A Single Smile

"Sibuxiang my fateful steed! Show them a real mystical creature! Pseudo-Draconic form release!"

A humongous black dragon with white fur and three horns appeared in the skies of Inazuma. I was able to get recognized as a candidate for the Grand Rider as well for this feat. To have a steed the closest you can find to a pure-blooded dragon. Not those wyverns nor any other subspecies of it.

Of course I'm more of a grand caster and both Solomon and Noah are better at me at the needed skill to be a candidate, though that only applies to my human counterpart.

The people of Inazuma knew of mystics, but not all of them have seen a single glimpse of them. The whole Inazuma was mesmerized as such a beast. Neither Makoto nor Ei knew I was hiding a dragon in my steed after all. It did have the aura of a dragon, but nothing compared to what it's releasing right now. The folks were terrified, but it didn't last long since they understood that its under me and wouldn't go rampage.

"Hey hey... I'm the star in this farce yet I feel like a side character. I should step up my game then."

Chime* A bell sounded out of nowhere. 

I've always kept my spellcasting silent, but there's no need this time. This sound is a bit similar to what Orihime used as a priestess, though, I don't like copying things, but I've been too used to this sound to discard it. Maybe it can even work as an alarm hehe~.

"The Kunlun Mountains are dedicated to Yuanshi Tianzun."

"Fish tail crowned in gold, clad in cloth of crane plumage, blinding the Heavens and the Earth!" Chime*

"Imperishable conduct, purity of mind! Xians of the Pure Land, to battle! These hands of mine are exactly like the twin treasure blades!"

"I embody geography and astronomy, for the Bagua dwells within me! That is to say, I am a Xian attending to battle!" Chime*

My normal wear dissipated, revealing myself wearing garments I used when I was an Emperor.

"Special-domain - connection imposed!" Chime*

A beautiful land brimming with mountains and nature appeared out of nowhere in the sky. In the center of it is myself standing at the head of my draconic steed. Noticing the stares of disbelief directed at me, I decided to finish it with my final act. I still have a secret meeting to attend after all.

"Activating all 84 seals! Come forth smiter of gods. Come forth, old armament of mine." The whip in my hand disintegrated into the skies.

"May the skies be torn asunder!

------and fall."

"Deity-Smiting Whip Dashenbian!" I shouted my last act as loud as I could so everyone, even the heavens can hear it.

A gigantic rift appeared from the skies. Coming through it is an enlarged version of my whip dropping down into Yashiori Island. 

An earthquake. 

An earthquake throughout the Inazuman Archipelagos, or maybe it even reached other lands, is the result of such a blow, yet it didn't do any damage to the island. The whip then lights up in blue flames, aiming to destroy every trace of irregular energy on the entire island. 

Everyone in Inazuma stared at the spectacle, a giant flaming tower, for as long as they could. The only thoughts in their mind, is that this sight, is the power of gods.

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(Lumine's POV)

"Amazing! I knew that the Raiden Shogun held back against me but this is a lot more than I expected. So this is the power of a deity on the level of the archons...

Paimon look! Ziya is incredible right?"

"What the hell... What the hell is that?!!! I need to apologize to him later... I know! I'll think of a better nickname! Amazing Mysterious Slit-eyed God! What do you think Lumine?" Paimon talked fast. Faster than I've ever remembered from our travels, I guess she's more shocked than I.

"Something's wrong..." The former archon said.

"What do you mean Makoto?" I inquired.

"Yeah! What's wrong?!"

"Ah? No no, it's about his power or something. I feel like its him right there but also not him. It's just my intuition talking though, don't mind it." She fell into silent contemplation after that.

I was about to pursue the topic further when I saw a cloaked person sneaking up to the shocked Kokomi. I hurriedly took out my sword at ran to her. I slashed the cloak man only to get parried by a stick I recognize.

"Don't be so feisty Lumi-Lumi~. I'll just borrow this beautiful maiden for a bit." He winked at me and disappeared with Kokomi. Does he need to tease me every time he can? I don't mind it that much for some reason...

I then focused on calming the shocked Gorou and others about Kokomi's disappearance. After a tiring session of talking to all of them, I went back to the still dazed Paimon and a smug-looking Makoto.

"I guess that answers that!" She cheerfully said, looking really happy at noticing it.

"I guess it definitely do answers the questions I had." I whispered to myself as I wondered what he planned to do. I'll make sure to grill him for the details later.

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(Lu's POV)

Now, how should I do this. I contemplated as I stared at the bewildered Kokomi in front of me. We are currently at the back of Sibuxiang with the flaming tower next to us. Ei shouldn't be watching me so I have more freedom and more methods can be used. I'll just go with this one.

"Kokomi of Teyvat, Hello? Are you there beautiful maiden?" I tried to get her attention.

"Ah! W-where are we Lu?" She asked before looking around at her surroundings.

"I'll be blunt. I think I gave you enough time to answer, so?" I beckoned her to answer.

"I-I... Ummm..." Kokomi stuttered, and felt hesitant to answer is what I'm getting. I really do need an answer now, since I'll leave after this. I don't wanna handle the Sangonomiya folks gunning me with questions. I decided to help her make her decision right now.

"There's no need to hesitate, there's no ulterior motives at play here." There is, but she should've understood it already, and she is currently overthinking the situation. I needed to give her a little more push so I played a card I couldn't before.

"You, or to be more exact, the Resistance doesn't trust the shogunate fully yet. Then how about you put your trust in me instead?" She flinched, indicating it was working.

"How about this? If the Shogunate were to hear of our secret connection and try to take advantage of it. I would be the first to put a stop to it, even if it means betraying my nation." 

"Of course if you can't trust me, I don't mind putting it in a document or even announcing it right after thi-"

"No, it's fine! I trust you Lu!" She exclaimed with fiery passion.

"I accept, not as the divine priestess of Sangonomiya but as Sangonomiya Kokomi. Your.... friend... close friend..." She finished her words then turned around, but I can easily see her blushing from this position. I decided to be bold and cupped her face to look her straight in the eye.

"I would love to teach you about a lot of things~." I took her right hand and kissed it.

"With this, we'll be meeting more frequently. I look forward to knowing you more personally." I smirked at the blushing priestess.

"It will be my pleasure, Master." Kokomi regained her calm and answered with a genuine smile. 

All this for a one beautiful smile. Worth it.