Paimon lowered her head miserably.
"Lora, you have no idea what Lumine and I have been through these past few days. We fled all the way from Narukami Island, sleeping out in the open, barely getting enough food or rest. I've even lost weight…"
"Lost weight? I can't tell at all," Lora said, frowning slightly at Paimon's earnest expression.
"It's true! I've lost a lot!" Paimon insisted solemnly. "Flying feels way easier now!"
"Maybe you just ate more and built up your stamina," Lora replied evenly.
"Ugh… Lora, can't you say something nice for once? No wonder Xiao and Shenhe kept complaining about you and Zhongli after you left Liyue!" Paimon stomped her little feet in midair, feigning outrage.
Lora immediately seized on the most important part of that sentence.
"Oh? And how, exactly, were they complaining about me and Zhongli? I'd love to hear it."
"Huh? Well… I…" Paimon froze. Even if she didn't usually think things through, she knew this wasn't something the people involved were meant to hear. She quickly grew flustered, scrambling for a way out.
Seeing the panic on her face, Lora chose not to press the matter. Instead, she changed the subject.
"What about Rhodeia? Didn't she come to Watatsumi Island while you were still on Narukami Island? Where is she now?"
Lumine shook her head.
"We separated not long after arriving in Inazuma. I thought we might find her here on Watatsumi Island, but when I asked the Divine Priestess in charge—Sangonomiya Kokomi—she said she'd never heard of Rhodeia coming here."
"Sangonomiya Kokomi didn't know?" Lora frowned.
If even Sangonomiya Kokomi was unaware, then Rhodeia's reason for coming here likely had nothing to do with the resistance. But if not that… then what?
Enkanomiya, perhaps—the realm beneath Watatsumi Island?
As Lora considered the possibility, a gray-haired young man in resistance uniform approached from the side.
"What happened here?" he asked, looking over the group. "Traveler, and these…"
Lumine turned with a smile.
"Teppei! They're my friends. This is Lora."
"Ahem… so you're the Traveler's friend." Teppei looked at Lora, covering his mouth as he coughed lightly before continuing. "Welcome to Watatsumi Island. I'm Teppei, captain of the Herring I Squadron. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Teppei…" Lora studied him as recognition slowly surfaced.
Ah. So it was him.
Teppei—the one who would one day burn through his life with a Delusion, chasing power that was never truly his… and pay for it with his life.
Before she could speak, Teppei was seized by another violent coughing fit.
Paimon frowned.
"Teppei, are you okay? You don't look so good…"
"I'm fine." Teppei waved it off. "Probably just caught a chill when I went out to sea a few days ago."
"Just a chill?" Lora asked softly.
Teppei paused, blinking at her in mild confusion.
"Of course. I can't think of anything else that would make me feel unwell."
"Maybe it's the aura here affecting you," Lumine suggested.
After a brief pause, Teppei nodded.
"That's possible. This part of Watatsumi Island is closest to the remains of the god Orobashi. The Tatarigami may be stronger here."
"The god Orobashi?" Paimon's eyes widened.
Lora pointed toward the massive skeleton sprawled across distant Yashiori Island. Even from Watatsumi Island, its enormous frame was clearly visible.
"That one. The remains of the god Orobashi, who was slain by the Raiden Shogun."
"Th-Those bones are huge…" Paimon murmured in awe.
Teppei continued, his tone filled with pride and reverence.
"The god Orobashi was an immensely powerful deity. He led our ancestors from Enkanomiya to the surface, and to us, he has always been our guardian. But later, he invaded Yashiori Island. The Raiden Shogun personally struck him down with Musou no Hitotachi. That single slash carved what we now call Musoujin Gorge."
"Musoujin Gorge was carved out by the Raiden Shogun's blade?" Paimon gasped.
Yae Miko, nestled in Lora's arms, lifted her head slightly, a hint of pride in her expression—only for Lora to gently press her back down.
As Teppei went on recounting the old legends, Yae Miko murmured quietly,
"Don't you think it's somewhat inappropriate for me, as the Guuji of Grand Narukami Shrine, to be standing here listening to the resistance tell their version of history?"
"It's perfectly appropriate," Lora replied without hesitation. "If Zhongli can pay respects to the Geo Archon, why can't you listen to a story or two?"
Over there, Teppei finished speaking and straightened.
"I should get back to work. Once you're done here, you should leave as soon as possible. The Tatarigami's presence in this area might truly be too strong. It's dangerous…"
He coughed a few more times before turning and walking away.
Lora watched his retreating figure in silence for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
Yae Miko spoke softly.
"You've seen his condition, haven't you? He's likely using something that burns away his life in exchange for power that isn't his."
Lora kept her gaze fixed on Teppei's diminishing silhouette.
"It was his choice," she said at last. "But when the end comes, if I can help him, I will."
"You truly are the God of Justice," Yae Miko said lightly. Then she added, "But haven't I remained in fox form long enough? May I change back now? If I stay like this too long, there could be trouble at Grand Narukami Shrine."
Lora shook her head firmly.
"That won't do. Think about it—this is Watatsumi Island, the resistance's stronghold. As the Guuji of Grand Narukami Shrine, if you appeared here openly, imagine the commotion. So for now, stay quietly in my arms."
Yae Miko fell silent.
Keep telling yourself that.
The pink-eared fox's ears drooped slightly.
Lumine turned to Lora.
"Lora, shall I take you to meet the Divine Priestess?"
"Yes. I'll leave it to you," Lora replied.
With Lumine leading the way, they headed toward Sangonomiya Shrine.