The bewildered look came from the Raiden Shogun, while the hostility in the room radiated from Rosalyne.
Ei had met Lora before, but the Raiden Shogun had not. Moreover, Lora was concealing her aura. Unless she deliberately stirred Ei within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei would not concern herself with what was happening outside. Naturally, the Shogun did not recognize Lora.
"It's you?"
Rosalyne frowned, her eyes sharp with suspicion and hostility.
"Let me think… how many times have I heard that already?"
Lora sighed as she stepped into the center of the hall.
"Never mind. I'm not here for you today. Behave yourself and don't cause trouble."
"Hmph… Just as I expected from a First-Generation deity. That condescending tone is exactly the same as Morax's. But you're no longer Fontaine's Hydro Archon. So where does that arrogance of yours come from now?"
Rosalyne looked at Lora with open disdain, clearly refusing to take her seriously.
Lora studied her, faint confusion flickering across her face. She knew Rosalyne was arrogant and proud, but she hadn't expected her to speak so brazenly in a place like this.
Then again, she reminded herself, this was the same woman who dared to seize the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis even on the brink of death. Words like these were hardly surprising.
Ignoring her, Lora turned back to the Raiden Shogun.
The Shogun's eyes were empty. Ei had not taken control of the body; she remained within the Plane of Euthymia.
Lora let out a quiet sigh and slowly began to channel her power.
A vast surge of Hydro elemental energy spread outward. In an instant, the winds and waves around Narukami Island fell still, and all sound seemed to vanish.
"My pride comes from my own strength. And yours? Does it come from the power your master grants you?"
Her gaze settled on Rosalyne as she spoke calmly.
Rosalyne's expression darkened. Instinctively, she took several steps back, watching Lora with heightened caution.
As the overwhelming aura of a god descended, the previously motionless Raiden Shogun suddenly stirred. Her gaze locked firmly onto Lora.
"Outlander God. State your purpose in Inazuma. Should you threaten this land, the thunder will strike you down."
Seeing that the Raiden Shogun was still operating purely on programmed protocol, Lora replied evenly.
"I wish to speak with your true self. Call her out to meet me."
"This body acts on behalf of the true self. Speaking to me is the same."
"No," Lora said, shaking her head. "It is not."
The Raiden Shogun did not react.
Lora sighed.
"Are you still unwilling to come out, Ei?"
The moment she spoke her name, the Raiden Shogun's eyes gradually came alive.
She stared at Lora, her voice trembling faintly.
"You… You are… Egeria?"
Lora nodded.
"It's me."
"No… That's impossible. Five hundred years ago, didn't you also fall in that catastrophe? How… how can you be standing here now?"
Ei stepped forward swiftly until she stood directly before Lora, searching her eyes.
It truly was Egeria. Though she had stood at the distant end of that gathering of gods long ago, she had met her.
If Egeria could return from death… then what of her own sister?
Lora gently steadied Ei's emotions before speaking.
"It's a long and complicated story. We can speak of it properly another time. I came to see you today for something else."
"What is it?"
Ei frowned, her gaze unwavering.
"It concerns the Vision Hunt Decree. The decree you issued has long since strayed from your original intent. It has been manipulated by the Tenryou Commission and others, twisted into shackles that bind and oppress the people of Inazuma."
Lora spoke slowly and clearly.
"So you intend for me to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree?"
"Exactly. Only by abolishing it can Inazuma return to normal."
Ei regarded her in silence for a long moment before shaking her head.
"I'm sorry. I cannot agree. I was the one who enacted the Vision Hunt Decree, and I understand its consequences better than anyone. But only by upholding it can Inazuma become a truly eternal nation. Only then can its people be spared from calamity."
"The eternity you envision—is it nothing more than stagnation, rigidity, and decay? That is merely your wishful thinking. It is not eternity at all. Nor can it shield Inazuma's people from disaster."
Lora's gaze remained steady, her tone unyielding.
"Or perhaps… your will itself has already become the calamity now afflicting Inazuma."
In all of Inazuma, she was likely the only one who would dare speak to Ei in such a manner—who would rebuke her so directly.
Even Yae Miko would never use words like these.
Ei's expression sharpened at the reproach.
"Egeria, I respect you as the God of Water and the God of Justice. In return, I expect you to respect my will. As the God of Eternity, my eternal will admits no doubt—not even from you."
"Even if your will is being exploited, leading Inazuma toward irreversible disaster?" Lora countered.
"Exploited?"
Ei's brows drew together slightly.
Lora glanced at Rosalyne before continuing.
"The Fatui, taking advantage of the Vision Hunt Decree you enacted, have worked alongside the Tenryou Commission to sow unrest throughout Inazuma and manufacture Delusions."
"So what?" Ei replied calmly. "If the Fatui's actions cross my bottom line, I will cut them down with a single strike."
Her tone was casual, betraying no particular concern for the Fatui.
Lora sighed softly.
"By the time you decide to act, the Fatui and the Tenryou Commission may already have cast Inazuma into eternal darkness."
"My Eternity will not bring about what you claim," Ei replied evenly.
"Only by freezing time can lightning's brilliance endure and all things continue to 'exist.' Did you not witness it yourself? A nation rushing forward unchecked, losing everything beneath the Heavenly Principles."
"Ei, that wasn't what you think. Back then—"
"Enough."
Ei cut her off sharply.
"As the Hydro Archon, your visit to Inazuma will be met with the highest honors. I will instruct the Tenryou Commission and the Yashiro Commission to prepare a welcome banquet in your name."
Her gaze remained steady and resolute.
"But beyond that… I ask that you speak no further on this matter."