"We are the same. Even I can make mistakes in judgment. Let's protect Inazuma together," Raiden Makoto said with a gentle smile. "Shogun, only by advancing both eternity and the transient can Inazuma truly progress."
"I... understand," the Raiden Shogun nodded. She then looked at Akio and said, "Stepping down from the role of Raiden Shogun will give me more time to accompany Akio. After all, the inner self has already promised to serve by his side."
"Romance novels say that if you like someone, you should devote yourself wholeheartedly to them. Akio, I will treat you well," the Raiden Shogun said earnestly.
"Alright," Akio smiled and nodded, then turned to Raiden Ei. "Ei, the Shogun has already agreed. What about you?"
"Mmm," Raiden Ei nodded. "You brought Makoto back to life. I will serve by your side. It's just... I'm not very familiar with these matters and have never experienced them before. I hope you can teach me."
"It's not about serving, but about being true lovers," Akio said gently. "It's fine. I'll say it again: I'll use eternity to prove that true love will last forever!"
"Ah! The Shogun and Ei have been fighting for so long. What about the outside world?" Raiden Makoto suddenly exclaimed.
"Don't worry. The flow of time in the Imaginary Space is different from the outside world. Only a few seconds have passed out there," Akio waved his hand, reassuring her.
"Before we leave the Imaginary Space, Shogun, Ei, wait a moment," Kitsune Saiguu said, pulling out two sets of clothes she had embroidered for Akio. She had plenty to spare.
After their battle, both women's clothes were in tatters. Although the shrine was filled with women, going out like that would be too embarrassing!
Even though Akio was watching, neither the Shogun nor Ei showed any shyness. After all, they were about to become his women. As for Akio, what's wrong with watching his wives change clothes?
"Do I look good?" After changing, the Raiden Shogun walked up to Akio and asked expressionlessly.
"???" Akio looked at her, confused, but still nodded. The Raiden Shogun's tall and perfect figure looked great in his clothes. Though a bit oversized, it didn't look out of place. Instead, the masculine attire made her look even more heroic.
"I read in romance novels that after the heroine changes clothes, she lets the hero see her," the Raiden Shogun said flatly. "If the hero likes the heroine, he'll praise her. Indeed, Akio, you like me too."
Wow, that logic—I can't argue with it!
Akio gave Yae Miko a strange look. What kind of novels are you selling at the Yae Publishing House? Why are they so weird?
After Raiden Ei changed clothes, Akio led everyone out of the Imaginary Space.
As soon as they returned to the Grand Narukami Shrine, the Raiden Shogun grabbed Akio's arm.
"What's wrong, Shogun?" Akio asked.
"Akio, give me a name. I'm no longer the Raiden Shogun," the Raiden Shogun said seriously.
"Ah, this..." Akio was momentarily stunned. Seeing her serious expression, he nodded, but how was he supposed to come up with a name? He wasn't good at that.
"In my opinion, the Shogun is the Shogun. There's no need to change it," Raiden Makoto said. "Who says there can only be one Raiden Shogun? From now on, she can just be called the Raiden Shogun."
"I think that works," Yae Miko and Kitsune Saiguu nodded in agreement.
Even Raiden Ei thought it was fine.
"Since everyone agrees, I also think Raiden Shogun sounds nice," Akio smiled. "Besides, we're used to calling her that. It's hard to change."
"In that case, I'll continue to be called the Raiden Shogun," the Raiden Shogun nodded. She didn't care much about names—it was just a title.
"Since you've asked me to take up the role of Raiden Shogun again, why not accompany me to see Inazuma? I want to see what it's like now," Raiden Makoto said to the group.
"That's fine. Let the Shogun, Saiguu, and Miko accompany you," Akio nodded, stretching. "I'll rest for a bit. Ei, stay with me."
"Alright," Raiden Ei was now completely obedient to Akio. After all, in Inazuma's culture, a wife naturally follows her husband's lead.
Soon, the shrine maidens returned, but when they saw three identical Shoguns, they were completely stunned.
"Ak... Lord Akio, what's going on? Why are there three Shogun-samas?" Kuki Miyuki, who was closest to Akio, quickly ran up and whispered.
"Right, Inazuma has always had three Shoguns. Let me introduce them to you," Akio smiled, pulling Kuki Miyuki in front of the three.
"This one, you can call her Makoto Shogun," Akio said.
"Makoto Shogun, hello," Kuki Miyuki quickly greeted.
"Hello, little one," Raiden Makoto smiled warmly, her demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze.
"This one, you can call her Ei Shogun," Akio said.
"Ei Shogun, hello," Kuki Miyuki quickly greeted.
"Mmm, hello," Compared to Makoto's gentleness, Raiden Ei was more reserved, simply nodding.
"This one, just call her Shogun," Akio pointed to the Raiden Shogun and smiled.
"Shogun-sama!" Kuki Miyuki immediately recognized her as the Shogun from her memories—cold and aloof.
"Mmm," the Raiden Shogun simply hummed in acknowledgment.
"Alright, we'll be off now," Raiden Makoto, accompanied by the Raiden Shogun, Yae Miko, and Kitsune Saiguu, bid farewell to Akio. "We'll return after touring Inazuma."
"Go ahead," Akio nodded.
"Miyuki, go make some sweets," Akio said to Kuki Miyuki with a smile.
"Mmm, alright, Lord Akio, Ei Shogun, please wait a moment," Kuki Miyuki nodded and hurried into the kitchen. For her, being able to do something for Lord Akio was truly a joy.
"Ei, come sit here," Akio took Raiden Ei's soft hand and led her to a seat under the Sacred Sakura.
"Ei, you might not really understand the current state of Inazuma, but when Makoto finishes touring the nation, she's definitely going to be furious with you," Akio said.
"Why? I've done well! The Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree are just methods to maintain an eternal nation," Raiden Ei asked, puzzled.
"Because you've never truly seen the lives of Inazuma's people. The suffering they endure and the economic impact of your closed borders are immense," Akio sighed. "And you've placed too much trust in mortals. They've even dared to deceive you."
"Heh, Ei, Inazuma's current state is truly dire," Akio shook his head.
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 40+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol