Raiden Ei watched the image of her sister in the video — steadfast, determined — and fell into deep thought.
She couldn't quite understand. Why was her sister acting this way?
Yae Miko, watching beside her, could instantly read Ei's mind.
This hopelessly straightforward girl… her head was filled with nothing but martial discipline and swordsmanship.
How could such a blockheaded god possibly understand something as subtle as affection?
Miko sighed inwardly. When it came to emotions, Ei was completely tone-deaf — there was nothing even she could do about that.
Turning her gaze back to the video, the corners of Yae Miko's lips curled upward.
She was rather looking forward to seeing how things would turn out between Makoto and Gu Chen.
From what the video showed, Makoto clearly liked that man.
She just couldn't help wondering — with Gu Chen's existence in that era, what kind of changes would come to Inazuma?
But she didn't dwell on it long. The video had already shifted into a new period in time.
Tenshukaku — the Audience Hall.
Gu Chen and Raiden Makoto sat upon the dais, the atmosphere solemn.
Makoto kept a polite distance from him, not overstepping her bounds.
Below them stood Raiden Ei, Yae Miko, Sasayuri, and Chiyo of the Oni clan.
Even the might of a god had its limits.
Thus, conquest required more than divine power — it demanded talent.
Yae Miko, as High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, was not merely a head priestess; she was the White Kitsune, one of the most powerful yokai in all of Inazuma — a close friend to both sisters.
Sasayuri was a tengu — powerful, swift, and skilled in battle. Gu Chen had long regarded him as one of his most capable commanders.
And then there was Chiyo — the red-horned oni maiden, fierce and unmatched in combat.
That day, Gu Chen wore a long black robe. His calm expression carried an unshakable pressure.
After ruling a nation for over a hundred years, he was no longer the elegant nobleman of his youth.
Time had sculpted him into something greater — an emperor in all but name, his bearing awe-inspiring and absolute.
Gu Chen's eyes swept across the hall before he began to speak:
"Before humans crossed the sea to this land, this was a realm of tanuki."
After a brief recounting of Inazuma's past, he stood, hands clasped behind his back, and turned toward the great map hanging behind the throne. His finger landed upon one of the islands.
"Except for Orobashi's Watatsumi Island, which has kept to itself, the other islands' yokai seem… less than obedient."
He paused.
"But that's all right."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Starting today, we'll bring order to them — slowly, but surely."
That calm statement carried a sharp edge — the murderous aura of a ruler who had decided upon war.
The Shogunate's territory was neither vast nor small — but the neighboring islands teemed with yokai, beasts, and other entities.
Attacks on humans were common.
Now that Gu Chen had spoken, everyone present knew what it meant — this was no longer about defense.
It was time to strike back — to expand their borders.
Once his orders were given, the Shogunate moved like a finely tuned machine.
The islands were separated by sea — but Gu Chen had long since made preparations.
Armadas of warships, laden with samurai, set sail toward the outer islands.
This time, all lands except Watatsumi Island — Orobashi's domain — would fall under Shogunate rule.
[Tartaglia]: Now this is what I'm talking about! Conquest! Blood's pumping! (excited)
[Kaeya]: You do realize war kills people, right? What's there to be excited about? (snorts)
[Tartaglia]: You don't get it. In that era, the world wasn't yet divided among the Seven Archons! The more land you claimed back then, the more you kept later!
[Venti]: To be fair, constant attacks from monsters were bound to lead to this. Gu Chen's just cleaning house all at once — swallowing three islands in one stroke! (Paimon: shocked)
[Vortex God]: When do they fight Orobashi? (expectant)
[Kokomi]:(trembling)
[Gorou]:(collapses like Qiqi)
[Kirara]: Their advance is so fast! The ancients were terrifyingly strong! (Paimon: shocked)
In half a year, the three islands — the future Yashiori, Seirai, and Tsurumi Islands — were subdued and absorbed into the Shogunate's domain.
With such vast new lands, Inazuma needed time to consolidate its rule.
Watatsumi Island grew uneasy.
Its people worshipped a different god — and feared that conflict might soon erupt.
But the Shogunate made no move against them.
Time passed swiftly.
In quieter moments, Raiden Makoto would often find herself unconsciously edging closer to Gu Chen.
Yet, to her frustration, he remained as indifferent as ever — a machine of discipline, blind to her hints.
Grand Narukami Shrine.
"Yae Miko, what should I do? I've already been so obvious!" Makoto sighed, clearly distressed.
Miko tapped her chin, then suddenly smiled in realization.
"You've thought of something?" Makoto's eyes lit up with hope.
"I think," Miko said slowly, "I finally understand why he doesn't have a wife."
"Eh?"
Makoto blinked.
"He's probably… like Ei," Miko said with a teasing grin.
"Like Ei?"
"You know — the type that's completely clueless when it comes to love."
"Ah…!"
Makoto's expression froze, then she nodded thoughtfully. "You mean… they're just not sensitive to matters of the heart?"
"Exactly~"
Miko twirled her kiseru, exhaling a wisp of smoke. "For someone like him, you can't be subtle. You've got to strike when he least expects it."
Makoto flushed. "A-and if he refuses?"
"Then you just stick to him shamelessly."
"Eh…"
Makoto slumped against the table, propping her cheek with one hand, deep in thought about the plan's… feasibility.
"But no rush," Miko continued with a sly smile. "If you think it's not the right time, you can always take it slow. With all the affairs of state and the tension with Watatsumi, it's understandable. Besides — he's probably so used to having you around that he doesn't realize your presence matters to him. If you suddenly step away for a while, he might realize how much he misses you. And then, when you confess… who knows? He might just say yes!"
"Really?"
Makoto's eyes sparkled.
"Who knows? I've never tried it myself," Miko admitted. "But it's worth a shot."
"All right! I'll give it a try!"
Makoto marched off, full of determination.
[Kirara]: Lady Miko sounds like a strategist in a romance war!
[Zhongli]: From experience, such "advisors" often possess great theory, but little practical success. Her suggestion may not fit the couple's nature. (sips tea)
[Venti]: Then what advice would you give, old man? (grinning)
[Zhongli]: I am… unqualified to speak on such matters. Best to let the experienced speak.
[Gu Chen]: Venti! You've hurt a six-thousand-year-old single man's heart! (Nahida pointing meme)
[Kaeya]:(smirking)
[Azhdaha]: Behold! Even Morax admits defeat!
(Yae Miko chuckles)
[Vortex God]: How did you even know I had a wife? (confused)
[Venti]: Nobody asked you!
[Dvalin]: Kick him.
[Azhdaha]: Agreed.
[Nilou]: Why not just ask Gu Chen directly?
[Lumine]: Good point. @Gu Chen, do you think Lady Baal is beautiful? Have you ever felt your heart move for her? If you could abandon me for her, would you even hesitate? Who's prettier, me or her?
[Hu Tao]:(wicked grin)
[Furina]: Ahaha! With questions that sharp, he's not sleeping indoors tonight! (evil laugh)
[Venti]: He can bunk in the tree with me. We'll make room. (snickering)
[Kaeya]: Miss Lumine has a journalist's spirit. (smirk)
[Charlotte]:(nodding earnestly)
[Yae Miko]: @Gu Chen, your little girlfriend's asking, better answer~ (playful tone)
[Gu Chen]: Speaking objectively, their beauty is different — both moving in their own ways. Hard to compare. But if you forced me to choose… and added Zhongli to the list, I'd pick the mature "big sister" version of the Geo Archon without hesitation! (Venti: starry-eyed)
[Zhongli]: …What? (alert)
[Venti]: The old man was just sipping tea and nearly choked! (laughing)
[Lumine]: Now that I'd like to see. (curious)
[Zhongli]: …I just remembered Hu Tao had a task for me. I'll be going.
[Hu Tao]: Oh, it can wait~ (wicked grin)
As the chat bantered on, the video timeline advanced.
Makoto decided to try Yae Miko's suggestion — and left Gu Chen's side for a while.
At first, Gu Chen simply noted her absence with mild surprise… and then, forgot about it entirely.
With Inazuma's territory vastly expanded, the responsibilities on his shoulders multiplied beyond measure.
There were endless affairs that only he could handle — and when rare moments of rest came, he preferred to travel incognito, inspecting the land himself before returning satisfied to Tenshukaku.
Grand Narukami Shrine.
"Well, that didn't work," Yae Miko sighed.
"What should I do then?" Makoto asked anxiously.
In truth, she was the one who couldn't bear the separation.
"I don't know," Miko admitted. "Maybe when I come up with something better, we'll try again."
"Okay."
Makoto returned to Tenshukaku.
After being apart for so long, she hurried to Gu Chen's side and sat down beside him.
He looked up from his desk. "You smell of cherry blossoms. You've been to the Grand Shrine?"
"Mm-hmm."
She nodded softly.
After a pause, she said, "I know you've poured your heart into building this nation, but… you never seem to have any time for yourself. No one can devote themselves to work all the time. You should relax, even just a little."
Gu Chen fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"If I begin striving today, I'll see my dream of prosperity one day sooner than if I start tomorrow," he said firmly. "When that day comes, I'll have all the time in the world. Until then, my duty comes first. I wield divine authority — I am, in truth, this nation's sovereign. My life must be spent ensuring its eternal prosperity."
Makoto stared at him, stunned.
"You're strong, yes," she said quietly, "but you're still human. If you live like this forever, won't you lose all emotion?"
"I won't," he replied simply.
Makoto sighed almost imperceptibly. "But shouldn't we also cherish the present?"
Gu Chen turned to her, studying her face. "Ah, that's right — my goddess believes in transience, doesn't she?"
"Yes. Because life's beauty lies in the moment. If you live like a machine, you'll miss all the scenery along the way. Life should mean more than just creation and destruction."
[Raiden Ei]: Sister, are you really that eager? (Qiqi: fainting)
[Nilou]: Lady Baal, go! You can win this argument! (cheering)
[Furina]: Debating love's fine, but personally, I'd just assert dominance — she's a god, after all! (grinning)
[Zhongli]: Indeed. In this case, a direct approach may yield more results than words.
[Keqing]: I wish I had a subordinate like Gu Chen… He's too diligent!
Gu Chen didn't argue further.
At that moment, Sasayuri entered and bowed. "My lord!"
Gu Chen nodded. "Speak."
"There's been a strange development — no news from Orobashi of Watatsumi Island…"
"I know."
"Yes, sir." Sasayuri withdrew.
Makoto frowned. "You don't seem surprised at all."
Gu Chen chuckled lightly. "My lady, perhaps you've never heard — there's a method called divination."
"Divination?"
Makoto's curiosity was instantly piqued.
"It's nothing too precise," he explained. "I learned it long ago from a great seer in the Empire. My skill is poor, but I once used it to divine Inazuma's fate — and sensed an anomaly around Orobashi. That's why I sent Sasayuri to investigate. I just wonder what the serpent god is planning…"
"How mysterious!" Makoto's eyes widened in amazement.
She hesitated a moment, then ventured, "So, what kinds of things can divination reveal?"
"In theory? Anything."
"What would you like to know?" he asked.
"My— uh…"
The word marriage nearly slipped from her tongue, but she caught herself. "I-I mean, I'm worried about Ei! She's fighting on the frontlines, so I'd like to see her fate… and maybe mine, too."
If she asked about her own fate, that technically counted as divining love, right?
Makoto smiled secretly at her cleverness.
"Do you care that much?" Gu Chen asked.
"Of course!" she nodded vigorously.
"I've never attempted to divine a god's destiny before… but let's try."
"Okay!"
Makoto's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
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