Malikata]
[God of Flowers, one of the three God-Kings of Sumeru, Master of the Jinn.]
--+--
Huh?
Unlike the many citizens unaware of the inside story, many in the upper echelons, even the Archons, sensed something unusual.
"A deceased person appearing on the list... could it mean she will be revived in the future?"
Although Buer and Raiden Makoto's own returns had set a precedent, the idea of reviving the dead was still almost unimaginable for all of Teyvat.
But clearly, this wasn't an isolated case.
--+--
[No.13]
[Egeria]
[The original Hydro Archon of this world, the first Hydro Sovereign.]
--+--
"It's Lady Egeria!"
Focalors' eyes lit up, her composure slipping. The Oceanids across the world were equally thrilled.
"How wonderful..."
Barbatos sent his words to Morax on a flowing breeze.
"Old man, out of the Seven, it's just you and me who are male. We're a bit out of place. How about we try out female forms for a bit?"
Just as Morax had taken on various forms over the millennia, wandering the mortal realm—including that of a mature woman—Barbatos certainly could become a girl if he wanted.
If the young mistress took a liking to her, she wouldn't mind.
Everyone else is latching onto those coattails. Wouldn't you be at a disadvantage if you didn't?
The old man had no desire to humor him.
Suddenly sensing something, he looked up. He nearly crushed the walnuts he was fidgeting with in his hand.
He couldn't help it.
--+--
[No.14]
[Guizhong]
[God of Dust, Haagentus, Lord of Dust of Liyue.]
--+--
The image of his old friend appeared on the sky-screen.
She still looked as whimsical, as petite, as adorable as ever.
Zhongli was momentarily lost in thought.
This was a true pain in his heart!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
20+ advanced chaps on my patreon.
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.