Lora took a step back, staring in surprise at Ei, who was standing far closer than expected. She frowned slightly.
"What's wrong with you?"
Yae Miko slowly stepped out from behind Ei, smiling as she spoke.
"Oh, her? Ever since you left, she's been coming to the Grand Narukami Shrine every single day to wait for you. You've no idea—because you didn't return for so long, she nearly had a complete emotional breakdown. Crying and making a fuss, sobbing miserably. So pitiful."
"Uh…"
Lora tugged at the corner of her mouth. She hadn't expected that particular line to surface in a situation like this.
Ei also realized she had lost her composure. She quickly stepped back and straightened, resuming the dignified bearing of the Raiden Shogun.
"Ahem… I was merely concerned for your safety. After all, the place you went to was Enkanomiya. Even an Archon should think twice before entering a place like that. I most certainly did not cry and cause a scene."
"Mhm. I believe you."
Lora nodded with a faint smile.
"So? Did you find your kin?" Ei asked again.
Lora let out a quiet sigh and shook her head.
"She was taken by the Abyss Order."
Ei's expression hardened instantly.
"I'll notify the entire Shogunate at once. We'll begin searching for any trace of the Abyss Order."
"Thank you for your help," Lora replied.
Ei waved a hand dismissively.
"There's no need for courtesy. Compared to what you've done for Inazuma—and for my sister and me—this is hardly worth mentioning."
What Lora had done for Inazuma could scarcely be described as anything less than an act of immense grace. She was even helping Ei bring her sister back. No matter how one looked at it, the debt Inazuma owed her could never truly be repaid.
Simply assisting in the search for one person was nowhere near enough.
"By the way, has Neuvillette arrived?" Lora asked.
Ei shook her head slowly.
"I have not received any reports of someone matching your description entering Inazuma."
"Not yet? It's been quite some time. With his abilities, he shouldn't be delayed like this…"
Lora frowned slightly, puzzled.
As they were speaking, a soldier from the Kanjou Commission hurried over. The moment he spotted Ei, he stiffened and immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Your Excellency, the Raiden Shogun!"
"You're from the Kanjou Commission? What brings you here?" Ei asked, a faint note of confusion in her voice.
"Reporting to the Raiden Shogun, this subordinate has a matter to report to Guuji Yae," the soldier replied, standing rigidly at attention.
From behind them, Yae spoke calmly.
"Hiiragi Shinsuke of the Kanjou Commission has already been arrested. All affairs of the Kanjou Commission are currently under my supervision."
Ei glanced at the soldier, then stepped aside.
The soldier approached Yae and reported, "Guuji, an individual claiming to be the Chief Justice of Fontaine has arrived on Ritou. We dared not delay and came to report at once."
"Chief Justice?"
She paused slightly at the title and turned to look at Lora.
Lora asked immediately, "Did he give his name?"
"I believe it was something like… 'Nu…viretto'? Forgive me, I may have misheard," the soldier replied awkwardly, scratching his head.
"…Hah."
Lora couldn't help but laugh softly at the soldier's uncertain pronunciation.
"That should be him."
Ei's eyes lit up.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Without another word, she grabbed Lora's hand and rushed toward Ritou.
"Hey—hey! My hand! Gently! Slow down!"
Lora stumbled as she was dragged away from the Grand Narukami Shrine.
The Kanjou Commission soldier remained where he stood, staring after them in disbelief.
That really was the Raiden Shogun… right?
Yae walked past him unhurriedly.
"That's enough. You're dismissed. As for what you just witnessed… it would be best to forget it."
"Yes, Guuji! I guarantee I'll forget it completely!"
Meanwhile, Lora was pulled all the way from the Grand Narukami Shrine to Ritou. The residents there had not seen the Raiden appear in person for many years, and her sudden arrival caused an immediate uproar.
Kanjou Commission soldiers hurried to maintain order.
Ei ignored the commotion entirely.
"Where is the Chief Justice of Fontaine?"
"Over there…" someone quickly pointed the way.
Inside a teahouse by the harbor, Neuvillette, dressed in blue, was seated across from Yoimiya, calmly drinking tea.
Seeing the two of them together, Lora felt a flicker of confusion. Since when did those two know each other?
"Ah! The Raiden Shogun!"
Yoimiya jumped to her feet in surprise when she saw Ei approaching.
Ei stopped in front of Neuvillette and regarded him directly.
"You are the Chief Justice of Fontaine—Neuvillette?"
"I am. And you must be the Raiden Shogun?"
Neuvillette's gaze settled on Ei. In truth, he did not need to ask. Lora was standing behind her, and the unmistakable presence of lightning that seemed to cling to Ei was more than enough to confirm her identity.
The two of them locked eyes, as though the rest of the world had fallen away.
Standing slightly behind Ei, Lora smiled and waved.
"Hey, I'm still here. Shouldn't you greet me first? We are acquainted, after all."
"Ahem. My apologies."
Neuvillette inclined his head briefly toward Lora.
Lora waved it off casually.
"It's fine, I don't mind. But I'm curious—how did you come to know Miss Yoimiya?"
"Huh? This lady knows me?"
Yoimiya blinked in surprise.
"Of course," Lora replied. "Lumine and I are good friends."
"You're Lumine's friend?"
Yoimiya's face brightened immediately.
"I actually met Mr. Neuvillette by chance. I was planning to take a ship to Liyue when I saw him standing at the harbor. Since he looked like a foreigner, I went up to chat. We got along pretty well, so we sat down for some tea."
Neuvillette inclined his head slightly.
"Indeed. Miss Yoimiya has a talent for conversation."
"I see."
Lora nodded thoughtfully.
Yoimiya glanced toward the harbor again.
"Perfect timing—my ship's here. You all carry on. I'll be off now."
After bidding Neuvillette farewell, Yoimiya quickly departed. The ship's arrival was merely an excuse; in truth, she still felt somewhat uneasy lingering too long around Ei. After all, she had once fabricated a fake Vision to deceive the Shogunate Army.
Once Yoimiya had left, Lora turned to Neuvillette.
"This isn't a good place to talk. Let's return to the Grand Narukami Shrine first."