At noon, thick clouds loomed overhead.
As the two Raiden Shoguns faced each other, Lu Chen kept extending his perception outward. He noticed the Shogunate forces had already breached the city.
In truth, he didn't even need to rely on perception—the commotion outside the Tenshukaku was loud enough to hear with just his ears. From atop the tower, Lumine observed the chaos unfolding and turned to Lu Chen with excitement.
"Your plan worked! The city's defenders couldn't hold off the Shogunate troops at all—they crumbled instantly! Kujou Takayuki is about to fall!"
Lu Chen nodded. All of this was thanks to the groundwork Miko had laid over the past few days. She had coordinated with the Yashiro Commission to spread rumors targeting the Tenryou Commission.
Both the public and the soldiers had long harbored resentment toward the Tenryou Commission's harsh rule. Lu Chen simply had Miko guide that resentment directly toward Kujou Takayuki and his collusion with the Fatui. With such a clear "villain" to blame, even the most loyal retainers of the Kujou clan began to waver—no one wanted to oppose the gods.
Slogans like "True Raiden Shogun," "The Kujou and Hiiragi clans collude in treachery," and "Cleanse the court of corruption" spread rapidly among the troops. So when Kujou Sara led her forces into the city, the Tenryou Commission's soldiers barely resisted—many even surrendered outright.
Miko's efforts hadn't gone to waste. What should've been a bloody siege had turned into a near-bloodless takeover.
This was exactly what Lu Chen had hoped for. To the people, it would seem like fate itself had shifted. He'd done everything possible to prevent unnecessary deaths.
But even as victory echoed from outside, Lu Chen remained focused. He knew the true outcome would be decided here—by this battle.
Atop the steps, the puppet Shogun stood with icy calm, staring down at Ei across the hall.
She slowly descended the stairs, and in her hand appeared the Engulfing Lightning.
"This body represents supreme authority—bestowed with the power to rule a nation."
"This body was born of your ideals—granted eternal law."
"This body is the guardian of eternity."
To her, the Ei standing here now had clearly betrayed everything they once agreed upon. She was corruption incarnate.
"If you intend to stray from that law, then it is my duty... to correct you."
Thunder rumbled across the skies. Ei raised her gaze to meet the one who looked exactly like her.
She slowly drew the glowing violet blade, Musou Isshin.
"Yes... those were the laws I once gave you. You were my former ideal—the foundation I dreamed eternity could be built upon. But—"
She paused, her eyes softening slightly as they shifted toward Lu Chen.
"You don't know what I've been through recently. I've walked paths you could never imagine, seen things you'd never understand. I've learned much."
"I now see eternity... in a new light."
The puppet Shogun stepped closer, halving the distance between them.
"So, you've chosen to stand against me?"
Ei smiled.
"I know there's no convincing you. We are both warriors. And for warriors—battle is the only language we have left."
"Very well," the puppet said, stopping at a mirrored stance before her.
...
"What are they even talking about? I can't understand a word!" Paimon suddenly floated out, looking between Lu Chen and Lumine with utter confusion.
Lu Chen chuckled.
"Eh... probably something like a programmer fixing a bug?"
"Huh?" Paimon blinked.
"Or maybe forcibly hacking a firewall," he added.
Lumine tilted her head. "...Actually, that's a surprisingly accurate metaphor."
Just as the tension between the two Shoguns reached its peak, a familiar voice echoed from deep within the hall.
"My, my... such a crowd! How lively."
La Signora strode confidently toward the puppet Shogun. Her gaze brushed past Lu Chen—full of wariness and hostility.
"General, it's beneath you to let these petty rebels act so arrogantly in your presence."
"Shall I lend you a hand and sweep them away?"
"Rebels?" Lu Chen scoffed. "You sure you're not the one who's confused? Or did playing this role for too long mess with your head?"
"Heh... who knows?" Despite her arrogance, La Signora had clearly learned her lesson—she stopped at a safe distance from him.
She smirked.
"To the commoners outside, there's only one Raiden Shogun. And whoever wins... becomes the real one."
Lu Chen only smiled. His eyes drifted toward another shadowed corner of the hall.
"Your colleague's already here, isn't he? Why keep hiding?"
"Hmph."
A low chuckle emerged as a figure stepped out of the darkness—a youth in a bamboo hat.
Lifting it slightly, he revealed a face strikingly similar to Ei's, curling into a mocking grin.
"You all talk too much. If you want to fight, fight. Why drag this out? So boring..."
Ei's eyes narrowed as the boy appeared.
"Scaramouche..."
"Been a while, hasn't it?" he said, dropping his usual sneer. "My... creator."
He tapped his chin as if recalling something.
"Let's see... been nearly four hundred years since we last met? It's been a while."
He looked around and clicked his tongue.
"So long that even the palace looks unfamiliar now."
Lu Chen noticed Ei's lips move slightly—she wanted to speak but held back.
With battle looming, even the smallest distraction was dangerous. He couldn't help but feel concerned.
Scaramouche looked at her.
"Not even a little glad to see me after all this time? Hah... so gods really are cold, heartless beings."
Ei frowned at last.
"You joined the Fatui... to fight me?"
Even though Lu Chen had told her beforehand, seeing Scaramouche again like this made it hard to stay calm.
"Fight you? No," he laughed. "I'm fighting this world. Your era... is about to end."
"Tch. What a melodramatic brat." Lu Chen didn't wait—he waved his hand, sending a chaotic blast of energy surging toward Scaramouche.
La Signora dodged instantly, expecting it—but Scaramouche hadn't.
His carefully prepared monologue was cut short—he choked on a gasp of cold air and nearly doubled over.
"Cough—cough—"
He straightened his hat awkwardly, then looked back at Ei, only to see her gaze already locked on the puppet Shogun. She hadn't even noticed his blunder.
Scaramouche's face twisted in fury—
—and relief.
He quickly composed himself, turning toward Lu Chen, who was clearly holding back laughter.
"What are you laughing at?"
Lu Chen grinned, knowing exactly what caused that twisted expression—rage that Ei ignored him, and gratitude that she hadn't seen him make a fool of himself.
"Are all rebellious teens this insufferable?" he muttered.
"Hmph..." Scaramouche curled his lip, eyeing the man whose name he'd heard countless times since birth.
"So this is what you're like... You're worse than I imagined. It's hard to believe someone like you helped build Inazuma."
"What'd you expect?" Lu Chen had no patience left for his dramatics. With a flick of his hand, the Skyward Blade appeared.
"Let's go."
"Finally..." La Signora knew it was her cue.
Though the memory of their last clash still haunted her, she had no choice but to fight now.
She unleashed her full power without hesitation. Her body erupted in flames, heat surging across the hall.
A fiery whip lashed toward Lu Chen. Scaramouche's attacks followed swiftly behind. Both aimed to strike him down.
At the same time, twin bolts of lightning clashed—two Raiden Shoguns meeting in a battle too fast for the eye to follow.
Lumine glanced between the evenly matched Shoguns, then back to Lu Chen, who now fought two-on-one. Her brow furrowed—but she made her choice.
She had grudges to settle.
Compared to the puppet general, La Signora was far more infuriating.
"I'll help you!" She lunged, her Traveler's Handy Sword thrusting at the whip-wielding woman.
...
"Look! They're fighting now!"
Atop a building across from the Tenshukaku, Yae Miko watched the battle unfold, eyes sparkling with glee.
Sitting beside her was Nahida, who had followed along just to enjoy the show. She was still trying to figure out the tangled web of family drama unfolding below.
It wasn't until Miko explained it all, one detail at a time, that she began to understand.
"This family's relationships... are way too complicated..."
"But wait... Miko, aren't you going to help?"
The main hall was already in chaos, but Miko watched with great amusement.
"Don't worry. You're underestimating Ei and Lu Chen. And don't forget—the traveler's there too~"
"Oh..." Nahida responded softly. Miko didn't seem even slightly worried about Lu Chen and the others losing.
"Is it really that entertaining?" Nahida asked, curious.
"Of course!" Miko beamed. "It's way more exciting than any light novel. Besides—aren't you curious how this family drama will end?"
"Um... I guess I am..." Nahida watched her glittering eyes, a little unnerved.
People who enjoyed chaos... were scary.
She didn't want to end up like Miko...
Sighing, Nahida stayed quiet and focused on the scene inside the Tenshukaku.
"...It actually is kind of interesting."