Ayaka was stunned by the preparations.
Escorted by shrine maidens, she arrived before Yae Miko.
"Ah, you're here."
Yae Miko greeted her with a smile.
"Guuji-sama!"
Ayaka bowed respectfully.
Yae Miko waved a hand.
"No need for formalities."
"Tonight's guests are VIPs from Liyue."
"Inazuma's future hinges on them."
"We must host them impeccably."
Ayaka's eyes widened.
Inazuma's future?
Could they really resolve the nation's crisis?
"Is… is that possible?"
The Sakoku Decree had devastated the people.
She'd seen the suffering firsthand.
Yet Yae Miko claimed salvation was near?
"Of course."
"After all… I plan to have him resurrect the previous Electro Archon."
"Only Makoto can rein in Ei."
"Once she returns, Inazuma's problems will vanish."
"And thrive beyond."
Ei was just a muscle-headed warrior—what did she know about governance?
The Shogun puppet? Too rigid.
Makoto was the real savior.
Ayaka's mind blanked.
"The… previous Electro Archon?"
She'd never heard of such a figure.
"Indeed."
"The first Raiden Shogun."
"Ei and Makoto were twin gods."
"But due to… circumstances, Makoto perished…"
Yae Miko's voice faltered momentarily.
Then she continued:
"Ei succeeded her as the new Archon."
"She was originally Makoto's shadow."
"One sister governed, the other fought."
"Under Makoto, Inazuma flourished."
"Ei? Hopeless at administration."
"She's just a swordswoman—what does she know?"
"That's why we need Makoto back."
"And our guest possesses resurrection abilities."
Ayaka's head spun.
Too much information.
And… resurrection?
Such power existed?
No wonder the Guuji was invested.
If true, Inazuma would be saved.
Straightening, Ayaka vowed to give her all.
Yae Miko nodded, satisfied.
Perfect.
With that settled, she orchestrated the final preparations.
Dishes from Liyue, Snezhnaya, even Mondstadt—
—no cuisine was overlooked.
Better safe than sorry.
Ayaka gaped at the spread.
This was excessive.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen's group roamed Ritou freely.
Thanks to the earlier incident, no one dared approach.
Even the local powerhouses kept their distance.
A team of shrine maidens shadowed them—
—ensuring zero interruptions.
Yae Miko had everything covered.
They spent the day indulging in Inazuma's (limited) delights.
Though with supplies so scarce, options were few.
Pity.
But later visits could remedy that.
Now? Business.
"Let's head to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
"Dinner's on them tonight."
With that, Jiang Chen set off.
The shrine maidens immediately relayed the news.
By the time they arrived, Yae Miko and Ayaka awaited at the mountain's base.
An entourage of shrine maidens stood behind them.
The moment Yae Miko spotted the group, her eyes gleamed.
This was them.
Exactly as Ganyu described.
"Greetings!"
"I'm Yae Miko."
"A pleasure to meet you."
Her demeanor was uncharacteristically poised.
Seeing the normally-scheming fox act refined was jarring.
Jiang Chen's gaze then shifted to Ayaka.
Kokomi's rival was here?
Had Yae Miko dragged her along?
"This is Kamisato Ayaka, of the Yashiro Commission."
Yae Miko introduced her smoothly.
Ayaka stepped forward, bowing.
"Lord Jiang Chen, it's an honor."
Jiang Chen chuckled.
"The White Heron—renowned even in Liyue."
"I've long admired you."
Ayaka's cheeks flushed.
"You flatter me."
"Such titles are exaggerations."
Being praised so openly was mortifying.
Her reputation had never felt so embarrassing.
Yae Miko barely suppressed a laugh.
This was hilarious.
Jiang Chen then introduced his companions:
"This is Lumine."
"This is Paimon."
"And this is Guizhong."
Yae Miko's smile froze at the last name.
Guizhong.
The God of Dust.
She knew that name.