Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [49]
Kujou Takayuki staggered out of the grand doors, his expression vacant and hollow.
The cold evening breeze brushed against him, sending a shiver through his entire body.
"How did it come to this…"
He had been outright dismissed by the Shogun herself.
That boy named Takahashi—what on earth was so special about him?!
For the ever-loyal servant of the Shogun, this blow was almost too much to bear.
He shook his head in dismay, forcing himself to walk forward.
Suddenly, his foot caught on something.
"Argh!"
Takayuki nearly fell, turning back in fury.
"Who's the fool lying in front of Tenshukaku?!"
"It's me… Lord Tenryou Commissioner," came a weary, despairing voice from the ground.
There lay Hiiragi Shinsuke, looking utterly disheveled and defeated.
Having been unceremoniously stripped of his position, he cut a truly miserable figure.
"It's you."
Takayuki's expression soured further, letting out a cold snort.
Tonight hadn't just been a failure; it had been a total disaster.
He couldn't wrap his mind around it.
What on earth is going on with the Shogun?
Is it all because of that brat, Takahashi?!
"What do we do now?"
"What else can we do?"
Shinsuke removed the last of his bandages, discarding his pretense of injury.
The two disgraced officials walked side by side out of Tenshukaku, their mood as dark as the night.
"First, we ensure we keep our positions."
"You still have a plan?" Takayuki looked at him skeptically.
"The Shogun has decreed that my daughter will inherit my role as Kanjou Commissioner," he said, his tone chilling.
"But as long as I act before the formal appointment, and ensure she… cannot…"
His gaze turned sharp, cold calculation glinting in his eyes.
When it comes to power, even family ties are meaningless.
After all, he'd never even looked at his daughter with any true affection.
"You really are willing to go that far."
Takayuki seemed to catch on, smirking grimly.
"Hmph. Pot, meet kettle."
"Well then, I wish you success, Lord Kanjou Commissioner."
Both men knew the truth.
The battle surrounding the Vision Hunt Decree was far from over.
Who would emerge victorious was still anyone's guess.
---
"Shogun-sama?"
After waiting for some time, Kamisato Ayato cautiously broke the silence.
He looked toward the distant, cold silhouette of the Raiden Shogun, his mind racing.
Why has the deity asked me to stay?
Was it to discuss the governance of Inazuma?
The issue of the Tatarigami on Yashiori Island?
Or perhaps the Vision Hunt Decree?
Whatever it was, he needed to tread carefully.
After all, the will of the Shogun dictated the fate of the entire nation.
Tap.
Footsteps echoed through the chamber.
The Raiden Shogun stepped forward, slowly approaching Ayato.
Her expression was stern, her brows slightly furrowed.
It was clear that something significant was on her mind.
"Shogun-sama, whatever you need, just say the word," Ayato declared decisively.
To strengthen his position in the ongoing power struggle between the Tri-Commission, it was vital for the Yashiro Commission to leave a good impression on the deity.
"There is indeed something very important," the Shogun said.
Here it comes!
Ayato's eyes narrowed as he bowed slightly, ready to listen intently.
"You…"
The Shogun paused in thought, then asked softly:
"Do you have any Mora?"
"…What?"
Ayato raised his head, stunned.
Shogun, you must be joking.
Weren't you just talking about retreating into seclusion to master your martial arts?
What kind of world-shattering technique… requires Mora?
"Well… I have some," Ayato replied hesitantly.
"Give it all to me."
"…Of course."
Ayato wordlessly handed over his wallet.
"Good. Thoughtful as always."
The Shogun accepted the wallet with a calm expression, nodding in approval.
Her demeanor was one of serene satisfaction.
Ayato couldn't help but feel that something was… off.
"You may leave now," the Shogun said curtly, dismissing him without further explanation.
…Is the Shogun in a hurry?
"Understood. I take my leave."
Confused but compliant, Ayato departed, unable to make sense of the situation.
It seems that even with all my strategizing, I am still far from grasping the depth of the Shogun's thoughts.
I must work harder.
The chamber fell silent once more.
The Raiden Shogun stood still for a long time, staring at the empty room.
Finally, she sighed softly.
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened.
Zing—!
Electricity crackled as she slashed through the air, her blade shattering the silence.
The strike's force left the space trembling, and a few strands of pink hair drifted to the floor.
The Musou Isshin halted at the last moment, sparing bloodshed.
"My, my, how merciless," a voice purred.
A fox-eared woman clutched her chest dramatically, feigning vulnerability.
"It's been 500 years, and you've grown rusty."
The Shogun snorted coldly, sheathing her blade.
"It's not that I've weakened, Ei," she retorted.
"It's that you've grown stronger."
Yae Miko circled the Shogun with a playful grin, her eyes filled with intrigue as she occasionally poked at her.
The stronger the deity, the more relaxed I can be, she thought, utterly at ease.
"…"
The Shogun flicked the hilt of her sword lightly, her gaze complicated.
There was a time when Yae Miko could have faced a Musou no Hitotachi head-on.
But now, she couldn't even dodge a simple strike.
Hmph.
The Shogun placed a hand over her chest, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
It feels fuller somehow, she thought.
Is it because of him?
"Congratulations, Ei," Yae Miko said, clapping her hands lightly with an approving smile.
It seems stopping you from altering your physical form back then was the right choice.
"Hmph. Did you come to Tenshukaku for a reason?"
The Shogun glared at her before turning her head away indifferently.
"Oh my, my dear deity," Yae Miko teased, stepping in front of her again.
"You've changed. Something about you feels… different."
Her playful smile deepened as her gaze shifted downward, catching something curious.
"What's this?"
"…"
The Shogun's expression turned frosty, her grip tightening imperceptibly on the fox mask in her hand.
"Alright, alright," Yae Miko relented with a grin.
Feigning innocence, she pulled out an item from her sleeve.
"What is it?"
"The latest and most comprehensive romance light novel from Yae Publishing House," Miko said with exaggerated cheer.
"…?"
The Shogun's gaze grew dangerously sharp.
It seemed her troublesome fox required some discipline.
"And, of course, a dessert for you."
"…"
"Leave the items. You may go now," the Shogun said calmly as she donned the fox mask.
I'm on a tight schedule.
Once again, the country shrine maiden, Mei, had returned.
---
T/N: OMGGG MEI WAS EI ALL ALONG? thats crazy thats messed up i couldve never guessed
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