"How dare you!" she snapped, fixing Kujou Takayuki with a cutting glare. "Lora is the Arc—"
Before she could finish, a light tap landed on the back of her head.
"Quiet."
The touch was barely more than a brush.
And yet the entire courtyard froze.
Eyes widened. Conversations died mid-breath. Even Takayuki forgot what he'd been about to say.
Had they… just witnessed that?
Someone had tapped the Raiden Shogun on the back of the head—
—and told her to be quiet?
She reached up and rubbed the spot, stunned. "Even my sister never treated me like that…"
"You two together probably still aren't older than I am," Lora said with a grin. "What's wrong with a little pat? There, there."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. It had been a long time since anyone dared treat her so casually.
Strangely… she didn't hate it.
"Sh-Shogun…" Takayuki stared at the scene, completely at a loss.
She turned to him and gestured lazily toward the nearby Okuzumeshuu.
"What are you waiting for? I may be soft-hearted, but even I have limits. Take him away."
"Y-Yes!"
The Okuzumeshuu jolted back to their senses and quickly dragged Takayuki off.
No one needed further clarification. The way she had just treated the Shogun made it abundantly clear whose word carried weight here.
Once he was removed, her attention shifted to Kokomi and Lumine.
"As for Watatsumi Island…"
"I recognize Watatsumi Island's sovereignty," Ei said evenly. "The Shogunate will withdraw from Yashiori Island. Any future dialogue between Sangonomiya and the Shogunate will take place on Watatsumi itself."
Her tone allowed no dissent. None among the Tri-Commission dared object.
Kokomi let out a quiet breath of relief. No matter how resolute the resistance had been, if Ei had chosen to strike in earnest, even their combined forces would not have withstood Musou no Hitotachi.
This resolution was the best possible outcome.
She bowed. "You have my gratitude, Raiden Shogun."
"There is no need," came the calm reply. "If you must thank someone, thank Lora."
Then she turned toward Yae.
"Miko. I leave the rest to you. Oversee the aftermath and set things in order."
"Eh? Just me?" Yae blinked.
A small nod.
"You. The fox."
"Ei, are you getting back at me?" Yae protested lightly. "I wasn't the only one involved. The Yashiro Commission had a hand in this too. Why aren't they helping clean up?"
"The Yashiro Commission's role ends here," came the calm reply. "As Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, it is only fitting that you take responsibility for what follows. I trust your judgment. The Tenryou Commission has failed in its duty. It will answer for that. You are the most suitable person to oversee what comes next."
Yae let out a long sigh, though a faint smile lingered on her lips. "Very well, very well. I'll handle it. But when this is over, you owe me. Straightening out Inazuma's mess won't be easy."
A small nod.
Her gaze shifted toward the Statue of the Omnipresent God.
"As for the Visions… return them to their owners."
"Yes, Raiden Shogun." The soldiers bowed at once.
With the arrangements settled, she turned.
"Lora. Come with me. There is something we must discuss."
"Give me a moment." She lifted a hand and walked over to Lumine.
The Traveler studied her carefully. "You… are a god?"
An awkward smile. A nod. "Yeah. I am."
"I thought you were an Adeptus of Liyue." A slight frown formed. She had suspected something—after all, subduing the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial, so effortlessly was beyond even most Adepti. Still, hearing it confirmed was another matter entirely.
A light cough.
"You know Rex Lapis is called the Progenitor of the Adepti," Lora said. "In Liyue, the term is… flexible. Spirit beasts are Adepti. Certain enlightened mortals are called Adepti. And naturally—gods can fall under that umbrella too."
"I see…" Lumine nodded slowly, though it was impossible to tell how much of it she truly accepted.
"But keep it to yourself," Lora added. "I didn't even want the Adeptus thing getting out. The more identities people stack on me, the more of a headache it becomes."
Seeing how serious she was, Lumine nodded almost reflexively. "Alright. I won't tell anyone."
Oh? Look at that—she actually knows how to read the room.
Lora gave her shoulder an approving pat, briefly sparing a mental eye-roll for a certain tone-deaf country girl who could never tell when to stay quiet. Then she turned back.
"Alright. Let's find somewhere quieter."
Leaving the lingering chaos behind, they returned to Tenshukaku. Rather than the main hall, she led her into a secluded inner chamber.
"Please, have a seat."
The gesture was polite—almost overly so.
"You're suddenly this formal? It's weird," Lora teased.
A faint, slightly awkward smile appeared. "You've helped both me and Inazuma greatly. I was told that in situations like this, one should show proper courtesy. Perhaps even offer a gift. Unfortunately… I have nothing suitable prepared. May I make it up to you later?"
"You can put gifts on credit now?" she replied, amused.
"I'm serious," Ei insisted, though there was no irritation in her tone. "You already took the Gnosis from Miko. I doubt there is much else that would interest you."
"I never turn down gifts," Lora said with a grin. "Especially if they come in Mora."
They sat facing one another.
"So," she prompted lightly, "what do you need my help with?"
She could already guess—but she would let Ei ask it herself.