Lumine commented, "The journey matters. The protagonist's resolve is quite admirable."
Paimon nodded. "That's true. Someone who sees their wish through to the end—that should resonate with Ei, right?"
[Ei: One who upholds their will? Indeed, such a person would resonate with me. However, it seems every Vision holder possesses similar traits.]
[Lumine: So the protagonist of the story is Ei's enemy?]
[Ei: Not exactly an enemy, but certainly an uncertain factor for eternity.]
Finally, they had finished browsing. Time to find a way to explain the stories to Ei.
Noticing Lumine approach, Ei asked, "From your expression, you must have found some good stories."
Lumine chose to tell Ei the story of Reincarnated as the Raiden Shogun, Then Became Invincible.
[Yae Miko: An excellent choice. If it were me, I would have picked this one too.]
[Furina: I'm still more interested in that story about seven girls and one boy.]
[Ganyu: I... I am too...]
[Arataki Itto: Hahaha! I prefer that number one story, because I'm number one myself!]
[Paimon: Can you beat a Harbinger?]
[Arataki Itto: A Harbinger? That'd be easy!]
Paimon was startled. "Hey! Weren't we supposed to not tell her this one?"
"It's fine. Quite interesting, actually. I never imagined that in the eyes of ordinary people, the Shogun appears this way." Ei wasn't angry.
"The Musou no Hitotachi wouldn't be used casually like in the book, nor would it be used to vent emotions. The reason for drawing the blade determines the pattern and limitations of martial skill."
"The differences are so vast that I don't feel offended at all. Rather, I find this imagination quite precious. But I recall that all Yae Publishing House novels go through that one's review process, don't they?"
"That means the content of this book was probably tacitly approved by Miko. No, perhaps it was even her idea."
[Yae Miko: Correct. This book was my idea. Without my encouragement, who in Inazuma would dare use the Raiden Shogun's name?]
[Paimon: She just admitted it outright!]
[Yae Miko: What? Is this something that needs hiding?]
[Lumine: You two really are close.]
[Ei: Miko was practically raised by me. She was quite mischievous as a child.]
[Furina: Mother and daughter?]
[Yae Miko: Just friends with a significant age gap.]
Paimon asked, "So, Ei, what are your thoughts on Yae Publishing House's light novels? Do the stories we picked suit your taste?"
After a moment of contemplation, Ei said, "More than the specific content, what I perceive from these stories is the marks time has left on Inazuma."
"When I decided to dwell deep in the Plane of Euthymia, there was no Yae Publishing House yet, nor did stories like these exist."
"The Shogun, following my will, did her utmost to build a nation of eternity. This nation should have experienced no change whatsoever. But now, both the food and the stories have become quite different."
Lumine observed, "People naturally pursue change. Complete stasis is impossible."
[Yae Miko: Indeed. People are not puppets. How could they remain unchanged forever?]
Ei reacted strongly. "I disagree with your view. If we were still in the Plane of Euthymia, I would definitely answer like that. But now, the facts are right before my eyes. I cannot refute the present reality."
Paimon squinted and smiled. "That's exactly why we invited you out—to give you new thoughts."
"Even if things are different from your memories, everyone loves their current lives. That love can't be wrong, can it?"
Ei nodded. "Mm, as you say, I am cautious about all change. But in pursuing eternity, I never intended to stop humanity from becoming better. No—thank you for the invitation. This outing has been quite fruitful."
Lumine replied, "You're welcome. It was just an outing; We're friends, after all."