Holding Miko in her arms, Lora followed the two sisters out onto the street.
Before long, they ran into Lumine and Paimon hurrying toward the Tenryou Commission headquarters. Lumine was carrying something that looked extremely precious, cradling it with great care.
"Hm? Why are they heading to the Commission? Did something happen again?" Makoto asked in confusion as she watched them enter the building.
"Come on, let's go take a look!" Lora said immediately.
"You really are just like Venti—you love chasing after a spectacle," Makoto laughed.
"And you don't?" she shot back.
"Of course I do." Makoto nodded. "Hurry! If we're late, we'll miss it!"
Behind them, Ei watched the two jog toward the Commission. With a helpless sigh, she followed after them.
Inside the Commission headquarters, Lumine was speaking with Sara. The item she had brought in was the Statue of Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder—a complete set of three small figurines.
"These were designed by the finest illustrators at Yae Publishing House and handcrafted by Inazuma City's most experienced lacquer artisans… Without such craftsmanship, how could even one-thousandth of the Shogun's majestic bearing be captured?"
The general was explaining earnestly to Lumine and Paimon, completely unaware that several people had quietly approached behind her.
Noticing the figurines on the table, Lora immediately understood what was going on.
Makoto raised a finger to her lips, signaling the two to stay quiet. She and her sister stood behind Sara with Lora, smiling as they waited for her to continue.
"To ensure its radiance remains everlasting, one must also prepare a proper shrine and enshrine it with due reverence. It should be dusted frequently so that not a single speck of dirt gathers upon it. Ideally, you should also invite a craftsman to maintain it regularly…"
Just as Sara was explaining with great seriousness, applause suddenly came from behind her.
"Excellent! Truly excellent! Absolutely wonderful!" Lora clapped enthusiastically. "I never expected General Kujou to possess such profound knowledge about caring for the Statue of Her Excellency. Remarkable—simply remarkable!"
"Uh—"
The general spun around in shock and stared at the three people standing behind her. Her gaze then dropped to Yae Miko resting in Lora's arms.
Still smiling, Lora asked, "Did you buy this set of figurines?"
"Huh? Th-this…" Sara panicked at the question and hurriedly pointed at Lumine. "She bought them!"
"Eh?" They both froze.
Makoto couldn't help laughing. "Sara, you don't need to hide it. There's nothing embarrassing about it."
At that, the general lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushing.
"I'm sorry… Ogosho-sama. I was doing something unrelated to work during working hours…"
"It's fine," Makoto said with a gentle smile. "There isn't much going on in Inazuma right now anyway. Think of it as a chance to relax. Sara, don't push yourself too hard—you're the general of the Tenryou Commission."
On the surface, she sounded like a considerate leader looking after her subordinate.
In truth, however, there were barely enough capable people left in the Commission. If Sara exhausted herself too, things would only get worse.
"Oh right," Makoto added, "when you finish work today, why don't you come to Tenshukaku for dinner?"
"R-Really?" Sara stared at her in disbelief, as if afraid she had misheard.
Makoto nodded. "Of course. It's my treat, so don't worry."
"Th-thank you, Ogosho-sama!" she said quickly, expressing her gratitude.
However, when Sara arrived at Tenshukaku later that evening, she witnessed a scene she would remember for the rest of her life.
Lora had one foot planted on the edge of Venti's cloak, stopping him from slipping away.
"Trying to run again?" she snapped. "You disappear early every morning and only come back at night to eat food other people cooked. Do you think we're your personal chefs?"
"Hey, hey! I never said that!" Venti protested, waving his hands. "Besides, you're the one who sleeps until noon! What do you mean I disappear early in the morning? I even told Makoto and the others before I left!"
"You smell like alcohol again," Lora said, narrowing her eyes. "Did you go drinking?"
"Hehe, let me tell you—I met a very generous fellow today! I think he was an oni? Anyway, we got along great, and I couldn't help drinking a little more than usual…" He tugged helplessly at his cloak. "Could you at least move your foot first?"
Watching the two of them, Makoto sighed and turned to Sara.
"Sorry you had to see that. Those two are always like this. Outside they act all lofty and dignified, but the moment they're home, their true colors come out."
"That… is quite unexpected…" The general had seen Lora fight in deadly earnest before, but she had never seen this side of her.
Her gaze shifted toward Venti.
"Ogosho-sama… may I ask who that is?"
"Him?" Makoto smiled. "Why not ask him yourself?"
Lora finally lifted her foot from the bard's cloak.
"Since we have a guest today, I'll let it slide."
Venti chuckled and turned toward the general.
"Hey there, General of the Tenryou Commission! We've met before."
"Hello…" Sara replied stiffly.
Looking at his carefree demeanor—and the easy familiarity he shared with Lora and the others—only one conclusion came to mind.
This green-clad drunkard… was a god.
After a moment's thought, only one deity in Teyvat fit that description: Mondstadt's missing Anemo Archon, Barbatos.
May the Shogun watch over this… Sara prayed silently. Hopefully the Anemo Archon won't lead Ogosho-sama astray.
Meanwhile, the Shogun paid no attention to the commotion behind her. She continued quietly preparing the ingredients for dinner, with Lumine and Paimon helping nearby.
While washing vegetables, Paimon muttered,
"It's really hard to imagine… we're actually washing vegetables together with the Shogun."
"What can we do?" Lumine said with a helpless smile. "Everyone behind us is someone we can't afford to offend."
Whether it was Lora, Makoto, or Ei, any one of them could give orders to the Shogun.
As for Venti… if he were asked to wash vegetables, there was a good chance they'd end up tasting like wine.
Since Sara was a guest, she naturally wasn't expected to help.
Makoto gently guided her into a seat.
"Today, just enjoy our cooking."
Ei sat down beside the general and said calmly,
"I'll sit with you."
"Shogun-sama… you…" Sara looked surprised.
"They won't let me help," Ei explained.
Just then, Venti walked over carrying drinks and set them down in front of the two of them.
"Here—my treat. Don't be shy. This is top-quality Dandelion Wine."