But Miss Durandal was different from others; her strength was far greater than her own. Even if she dragged her into the Plane of Euthymia, she couldn't guarantee that she could defeat her.
It would be better to take this opportunity to ask clearly what she wanted to do. Could it be that she wanted to usurp the nation?
"What do I want to do? When I first arrived in Inazuma, I met several children on Ritou. They were already malnourished because they hadn't eaten for several days."
Raiden Ei frowned, not understanding what Miss Durandal wanted to say, but she didn't interrupt, instead letting Miss Durandal continue.
"I later learned that it was the Tenryou Commission's oppression of foreign merchants living on Ritou. To deal with this problem, I made a deal with the head of the Shuushin Family of the Tenryou Commission, asking him not to do such things anymore, to eliminate that kind of atmosphere, and to let the foreigners on Ritou live a better life."
At this point, Miss Durandal glanced at Raiden Ei and continued, "Originally, I thought that was something that only happened on Ritou. After I left Ritou, I realized that I was wrong; this phenomenon also existed in other places."
"Not only foreigners, but the lives of the ordinary people living in Inazuma are not good either. Many people can't even afford to eat."
"You want to achieve eternity, so tell me, what about the people living in Inazuma? Have you ever thought about them?"
"This is impossible! The Three Commissions, they..."
"You want to say I'm lying? Then have you investigated these matters? Or do you think that puppet, whose primary factor you set as 'eternity,' cares more about the lives of the people or about that so-called eternity?"
Raiden Ei, who was about to say something, was stunned by these words. As the Electro Archon, she naturally wanted to say that the people were more important, but when she created the Raiden Shogun, her setting was that "eternity" was above all else.
So, for the Raiden Shogun, "eternity" was naturally more important than the people. Even if the Raiden Shogun knew that the people's lives were not good now, as long as someone said it was a necessary price to achieve eternity, she would accept it after consideration.
"Speak up. You must have a lot to say, right? Say it, let me hear what you think."
"Your sister entrusted Musou Isshin to you precisely so you could govern Inazuma well. What happened?"
"Look at what you've done!"
"...Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! You are not allowed to mention my sister!"
Hearing Miss Durandal mention Raiden Makoto, Raiden Ei's emotions suddenly became agitated, and the Plane of Euthymia was almost instantly filled with violent thunder.
Raiden Ei usually wouldn't be like this, but Miss Durandal mentioned Raiden Makoto and spoke to her in such a tone, making her think that Miss Durandal was actually Raiden Makoto's friend.
Although in the past she had always been like Raiden Makoto's shadow, constantly by her side, she wasn't with Raiden Makoto every single moment. So, it was possible that Raiden Makoto had made a God friend she didn't know about when she wasn't aware.
After all, Raiden Makoto was so gentle, surely some Gods would want to be her friend.
She thought Miss Durandal saw how she had governed Inazuma into its current state, failing Raiden Makoto's trust, and had specifically come to Inazuma to challenge her through the Duel Before the Throne to reprimand her.
The current Raiden Ei was merely a Child avoiding blame. While she was escaping, she also blamed Miss Durandal in her heart for why she only appeared at this time.
If she really was Raiden Makoto's friend, where was she when Raiden Makoto went to Khaenri'ah alone? Where was she when Inazuma faced disaster? Why did she only appear at this time? What right did she have to lecture her here?
A circle of the "Chakra Desiderata" appeared behind her, condensing the power of the Electro Element. Holding her naginata, she no longer hesitated and charged towards Miss Durandal again.
[Ei... I'm sorry, for leaving you alone at that time.]
Raiden Makoto looked at Raiden Ei with a pang of heartache. Through the memories of the sacred sakura tree, she understood Raiden Ei's feelings after losing her and her other friends.
But closing herself off out of fear of loss was wrong; at least, it was meaningless for Inazuma.
And... haven't you noticed that your "Chakra Desiderata" is missing one crucial thing besides elemental power to unleash its maximum strength?
That thing is the wishes you denied, the wishes of the Inazuman people you denied. Only with their blessing can the "Chakra Desiderata" unleash its greatest power.
[Let me do something, even if you could win without it. But to make Ei understand her problem, let me just add a little flourish.]
Raiden Makoto floated behind Miss Durandal, embracing her from behind, relaxing her body, and completely linking her soul with Miss Durandal.
The moment Raiden Makoto's soul completely linked with Miss Durandal, Raiden Ei's eyes widened. She looked at Miss Durandal, then behind her, in disbelief.
"Sis... Sister?"
She saw Raiden Makoto's figure standing behind Miss Durandal. Her eyes were still as gentle, but when she looked at Raiden Ei, her gaze was inexplicably sorrowful.
Don't... don't look at me with such eyes, Sister.
I'm doing this to guide the people of Inazuma, to guide them towards the correct "eternity." Am I wrong to do this?
"You..."
Miss Durandal frowned in confusion. She could have agreed to Raiden Ei's terms, so why was Raiden Makoto doing this?
The next moment, the once dim sky of Musou Isshin began to glow again. One by one, "stars" of different colors bloomed in the sky.
One might not be much, but as their numbers increased, this light gradually became so dazzling that it was impossible to ignore.
At the same time, Miss Durandal could feel a surge of power within her. This was not her own power, but originated from the lights in the sky.
"Are these wishes from Visions? Truly... unnecessary. But your desire to resist the Vision Hunt Decree, I have received it."
Durandal retracted her claws, and the familiar great scythe appeared in her hand.
"Let's have another fight. Compared to you fighting alone, I have quite a few people on my side."
"Even your own sister stands with me. I wonder what kind of expression you'll show when you find out about this."
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