Click…
The crisp clinking of cups sounded especially pleasant in the quiet room. Ayaka, smoothing her kimono, knelt gracefully beside the violet-haired woman, skillfully preparing tea for her guest.
Her fair, delicate hands moved deftly between the teacup and the tea leaves. Her ice-blue eyes were lowered, a few strands of hair occasionally sliding down her cheek, revealing the nape of her neck from the open collar of her kimono—perfectly exposed to the Shogun's line of sight. From this angle, it seemed almost deliberate, as if she wished her to admire the elegance of her figure.
"…"
Seated beside her, the Shogun withdrew her gaze from Ayaka's neck, watching the girl prepare the tea before her. She couldn't help but let out a faint sigh.
"Phew… you need not trouble yourself so. I can brew the tea myself."
Her voice was calm and low, audible only between the two of them.
"Hehe… how could that be? For the Shogun herself to grace my humble home—how could Ayaka not personally serve you?"
Ayaka did not stop her movements; instead, she tilted her head slightly, giving the Shogun a sweet smile as she replied.
"…"
Hearing this, the Shogun made no further objections. Since Ayaka had said as much, to insist otherwise would seem needlessly cold.
Before long, the fragrance of tea filled the air, sweet and elegant, drifting gently through the room. The delicate aroma delighted the senses—no doubt the result of Ayaka's refined skill.
"This tea smells quite exquisite," the Shogun remarked softly.
"This is a new variety recently imported by the Yashiro Commission. I personally selected it myself. To have it please the Shogun… Ayaka feels deeply honored."
Ayaka smiled warmly as she placed the teacup lightly upon the table before the Shogun.
"Please, have a taste."
"Mm…"
Lifting the cup, the Shogun first inhaled the faint fragrance, then gently blew upon the rim before taking a small sip. The tea was still hot, but she tasted it slowly, letting the flavor linger.
"…Truly delicious. A fine tea."
Opening her violet eyes, she turned toward the girl beside her as she spoke.
"Phew… I'm glad the Shogun is pleased."
Ayaka, who had been quietly watching her expression, relaxed at the sight of her satisfaction.
Her current seat was very close to the Shogun—closer than etiquette would normally allow. As a noble lady, she was supposed to sit opposite her guest at the desk, but out of personal affection, she wished to remain close to her. To her, the Shogun was no longer merely a guest. At least for this tea, she wished for such closeness.
Ayaka took a small sip of her own tea, her gaze lowering slightly as if lost in thought.
Then, she spoke again.
"Shogun… you came today to ask about that Traveler, didn't you?"
"…I thought you might pretend to have forgotten."
The Shogun turned slightly toward her, speaking with faint amusement.
"Hehe… how could I? I would never avoid the Shogun's questions. Besides, I promised you that I would tell you everything when the time came."
As she spoke, Ayaka lifted her cup again, stood gracefully, and walked to the opposite side of the low table before kneeling once more.
"He knows about the Vision Hunt Decree, does he not?"
the Shogun asked.
"Yes. Though he'd heard rumors before arriving on the island, the details were told to him by me."
Ayaka made no attempt to hide it—she knew that concealing anything before the Shogun would be meaningless.
"You told him about it… was it because you wished for his help? To do something you could not easily accomplish because of your position?"
How could the Shogun not understand? She knew this girl better than anyone—clever to the core.
"Shogun…"
"You wanted him to secretly help you resist the Vision Hunt Decree, didn't you?"
She spoke the words without restraint.
"…"
Ayaka bit her lip lightly, lowering her gaze. She dared not meet the Shogun's eyes, looking instead like a child being gently scolded—not yielding, but quietly stubborn in her own way.
"Phew… I don't mean to reprimand you."
Seeing the girl's expression, the Shogun sighed softly and eased her tone, offering comfort.
"…"
Ayaka raised her eyes to meet the Shogun's gaze.
"I understand your position."
The Shogun rose, walking slowly to the window, her eyes settling upon the bright sunlight outside.
"…Though the Yashiro Commission answers to me, it is also bound to the people. That is your duty and responsibility, Ayaka—I understand."
Ayaka's expression grew tinged with sadness, yet a gentle smile remained upon her lips. She too rose, folding her fan and turning slightly so that they now stood back-to-back, the soft light spilling across the floor between them.
"Shogun… ever since the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree were enacted, Inazuma has endured so much suffering. You… have seen it with your own eyes, haven't you?"
Ayaka did not turn to face her. Instead, she spoke while keeping her back toward the Shogun, her tone slightly strained.
"…Indeed."
The Shogun admitted quietly.
"Just as you understand me, Shogun… I too understand you."
Ayaka finally turned around slowly to look at her. The Shogun, hearing her words, also turned sideways to meet her gaze. In the sunlight streaming into the room, the two of them shone brilliantly—as though wrapped in threads of gold.
"I know well that the Shogun has her own stance."
"You… understand?" the Shogun asked softly.
"Phew… how could I not? I was raised by you, Shogun. How could I possibly not understand?"
The Shogun's origins were known to very few in Inazuma—and Ayaka was one of those few.
"The Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree… they were Lady Ei's ideas, were they not?" she asked, gazing steadily at the woman before her.
"…You're still as perceptive as ever."
The Shogun sighed helplessly, sitting once again before the low table and taking a sip of tea.
In truth, the idea had come from the Fatui—but it hardly mattered. In the end, Ei had agreed to it.
"Because I understand you…"
Indeed—Kamisato Ayaka knew that the woman before her was a puppet, a miraculous creation of a god.
And yet, even knowing that, she found herself deeply drawn to her. For it was this very puppet of the god who had raised her after the loss of her parents. To Ayaka, this woman was the Raiden Shogun herself—equal in her heart to Lady Ei, and just as beloved. To her, both had always protected Inazuma together. It was something the Shogun herself had once told her when she was a child—words that had once seemed almost unbelievable.
"Ei… she has not yet escaped the shadow that binds her. Asking her to abolish these decrees now is utterly unrealistic. It's simply impossible."
The Shogun looked down into her teacup, seeing her own reflection. It was as if she were looking at Ei herself. She was Ei's puppet—Ei's creation, Ei's child. She belonged to her and knew her purpose. To act against Ei's will was unthinkable. All she could do was hope that one day Ei would awaken from her solitude.
"That is precisely why… I would never be so selfish as to demand that the Shogun forcibly abolish the Vision Hunt Decree. Of course, that is not why I invited you here today."
Ayaka's voice lightened slightly, as though a weight had lifted from her heart—she spoke with newfound calmness. Walking over, she sat once more across from the Shogun.
She had known from the beginning that asking Lady Ei to abolish the decree was unrealistic. The Shogun was Ei's creation—perhaps the only one who could truly help her open her heart again.
Shogun… in the end, the final key may lie with you alone.
"Let us return to the matter at hand. Ayaka… will you tell me exactly how you've been resisting the Vision Hunt Decree?"
The Shogun shifted the subject, asking calmly.
"…"
Ayaka blinked, then covered her lips with her folding fan, laughing softly.
"…Does the Shogun truly wish to know~?"
Her tone carried a hint of playful pride.
"Just look at you, so pleased with yourself… and I have only myself to blame for indulging you."
The Shogun replied with helpless amusement. How could she not notice Ayaka's small gestures? Yet the matter with that Traveler had grown far too conspicuous. To interrupt the Vision Hunt Ceremony was a grave offense—but in the end, she had allowed him to escape.
After that, Ayaka informed her of the measures and plans she had been implementing in recent days—of course, she had no fear that the Shogun would take any countermeasures against her. Besides Thoma and her brother, the person Ayaka trusted most was the Shogun herself. She also knew that everything she had ever done was seen by the woman before her.
The Shogun cared deeply for her people but could not directly intervene. Thus, she allowed the Yashiro Commission to quietly make amends for the harm caused by the Vision Hunt Decree in their own way. These subtle understandings needed no explanation—both knew them well. It was precisely because of this that the Shogun turned a blind eye to certain matters, as long as they weren't too blatant.
"Vision… can it truly be imitated?"
This was the first time the Shogun had heard of such a strange thing as the imitation of a Vision. She had known that the Yashiro Commission was taking certain preventive measures, but she hadn't expected them to be so bold and unconventional.
"That's right… Shogun, you mustn't underestimate the craftsmen of Hanamizaka," Ayaka replied with a mysterious smile, hiding her face behind her fan.
"I see… The old man named Masakatsu was arrested by the Tenryou Commission, and since your status prevents you from acting openly, you decided to make use of that Traveler?" the Shogun asked, resting her chin on one hand.
"Exactly."
Ayaka nodded in response.
"He agreed to help you? Even though he had just arrived?"
However, Ayaka shook her head gently.
"It wasn't so simple… At first, that Traveler had no intention of helping me. But then… I had him meet three people."
Ayaka tapped her chin lightly with her folding fan, her gaze lowering toward the steaming teacup before her.
"Three people?"
"Yes. Three individuals who suffered greatly under the Vision Hunt Decree. I had heard of their circumstances before, but when I truly learned the details, I was deeply saddened."
"…Tell me about them. Perhaps I can offer some help," the Shogun said, folding her arms as she gestured for Ayaka to continue.
"…"
Ayaka paused for a moment, then smiled softly, a trace of tenderness mixed with quiet relief.
And so, she began recounting to the woman before her the details of those three who had lost their Visions—every fact, every memory described in perfect detail. Even without seeing them personally, the Shogun could clearly picture the scenes in her mind.
...
"So that's how it is… Is that what she told you?"
Within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei sat in silence, her chin resting on one hand as she pondered quietly.
"Yes… If what Ayaka said is true, the situations of those three are indeed miserable."
The Shogun stood beside her, arms folded slightly, her delicate brows faintly furrowed.
Today, she had come to Ei's Plane of Euthymia…
Gray sand covered the ground, broken stone pillars stood scattered, and a desolate wasteland stretched endlessly. Crimson torii gates surrounded the space, and above hung a half-red, half-black moon, radiating a strange and oppressive atmosphere.
—A sharp contrast to the serene beauty of her own inner realm.
She conveyed everything Ayaka had told her the day before—naturally, including matters concerning the Traveler. But their main concern now was how to help those three who had fallen into ruin after losing their Visions.
"The warrior who lost his memory after losing his Vision while protecting his village… The samurai who once enforced the Vision Hunt Decree and now lives as a beggar, relying on charity from the townsfolk… and—"
"The swordsman who lost his dreams," the Shogun continued, finishing Ei's words.
"That warrior seems to have made a promise to someone—to meet again in Konda Village. But now, he's forgotten why he stayed there. He wants to remember, but the reason is lost to him… Over time, he's become like a walking corpse."
"…"
As the Shogun recounted their stories, Ei lowered her eyes, lost in silent thought.
"The second man also lost his memories. He once spent his own wealth to buy grain for those who couldn't eat, claiming it was government relief from the Shogunate. Every so often, he'd return to distribute food again."
"But now, that memory too is gone. He no longer understands why people keep coming to him, demanding rations. When he refuses, they accuse him of hoarding and embezzlement. Enraged, he drives them away with his blade… only for them to return again days later. The cycle repeats endlessly."
The Shogun glanced at Ei, who remained deep in thought, and let out a quiet sigh.
"What of his family situation?" Ei asked softly.
"They live in poverty. He cares for an elderly parent who's long been ill, and a younger sister who depends on him," the Shogun replied.
"Phew… To think that under such circumstances, he still wishes to help others. A truly kind soul," Ei murmured with quiet admiration.
"The third one," the Shogun continued, "is a master of the Meikyo Shisui style of swordsmanship. Now, having lost his purpose, he's fallen into madness. Sometimes he mutters to himself when no one is around, as if haunted by something unseen."
"Perhaps he feels deep guilt toward a former opponent," Ei said at once.
She was right. As a warrior herself, she understood the hearts of those who walked the same path. Most warriors climbed the mountain of mastery bearing the dreams and hopes of others. To lose one's goal was to abandon all the ideals entrusted to them. Such a collapse could indeed drive one to madness.
Visions were symbols of people's dreams and aspirations. Losing one meant losing one's ideals. These three had all cherished their dreams deeply—so their loss brought immeasurable pain.
Ei slowly rose from her seat, stepping forward with the same graceful stride as the Shogun. She stood before her counterpart, their figures mirroring one another perfectly—as though reflections in a mirror. Their clothing, height, build, hair, and even faces were identical; only the faintest differences in their expressions distinguished them.
Standing beside her, Ei looked at the Shogun quietly. Sensing the gaze, the Shogun turned slightly to meet her eyes.
"Do not frown so," Ei said softly.
Seeing that familiar crease on her brow, Ei's expression softened. She lifted a delicate finger and gently smoothed the Shogun's forehead, her voice tender and warm, like a soft current of light.
"…Why?" the Shogun asked after a brief pause, allowing Ei's touch without resistance.
"I don't want you to get worry lines… I wouldn't want my daughter to be troubled by such things in the future," Ei said with a faint, affectionate smile.
"…"
The Shogun half-opened her eyes, speechless, staring silently at her.
"What? Don't look at me like that. You'd better take my words to heart," Ei chided softly, a touch of mock sternness in her tone.
"Phew… Very well," the Shogun murmured, relaxing her brows and dropping the frown. She never argued with Ei's words.
"So then… what do you think?" Ei asked suddenly.
"…Think about what?" The Shogun blinked, puzzled.
"Those three… what measures should we take to remedy their situation?" Ei stepped forward, resting her chin lightly in her hand as she asked in a gentle tone.
"…And what about you?" the Shogun replied instead, quietly returning the question.
"…"
Ei stopped, turning to face her. Their matching violet eyes met.
"…Though one should always consider the greater good in pursuit of Eternity," Ei said softly, "hearing what has become of them… I cannot help but feel pity."
"Ei…"
The Shogun stepped closer and gently took Ei's hand in hers, her voice tender with concern.
Yes—this was the first time she had ever reached out to take Ei's hand on her own.
"I'm fine… You need not worry," Ei replied, startled for a moment, before smiling warmly and returning the grip.
"…Return their Visions to them. It may bend the rules a little, but… it's far better than letting them live in such misery."
Ei raised a hand, brushing her fingers along the Shogun's cheek and the strands of hair by her ear, her voice as gentle as a breeze.
"Mm…"
Feeling the warmth of her touch against her skin, the Shogun nodded quietly.
"Shogun… is that what you wish as well?" Ei asked softly, her tone cautious—seeing her like this made the Shogun's heart ache.
The Shogun nodded silently in response.
"I see… We truly are of one heart, aren't we, Shogun?" Ei said, smiling faintly.
The Shogun looked at her, fingers tightening around Ei's hand once more.
Ei… what can I do for you?
With this puppet's body… what can I possibly do for you?
You created me in pursuit of Eternity… yet I am bound by that very Eternity, trapped within this prison, powerless to act.