"But have you forgotten? Strictly speaking, Ei is also one of the original Seven."
Yae Miko's brows knit slightly as she reminded Lora, the implication unmistakable—Ei was no weaker than she was.
Lora only smiled.
"Then let me remind you of something as well. I was the heart of the Primordial Sea long before I ever became one of the Seven."
In other words, she was far more than merely an original Archon. She was the wellspring of life in Teyvat itself.
Though she had been fashioned as a heart, she was no different in essence from Teyvat's native Hydro Dragon Sovereign. Any god born from fragments of that power would stand beneath her in authority.
"…I…"
Yae Miko took an involuntary step back.
No matter how elaborate her schemes, they meant nothing in the face of absolute power.
At a certain height, strength rendered strategy meaningless.
Yae Miko had never witnessed the might of the other original Archons beyond Ei. And with the weight behind Lora's words pressing down on her, it was the first time she truly felt she had misjudged a situation.
Scheming against gods only worked when those gods chose not to care. If they did, they would make it painfully clear what divine authority meant.
"Would you like to experience the Hydro Archon's… care?"
Lora smiled at her. As she spoke, dense Hydro gathered around her, slowly condensing into another Yae Miko—formed entirely of water.
"You needn't worry about what happens after you're gone. I can leave an illusion in your place. Ei rarely visits the Grand Narukami Shrine—she won't notice."
Her tone was almost gentle.
"That is not the conduct of a God of Justice!" Yae Miko snapped.
Lora paused mid-gesture, considering.
"Which part is inappropriate? I'll amend it."
"You—"
For once, Yae Miko found herself at a loss for words.
"I am from Fontaine. Only Fontaine's laws can judge me… no—actually, not even Fontaine's laws can."
Lora spoke as calmly as ever.
"And besides, right now, securing the Gnosis and ensuring Fontaine's people survive—that is justice to me. Everything else comes second."
Yae Miko's expression tightened as she took another step back.
"Even if the Gnosis is of no real use to Ei or to me, it is not something to be handed over lightly—certainly not without compensation. I may be no match for you. Even so… I can only fight."
"So stubborn…"
Lora sighed.
With a casual flick of her wrist, the Hydro-formed Yae Miko dissolved into mist.
"How interesting."
Yae Miko blinked at the smile playing on Lora's lips.
"Were you… joking?"
"Of course. What did you think?"
Lora nodded with perfect seriousness.
"I'm not some demon. Why would I actually resort to force? Have you forgotten? The Hydro Archon is also the God of Justice. Stealing would be terribly unjust."
"But just now, you certainly didn't look like you were joking. And as for justice…" Yae Miko trailed off. She had clearly heard Lora justify it moments ago.
"Hmm… how to put it?"
Lora rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"If you'd given in, I wouldn't have minded taking the Gnosis that way. But you stood your ground, so that option's off the table. After all, I'm not a demon."
Yae Miko studied her for a long moment before letting out a quiet breath. Even so, her expression remained solemn.
She couldn't read Lora at all. She couldn't predict her next move. For a fox used to keeping every variable under control, that uncertainty was deeply unsettling.
"…So you're agreeing to my request?" she finally asked.
"One question first."
Lora didn't answer directly.
"If Lumine succeeds in pulling Ei out of the Plane of Euthymia, can that count as my contribution?"
"Of course… not." Yae Miko shook her head after a brief pause.
Lora sighed.
"I thought this would be simpler. Turns out it's just as troublesome."
"Even this is troublesome for you?" Yae Miko frowned. Was Ei truly that difficult to deal with—even for a god?
"Ah, no. I'm just lazy."
Lora waved a hand dismissively.
"You know how hard it is to overturn the will of someone who calls herself the God of Eternity. And it's not just her—the Shogun is there too."
"The Shogun…" Yae Miko looked at her, puzzled.
"Even if the Shogun is a puppet Ei created, she's already developed her own consciousness. She's the most steadfast guardian of Eternity. I'd wager Ei built in safeguards from the very beginning—something to keep her own resolve from ever wavering."
"If you can't change the Shogun's will, nothing else matters."
"How do you know all this?" Yae Miko asked.
"I'm one of the original Archons. I've been around longer than the number of fried tofu you've eaten."
Lora smiled faintly.
"Still, if you agree to one request of mine, I'll help you."
"What request?" Yae Miko asked at once.
Lora beamed at her.
"Return to your true form and let me play with you for a few days."
"…What?"
"You know, Fontaine doesn't have fox spirits. I'm genuinely curious what one feels like."
She said it with complete seriousness.
"Really?" Yae Miko narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.
"Of course. I never lie."
"You just lied to me a moment ago," Yae Miko replied calmly.
Lora: "…"
That had been a mistake.
"In any case, it's not a difficult request, is it?"
Yae Miko hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"It's… not difficult."
"Good. Then let's begin. I've already waited long enough."
"…Um…"