Real world, Liyue, Wangshu Inn.
Lumine didn't know what expression to make.
Wanted in Mondstadt for stealing the Skyward Harp.
Wanted in Liyue for getting too close to the Rite of Descension site and then fleeing.
Wanted in Inazuma even without a Vision to wield Elemental Power!
[Lumine]: What the hell did I, the Traveler, ever do to you all?!
[Gu Chen]: Looks like she's broken.
[Kaeya]: Anyone would get pissed. Getting wanted in every nation you visit. (facepalm laugh)
[Venti]: Traveler, with a constitution like yours, you're perfect for us bards to write poems about. You're the protagonist of this world! (thumbs up)
[Lumine]: Can I not have this kind of protagonist treatment?! I really don't want to be wanted! (bitter)
[Ningguang]: No worries. At least the one getting wanted is your past self. This life's you—well, as long as you don't break the law in Liyue, you won't get wanted.
[Lumine]: Thanks. My shattered heart finally feels a bit of warmth!
[Tartaglia]: Am I the only one who noticed? The Raiden Shogun didn't pursue Miss Lumine because of Mr. Gu Chen. And that move from the Shogun—Miss Lumine clearly entered some kind of space, right? There was even another Raiden Shogun there?!
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: (alert)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: You mean there are two Lord Shoguns? (curious)
[Tartaglia]: Obviously. Didn't you notice? The two Shoguns had different expressions and completely different auras!
[Yae Miko]: (Yae Miko · sly grin)
[Gu Chen]: To sum it up, the one inside has more emotion. I pick the one inside!
[Tartaglia]: The one outside lacks emotion, but that's what makes her sharper in battle. I pick the one outside!
[Kaeya]: Hold up, you two are actually picking sides?
[Yae Miko]: Ready to take a slash? (Plane of Euthymia photo)
[Tartaglia]: Haha, I won't be that dumb. Besides, I'm in jail right now.
[Gu Chen]: (lol)
[Furina]: Can I assume the Raiden Shogun has split personality disorder?
[Nahida]: (scared)
[Zhongli]: Lady Furina, what makes you say that?
[Furina]: No idea. Just a hunch. My hunches are always spot on!
[Gu Chen]: No comment on that, but based on the chat, Lady Furina's guess is correct in a certain sense!
[Yae Miko]: (sly grin)
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: Can't comprehend (Sangonomiya Kokomi · dizzy)
[Gorou]: Now that Miss Lumine's wanted, she'll have to join our Resistance! (Paimon · Leave it to me!)
[Kujou Sara]: Hmph!
In the video.
Lumine and Thoma had returned to the Mukade Teahouse.
Thoma was safe staying at the teahouse, but Lumine and Paimon were wanted and in danger.
Their only option now was to join the Resistance.
Lumine and Paimon set off immediately and smoothly rescued a Resistance soldier.
[Raiden Ei]: Why does the war between the Shogunate and Watatsumi Island feel so off? (puzzled)
[Yae Miko]: Guess you'll have to ask the Tenryou Commission~ (shrug)
[Kujou Sara]: Sangonomiya Kokomi is a formidable opponent, and there's also a mysterious force aiding the Resistance!
[Raiden Ei]: No, I mean, why is it so intense? (puzzled)
Ever since Orobashi on Watatsumi Island died, the island had been under Shogunate rule.
The only difference was that Watatsumi was governed by the shrine maidens of the Sangonomiya Clan, not Shogunate appointees.
There were some faith-based conflicts between them.
But Raiden Ei didn't care about that—as long as they stayed quiet and caused no trouble.
Now, though, Raiden Ei was baffled.
What was Watatsumi up to?
Raiden Ei's gaze fell on the light screen.
"You've probably heard—the Resistance's goal is to defeat the Shogunate forces and overthrow the Vision Hunt Decree. Tell me your reason for joining," Gorou said.
"About the hundredth Vision..."
"Speaking of which, during the last battle, we got a wanted poster from a Shogunate samurai. Blonde Traveler and mysterious flying pet—it's you two!" Gorou said in surprise.
"Who're you calling a flying pet?!" Paimon fumed.
"My apologies. I understand your situation now. On behalf of the Resistance, I officially welcome you both," Gorou laughed.
And just like that, Lumine and Paimon smoothly joined the Resistance and followed Teppei to learn about the current state of the group.
[Gu Chen]: The Electro Archon is heartless. I back the Resistance! (lol)
[Venti]: I back the Resistance too! Full support, smash 'em!
[Kaeya]: Sigh, too bad the Resistance lacks strength. If only they had a god backing them.
[Gu Chen]: Revive, Orobashi!! (roar)
[Yae Miko]: You're too abstract! (sly grin)
[Zhongli]: By general rationality, if Mr. Gu Chen joined the Resistance, their chances of victory would skyrocket.
[Raiden Ei]: (Shenhe · stare)
[Paimon]: Hurry to the Resistance! @[Gu Chen]
[Gu Chen]: How should I know what my past self would think? (shrug)
[Kujou Sara]: Hmph, you lot really haven't seen the Plane of Euthymia, have you?
[Raiden Ei]: The Shogun's martial prowess is immense. Gu Chen... probably isn't her match!
[Gu Chen]: Fair point. Based on my past self's performance, yeah, not a match. (nod)
[Venti]: So you're saying now you are?
[Kaeya]: Not bad, Wind God. You're a pro at stirring the pot. (lol)
[Gu Chen]: Hard to say.
Gu Chen pondered to himself: How many moves could Raiden Ei in her prime block from him?
It was a question worth considering.
"Huh, that young man's condition is visibly deteriorating. Feels like his life force is being drained."
Venti, sitting nearby, suddenly spoke up.
Gu Chen snapped back and looked at the light screen.
The video progressed quickly.
Lumine had been with the Resistance for a while now, and the soldier they'd saved, Teppei, had grown close to them.
But now, Teppei gave off a strange vibe.
He'd been perfectly healthy before, but now he looked outwardly strong yet inwardly frail.
Silver streaks were even appearing in his hair.
"Fatuus... Delusions..." Lumine was all too familiar.
"So the backers are the Fatui?"
"But why would the Fatui do this..." Sangonomiya Kokomi was baffled, then continued: "No time to overthink. We need to tell the troops to stop using Delusions immediately. Any soldiers showing anomalies need treatment. I hope we're not too late!"
Lumine and Paimon immediately thought of Teppei.
By the time they reached him, Teppei was a shell of himself, utterly feeble.
"Delusions... sounds like bad news. What's the difference from a Vision?" Teppei didn't get it.
He'd never obtained a Vision, so he didn't know the distinction.
"They drain the user's life force!" Lumine said.
Teppei froze, then gave a bitter smile. "I see. Makes sense for something of shady origins to have risks. Lately, I've been getting more and more tired... had a bad feeling brewing. At first, it was just exhaustion after battles, but today when I got back, my vision started blurring."
"What a shame. Thought I'd catch up to you... Haha..."
"Guess I'm not favored by the gods after all..."
Teppei's breathing faded.
Lumine cursed the Fatui under her breath in fury.
Right after she left, Gu Chen's figure appeared beside Teppei. He checked his pulse, then gripped Teppei's shoulder with his right hand. Visibly, Teppei jolted awake, gasping for air.
"Ambition is good, but stay away from things that defy the righteous path."
With those words, Gu Chen vanished.
[Kaeya]: Badass!!!
[Paimon]: Gu Chen!! You are my god!!