Gu Chen was buried in a foreign land, and Raiden Makoto chose to put herself into eternal slumber.
In the days that followed, even Fox Saigū's smile gradually faded away.
Though she had survived the cataclysm, there was a heaviness that never quite left her heart.
Fortunately, Raiden Ei knew little about what had truly happened.
Just as Gu Chen once said — Ei was a bit of an airhead. She didn't even notice Fox Saigū's change in mood.
"From today onward, you are the Shogun of the Bakufu." Fox Saigū's voice was gentle as she looked at Raiden Ei.
"Eh?"
Raiden Ei blinked, a little lost. "Why me? I don't know how to handle those things…"
"It's fine."
"It's because you don't know that you need to learn."
"Besides," Fox Saigū continued, stroking the little pink fox in her arms, "this little one will be your familiar from now on. She'll help you."
"And you?" Ei asked.
"I've served as the Grand Shrine Priestess for so long. It's only fair for me to take a little rest, isn't it?" Fox Saigū said naturally.
"Oh… I see."
Ei's expression showed obvious distress.
"Following Gu Chen's instructions was easy enough. But suddenly asking me to be some kind of Shogun... it sounds exhausting. If I mess up, big sister will definitely scold me."
She grumbled, dissatisfied but powerless.
And thus, from that day on, Raiden Ei became the Shogun of Inazuma.
Fox Saigū remained dutiful for two more years before leaving the newly-transformed pink-haired fox in Ei's care and setting off on a journey across the lands.
Though they didn't know the full truth, the seasoned warriors Sasayuri and Chiyo could sense something was off with Fox Saigū — yet chose to remain silent.
Under Gu Chen's rule, one never pried into what should remain unknown.
If Fox Saigū didn't speak of it, then it meant it was not for them to know.
Over time, Sasayuri and Chiyo gradually withdrew from public life, returning to the forests as the great youkai they once were.
Freed from worldly concerns, they finally lived at ease, occasionally visiting Tenshukaku to teasingly complain about Ei's policies.
[Yae Miko]: Heehee~ You little airhead~ @[Raiden Ei] (Yae Miko – mischievous smile)
[Raiden Ei]:
(Raiden Ei – sulking)
Gu Chen called her an airhead.
Her sister agreed.
Even Fox Saigū thought so.
And now even Sasayuri and Chiyo!?
Was she really that much of an airhead!?
Ei couldn't accept it.
After all, who could tolerate being called dumb by everyone?
Still… she couldn't deny that at least her sister survived in that past life. Even if only by entering a long sleep, that was far better than the way things ended in this world.
"Gu Chen... thank you."
"You're officially my brother-in-law now."
Ei's logic was as straightforward as ever.
Even though it was all from another lifetime, that kindness — she would never forget it.
"Sigh…"
Yae Miko gave a wistful sigh. "Fox Saigū may have survived too, but that cunning woman actually dumped the role of Grand Shrine Priestess onto me when I was still a kid! Luckily, she had the decency to train you and me for two years first — otherwise we'd have been completely lost!"
"Yeah…" Ei nodded, equally sentimental.
This episode from their past life, aside from Gu Chen's death in a distant land, seemed almost beautiful in its own bittersweet way.
Better, even, than their current lives — if only he hadn't died.
"Why is the world always filled with regret?" Ei murmured.
In that life, Gu Chen perished while her sister lived on.
In this one, Gu Chen lived — but her sister died early.
Was that fate's cruel balance?
Ei clenched her fists, resentment flickering in her heart — yet with nowhere to release it.
"Alright, alright."
Yae Miko sighed again. "Instead of brooding, why not check the chat? The Kamisato girl's already teasing you~"
[Kujou Sara]: The Shogun isn't an airhead! She's just not skilled at politics — that's all! General Gu went too far! (angry)
[Kaeya]: Hah, as expected of Raiden Ei's ultimate fangirl. I saw that coming since episode one. (smirk)
[Venti]: Speaking of fangirls, I suddenly remembered one of my most devoted followers~ (Paimon – smug hum)
[Barbara]: You can stop remembering. She's gone now. (death smile)
[Kaeya]: Brutal! (applause)
[Dvalin]: Strong support!
[Tighnari]: I did a little tally — before the whole "exposure" thing, Barbara was Barbato's No.1 fangirl. In Liyue, aside from Morax's one notable hater, everyone else's an Archon fan — Keqing especially is like a tsundere one. Says she disapproves in public, secretly worships him in private.
Then in Inazuma, General Kujou Sara is clearly Raiden Ei's number-one fan. But what about Sumeru? (pondering)
[Nilou]: Me, me, me!! (Nilou – pops up excitedly)
[Hu Tao]: Oh please~ Before the exposure, who knows whose fan you were — but after it? You're definitely the head CP-fan for Gu Chen x Raiden Makoto! Every time there's a sweet scene you're the most excited one! (Hu Tao – teasing grin)
[Collei]: That's not fair! I'm also a super fan of Gu Chen and Lady Makoto! (Collei – starry-eyed)
[Gorou]: Shouldn't we analyze Inazuma's situation in that past timeline? Would there still be a Vision Hunt Decree? (serious)
[Kokomi]: Hard to say.
[Kirara]: Eh?
[Kamisato Ayaka]: I get what she means. If Lady Ei never learns the truth, she'll just keep working diligently as usual. But if she does… she might grow obsessed. Gu Chen once called her an airhead — she tends to overthink once she fixates on something. (Ayaka – sipping tea)
[Kujou Sara]: How dare you call the Shogun an airhead! (Nahida – pointing dramatically)
[Venti]: (smirk)
[Kaeya]: (smirk)
[Raiden Ei]:
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Shogun-sama, I-I didn't mean— (Ayaka – panicked)
Oh no.
She'd accidentally blurted out her thoughts!
Why did this chat system have a mental input mode that sent messages before you could stop yourself!?
[Raiden Ei]: It's fine. I don't mind. (Kujou Sara – you're not escaping this)
[Yae Miko]: Don't worry~ Tonight, once she remembers her subordinates calling her an airhead, she'll come crying to Yae Miko for comfort~ (mischievous grin)
[Gu Chen]: Great, now Raiden Ei's completely lost her Shogun dignity. (smirk)
[Paimon]: Her character setting's ruined! All thanks to past-life Gu Chen calling her "Airhead Shogun"! (laughs for 5 seconds)
[Paimon]: I-I'm sorry! I forgot she's the God of Thunder! Please don't smite me! (crying voice clip – 5s)
[Hu Tao]: Ahahaha~ New client incoming! (Hu Tao – cutesy grin)
[Yae Miko]: Enough teasing. Let's think — what will the reward be this time? Could it be memories? (pondering)
[Nilou]: I hope it's a memory! Then Gu Chen could remember how much he loved Lady Makoto! But... sigh, she's already gone in this life. Even if he remembers, it'll only make him sad... (sad)
[Collei]: The reward system never actually explained itself. @[Lumine], from your perspective, what would be the most meaningful reward?
[Lumine]: Hmm…
[Lumine]: If I were the past version of myself, I'd choose memories. That way, my present self would fall in love with Gu Chen again — and since he's still alive, it would heal that regret. (nod)
[Zhongli]: If so, that suggests the reward aligns with the protagonist's will. Forgive me for being skeptical, but with only Lumine's case as reference, that's far from certain.
[Venti]: Then what kind of reward could it be~?
[Kokomi]: For us, the "reward" is knowledge itself — we've witnessed another history. Despite its differences from ours, it explained many mysteries. Like why the Great Watatsumi God launched the Eastern Campaign.
[Kamisato Ayaka]: For me, it means understanding the Shogun's will better, so I can assist her properly. Many of Gu Chen's policies were never enacted because the Shogun disliked them. But now, we can revive them.
You were this close to saying "Airhead Shogun," weren't you?!
Also — are you sure she "disliked" Gu Chen's plans? Maybe she just didn't understand them!
Classic noble diplomacy — high emotional intelligence indeed!
[Ningguang]: Personally, Gu Chen's governing methods opened my eyes — I learned much.
[Jean]: Same here. His balance of authority and closeness with his people, the way he strengthened Inazuma's unity — it was inspiring.
[Diluc]: Hmph. Let's hope you also learn to ignore meaningless bureaucracy.
[Jean]: I... understand. (Jean – forced smile)
[Paimon]: Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma all learned something. What about you guys? @[Alhaitham] @[Furina] @[Tartaglia]
[Alhaitham]: I learned plenty — but explaining it to you would be pointless. You wouldn't get it.
[Paimon]: Rude.
[Tartaglia]: Why ask me? I'm mining right now! (photo: "Fatui Agent digging rocks with magic armor, eating dry bread")
[Paimon]: Oh. Well, uh, good luck with that. (Paimon – shocked) @[Scaramouche] what about you?
[Scaramouche]: Me? Hah. My takeaway? Turns out Baal was even dumber than I thought.
[Raiden Ei]: Oh? I forgot to discipline you earlier. (cold smile)
[Paimon]: Uh oh, the wrong person to ask. @[Furina], your turn!
[Furina]: Hmm...
[Paimon]: Hmm what?
[Furina]: I saw something even more magnificent than the Opera Epiclese itself! (confident)
[Paimon]: So... nothing? (Paimon – shocked)
[Furina]: Aha~ how can you say that? Some policies can't just be discussed openly, you know. (mysterious)
[Neuvillette]: ...
Your tone makes that sound very unconvincing.
[Heizou]: Since everyone's learned something, what about the main characters?
[Zhongli]: The video's ended. The rewards should appear any moment.
[Venti]: Oho! Can't wait! (Venti – excited)
[Lyney]: @[Gu Chen] bro, if the reward's magic, teach me a trick or two! Even the simplest one!
[Arataki Itto]: Yeah, boss! Teach me that flashy magic too! @[Gu Chen]
[Cyno]: I mastered aerial shuffling, but that void card switch move? I wanna learn it! @[Gu Chen] (Klee – "please please please")
[Kaeya]: Teach me too, bro! (Klee – "please please please")
[Venti]: What, you're gonna lean on a wall, conjure a rose, hold it in your teeth, and greet people safely? (Kaeya – "Flirting Thief pose")
[Kaeya]: Heh, guess the God of Freedom knows me too well. (smirk)
[Venti]: (smirk)
[Gu Chen]: Like this? (8s clip — transforms a paper ball into a rose, holds it in his mouth, cornering maid-outfit Lumine against the wall)
[Kaeya]: Damn, that's smooth!
[Nilou]: Ahhh!! (Barbara – blushing)
[Collei]: So cute! So cute!! (excited)
[Venti]: Aha! Caught you, didn't we? Reward's not even out yet and you're already flexing magic! (Hu Tao – mischievous grin)
[Heizou]: Gu Chen's been hiding this from us all along! (smirk)
[Gu Chen]: Come on, even Lyney can do that, right?
[Lyney]: Technically yes, but yours looked way too seamless. (nod)
[Gu Chen]: My brothers, listen — I'm a genius. One look and I learn it. (serious tone)
[Paimon]: Impossible!
[Gu Chen]: Some college students graduate fluently in 20–30 languages. You think it's impossible?
[Paimon]: Totally impossible!
[Furina]: Absolutely impossible!
[Alhaitham]: I believe him.
[Furina]: Why do you believe him so easily?!
[Alhaitham]: Because he's describing me.
[Furina]: …Never mind. That was Neuvillette messaging me earlier, haha!
[Neuvillette]: …
Boom!
The video ended.
The sky and the light screen above displayed the familiar opening image — and the rewards appeared upon it.
[Previous Life Series – Part II]
[Delegated Divine Authority]
[Complete!]
[Primary Subjects Receive Rewards]
Gu Chen: Gains an additional Lightning Authority.
Raiden Makoto: Gains Single-Line Historical Access.
[Part III of the Previous Life Series will update in 7 Teyvat Days!]
[Furina]: Okay, I understand the Lightning Authority — that just means he now literally wields divine power! But what's this "Single-Line History Access" thing supposed to mean?!
[Tartaglia]: Damn, so Gu Chen's even stronger now? We already couldn't beat him — now it's hopeless. But wait, that reward for Lady Makoto... she's dead in this world, isn't she? Wouldn't that reward be ownerless then?
[Paimon]: Don't get it. (shakes head)
[Venti]: (Kokomi – thoughtful)
[Zhongli]: Unless…
[Notification: Raiden Makoto has joined the chat group!]
[Yae Miko]: !!!
[Raiden Ei]: !!!
[Venti]: WHAT THE—!!!
[Zhongli]: Hhhhhh—
[Nahida]: (visibly shaken)
[Furina]: S-she… she's alive?!
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Ayaka – completely stunned)
[Lumine]: Huh?!?
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage