Chapter 13: Task Complete

Liam looked at the test tube containing the golden liquid and rubbed his chin.

It looked pretty, but it didn't seem particularly special.

He shook his head, trusting the system's assurance that it could eliminate erosion.

He walked up to Ei and waved the [Erosion Inhibitor] in front of her.

To his surprise, Ei's eyes locked onto the suppressant like a pet tempted by food.

Raiden Ei didn't know what the golden liquid in Liam's hand was or what it could do, but she instinctively felt that she needed it.

Seeing Ei's reaction, Liam couldn't help but laugh.

"Hehe, Ei, do you know what this is?"

Ei shook her head, looking puzzled.

"Hehe, it's called [Erosion Inhibitor]. Don't ask how I got it. It can eliminate erosion from your body and prevent future erosion."

Ei's eyes widened in disbelief. No wonder she felt an instinctual need for the liquid—it could eliminate erosion.

Just as she was about to ask how to obtain it, Liam placed the [Erosion Inhibitor] in her hand.

"This..."

Ei was momentarily stunned.

"Haha, Ei, did you think I was just going to wave it in front of you and not give it to you?"

Liam laughed, thinking to himself how soft Ei's hands were—truly the hands of a god.

"Aren't there any conditions?"

Ei asked, somewhat bewildered. The reality check from Liam had almost made her shut down, and now receiving this miraculous medicine left her at a loss for words.

"Well, there is one thing," Liam said, pretending to think deeply for a moment before continuing, "I want you to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree. It's a complete mistake."

Ei pondered, realizing from Liam's earlier words that her concept of eternity had flaws. After some thought, she gave her answer.

"Alright!"

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the long-term task. The reward has been issued!]

The sudden notification from the system sounded unusually pleasant to Liam.

Haha, a long-term task? I completed it in just two and a half days! I am a task master!

The fusion of the Herrscher of Ice core was uneventful, feeling as insignificant as swallowing a candy. Glancing at the system, he saw:

[Herrscher of the Void Core: Development: 30/100]

[Herrscher of Ice Core: Development: 0/100]

[Gem of the End: Activation: 10/100]

Am I a three-core Herrscher or a two-core Herrscher?

Liam then turned to Raiden Ei.

"Ei, drink this [Erosion Inhibitor] and tell me how you feel."

"Is it for drinking? Alright!"

Ei pulled out the stopper and drank the golden liquid in one gulp.

Instantly, her body glowed brightly before returning to normal.

"How do you feel?" Liam asked with concern.

Ei didn't speak immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes to sense the changes in her body. Her expression softened with pleasure. A moment later, she opened her eyes.

"Ah—! It's been so long since I felt this light! Even my power has returned to its peak! The erosion has indeed been completely eliminated!"

Ei smiled in relief and looked at Liam with a hint of gratitude.

"Thank you, Liam!"

Ei said sincerely. Despite her doing nothing, Liam had done so much for Inazuma and even given her this precious Inhibitor. She felt a deep sense of gratitude.

"Haha, no need, no need!"

Liam waved his hand dismissively. He had ulterior motives; he did what he did to gain the favor of Ei and the Raiden Shogun while benefiting the common people.

After all, he was just an ordinary person trying to do some good within his abilities and win favor with characters he liked.

"Besides, save your thanks for later. I have another surprise for you! Don't get too excited and pounce on me," Liam joked with a smile.

Ei was curious. What could be more surprising than eliminating erosion?

Her purple eyes stared unblinkingly at Liam, making her look quite adorable.

Liam blushed, turning his head. Despite being such a commanding figure, Ei's cute expression was a delightful contrast.

Even the Raiden Shogun was curious about what Liam would do next.

Focusing his thoughts, Liam spoke to Raiden Makoto in his consciousness.

"Makoto, I've found your body. I'm about to revive you. Get ready!"

"Really? So soon?"

Makoto was surprised but pleased. She hadn't expected things to progress so quickly.

"Haha, naturally! Your matter is important to me!" Liam chuckled, not bothering to explain further.

With a wave of his hand, a figure in a white and purple kimono, identical to Raiden Ei, appeared on the ground of the Plane of Euthymia.

The moment she saw the figure, Ei's eyes widened, and her breath quickened.

"Sister!"

Ei murmured softly, recognizing the figure as her long-lost sister, Raiden Makoto.

She looked at Liam, her mouth opening and closing, unable to find the words.

She had guessed what Liam's surprise was but was afraid to believe it.

But Liam didn't pay attention to Ei's hesitation.

He placed his hand on Raiden Makoto's chest, and Makoto felt a force pulling her out of Liam's consciousness.

In a short time, Makoto's soul was transferred to her body.

Reluctantly, Liam withdrew his hand and watched Raiden Makoto closely, worried about any mishaps.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. Within moments, Makoto's eyes fluttered and then opened slowly.

"Hmm~!"

Raiden Makoto slowly rose and took in the familiar surroundings she had seen through Liam's eyes. She looked at her hands in disbelief.

"Am I really alive again?"

She murmured softly.

"Sister? Is that you?"

A slightly sobbing voice reached her ears. She looked up to see Raiden Ei, her eyes slightly red.

"Ei!"

Raiden Makoto looked at her sister with gentle eyes.

Hearing the familiar call, Ei could no longer hold back. She leaped into Makoto's arms.

"Sister! I missed you so much!"

Liam watched this scene with a gratified smile. After all, who doesn't love a happy reunion?

"I missed you too, Ei," Makoto gently stroked Ei's hair.

Then Makoto's gaze turned to Raiden Shogun, who stood next to Liam.

"You must be the Shogun! I've seen you through Liam's eyes."

"I…"

Raiden Shogun hadn't expected Makoto to recognize her and now found herself at a loss for words. It was hard to imagine the usually cold and decisive Shogun looking so awkward.

"Hehe, just call me sister like Ei does," Makoto said with a smile.

"S-Sister…"

Raiden Shogun awkwardly muttered.

Seeing the normally stoic Shogun looking so conflicted, Liam couldn't help but laugh.

"Thank you, Liam," Makoto said as she released Ei and hugged Liam.

Whoa! Coach, I want to report a foul!

Sensing Liam's discomfort, Makoto smiled softly, lightly kissed his cheek, and then stepped back with a smile.

Liam was stunned by Makoto's sudden kiss, holding the spot she had kissed in disbelief. This was the first time a girl had kissed him, and it was Raiden Makoto, no less—a gentle, knowledgeable older sister type.

Just for this, coming to Teyvat was worth it!

Ei, too, was surprised by her sister's boldness. Moreover, her sister had mentioned seeing Raiden Shogun through Liam's eyes, so...

"Sister, you…"

Ei looked at Makoto inquisitively.

Makoto explained her recent days living in Liam's consciousness, emphasizing Ei's grand yet misguided policies, making Ei blush with embarrassment.

"Sister, I…"

Ei tried to explain but was quickly cut off by Makoto.

"Alright, what's done is done. The priority now is to make amends."

"Now that you're back, I'll hand the governance of Inazuma back to you! I'll just be a shadow warrior as before!"

Ei said excitedly.

Knowing her sister wasn't suited for governance, Makoto didn't refuse and nodded.

At that moment, Liam regained his composure and spoke to Ei.

"Why don't you let us out first? I have some matters to discuss with Makoto."

Ei looked at Liam with a complex expression, her eyes giving him chills. He hadn't done anything wrong, but he felt like he had become a scoundrel.

"Alright."

Ei said, and the surroundings began to change. Suddenly, a fragrant breeze passed by, and Liam felt warmth on his other cheek. In the next moment, Liam and Makoto found themselves back in Liam's room.

Still in shock from Ei's sudden kiss, Liam felt two sets of eyes on him.

Makoto looked at him with a smile, while Raiden Shogun's face was expressionless, staring intently at him.

"Hehe, if I say I don't know what happened, would you believe me, Makoto?"

Liam scratched his head awkwardly, looking at Makoto.

"Haha! I won't tease you anymore! Liam, you said you had something to discuss with me. What is it?"

"It's about the Vision Hunt Decree," Liam began.

"Vision Hunt Decree? Didn't Ei already agree to cancel it?" Makoto asked, puzzled.

"Yes, but it shouldn't be canceled immediately," Liam replied.

Makoto, being sharp, quickly understood Liam's point.

"You want to use the Vision Hunt Decree for a bigger plan?"

"Exactly. The Tri-Commission of Inazuma, especially the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions, are deeply corrupt. I plan to use the lockdown and the Vision Hunt Decree to expose their crimes and thoroughly purge them."

Liam nodded with a smile. Makoto's intelligence was truly impressive, far beyond Ei's.

"I've already arranged with the Yashiro Commission to produce fake Visions. I'll manipulate things to collect the fakes, ensuring no real harm."

"And as for the Fatui, we'll deal with them appropriately," Liam said, turning his gaze to Raiden Shogun.

"Shogun, the thunderstorms surrounding Inazuma's borders are your doing, right?"

Raiden Shogun nodded.

"Then keep a close watch on the Fatui. Let others pass the storms with minimal effort, but intensify the storms when the Fatui try to move. By the end, they should be trapped inside, unable to escape."

Liam had no sympathy for the Fatui and would not hesitate to eliminate them.

"Understood," Raiden Shogun nodded.

Liam then remembered something.

"There's also Watatsumi Island. From what I know, they still worship the serpent Orobashi and seem to have some hostility toward the Shogunate, maintaining their own armed forces."

Raiden Shogun nodded.

"So, is Watatsumi Island part of Inazuma or not?" Liam asked.

"Of course, it is," Raiden Shogun affirmed.

"Good. Then we'll resolve the issue of Watatsumi Island as well. Give them two choices: either disband their forces and let the Shogunate take control, allowing them to continue worshiping their god but with loyalty to the Shogun, or the Shogun will deal with them harshly. Inazuma doesn't need ungrateful wolves."

Liam had no particular dislike for the serpent god, admiring its sacrifice, but from Inazuma's standpoint, he couldn't allow Watatsumi Island to remain a destabilizing factor.

"Understood."

Raiden Shogun nodded. She had no qualms about using force if necessary. If it came to it, she would show Watatsumi Island the true meaning of divine punishment.

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(Raiden Makoto)

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