Real world.
Liyue, Wangshu Inn.
Lumine truly couldn't laugh right now.
Watching the Raiden Shogun's performance in the video, this woman was completely acting according to the rules.
As long as it fit the rules, the Raiden Shogun would act accordingly.
She was an eternal variable in the judgment of those rules, so the Raiden Shogun wanted to eliminate her.
And the Raiden Shogun had said she was allowed to leave Tenshukaku—what then, after stepping out?
Clearly, one couldn't view the Raiden Shogun through the lens of normal thinking.
Because this woman was rigid! Stubborn!
"Lumine, don't worry too much. With Gu Chen around, it'll definitely be fine!" Paimon reached out her little hand and patted Lumine's shoulder to reassure her.
Lumine shot her an exasperated glance. "I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about him!"
"Huh?"
Paimon froze.
Worried about Gu Chen? What did that mean?
Paimon was momentarily baffled and said puzzledly, "That doesn't make sense. The Raiden Shogun couldn't do anything to Gu Chen, right?"
"Yeah, she truly couldn't handle Gu Chen, but there aren't many Inazuma civilians at the Tenshukaku gates." Lumine pursed her lips.
"Huh!"
"Wait, you mean... the Raiden Shogun will strike right at the Tenshukaku gates, putting you and Gu Chen in danger?!" Paimon asked incredulously.
"Don't forget about you too!" Lumine pointed at Paimon's forehead.
Paimon clutched her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "What do we do then..."
—
"What else can we do?"
"Just sit and watch."
Lumine sighed.
After all, it was a video from her previous life. Even if she wanted to help, she couldn't.
And it had nothing to do with the present world. She could only watch the spectacle from an outsider's perspective.
This left Lumine feeling somewhat powerless.
Within the video.
Lumine and Paimon exited the main hall and were now in the spacious courtyard of Tenshukaku, heading toward the main gates.
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the sky, the air thick with a heavy, oppressive dullness.
Paimon muttered worriedly.
"The Raiden Shogun might not let us go that easily, right?"
"The atmosphere in the air suddenly feels so oppressive... Is this the Raiden Shogun's pressure?"
"The Lady died just like that under the Raiden Shogun's blade... She had it coming, but it's still a bit emotional."
"These Harbingers... What exactly is their goal in collecting the Gnoses?"
Lumine slowly came to a stop, raising her hand to rub her forehead, her face showing pain.
"Huh, Lumine, does your head hurt?" Paimon asked with concern, then added, "Pull yourself together. We need to get out of here quick. I have... a bad feeling."
The two started moving again.
Paimon continued, "Speaking of which, that Musou no Hitotachi that killed the Lady was truly unimaginably powerful... If that move is really invincible, then defeating the Raiden Shogun would be impossible..."
"I remember Yae Miko told us to enter the Plane of Euthymia again at the Statue of the Omnipresent God... But right now, we're barely hanging on ourselves. Let's put the plan on hold for now..."
Paimon clutched her chest, her little face scrunched up. "The air keeps crackling with electricity... My chest feels so stuffy I can barely breathe... And my head's getting dizzy..."
She turned to Lumine. "Are you okay? Why aren't you saying anything..."
The closer they got to the Tenshukaku gates, the heavier the pressure became.
Suddenly, Paimon said, "I think I hear chaotic noises outside Tenshukaku... Is it a clash with the Shogunate forces?"
"Those guards look really tense too... Let's go see what's going on."
In a daze, Lumine and Paimon arrived at the Tenshukaku gates.
As soon as they got there, they saw many familiar figures.
Kaedehara Kazuha, Gorou—they had led a horde of Resistance soldiers right up to this point.
Their eyes met.
Kaedehara Kazuha and Gorou both looked relieved.
Paimon excitedly raised her hand to wave and greet everyone.
And in that instant.
Kaedehara Kazuha and Gorou's expressions changed drastically, the Resistance soldiers on high alert as if facing a great enemy.
Lumine and Paimon immediately sensed something wrong.
Behind them, a Triple Electro Seal abruptly materialized, the air filled with crackling electricity.
Lumine and Paimon whipped around.
The Raiden Shogun emerged from the Triple Electro Seal, her blade already slashing toward Lumine!
In that moment, everyone widened their eyes at this unforeseen scene.
Lumine was caught completely off guard, utterly defenseless.
[Lumine]: Speechless. She really just let me walk out of Tenshukaku? (Qiqi · Lying Down)
[Gu Chen]: The Raiden Shogun keeps her word. She said she'd let you walk out of Tenshukaku, and she did—you made it out, didn't you!
[Kaeya]: What if Lumine turned around and walked back into Tenshukaku right now? What would the Raiden Shogun do? (Grin)
[Paimon]: Is no one worried about us?!?! (Sayu · Angry)
[Venti]: Worried about what? It's just the past life—no need to panic! (Grin)
[Kaedehara Kazuha]: Huh, we actually led the Resistance all the way to Tenshukaku? Even without the Tenryou Commission leading the defense, breaking into the city should have been impossible. Truly unbelievable. (Kaedehara Kazuha · Shocked)
[Raiden Ei]: Confession brings leniency!
[Ayato]: Only the Guuji herself would have that capability. (Ayato · Sipping Milk Tea)
[Yae Miko]: Brat, the Guuji—me—was definitely busy with more important matters. How could I bother with something this trivial? It must have been one of the other Commissions operating normally. Like some unassuming Yashiro Commission, perhaps? (Yae Miko · Sly Smile)
[Furina]: Lumine's done for. What a shame. (Sigh)
[Lumine]: ?
[Paimon]: No way!
[Kaeya]: The Raiden Shogun went straight for a sneak attack. Even if Mr. Gu Chen came to help, he probably wouldn't make it in time. (Hu Tao · Sly Smile)
[Hu Tao]: Past life's me! Customer incoming!!
[Lumine]: I believe in miracles!
[Paimon]: All I can do is believe in miracles!
[Kaedehara Kazuha]: Wait...
The video's timeline seemed to slow to a crawl.
Everyone's expressions were crystal clear in this moment.
The camera shifted unnoticed to Kaedehara Kazuha.
Purple lightning flickered in his red pupils.
Two Visions hung on his left shoulder—one Anemo, the other dull and lifeless.
And right then, the lifeless Vision sparked with electricity, reigniting brilliantly, the mark of the Triple Electro Seal vivid and clear!
"There will always be mortals on this earth who dare to face the Emperor's blade!"
His friend's voice echoed in his heart.
A surge of powerful Electro power erupted from Kaedehara Kazuha as he shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
Boom!
The explosive force stunned everyone.
As the dust cleared, the Raiden Shogun looked indifferent, her single hand pressing down her greatkatana, thick Electro energy terrifying on the blade.
Kaedehara Kazuha gritted his teeth, straining to hold his Kagotsurube Isshin with both hands.
Immense power clashed between their weapons.
Fluorescence glowed on the Anemo Vision behind him, and the Electro Vision blazed even brighter.
"Hah!"
Kaedehara Kazuha swung with all his might.
The Raiden Shogun staggered back, eyes flashing with shock.
She spun her blade, blocking his Kagotsurube Isshin directly.
Bang!
Another clash—the sheer force sent Kaedehara Kazuha flying back, his blade stabbing into the ground to barely halt his slide.
The Electro Vision fell to the earth, dimming once more.
Inspired by Kaedehara Kazuha's action, the Resistance's suppressed morale ignited.
"Charge!"
"Go!"
"Follow me!"
"Let's go!"
Gorou led the Resistance in a charge against the Raiden Shogun.
Even the Visions on the Statue of the Omnipresent God lit up, following their former master's charge.
[Venti]: Holy shit!
[Kaeya]: Holy shit!
[Arataki Itto]: Huh?!
[Beidou]: Huh?!
[Kaedehara Kazuha]: Is this really me? (Dazed)
[Raiden Ei]: Their will... (Pensive)
[Gu Chen]: Spread the word: The Raiden Shogun blocked Leaf Emperor's strike! (Hu Tao · Sly Smile)
[Venti]: There will always be a general on the ground who dares to face the Emperor's might! (Grin)