In the real world.
Inazuma, Plane of Euthymia.
Watching the group tease her on the light screen, Raiden Ei felt irritation bubbling up.
Am I really that incompetent?
Raiden Ei didn't understand.
Truth be told, she was never good at this stuff. She excelled at fighting, nothing more.
Her sister had entrusted her with ruling Inazuma, so she'd fumbled forward blindly.
From the video, Mondstadters and Liyue folk looked worlds apart from Inazumans.
Their spirits were completely different.
Inazuma's commoners weren't directly hit by the Vision Hunt Decree, but they carried a oppressive air.
It seemed baked into the nation's fabric.
So, did I really mess up?
Raiden Ei's expression grew complicated. She rubbed her brow, more irritated than ever.
She couldn't pinpoint her mistake or foresee the consequences.
Some effects were obvious, but her decrees rippled through millions—impacts she couldn't see firsthand.
"Am I... even inferior to that Kamisato girl?"
Raiden Ei began doubting herself.
After much thought, she had to admit: she was only fit as a warrior.
As a god, she didn't need to navigate political intrigue or study policy fallout.
One word from her, and the Tri-Commission handled it.
She'd never seen Inazuma's underbelly. Reports from the Tri-Commission boiled down to: peace and prosperity, thanks to the General's wise rule!
She knew a little, but not much—and figured it negligible.
Lost in endless meditation, she'd left governance to the Shogun.
And the Shogun...
"So, the Shogun's flawed too?"
Raiden Ei's headache worsened.
She knew her own limits—she was a fighter.
But the Shogun was her painstaking creation. If even she was flawed...
Maybe Gu Chen was right: better the Kamisato girl. Humans understand humans, after all?
In a daze.
Raiden Ei suddenly grasped Morax's abdication.
Beyond fulfilling his duty, stepping down freed him from headaches—let humans govern themselves. Ideal!
But Inazuma wasn't Liyue. It still needed her, the Raiden Shogun.
"Sigh..."
Raiden Ei sighed deeply.
A pink figure appeared beside her unnoticed.
"Oh dear, silent all this time? Quietly brooding here?" Yae Miko smiled warmly.
Raiden Ei glanced at her, puffed her cheeks, glared, but said nothing.
"You, it's not time to blame yourself yet. Watch more video—it might hold answers."
Seeing Raiden Ei silent, Yae Miko sighed softly.
"Got it..."
Raiden Ei nodded, eyes returning to the screen.
In the video.
"Heh, her methods are like a kid throwing a tantrum and locking herself away. Her 'eternity' became what she thinks it is—ultimately, just fear of loss..." Yae Miko shook her head.
"What do you want me to do?" Lumine asked.
Yae Miko eyed Lumine before saying, "Actually, we're on the same side."
"You want to save Inazuma's people from the Vision Hunt Decree. So do I—plus saving the nation, and her."
"The key: the Plane of Euthymia reflects her inner world. Defeat her there, and you can reshape the Raiden Shogun's will."
Paimon puzzled, "So this is your plan to end the Vision Hunt Decree? Not debate, not rebellion with the Resistance... but rewrite her heart directly?"
Yae Miko smiled approvingly. "Quick on the uptake. It's the only way to pull Inazuma from eternal darkness back to the right path."
"But why me?" Lumine wondered.
"Haven't realized your uniqueness? I said it: the Plane of Euthymia allows only the self. Your entry means she takes interest in you."
"Perhaps she's never seen such an unstable element against eternity?"
Paimon scratched her head. "No one else ever entered?"
Yae Miko recalled. "Since that eternal devotee sealed herself away, no. No one even knows what it looks like."
Then, as if remembering, "Oh right, your friend might've. He fought her fiercely."
"Gu Chen?" Paimon's eyes widened.
"Is he okay?!" Lumine asked anxiously.
"Him?"
Yae Miko arched a brow, grinning. "No worries. He's just... inconvenient to show up."
Seeing Lumine relax, Yae Miko continued, "Follow me. Anti-Raiden Shogun Training—I prepared it just for you. Hurry!"
In the real world's Plane of Euthymia, Raiden Ei's gaze flicked to Yae Miko, resentment in her eyes. "What's Anti-Raiden Shogun Training mean?"
"Oh my, just to help Lumine grasp your mechanisms, that's all." Yae Miko smiled slyly.
In the video.
Lumine struggled but passed the training.
Paimon asked curiously, "By the way, Guuji, how do you know so much about the Raiden Shogun?"
"Eh? Asking me?"
Yae Miko chuckled lightly. "Maybe because... I'm her familiar."
"Eh! Like Dvalin and Barbatos? Hard to picture..." Paimon gasped.
"Hehe, more interested in my fox form now?" Yae Miko teased.
"Super interested! Wanna see!" Lumine nodded eagerly.
"In your dreams." Yae Miko smiled faintly.
[Gu Chen]: Wanna see!!
[Raiden Ei]: (Photo of pink-furred fox stretching) (Photo of pink-furred fox frolicking in the yard) (Photo of pink-furred fox sleeping)
[Yae Miko]: ???
[Gu Chen]: Looks good! Love it! Send more! (Xiangling · starry-eyed)
[Lumine]: Looks good! Love it! Send more! (Xiangling · starry-eyed)
[Paimon]: Aaaah, Guuji fox lady is so cute!!! (Xiangling · starry-eyed)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Wanna pet her so bad... (Xiangling · starry-eyed)
"Ei!!"
"What are you doing!"
Yae Miko glared resentfully at Raiden Ei.
Raiden Ei burst out laughing, head held high in victory, utterly delighted.
All this time, Yae Miko had backstabbed her in the group. Finally, payback!