Chapter 132. Trial
To be honest, Scaramouche's resolve surprised Yae Miko and Futsu Mitama; they hadn't expected him to make such a decision.
But his proposal was indeed very appealing.
"You're going to 'sell' yourself?"
Yae Miko narrowed her eyes. She wouldn't say anything foolish like Scaramouche was created by Raiden Ei and should naturally serve Inazuma.
When Raiden Ei sealed Scaramouche back then, in a sense, it was an expression of her "abandonment."
But now Scaramouche's own value was not low. He should be aware of this.
If Yae Miko were Scaramouche, knowing her own value, she would definitely try to negotiate.
Although doing so might very likely result in being struck down by Raiden Ei's blade.
But as the saying goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained!
If he won, he would gain maximum benefit!
If he lost, it would be as if nothing had happened.
However, Scaramouche's act of going all-in did make Yae Miko look at him with new eyes.
Because Scaramouche was now the strongest being second only to the Archons. He contained "divine power" within him.
If he wished, he could challenge Archon-level combatants for a short period. If by some coincidence and some stroke of luck, he might even be able to kill them.
On the continent of Teyvat, beings with such combat power were valued wherever they went.
And yet, he "sold" himself cheaply, with the sole purpose of completely killing Dottore.
In a sense, this was quite a profitable deal.
Yae Miko, being part of the Chat Group, knew very well how hated Dottore was.
There were quite a few in the group who were hostile towards him.
For example, Nahida, Futsu Mitama, Aila, Sangonomiya Kokomi, etc.
If it weren't for an ancient contract, Raiden Ei would have wanted to eliminate Dottore's main body right now.
If Dottore's main body, or the leftover of his segments, were to gather, Futsu Mitama would personally go and deal with him even without Scaramouche's prompting.
"You're not kidding?"
Futsu Mitama also hadn't expected the always arrogant Scaramouche to make such a decision.
At the same time, Futsu Mitama suddenly realized something: Scaramouche's ability to make such a move meant that his "friend" held a significant place in his heart.
No wonder Nahida had said that with this memory, Scaramouche was very likely to betray the Fatui Harbingers.
It seemed Nahida had already foreseen this at the time.
'Now things are getting more and more interesting.'
Futsu Mitama could no longer clearly see the future plot development. He had transmigrated too early, and he already knew most of the plot developments he needed to know.
So now, when he saw "unknown events" happening, Futsu Mitama was actually quite happy. This meant that he would witness more similar events in the future.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Scaramouche looked at Yae Miko and Futsu Mitama's surprised expressions. He felt no regret in his heart; instead, his tone was grim as he said,
"I will kill Dottore to avenge Niwa! He dared to toy with my fate, and he dared to let Niwa bear such infamy. Only his death can extinguish the rage in my heart!"
It was clear that to kill Dottore, Scaramouche had decided to stop at nothing.
Future? What future did he have to speak of!
His future was to kill Dottore! For this, Scaramouche wouldn't consider any benefits or disadvantages.
Or rather, he wasn't someone who particularly considered benefits.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily deceived and tricked by Dottore.
"If that is the case, I can spare your life."
Raiden Ei saw Scaramouche's actions of sacrificing everything to kill Dottore, and she approved of it.
This made Scaramouche breathe a sigh of relief. Regardless, being able to live temporarily was a good thing.
As long as he lived, the possibility of avenging himself against Dottore in the future would greatly increase!
"But!"
Raiden Ei's tone shifted. She stared at Scaramouche seriously and said,
"The death penalty can be waived, but punishment for your crimes cannot be avoided. Regarding everything you have done, I will have Kujou Sara publicly put you on trial."
"Your crimes will be made public, and I will personally oversee your atonement."
"Furthermore, today I will modify your body to prevent you from doing anything that would harm Inazuma."
"In the future, after Dottore's death, I will reconsider whether to personally kill you, based on your atonement."
This was Raiden Ei's judgment and answer. She was willing to give Scaramouche a chance for revenge.
However, this did not mean he could not atone. Even if he sold himself to Inazuma, Raiden Ei would not be completely at ease; she would only make him atone for the events of that year.
Because rather than mere words, Raiden Ei wanted to see Scaramouche's actual actions more.
At the same time, Raiden Ei also knew Scaramouche's current strength. If he were to cause trouble in Inazuma, then besides herself and Raiden Shogun, probably no one could stop him promptly, so necessary restrictions were certainly in order.
"Good!"
Scaramouche agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Similarly, Scaramouche looked at Raiden Ei seriously and said,
"I can atone, but Niwa's death must also be made public! Perhaps no one cares about this matter, and even Niwa's family have probably forgotten about it, but I must seek justice for him."
Raiden Ei nodded silently. She naturally would not refuse this matter.
Seeing Beelzebub agree, Scaramouche's face showed a relieved smile. He didn't say much, merely closed his eyes.
Subsequently, Raiden Ei also nodded slightly towards Yae Miko and Futsu Mitama, then grabbed Scaramouche with one hand and walked towards the depths of the Tenshukaku.
The entire Tenshukaku was Raiden Ei's residence, and it also contained a large number of items that only Raiden Ei could use.
Since she said she would modify Scaramouche, Raiden Ei would naturally personally undertake the modification.
After Raiden Ei and Scaramouche left, Yae Miko and Futsu Mitama exchanged glances and began to converse.
"To be honest, I didn't expect it to be so easy." Yae Miko spoke first, her voice tinged with emotion: "I never thought that the former scourge—would now voluntarily return to Inazuma and even willingly place restrictions on himself. This is truly a great thing."
Indeed, Yae Miko hadn't expected things to go so smoothly and easily. The memory glimpsed by Nahida, the Lesser Lord Kusanali, had truly helped Inazuma a great deal.
It was also worth Futsu Mitama personally making a trip to Sumeru to help her solve so many problems.
A combatant second only to an Archon returning to Inazuma, and the other party was even willing to accept so many restrictions and atone for his sins.
This was truly a great boon for Inazuma.
One should know that Inazuma was currently suffering from a severe lack of talent. Having one more such being return was a huge advantage.
Furthermore, if the other party was truly willing to work, it would be fantastic, and Yae Miko herself could save a lot of effort.
As the Miko of the Grand Narukami Shrine and a primary decision-maker in Inazuma, Yae Miko seemed to have free time to chat in the Chat Group every day, but she actually had many, many tasks.
There were too few talents in Inazuma, and coupled with the major purge six months ago, many "capable" people were replaced.
Yae Miko, Kamisato Ayato, Kujou Sara, and Hiiragi Chisato were all exceptionally busy.
All along, Yae Miko had wanted Futsu Mitama to help, or to have Aila and Kuki Shinobu come over and do something.
But Futsu Mitama needed to improve his own strength, and Aila and Kuki Shinobu were in the same situation.
The only one who could provide help, Sangonomiya Kokomi, due to political factors, could only provide assistance in secret, not openly.
Now, with Scaramouche's involvement, at least the matters that needed to be resolved through force no longer required Yae Miko's worry.
So, Yae Miko was smiling very happily now, feeling that her future was very bright.
"He did it for his friend."
Futsu Mitama looked in the direction Raiden Ei had departed, and couldn't help but exclaim,
"I never expected such an arrogant being would be willing to abandon everything for the sake of his friend."
Yae Miko, however, showed no surprise.
"I find it quite normal. If one day, you discover that the very thing you resent was fabricated out of thin air by someone else and that person has been manipulating you, making a fool out of you, while the one who truly cared for you was murdered by him."
"I believe anyone would completely descend into madness."
Futsu Mitama pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. If it were him, he would probably be as mad as Scaramouche, wishing he could kill the other party.
But even so, seeing his former opponent and enemy become his [ally] because of this matter, it was still a very strange feeling.
"Hehehehe, in a sense, we still have Dottore to thank."
Yae Miko chuckled, but there was no amusement in her eyes.
Because of Dottore, Scaramouche returned to Inazuma, but the pain he and the Fatui brought to Inazuma was unimaginable for ordinary people.
Scaramouche's return alone could not make up for all of it. If Raiden Ei hadn't already cut off the Fatui's reach into Inazuma—
Then Yae Miko would probably be contemplating how to recover some interest from the Fatui.
Time passed by, minute by minute, and about half an hour went by.
Futsu Mitama and Yae Miko conversed, and soon, Raiden Ei returned to Tenshukaku with Scaramouche.
At this moment, the seal on Scaramouche's body had been lifted. He followed beside Raiden Ei with a very calm expression.
Judging by his demeanor—
The current Scaramouche didn't quite resemble a living [person]; instead, he was more like a puppet devoid of any emotion.
Clearly, within that half-hour, Raiden Ei and Scaramouche had another conversation. What they discussed was unknown, but it led to another change in Scaramouche's demeanor.
"Miko, I'm entrusting him to you."
Raiden Ei approached Yae Miko and handed Scaramouche over to her. She said calmly,
"The upcoming trial will be conducted by you and Sara."
"I have placed a new seal on his body. Under normal circumstances, his power cannot threaten you and Sara. And after the trial, most of his memories will be sealed. How he repays his sins from now on will also be entirely up to you."
Upon hearing these words, Yae Miko's expression instantly stiffened, because no matter how she heard it, all she understood was that—
Raiden Ei was pushing all the responsibilities onto her, and she was even going to seal Scaramouche's power and memories again??
"Why seal his memories??"
Yae Miko was somewhat confused by Raiden Ei's actions at this moment.
Futsu Mitama, on the other hand, was wondering why Raiden Ei said that under normal circumstances, Scaramouche's power couldn't threaten Miko and Sara.
Could it be that under specific circumstances, Scaramouche could reclaim all of his power?
"The reason is simple: he doesn't know how to atone for his past sins."
Raiden Ei glanced at Scaramouche and said calmly,
"Because these things happened too long ago."
"If he were to atone for his sins himself, it would probably waste a lot of time. So, if you, Miko, plan and execute it for him not only will efficiency be greatly improved, but he can also assist Inazuma in becoming even better."
"Furthermore, he himself said that his heart is now filled with murderous intent towards Dottore. In this state, he cannot properly atone for his past sins."
"So the best way is to seal most of his memories and turn him into a qualified tool."
Here, Raiden Ei directly treated Scaramouche as a tool, essentially telling Yae Miko that how to use this guy was entirely up to her.
After all, both Scaramouche's memories and power had been sealed by her.
With Yae Miko's strength and cunning, she would surely be able to manipulate Scaramouche, who had lost most of his memories, with ease.
"Oh my, oh my, this is truly~~"
Yae Miko feigned a headache as she glanced at Scaramouche. He was expressionless, as if he had already accepted his current situation.
"When will the trial begin?"
Futsu Mitama asked. He still needed to return to Sumeru later.
The "Irminsul Branch" materials that Raiden Ei, Zhongli, and Albedo were so eager for still needed to be obtained by him and Nahida.
If the trial wasn't urgent, then he planned to first help Nahida resolve the internal issues in Sumeru, and then enter the Irminsul.
This way, the matters in Sumeru would likely come to an end.
Raiden Ei said nothing, her gaze shifted to Yae Miko. All these matters were arranged by Miko.
Futsu Mitama noticed Raiden Ei's gaze, and he too looked at Yae Miko, asking when the trial would begin.
"Alas…" Yae Miko sighed, appearing extremely helpless. She then fell into thought and said, "The trial will be held in about three days."
"During this time, both the Tenryou Commission and I have things to be busy with. The only one who can spare time is that boy Kamisato Ayato."
"But he represents the Yashiro Commission, and the trial is not his to conduct. However, I can have him invite Kaedehara Kazuha to the trial site."
Speaking of Kaedehara Kazuha, a slight smile reappeared on Yae Miko's lips.
If she remembered correctly, he was a Niwa's lineage.
Scaramouche listened to these words, unmoved, like a true puppet.