"Fireworks carry people's purest and deepest emotions. Today's Divine Coronation Festival is especially a time for people to pray to you." Yoimiya said, "They hope for the gods' blessings, for safety, for their families' health. Everyone has their own emotional anchor."
"Praying to the gods is something every Inazuman does during the fireworks festival." Yoimiya said with a smile.
"Although people know that praying is just a way to express their wishes to the gods, and there's no guarantee they'll come true."
"I see." Akio rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Teyvat is a continent where gods exist. In nations that walk with the gods, deities are not only protectors of the people but also emotional anchors for them.
The crowd watching the fireworks festival was massive, but Yoimiya led Akio to a small hill in the distance. The hill was a bit high, but it offered a wide view.
They didn't have to squeeze through the crowd, yet they could still see the entire scene below.
The two sat down on the grass, and Akio held Yoimiya in his arms. She was soft and fragrant.
"Akio, the fireworks festival is about to start." Yoimiya looked up and gently nuzzled Akio's cheek, her voice warm.
"Let's see what my Yoimiya has prepared." Akio nodded.
Below, the staff in charge of the festival lit the fireworks.
In an instant, countless dazzling fireworks shot into the sky. Against the dark night, the earth was illuminated in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Different shapes bloomed and flourished in the night sky's canvas, and the crowd applauded at the breathtaking display.
Akio watched the stunning fireworks, then looked down at Yoimiya, who was silently watching in his arms, and smiled softly.
This girl, when they first met, he had been so foolishly sentimental, thinking that Yoimiya was kind to everyone.
But after falling in love with her, he realized that Yoimiya's kindness toward him was entirely different.
Yoimiya remembered all of Akio's little preferences and his favorite foods.
She gave her all, baring her heart and soul to Akio without reservation.
Yoimiya's kindness was unlike any of Akio's other lovers.
Kamisato Ayaka's gentleness was like a blooming gardenia, soft and elegant.
Raiden Makoto's kindness was that of a deity who loved the world, embracing all things with warmth.
But Yoimiya's kindness was full of vitality, like a lark or a little sun, making Akio feel warm and naturally happy when he was with her.
Being with Yoimiya, even though they hadn't been together for long, gave him a sense of enduring love.
As Akio thought this, the fireworks in the sky gradually faded, as if they had burned out. The most beautiful moments are always fleeting, but it's precisely this fleeting beauty that makes everyone remember it forever.
The next moment, even more intense fireworks shot into the sky, forming a massive city.
Upon closer inspection, it was the shape of Inazuma City! Yoimiya had created a life-sized replica of Inazuma City!
But that wasn't all. Amid the crowd's gasps, four even larger figures appeared in the sky—Akio, Raiden Makoto, Raiden Ei, and the Raiden Shogun!
Yes, the firework version of Akio spread his arms, embracing Inazuma City, while the three Raidens stood behind him. Though they were just massive firework figures, they exuded an awe-inspiring divine presence.
"Mom! It's the Great Sovereign and the Raiden Shogun!" a little girl pointed at the fireworks in the sky and shouted.
"Sweetie! This represents the Great Sovereign and the Raiden Shogun protecting Inazuma!" the girl's mother clasped her hands together, "Let's pray quickly! The Great Sovereign and the Raiden Shogun will always bless us!"
Many shared the mother's sentiment, and the noisy crowd quickly quieted down as they spontaneously began to pray to the fireworks.
As the people prayed in their hearts, Akio saw countless beams of pure white light rising from the crowd and entering his body.
"This is... the power of wishes? Or faith?" Akio was pleasantly surprised, as this power was incredibly gentle. Even with Akio's current strength, this power made him even stronger! At the same time, it activated a system trigger.
"Ding~ Congratulations, Master, for obtaining the faith of Inazuma's people! The system's voice rang out, Unlocking a leaf of the "Tree" and a drop of the "Sea.""
"What's this?" Akio asked in shock.
"The authority of the "Imaginary" and the "Quantum." The system explained, "Though it's just a leaf and a drop, it grants you the potential to surpass the Tree and the Sea."
Akio was astonished, feeling the golden and purple light within his body. Even this small amount of power far surpassed the authority of the Herrscher of the Void, his current strongest ability.
"Continue to check in, and perhaps one day, you'll become the only omniscient and omnipotent being within the Tree and the Sea." The system said.
"So this is the power of the "Tree" and the "Sea"? Though just a glimpse, it grants me infinite possibilities." Akio was thrilled. Surpassing the "Tree" might not be impossible!
Overjoyed, Akio looked down at the praying people of Inazuma and gently waved his hand.
In the sky, endless rays of light appeared, and Akio's massive figure materialized in the sky, so enormous that even the giant fireworks seemed tiny in comparison.
"The Great Sovereign! It's the Great Sovereign!" everyone exclaimed.
The Great Sovereign's figure radiated warm light, and with a wave of his hand, countless light particles scattered across Inazuma City.
"My body! It feels so good!"
"I feel like I've regained my youth!"
"Ah! I had a fever, but now I'm cured!"
"You had a fever? I broke my leg! Now I feel like I can run again!"
"What? You broke your leg and still came to the fireworks festival?"
...
The crowd erupted in excitement. All the people of Inazuma were healed of their injuries and illnesses in that moment!
"This is a divine blessing!" the people of Inazuma shouted, "Long live the Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven! Thank you for your blessings!"
As Akio's figure slowly faded, the fireworks once again lit up the sky with dazzling colors.
The foreigners in the crowd looked at the Inazumans with envy. They had just witnessed a man in a wheelchair jump to his feet!
However, these foreigners didn't experience the same miraculous effects!
Clearly, the Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven had heard the people's prayers and bestowed his divine blessings upon them!
How they wished their own gods could do the same!
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