Inside Tenshukaku, Akio and the other two walked in to find the Raiden Shogun already seated in meditation.
Hearing their footsteps, the Raiden Shogun opened her eyes and said indifferently, "The inner self is waiting for you in the Plane of Euthymia."
As soon as she finished speaking, the three of them found themselves transported to the Plane of Euthymia.
Raiden Ei stood facing them, watching as they arrived, and walked over.
"Akio, why did you stop the Shogun earlier?" Raiden Ei questioned first.
"Don't be angry," Akio said with a smile. "I thought what that young man said made sense, Ei. Didn't you say your will is unshakable?"
"I'm quite curious whether the wishes of the people can truly shake your will," Akio continued. "Let them wake you up and make you realize your mistakes."
"Hmph, mere mortals dare to challenge a god?" Raiden Ei sneered at the idea.
"Tiny insects still gaze at the stars, Ei. Don't be so confident," Akio retorted.
"…" Raiden Ei didn't want to deal with this infuriating man anymore. It seemed like every time she said something, he had to counter it.
"So, have you recovered? When can you revive Makoto?" Raiden Ei asked.
"Not yet," Akio shrugged. Raiden Makoto was, after all, an Archon. Reviving her was far more difficult than reviving Kitsune Saiguu.
Raiden Ei nodded, then turned to Yae Miko and Kitsune Saiguu. "I called you here to discuss something."
"The Shogun and I have discussed it, and we've decided to appoint Akio as Inazuma's second archon. The title of Great Divine Official doesn't suit a god," Raiden Ei said seriously. She wanted to bind Akio, a god with the power of resurrection, to Inazuma so that she would never have to fear losing her friends again.
As for Akio not agreeing with her concept of eternity, so what? Raiden Ei believed that Akio simply hadn't truly understood the meaning of eternity. She would slowly guide him toward it!
"!" Yae Miko and Kitsune Saiguu were shocked. They hadn't expected Raiden Ei to still be considering this idea. Appointing an archon was no small matter. The seven nations were in a delicate balance, and the emergence of a new archon would disrupt that.
Each archon was the pillar of their nation. Only with an archon present could a nation have the confidence in diplomacy. Hadn't they seen how the Fatui had nearly stationed troops in Mondstadt after the disappearance of the Anemo Archon?
But adding another archon would mean that Inazuma would possess far greater high-end combat power than other nations, as archon's strength couldn't be matched by numbers alone.
"Appointing a archon isn't impossible, but I have a condition," Yae Miko thought for a moment and said. "Even if he becomes an archon, he must still live at the Grand Narukami Shrine. You can't take him from me."
Kitsune Saiguu: "…"
Raiden Ei: "…"
They were speechless. Raiden Ei really wanted to crack open Yae Miko's skull to see what she was thinking. They were discussing the appointment of an archon, and this woman was worried about where Akio would live?
"That's fine," Raiden Ei said after a moment of silence. "I'll also reserve a place for him in Tenshukaku."
"What's the point of discussing all this? Let's hear the person in question's opinion first," Kitsune Saiguu interrupted.
All three turned their attention to Akio.
"I don't mind," Akio said. "You can arrange it however you like. Whatever Miko decides is fine with me."
"In that case, let's proceed with the appointment," Raiden Ei nodded, then looked at Yae Miko and Kitsune Saiguu. "You two, let's discuss the divine title for Akio."
"Hmm…" Akio watched as the three of them sat down and began their discussion. The Plane of Euthymia was a manifestation of Raiden Ei's closed-off heart, and the atmosphere was oppressive. Akio didn't like it.
"You guys chat. I'll go out for a bit," Akio said to Raiden Ei. "Ei, let me out."
Raiden Ei nodded and kicked him out of the Plane of Euthymia.
As soon as Akio's surroundings changed, he found himself face-to-face with the Raiden Shogun's expressionless face, extremely close.
"Shogun, what are you doing?" Akio was startled and asked curiously.
"This body is observing you," the Raiden Shogun said bluntly. "Since the last time I saw you, this body's program seems to have malfunctioned. I keep thinking of you inexplicably."
"This body wants to see what abilities you possess. Could it be that you've influenced this body's will?"
"…" Akio was slightly stunned and asked the system in his mind, "Is the Shogun being affected by the 'Teyvat's Most Devoted' buff?"
"Yes, Master. 'Teyvat's Most Devoted' affects all members of the opposite sex. Although the Raiden Shogun is a puppet, she perfectly inherited Raiden Ei's body, so she is naturally female," the system replied.
"The Raiden Shogun has self-awareness, but she is not a living being. The effects of the 'Teyvat's Most Devoted' buff have a greater impact on her."
"Impressive," Akio's eyes widened. If the Shogun could be affected by 'Teyvat's Most Devoted,' then…
As Akio pondered, the Shogun's face moved even closer, and Akio could feel her breath.
As expected of a god, the Shogun's face was flawlessly beautiful, like the most perfect work of art.
Suddenly, the Raiden Shogun lightly kissed Akio on the cheek.
"Huh?" The warm sensation was fleeting, leaving Akio stunned.
"Shogun, where did you learn that?!" Akio touched his cheek and asked curiously.
"Hmm? Don't you like it?" The Raiden Shogun showed no shyness—perhaps she didn't even know what shyness was.
"This body read it in the light novels that Yae Miko sent to the inner self," the Raiden Shogun said seriously. "In them, this action seems to express closeness."
"So, do you like me?" Akio asked helplessly. Shouldn't the 'Teyvat's Most Devoted' buff have little effect on a god?
"What does it feel like to like someone?" The Raiden Shogun frowned slightly. "This body does not know what liking is."
"Forget it, Shogun. You should read more light novels to understand what liking someone means," Akio suddenly felt disinterested. The Raiden Shogun was so naive and clueless. Even if he could have fun with her, it would be like playing with a doll—no real enjoyment.
"Boring," the Raiden Shogun frowned upon hearing Akio suggest she read light novels.
The next moment, the Raiden Shogun called out, "Sara!"
Today, Kujou Sara was on duty at Tenshukaku. Hearing the Shogun's voice, she quickly entered.
Kujou Sara didn't even raise her head, immediately bowing. "Shogun!"
A/n - 400PS for one extra chapter :)