"So you're saying… if we really choose to rebel, and there are three Raiden Shoguns in this dream, we only need to deal with one of them?"
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayato felt the pressure on his shoulders lighten considerably.
If what Childe said was true and Morax was also trapped here then freeing the Geo Archon and combining his power with this Harbinger…
Two beings with god-tier strength versus one Raiden Shogun?
Ei would absolutely not be the favorite in that matchup.
The more Ayato calculated, the more terrifying the conclusion seemed.
To rebel against a god should have been utter madness yet now their odds seemed… overwhelmingly high?
Something about this felt wrong.
"Little sister… you're certain Su Ran will not interfere?"
This was the point Ayato feared the most.
In his eyes, Su Ran was the one truly responsible for all this.
The reason Inazuma slumbered.
The reason reality was sealed away.
If Ei was the enforcer, then Su Ran must be the mastermind.
And what plot allowed for "defeating the helper means solving everything"?
Suspicious. Very suspicious.
Ayato had fallen into the classic trap of overthinking.
The more cunning is, the easier they mistakenly assume everyone else thinks on ten layers of strategy too.
He had forgotten one truth:
Gods are also just… people with long lifespans and big muscles.
They are not omniscient.
They are not omnipotent.
And they absolutely do not plot twelve-dimensional schemes every day.
And as for Su Ran though he had never once claimed to be a god, Inazumans had already automatically placed him in that role.
Thus Ayato overestimated him wildly.
He didn't realize the truth:
Su Ran was simply a chaos gremlin.
A professional "le-zing enjoyer."
A man willing to turn all of Inazuma into a stage just to watch the Traveler girl perform a live tragedy show.
Sadly, the Traveler had already developed trauma.
After witnessing genuine divine power, she simply could not muster the courage to face Ei again.
Nine Realms?
No, Inazuma.
The Kujou Clan had been reduced to Kujou Sara alone— the rest thrown in prison, waves unable to rise.
The Hiiragi Clan only wished to survive.
The nobles, who usually abused their privileges, had suddenly transformed into model citizens
because they really didn't want Ei noticing them.
Even the playboy heirs stayed home obediently.
After all if Ei's lightning fell on you, you wouldn't even have time to write a will.
Meanwhile, the people of Inazuma were living comfortably for the first time in centuries.
Why would they want anyone to stop the Shogun?
So now, the only ones wanting to return to reality were:
the Resistance
the Kamisato Clan
Yae Miko
Everyone else?
Perfectly content.
Give it more time and Inazuma might permanently fall off the Teyvat map.
"If Lord Su Ran intended to stay here forever," Ayaka said softly, "he wouldn't have given all his assets to Liyue's Tianquan to manage."
She knew very well—
Su Ran gave all his wealth from the Hiiragi Clan to Ningguang.
Clearly, he had no intention of abandoning the outside world.
After seeing outer space, Ayaka was certain:
Su Ran would never settle permanently in a small place like Inazuma.
At most… he was simply having fun.
"A-all his assets… given to Ningguang?"
Ayato had little reaction.
But Childe?
He exploded.
"I knew it! I knew their relationship wasn't normal!
Look at this proof!"
Ayaka blinked.
Aren't they colleagues?
Shouldn't colleagues know this already?
Isn't the Ningguang–Su Ran relationship quite obvious?
Why is he acting like this is shocking news?
Childe was furious absolutely furious.
Everywhere Su Ran went, he left achievements, benefits, and connections behind.
Everywhere except Snezhnaya.
The poor Tsaritsa…
She received nothing.
Knew nothing.
Held nothing.
If she found out?
Her heart would surely break.
"This HEARTLESS man! After everything Her Majesty feels for him… is this how he repays her?!"
Childe ground his teeth, rage boiling.
He recalled the Tsaritsa's expression as Su Ran left Snezhnaya with the Raiden Shogun:
That look of hesitation, longing, unwillingness, bitterness.
It pierced his soul.
If the subordinates don't work hard, HOW is Her Majesty supposed to win?!
"Both of you rest assured!"
Childe stood up, clenching his fist dramatically.
"I have a deep and irreconcilable grudge with the Raiden Shogun!
Even if it costs me my life, I will shatter her beautiful little dream world and bring the Genius back to the Tsaritsa's side!"
For Her Majesty's happiness—
Childe would fight to the end!
"A… deep grudge?"
Ayato felt his stomach drop.
Watching Childe's burning fury, he suddenly wondered—
Have I invited a wolf into the house?
"No no! You misunderstand!"
Childe quickly waved his hands.
"It's not a blood feud or anything!"
Ayato exhaled thank the Archons.
"It's just the Shogun stole the Genius from us.
Her Majesty cannot live without him.
So all I have to do is bring him back!"
Ayato: …
Ayaka: …
Love triangles…
between gods?
Ayaka, however, was struck by something far more painful—
Yes, the dream had to be broken.
But…
If Lord Su Ran returns to Snezhnaya then what will I do…?
Her heart tightened.
She suddenly didn't want to wake from the dream anymore.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer