"Impressive!"
"I saw he was in critical condition with no chance of survival, and yet you managed to save him?"
In the real world, at Mondstadt Windrise, Venti asked in astonishment, "What kind of ability is that? I've never even heard of it!"
"Hard to say."
Gu Chen shook his head.
"Hard to say? Then explain it in detail, or keep it short!"
Venti found himself starting to despise riddlers from the bottom of his heart.
He was one himself, but being on the receiving end felt utterly infuriating.
"Basically, he wasn't fully dead yet, so I just gave him a bit of life energy at the right moment," Gu Chen replied after pondering.
"So that's how it is?"
Venti thought it over.
It felt like Gu Chen was pulling his leg, but the logic checked out.
[Diluc]: Hmph, as expected of the Fatui's style. Only they would cross the line to create such things.
[Keqing]: Damn Fatui, treating life like dirt!
[Signora]: What happened? Did the Fatui beg him to use the Delusion?
[Zhongli]: From a rational standpoint, the Fatui didn't force Teppei to use the Delusion, but it's undeniable that they exploited his ambition. They manipulated his psychology and led him on... Best to stay cautious around Fatui from now on.
[Gorou]: Teppei was never as bad as you make him sound!
[Tartaglia]: First off, let me clarify: everyone, the one in the Delusion Factory is Scaramouche. He has nothing to do with me, Tartaglia!
[Signora]: You're a disgrace to the Harbingers!
[Scaramouche]: What does it have to do with me? I was just carrying out orders. As for the truth... heh, find it yourselves.
In the video.
The furious Lumine had arrived at the Delusion Factory.
"I didn't expect you'd find this place. Well done."
"Fatui Harbinger, Sixth Seat: Scaramouche. Pleased to meet you."
"Oh? You're here alone? Coming here in such a sorry state—what brings you?"
Lumine glared angrily at Scaramouche. "You distributed Delusions to the Resistance..."
"Oh!"
Scaramouche feigned realization, then continued, "Ah, you're talking about that? But you've got one thing wrong. I'm standing here, sure, but I'm just the executor. The mastermind is someone else. Aren't you capable? Go find them!"
Seeing Lumine's anger intensify, Scaramouche said nonchalantly, "Getting riled up over something so trivial? You're weaker than I thought."
"You call this trivial..." Paimon said in disbelief.
"Isn't it?"
Scaramouche retorted with a mocking laugh. "In this fleeting world, lives are like weeds. Without Delusions, they'd die anyway. At least the Delusions gave them a shot at their dreams. Do you even grasp the value of the Vision Hunt Decree? It took considerable leverage to make it happen, all because it served our interests... And now, it was worth every bit. Stir up conflict, pave the way for Delusions, let the weak chase power on their own... With just a little cost, you get the thrill of controlling the world."
"Trading life for supreme power—sounds like a bargain, doesn't it?"
"You orchestrated the Vision Hunt Decree? Does that mean from the start..." Paimon's eyes widened.
"Inazuma's exterior seems solid, but the interior... is ripe with opportunities for us."
"A little push, and it crumbles from within."
"Eternity stretches time out, but every moment becomes fragile—like your friend in the Resistance. No matter how hard they try, it's futile."
"Like bubbles in water: brilliant one moment, gone the next."
"The more they lose, the more they crave; the more powerless, the more they struggle! Hahaha, what a delightful farce."
"Teppei isn't powerless!"
Lumine charged at Scaramouche in rage, but he had an ambush ready. Before she could act, the trap triggered, knocking Lumine and Paimon unconscious.
"Heh."
Scaramouche sneered, slowly approaching Lumine.
Whoosh!
A silver flash streaked through—a spear embedded itself right in front of Scaramouche.
His expression twisted dramatically.
"...You! The real Traveler." Scaramouche looked behind him.
Gu Chen strode in casually, not even glancing at Scaramouche.
Ignored so completely, Scaramouche's face contorted in fury. "Arrogant fool!"
"Hm?"
Gu Chen paused, looking at Scaramouche curiously. "You don't care about the weak dying, even calling it a farce... Why should I care about you? Pathetic insect."
Scaramouche exploded in rage.
He lunged at Gu Chen.
Gu Chen summoned with a wave—the silver-white spear flew into his hand. With a casual swing, he thrust it straight into Scaramouche's chest.
"A thing without a heart but full of emotions— no wonder it's a failure," Gu Chen shook his head, gazing at Scaramouche with pity. "Sort out your life story properly. Maybe then you'll see the truth that's tormented your soul."
With a flick of the spear, immense force slammed Scaramouche into the wall, embedding him there.
His eyes glazed over, his face cycling through expressions.
What did Gu Chen mean by that last part?!
"Hey, wait!"
"Tell me, what do you know!!"
Scaramouche roared at Gu Chen's back as he carried Lumine and grabbed Paimon, walking away.
Gu Chen ignored him. The scene shifted to the Grand Narukami Shrine.
"Repeat after me: one-two-three, three-two-one, ahh—faster."
Freshly awakened, Lumine parroted unconsciously.
"Mm, good, good. Means your brain's still fine for now..." Yae Miko nodded.
"How did you save me from Scaramouche?" Lumine asked curiously.
"Yeah, I blacked out too—I have no idea what happened!" Paimon nodded.
"It was the shrine's secret technique. Made that Scaramouche kneel and beg for mercy in an instant. Believe it?" Yae Miko said with a sly smile.
[Scaramouche]: ...
[Paimon]: Huh? Wasn't it Gu Chen who one-shot him?
[Tartaglia]: Looks like the Sixth Seat isn't all that strong. I figured he'd be tougher—I could go a few rounds with Mr. Gu Chen, but Scaramouche got speared instantly. Tsk tsk. (snerk)
[Scaramouche]: ...
Scaramouche pondered deeply.
What did Gu Chen mean by that?
Sort out his life story?
In the video.
"You've met her, haven't you? Not that puppet—I mean 'her'."
"You mean...?" Lumine's eyes widened.
"Mm. The true Electro Archon—Raiden Shogun herself—who meditates endlessly in the Plane of Euthymia to preserve her ego. Her name is Ei." Yae Miko explained.
[Paimon]: So the usual Raiden Shogun we see is actually a puppet, and the one Lumine met in that space is the real Raiden Shogun—Ei?
[Lumine]: I think there's someone in the group connected to Ei! (alert)
[Yae Miko]: Smart little one~ (Yae Miko · sly grin)
[Raiden Ei]: (Raiden Ei · sulking)
[Furina]: @[Raiden Ei] So you're the Electro Archon!
[Raiden Ei]: Yes. (nods)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Kamisato Ayaka · confused)
[Yae Miko]: Well, that's the plot so far. How do you all rate General's Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree? (Yae Miko · sly grin)
[Zhongli]: Hard to say. (Zhongli · facepalm)
[Venti]: Can't comment.
[Furina]: Feels inferior to Fontaine.
[Nahida]: No idea. (shakes head)
[Gu Chen]: My take: the Archon is senile and worn out. Better if Kamisato Ayaka takes the throne!
[Venti]: Savage!
[Yae Miko]: Great idea! But Ayaka's too young—have Ayato act as regent until she's of age, then hand it over! (Yae Miko · sly grin)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Kamisato Ayaka · confused)
[Ayato]: You're joking. (sweats)
[Raiden Ei]: I've been deposed? (confused)