"To be honest, I'd love to," Makoto said with a gentle smile. "It's been a very long time since I last tasted Liyue's cuisine. The people there have such a passion for food—I'm curious to see what new dishes they've created over the centuries."
"If you're going, then I'm coming too!" Ei added at once, clearly unwilling to be left behind.
Lora and Makoto exchanged a glance before asking in unison, "And what about Inazuma?"
Ei blinked. "Shouldn't that question apply if you leave?"
Makoto raised a brow. "Oh?"
Ei straightened immediately. "Well… the Shogun will still be here. Inazuma will be fine!"
"I do not believe leaving me alone to oversee the nation's affairs is a sound plan," the Raiden Shogun replied without hesitation. "I exist to defend eternity. Governance is not my specialty."
"You wouldn't be alone—Miko can stay and help you!" Ei said quickly.
"I object." Yae Miko lifted a hand from the back of the group. "Why do all of you get to travel while I'm the one expected to stay behind?"
"Not everyone. The Shogun will remain here with you," Ei said earnestly.
Yae Miko frowned. "Is that meant to comfort me?"
"It is not," the Shogun agreed calmly.
"But Inazuma can't be without leadership—especially right now." Ei looked between them, her tone softening. "Please. Consider it a personal request."
"To hear you ask for a favor… now that is unusual," Miko said with a faint smile.
In truth, she wasn't eager to travel. She simply enjoyed stirring the pot. She knew Makoto had only just returned, and Ei naturally wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. As for the Shogun—rigid though she was—she was far from naïve.
Understanding how she felt, the two of them let the matter drop.
"Alright! Then it's settled. In a few days, we'll head to Liyue together," Lora declared, clapping her hands.
Makoto turned to Miko with a smile. "I'll bring you some Liyue delicacies when I return."
"I've heard Liyue has all sorts of sweets," Ei said earnestly, glancing at the Shogun. "I'll bring some back for you."
"Sweets better than Tri-Color Dango," the Shogun added at once.
Makoto laughed softly.
"No problem," Ei replied with firm confidence.
...
A ship set sail from Ritou, bound for Liyue.
Makoto stood at the railing, letting the sea breeze brush against her face as she sighed contentedly. "It's been so long since I've traveled like this. I almost forgot how it feels."
"If you like it, we can travel like this more often," Ei said from behind her.
"And Inazuma?" Makoto asked lightly.
"Leave it to the Shogun and Miko," Ei replied without hesitation.
"They would absolutely scold you for that," Makoto said, though her tone held quiet amusement.
Lora approached from behind them. "We'll be entering the storm belt soon. Be careful. Though… I suppose that warning is unnecessary for the two of you."
"Storm belt?" Makoto glanced at Ei in surprise.
Ei looked unusually sheepish, lowering her gaze. "After the Sakoku Decree was enacted, Inazuma ended up surrounded by perpetual thunderstorms. Even though it's been repealed… the storms are still… mostly there."
Makoto gave her a helpless smile but didn't reprimand her. "Then clear them when we pass through. I'll leave that to you."
"Yes— I'll handle it," Ei replied at once, straightening.
On the other side of the deck, Paimon and Lumine were taking in the view. Paimon glanced back at the three of them and lowered her voice.
"Lumine… I feel like the combat power on this ship is completely absurd right now. If some unlucky Treasure Hoarders showed up, that'd be pretty entertaining."
Lumine followed her gaze and nodded. "Very entertaining."
Two generations of Electro Archons, along with a god capable of subduing the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial—if Treasure Hoarders appeared, it would be laughable. Even if the Fatui showed up, unless they were among the top three Harbingers, they wouldn't stand much of a chance.
After several days at sea, the ship finally docked at Liyue Harbor.
Makoto was the first to step ashore. She stretched lightly and let out a soft sigh. "We've arrived at last. It must have been nearly a thousand years since I last set foot in Liyue. I wonder how Morax has been."
"Ah… I forgot to mention—Morax is dead," Lora said quietly as she stepped beside her.
"What?" Makoto's eyes widened in genuine surprise.
Lora gave a brief explanation. After listening, Makoto exhaled softly. "I never imagined he would choose such a path. You say he's living in Liyue now as an ordinary man? Then we should visit him first."
"Ah… well… he's not in Liyue at the moment," Lora admitted, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Not in Liyue?" Makoto looked at her in confusion. "Then where did he go?"
"Well…" Lora let out an awkward laugh.
Makoto stilled for a moment, then realization dawned in her eyes. "Wait. The female god from Liyue that Neuvillette mentioned earlier—the one you invited… Don't tell me…"
"Ahem! I didn't say anything," Lora cut in quickly, coughing to interrupt her.
Makoto laughed softly. "You're even more scheming than before."
"It was only a small idea," Lora replied, a little sheepish.
"Sister, what were you two talking about?" Ei asked, clearly lost.
As they spoke at the harbor, Ningguang was already making her way over with her attendants. Lora was someone she kept a close eye on, and the moment she arrived at the docks, word had been sent up to the Jade Chamber, where Ningguang had been handling state affairs.
"You've returned from Inazuma, Miss Lora," Ningguang said with a composed smile as she approached. She greeted Lora, gave Lumine and Paimon a small nod, then turned her gaze to the two women beside her.
"And who might these two be?"