The Raiden Shogun, Musou Isshin in hand, stepped closer to the Traveler one pace at a time, then raised the blade high above her head.
Thoma thought quickly. He used the spear stuck in the ground to hastily cut the ropes binding his wrists, then seized a soldier's spear and hurled it at the Raiden Shogun.
[Kamisato Ayaka: Thoma, you... you attacked the Raiden Shogun.]
[Paimon: That's Inazuma's archon. The Raiden Shogun.]
[Thoma: I couldn't just stand there and let Her Excellency bring that sword down on her. I absolutely could not let that happen.]
[Ningguang: Indeed. At that moment, Lumine's life was in danger.]
[Zhongli: Her Excellency did not use elemental power beyond Lumine's capacity to withstand. This was a suppression purely at the level of martial skill.]
[Lumine: As expected of an archon. Perhaps Tartaglia could challenge Her Excellency—no elemental power, just martial skill.]
[Tartaglia: If it's purely martial skill, that's not a bad idea. But she's Inazuma's archon. She must be busy every day. Where would she find the time?]
[Furina: I suspect it's because Tartaglia's martial skill is still below Lumine's, so he lacks confidence?]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, while Tartaglia enjoys battle, he is not without wisdom. He would not challenge an enemy that poses a lethal threat.]
[Paimon: Yeah, I was wondering earlier how a battle maniac like Tartaglia hasn't gotten himself killed yet.]
[Tartaglia: Hey, hey, hey. Leave me some dignity, will you?]
The Shogun parried the blow, and the sheer force of the impact sent all three of them flying.
Lumine regained consciousness and, supported by Thoma, fled.
The Raiden Shogun watched the fleeing Lumine and Thoma from afar and spoke coldly. "Add her to the Vision Hunt Decree. The next time we meet, I will strike again."
[Paimon: We're doomed, we're doomed! We've caught the attention of Inazuma's archon, and she's that powerful!]
[Lumine: Don't worry. If I can't win, I'll just run.]
[Furina: If you can't win, just run—great idea!]
[Navia: In a foreign land, that might work. But when it comes to your homeland, you fight to the end even if you cannot win.]
[Zhongli: Navia's determination to protect Poisson is truly admirable.]
[Paimon: Protecting Poisson must be Navia's wish, right? Like you, Zhongli, protecting Liyue. Is the Geo Vision about protection?]
[Lumine: I remember Ningguang's Vision is also Geo. Could it be... at that moment, she wasn't thinking of Mora, but of the people of Liyue?]
[Venti: That must be it. As it turns out, Mora was never Ningguang's greatest love.]
[Paimon: Wow, it's true! Everyone with a Geo Vision shares the wish to protect.]
[Ningguang: I still recall the words His Excellency once spoke: 'I vow to cleanse the world and safeguard this corner of it.']
Elsewhere, Lumine and Thoma had returned to Komore Teahouse.
Thoma said, "Komore Teahouse is the safest place for me right now. But I won't be able to leave here for a while. From now on, everything is up to you."
Lumine asked, "Then what should we do?"
Thoma turned. "Go to Tatarasuna. Find the resistance."
"Barring any surprises, the Shogunate Army will soon issue a warrant for us. There aren't many factions willing to take us in, but the resistance is an exception."
Paimon said, "I remember Ayaka mentioning that it's an organization formed by Sangonomiya to oppose the Vision Hunt Decree."
[Yae Miko: Sangonomiya Kokomi is also an old friend of mine. Miss Deep Sea Flounder.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: Is this how you reveal my pen name?]
[Yae Miko: It's hardly a secret anymore.]
[Paimon: Lady Yae is good friends with the leader of the resistance?]
[Yae Miko: I wouldn't say 'good friends,' but we do exchange letters from time to time.]
[Lumine: Wait... does that mean the resistance is backed by Lady Yae?]
[Yae Miko: Not at all. We are merely friends through literature. Aside from my role as head shrine maiden, I also serve as the editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House. The joy of light novels is truly captivating.]
[Paimon: So Lady Yae is also a great author?]
[Yae Miko: 'Great author' is not an accurate description. I am the editor-in-chief! One rank above author!]
[Paimon: That's such an odd thing to be proud of...]
Thoma nodded. "Correct. It was initially organized by Her Excellency Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island. It is currently led by her subordinate, Gorou, and they are engaged in battle with the Shogunate Army."
"However, the Yashiro Commission does not have close ties with the resistance. Neither side can fully trust the other."
"But you are different. In my opinion, the resistance has no reason to turn you away. The only problem now is that we don't know the resistance's exact location. You'll need to ask around on the way, and you may have to pass through Shogunate territory. Please be careful."
Lumine nodded and set out for Tatarasuna.
After much inquiry, Lumine and Paimon finally located the general vicinity of the resistance and, on their way, rescued one of their soldiers.
The resistance soldier, Teppei, sighed in relief. "I'm saved... I thought I was a goner. Thank you for your help. I'm Teppei, a member of the resistance's Goby Squadron. I was just recently transferred to the front lines. I was hoping to earn some merits, but I failed in my very first task. You must think I'm a joke. Judging by your attire, you're not with the resistance. Are you here to join us?"
[Furina: Hahaha! Goby Squadron! That unit name is so funny!]
[Kokomi: Is it? I tend to name my squads after marine life.]
[Paimon: Your pen name is, too.]
[Yae Miko: Still, the name lacks impact. Perhaps change it to 'Tiger Shrimp Squadron'? Leading with 'tiger' sounds much more imposing.]
[Paimon: 'Tiger' before 'shrimp'... it does sound stronger!]
[Lumine: As expected of an editor-in-chief! Your literary sense is impeccable!]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, if a unit's name embodies their aspirations, their strength will also grow. 'Millelith' means 'a thousand steadfast rocks'—an oath of unwavering protection.]
[Keqing: So that's the origin of the Millelith's name? His Excellency is truly remarkable.]
To Teppei's question,
Lumine nodded. "Yes."
Teppei was overjoyed. "Wonderful! Just a few days ago, General Gorou was lamenting that we're short on hands. This is a huge help."
"I'll take you to the resistance camp. But before that, let me brief you on our current situation."
"As you can see, we've been at a disadvantage on the main battlefield. The Shogunate Army, with their goal of maintaining Eternity, is led by General Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission. They are exceptionally strong. On our side, because of the Vision Hunt Decree, we have very few Vision holders."
"That we've managed to hold the line so far is thanks to Her Excellency Sangonomiya's brilliant strategies on one hand, and General Gorou and the resistance fighters' courageous efforts on the other."
"Ah... If only I had a Vision. With one, I could relieve some of Lady Sangonomiya and General Gorou's burdens and make a name for myself on the battlefield."
[Paimon: Teppei has a wish too. Why doesn't he have a Vision?]
[Zhongli: The granting of Visions follows the rules of Celestia. I am not privy to the specifics.]
[Lisa: Once, while conducting an experiment, I realized I needed a Vision. The moment I thought of it, a Vision appeared before me.]
[Paimon: It's that simple? But Teppei doesn't have one.]
[Keqing: I never wanted a Vision. I feared it would make people mistake my abilities for divine favor. Yet the Vision still came.]
[Venti: I'm not entirely clear on the exact rules either, but I feel it has something to do with my preferences! Every Anemo Vision holder I've met just clicks with me.]
[Zhongli: The Geo Vision holders I've encountered all harbor wishes of protection, which align with my own ideals.]
[Paimon: So you're saying... to obtain a Vision, it's not enough to simply have a wish? You also need to resonate with the archon's ideals? Teppei's desire... it just didn't resonate with any archon?]
[Nahida: Based on current knowledge, that is the most likely explanation.]
[Furina: I never expected little Paimon to be so good at drawing conclusions.]
[Lumine: Actually, Paimon is quite clever.]
As he spoke, Teppei looked at Lumine. "By the way, I think I just saw you use elemental power. Do you have a Vision too?"
Lumine shook her head. "No."
Paimon explained excitedly, "She's special. She can use elemental power without a Vision."
Teppei's face lit up. "Really? No way! That's amazing! Doesn't that mean the Vision Hunt Decree is completely useless against you?"
"Please, let me introduce you to General Gorou! I'm sure he'll welcome you. At least then I'll have accomplished something big. Still... I wish I could be like you, taking down Shogunate soldiers with ease and earning real glory with my own sword."
"No time to waste. Let's go right now!"
They followed Teppei to the resistance camp. After hearing Teppei's introduction of Lumine, Gorou considered for a moment before speaking. "You've probably already heard that the resistance's current goal is to defeat the Shogunate Army and overthrow the Vision Hunt Decree."
"This is no easy task. Everyone who steps onto this battlefield risks their lives."
"Tell me your reason for joining. The resistance does not tolerate those without the will to fight. And personally, I hope you will think this through carefully."
[Kujou Sara: No wonder the resistance is so tenacious. They are no mere rabble.]
[Ningguang: A thousand elite soldiers are stronger than a thousand elite soldiers plus a thousand irregulars. Mingling irregulars with elites only weakens them. Strict personnel selection is the key to military strength.]
[Keqing: The Millelith are selected the same way.]
[Paimon: No wonder the Millelith are so strong.]
Lumine said, "About the hundredth Vision..."
Gorou knew of this matter and immediately responded, "You mean the hundredth Vision Hunt Ceremony? Though it happened in Inazuma City, word reached us here. We heard there was some kind of disturbance. Strange, really. They say even the Raiden Shogun herself appeared... Why bring this up? Do you have information?"
Lumine said, "I was the one who caused it."
Gorou was stunned, his expression frozen.
[Kokomi: I never thought even Gorou would be this shocked.]
[Gorou: It's really hard to imagine someone escaping from the Shogun's grasp.]
[Zhongli: The Raiden Shogun held back. She did not unleash her archon-level elemental power—power capable of reshaping the very environment.]
[Paimon: Why did she hold back?]
[Ei: Within Inazuma City, I cannot unleash my full power. It would harm the citizens.]
[Yae Miko: Ei loves the people of Inazuma deeply. It is only her methods I cannot endorse.]
Paimon added, "And we even fought the Raiden Shogun! We took away the holder of the hundredth Vision. Now we're wanted by the Shogunate Army too... That's why we came here."