Focalors and Themis were still out gathering inspiration, taking in the scenery.
Narukami Island was filled with cherry blossom trees, most of which had originated from the massive Sacred Sakura Tree on Mt. Yougou.
Catching a pink cherry blossom petal, Focalors said, "Ah, can the blossoms from the Sacred Sakura Tree really drift all the way here?"
"I don't know."
Themis had never actually measured it herself. Whether it was truly possible or not would probably require asking Raiden Ei. But she felt there wasn't much point in asking.
Focalors was lethargic today. If she didn't have a physical form, Themis feared she might melt into a puddle.
It was rare for Focalors to wear shoes and socks. She was dressed in a white suit identical to Furina's, except the pants had been replaced with a short skirt.
Without wearing a hat, she walked along the stone paths of Narukami Island with her long hair loose.
As she moved, cherry blossom petals drifted through the air and stuck to her hair.
It looked like she was wearing deliberate floral hair ornaments.
Seeing Focalors completely oblivious, Themis reached out and plucked a cherry blossom petal from the hair near her ear.
Themis then grabbed a few more petals from the air, combined them together, and used some special technique to create a pink cherry blossom hair ornament, which she pinned onto Focalors' hair.
"Heh~ How should I put it? I didn't expect you to be so romantic."
Focalors touched the hair accessory nestled in her hair, knowing it would be a lie to say she wasn't moved.
Though Themis usually preferred straightforwardness, these tender moments inevitably stirred more ripples in Focalors' heart.
She rose on tiptoe and kissed Themis' cheek. Like a slippery fish, the Hydro Archon vanished from Themis' grasp just as she reached to catch her.
Focalors stuck out her tongue and giggled triumphantly.
...That familiar feeling again, Themis thought.
"Let's go find Furina," Focalors said, taking Themis' hand under her slightly plaintive gaze. "I've missed her these past few days."
"Me too," Themis agreed.
At the mention of Furina, Focalors and Themis formed a united front.
For Furina, these two mischief-makers were both a blessing and a curse.
Themis pondered what to do when she saw Furina, hoping to lower the blue-white kitten's guard. Then she'd coax Furina into willingly revisiting the techniques she'd been perfecting on Focalors these past days.
Focalors, on the other hand, had simpler thoughts. A writer's sense of duty drove her to toil relentlessly every day, with no turning back.
Furina remained completely unaware of Themis's plans, still engrossed in reading her novel during team-building activities.
Furina had to admit, Focalors showed surprising talent in crafting lethally embarrassing scenarios!
Take, for example, the subsequent introduction of the Dendro Archon as her fiancée...
Ah, right, that's correct.
To strengthen the relationship between Inazuma and Sumeru—primarily sensing future threats or providing Inazuma with a necessary alternative—Raiden Ei had no choice but to leave Yae Miko for Inazuma's sake.
She truly listened to her sister's advice.
When meeting the Dendro Archon, she poured out her heart, sharing all her thoughts.
The Dendro Archon showed understanding. Uninterested in romance, she needed Raiden Ei's military support during her future crisis period.
After the contract marriage ended, she could return to her lover.
Raiden Ei agreed wholeheartedly.
To comfort the heartbroken Yae Miko, they presented her with a stack of 18+ adult content.
"Is this really appropriate?"
Seeing Nahida's agreement to form an alliance—no, wait, to marry in the book, Furina's face filled with horror.
Isn't Sumeru's God of Wisdom supposed to be a child?
"There's nothing wrong with it," Zhongli explained. "During the Archon Wars, many gods formed alliances through marriage pacts."
"Back then, during the Archon Wars, Sumeru's Dendro Archon still had an adult form. When the seven gods gathered, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata expended her power to purify Sumeru's forbidden knowledge, transforming into a young girl's body. It wasn't until after returning from Khaenri'ah's war that she took on her current appearance."
Zhongli's point was clear: the book's portrayal of Nahida marrying to prepare for Khaenri'ah's crisis as a young girl was entirely appropriate.
"Huh? What?"
Furina couldn't comprehend it, her mind brimming with question marks.
Regardless, whether considering personal morals or legal standards, this arrangement didn't constitute a violation.
Moreover, Nahida wasn't truly a child—she was an ancient god of considerable maturity.
With this perspective, the situation suddenly seemed much more reasonable.
"Look... is that Furina over there?"
Focalors pointed toward three figures sitting on a nearby bench, engrossed in an old book.
Following Focalors' finger, Themis saw Furina as expected.
This version of Furina resembled a heroine from an Inazuma romance novel.
Under the azure sky of spring, she sat by the street reading a book, surrounded by drifting cherry blossoms.
Themis had to admit that at this moment, Furina was incredibly alluring, her excitement nearly bursting through.
What was meant to happen would happen eventually; one couldn't avoid it forever.
Unaware of the danger, Furina remained absorbed in her book until she finished reading.
Focalors and Themis stood behind her, while Venti and Zhongli watched with amusement.
Furina only noticed the shadow on the ground when she turned around, finding Focalors smiling brightly at her.
Beside her, Themis had already reached out and snatched the book from Furina's hands.
After flipping through it rapidly, Themis' expression grew increasingly strange before she returned the book to Furina.
A hint of embarrassment colored Furina's eyes, as Focalors - the book's original owner - stood right beside her. She couldn't tell how much of the earlier teasing she'd overheard.
Though it was admittedly strange to tease oneself in the first place.
"Furina~ Have you been enjoying yourself these past few days?"
Focalors wore a smile, while Furina's eyes darted about. Though fleeing early and leaving Focalors to suffer at Themis's hands might have been unfair, wasn't it... wasn't it simply unavoidable?
Her recovery ability paled in comparison to Focalors'. Physical exhaustion could heal, but mental fatigue wasn't so easily cured.
Themis's golden eyes locked onto her, stirring memories of countless nights.
As Themis pulled her onto her lap, Furina flushed crimson. "There are others here!"
Themis's gaze shifted to Zhongli and Venti.
The two elders rose in unison. "We just remembered some urgent matters! Must dash!"
To Furina's astonished eyes, the senior pair fled with such haste it seemed they were escaping a raging flood.
"Better now?" Themis murmured, settling Furina on her lap and resting her chin against the girl's shoulder. "Focalors's new book is just this?"
"What do you mean 'just this'?" Focalors protested softly, her voice tinged with offense. "This is my magnum opus."
"Hmph..."
Themis thought this was just a momentary impulse.
When writing Inazuma Unofficial History, there was still some semblance of logic and attention to character development.
But with the alternate penname, all restraint had been abandoned. The writing now reveled in killing characters without a second thought, a visceral thrill that bypassed rational consideration.
Themis began to worry about Focalors' mental state.
Furina, however, remained unperturbed. After all, it was just a novel.
Compared to Focalors' mental state, the Raiden Shogun's emotional well-being was undoubtedly more pressing.
One could only hope the Raiden Shogun wouldn't fly into a rage upon reading these books.
Focalors had thick skin of a seasoned author, a shamelessness Furina could never emulate.
The slightest urge to flee already gripped her, especially with Themis' hands roaming her waist with blatant impropriety.
Catching Themis' wandering hand, Furina whispered through her embarrassment, "Save it for when we're back! Not here... It's too humiliating..."
Themis' eyes narrowed in amusement. She tilted her head and gently nipped Furina's pink-tinted ear. Nearby, Focalors cast Furina a look of pitying amusement.
These days, Focalors had been relentless in her advances. Furina had been able to flee before, but now that she couldn't escape, Focalors was determined to make up for lost time.
In the end, Themis didn't force Furina. After all, Furina truly didn't want to do such things in public; kisses were already her limit.
Compared to Focalors' probing curiosity and her own half-hearted resistance, Furina remained too conservative.
No, it would be more accurate to say that compared to Focalors, who had already started groping and feeling her up, Furina's moral standards were simply too high.
Focalors' hands roamed over Furina's body, her expression growing increasingly depraved. Finally, fearing public exposure, Themis forcibly restrained Focalors' wandering hands.
Furina had already shrank into a trembling ball of fluff, completely cowering in Themis' embrace like a frightened kitten.
"Furina, don't be afraid," Focalors cooed. "I'm just a bit curious—have you gained weight recently?"
"I haven't gained weight at all! As a lady, I keep a constant eye on my weight!"
When the topic of weight and gaining pounds came up, Furina's flustered reaction was utterly adorable.
Focalors considered whether she should add a blessing to Furina's charm - one that prevented weight gain or ensured eternal youth.
Yes, this time it would be a blessing, not a curse.
Furina still maintained that public displays of affection were improper and harmful to one's health.
Moreover, Liyue's medical wisdom also warned against excessive intimacy for the sake of physical well-being!
Resting her chin in her hand, Themis listened to Furina's lecture, nodding politely while secretly plotting to schedule some private sparring sessions with Zhongli later.
The words sounded exactly like something Zhongli would say.
Sigh, Old Zhongli's lectures are surprisingly unnecessary at times.
But what could she do? Themis doted on Furina, so her word was law.
Besides, Furina had only forbidden daytime and outdoor encounters, implying that nighttime remained fair game.
So... does this mean our future will be divided between two Furinas - one for day, one for night?
A few days might be manageable, but enduring this arrangement month after month would prove unsustainable.
Human existence shouldn't revolve solely around carnal pleasures. The world offers countless other joys beyond physical intimacy.
So Themis took one by each hand and began wandering through the streets of Inazuma's Narukami Island.
Since Furina had arrived at Narukami Island first, she naturally took on the role of guide.
Themis never revealed that she was actually more familiar with the island than Furina.
While the real-world Inazuma was larger and more prosperous, its main districts remained largely the same.
At a street-side stall, they ordered Inazuma's signature fried tofu snack. To be honest, Themis wasn't particularly fond of fried tofu.
"I think Liyue's Mapo Tofu is quite good."
"Eh... I don't want it! It's too spicy!"
Furina, who had experienced Mapo Tofu once before, looked utterly repulsed. Remembering how she'd nearly cried from the heat, she had no desire to repeat the experience.
"No spice, no authenticity. Mapo Tofu is all about the heat."
Zhongli and Venti returned to join the group. Under Themis's slightly suspicious gaze, Venti used his wide, innocent eyes to plead, "Ahem, umm, could you two help us pay for our meal?"
He pointed awkwardly at the shop owner nearby, who was glaring at them.
Furina covered her face with a hand, feeling utterly helpless. "I just knew it."
"Ah..." Venti sighed. "There's nothing we can do now."
Themis shook her head at the two clueless men. "We'll put this on Palais Mermonia's tab for now. Though I suspect these local vendors don't support international accounting."
She produced a check and handed it to Venti. "There's limited Mora here. You'd do well to keep an eye on Mr. Zhongli."
"Heh heh, I understand. I'll keep watch over him."
"Sometimes, living as a person means carefully managing every coin, using your limited Mora to maintain dignity. That's a kind of wisdom in itself."
Zhongli stroked his chin. "You make a valid point. I'll give it serious consideration."
Though Rex Lapis could easily repay the debt with equivalent knowledge or assistance, whether the shopkeeper would accept such compensation was another matter entirely.
Zhongli regretted leaving the cultural exchange delegation he'd brought from Fontaine behind in the city, rather than having them accompany him to Inazuma.
Having not informed Inazuma authorities beforehand, Zhongli's presence here was purely personal - a sightseeing trip undertaken in his private capacity.
In other words, he was broke.
After seeing off Zhongli and Venti, Themis took Furina and Focalors on a leisurely stroll through the city.
They stopped at a bookstore to pick up a travel guide, then selected several nearby attractions to visit.
At Narukami Island's Narukami Grand Shrine stood the Sacred Sakura Tree.
"It's certainly a peculiarly shaped sacred tree," Furina remarked.
"However, if it was deliberately cultivated rather than naturally grown, its appearance isn't particularly remarkable."
Whether the Sacred Sakura Tree's form was the result of natural growth or artificial intervention as Yae Miko had claimed, Themis couldn't discern the truth.
Though she'd served as Fontaine's Regent for many years and navigated political circles with some experience, her straightforward nature had always prevailed.
Even years of dealing with nobles in her early days hadn't taught the blunt university graduate to bow her head.
Now that Fontaine operated as her personal domain, there was even less need for such maneuvering.
Of course, this was largely due to her unparalleled strength and status - there was simply no necessity for pretense.
Some spend their lives climbing to the peak, while others are born at the summit.
Though this particular summit only extended across the Teyvat continent.
Themis had simply been fortunate. The one who came to her aid took pity on her as a human reduced to just a soul, rather than sealing her like the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had done with Aether and Lumine.
The Sacred Sakura Tree carried a strong aura of the Time Monarch. Others couldn't detect it, but Themis, sharing the same origin as this power, could sense it with a touch.
The leaf Su had given her remained in her hand, but there had been no further messages. She guessed the situation on the other side wasn't resolved yet.
Tsk, just thinking about the power gap between the other side and Teyvat made Themis anxious.
*System, when will you finally make me invincible?!*
*System: Wait a moment!*
The System had already begun secretly flexing its menacing capabilities, its covetous manipulations going unnoticed by all.
Silently developing its strength, it moved upstream against the enemy leader.
The profound and lofty Imaginary Tree, its branches reaching into the cosmic sea of the universe, faced impending calamity.
To be honest, Themis had no idea about this. She had merely asked a casual question, never realizing the System had already started tampering with the tree.
Sensing its host's desire to grow stronger, the System began unlocking the One Step to Heaven mode.
While Furina and Focalors were admiring the Sacred Sakura Tree, Themis, who had been idling nearby, sensed a bold gaze upon her.
"Hmm?"
She turned to look at the observer. Upon seeing the familiar pink hair, Themis instinctively raised her guard.
She then stopped paying attention to Yae Miko's observation of their group.
Yae Miko's god would indulge her, but the three gods present would not.
Perhaps she wouldn't be injured, but she would certainly suffer.
Even though Furina had once been a divine attendant like Yae Miko, there was a fundamental difference between a god's attendant and an attendant who had become a god.
"Chief Priestess, is there a problem?"
Kano Nana followed Yae Miko's gaze and saw three striking white-haired young girls standing beneath the Sacred Sakura Tree.
To be honest, their beauty rivaled the Chief Priestess's.
Kano Nana, accustomed to Yae Miko's more seductive types—neighborly girls, noble ladies, and aloof beauties—found this sudden sight quite stunning.
However, after years of seeing countless beautiful girls at Narukami Grand Shrine, the miko didn't let the momentary awe distract her from her duties.
Yae Miko cast one last glance at the three figures under the tree before turning to Kano Nana with a soft chuckle.
"You know, you must've been sneaking too many Fontaine mystery novels. What could possibly be wrong? Just carry on as usual," Yae Miko said, dismissing the matter with a wave of her hand.
To be honest, she just wanted to see what Fontaine's Archon looked like. And besides that, she was curious about the Regent who'd managed to steal the Archon's heart.
Hmm...
How to put it? Themis had a certain resemblance to Ei in terms of demeanor—cold and aloof. Judging by her presence and power, though she'd never seen Themis in action, even casual observation revealed she wasn't as harmless as she appeared.
The Regent of Fontaine was truly a master of concealing her true nature.
After admiring the cherry blossom tree, Furina dragged Themis off for photo shoots.
Furina was meticulous about the final results. The years of honed photography skills in Themis's hands blossomed into artistry.
Several photos later, Furina and Focalors' luminous figures under the sunlight showcased their superstar beauty in perfect glory.
Furina was delighted, and Focalors shared her satisfaction.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Furina, Focalors, and Themis booked a room to settle in for the night.
During dinner, Themis sat at the low table, silently eating. Her brow was furrowed as she ate, indicating she still wasn't quite accustomed to foreign cuisines.
The main issue was that Themis wasn't particularly fond of raw foods or anything with peculiar shapes.
Pushing the charcoal-grilled squid aside, Themis chose to be picky.
Focalors, on the other hand, out of curiosity, tried a little of everything.
In the end, surprisingly, Furina ended up finishing all the food.
There was no choice; Furina was simply too easy to persuade. When faced with two picky eaters full of mischief, Furina the Cat was unwittingly fed all the dishes the others disliked under the guise of "sharing."
Fortunately, the portions were small, so by the end, Furina was merely a bit full.
To help Furina digest, Themis skillfully undid the buttons of Furina's fitted jacket and unzipped the fly of her pants.
Furina simply leaned against Themis' embrace, completely unguarded, even yawning.
There was no help for it; fullness naturally leads to drowsiness.
"By the way, should we consider today a date?"
Focalors rested her chin in her hand, smiling as she watched the oblivious Furina and the expressionless Themis, who was actually moving with swift efficiency.
"Should this count as a date?" Furina asked uncertainly. A date and a casual shopping trip should be different, right?
But all the elements of a date seemed to be present today.
Hmm, so Furina decided it must be a date.
"But Focalors, what are you thinking?"
Meeting Furina's anxious gaze, Focalors made a mysterious shushing gesture.
With a mischievous wink, Focalors said, "You'll find out soon enough, Furina."
Focalors decided not to tell Furina that after a date, especially for couples with a close relationship and a secure future, it's common to choose to stay in a hotel room and spend the night together.
Besides, Themis' upcoming actions would be more persuasive than Focalors' explanations.
When Themis pinned Furina in her arms and kissed her, Focalors wasn't surprised at all.
In fact, she even leaned in closer, eager to join in the mischief.
While Furina was still in shock, Focalors quickly removed her undergarments and stripped off her outer jacket.
Furina emerged freshly dressed in a white blouse and short skirt.
After kissing her goodbye, Themis carried Furina away. Focalors had already greeted her earlier that afternoon, leaving her with novel writing to complete.
Focalors aimed to dominate the top three spots, with only one book remaining.
Compared to her previous two frenzied, life-and-death novels, this third work took a more socially critical approach.
The protagonist was a righteous and resourceful young man from Fontaine. According to Focalors' outline, driven by curiosity about Inazuma's deities, he embarked on an adventure to uncover their historical significance. Through his journey, he gradually understood Inazuma's cultural fabric and the divine blessings that sustained its people.
During his Inazuma adventures, the protagonist and his new friends would face challenges. But through their collective efforts, they would find solutions.
This story used ordinary lives to reflect societal issues, revealing grand truths through small details.
At the narrative's conclusion, Focalors planned to elevate the theme, uniting readers around a common purpose.
Thus, the story would be complete.
Having spent so much time with Themis, Focalors had been influenced by her way of thinking. She now considered problems from multiple perspectives—both empathizing with others and analyzing situations as an outsider. In short, since arriving in Inazuma, Focalors wasn't actually intent on writing a clichéd novel to kill readers.
Any normal god would probably be unable to watch humans suffer.
The Raiden Shogun of Inazuma clearly wasn't a deity skilled in scheming. This book she'd produced served dual purposes: compensating for the damage done to the shogun's image before, and providing guidance for the Raiden Shogun herself.
Whether the Raiden Shogun would heed the advice or act on it was her own choice. Focalors was just a hack novelist—what did she know about Inazuma's political affairs?
While Focalors continued writing by lamplight, the two figures in the bedroom had already begun their battle!
Furina, after days of respite, once again experienced the terror of being dominated by Themis.
Pinned to the bed, Furina the cat's fur bristled in an instant.
Yet under Themis's practiced cat-petting skills, she gradually relaxed, becoming both obedient and adorable—though still somewhat pitiful.
When Themis kissed Furina's blue eyes, they would inevitably well up with tears, looking soft and delicate, like a small cream-colored blueberry candy.
They tasted soft and sweet.
The pink skin contrasted sharply against the white bedding. Themis hesitated not a moment.
She cradled Furina's face, which now appeared bolder than before.
With Focalors' gaze no longer watching and the bedroom lights dimmed, Furina took the initiative to kiss first.
Caught off guard by the sudden kiss and Furina's arms around her neck, Themis arched her elegant eyebrows in surprise.
"This time I'll be on top!"
Having been pinned down by Themis too many times, Furina the General declared her counterattack today!'
Without a word, Themis simply flipped them over, letting Furina straddle her waist while her hands settled on Furina's hips.
Feeling only bones beneath her touch, Themis thought Furina should gain some weight.
After all, plump blue-white cats are the most adorable.
Having so easily obtained the dominant position she'd longed for, Furina still found it hard to believe.
It wasn't until Themis patted her back that Furina leaned forward, her lips trembling with a mix of nervousness and excitement as she kissed Themis.
To be honest, Furina's technique was truly lacking.
Her movements were as erratic as her personality, left one moment and right the next, like a kitten's playful paws.
Truth be told, Themis wanted to laugh.
Seeming to catch the amusement in Themis's eyes, Furina's reaction turned more intense.
Under Themis's bewildered gaze, Furina threw everything she had into the effort, even mimicking some of the techniques Themis had previously used on her.
The Hydro Archon's learning ability was indeed first-rate - there was no denying that.
Though it would have been better if the three Palais Mermonia executives hadn't focused their learning skills on such matters.
Relishing this rare reversal where Furina took the lead, Themis happily played the submissive role.
You'd be surprised, but after Furina mastered the basics and learned new techniques under Themis's guidance, her skills improved by leaps and bounds.
However, after Furina felt exhausted, Themis returned all this new knowledge to her untouched.
Focalors heard Furina's faint sobs rising again in the room and roughly understood what was happening.
This time Furina stood her ground, but only managed for a short while.
But Focalors didn't dwell too much on Furina's physical condition; compared to that, her work was indeed more important.
While Beelzebul hadn't arrived yet, she hurried to write a good novel to soothe Beelzebul's emotions.
When the first two books were published, Yae Miko had released them with an amused attitude, as if just for fun.
But when Focalors used the pen name "Foam" and gave her the third book, Yae Miko rarely showed a nostalgic expression.
"This book..."
It involved most of Inazuma's lost history. Although there were artistic embellishments, it must be said, it was written very well. Every character seemed to come alive.
However, what surprised Yae Miko most was a particular debate, caused by the different beliefs and understandings from two different countries.
The young men, one a devotee of the Hydro Archon and the other a follower of the Raiden Shogun, had been locked in a heated debate about whose deity was more powerful and whose realm was superior. Their argument escalated to the point of nearly coming to blows. In the end, a purple-haired passerby intervened and guided them to a peaceful resolution.
"Regardless of which deity we speak of," the purple-haired woman said, "what they truly desire is to protect their people and provide a sanctuary for those who believe in them. How can such pure love be measured by any hierarchy? Each person's homeland carries its own flaws and virtues in their heart. As representatives of their native lands, how could they not wish for their homeland's prosperity? If you must debate, let it be about how to make your homelands flourish."
Under the purple-haired woman's gentle guidance, the protagonist felt a sense of shame. When he asked for her name, however, she refused to tell him.
"I'm merely an ordinary passerby," she said.
With a sweep of her sleeve, the purple-haired woman departed with a graceful air.
The book never revealed her identity, yet how could Yae Miko possibly fail to recognize her?
At this hour, who could possibly pass by but the dear Shogun herself.
Yae Miko sighed inwardly, her hands never pausing. After finishing the book, she immediately ordered accelerated printing.
There was still time before the announcement of the top three winners in the light novel competition.
The light novel competition awarded prizes based on sales and votes, so timing was crucial.
Yae Miko held great confidence in this novel, so she skipped over much of the usual process.
On the day of official release, Yae Miko even ordered a final round of promotions.
Originally, they'd thought another "Create-Death" type novel had been released—one that was thrilling to read despite its grim premise. But upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a meticulously researched historical fiction set in Inazuma.
The novel contained numerous records about the Shogun and Inazuma's lost stories.
Now, not reading this truly meant you couldn't call yourself an Inazuma person.
Inazuma's history unfolded step by step before readers through the protagonist's perspective.
While the thrilling and vivid adventure story was certainly captivating, what mattered most to Inazuma readers were the legends about the Shogun.
The Twin Gods Beelzebul and Baal, together known as the Raiden Shogun, embodied both literary and martial aspects. The elder sister Baal, known as Raiden Makoto, handled all affairs in Inazuma; the younger sister Beelzebul, known as Raiden Ei, served as her shadow warrior, protecting Inazuma alongside her sister Raiden Makoto.
During the Archon War, Inazuma was pacified, its other races subdued, and invading Archons slain. The seven gods gathered in celebration, singing and dancing.
An additional account records the tragic story of the Thunderbird and the youth on Tsurumi Island.
In the end, the Thunderbird, enraged by the youth's death, lost all reason. It was ultimately slain by the shogun on Seirai Island.
To this day, the youth's soul remains clear in the cycle of reincarnation, enduring each sacrifice ceremony as it waits for a reunion with the Thunderbird.
Unbeknownst to the youth, the Thunderbird had destroyed everything in its path to Seirai Island after her death, ultimately perishing itself.
What followed was the story of the Raiden Shogun and her several friends.
The readers, moved to tears, thought they would finally get some sweetness. But F*ck Me, they'd let their guard down too early again.
The shogun watched her comrades and beloved sister fall one after another, until only she remained.
In the end, she pursued the eternal stillness.
She remained completely unaware that her sister's final consciousness lingered in her sword, and that her dearest friend, Kitsune Saiguu, continued to care for Inazuma's people and her even after death. Their final obsession fused with corruption, making them wander the Inazuma lands for five centuries, all to ensure the successful completion of the Great Narukami Shrine Cleansing, where they sacrificed themselves to purify calamity.
"Parting from you now, I wonder when we'll meet again. Like morning dew, I'll vanish in an instant."
"May you never be blinded, never waver, as you walk the path you believe in."
The sight of tear-filled eyes that couldn't hold back, gradually transitioning from soft sobs to full-blown wails, was truly beyond words.
Words possess their own charm, and Focalors had once again proven that she wasn't limited to writing improper novels.
These developments came after Focalors had thoroughly questioned Themis and the Traveler, conducted extensive revisions, and given deep consideration to every detail before putting pen to paper.
Overall, the results were quite impressive!
Walking among the tear-streaked readers, a smile finally graced Focalors' face.
The Inazuma Light Novel Competition's top three winning works had been the subject of intense debate among readers.
As anticipation hung thick in the air, the curtain finally lifted to reveal the winners.
The final entry, an adventure-based historical fiction, had undoubtedly secured a spot in the top three in the hearts of all Inazumans.
The allocation of the remaining two spots remained contentious, but soon enough, the outcome proved both unexpected yet entirely reasonable.
Both Unofficial History and Tyrannical Raiden Shogun emerged victorious. When asked about their appeal, it came down to a certain brainless pleasure and sheer satisfaction - though somewhat embarrassing, everyone loved reading about the shivers!
When the Shogun appeared at the awards ceremony, the crowd below erupted into frenzy, wiping tears and snot as they went wild.
Raiden Shogun: I don't understand, but I'm utterly shocked!
Raiden Ei: "...Uh, why am I being made to be a dog? What's this about letting me spare the weak and directing it all at Makoto?"
To be honest, neither Raiden Shogun nor Raiden Ei had read the top three novels. They'd only been dragged here to present awards after losing a bet yesterday.
Her gaze swept over the crowd below, and when she spotted the Three Gods and Themis from the team-building group, Raiden Ei was utterly dumbfounded.
Wait, when did they arrive in Inazuma?!
And why is the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles here too?!
Raiden Ei's mind raced, while the Raiden Shogun nearly burned out her own brain trying to process it all.
But no matter what, the awards still needed to be presented.
Raiden Ei watched helplessly as the suspected Sustainer of Heavenly Principles and two Hydro Archons ascended the podium.
When the host began reading the titles of the three books, Raiden Ei could barely contain her disbelief.
The events unfolding today felt far too surreal for her to process.
Inazuma's Unofficial History of the Raiden Shogun, The Raiden Shogun's Little Wife is Being Devoured by the Tyrannical Monarch's Unrelenting Demands!, Revealing the Secret Love Affairs of the Raiden Shogun...
She turned to glare at the miko in the distance, who was laughing so hard her stomach ached. Raiden Ei's eyes filled with murderous intent - she'd slit that girl's throat the moment she got down there.
Focalors accepted the award with a radiant smile, while Furina covered her face as she was dragged onto the stage. Themis's eyes had completely lost their spark.
Under Focalors' firm insistence, the two were forced to strike a somewhat embarrassing pose with her.
Raiden Ei: I must be under a mental attack! How else could I witness the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles performing such an action?!
The Inazuma light novel competition came to an end. Focalors, clutching her exposé of the Raiden Shogun's secret emotional history, reveled in her victory. Zhongli and Venti, who had been devouring the drama as spectators, also found their entertainment thoroughly satisfied.
Furina and Themis, meanwhile, had been delivered both an unofficial history and the social death of writing the Tyrannical Raiden Shogun.
Ei had already begun considering whether to have materials prepared in advance for repairing the Shogun's nearly crashed mind.
-
Their joyful Inazuma trip concluded, the trio raced back to Fontaine with guilty consciences, having committed their misdeed.
Focalors herself felt this cultural exchange had been a tremendous success.
After all, three books' worth of pseudonyms, each belonging to Fontaine authors.
Yet for some inexplicable reason, when Neuvillette learned of Focalors' manipulations, his mind completely crashed.
Dragon didn't understand, but Dragon was profoundly shaken.
"Am I falling behind the times?" Neuvillette wondered, questioning his very existence.
In Inazuma, Raiden Ei—having been socially ostracized for the book's title—had obtained the original manuscript from Yae Miko to understand its contents. Now she was barely holding on.
If possible, Raiden Ei wished to go into seclusion for another five hundred years, emerging only after everyone had completely forgotten two of the three books.
Back in Fontaine, after waiting for some time without receiving any condemnation from Raiden Ei, Themis and Furina both sighed in relief.
However, as the Fontinalia Film Festival approached, Neuvillette received a letter from Inazuma, bearing the seal of the Raiden Shogun, regarding cultural exchange.
Glancing sideways at Focalors, who was smiling sweetly in Themis's office, Neuvillette left with the Raiden Shogun's personal letter.
"Focalors, you've caused quite a mess."
Unfolding the letter and placing it before Focalors, Themis pointed at the last line about a personal visit and sighed deeply.
"Ahem~"
Focalors playfully stuck out her tongue, her mischievous demeanor leaving Themis utterly helpless.
Just like how Themis had taken the blame for Fontaine's unofficial history before, although she scolded Focalors verbally, the ever-understanding Themis was already prepared to shoulder the responsibility for Inazuma's unofficial history.
Ah, wait, Inazuma actually had three such burdens.
With a frustrated poke to Focalors' forehead, the latter obediently perched herself on Themis' lap.
"Don't be mad, Themis~"
She nuzzled affectionately, her act of deliberate cuteness mirroring Furina's perfectly. Who could resist blaming such a clever little cat for long?
The relationship between cat owners and their felines was indeed like this.
But Themis, having carried the burden, deserved compensation.
Focalors naturally knew how to repay Themis for her mental losses.
No one understood better than her how to make up for Themis' sacrifices!
In this, Focalors was truly an experienced veteran!
Meanwhile, players had fully embraced Fontaine's major update.
The Fontinalia Film Festival! Hooray!
The familiar Genshin Impact streamer CatCatEatsNoMedicine returned from her disappointment with empty hands, continuing her role as the Traveler.
-
However, the new version's preview video nearly made CatCatEatsNoMedicine leap off her seat.
What she saw - her deceased wife was alive and well in the video.
Not only that, she now had a body too.
"...Ah, so Themis is dying back and forth on both sides this time."
「She's literally dying and coming back to life.」
「What's there to be surprised about? Without multiple lives and the ability to do sit-ups like Welt, how could she prove she's been through Honkai 3rd?」
「So, where did Themis get her body from?!」
「Well, she shares a face with the Sustainer. Isn't creating a body for herself a breeze?!」
「I get it all. So is the new version going to add Themis to the gacha?」
Yes, that's right. Everyone was eagerly anticipating whether Themis would be added to the gacha pool, waiting as if counting stars and moons, until even the flowers were about to wither.
Damn it! If they can let the captain from Honkai 3rd control Themis, why can't they let the Traveler play with her in Genshin Impact?!
This is definitely all part of Mihoyo's conspiracy! Tsk!
We want to play with Themis' body too! Tsk!