Sara spent the entire meal on edge. At first she had been excited, but by the latter half—when Venti got drunk and dragged her up to dance—that excitement had completely vanished.
Gods normally don't get drunk.
Unless they choose to.
Miko munched on fried tofu while watching the interaction between the bard and the general.
"I just thought of a brilliant idea," she said. "What do you think of Reincarnated as the Anemo Archon Traveling Across Teyvat?"
Makoto didn't have much experience with light novels. She looked at the Guuji curiously.
"Is that the title? It's quite long."
"Light novel titles are usually very long," Miko replied with a smile.
"Reincarnated as the Anemo Archon…" Ei looked at Venti thoughtfully. "If someone were to write that story, the most important aspect of the protagonist's characterization would probably be his alcohol tolerance."
"Exactly." Miko nodded. "And since the protagonist is the Anemo Archon—who hasn't been seen for a thousand years—this book might become a huge hit."
"So who are you planning to have write it?" Lora asked with interest.
The shrine maiden glanced at her and smiled mysteriously.
"Of course we'll have Venti write it."
"…"
Lora blinked in surprise.
"The Anemo Archon writing a light novel… where the protagonist is the Anemo Archon? That's… actually quite novel."
"Right?" Miko's smile widened, increasingly convinced her idea was brilliant.
The banquet lasted until late into the night.
In the end, Sara simply stayed overnight at Tenshukaku. Lora carried the Guuji back to their room to sleep.
However, early the next morning—unlike usual, when she would sleep in with Lora—Miko woke up bright and early. Her fluffy tail swished back and forth, brushing repeatedly against Lora's nose.
"Wake up, wake up, Miss Lora…"
Lora slowly opened her eyes, her gaze hazy with sleep.
"What's going on… Who am I? Where am I? Who are you? What do you want?"
Faced with that string of utterly nonsensical questions, the shrine maiden chose to ignore them.
"The sun's already shining on your backside. Time to get up."
"I'm under a blanket," Lora replied as she sat up. "If anything's getting sunburned, it's you."
She glanced out the window, frowning slightly.
"Why did you wake me up so early?"
"I made plans today with Sangonomiya Kokomi from Watatsumi Island," Miko said. "I need to meet her this morning."
Then she added,
"I figured if you woke up and couldn't find me, you might worry. So I woke you first."
"Huh?" Lora looked confused. "Why arrange a meeting with her?"
"We're pen pals," the shrine maiden replied matter-of-factly. "So, do you want to come with me? If you're there, they'll probably feel safer."
"I don't mind."
After changing clothes, the two left Tenshukaku together.
A woman walking through Inazuma City with a fox perched on her shoulder naturally drew plenty of attention.
They reached the harbor just as a large ship approached from the distance. Seeing it, Miko hopped down from Lora's shoulder and shifted back into human form.
She casually flicked her hair back and adopted the dignified bearing of the Guuji.
Soon the ship docked. Kokomi and Gorou stepped off and walked toward them.
"Well, well. Look who it is," Miko said with a smile, arms folded.
The priestess regarded her calmly.
"As expected of the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. You certainly carry yourself with an air of superiority."
"Hehe… And as expected of the leader of Watatsumi Island," Miko replied with the same pleasant smile. "You may look as soft and delicate as a jellyfish, but your words are quite venomous."
Kokomi chuckled.
"Hello. Nice to meet you, Miss Exquisite Fried Tofu."
"Likewise," Miko replied smoothly. "Miss Deep-Sea Sole."
"Pfft—"
Lora couldn't hold back her laughter.
The sound immediately drew both Kokomi's and Miko's attention.
"What's the matter?" they asked.
"Oh, nothing," Lora said, waving a hand while trying to suppress her grin.
"I just think your pen names are amusing. For example… Deep-Sea Snakefish."
The priestess corrected her calmly.
"Miss Lora, it's Deep-Sea Sole, not snakefish."
"Sorry, sorry…" Lora quickly composed herself so she didn't look quite so amused.
Then she asked,
"So are you two here to discuss the future political situation between Inazuma and Watatsumi Island?"
"We're simply here for a 'novel appreciation meeting,'" Kokomi replied.
Lora snorted softly.
"You're trying to fool me? That kind of line might trick others, but I've lived for thousands of years. Do you really think I can't tell what you're actually planning?"
She waved dismissively.
"Relax, I'm not stopping you. Go ahead and talk. I'll wander around on my own."
"Take care." they said.
After watching her leave, Kokomi sighed lightly.
"Miss Lora really does live freely."
"Yes," Miko agreed. "Though she can be a bit… troublesome."
She glanced behind the priestess.
"Hm? Wasn't your Watatsumi general here just now? Where did he go?"
Kokomi turned around as well.
"Huh? Where's Gorou?"
Meanwhile, Lora was strolling down the street when she noticed the tip of a brown-gold tail sticking out from behind a corner.
Curious, she walked over.
Sure enough, Gorou was hiding there, his tail trembling nervously.
"Uh…" Lora looked at him. "Excuse me—are you the Watatsumi general, Gorou?"
"Ah!!"
He jumped in shock. When he realized who it was, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh… Miss Lora. Sorry, I got nervous…"
"Because of… Miko?" she guessed immediately.
Gorou nodded miserably.
"That woman is too dangerous! I'm terrible at dealing with her…"
"Ohhh." Lora suddenly understood. "You mean Miss Hina, right?"
"Please don't say those two words!!" Gorou panicked instantly.
"Sorry," she said, a little surprised by the reaction.
Then she added thoughtfully,
"Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Think about it—whether Miss Hina actually exists or not, you've helped a lot of people in Inazuma answer their doubts and ease their worries, haven't you?"