Lumine quickly raised her sword to face the enemy. Having just gone through a major battle, she hadn't expected there wouldn't even be time to catch her breath. Moreover, her opponent was the Puppet Shogun, a being possessing strength equal to the true Electro Archon. After such an intense battle, what were her chances of victory?
Paimon behind Lumine was trembling in fear. However, Mu Yang hiding in the shadows didn't make any move, because he already knew the Puppet Shogun's target wasn't Lumine. It was the loser of the "Duel Before the Throne" - La Signora.
The loser gets the blade - the Musou no Hitotachi!
Sure enough, the Puppet Shogun had a clear target. Holding the "Mistsplitter Reforged," she walked past Lumine without even glancing at her, heading straight for La Signora. Only then did Lumine relax.
[Raiden Shogun: Alright, now it's my turn to play]
[Damn, kill stealer! After all my hard work!]
[Those who lose the Duel Before the Throne get struck by that blade, right?]
[Why didn't La Signora challenge Paimon to a duel?]
[You're a freaking genius second-class biscuit!]
[Paimon: You, come to the Serenitea Pot, I'll be waiting]
Mu Yang: "...I am a diplomat from Snezhnaya. Do you understand the consequences of attacking me..."
La Signora: "I am a diplomat from Snezhnaya. Do you understand the consequences of attacking me..."
Now La Signora not only had to face the approaching Puppet Shogun but also endure Mu Yang's psychological attacks. Struggling to her feet, she screamed hysterically. Yet every line she spoke had already been said by Mu Yang moments before...
La Signora was completely disoriented. What kind of monster was this? Not only predicting her death but also capable of reading minds...
However, there was no time left for La Signora to think. Compared to Mu Yang's psychological attacks, she was about to be physically eliminated by the Puppet Shogun!
"Stop! I order you!"
"You! All of you! Stop right now!"
From Lumine's perspective, La Signora seemed to have been driven mad by the Raiden Shogun's pressure. She was pointing at empty air while shouting "all of you."
In the end, unable to bear the pressure, La Signora chose to charge at the Puppet Shogun.
"How could I—!"
The Puppet Shogun didn't speak a single word throughout. With one clean strike, she eliminated La Signora. Not even ashes remained.
[La Signora's just gone like that???]
[All I can say is: serves her right]
[Shogun so cool cool cool]
[Just one of the Cryo Archon's subordinates, what gives her the right to challenge other Archons?]
[Starting the funeral banquet right here]
[Hu Tao: Consultant, I need you to make a business trip to Inazuma. Yes, at Tenshukaku]
The Puppet Shogun stood with her back to Lumine: "You are the enemy of eternity."
Hearing this, Lumine thought she was next - after all, she was indeed a threat to the Shogun's concept of "eternity."
However, the Shogun continued: "But I acknowledge your glory as the victor."
"Therefore... I permit you to leave Tenshukaku on your feet."
Mu Yang followed Lumine out of Tenshukaku - of course, no one could see him. He looked up at the sky now completely covered by thunderclouds, the entire Inazuma shrouded in oppressive darkness.
Lumine slowly descended the steps, still somewhat disoriented. The mastermind La Signora had been eliminated so easily with a single strike... Though Lumine wouldn't mourn for her...
Her head hurt terribly...
Suddenly, Lumine felt her consciousness seemed to be invaded by the surrounding lightning, becoming equally oppressive and uncomfortable. However, this feeling lasted only a moment before being dispelled by a wave of cold energy - a familiar sensation, Mu Yang's power.
"Lumine, are you okay?" Paimon asked worriedly, seeing Lumine's changing expressions.
"I'm fine. Mu Yang must have left some adeptal art on me before leaving. I feel much better now."
Mu Yang silently complained nearby: Although I knew this would happen, I don't do the "strategem in a sealed envelope" routine. I'm right here with you on the front lines.
As Lumine walked, she pondered: If the Puppet Shogun was as strong as the true Electro Archon, how should she face the Musou no Hitotachi?
The further Lumine got from Tenshukaku, the more violent the surrounding lightning became. The crackling of electricity was audible now, her chest feeling tight. The protection Mu Yang had placed on her seemed to be reaching its limits.
"Lumine, why haven't you said anything since earlier?"
This question from Paimon made Mu Yang sigh internally: Paimon, can you fix this habit of babbling when scared? You've been talking nonstop since earlier, leaving Lumine no room to think.
Approaching the gates, Mu Yang sensed something. Gorou and Kaedehara Kazuha had led Watatsumi Island soldiers in an assault. Now Mu Yang transformed into a battlefield correspondent again, rushing to the frontlines for the spectacle. Though he didn't need to intervene, witnessing this iconic scene that had once thrilled him was worthwhile.
Lumine frowned. While her perception range wasn't as extensive as Mu Yang's, she could still hear the clashing of weapons. Paimon also said, "I hear chaotic noises outside Tenshukaku. Is there some conflict? The guards seem really tense too. Should we go see what's happening?"
As soon as Paimon finished speaking, those tense guards collapsed unconscious. "Looks like we need to leave quickly."
The oppressive lightning pressure was now affecting the garrison soldiers too. With Mu Yang's buff protecting her, Lumine jogged out of Tenshukaku, immediately seeing Gorou, Kazuha and members of her Swordfish II squad.
Lumine wanted to ask about the situation - why had Watatsumi forces attacked Tenshukaku? Before she could speak, everyone at the foot of the stairs looked horrified, as if seeing something terrifying.
Lumine quickly turned around to see the Puppet Shogun slicing through the void with "Mistsplitter Reforged," the blade coming straight for her head. This sudden attack left Lumine no time to draw her sword. Kazuha and Gorou were stunned.
Everyone only heard a "ding" sound that seemed to slightly slow the blade's momentum. Lumine knew this was Mu Yang's protective power being exhausted - but it was practically useless against this strike.
There wasn't even enough time to draw her sword for a counterattack. At this critical moment, the empty Vision shell on Kazuha's person lit up. His friend's words echoed in his heart:
"Some mortals will always dare to face the lightning's glow."
The Electro Vision activated. Kazuha flashed behind Lumine in an instant, blocking the blade for her! Pouring all his strength into his Fillet Blade infused with two elements, Kazuha desperately held his ground.
The Shogun looked on disdainfully - just a bit more force and Kazuha would perish under this blade. But she was wrong. As the Electro Vision's glow intensified, Kazuha actually managed to repel the Shogun's strike!
This unexpected development made the Shogun pause momentarily. She never imagined her blade could be stopped by one of her subjects. Recovering quickly, she launched another strike.
Kazuha raised his sword to block, but having exhausted all his strength resisting the first strike, he was sent flying back. The Electro Vision intercepted this second strike for him, then as if completing its mission, its light faded, returning to an empty shell...