The one Hanachirusato was destined to wait for was the Traveler, Lumine.
But Severin could not tell her that—revealing it might alter the Traveler's destined path.
They were still in Konda Village.
Severin led Yae Miko to an ancient estate. From its weathered walls and tiles alone, it was clear the place had stood for four or five centuries.
The plaque above the gate bore two characters: Mikoshi.
"This is the ancestral residence of the Mikoshi clan," Severin explained.
"The first head of the family was Mikoshi Michiharu, the legitimate son of Mikoshi Chiyo."
"So these are Sister Chiyo's descendants…"
Yae Miko gazed at the old gate, her emotions surging.
Mikoshi Chiyo—the proud oni warrior, her beauty like the moon—had once stood alongside Kitsune Saiguu and Sasayuri as Raiden Ei's closest comrades.
When calamity struck, Chiyo was swallowed by a monstrous aberration. She tore her way out from its chest—but the corruption infected her mind. Her reason twisted, her form warped, and she turned her blade against Ei herself.
She shattered Ei's naginata with her fangs.
In the end, Ei severed her arm and horns—but spared her life out of old affection.
Chiyo fled into the forest, where she encountered her son, Mikoshi Michiharu.
Not recognizing his own mother, he slew her as a monster.
Thus Mikoshi Chiyo died—by her son's hand.
Yae Miko still remembered Saiguu's words: that Chiyo's beauty, valor, and dignity should be sung of for a thousand years.
Yet the world had long since forgotten she ever existed.
"Prince of Snezhnaya," Yae Miko said quietly, "why bring me here? Sister Chiyo truly perished. Unlike Lady Saiguu, she left no lingering consciousness. Her bloodline thinned with each generation—today her descendants are no different from ordinary humans."
"Come with me."
They descended into a hidden underground chamber beneath the estate.
At its center lay an ancient sword, plain yet dignified, engraved with the Triple Tomoe of Electro—a weapon personally forged by Raiden Ei.
The only member of the Mikoshi clan ever granted such a blade was Mikoshi Chiyo herself.
"That's… Sister Chiyo's sword?"
Yae Miko recognized it instantly.
"After Michiharu killed her, he identified her through this blade," Severin said.
"He sealed a fragment of her remaining consciousness within it."
Severin channeled refined Electro into the sword.
It glimmered softly—and a gentle voice echoed forth.
"Pink little fox? Oh—look at you, wearing the Grand Shrine Maiden's robes now. So Saiguu really did entrust the shrine to you. By the way… where's that fellow who always smoked his pipe?"
Saiguu had loved smoking, her pipe never far from hand.
"Lady Saiguu… she was consumed by darkness while protecting Inazuma," Yae Miko said, tears blurring her eyes.
"…Still as great as ever,"
Mikoshi Chiyo murmured after a long silence.
"And Ei… how is she? Losing us all—she must be hurting."
Yae Miko knew who she meant.
"Ei sealed herself within the Plane of Euthymia, pursuing an eternal stillness without grief or desire. Five hundred years have passed—she has never once stepped outside."
Another long silence.
"Atonement," Chiyo finally said.
"She is punishing herself. If Makoto were still here, she would never wish this upon her."
A shadowy form began to coalesce—solid, yet horrific.
Not the proud oni warrior of old, but Chiyo's corrupted visage: crimson eyes, twisted features, hatred and agony writ across her body.
"Little fox… would Ei want to see me like this?"
Yae Miko nodded through sobs.
Severin watched in silence, unease creeping into his heart.
Even as an apparition, Chiyo's malevolent aura was deeply unsettling.
Chiyo had once been only slightly weaker than Ei.
Which meant the creature that corrupted her all those years ago had been truly terrifying.
Even the Seven might not emerge unscathed from such darkness.
Strength… I still need more strength.
Fortunately, Severin had already found a new path—one unprecedented in Teyvat.
To master all seven elements.
Hydro. Pyro. Anemo. Electro. Cryo. Geo. Dendro.
He had already grasped Cryo and Electro.
This journey to the Six Nations was not only about collecting Gnoses—it was his pilgrimage toward elemental transcendence.
"Let's go, Sister Chiyo," Yae Miko said softly.
"I'll take you to see Ei."
The sword was cast into the Plane of Euthymia from the shrine's gate.
"What do you think they'll talk about?" Yae Miko asked.
"They're both warriors," Severin replied. "You can guess."
"…A full-blown brawl?"
Yae Miko laughed brightly. "That does sound like them. Good—Ei must be bored in there."
They returned to the Kamisato estate, reappearing exactly where they had left.
"I'm grateful," Yae Miko said seriously.
"But don't think sentiment alone will buy Inazuma's Gnosis. Without sufficient compensation from Snezhnaya, I will not allow you to take it. If you force the issue, I'll notify the other five Archons immediately."
She revealed her final card.
"Then you know," Severin said calmly, "that I wouldn't be standing here without an answer."
He met her gaze.
"Saiguu. Chiyo. Sasayuri. And Raiden Makoto."
"I can revive them."
Yae Miko froze.
"Resurrection?" she scoffed. "Even gods cannot overturn death itself. That's common sense."
"This is my promise to Inazuma."
His tone was unwavering.
"…How?"
"By overthrowing Celestia.
By creating a new order of the world—where I will wield authority over life itself."
Yae Miko was stunned into silence.
She had always thought Snezhnaya's talk of defying Celestia was political theater.
Now she understood.
They were serious.
Mad—but terrifyingly ambitious.
"So the rumors are true," she said slowly.
"Snezhnayans really are lunatics."
She turned away.
"The Gnosis was entrusted to me by Ei. This decision cannot be made lightly. I'll consider your proposal. For now—the banquet is ending. Let's return."
Severin smiled faintly.
"You'll agree."
He was certain of it.
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