Lumine let out a small sigh of relief, half exasperated.
"You've never signed the Covenant of the Seven?"
"The Covenant of the Seven?"
Ei paused briefly, then shook her head.
"That's something only Makoto ever signed."
Lumine blinked, startled.
"Wait, seriously? But you were also the Electro Archon! How could you not have taken part in that contract?"
Ei's voice was soft but steady.
"Though my years stretch as far back as my sister's, I only succeeded her as the Raiden Shogun five hundred years ago. At that time, the Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah had just erupted. Morax was gravely wounded, and I went into seclusion. How could there have been any time for a covenant?"
Lumine pursed her lips.
"Alright, fair point… but you should know, if you use divine power inside Liyue's borders, that old rock-head Zhongli will sense it immediately."
She sighed dramatically.
"He's such a stickler for the rules. Once, Venti used a little divine power just to speed up travel, and Zhongli caught him the same day and sentenced him to a 'Planet Befall.'"
Lumine smirked.
"Trust me, you don't want to get beaten up by Zhongli in front of Kujou Sara."
Sara froze, her expression awkward.
Being mentioned in a scenario like that didn't exactly make her feel comfortable.
Ei frowned slightly but replied in her usual calm tone:
"Understood."
At once, she restrained her divine aura, though her speed remained impressive.
In a flash, the group had already traversed a great distance.
Within the electro barrier, Yae Miko lounged lazily, reclining atop the arc of lightning as they sped across the skies.
After a while, she smiled slyly.
"It seems we'll be staying there for quite some time this trip. Last time was far too rushed, I barely got to see anything interesting."
Ei's heart stirred slightly, her tone softening.
"About Makoto's resurrection… once again, my thanks."
Miko blinked, her playful smile widening.
"You? Thanking someone? If Makoto heard that, she'd be shocked out of her wits!"
Ei huffed, glaring at her friend.
If it weren't for the fact that Miko was dear to her, Ei swore she'd have struck her with a blade on the spot.
"Makoto's account of her resurrection was vague," Ei said at last. "So… was it truly that simple to bring her back?"
Ayaka nodded earnestly.
"As long as enough people gather resources together, yes, it's actually very simple."
Ei inclined her head slightly, then turned her gaze toward Miko.
"And what of Kitsune Saiguu? Have you found any trace of her remaining soul?"
At that, Miko's expression dimmed. She shook her head, the faintest melancholy glimmering in her eyes.
"I went to the site where Lady Saiguu fell… there was nothing. But I refuse to believe she left behind nothing at all."
"Even Havria, who was slain by another Archon, left remnants of her spirit. That alone proves that the consciousness and soul of those blessed by the gods are extraordinarily resilient."
"So it's impossible that not even a fragment remains."
"My guess is that Lady Saiguu's consciousness, her soul, has drifted somewhere unknown."
"I've already sent shrine maidens to search for signs of her presence. For now, though, when we arrive on the other side, we'll repay the Resurrection Points we borrowed last time."
"Then we'll save up more resurrection points ourselves," Yae Miko said casually. "By the time we return to Inazuma next, maybe we'll have everything ready."
Ei nodded lightly. She wasn't too worried , after all, the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Kitsune Saiguu, was one of the most powerful beings blessed by the Thunder God.
Someone like her wouldn't just disappear completely.
As long as there was a trace , even a fragment of consciousness , she could be brought back.
Hadn't Makoto, her sister, been revived in just such a way?
"There are others, too…"
Ei reminded softly.
Miko sighed, waving a hand helplessly.
"Yes, yes , we're looking for them all. Don't worry!"
Ei didn't respond, letting silence settle between them.
Moments later, the shadow of Liyue Harbor appeared in the distance.
Ei picked up speed , with a flash of violet lightning, the group materialized at the edge of Liyue's newly expanded port.
The ground was paved entirely in cobblestone, fitted so tightly that it looked like a natural plateau.
No buildings stood here yet , construction had yet to begin.
There were few people about; it must have been lunchtime, as the workers had all gone to rest.
Ei turned slightly toward Lumine and asked quietly:
"Where to now?"
"Where to?"
Lumine rolled her eyes, exasperated.
"Nowhere. Just stand here! Someone's coming."
She huffed.
"You flew right over Liyue Harbor and landed without so much as a word of notice , of course the Qianyan Army is already on their way!"
Ei frowned slightly, about to reply , but then, a distant rumble echoed from beyond the docks.
At first, it sounded like thunder…
But as it grew closer, the truth became clear , it was the pounding of countless hooves.
Dust clouds rose on the horizon like storm clouds rolling in.
"Lady Ei!"
Kujou Sara instinctively stepped in front of her Archon, bow drawn tight.
"Relax!"
Lumine grinned and waved her hand dismissively.
"This is the standard procedure. Watch me handle it!"
Before anyone could respond, a floating stone island descended from the clouds ,
an artificial platform suspended by intricate geo machinery.
Beneath it hung massive instruments of unfamiliar design, and even Ei could feel the lethal energy radiating from them.
From the peculiar structures along the port came the sound of heavy boots ,
and soon, dozens of gun barrels peeked out from the shadows, all aimed directly at them.
Within moments, the Qianyan Army had arrived ,
barely a minute after Ei and her companions had landed.
Even Sara couldn't help but be impressed by their precision and discipline.
A firm voice rang out over the harbor:
"Unauthorized aerial entry into the Liyue Port zone is strictly forbidden!"
The sound of discipline and authority rolled across the plaza ,
and the storm that Ei carried within her heart met the steadfast stone of Liyue.