Lumine found the Rifthounds attacking the Sacred Sakura and immediately launched an unhesitating assault, while Paimon cheered loudly for her from above.
However, the number of Rifthounds turned out to be unexpectedly large—wave after wave kept coming, making the situation somewhat troublesome.
—And then, at that moment.
"Soul Cleansing."
"SLASH!!!!!!!!"
Without even a glimpse of the blade's light, a single strike sliced through the air, and all the Rifthounds stiffened before collapsing to the ground, their bodies showing no visible wounds.
"Ah! It's Sen'emon!"
Paimon cried out, both delighted and slightly nervous as she watched the kimono-clad woman smiling and walking toward them. After all, they weren't exactly familiar with Asada Sen'emon.
"It's been a while, you two."
Sen'emon greeted them warmly.
Lumine blinked. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard Rifthounds were causing trouble near the Sacred Sakura, so I came to deal with them. You're here for the same reason?"
"Yep!"
Paimon explained the commission they'd received from Katheryne.
"I see." Sen'emon nodded. "In that case, let's travel together. There's something I'd like to ask you, anyway."
"What is it?"
"Have you seen the Supreme Bishop of Fontaine again?"
"Uh..."
At Sen'emon's question, even the usually talkative Paimon found herself at a loss for words. After all, it was well known how devastatingly Sen'emon had been defeated by the Supreme Bishop before.
In Lumine and Paimon's understanding, Sen'emon was an immensely proud and formidable woman—yet she had suffered such a crushing defeat. They couldn't even begin to imagine how she must be feeling now.
Sen'emon noticed their hesitation and chuckled. "Don't worry so much. It's not that I've completely brushed off that loss, but I'm not the type to let my pride trap me in the shadow of defeat."
"That's a relief." Paimon patted her chest, then couldn't help but offer some consolation. "Actually, you really don't need to take it too hard. From what we heard, Ye said he only gave up the fight because your body was too tough for him to handle, right? If you'd kept fighting, he wouldn't have been able to do anything to you anyway."
Sen'emon raised an eyebrow. "The Supreme Bishop told you that?"
Paimon nodded. "Yeah."
"Lady Yae was right—that man's words truly aren't to be trusted at all." Sen'emon shook her head in amusement. "Giving up just because his attacks couldn't break my defense—do you really think I'm so weak-willed?"
"Uh..." Paimon was speechless.
Sen'emon's expression turned serious. "I didn't give up the fight. I was so utterly consumed by fear that I couldn't move a single muscle. That's why I lost so miserably."
"Eh?! Isn't that even worse?!"
Only after blurting that out did Paimon realize her mistake, quickly covering her mouth.
"It is worse. But..." Sen'emon said meaningfully, "the real question is—where did that overwhelming fear, the kind that seized control of my entire being, even come from?"
Hearing Sen'emon's words, Lumine suddenly recalled her own first encounter with Ye.
Not in a dream, but in reality—back in The Shanhaijing.
If she remembered correctly, at that time, Lumine had also been completely paralyzed by an inexplicable terror, unable to move even slightly.
Was what Sen'emon described… the same kind of phenomenon?
And if even someone as strong as Sen'emon—a monster comparable to a god—couldn't resist that fear…
"Alright, enough talk for now. More Rifthounds are coming."
As Sen'emon spoke, Lumine snapped back to attention. A pack of Rifthounds had surrounded them once again.
Of course, with Sen'emon and Lumine's blades, these Rifthounds posed no real threat.
—Though Sen'emon didn't draw her sword.
Instead, she turned slightly in surprise toward the left.
And at that moment—
"Torn to oblivion!"
A blade of lightning flashed, reducing the Rifthounds to ashes in an instant.
"Your Excellency, the Shogun? What brings you here?"
"T-The Shogun? W-Wait, no—it could also be Ei..."
Indeed, the one who had struck was none other than the Raiden Shogun.
Or at least, she appeared to be the Raiden Shogun—but it was also possible this was not the puppet Shogun, but the true Electro Archon, Ei.
And that assumption was correct, for the one standing before them was indeed Ei.
—Though she was using the Shogun's body.
Having discarded her original form, Ei could only venture outside by inhabiting the Shogun's puppet vessel.
"It's you." Ei gave Sen'emon a slight nod before turning to Lumine and Paimon. "It has been some time since we last met, back when we resolved the turmoil within the Tenryou Commission."
"That tone… You're Ei, right?"
Paimon immediately confirmed her identity—though their voices were the same, the Raiden Shogun and Ei had distinctly different speech patterns.
Lumine asked softly, "Why are you here?"
"I am making preliminary preparations for certain matters. Last time, you accompanied me as I walked through Inazuma and witnessed the state of its people. I came to understand many things I had not before. Since then, whenever my thoughts reach an impasse, I find myself wanting to step outside and observe once more."
"See? Staying cooped up in one place all the time is just asking for trouble."
"…Allow me to reiterate, this is not mere leisure."
Ei's words drew a light chuckle from Sen'emon. "Your Excellency, what's the harm in indulging in a little leisure now and then? Even gods need rest and relaxation. Staying in one place for too long would make even a deity's mind grow stiff."
Ei looked slightly embarrassed before swiftly changing the subject. "Recently, from within the Plane of Euthymia, I have observed many changes in the outside world. The most pressing among them is the Rifthounds' attacks on the Sacred Sakura. I deemed it necessary to investigate, and while pursuing the monsters, I happened upon you all."
Lumine tilted her head. "Was it really worth your personal attention?"
Paimon nodded in agreement. "Yeah! Sen'emon's already handling it. No need for you to step in, right?"
"Had it been the Shogun who discovered this matter, and not me, she might indeed have left it be." Ei shook her head. "Under the rules I established for the puppet, such incidents fall under the jurisdiction of the Tri-Commission. However… the Rifthounds' assault on the Sacred Sakura stirs memories of a past calamity."
"A past calamity?"
"Indeed. Five hundred years ago, Inazuma suffered a great disaster. The land was shrouded in black mist, monsters ran rampant… Countless lives were lost, and the homes people had painstakingly built were nearly destroyed. The monsters committed countless atrocities across Inazuma, and these Rifthounds have always served as the vanguard of such hordes—their role is to tear open dimensional rifts with their claws, summoning even more fearsome beasts."
Lumine pondered. "Five hundred years ago… That would be Khaenri'ah..."
Ei nodded. "It seems you are aware. That is a chapter I never wish to recall. Perhaps my vigilance against these creatures seems excessive to you, but… such caution is not unfounded."
"Your Excellency, please rest assured." Sen'emon smiled faintly. "Though it may ring hollow coming from one who has known defeat, so long as I am here, the calamity of five centuries ago will not repeat itself."
"With you here, I do feel more at ease."
Ei's gaze softened as she looked at Sen'emon.
"However, I cannot leave everything to you. Protecting Inazuma is my duty as its archon. Since we share the same objective, let us act together. Judging by the traces nearby, there are still many monsters in this area. We must eliminate them all."
Lumine nodded. "Mm. Let's go."
Paimon couldn't contain her excitement. "Traveling with Ei and Sen'emon—it's such a reassuring feeling! Is this what they call the privilege of walking alongside the strong?"
Sen'emon, however, shook her head with a wry smile.
"Anyone seeing this would think we're off to destroy a nation or something."
At the very least, this was far more firepower than a pack of Rifthounds deserved.