"Hm? If you're unwilling to accept the result, we can have another match!" Raiden Ei chuckled softly.
—Huff...
Nolan watched as the two finally stopped fighting and was just about to relax when Ei suddenly said something like that.
Seeing the eager expression on the Shogun's face, Nolan quickly stepped forward before she could respond and interjected:
"It's already nighttime outside—how about continuing your sparring session another day?
"Ei, you haven't taught us swordsmanship yet.
"And Shogun, you've been here all day. Don't you have official duties to attend to? Getting too engrossed in 'games' is a form of negligence, you know!"
Raiden Shogun cast an unkind look at Nolan.
She crossed her arms beneath her chest, which was partially exposed by the soft lavender fabric of her kimono, and said:
"Are you saying that my sparring match with my 'inner self' is merely a game?
"If so, you must think you're far stronger than us.
"In that case, why don't you be my opponent instead?"
"..."
No, no, don't twist my words! I didn't mean that at all! Why does everyone just want to bully me...? Nolan groaned internally. He was about to explain himself when something suddenly caught his attention—
The sword in Raiden Ei's hand, "Muso Isshin," was glowing.
And it wasn't just him—everyone present noticed it as well.
"Huh? 'Muso Isshin' is shining?"
Paimon, floating beside Lumine, widened her starry eyes in curiosity.
"This is..."
Raiden Ei looked down at the blade, confusion flickering in her gaze.
Ever since she received this sword from her sister, she had never encountered anything like this before.
—Oh? Something's finally happening!
Nolan immediately understood. This was the sign that Raiden Makoto's consciousness was about to emerge!
A gentle breeze, carrying sakura petals, swirled out from "Muso Isshin," causing the space around it to ripple slightly.
A sphere of purplish-white light suddenly materialized in midair.
"A purple light sphere?"
Lumine's amber eyes mirrored her confusion.
"Greetings, Ei, my other little sister, and all those present as witnesses."
A gentle voice resonated from the glowing sphere.
Hearing that familiar voice, Raiden Ei's eyes widened, and her pupils trembled slightly.
Raiden Shogun, arms still crossed, furrowed her brows. She couldn't comprehend why this strange orb had just referred to her as "sister."
"I am Raiden Makoto, the former Electro Archon who failed in my duties. My deepest apologies—this is all that remains of my spiritual consciousness, and I can only meet you in this form."
The purplish-white sphere continued speaking.
"Makoto?"
Raiden Ei, struggling to contain her emotions, muttered in bewilderment.
"Huh? What's going on?" Paimon was utterly lost.
How did the former Electro Archon suddenly emerge from the sword?
Aside from Nolan, everyone else was equally confused.
"I'm truly happy. I knew that if it were you, Ei, you would eventually reach this point."
Raiden Makoto's voice carried a trace of relief and joy.
Nolan listened as Raiden Makoto continued speaking, saying things that were almost identical to the original story.
She briefly explained that she had left behind a faint remnant of her will within "Muso Isshin."
The moment Ei fully unleashed its power, she would be released as well.
The reason for this was that Ei had been too steadfast in her beliefs back then—so much so that she wouldn't listen to anything else.
This was the only way Makoto could wait for Ei to change.
"You never mentioned any of this to me..."
Raiden Ei's pale face showed a mix of emotions and confusion.
"I'm sorry... The crisis on 'that side' came too suddenly."
Raiden Makoto explained that it hadn't been intentional.
With her usual gentle and sweet voice, she continued:
"I've always felt guilty—guilty that I didn't have time to prepare anything before entrusting Inazuma to you.
"I didn't even have the chance to teach you the principles of governance. These past years must have been incredibly difficult for you.
"I'm sure there have been countless times when you wanted to cry, right?"
Makoto's voice carried a deep empathy.
After all, she had once ruled Inazuma from scratch and understood just how arduous the journey was.
"...Don't underestimate me."
Raiden Ei's mind flashed through the memories of the past five hundred years.
She wanted to refute Makoto's words, but she couldn't.
In the end, all she could say was a single line, expressing her displeasure at being spoken to as if she were a child in need of comfort.
"See? You're admitting it!"
Raiden Makoto chuckled playfully.
But she could feel her remaining spiritual essence fading away.
There wasn't much time left—she had to end this reunion with Ei soon.
She paused for a moment before continuing:
"It was precisely because I considered this possibility that I left a gift for you—something to ease Inazuma's suffering.
"Come now, take it, before my remaining consciousness fades away."
Hearing this, Nolan immediately understood—Raiden Makoto was about to give Raiden Ei the Sacred Sakura seed, which was formed from her own body.
This seed needed to be planted by Ei five hundred years ago, using Makoto's power, which seemingly came from the "Ruler of Time," allowing her to traverse through time.
Without it, the Sacred Sakura would not be able to suppress calamities and protect Inazuma.
However, Nolan wasn't sure whether using this ability would completely exhaust Makoto's remaining strength, causing her lingering consciousness to vanish entirely.
That would be regrettable for everyone—especially for Ei, who had only just reunited with her sister.
He had to speak up before Makoto used her power.
As for planting the Sacred Sakura, they could wait until Makoto's consciousness grew strong enough so that using the ability wouldn't make her disappear instantly.
After all, they were traveling to the same point in time—so it didn't matter when they actually went back!
Thinking quickly, he interjected:
"Wait a moment, Miss Makoto! Speaking of your fading consciousness, we actually have a way to solve that problem.
"How about we stabilize your consciousness first before handling the other matters?"
Makoto, who had just been about to hand over the Sacred Sakura seed to Ei, was momentarily stunned by his words. Then, as if understanding his good intentions, she smiled softly and said:
"I'm afraid it's impossible. With only a sliver of my consciousness remaining, even the most powerful soul-preserving artifacts would be unable to restore me.
"Perhaps only my once-living body could have supported my divine consciousness..."
Even if she could only remain in a spiritual form, she would have loved to stay by her sister's side.
But right now, she was nothing more than a rootless soul—her strength constantly fading away.
If her soul and will were still intact, she might have been able to linger a little longer.
But with only this last fragment of consciousness remaining, she could do nothing more than help Ei plant the Sacred Sakura before disappearing.
There was no way around it.
Unless she used the Sacred Sakura seed itself as a vessel—since it was formed from her body, it had an extremely high compatibility with her soul and could barely sustain her for a little while longer.
However, because the seed was her body's remnant, it no longer had the ability to nourish a soul.
If she did this, she would continuously absorb the seed's power, eventually leading to its death.
And if the seed died, it would never take root, never sprout, and never protect Inazuma.
What would be the point of clinging to existence at the cost of Inazuma's protection?
"...Uh, that's not exactly the case."
Nolan knew explaining everything to Makoto would take time, and given that her strength was constantly draining, she probably wouldn't have the patience for a lengthy discussion.
So, instead, he turned to Raiden Ei—it was better for her to explain.
Ei, deeply concerned for her sister, understood what Nolan was getting at. She took a deep breath and spoke slowly:
"Makoto... He truly has a way to sustain your consciousness."
"Oh? Even you, Ei, are saying this?"
Makoto naturally trusted her sister. Could it be that this young man actually had a way to keep her from fading away?
"That's right! This guy's portable space has a 'soul-nurturing' effect! Even if there's only a tiny fragment of consciousness left, it can slowly recover!"
Paimon, excited to finally have a moment where she could contribute, chimed in cheerfully.
"It's hard to explain everything right now. Ei, just send everyone out first."
Lumine glanced at Ei as she spoke.
Since this place was "Plane of Euthymia," the effects of the spatial artifact couldn't reach here.
As long as Ei dispelled this mental realm, everything would be fine.
Ei understood immediately. With a nod, she simply said, "Alright."
Then, she began to withdraw the "Plane of Euthymia," sending everyone—including Raiden Makoto—out of the space.
"W-Wait, Ei! If I leave, I'll fade away even faster—"
Makoto started to protest upon realizing she was about to be transported out.
But before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly felt something—
The soul energy that had been rapidly fading from her consciousness... had stopped depleting.
Not only that, it was even growing—albeit slowly, but undeniably increasing!
—Could this be the "soul-nurturing" effect that little floating creature mentioned?
Makoto let out a small sigh of relief and turned her attention to her surroundings.
She found herself inside a rather simple room—
It wasn't very large, and aside from a katana stand, it was completely empty.
Who would live in a place like this? It's way too austere.
"Miss Makoto, welcome to my personal space. Since this place exists in 'eternity,' time does not flow here, meaning you will not fade away.
"Additionally, the 'soul-nurturing' ability here functions similarly to a physical body, allowing your soul's essence to gradually strengthen over time.
"It won't take long before you can manifest your physical form again. As for regaining your peak state, that will take a much longer time."
Having also emerged from the "Plane of Euthymia," Nolan smiled as he explained this to Raiden Makoto.
"A place like this actually exists? That's unbelievable!"
Makoto marveled, feeling a wave of relief and joy.
She wasn't going to die—she could continue to stay by Ei's side in the days to come!
[Raiden Makoto Has Developed Good Feelings Toward You. Obtained 620 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.4 (20/400)]
Thinking of this, she felt an immense sense of gratitude toward Nolan, who had saved her.
"Makoto, until you recover, you'll have to stay here for now. Hmm… I'll stay with you as well."
Raiden Ei smiled as she gazed at the glowing sphere of purple and white light before her.
At last, she had managed to help her sister. Unlike 500 years ago, when she had been powerless to stop her from leaving.
Of course, all of this was thanks to Nolan. Only he possessed such a miraculous personal space.
[Raiden Shogun (Raiden Ei) Has Developed Good Feelings Toward You. Obtained 700 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.8 (500/800)]
Seeing the affection notifications pop up on his interface, Nolan felt quite pleased.
His efforts hadn't been in vain. Step by step, he had guided Ei into freeing her sister and bringing her here.
"You're staying? Why? Doesn't Inazuma still need your governance? Oh, right—how is Inazuma doing now?"
Now that she knew she would survive, Makoto naturally turned her attention back to Inazuma's affairs.
"Makoto, I am the Raiden Shogun now. You don't need to worry about Inazuma anymore. I'll instruct the Shogunate to manage everything properly—your only concern should be resting and recovering!"
Ei hesitated slightly as she spoke.
She recalled how, in her pursuit of "eternity," she had allowed the Vision Hunt Decree to take effect, causing unrest among Inazuma's people.
If Makoto found out, she would certainly be upset.
Although Ei had enacted the decree with the intention of fulfilling her promise of "eternity" to her people, in hindsight, that method of achieving eternity may have been flawed.
True eternity did not mean absolute stagnation.
If Makoto had been there, she surely would have found a way to make her people happy while maintaining eternity.
Makoto understood her sister well—just from looking at her expression, she could tell Ei had gone down the wrong path.
However, she must have corrected herself in time.
Makoto turned her attention toward Nolan, Lumine, and Paimon.
Perhaps it was thanks to them that Ei had managed to stop before it was too late.
Thinking about this, Makoto felt a pang of guilt. It was her fault for not having had the chance to teach Ei how to govern a nation properly.
Fortunately, there was still time to make amends.
She had no choice—she had to take on the role of an elder sister and firmly said to Ei:
"Ei, I may be the former Raiden Shogun, but if you've gone astray, I have an obligation to guide you back onto the right path.
"Tell me about the current state of Inazuma.
"From now on, I will also teach you the principles of governance."
"Wow, Ei got completely overpowered just now! As expected of the older sister!"
Paimon whispered to Lumine as they watched Ei fall silent under Makoto's firm gaze.
Would Ei, as a god, really be influenced like this?
Nolan suppressed a chuckle. He figured it wasn't the right time to remain in the "Meditation Room."
It would be better to leave Makoto, Ei, and the Shogun to have their long-overdue family reunion.
Who knew—perhaps Makoto's guidance would help Ei develop a new understanding of "eternity."
Maybe she would no longer believe that eternity meant absolute stagnation.
With that thought, he exchanged a glance with Lumine and Paimon, and they quietly left the space.
All in all, today had been a pretty perfect ending—except that he and Lumine still hadn't learned "Musou no Hitotachi."
Oh well. That could wait for another time—it wasn't an urgent matter.
For the next few days, Ei would likely be busy catching up with her sister, and the Shogun would need to stay in Inazuma to maintain order.
Nolan decided that tomorrow, he would head back to Liyue for now—he wanted to find Yelan and learn some stealth techniques from her.
(End of Chapter)
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