"The Tenryou Commission has cut off every channel of communication. All information about the Vision Hunt Decree reaches the Raiden Shogun through them alone. She must have been misled. I want her to see what Inazuma is truly like now. Once she understands the truth, I believe she will lift the Vision Hunt Decree."
Ayaka's faith in the Raiden Shogun was unwavering. In her view, it was simply the Tenryou Commission obeying in public while quietly defying her will behind the scenes.
And in that, she was not entirely wrong.
Even so, Lora sighed and shook her head.
"I'm sorry. That would mean confronting a god directly. Given my position, even the smallest mistake could escalate into a diplomatic dispute between two nations."
Ayaka lowered her head, her expression dimming as she nodded.
"You're right. I spoke rashly. Please forgive me…"
Noticing her disappointment, Lora shifted the subject.
"There's someone named Rhodeia traveling with Lumine. Do you know her?"
Ayaka nodded.
"Yes. Miss Rhodeia left for Watatsumi Island shortly after arriving in Inazuma. I'm not certain how she's been since."
"She went to Watatsumi Island…" Lora's confusion deepened.
What was she doing there? Was she really so eager to join the resistance?
She turned the thought over but couldn't make sense of it. After a moment, she looked back at Ayaka.
"Would you accompany me to the Grand Narukami Shrine?"
"Of course."
Though Lora had declined her earlier request, Ayaka, as the daughter of the Yashiro Commission, continued to extend the highest courtesy as host.
With Ayaka leading the way, they made their way toward the Grand Narukami Shrine, using Electrogranums along the path to ascend the mountain.
Before long, they arrived.
Pilgrims and shrine maidens alike recognized Ayaka at a glance. As for Lora—someone important enough to be escorted personally—she drew more than a few curious looks.
Yae Miko stepped out from within the Grand Narukami Shrine, smiling as she addressed Ayaka.
"So the young lady of the Kamisato Clan has come calling. It seems I chose the perfect moment to step outside."
"You flatter me, Guuji Yae," Ayaka replied with a respectful nod.
Within Inazuma's administrative order, both Yae Miko and the Yashiro Commission presided over cultural affairs. However, the Grand Narukami Shrine, which Yae Miko oversaw, stood apart—answerable to no other institution in Inazuma.
"And who might this be?"
Yae Miko's gaze settled on Lora. She could not discern her identity—only that there was something unusually enigmatic about her.
Just as Ayaka was about to introduce her, Lora spoke first.
"No one special. I happened to run into Miss Kamisato on the way up the mountain and decided to tag along."
"Heh… Anyone in the company of the Kamisato Clan's young lady is hardly 'no one.'"
Yae Miko stepped closer, studying Lora as though trying to peer straight through her.
She found nothing.
Someone who had lived long enough learned how to hide herself well. It was not something a fox only a few centuries old could easily unravel.
After a moment, Yae Miko withdrew her gaze, a faint smile lingering on her lips.
"Very well. I won't intrude on your visit. Would you care to look around the Grand Narukami Shrine? Or perhaps offer prayers beneath the Sacred Sakura? I can have a few shrine maidens accompany you."
"That won't be necessary, we—" Ayaka began.
"Why not have Guuji Yae accompany us personally?" Lora interjected lightly. "I'd love to hear some of the shrine's more… intriguing stories."
Yae Miko's smile deepened as she regarded Lora.
"Are you quite certain you're only interested in a few stories?"
"I wouldn't object if other matters happened to come up," Lora replied smoothly.
That answer made Yae Miko's smile brighten further.
"In that case, I would be delighted."
"My apologies for troubling you, Guuji Yae," Ayaka said with a polite bow.
Yae Miko personally led Lora and Ayaka through the Grand Narukami Shrine, recounting strange legends and curious anecdotes along the way.
Onlookers were visibly surprised to see Lora conversing so easily with both Ayaka and Yae Miko, and speculation about her identity began to spread.
News of the Liyue envoy had not yet reached the Grand Narukami Shrine. Otherwise, Yae Miko would have recognized her immediately.
Eventually, they arrived before the Sacred Sakura.
Lora lifted her gaze to the towering tree. She could feel the power woven through it—the lingering force of time and space diffused across Inazuma's skies. It was the power of the former Electro Archon, Raiden Makoto.
As though responding to her presence, the Sacred Sakura stirred. Its blossoms seemed to grow more radiant, petals drifting down in a gentle cascade.
"Hmm? What's this?" Yae Miko stared at the sudden change.
"Guuji Yae, what's happening to the Sacred Sakura?" Ayaka asked.
Yae Miko shook her head, a rare flicker of uncertainty crossing her face.
"I don't know. In all my years, I've never seen it behave like this. Could it be…"
Her eyes shifted to Lora.
Could it be her?
Just who is she?
After a long moment, Lora turned back to Yae Miko.
"Guuji Yae, there's something I'd like to discuss. Let's speak somewhere more private."
Yae Miko smiled.
"Of course. This way."
Under her guidance, Lora and Ayaka followed her into the reception room.
Once inside, Yae Miko spoke calmly.
"You may speak freely. This is my domain—no one will interrupt us. Now then… what is it you wish to discuss?"
Lora glanced briefly at Ayaka before meeting Yae Miko's eyes.
"I need the Electro Archon's Gnosis."
"What?"
Both Ayaka and Yae Miko stiffened in shock.
Unlike Ayaka's undisguised disbelief, Yae Miko quickly regained her composure. A faint smile returned to her lips.
"Surely you're joking."
"I'm not," Lora replied, her expression steady.
The warmth faded from Yae Miko's gaze, her eyes sharpening.
"Then tell me—who are you?"
"Guuji Yae, she is a Liyue Adeptus—the envoy from Liyue, Lora Chaya," Ayaka hurried to explain.
Then she turned anxiously toward Lora.
"Miss Lora, about what you just said…"
"I meant it."
Lora met her gaze calmly.
"The Gnosis is why I came to Inazuma in the first place."