Watching Yoimiya run off, Kamisato Ayaka sighed. Lord Akio was indeed quite popular.
With a heavy heart, Ayaka returned to the Kamisato Estate. Kamisato Ayato was sitting in the main hall, reading through some documents. When he saw Ayaka return, he set the papers down and called out, "Ayaka, come here."
"Brother, what is it?" Ayaka asked as she approached.
"What did you and Lord Akio discuss during your dinner last night?" Ayato inquired.
"We talked about his relationship with the Yashiro Commission," Ayaka replied. "Brother, you don't need to worry. Lord Akio said that everything will continue as usual, and he won't interfere with the affairs of the Yashiro Commission."
"He won't interfere?" Ayato's face lit up with relief. This was fantastic news. He had been struggling to figure out how to stabilize the current situation.
"Brother, recall the Shuumatsuban. We shouldn't be monitoring a god," Ayaka said seriously. "Lord Akio is a deity and the Great Divine Official. We must show him the proper respect."
"A god?" Ayato frowned slightly at Ayaka's words but didn't say much, simply nodding in agreement.
Then, Ayato added, "Ayaka, try to drink less in the future."
"I understand, Brother," Ayaka replied absentmindedly. "I'm still a bit tired, so I'll go rest now."
Watching Ayaka retreat to her room, Ayato knew she hadn't taken his words to heart.
"Ayaka…" Ever since their mother passed away, the lively and cheerful Ayaka had disappeared. Ayato couldn't remember the last time he had seen her smile genuinely.
But Thoma had told him that Ayaka had been very happy when she was with Akio yesterday. While this brought him some comfort, it also stirred a hint of reluctance in his heart.
"Sigh… My sister is growing up. I can't expect her to stay by my side forever," Ayato muttered to himself with a self-deprecating smile, picking up the documents and continuing to read.
---
Outside Tenshukaku, Kujou Sara looked at Akio with a blank expression.
After returning to Inazuma, she had taken him around the Tenryou Commission and even showed him around Inazuma City. Along the way, Akio had bought a lot of things, and she had ended up paying for all of them.
Despite being a god, he was nothing like the Shogun.
The Shogun was dignified and noble, while Akio was more… human. Although he…
Akio's straightforward declaration of "I don't have any Mora" had turned Kujou Sara into his personal wallet.
"Sara, are you mad?" Akio asked, noticing her dazed expression. Was she upset about being his wallet? Well, the Kujou Sara wallet was quite useful.
"Not really," Kujou Sara shook her head, speaking bluntly. "I just think that, even though you're both gods, you and the Shogun are completely different."
"Ah," Akio waved his hand dismissively. "I get what you mean. You're saying the Shogun is aloof, while I don't act much like a god, right?"
"It's understandable. The Shogun rules a nation and pursues eternity. She can't afford to be carefree and cheerful all the time," Akio said nonchalantly. "I don't have such lofty goals. My philosophy has always been to live in the moment and enjoy the present."
"Even among the Seven Archons, their personalities vary greatly. If you met the God of Freedom, you'd probably want to punch him," Akio added.
"…" Kujou Sara didn't respond. The God of Freedom was the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, wasn't he? Punch a god? She wasn't that bold.
"Gods may be powerful, but if they remain aloof and distant all the time, it's a lonely existence," Akio said, stretching. "I don't like the idea of being so dull and unapproachable."
"Alright," Kujou Sara nodded. He truly was a carefree god.
"I'm going to meet with the Shogun and the others. Thanks for your hospitality today," Akio said, waving as he walked toward Tenshukaku.
"Of course! If you ever need a wallet again, feel free to come to the Tenryou Commission or just put it on my tab. I'll take care of the payments," Kujou Sara said earnestly, her tone straightforward.
Without turning around, Akio gave a thumbs-up and entered Tenshukaku.
Akio was in a good mood. Now he had two wallets—one from the Grand Narukami Shrine and one from Kujou Sara. Heh, heh, heh.
As he entered Tenshukaku, he saw that Yae Miko, Raiden Ei, and Kitsune Saiguu had already come out. It was clear that the Shogun's current will was Ei's.
"Akio, you're back?" Yae Miko approached him.
"Everything's settled. With the commotion I caused, the Resistance should stay quiet for a while," Akio said, wrapping an arm around Yae Miko's slender waist as they walked over. He sat down cross-legged on the floor.
Picking up a piece of pastry and popping it into his mouth, Akio nodded in approval. As expected of Ei's favorite sweets—they were delicious.
"Akio, we've decided on your divine title," Raiden Ei said seriously.
"The Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven."
"!" Akio nodded. Wow, "Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven"? This title was going to make him laugh.
"If you have no objections, then it's settled," Ei said with satisfaction. She was already planning the divine coronation ceremony.
"Oh, by the way, Ei, Miko, Saiguu, I'm planning to visit Liyue," Akio suddenly announced. He had been thinking about this for a few days now. It had been a while since he unlocked a new template. Had Inazuma reached its limit for now?
"!!!" The three of them were stunned, their eyes filled with suspicion.
"…" Akio facepalmed. "What are you all thinking? I just want to travel a bit. Since coming to Teyvat, I've wanted to see the sights along the way."
"With you here, Inazuma is my home," Akio said earnestly.
Yae Miko was silent for a moment before nodding. Although she was reluctant, if Akio wanted to see the world, she wouldn't stop him. Keeping him tied down would only make him unhappy.
"No!" Raiden Ei panicked. "Absolutely not! Are you leaving?"
Despite Akio's repeated assurances, Ei was still terrified that he might leave. This was her only chance to bring her sister back, and she couldn't allow Akio to go.
Akio looked at Ei, understanding the fear in her heart. He moved closer and pulled her into his arms.
Ei's heart was already scarred. She couldn't bear the thought of Akio leaving Inazuma. If he did, she felt she would go mad!
Ei's body stiffened at first, but then she tightly gripped Akio's clothes. If this would keep him from leaving Inazuma, she was willing to do it.
Akio gently cupped Ei's face, gazing at her beautiful yet somewhat blank expression, now filled with vulnerability. He leaned in and kissed her softly.
A/n - Next target is 150 PS