Kujou Sara was maintaining order outside Tenshukaku when she spotted Lumine and Paimon. She immediately walked over.
"Traveler, Paimon! You're finally here! I had people searching all over Narukami Island for you, but no one could find you. Where have you been?"
"Ah, we were down below Tenshukaku—"
Paimon almost let it slip, but Lumine quickly cleared her throat, cutting her off. Then she smiled.
"Sara, what's going on? Is Inazuma celebrating a festival?"
If Sara found out they had been digging up treasure chests beneath Tenshukaku, there was no telling how she would react.
Fortunately, she didn't suspect a thing. "It is the celebration ceremony for the return of Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho."
"Huh? The… Almighty… Naru… what Ogosho…?" Paimon blinked. "Who's that?"
Sara repeated solemnly, "Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho."
"Uh… and she is?" Paimon asked, still completely lost.
At that moment, Lora stepped out of Tenshukaku. When she saw them speaking with Sara, she gave a small wave.
"Lumine, Paimon, over here!"
"Oh! It's Lora! Sara, we'll head over first!" Paimon called.
After offering a quick apology, Lumine followed Paimon over.
"What were you talking about with Sara just now?" Lora asked.
Paimon scratched her head. "Something about… that Almighty Narukami Ogosho! Lora, who is she? Why did Sara say this celebration is for her return? And it's even being held at Tenshukaku!"
"You'll find out soon enough. Come inside with me—I've arranged special seats for you."
"Special seats?" Paimon tilted her head.
"Seats reserved for distinguished guests," Lora clarified, then led them inside.
There were just as many people within Tenshukaku as outside. However, those gathered here were mostly high-ranking officials of Inazuma.
Someone like Kujou Takayuki would naturally not be in attendance. Most of the guests were successors or acting heads of the Tri-Commission. By status, the highest-ranking figures present were the Kamisato siblings.
They had seamlessly assumed responsibility for the Yashiro Commission, presiding over the ceremony and welcoming guests from every faction.
Once inside the main hall, Lora guided Lumine and Paimon to seats near the center—the second most honored positions in the room.
Paimon's eyes widened. "We're sitting this close?"
"Of course. As my companions—and as those who have helped Inazuma—you deserve it," Lora replied evenly. "Have you forgotten? You were the ones who offered incense on behalf of everyone."
"Huh? Oh… right." Paimon remembered what had happened in Liyue and rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.
On the platform, Kamisato Ayato stood as host, addressing the hall. Across from Lumine and Paimon sat a man in blue—Neuvillette.
Paimon leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, Lumine, look at him. Doesn't he feel kind of strange…? Like he doesn't belong here?"
Lumine glanced his way and gave a small nod. "I noticed. But it's not very polite to talk about someone behind their back."
Lora spoke softly, "He isn't from Inazuma. He's Fontaine's Chief Justice—Neuvillette."
"Huh? Why would Fontaine's Chief Justice be here?" Paimon's eyes widened. Someone of his standing wouldn't normally visit another nation without reason.
"It's related to tonight's banquet. You'll see soon," Lora replied. Without saying more, she excused herself and went to take a seat beside him.
"Looks like Lora knows the Chief Justice," Paimon murmured when she saw them speaking so naturally.
Lumine wasn't surprised. "That's only natural. Lora is a Liyue Adeptus. She's lived for thousands of years—of course she knows people."
Paimon nodded. "Mm… makes sense."
After Ayato concluded his speech, the true stars of the evening finally appeared.
First, the stern Raiden Shogun stepped onto the platform from one side. Next came Ei, looking faintly uneasy. Finally, Makoto appeared, smiling gently, Yae cradled in her arms.
The sight of the three Electro Archons sent a ripple through the hall, voices rising in stunned disbelief.
Paimon stared at the three violet-clad figures. "There are three Electro Archons? I'm not seeing things, right? Lumine, pinch me! Am I dreaming?"
Lumine shook her head. "You're not dreaming. I see them too. There really are three Electro Archons."
"What in the world is going on…" Paimon murmured, completely overwhelmed.
Ei stepped forward and briefly explained the situation.
Only then did the crowd learn the full story. Until now, they had simply been told that Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho had returned—never imagining the complicated and extraordinary events behind it.
But whatever twists and turns the past had held, they were over. From this day on, Inazuma would be protected by three Electro Archons. That alone was an immense blessing.
At the end of her address, Ei solemnly thanked Lora and Neuvillette.
Though Lora's divine identity remained undisclosed at her own request, Ei acknowledged that she and Neuvillette had helped Makoto reconstruct her body.
Countless gazes turned toward them, filled with reverence and gratitude.
Once the formal proceedings concluded, the banquet began. Paimon, who had been restraining herself for far too long, immediately reached for the dishes set before her.
The Shogun was not accustomed to such social occasions, and Ei did not particularly enjoy them either. Only Makoto, her gentle smile unwavering, moved through the gathered factions of Inazuma with effortless grace.
When it came to governing a nation, she had always been the most experienced of the three.
Paimon finally noticed the pink-furred fox in Makoto's arms. She leaned toward Lumine and whispered,
"Lumine, look at the fox the Almighty Narukami Ogosho is holding. Doesn't it look just like the one Lora was carrying before?"