Ei stated, "Sweets can be skipped, but homework cannot be neglected. Only a strict teacher can produce an exceptional student."
Lucian sighed but still cut a few pieces of cake to share with Ei. He had intended to share anyway, as cakes taste better when enjoyed together.
After dividing the cake, they began discussing the story. At the start, the familiar Traveler and Katheryne appeared.
[Katheryne: "Recently, the Adventurers' Guild received a special commission. After careful consideration, we believe…"]
[Paimon, interrupting: "'This Traveler is the most suitable choice,' right?"]
It seems not only the readers but also Paimon had grown accustomed to Katheryne's appearances, memorizing her lines.
[Katheryne: "Hehe, indeed, it's always like this, isn't it?"]
Readers also felt that the Traveler was truly a workhorse. In Arataki Itto's story, Seirai Island's story, and Yae Miko's story, the opening always seemed to be the same.
The lines barely changed, always "the most suitable choice." Does the Adventurers' Guild really have any other options?
But thinking about it, Inazuma, under the influence of the Sakoku Decree, did have fewer adventurers compared to other nations.
The Traveler, undeniably a top-tier adventurer, was indeed the most suitable choice overall.
Katheryne explained the details of the commission. This time, the request came from the Yashiro Commission, specifically the Kamisato Clan, making it an official task.
The mission involved Rifthounds attacking the roots of the Sacred Sakura.
Readers suddenly realized that the attack on the Sacred Sakura's roots mentioned in Yae Miko's story was referring to this event.
Inazumans, in particular, reacted strongly. They already harbored no goodwill toward Rifthounds, and now these creatures were attacking the Sacred Sakura, which maintained Inazuma's stability!?
Drive them out! Leave none behind!
If the Sacred Sakura were damaged, Inazuma would face another catastrophe!
Fortunately, after reading Yae Miko's story, everyone felt reassured by the "guaranteed safety" it provided.
No matter what, things wouldn't get worse, and the Traveler likely completed this commission successfully.
But even knowing the future, Ei felt a surge of agitation just reading this part, with memories of the past flooding her mind.
Now, Ei wished she could fly straight to the Rifthounds, chop them down, slice them apart, and shred them to pieces!!
Indeed, it was that powerless feeling of not being able to intervene!
There was no helping it—this was a future event. The Rifthounds hadn't yet grown bold enough to gnaw on the Sacred Sakura's roots on Narukami Island; most were still on Tsurumi Island.
Still, Ei declared, "We can issue a notice now. If any trace of Rifthounds is found on Narukami Island, don't bother informing the Traveler—come straight to me!"
Rifthounds? Let me test my blade on them!
Though Ei's expression remained calm, Lucian was in her Oneiric Euthymia, where her thoughts couldn't be hidden.
The gradually darkening sky, accompanied by the sound of thunder, revealed just how unsettled her heart was.
"You really can't hide your feelings," Yae Miko said with a smile.
She had just entered and immediately noticed the changes in the Oneiric Euthymia. It was obvious it was because of the book.
Feeling Ei's emotional shifts in the Oneiric Euthymia was quite amusing. Even with her calm expression, her thoughts were clear as day.
The little fox found it very entertaining. If she hadn't tucked her tail away, it would already be wagging.
Speaking of tails, Kitsune Saiguu had also arrived, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she went straight to Lucian's side and took a piece of cake.
With Yae Miko as the current shrine maiden, she could slack off, so naturally, Kitsune Saiguu could do so even more.
"…Stop teasing me," Ei sighed.
Back in Fontaine, she hadn't been able to control her emotions either. Was her mental state getting worse?
No, it didn't feel like her mental state was declining—it must be Lucian's fault, right?
Miko smiled without responding. She wasn't genuinely trying to tease Ei.
And if Rifthounds really were attacking the Sacred Sakura, her agitation would be no less than Ei's.
No Inazuman would want to see that dark beastly tide, especially not Kitsune Saiguu, who had only just returned.
If Kitsune Saiguu had returned and the dark beastly tide followed, that would feel a bit like hell.
Yae Miko would never allow such a thing to happen. If she spotted Rifthounds, she'd unleash her "Spinning Top," "Little Motorbike," "Little Camel," and "Thunderous Wabi-Sabi" in a seamless combo.
Both the little fox and the big fox cherished the Sacred Sakura dearly—it was the foxes who had nurtured the tree.
The reason they didn't participate in the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual wasn't because they didn't care but because they trusted the Traveler.
Just like Katheryne's trust in the Traveler in the story, once the task was given to the Traveler, the Adventurers' Guild didn't send any other adventurers.
No need for words—it all boiled down to one word: trust!
In the story, the deeply trusted Traveler arrived at the location where the monsters were reported to appear.
[Paimon sighed: "I didn't expect it to be about the Sacred Sakura again."]
[Then, somewhat angrily, she said: "Hanachirusato always wanted to protect the Sacred Sakura, and these disobedient little doggies dare to try to destroy it? Unforgivable!"]
Exactly! Unforgivable! Readers felt they had never supported Paimon more.
After reading the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual and Kitsune Saiguu's story, even non-Inazumans couldn't tolerate the Rifthounds' destruction of the Sacred Sakura.
There were many Rifthounds attacking the Sacred Sakura's roots here. Fortunately, it was the Traveler handling the issue.
If it had been those two green-clad humans from before, they'd have been done for.
Even with the Traveler's strength, facing an increasing number of Rifthounds was proving troublesome.
At that moment, an illustration appeared before the readers' eyes—it was the Raiden Shogun drawing her blade.
[Raiden Shogun?: "Illusion shattered!!"]
With a single swing, purple lightning flashed, and the Rifthounds surrounding the Traveler were instantly reduced to dust, while the Traveler remained unscathed—a strike showcasing exquisite control over her technique.
Unlike before, this time Narukami drew her blade to aid the Traveler. The sense of oppression was gone, replaced by an overwhelming sense of security.
In the illustration, Ei sheathed her blade and asked if the Traveler was injured, making readers want to throw themselves into her arms.
Ahem, no joking around—Ei's appearance here was because she sensed the presence of the Rifthounds.
This matter was clearly significant enough to warrant Ei's attention. She had chased the monsters all the way here and conveniently helped the Traveler.
It was fortunate that Ei was no longer so reclusive and now observed changes outside the Oneiric Euthymia from within it.
If it had been the Shogun who noticed the anomaly instead of Ei, the Shogun truly wouldn't have bothered with this matter. She would have left such minor issues entirely to the Commissions and adventurers.
Just some doggies—what's the big deal?
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Raiden Shogun: About Rifthounds
"A pack of little dogs—how could they affect Eternity?"