Most of the time, the Alcor anchored near Guyun Stone Forest. Because of that, ships traveling to Inazuma through the thunderstorm zone often got blasted away by lightning.
Honestly, if it weren't for business reasons, Beidou wouldn't have chosen to sail now. The Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree had made Inazuma's situation tense. Foreigners were unwelcome, and she didn't want unnecessary trouble.
"Still, we can go join the excitement," Koji said with a grin.
"Fine, after all, Ningguang already paid your fare," Beidou replied, half smiling.
"Speaking of which, what's the deal between you and Ningguang? She seems awfully close to you," Beidou teased.
Koji sighed theatrically. "She fell for my irresistible charm, obviously."
Beidou blinked—then burst out laughing. "Hah! You're funny, kid. But Ningguang's no young lady either. I'll root for you two!"
She slapped his shoulder heartily.
"Captain Beidou," Koji continued mischievously, "I heard rumors that you and Ningguang are… that kind of relationship. Is it true?"
Everyone on deck turned with nosy looks.
"Eh?!" Beidou froze. "What kind of nonsense is that supposed to be?"
Her face reddened as she realized what he meant.
"My tastes are normal! Who started that rumor about me and Ningguang?!"
"Uh, we all kinda heard it too…" murmured a few sailors nearby.
Beidou glared at them. "Even you guys?"
Kazuha raised a hand politely. "I've heard it as well."
That nearly broke her composure. Beidou groaned, waving a hand. "Enough! If I hear any more gossip, I'll toss the lot of you overboard and you can swim home yourselves!"
The crew scrambled to their posts immediately, thoroughly frightened.
Koji smirked quietly. Beidou really was an interesting woman.
Time passed as the Alcor reached the storm zone.
Thunder rumbled. Lightning flashed through the clouds, and the roar of thunder rolled across the sea. The suffocating atmosphere made it hard to breathe.
Beidou stood firm. It wasn't her first time sailing through a thunderstorm.
"Alright, lads! Be ready!" she called from the bow, her voice full of power.
None of her sailors wavered. They all trusted their captain.
"Finally about to make landfall," Lumine muttered, sprawled on her bunk like a salted fish. "Ugh, I hate boats."
Koji glanced over. "You didn't feel like this when we rode the airship before?"
"Totally different! Airships don't shake like this unless something explodes," Lumine groaned.
The Alcor was solidly built, but for those unaccustomed to sea travel, the rocking could still make them sick. Once they entered the storm belt, the jolting worsened.
Paimon hovered nearby without a care—being able to fly had its perks.
After what felt like ages, the Alcor finally broke through the storm and docked safely in Inazuma Harbor.
"Koji, let's go attune to the Statue of the Seven," Lumine said, stepping onto the deck and looking toward the statue of the Electro Archon towering in the distance. "That'll be my third element."
Koji nodded and used spatial transfer to bring her straight to the statue.
Spatial Blessing—truly convenient.
"I've gained Electro power now," Lumine said, gazing at the glowing sphere of energy in her hand. "Feels like some of my strength's returned."
Unfortunately, the golden greatsword and her wings of light were still sealed.
"Damn Heavenly Principles… when I meet them again—"
"With three elements now," Koji analyzed, "you can hold your own even against a god. Maybe not win, but you won't get one-shot either."
"Unless it's something like Musou no Hitotachi," he added dryly. "Without divine power, that's still impossible to block."
"Then I'll collect more elements!" Lumine said firmly. "Take me to the other nations, Koji. The more resonances, the safer."
Koji agreed and brought her to Sumeru and Fontaine for further attunement.
As for Natlan's Fire statue, due to special circumstances, they could only resonate briefly—but even that massively boosted her strength.
Before long, Koji and Lumine returned to Inazuma again.
"This feeling of power… it's incredible!" Lumine clenched her fists. She now wielded the strength of five elements.
There was no other being like her in all of Teyvat.
"Koji, having you around really makes me happy," Lumine said suddenly, leaning in to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Paimon covered her eyes with tiny hands—but peeked through her fingers anyway.
Lumine didn't blush at all. After everything they'd been through, embarrassment had long ceased to exist between them.
"Koji, do you think I could defeat the Raiden Shogun now?" she asked confidently.
"Uh… odds are, she'd still wipe the floor with you," Koji replied, barely suppressing a laugh. "But if it were the Dendro or Hydro Archons, you could probably beat them both."
"The Dendro one's a bit of an airhead—five hundred years old and still basically a child—and not even human. She's only lived that long because of a curse. And the Hydro Archon, Furina… she's just a performer, not a fighter."
"Fine." Lumine pouted but didn't argue.
At the docks, Eula and the others waited. They were all rare beauties, and though many dockworkers sneaked glances, none dared approach.
Each of them bore a Vision, and with the Vision Hunt Decree still active, any outsider with one was risking their life.
People whispered anxiously. "Aren't they afraid their Visions will be confiscated?"
After all, the decree came directly from the Raiden Shogun herself. Foreign Vision holders entering now—it was hard not to worry.
(End of Chapter)
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