"So, you're aware of my father's temperament," Chisato said, her brows slightly furrowed as she looked at the two attendants with a hint of doubt. "If anything were to happen to me, I don't think I need to explain the punishment you'd face."
"Are you truly one hundred percent confident… that you can protect me?"
"Miss Chisato is really going all out," Paimon whispered in amazement. "Her aura completely changed…"
"Very well, Miss… it is, it is our honor to accompany you," Shinnojou hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I will protect you with my life."
"W-what, Shinnojou?! You're really agreeing to this?!" the other attendant exclaimed in disbelief.
"…Since it is the young lady's will, then as her subordinate, I should do my utmost," Shinnojou replied firmly.
[ It's just pure admiration, isn't it? ]
[ If that's true, that's kind of sad… ]
[ Shinnojou instantly became the losing side ]
"Alright, alright, let's set off quickly," Chisato urged. "If we keep dawdling like this, are we just giving bandits the chance to strike?"
She was clearly worried the other attendant might say something more.
"…Sigh, fine," the attendant relented with a helpless sigh.
And so, Lumine and Paimon began escorting the shipment.
Along the way, they encountered monsters and wandering samurai blocking the path.
Most of them were swiftly cut down by Lumine's blade.
Each time she fought, Chisato and the others were left in shock.
"She really is a master," Shinnojou said with genuine admiration.
After reaching their destination, Chisato finally revealed her true purpose to the two attendants.
She explained that she wanted the letter delivered to her beloved, which was why she had entrusted Lumine and Paimon.
Upon hearing this, Shinnojou lowered his head, looking completely shaken. In the end, he even started crying.
"Stop crying and keep moving the cargo. What are you standing there for?" the other attendant said, patting his arm before turning to carry the next batch.
"That's just too tragic…" Xuehua muttered, unsure what to say.
[ I can't even laugh, it's too sad (facepalm) ]
[ Who isn't Shinnojou in life… sigh ]
[ +1 sympathy ]
[ Finally made it to Narukami Island ]
After completing "Immovable God, Eternal Euthymia III," Xuehua's screen unlocked a new feature.
It showed an icon of a fox and a tree.
Below it were four words: Sacred Sakura's Favor.
Offer Electro Sigils to the Sacred Sakura at the Grand Narukami Shrine to receive its blessing.
Lumine and Paimon had finally arrived at the long-awaited Narukami Island.
As the breeze brushed against them, carrying the faint fragrance of flowers and grass, both of them took a deep breath.
"Alright, we've finally made it to Narukami Island. Time to find that guy Thoma," Paimon said, hands on her hips, full of energy as she gazed at the moonlit scenery. "If I remember right… yeah! Komore Teahouse!"
"I wonder where Qiuqian went," Lumine said casually. "He's probably already arrived on Narukami Island by now."
"Probably…" Paimon shrugged. "But he's a god, after all. Even if he's seriously injured, there's probably nothing that could threaten him."
She would never forget the scenes of Qiuqian defeating the fragment of Azhdaha, or fighting that obscuring demon god.
The sheer impact of that power was overwhelming.
The only ones who could possibly rival that kind of strength were probably Liyue's adepti.
"I'm crying, Paimon is finally being smart for once," Xuehua said, oddly touched.
[ The only one who could threaten Qiuqian is probably the Raiden Shogun ]
[ Even if he says he's weakened, unless it's a god, no one should be able to threaten him ]
[ You're wrong—even gods can't threaten him (panda suppressing laughter) ]
[ That's a bit too much hype, don't you think? ]
[ Don't hype him—it's all stuff he said himself ]
[ Right now, people are rating him as above adepti but below gods ]
[ That seems a bit too weak ]
[ Hard to say, Qiuqian is too mysterious ]
Because of Qiuqian's overwhelming popularity, countless content creators were analyzing his current strength.
Some claimed he was strong, others said he was weak. Some believed he was pretending, others thought he wasn't.
Everyone had their own arguments.
But most people leaned toward the idea that he was holding back.
After all, his battles against Azhdaha and the obscuring demon god were among the most impactful displays, second only to Osial.
Ahead of Lumine, a shrine maiden wearing a red-and-white outfit and a fox mask stood near a stone fox statue, an exclamation mark floating above her head.
Seeing this, Xuehua chose to walk past.
She didn't want to accidentally get dragged into some random world quest while doing the main storyline.
Afterward, she changed the time to daytime and began admiring Inazuma's scenery.
A calm, soothing BGM began to play.
Along the dirt path, foxes could be seen resting in the grass.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, carp streamers fluttered in the wind.
Mist drifted through the forests, and trees swayed gently.
From the houses along the road came the sounds of children playing.
People dressed in Inazuman clothing went about their daily lives.
Waterwheels turned in the streams, and dogs chased each other playfully.
Seeing this scene, and hearing the music through her headset, Xuehua froze for a moment.
The scenery was simply too beautiful…
Meanwhile, in the real world, it was still night.
Qiuqian and Yae Miko walked along the path toward the Grand Narukami Shrine.
On the quiet, deserted road, fireflies glowed in the grass, cicadas chirped softly, and the starry sky stretched endlessly above.
It all made Qiuqian feel relaxed and at ease.
"…It's been a long time since I've felt like this," Yae Miko said softly, looking up at the sky with a hint of nostalgia.
When was the last time she had experienced something like this?
Lost in thought, she fell into her memories.
Qiuqian glanced at her but didn't interrupt.
Instead, he simply smiled faintly and continued walking beside her.
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