Beidou's departure meant the window for interrogation had closed.
Without a moment's hesitation, Kujou Sara spread her black wings and launched herself back toward Inazuma City.
"Archons above, General Kujou is flying back again?"
"I'm so envious. Imagine being able to just take off whenever you want."
"It must be nice to have wings. I've never flown in my life."
"Hey, doesn't the city offer gliding lessons? You could try that."
"Are you joking? The price is extortionate. Only a fool would pay that."
"But seriously, why is she flying back and forth so much today?"
The citizens of Inazuma City stared skyward, eyes wide with disbelief. Their Tengu General, a figure of stoic discipline, was darting through the air like a restless bird. This was her third flight today.
Something big was happening.
Ignoring the commotion below, Sara descended rapidly, landing squarely in front of the Tenshukaku gates. She didn't even acknowledge the guards as she strode inside.
"Uh..."
The two Hatamoto guards exchanged bewildered glances.
"General Kujou is back... again."
"Second time she's flown in today."
Inside the throne room.
Hearing the hurried footsteps, the Raiden Shogun opened her eyes. Her expression remained a mask of eternal calm, her voice cool and detached. "Is the investigation complete?"
"Reporting to the Shogun," Sara said, dropping to one knee, slightly out of breath. "I had only flown halfway when I witnessed the target vessel departing Inazuma waters. It charged directly into the outer thunderstorm."
Sara bowed her head. "They have left. From their arrival to their departure, the timeframe was incredibly short. It appears their sole purpose truly was to exterminate the pirates, just as Beidou claimed."
"Hm?"
The Shogun's gaze did not waver. "Are you certain you did not misjudge the situation?"
"I am certain. I watched them leave with my own eyes," Sara affirmed hastily. "I saw the ship enter the eternal storm. It suffered no damage whatsoever."
Silence filled the grand hall.
"Go to the Grand Narukami Shrine," the Shogun finally commanded. "Summon Guuji Yae. Tell her... I requested her presence."
"Hm?"
Sara blinked, caught off guard.
Did the Shogun's tone just change?
It was subtle, but for a split second, the voice seemed less... mechanical. Yet, looking up, the Shogun appeared as immutable as ever.
Confused but obedient, Sara nodded deeply. "As you command."
She rose and departed immediately.
Within the Plane of Euthymia.
"Liyue... Morax... has he truly advanced this far?"
Ei watched Sara leave through the puppet's eyes, her face grave.
Sara's report was disturbing. A ship of iron that floated. Missiles usable by mortals that outclassed Vision bearers. It was all alien to her concept of Eternity.
Ei had secluded herself, but she wasn't deaf to the world. She knew of Liyue's prosperity; merchants had spoken of it. Under Morax's protection, wealth was expected.
But a technological leap of this magnitude in less than six months? It was inconceivable.
The anomaly was significant enough that she felt compelled to consult the fox.
Time passed quietly in the Tenshukaku.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by a teasing, bell-like voice echoing from the entrance.
"My, my! To think the day would come when the blockhead seeks me out. And an invitation, no less? You didn't even threaten to execute me this time."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What on earth has happened? I felt quite the elemental disturbance earlier while I was at the Sacred Sakura. Who were you fighting?"
"And what is this about Sara flying laps over the city? Three times, was it?"
Yae Miko sauntered into the hall, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She looked at the Raiden Shogun with amused eyes.
"You want to come out, yet you lock yourself in that depressing little mental space. It's practically self-torture. Though, I suppose in a twisted way, it's cute."
"Guuji Yae," Sara interjected sharply, stepping forward. "Please show respect to the Almighty Shogun."
Even though Yae Miko was the head priestess, Sara could not tolerate such casual mockery in the presence of the Archon.
"Sigh."
Yae Miko pressed a delicate hand to her forehead. "Oh, you foolish little tengu."
Shhh-wuh.
Before Sara could react, the world around them warped.
The walls of Tenshukaku dissolved, replaced by a strange, desolate landscape under a crimson moon. The air crackled with static.
In the center of this vast, empty space, Ei sat floating in a meditative pose, her eyes open, staring blankly at the fox.
"Wh-What is this?!"
Sara panicked, instinctively reaching for her bow. One moment she was in the castle, the next she was... nowhere.
"General? Guuji Yae?"
Sara looked between the two, utterly lost. The Shogun felt different here. The aura was heavier, more... human?
"Relax. Honestly, even I find this surprising," Miko chuckled, tapping Sara lightly on the head with her gohei. She turned her grin toward Ei. "Well? Speak up. Why did you call me? To voluntarily open your Plane of Euthymia to me... it's practically a miracle."
Ei ignored Miko's teasing smile completely. She turned her gaze to Sara.
"Let the Tengu explain. Tell the fox everything you know about that ship."
"Y-Yes, Almighty Shogun!"
Despite her confusion about the location, Sara responded instantly to the command. It didn't matter where they were; if the Shogun commanded, she obeyed.
Suppressing her internal chaos, Sara recounted the events again—the encounter with Beidou, the duel, the missile, and the ship's departure.
"Eh? A ship that miraculous? Liyue has developed to that extent? Impossible."
Yae Miko frowned, looking at Sara with genuine skepticism. "Inazuma has only been closed for six months. Before the decree, I handled many affairs with Ganyu from Liyue. She is quite reliable."
"If Liyue possessed a fleet made entirely of steel, there is no way Ganyu wouldn't have mentioned it to me."
Miko crossed her arms. "And this... projectile you mentioned. Are you serious? It has that much power? Usable by commoners? It destroyed a third of Nazuchi Beach?"
"I recall Beidou's flagship, the Alcor. I've seen it from afar. It's impressive, certainly, but it's made of wood. There isn't a scrap of steel plating on it."
Miko leaned in, her eyes narrowing playfully. "You aren't trying to trick me, are you?"
Even as a kitsune with centuries of wisdom, the idea of an unsinkable iron ship sounded like a fairy tale. And weapons that made Vision bearers obsolete? That sounded like a delusion.
If Liyue had such technology, the balance of power in Teyvat would have shifted long ago.
"I would never deceive the Shogun, nor would I dare deceive you," Sara said earnestly, her hand over her heart. "I swear on my honor. Everything I said is true. Nazuchi Beach is in ruins. You can go see it yourself. The road to Yashiori is gone."
"Captain Beidou is powerful, yes, but normally we would be evenly matched. However, she wields a weapon—a blade that transforms. When it changes shape, her strength multiplies several times over."
"I fought her. I was not her match."
Sara gritted her teeth, admitting her defeat. "And I saw clearly that her crew were normal humans. The projectile that destroyed the beach... it had no elemental fluctuation. It wasn't like our Kamuijima Cannons. There was no fire, no element... just a blinding white light."
"Interesting," Miko mused.
She looked at Sara's serious face. The tengu was too rigid to lie effectively.
Miko recalled sensing a massive burst of energy earlier while standing under the Sacred Sakura. She had seen a faint, sky-splitting sword shadow in the distance. It aligned perfectly with Sara's story.
Sara might try to trick me, Miko thought, but she would never lie to Ei.
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Zefyrus