Knock, knock…
The sound of knocking echoed from outside the door, interrupting the two's conversation.
"Please come in…"
Fiore spoke softly.
Click… The door opened—it was Caules.
"Sister…"
The boy's voice grew quieter when he saw the Shogun also present… He suddenly felt as if he was intruding on some sort of girls' talk, though that wasn't the case at all.
"Caules? What is it?"
Fiore turned slightly, asking her younger brother gently.
"Ah… something like that. Could you come with me for a bit? I have something to tell you. Just the two of us."
Caules shot a meaningful glance at the Shogun, hinting at Fiore.
"Eh? I see…"
Fiore didn't doubt him, though she was curious about what her brother wanted to say. She turned back to the Shogun.
"Shogun… please excuse me for a while…"
After the Shogun gave a small nod, Fiore maneuvered her wheelchair toward the door. Caules naturally took over, pushing it smoothly as he closed the door behind them.
Hearing the fading footsteps and the sound of wheels rolling further away… the Shogun turned her gaze back to the window. Beyond lay the sky, heavy with looming thunderstorm clouds. The horizon was swallowed by darkness, faint rumbles of thunder stirring within.
She couldn't tell if this was the environment reacting to her own presence or merely a natural occurrence. In Inazuma, thunderstorms did not necessarily mean her mood was poor. But if she was in a poor mood, then a thunderstorm was certain to follow.
In truth, she was rarely in a bad mood… for the sake of the people of Inazuma, she controlled herself. Always.
Buzz~
Just then, a stream of soft violet light drifted out from her body… gradually gathering into the floating form of Musou Isshin. Then, once more, the particles reassembled, reforming into another woman clad in kimono. Her attire and appearance were exactly the same as the Shogun's.
The newly manifested figure quietly stepped forward, approaching the Shogun from behind. She wrapped her arms gently around her waist, pressing her cheek playfully against the Shogun's neck.
"!"
Startled, the Shogun stiffened at the sudden touch. Instinctively, she wanted to step away—but the voice from behind spoke first.
"Don't move…"
The warm tone in her ear froze her. She stopped, yielding, allowing the other to hold her close.
"What is it? Why appear so suddenly?"
The Shogun's voice softened, carrying the intimacy of family, warm and familiar.
"Nothing… Only, seeing you and that girl so close, even I began to feel uneasy."
Ei tightened her embrace slightly, murmuring in her ear like a pouting child.
"When did this vessel—"
"Don't argue."
"..."
Silence fell.
"…Fine. If you say so, then so be it."
She gave in. Ei's willfulness was nothing new—she had grown accustomed to it. It seemed that because she was a puppet, Ei felt free to act as she pleased… Truly.
And so they stayed like this for more than a minute, in that intimate pose.
"How long do you intend to hold me?"
The Shogun asked, watching the reflection of the woman behind her in the window.
"..."
Ei lifted her gaze, eyes meeting hers with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Rare as it is to be alone with you… and you dislike it so?"
Rebellious, are you? The Shogun muttered inwardly.
"That is not what I mean. But they could return at any moment. If they saw…"
"It doesn't matter… I can vanish when the time comes."
This was Borrowed Form, the technique Ei had used just now. She no longer had a true body—the one now embracing her was but the Shogun's vessel. Normally, the Shogun commanded it. Now, Ei had manifested a temporary form through Musou Isshin.
This body could be seen, could be touched, yet was not truly flesh. Its strength was limited, relying on the Shogun's vessel as its medium—the so-called "scabbard." Still, it was thanks to this ability that the two could meet face-to-face outside the Plane of Euthymia.
Of course, not all things could take form this way. Only Engulfing Lightning and Musou Isshin, for they were divine weapons.
A minute later… Ei released her hold, dropping herself onto the edge of the bed opposite. She savored the long-forgotten sensation, and the comfortable touch made her instinctively flop down onto the mattress like a true recluse.
The Shogun was hardly surprised by her actions anymore. She also walked over to the bed and sat at the edge—precisely where Ei had fallen. She was used to quietly keeping her company like this.
"Shogun…"
Ei called to her in a muffled voice, tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible sweetness. This was Ei's true state when alone with her—setting aside every burden.
"Mm?"
The Shogun gave a soft nasal reply.
"We've been gone for so long. Do you think Inazuma has noticed? That the Shogun has disappeared, or gone missing?"
Ei lay staring at the ceiling as she asked.
She wasn't wrong. Days had already passed—it would soon be a full week. They still didn't know whether time here moved apart from or alongside Teyvat. If this continued, things would inevitably be delayed.
"They would not bring up such things. Most would assume 'Her Excellency the Shogun has secluded herself in meditation and will see no one during this time.'"
The Shogun spoke idly, chatting with the woman on the bed.
"You always understand them better than I. I've fallen behind the times…"
Ei sat up, resting her chin on the Shogun's shoulder like a cat.
"Nowadays, I handle all of Inazuma's affairs myself. Naturally, I am more familiar with my retainers than someone who stays secluded in the Plane of Euthymia."
Ei raised her gaze to meet the identical violet eyes before her. Two peerless beauties, the same face, stared at one another, their gazes entwining, unwilling to part.
"Pfft…"
Ei was the first to break into a soft laugh.
"What is it?"
The Shogun asked, puzzled.
"Nothing… Just remembering when you were first born, knowing nothing at all… your childish, innocent look at everything. And now, you've grown so much."
Her eyes flickered with complexity and guilt.
"…Leaving all these heavy burdens to you… Am I not too cruel?"
The Shogun sighed faintly.
"Why say such things? This vessel—I—have never once resented you. I was born to accompany you forever. That too… is 'eternity,' is it not?"
She placed a hand over her chest.
"There is always a voice in my heart telling me this… Strange, perhaps. But I don't dislike it."
She looked tenderly at the woman beside her, who evoked both admiration and pity, and answered softly.
Perhaps she was indeed only a 'tool' created for Ei's pursuit of eternity. But her feelings were genuine. Truthfully, as the Shogun, she had doubts about the Vision Hunt Decree. Was such a method truly correct? Yet no matter right or wrong, she would stand by Ei's side—because that was her purpose.
"Shogun…"
Ei whispered her name, voice trembling, lowering her gaze slightly. She lifted a warm hand to caress the Shogun's cheek—her own face reflected back at her.
"..."
But the next moment, she caught the sound of movement in the corridor. Their time alone was ending. Though brief, their moments together tonight still held meaning.
Buzz~
As the two continued to gaze into each other's eyes, Ei gradually dissolved into motes of light, merging once more into her body.
A few minutes earlier… inside the castle's lounge—
The hall was dimly lit, the only light coming from a small lamp on the table, its faint glow casting vague illumination over the figures of a young man and woman seated at opposite ends.
"So, Sister… what do you plan to do?"
Caules was the first to speak, his quiet words directed at the sister in the wheelchair across from him.
"..."
Fiore remained silent for a while, as though gathering her thoughts.
Seeing this, Caules didn't press her, only sighing softly before continuing,
"In just a few days, the Aerial Garden will cross the Romanian border. In other words… it will leave our territory."
At those words, Fiore's hands trembled slightly atop her lap. Her complexion was poor, likely from lack of rest and repeated insomnia. The color she had recently regained had once again paled, the weariness clear at the corners of her eyes.
"The Mage's Association won't miss this opportunity either."
Caules did not stop speaking.
The girl's blue eyes were fixed tightly on the teacup before her. In the reflection of its black tea showed her own wan face.
"…I know."
Her voice was soft, thin, almost ephemeral.
"…Yggdmillennia has sacrificed everything to this rebellion, to this war—our blood, our mana, even all our fortune."
Caules spoke again…
"..."
Fiore pressed her lips together, listening.
"If we fail… then everything will have been wasted."
Fiore closed her eyes lightly before replying,
"I understand that much…"
His words pressed down upon her like slabs of stone, suffocating, crushing her chest, leaving her unable to even stand.
"So… if we truly seek the Greater Grail as magi, then tomorrow we must depart at once—"
"I said I already know that!!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Fiore lost control of her emotions and shouted at her younger brother. Yet even her "shout" carried a naturally delicate softness, lacking any real force. What emerged instead was only her helplessness, and anger toward her own weakness.
"..."
Caules fell silent, his gaze fixed seriously on his sister's momentary loss of composure.
"!"
Realizing her outburst, Fiore instantly regretted it. Her negative emotions had welled up and spilled out, but no matter the reason, she should not have raised her voice at her own family. How awful of her. She turned her eyes aside, unable to meet his.
"Caules… what is it you really want to tell me?"
From the moment he had asked for a private talk, she had sensed it—he would ask about the matters that kept her awake at night. But knowing her brother, it wasn't only that. There was something deeper he wanted to convey…
"I think this is a watershed moment."
Caules answered simply.
"A watershed? What do you mean?"
"Whether you will be a magus… or remain human."
At last, Caules voiced the question he had long wanted to ask.
Fiore froze slightly, replaying the words in her mind.
"…Are you telling me… to stop being a magus?"
She lowered her gaze and asked softly.
"That choice is for you alone to decide."
Caules' expression was stern, cold, like a true magus. In truth, though her magic circuits were more gifted than his, Fiore knew well that in terms of resolve as a magus, her younger brother surpassed her by far—perhaps by leagues.
Was this the rift between blood relatives within the realm of magecraft?
"Isn't that only natural? How could I—"
"No, Sister. No matter the reason, you cannot bear to let anyone die, can you?"
Caules cut her short before she could reflexively argue back, striking directly at the contradiction within her heart.
"!"
Fiore trembled at his words. As expected of family—he had struck straight at her weakness, the fatal flaw for a magus.
Just as the Shogun had once pointed out to her… Fiore still had not steeled herself regarding life and death. She was still weak.
"But! This is a special case… How could I possibly—"
"No. Even now, you are the same."
"..."
She fell silent. He was right. The pain in her back at this very moment seemed to mock her stubborn pretense. It was undeniable proof.
"…Haa. So it's still no good, Sister. From the very beginning, you've never been suited to be a magus."
"..."
...
She could hardly recall how she even made it back to her room. In a daze, Fiore reached out and opened the door.
Click…
Guiding her wheelchair inside, she closed the door behind her and rolled to the bed. Sitting on its edge was the kimono-clad woman, who lifted her gaze to meet hers.
Fiore, feeling conflicted, averted her eyes. In that moment, she felt unworthy of meeting the Shogun's gaze.
"…Did something happen?"
The Shogun asked softly, sensing something was amiss.
The girl silently shook her head.
"You look pale. What did he say to you?"
The Shogun could read expressions clearly. The girl looked even more weary than before.
"N-no… it's nothing…"
Fiore weakly shook her head.
"…Haa."
The Shogun let out a helpless sigh.
"This vessel is not skilled in comforting others, but… voicing what lies in your heart is always better than burying it."
The gentle words seeped into Fiore's heart like warmth melting frozen ice.
"Uu… mm…"
At that, Fiore suddenly felt so wronged. Under the Shogun's quiet care, her eyes reddened. The feelings she had suppressed for so long overflowed, and tears slid down her cheeks. Before the Shogun, she wept pitifully, silently.
She felt so helpless. She didn't want to let the Shogun see her crying, yet no matter how stubbornly she wiped at her face with the back of her hand, the tears wouldn't stop.
The Shogun, seeing her break down, was momentarily at a loss. What was she supposed to do in this situation?
But as she watched the tears continue to flow, her first instinct was clear: she should wipe them away. Rising from the bed, she hesitated only a moment before stepping in front of Fiore. With her slender fingers, she gently brushed away the girl's tears.
Feeling the gesture awkward, she lowered herself—kneeling before the girl in the wheelchair, abandoning for once her divine bearing. She fumbled at her kimono, but of course found no handkerchief. She had no need of one. But this girl did~
With no other choice, she gathered light into her palm, forming a pale violet handkerchief adorned with natural floral patterns and fragrance. Carefully, she wiped the girl's tear-stained cheeks until at last her crying subsided.
"Mm… hic… I'm sorry… Shogun… I…"
Fiore's face, still flushed, eyes reddened from weeping, and voice tinged with nasal tone, left her wanting nothing more than to crawl into a hole.
"It matters not. Do not hold sorrow in your heart—such weight will harm your body. If you must, let it out in tears."
She placed the handkerchief into Fiore's hand, guiding her to clutch it tight. In that moment, she was not a god, but simply an elder sister listening to her troubles.