Chapter 01

"Am I... dead?"

Recalling the intense pain that tore through her chest not long ago, the icy touch of the ghostly hand sent an instant chill through her limbs. Helplessly watching as her bloody heart was ripped out, her mind was unable to think, blank and empty.

In a daze, she heard the voices of her companions calling out to her in anguish. But she had no strength to respond, and the world eventually plunged into darkness.

"In this way... my lord's favor should be repaid, right?"

There were noisy voices in her ears, occasionally accompanied by laughter and teasing. Emi Kamisato felt her body being lifted by a gentle force, a warm and soft touch mixed with a hint of clumsiness and caution.

"...Isn't this a bit difficult to handle?"

"'A bet is a bet'." Another woman's voice slightly raised, "You said it yourself, Ayane."

"Who?"

Emi confirmed that she had never heard the voices of these two people before, but her body still felt heavy and unresponsive. The original pain seemed to have completely disappeared, replaced by a fatigue called drowsiness.

"We made so much noise, yet this little one is still sleeping soundly."

"After all, she's still a child. Even if she has no father or mother, the Kamisato Clan can raise her."

Kamisato Clan? Curse...?

In her previous life, her life ended at the age of 15 when she faced off against the Second Harbinger, despite her overwhelmingly superior strength. Her mind couldn't handle such a completely unknown situation. Emi felt a sense of panic, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open her eyes. The world was still frozen in the last scene she saw before her death—the pitch-black darkness.

"Hey... wake up."

Emi felt herself being shaken, and then a gentle power entered her body. Her mood also calmed down, and with another slightly anxious call from the person in front of her, she slowly opened her eyes.

As she expected, the person in front of her she had never seen before.

It was difficult for her to describe the beauty of the person in front of her in words. Even if she had never seen the most beautiful gem, she believed that the purple eyes of the woman before her were a presence that could surpass it a hundredfold. As if favored by the heavens, meticulously sculpted between her eyebrows and eyes, sitting upright with a hint of restraint, but her eyes showed some unease.

Until she saw her open her eyes, the woman's brows relaxed, and she let out a slight sigh of relief.

"You were trembling so much just now, did you have a nightmare?" The woman's face was tense as she tried to put on a dignified appearance. But even Emi could see the awkwardness in her eyes, "...No need to thank me, in any case, even a child should not be afraid of the unknown. I'm here."

"Thank me?" Emi thought of the warm comfort from earlier.

So the power that flowed into her body just now, was it done by her? Emi blinked her eyes.

"I still owe a debt of gratitude from the last time, who was the kind-hearted person who saved me this time?"

"Hehe..."

Hearing the laughter from her friend, the woman with the purple braided hair widened her eyes, seemingly a bit angry. In Emi's eyes, even the roots of her ears gradually turned red.

"Kamisato, can you..." Hearing the suppressed laughter next to her again, the woman turned her head incredulously, "Really?"

Emi couldn't see behind her, but following the woman's gaze, Emi also felt a slight surprise.

It was a face almost identical to the woman in front of her, only with a slight difference in attire. Raiden Shogun raised her hand and lightly covered her lips, and when she saw Emi looking in her direction, her beautiful eyes curved.

"Hello, little one." Raiden Shogun smiled, "My younger sister is a bit reserved, so let me convey her message. In short—'No need to panic, the curse is nothing to me, and you, who have experienced many hardships in your past, I will protect you from harm in the future.'"

Emi seemed to partially understand, and she saw the woman holding her nod slightly.

"Mm."

Emi was still in a fog, wanting to ask something, but when she opened her mouth, what she heard was the whimpering of a small animal.

"You?"

Looking at the small white fox in front of her, the woman with the purple braided hair closed her eyes, and the redness in her ears deepened.

"A bet is a bet. Nice to meet you from now on." She said, "You're my daughter now... Oh, right, what's your name?"

Emi: "...?"

Unfamiliar faces, unfamiliar surroundings... and her own unfamiliar body. Emi Kamisato couldn't help but make a bold guess—

Are the efficiency of reincarnation nowadays so high? And the current situation - as soon as she saw it, her pupils trembled.

It's as if she skipped the process of being born and went straight to recognizing her mother.

Hmm, there doesn't seem to be a problem... Yeah right!

The problem is too big, isn't it? Did she have a lonely journey across the Sanzu River?

Kitsune Saiguu saw that Rai Denmei's attention was on herself, she spread her hands and shook her head.

"I don't know her name, but she looks like a newborn infant, and her parents aren't around. Probably..." Kitsune Saiguu paused, then continued, "Since you have a nominal identity now, you need a name, so I leave it up to you to choose."

"Hmm? Me?"

Encouraged by Kitsune Saiguu and her own elder sister, Rai Denmei lowered her head, furrowing her brows in concentration. After a while, she said:

"Shiro?"

The three of them: "..."

"Ahem." To save face for her younger sister, Rai Denzen cleared her throat with a light cough. "No need to rush, you can think of more."

"Hmm..." As they suggested, Rai Denmei began to think again.

"So." she said, "Dai Shiro?"

Rai Denzen: "..."

Yingjian felt like a leafy boat floating in the vast sea, tossed about by the wind. She even struggled and wriggled her body a little.

"Do you like it?"

'No, not at all!' Yingjian hated that she couldn't speak human language.

Although she herself didn't know what she was, her soul was definitely human!

"I just thought of a suitable name."

At this moment, when she heard the voice of Rai Denzen, Yingjian felt that the voice was like a heavenly sound, and tearfully looked over.

She saw Rai Denzen with her hands resting in front of her knees, looking at her with a smile in her eyes.

"Since the little one was sent here because of the deepest impurities, then when the impurities of the little one's impurity god completely dissipate, perhaps it is a sign of good luck? Perhaps Inadzuma will suffer a little less calamity because of this." Rai Denzen looked at Yingjian and smiled, "Your well-being represents the future that Inadzuma's living beings hope for. So, shall we call you Yingjian?"

'...Huh?'

Is this a real possibility?

*

On the road to somewhere unknown, she chatted with her shrine maiden elder sister and clawed at her clothes when she wanted to ask a question. She blinked her wet eyes and looked at her shrine maiden sister, who couldn't help but stroke her fur.

"Really... You must still be a child who hasn't experienced the world, full of curiosity about this world." The shrine maiden, who looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, spoke gently, "Then I'll continue telling you about General-sama."

In the story she told, Hasawa Yingjian finally gained a basic understanding of this world. It also confirmed one thing - she had indeed been reborn, or rather, transformed into a fluffy fox cub.

Whether to say regret or luck, she carried all her memories from the Taisho period to this new world. In her previous life, when she was trapped in a dilemma, she was recruited by her Lord, and from then on, she practiced swordsmanship and quickly single-handedly killed Jishin with a sword. As the Water Pillar, one of the Nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, she carried out the order to exterminate evil spirits. Even until the last moment, she exhausted her strength and died, worthy of her Lord and Lady Amane's mercy.

Their invisible contract also ended here, and there was no regret. Her own existence was unnecessary, and she only hoped that those people would listen to her and escape... But she didn't need to think about it, they would definitely listen.

In that situation, struggling would only increase unnecessary sacrifices. They still had people waiting for them to return, so they would never be foolish enough to choose to stay there and die.

As for what Kitsune Saiguu said before about not being able to find her biological parents - perhaps others would be a little sad, but she didn't care much.

Even biological parents would have the heart to abandon their own flesh and blood, and maybe her foster mother would be even more kind. Hasawa Yingjian lay in the shrine maiden's arms, closing her eyes and thinking about things.

Since she had come to a new world, she would live just as well and anew as before.

The place she is currently in is a continent called Teyvat. After the Archon War, this world is now governed by seven Archons who rule over the nations. At the same time, this world is very different from the world she used to be in. There are seven elements here - Anemo, Geo, Electro, Dendro, Hydro, Pyro, and Cryo. The person she just saw is the archon of the Electro element, the God of Thunder and the supreme ruler of the Shogunate, known as the Raiden Shogun.

"The Shogun is the epitome of both martial skills and strategies. Because of her, the affairs of Inazuma are managed in an orderly manner. Her strength is unquestionable when it comes to defending against external enemies and suppressing the demons."

When the priestess mentioned the Shogun, her eyes were filled with admiration.

"In addition to her mastery of governance, the Shogun is also skilled in forging and metallurgy. The Naginata and sword techniques of Inazuma, as well as the art of blade forging, are all directly passed down by the Shogun. It benefits the people," the priestess said. "It is my great fortune to live under the rule of the Shogun in Inazuma. And it is my great luck to serve by her side."

The longing and reverence in the priestess's narration were evident.

So, did she luck out and find a powerful adoptive mother? As she lay lazily in the priestess's arms, she recalled the scene when she met the Raiden Shogun.

Indeed, appearances can be deceiving. She didn't realize that her adoptive mother was so knowledgeable in handling political affairs. If anything, the person who looked exactly like her, standing next to her adoptive mother, seemed more like the one in power.

"We're here."

The priestess stopped, "This is your residence. Please make yourself comfortable here. Let me know if you have any preferences for the arrangement."

Hearing the priestess's voice, she perked up her ears and saw her new home as she turned her head. Her ears twitched.

Before her eyes were cherry blossom trees, and beyond the secluded path was a magnificent and luxurious deep red brick house. The structure was exquisite, elegant, and not extravagant - a true upper-class residence. A gentle breeze blew, and cherry blossoms fluttered in the air. She stared at the enchanting scenery before her, until a petal landed on her nose and tickled, prompting her to shake her head and rub against the priestess's chest.

"Oh? Do you like it?"

The little fox emitted a purring sound. The priestess blushed slightly and couldn't help but rub the little one's head again.

"It's good that you like it."

She lowered her head and looked at the petals scattered on the ground. The priestess noticed and asked, "Do you want to come down?"

She extended a paw and waved it towards the ground. The priestess gently put her down. It was the first time she touched the ground in her fox form. Transitioning from two legs to four, she struggled to maintain her balance and took a few tentative steps. After a while, she extended a paw, tapped the cherry blossom petals on the ground, and slowly coordinated her limbs.

"So adorable..."

The priestess behind her had already raised her hands to cover her mouth, her eyes showing undisguised fondness. The little fox seemed to sense something and stood upright, looking up at her.

"I won't be going inside with you. There are things that need to be attended to at the shrine," the priestess said with a hint of reluctance, but her lips still curved gracefully. "To the east is the Heavenly Residence where the Shogun resides. As a fox blessed by the God of Thunder, no one will stop you."

She felt like she had been influenced by the cub's behavior. Seeing the cherry blossom petals falling from the sky, she couldn't resist the urge to pounce. But in front of others, she maintained her composure until the priestess reluctantly left. Only then did she start frolicking in the courtyard.

For her, this experience was truly novel.

During the Taisho era, she had fantasized about the freedom and ease of animals, and now she deeply experienced it in this world.

No demons, no bloodshed, no death, and not as many chaotic thoughts as humans - although she couldn't avoid that now.

Everything before her seemed so real and yet unreal. Yuzawa Eimei tried to confirm the reality of the things she encountered by touching them. Until she happily hopped around the courtyard on all fours, inside and outside, she almost teared up.

"Can she really have such a heavenly place to live? How did she luck out like this?" she wondered.

She finally believed in the saying that good people will be rewarded. Those demons who had killed so many people would surely go to hell as a result of their karma!

If she could live here for the rest of her life, she would be willing to work for her adoptive mother for a lifetime at a cheap price!

Changing to another world after death and continuing to live carefree could be considered a way of escaping death. Yazu Ayame would sometimes go and play with the fish in the pond, and other times she would eat the sweet purple fruits from the fruit plate inside the house. She didn't know how much time had passed, but after running out of breath, she hummed a few times and laid down on the ground covered with cherry blossom petals, almost drifting off to sleep.

"No, that's not right."

Ayame suddenly looked up and her ears perked up as she lay down.

She was still curious about what was so special about herself that warranted such a beginning.

The fact that she couldn't find her biological parents, as mentioned by the Kitsune Saiguuji earlier — while it might have saddened others, she didn't really care.

Even biological parents could heartlessly abandon their own flesh and blood, and her adoptive mother might be even more loving. But to be so lucky as to be adopted by the highest ruler of the Shogunate, that was a bit fantastical.

And there were also curses...

The more Ayame thought about it, the more her scalp tingled, and she couldn't fall asleep at all. She looked up and watched the sunset on the horizon. Once again, she walked out of the door.

After discussing the issue of the domain's curse with Kitsune Saiguuji and Raiden Shogun, Raiden Shogun returned to Tenryou Commission to deal with the mountain of paperwork. But before she could even finish processing a few documents, she heard footsteps at the door. She raised an eyebrow and looked towards the door, where a fluffy head peeked out.

"Is it Ayame?" Raiden Shogun put down her pen and smiled. "Come here, I have some sweets that you like."