After hearing Qiu Nian's explanation, Yae Miko's expression became somewhat strange.
"So, why are you asking me this?" Qiu Nian looked at her and asked.
"Sigh…" Yae Miko turned around and let out a soft sigh. "It's all because of that old friend of mine. Ever since the previous Electro Archon, Baal, passed away, Ei has completely changed."
She looked toward Inazuma City, her expression complicated.
"Hmm… Baal… the previous Electro Archon. She should have fallen during that calamity five hundred years ago, right?" Qiu Nian rested his chin on his hand, as if recalling something.
"Ei has walked from the past to the present, personally witnessing the countless prices Inazuma has paid over the centuries just to move forward. The happiest days of her life are already gone. Former friends have become enemies. In the end, she even lost the reason for wielding her blade."
Yae Miko turned to face Qiu Nian and spoke with a slight wave of her hand.
Qiu Nian remained silent, still holding his chin as he listened.
"As long as one moves forward, something will be lost. Ei believes this is an iron law that acts upon the entire world through time itself. The most prosperous human nation, Khaenri'ah, collapsed overnight. Even Liyue, the oldest and longest-standing nation, has bid farewell to its Geo Archon. The wind of separation blows from the far end of time."
Yae Miko raised her head to look at the starry sky, lifting one hand as she slowly spoke.
"The Raiden Shogun's name still resounds, but in hundreds, thousands of years… one day, Inazuma will lose the protection of its god. As a warrior, she is wary of all enemies. Even if the enemy is a threat as intangible as time, she seeks to find a weapon to counter it before that day arrives."
She lowered her hand and turned back to Qiu Nian.
"Her answer is 'Eternity.' Only 'Eternity' can make all things come to a halt and allow Inazuma to exist forever. So while everything is still beautiful, let it remain frozen… and move toward eternity."
"You really do understand Beelzebul," Qiu Nian said. "In other words, she believes that moving forward inevitably leads to loss. Combined with her own experiences and the fall of Khaenri'ah, this only strengthened her belief in so-called eternity."
"Yes… I do understand her very well…" Yae Miko sighed and shook her head. "But can this so-called eternity really make Inazuma better?"
"Inazuma's resources are already scarce. The Sakoku Decree cuts off foreign trade, eliminating the import of food. The Tenryou Commission is extremely strict with ships, so even fishing has been affected. On top of that, the Vision Hunt Decree has caused Vision holders to gather in resistance, leading to the formation of the resistance army. If Ei were not a god, Inazuma might have already fallen into chaos—far worse than it is now."
"Hmm…" Qiu Nian fell into thought.
Back then, the Yashiro Commission, namely Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka, had repeatedly opposed the Vision Hunt Decree, but were overruled by the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions. Those two had even secretly colluded with the Fatui to distribute Delusions.
Yae Miko was right. Even with a god present, Inazuma had still given rise to a resistance army. Without Raiden Ei, the situation would likely be even more unstable.
Though… there were flaws in her reasoning. Without a god, the Vision Hunt Decree wouldn't even exist in the first place.
But thinking of the other two commissions, Qiu Nian simply shook his head.
"So, as one of Raiden Ei's familiars, you also oppose her eternity?" Qiu Nian asked.
"Yes…" Yae Miko placed a hand on her hip. "Humans are fascinating. Their lives are short, yet they can shine with brilliance like daylight. Some of them leave behind a light that does not fade even across the long river of time. Perhaps… that is true eternity."
"My old friend has buried herself within the Plane of Euthymia. In my view, what needs saving is not just Inazuma, but her as well."
"Trying to overturn a god's will in order to save Ei and Inazuma…" Yae Miko turned to Qiu Nian and gave a bitter smile. "Doesn't it sound a little ridiculous? Even now, I have no clue where to begin."
In the face of absolute power, all schemes seemed pale and powerless.
She had hoped that this ancient god, who once rivaled Morax during the Archon War, might be capable of opposing Ei. But unexpectedly, even Orobashi, whom Ei had slain, was stronger than him. Not to mention he claimed to be severely injured.
"A single person's will may not be enough to change Raiden Ei's resolve," Qiu Nian said with a faint smile. "But what if it were ten people? A thousand? Ten thousand… or even more?"
"To escape erosion, Raiden Ei placed her consciousness within her blade, sealing herself in the Plane of Euthymia. The outside world is handled by a puppet that pursues eternity without hesitation, while the Plane of Euthymia only allows the existence of the self."
"But to change her will, one must enter that space. No matter how strong people's wishes are, they cannot bring them into the Plane of Euthymia."
Yae Miko shook her head.
"Perhaps… such a person truly exists," Qiu Nian said with a faint smile.
"You mean…" Yae Miko froze slightly, then seemed to realize something, turning her gaze toward Ritou.
"The one who crossed the heavens and traversed the sea of stars," Qiu Nian said, looking up at the brilliant sky. "In Mondstadt and Liyue, they have already left behind extraordinary legends."
"The one who crossed the heavens and the stars…" Yae Miko smiled. "I'm starting to look forward to it."
"What food in Inazuma City is worth trying?" Qiu Nian suddenly asked.
Yae Miko's lips twitched slightly.
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?