At Wangshu Inn, on stage, Li Mo spoke in a calm tone, uttering a name that stunned everyone.
Orobashi.
One of the most powerful gods in ancient Inazuma, and one of the few to survive the Archon War. But later, in a strange invasion, Orobashi was slain by the Raiden Shogun's blade.
In people's hearts, Orobashi was an extremely complex figure. To the people of Inazuma, he was a complete invader, a villain. But to the people of Watatsumi Island, Orobashi was a hero who had saved them, their guardian deity.
Now, below the stage, the audience was equally astonished—even shocked.
If in his previous life he had been reincarnated as Durin, who was eventually slain by Barbatos and Dvalin, with Rhinedottir as the root cause, then this time, the Raiden Shogun's slaying of Orobashi was purely a struggle for power, a result of brutal war.
Brother and sister, once closest, are forced to fight for the throne of Inazuma.
Damn storyteller. Didn't your heart ache?
The audience began to murmur.
"If I remember correctly, the one who slew Orobashi was the second Raiden Shogun, Lady Ei."
"She personally killed her own brother's reincarnation."
"Storyteller, be careful. Ei is still here. Don't fabricate things too outrageously, or you might get cut."
"Even the storyteller might not survive the Musou no Hitotachi."
"Our storyteller is too reckless. We won't be able to protect him."
"What a pity Rex Lapis isn't here. He could have kept the storyteller safe."
...
The audience glanced at the storyteller on stage, then at the three Electro sisters in the corner, filled with worry.
They had heard that the Raiden Shogun's blade was extremely sharp, and no one had ever survived its terrifying strike. If the Raiden Shogun grew angry now, not even the Liyue Qixing or the adepti could guarantee the storyteller's safety.
Their only hope was Barbatos, one of the Seven. But Barbatos's power was unknown. In a three-on-one situation, no one believed Barbatos could stop all three Raiden sisters.
Now, in the corner of the inn, when Ei heard the name Orobashi, her mouth fell open in shock.
How could this be? Orobashi, the great serpent she had slain with her Musou no Hitotachi, was also her brother's reincarnation?
She did not want to believe it. She drew another blade, Engulfing Lightning, and was about to confront the storyteller to demand an explanation.
Not only Ei, but the Raiden Shogun and Makoto were also stunned by the name Orobashi. They could hardly believe it. The god who had invaded Yashiori Island was their brother?
Just as Ei was about to take the stage and use her blade to get answers, Barbatos quickly stopped her.
"Before we know the full story, it's better to listen to what happened in the sixth life."
Ei said coldly, "Do you think you can stop me?"
As the Raiden Shogun, she was not afraid of Barbatos.
Zhongli said calmly, "What about me? If you want to listen, sit down. If not, leave. If you cause trouble in Liyue, you will be an enemy of all Liyue, an enemy of Morax."
He spoke the harshest words in the calmest tone.
Ei was still defiant. She looked at the Raiden Shogun and Makoto. The three sisters together would not fear Morax—especially an old, retired Morax.
But when she looked at her sisters, neither the Raiden Shogun nor Makoto rose to stand with her. Instead, they advised her calmly.
"Ei, let's hear the story of this life first before making a decision."
"Yes. If we want to find Brother Li Mo's final reincarnation, we can only rely on this storyteller. So we can't harm him yet."
Hearing this, Ei hesitated, then sat down. "Morax, for the sake of the Shogun and my sister, I'll let this slide. If you stop me again, I'll make you taste lightning."
Though annoyed, the Raiden Shogun sat down as well.
Watching this, Yae Miko could not help but laugh.
Ei glared at her. "Miko, what are you laughing at?"
Yae Miko smiled. "Nothing. I just thought of a funny joke."
Ei: "Hmph."
...
Meanwhile, on stage, Li Mo held his teacup, glancing at the corner from the corner of his eye. He saw Ei, annoyed and helpless, and Yae Miko, secretly laughing and writing. He wondered what light novel material she had discovered this time.
In another corner, he saw Hu Tao, lively and constantly promoting her business, and Shenhe, usually so indifferent, now looking at him with tender eyes. She had completely lost her ethereal adeptus demeanor.
Li Mo sighed helplessly. He hoped this wouldn't affect his storytelling mission.
He shook his head, setting aside his worries, and began to tell the story of his sixth life—the story of Orobashi.
As he spoke, the Electro energy above the inn coalesced into shifting images.
In the images, the Archon War in Inazuma was nearing its end. The powerful sisters, Makoto and Ei, had won the war with overwhelming force, claiming the throne of the Electro Archon.
Countless gods had been slain. The few survivors either chose to live under the Raiden Shogun's rule or fled to the dark sea beyond.
Orobashi refused to submit. He challenged Ei to a final battle on the coast of Yashiori Island.
The battle was fierce. At the peak of his power, Orobashi held his own against the mighty Ei for an entire day and night without falling.
Until that strike appeared.
The Musou no Hitotachi had barely been raised, not yet swung, when Orobashi sensed the danger. He knew that even his immense body could not withstand that terrifying blow.
So before the blade fell, Orobashi plunged into the sea behind him without hesitation, shouting defiantly:
"Ei, I haven't lost yet—"
"One day, I will return!"