Volume 5 – Chapter 128(Courage)

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Author Note:

[ ] = When Twilight is speaking.

{ } = When talking through Telepathy.

' ' = When thinking in your mind.

<<  >> = When talking with your Pokémon or Tamed Beast.

--- --- = When describing a certain period OR Another place.

** ** = Point Of View, i.e., POV

/// /// = In Call

" " = System and when talking to it.

「 」 = Thoughts being heard

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WHIZ!

A gentle gust of wind blew, making the long hairs of the man and woman flutter as they stroll down the streets of Inazuma in leisure.

They were walking side-by-side with their hands clasped together.

Ei: Never thought one day I would see my nation like this.

The purple-haired spoke while her eyes looked around at the now desolate and empty city. Only the sound of the wind and some pieces of paper flurrying around in this now-silent city could be seen.

It looked just like some ghost town.

Primis: Most people don't want to leave their homeland if given a choice.

He replied while looking at all the houses, buildings, training ground, and Tenshukaku in the distance. But there was not even a soul.

Primis only took the people to his world. Hence, these huts, buildings, lodges, and so on were still on the Narukami Island of Inazuma. Some decorations made during his coronation ceremony can also be seen in these buildings.

Ei: .........It's not over yet, isn't it?

Primis: Why do you think?

Ei: If it was, then you wouldn't have taken your people to your World. Even if you have to travel to different worlds in the future, you can always return as this is your Empire now....... But you didn't. It's not because you are afraid that someone will try to dethrone you but instead because you know that there is a high possibility we will be attacked again when you are away.

Primis: Maybe you are wrong. Maybe it's just like you said: 'We' don't want to give 'Our' throne to anyone.

Ei: That's impossible.

Primis: Oh?

Ei: While I don't know you fully, I understand enough to tell you that you were not interested in such things. If not for Makoto and others' requests, you didn't intend to do the coronation scheme in the first place.

Primis: .......

Ei: But now that everything is done and you have taken the mantle of Emperor, I know you have no intention of running away from the responsibilities now and even in the future. You will see it through till the end.

Hearing this, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

'Primis: This girl… 'We' know you were watching 'Us' but never expected to be observed this much.'

He thought but didn't mind her action. If he had a problem with it, he would have told her to stop long ago.

In any case, putting those thoughts away, he decided to be true with her.

Primis: You're right. It's not over yet. On the contrary, it hasn't even wholly started yet. The Fleet of Fog is the weakest enemy that had come to attack Inazuma. With time, even stronger adversaries will come. Even you won't stand a chance in front of them, let alone the people of Inazuma.

The Electro archon turned silent upon hearing this and lowered her head. Even for a moment, she didn't doubt Primis words. After all, by now, she had complete blind trust in him.

Primis: However, 'We' want you to battle in the Phase II.

Ei: Phase II?

Primis: Yes. The enemies will come in Phases. Phase I, II, III, IV, and so on. The Fleet of Fog was Phase I. Now that it is completed, Phase II will follow.

Ei: But didn't you say I'm not their match?

Primis: It will be against those coming in Phase III and after. You can still fight in Phase II. Of course, it will be very challenging, and a single misstep can lead you to your doom.

She remained quiet for a while before agreeing.

Ei: Ok…If this is what you want, I will do it.

Primis: Hmm...Don't tell 'Us' that you are scared.

Ei: ..................I am.

Primis: Oh.

Primis couldn't help but raise one of his brows at that. Unexpected, she admitted that she was afraid.

If this news spreads throughout Teyvat, no one will believe it. After all, in everyone's eyes, Raiden Shogun symbolized power—the divine might of thunder. It's impossible to imagine that she would be fearful of something.

He looked at the purple-haired who seemed to be averting her eyes, refusing to meet his gaze.

Seeing this, Primis's expression turned gentle. It's just a delusion that Ei wasn't afraid of death. If she weren't, she wouldn't have entered seclusion in search of eternity. And she was not the only one. Every Archon was similarly scared of death. But as the ruler of their respective nation, they can't show this to their people. Otherwise, it will affect them too.

Even Ei wouldn't have revealed it openly. She did so because she had no guard against Primis. She had already started to rely on him and was willing to show him everything, including her weakness and vulnerability.

Chuckling, he spoke.

Primis: Then let 'Us' give you some courage.

Ei: Huh?

As she was showing a puzzled look, Primis turned her to.

His free hand hugged her waist and pulled her closer. Then, looking into her beautiful purple eyes, he leaned before touching her soft lips with his.

The electro archon was momentarily surprised before she slowly closed her eyes. With one hand tightly holding Primis's, she put her other on his chest and held her coat before raising herself on her toes and reciprocating the kiss.

Ei: Mmph~

Two people were seen kissing in the middle of the town on the huge Narukami Island, but no one was present to witness this beautiful scene.

.

.

.

A few minutes later.

Ei opened her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar place. This was a vast library with countless books that could be seen in the myriad bookshelves.

After Primis gave Ei some 'courage,' he told her he was sending her to a place where she would find something to increase her confidence. Hence, here she is.

'Ei: This is my first time seeing such an enormous library. No matter how much I try, I can't see its end.'

As she started to look around, she heard an unfamiliar voice.

???: To think a day will come when Prime will let someone step foot here whom he hasn't made his permanent member...…Hmm. This means that not only he has complete confidence in you but he also cares for you a lot.

The purple-haired woman didn't speak as she was trying to find the source of the voice. However, to her disappointment, she can't. It seemed that the voice was not coming from one location but from everywhere around.

???: For now, come straight ahead. I know what you are here for.

Ei: ......

The Electro Shogun thought briefly before deciding to listen to the voice. She was not worried that something would happen to her because if it could, then Primis would have warned her earlier.

STEP!

STEP!

STEP!

...

…

She kept on walking while looking at books on the shelves. She loved reading books, so she already liked this place.

After walking for who knows how long, she stopped and looked back.

When she did, the entire library disappeared and became an infinite grass field.

???: I am sorry, but a library should be a quiet place. I don't want to disturb its tranquility with our talk. This place is much more beautiful and full of life, Raiden Ei.

Turning to the front, Ei saw a white-haired woman seated near a circular table with an umbrella and one extra seat, most likely for her.

With her guard all-time high, the electro archon asked.

Ei: Since you already know my name, shouldn't you introduce yourself too?

Hearing this, the white-haired smiled.

???: Oh my, how rude of me. Let me introduce myself. I am one of the Guardians of this Multiverse Library, the Witch of Greed.

At this, Ei frowned.

Ei: Witch of Greed is your alias. Can't you tell your real name?

???: Well, if it were before, I would have. But not anymore, as I have already reached a point where my name can't be revealed casually.

Ei: Why?

???: I am sure you heard of the saying, "Names have power."

Ei: ......

While she didn't reply, she completely agreed with the Witch of Greed.

???: Why don't you take a seat? I am sure you have many questions. I will answer all of them except the ones you are not eligible to learn yet. For example...…

Showing an amused smile, she continued.

???: Why is your nation and the whole Teyvat currently being attacked? What kind of War is your world forced to participate in?

This caught Ei's attention as she walked over and took the seat.

Ei: I am listening.

???: Of course. But before that...…here. Prime told me to give this to you.

Ei picked up the thin book that the Witch of Greed gave her.

There was no name on its cover. Getting curious, she opened the first page.

Ei: Argh!!

In the next moment, she grabbed her head in pain and hurriedly closed it.

???: Take it easy. It's not something you can understand right away.

Ei: Just…what is...…it.

???: Law.

While the Witch of Greed and Ei started their conversation, Lumine, on the other hand, also woke up to start her new journey in the world of Mary Skelter.

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*A/N: Please throw some power stones.

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