" That's right! "
The leading general replied in a loud voice: " I know that the Almighty Shogun is all-powerful and willing to grant power to humans. It shows that the gods have deep expectations for us!
"
" Now that Her Excellency the Shogun is in trouble, it's time for us to fulfill our promise! "
Hearing the general's response.
Paimon suddenly understood.
So that's how the warriors of that time viewed the Vision.
Filled with hope, their will to resist never wavered.
At that moment, a soldier beside them said bitterly: " No one knows where Her Excellency the Shogun has gone. Everyone is in despair.
"
But in the next instant, his voice was filled with determination again:
" But now we've found you, and our wish is right here! "
" As long as you can reappear before everyone, hope will be rekindled in our hearts! "
" This hope is the light that guides us through the darkness! "
These words seemed to resonate with every warrior. Each one gripped the hilt of their katana even tighter.
And at that very moment.
The leading warrior general let out a sharp cry:
" Everyone, fight with me!! "
At the same time.
Paimon and Lumine stepped forward.
Paimon raised her longsword high, pointing it at the enemy, her gaze firm. " We can fight too!
"
The battle was about to begin.
The warriors charged at the Rifthounds first.
" Protect Her Excellency the Shogun!!! "
The leading general shouted at the top of his lungs.
The battle was fierce.
The warriors used every skill they had to fight the monsters.
Fortunately, with Lumine's help, the battle gradually became one-sided.
During this time, Ei wanted to draw her sword and help several times, but Lin Mo stopped her each time.
" This is the warriors' resolve. It's their determination to protect Inazuma, to protect you.
Leave it all to them. "
It was Lin Mo's words.
That made Ei, despite the worry in her eyes, still stand by and watch the battle unfold.
Finally, the battle neared its end.
Not a single warrior was injured.
They were now in a stance, ready to draw their swords, cautiously observing their surroundings.
After confirming there were no more monsters.
The leading general speculated: " Their attack seems to have finally stopped. "
" This is the first time I've fought such an intense battle! "
" But it's good. We repelled the monsters and protected Her Excellency the Shogun.
"
" We should also thank this female warrior. She's very skilled.
"
The soldiers talked among themselves, clearly celebrating their victory over the monsters.
" Everyone, thank you…"
At this moment, Ei stepped forward.
" Hey, are you okay? Do you need to rest for a while?
" Paimon asked with concern.
" It's fine. I'm already better.
" Ei shook her head.
Just then, the leading warrior walked up to Lumine and said respectfully: " This warrior's skills are remarkable. Truly impressive.
"
" Those monsters will definitely return. "
" When they do, it might not be as simple as Rifthounds. "
" You should escort Her Excellency the Shogun back to Inazuma City as soon as possible. The Tenryou Commission's army will be there to meet you.
"
Another warrior said excitedly: " When everyone sees Her Excellency the Shogun return, their morale will be greatly boosted! "
" Then… what about you? "
Paimon asked cautiously.
" We'll stay here to hold off the monsters. We can't let them advance any further.
"
The leading warrior general said with righteous conviction: " As long as we brothers work together, no matter how many monsters there are, we can handle them! "
Paimon and Lumine looked at each other.
Then, they turned back to look at Lin Mo and Ei.
Ei's expression was complicated, her heart aching.
Lin Mo, however, shook his head calmly, as if to say, " Don't dampen their spirits. "
Seeing everyone looking at each other.
The warriors stepped forward again, full of fighting spirit: " Leave it to us. Fighting is what we know best.
"
" But only Her Excellency the Shogun is special. "
" Only Her Excellency the Shogun can reverse this hopeless situation and lead us to the future. "
" No matter what threat Inazuma faces, we have every reason to believe in Her Excellency the Shogun! "
Seeing this scene.
Ei's heart was filled with both emotion and bitterness.
Emotion, because of the soldiers' unconditional trust, their determination to protect Inazuma even at the cost of their lives.
Bitterness, because this was a farewell that would never end.
Ei knew that back then, when she went to Khaenri'ah to find her sister, it caused great unease among many of Inazuma's soldiers and people.
She owed them a promise back then…
Since these loyal subjects were inevitably going to leave.
Ei gently placed her right hand over her heart, her gaze firm: " Thank you all very much. I promise you, I will give Inazuma a bright future.
"
" This promise is long overdue. "
" But at least, it starts now. "
" Rest assured, Your Excellency the Shogun. With your words, we will never give up!
"
The leading soldiers promised with determined eyes: " We will surely fight alongside you to reclaim everything Inazuma has lost! "
The moment the soldier finished speaking.
All the warriors, with one hand on the hilt of their swords at their waists, bowed slightly to Ei.
" The eternal path shines bright, Narukami is eternal! "
The leading general shouted first.
" The eternal path shines bright, Narukami is eternal!!! "
" The eternal path shines bright, Narukami is eternal!!! "
" The eternal path shines bright, Narukami is eternal!!! "
…
Amidst the deafening shouts.
The figures of the soldiers drifted away with the smoke…
It was clear to see that a deep sadness flickered in Ei's eyes.
For her, wasn't this another kind of "loss"?
" They… disappeared…"
Paimon was also very downcast.
Who wouldn't admire such loyal soldiers?
When such soldiers leave the world forever, anyone would feel a pang of sorrow in their heart.
" That promise just now…"
At this moment, Lin Mo asked curiously: " Was it for them, or… for yourself? "
" Both. "
Ei spoke softly, her gaze looking far into the distance outside the cave, sighing: " The sacrifices of the people once caused me immense pain, but I overlooked the way they burned everything, shining with a brilliant light. "
As she spoke.
Ei lowered her eyes.
" In the end… for these past few hundred years, I have betrayed their will…"
"'No matter what I say to them, it's meaningless. They are nothing more than a wandering memory in the ley lines.'"
" Even so, I must give them…"
" And to the people who still believe in me now, an explanation! "
…
Paimon nodded her little head, agreeing: " I think that having this kind of intention responded to after a few hundred years is a kind of reward in itself~"
" Thank you for your comfort. "
Ei turned back, giving a faint smile: " But this is what the god of Inazuma should have done. I have already done it too late.
"
" Just like that warrior said, I once thought that I only needed to bear what a warrior should bear. "
" But what Inazuma needs more is someone like my sister, Makoto. "
" Even though I am completely different from Makoto, and I can never become her, what I need to do should be the same as hers. "
" It's okay, isn't Makoto back now? "
Lin Mo smiled faintly: " Not just Makoto, I'm here too. Saiguu, Chiyo, everyone is here.
We will all protect Inazuma. "
" Tsubaki… it's good to have you…"
A flicker of emotion passed through Ei's eyes.
But Lin Mo sensed a hint of unease within that emotion.
Lin Mo couldn't help but frown and ask doubtfully: " You said earlier that these Rifthounds here are the last batch. "
" Does that mean this matter is initially resolved? "
Ei nodded, explaining: " It seems now that they shouldn't pose a greater threat. As for the follow-up matters, like investigating the cause of the incident and tending to the roots, we can leave them to the Tenryou Commission or the Yashiro Commission to handle.
"
" And your body? "
Lin Mo asked the most crucial question.
Before Ei could answer, she suddenly felt a sharp pain and couldn't help but gently hold her forehead.
" What's wrong? Is it hurting again?
"
Lin Mo anxiously supported Ei by the shoulder.
" My body… I can't move…"
Ei said with difficulty: " It seems… the situation is more serious than I thought. "
" What's the reason? Is there anything I can do to help?
" Lin Mo was very anxious, his voice full of unease.
" No…"
Ei shook her head: " It's 'her' calling me… Now is the best time to see her. "
" Her? Who is it?
" Paimon asked worriedly from the side.
Ei didn't answer Paimon.
Instead, she leaned on Lin Mo's shoulder and arm, saying with a bitter smile: " Can you support me for a while? I want to go to the cave beneath the Grand Narukami Shrine.
"
" Is there something in the cave that can ease your pain? "
Lumine also asked with concern.
Ei shook her head, her gaze firm: " There… is a battlefield where I can cut off the past and move towards the future. "
Lin Mo didn't ask further.
He knew what was in that cave.
There was a torii gate there, a place similar to the realm of the dead.
Lin Mo remembered very clearly.
Five hundred years ago, after he died as the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt, he didn't immediately go to the next world's invitation mission.
Instead, he was blown by a breeze to an island somewhere in the distant sea off Starsnatch Cliff, where he met an old friend.
She was the master of the Thousand Winds Temple.
She was the God of Time, and also the Tokoyo Ookami of Enkanomiya.
In the book *Before Sun and Moon*, obtainable from the Enkanomiya quest, it is mentioned:
" The only one who did not abandon us, she is the God of Time. "
" She is the moment, the every moment, the measure of the thousand winds and the sun and moon. "
" She is all times of joy, all times of anger, all times of desire, all times of madness. "
" She is all times of delirium. "
" We call her Khaos, or the Ruler and Governor of the Unchanging World. "
" Her true secret name, we dare not speak, so we write it in reverse here. "
" Istas — I mention it only once. "
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T/N:
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