In the morning, Charlotte came up to the hovercar window and looked outside.
Even without a telescope, she could already make out the faint outline of land in the distance.
That was Inazuma—specifically, Ritou.
Of course, they could've chosen to bypass Ritou entirely and land at Araumi instead, heading straight for the Grand Narukami Shrine on Mt. Yougou.
Xia Ci emerged from the Serenitea Pot, gazing out the same window with a faint, nostalgic look in her eyes.
"We'll go ashore from Ritou," she said. "Let's register properly at the port and enter the country legally."
"Got it."
By midday, the hovercar reached Ritou.
The harbor wasn't as bustling as Liyue Harbor, but there were still plenty of ships from foreign nations docked along the pier.
Since the Sakoku Decree had been lifted, Inazuma was now full of opportunity—a lucrative destination for merchants from all over Teyvat.
Many samurai stood guard at the port, maintaining order.
When they saw a massive hovercar suddenly descend from the sky, they instinctively gathered together in alarm.
"Who goes there!?"
Xia Zhen stepped out of the vehicle, her tone calm and even.
"It's me."
The moment they saw her—heard her voice, felt that thunderous pressure—most of the samurai instinctively lowered their heads.
"Shogun!" they cried.
shogun?
A strange glint flashed in Xia Zhen's eyes. Even though she'd already learned about Inazuma's current situation, seeing it for herself was still… complicated.
Her little sister had actually come up with the idea of ruling the nation eternally through a puppet—just to escape erosion.
Was Ei a genius? Or an idiot?
Xia Zhen didn't deny it.
She simply nodded. "At ease. Go back to your duties."
"Yes, my lady!"
The samurai obeyed immediately, dispersing.
The others in the car stepped out one by one, gazing curiously at the unfamiliar port.
Zhu Zi's eyes held a hint of nostalgia. She'd spent much of her childhood playing around these very docks, learning foreign languages from the traders who passed through.
Once everyone had disembarked, Xia Ci casually stored away the hovercar. "Finally, Inazuma. Let's go shopping first."
Everyone cheered. "Yeah!"
Xia Zhi nodded. "Go ahead and look around—just stay in touch by phone, and don't wander off alone."
"Okay!"
Ritou might've been small, but as a trading port, its commerce thrived even more than Inazuma City's, which had stagnated for centuries under the Sakoku Decree.
Shops sold goods from every other nation, though at higher prices than Liyue's port markets.
After spending so much time in the polished streets of Liyue and Mondstadt, the rustic atmosphere here felt a little underwhelming.
Still, the cheap local products of Inazuma piqued everyone's interest.
They strolled the streets, sampled milk tea from a street stall—it was pretty decent—and tried various dango and takoyaki, which were flavorful and unique.
By noon, they dined at the most famous restaurant on the island and left satisfied.
The owner apparently mistook Xia Zhen for the Raiden Shogun traveling incognito and refused to take their payment no matter what.
In the end, they slipped the Mora beneath the plate and left.
After lunch, they went for a walk before heading up Mt. Yougou.
Looking up at the towering peak, everyone's first reaction was sheer dread.
After a quick vote, they unanimously agreed: driving was the smarter option.
No point torturing themselves while on vacation.
The hovercar began its ascent.
As they neared the shrine, the car suddenly jolted—but steadied again moments later.
Xia Ci glanced sidelong at Xia Zhen.
Xia Zhen averted her eyes, visibly embarrassed. She'd completely forgotten there was a no-fly barrier around the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Thankfully, Xia Ci had reacted quickly enough to stabilize the car before they plummeted.
Their sudden arrival in the skies above the shrine naturally drew the attention of the shrine maidens below.
One of them ran inside, presumably to inform their superior.
The hovercar landed. The door opened, and Xia Zhen stepped out first.
When the shrine maidens saw her, they froze for a moment—then bowed deeply.
"Shogun."
Again with the Shogun.
Xia Zhen sighed inwardly. "Where's the Guuji?"
"Lady Yae is behind the shrine."
"I see. Go on with your duties."
"Yes, my lady."
The shrine maidens sensed that something about the Shogun seemed different today, but none dared to question it. That thunderous divine aura couldn't be faked.
The rest of the group exited the vehicle, gazing in awe at the grand, ancient shrine before them.
Charlotte tilted her head back, admiring the towering Sacred Sakura Tree. "You really have to see it up close to feel how overwhelming it is."
Ying'er caught a drifting petal between her fingers and smiled. "It's the scent. When you view it through a telescope, you only get the image, not the aroma. Without that, it doesn't feel real."
Charlotte's eyes sparkled. "Exactly! Leave it to the Fragrance Master to nail it instantly."
Meanwhile, Xia Zhi was studying the shrine maidens.
From his divine perspective, each of them had a progress bar above their heads—most were Black Iron, a few were Silver.
That meant their strength wasn't bad, roughly on par with the protectors at Mondstadt's Church of Favonius.
Then, something caught his attention—an alluring scent in the air, subtle yet intoxicating.
Following its source through his god's view, he spotted her: a pink-haired woman in shrine maiden robes, walking toward them.
Above her head gleamed a platinum-colored progress bar.
No doubt—this was the current head of the Grand Narukami Shrine, the very "Lady Yae" the others had mentioned.
Her gaze swept over the group, landing on Xia Zhen.
Her eyes lit up instantly—surprise, disbelief, nostalgia, fear, caution…
Xia Zhen, unfazed, offered a gentle smile. "Little fox… you've grown."
That familiar smile shattered Yae Miko's hesitation.
Her lips trembled. "Lady Makoto… you… you've returned."
Xia Zhen caught a falling petal, her tone layered with emotion. "Truth is, I never really left."
She had been bound to the Sacred Sakura all this time—her soul too weak to awaken until now.
Yae Miko blinked. "Huh?"
Xia Zhen chuckled softly. "We'll get to that later. Let me introduce everyone first."
Yae Miko composed herself. "Welcome, guests. I'm Yae Miko, Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine."
Everyone's reactions varied—some intrigued, some awestruck.
Zhu Zi looked the most stunned. She'd grown up in Inazuma hearing tales of this very woman. To her, Yae Miko's status was almost the same as Cloud Retainer's to Liyue.
But now, that same revered figure was bowing respectfully to Xia Zhen and calling her Lady Makoto.
What the hell was going on?
In all of Inazuma, only the Electro Archon herself outranked Yae Miko!
Xia Zhen draped an arm around Xia Zhi's shoulder, smiling warmly. "Miko, this is my cousin, Xia Zhi."
Yae Miko bowed slightly. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Xia."
Xia Zhi nodded politely. "Likewise, Lady Yae."
Yae Miko smiled faintly. "Just Miko is fine."
No wonder Xia Zhen called her a little fox—one smile from her could melt a soul.
Too bad he was blind.
Next, Xia Zhen took Xia Ci's hand. "And this is my cousin, Xia Ci."
Yae Miko froze mid-gaze.
She hadn't looked closely before, too focused on Makoto—but now, something about Xia Ci's face struck her as painfully familiar.
That gentle expression… it was just like the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata she'd once seen as a child at the Seven Archons' gathering in Liyue—back when she'd been a tiny fox nestled in Makoto's arms.
No way.
Hadn't the previous Dendro Archon vanished long ago? Could she, too, have returned like Makoto?
And to be called sister by Makoto herself… there was really only one explanation.
Yae Miko's thoughts raced. She bowed. "Lady Xia Ci."
Xia Ci smiled warmly. "Lady Yae."
"Please, just call me Miko."
Xia Zhen continued, introducing Shenhe and Ganyu next, then Xia Le and Xia Lin, then the Adepti, and finally the rest.
Yae Miko silently committed all their names to memory, then invited everyone into the shrine's courtyard for tea—right beneath the Sacred Sakura.
The breeze carried a gentle rain of pink petals, a few landing in the teacups and releasing a faint floral fragrance.
Xia Zhi had seen this exact scene once before—in a dream.
Only, in that dream, the Sacred Sakura hadn't been in bloom.
Maybe it had been winter then.
He sipped his tea.
It was fine quality—comparable to Qiaoying Village's first spring leaves—but still no match for the [Silver Dew] sold in the system's Shop.
Charlotte leaned over and whispered, "Mind if I take a few photos? Just the tree, not the shrine."
Yae Miko smiled at her Kamera. "Of course. Go ahead."
Charlotte beamed and circled the Sacred Sakura, snapping photos from every angle.
Klee, restless as ever, asked to go play.
After getting permission, the three little ones ran off together.
Zhu Zi suggested drawing fortunes at the shrine, and half the group joined her.
Soon, only those who knew the truth remained at the table.
Xia Zhen turned her gaze toward Tenshukaku. "Did you inform Ei?"
Yae Miko shook her head. "I didn't dare act without your word."
"I'll go see her myself later."
"As you wish."
Yae Miko refilled everyone's cups.
When she leaned closer to pour Xia Zhi's tea, he caught a whiff of that same intoxicating scent—enticing, almost magical.
Something about it stirred his [Pure Yang Body].
Without showing it, he activated [Skill Steal].
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Use [Skill Steal] on target?"
"Yes."
"Skill Steal successful. Acquired skill: [Hakushin Bloodline]."
"[Hakushin Bloodline]: Passive — Increases Charm by +30. Emits a naturally alluring fragrance that doubles the effect of charm on the opposite sex."
As he absorbed the new ability, Yae Miko finished pouring and looked up—only to find herself momentarily entranced.
Why does he suddenly seem… more attractive?
She inhaled instinctively—and caught a faint, familiar aroma mingled with something new. It was unbelievably pleasant.
For a moment, her thoughts blurred, her body felt oddly warm—but then the scent vanished, as if it had never existed.
Was I imagining that?
Pushing down her confusion, she returned to her seat.
Xia Zhen sighed softly. "Inazuma hasn't changed in five hundred years."
Yae Miko lowered her eyes. "This is the eternity Ei sought."
"But it's not true eternity," Xia Zhen murmured. "It's stagnation. The nation's grown rotten inside."
Yae Miko hesitated. "Forgive me, Lady Makoto."
"This isn't your fault. You've done well to guard the shrine."
Yae Miko fell silent again.
Sensing the two needed privacy, Xia Ci rose and smiled. "Cousin, let's go draw our fortunes too."
"Sure." Xia Zhi stood, and the rest followed.
Yae Miko watched them leave, her gaze lingering on Xia Zhi.
So he was the true center of the group. No wonder Lady Makoto had introduced him first.
Once everyone was gone, Xia Zhen turned to her.
"I know you have questions. Ask whatever you need—if I can answer, I will."
Yae Miko hesitated, then whispered, "Lady Makoto… in Khaenri'ah… did you truly die?"
Xia Zhen nodded. "Yes. Right in front of Ei. It was… too cruel for her. Perhaps that's what broke her."
Yae Miko swallowed hard. "Then… you've been resurrected?"
"Yes. I've regained my divinity—and even greater power through the Primal Meditation Technique."
Yae Miko's eyes widened. "A while ago, Ei said she sensed a distortion in the law of lightning over Mondstadt…"
"She was right," Xia Zhen said. "That was me—rebuilding my divine body."
After a pause, Yae Miko asked softly, "That lady, Xia Ci… is she the former Dendro Archon?"
"She is."
"And she, too, was resurrected?"
"Her case is… unique. But yes, you could say that."
"Then… Lady Makoto… could Lady Kitsune Saiguu also be brought back?"
Xia Zhen's expression darkened.
It was a long time before she finally exhaled. "I don't know."
"How did you return?"
"Don't ask that."
"But—"
"I understand what you're thinking. If I could, I would bring my dear friend back too. But this isn't a miracle one can simply wish for."
"…I understand."
"No, you don't." Xia Zhen shook her head, sighing quietly.
Even now, she didn't fully know what price her cousin had paid to revive her—but she was certain it hadn't been small.
And Kitsune Saiguu's death was nothing like hers; summoning her soul might not even be possible.
Besides, such things shouldn't be asked lightly.
Even Cloud Retainer, who knew of Xia Zhi's power to resurrect gods and was close to him, had never asked him to bring back Guizhong.
"In any case," Xia Zhen said softly, "I'll do what I can for Kitsune Saiguu—but don't bring it up again."
"…Yes, Lady Makoto."
Yae Miko bowed her head, exhaling silently as the petals continued to fall.
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