Real world.
Wangshu Inn.
Lumine's heart pounded wildly.
When faced with something she couldn't handle, having someone appear right on time brought a surge of security that left her feeling a bit dizzy.
She watched Gu Chen in the video, and a thought suddenly popped into her mind.
"H-He... Is he clashing with the Raiden Shogun because she wants to kill me?" Lumine asked.
"Huh?"
Paimon was caught off guard by the question.
Then, glancing at Lumine's flushed face, Paimon nodded as if suddenly enlightened. "Yeah, obviously!"
"Think about it. Before we arrived at Ritou, the Lady must've said something to the Raiden Shogun, so we ran into her right away."
"Gu Chen probably wasn't a full match for the Raiden Shogun, so he retreated while protecting you from the shadows. But she was clearly fixated on you two, though she respected your honor as the winner of the Duel Before the Shogun and let you walk out of Tenshukaku standing."
"Then, she tried to kill you right at the gates of Tenshukaku. Gu Chen had to show up. Her goal was to take out both him and you—oh, and me as a bonus."
Paimon spread her hands, her little face showing complex emotions, before continuing, "To avoid threats from her people's lives, she even had the people of Inazuma evacuate. Her aim was clearly to go all-out against Gu Chen. Once he's down, you and I would be easy pickings. Too bad from the plot, even Yae Miko was kept in the dark..."
Paimon rubbed her temples, worried. "I hope Yae Miko shows up to save the day soon!"
Lumine barely heard the rest.
All she knew now was that Gu Chen was going after the Raiden Shogun because she wanted to kill her.
But he clearly wasn't a match for the Raiden Shogun!
Paimon rambled on but got no response from Lumine. Turning to look, she pouted.
She'd figured it out.
This was footage from a past life, but in Lumine's heart, Gu Chen's importance was rising with every second of the video.
Now, the girl had full-on love brain mode activated.
Paimon shook her head. She wasn't too worried about it—in fact, she thought Lumine and Gu Chen ending up together would be great.
After all, the Gu Chen in the video gave off such a strong sense of security, and he had great skills too!
"Hehe..."
Paimon unwittingly grinned, then touched the corner of her mouth and smiled even brighter.
At that moment, in the group chat.
[Yae Miko]: Oh no. Without borrowing the people's wishes, how do you beat the Shogun? And the Raiden Shogun clearly wants a one-on-one with Gu Chen. Ei might still be meditating and clueless! Breaking through the Raiden Shogun's iron will is way too hard!!
[Tartaglia]: What? Doesn't that mean Mr. Gu Chen is in danger?!
[Zhongli]: It's not just Mr. Gu Chen. Miss Lumine, little Paimon, and the Resistance fighters are all in peril too. Lumine and Paimon are as good as dead, and the Resistance will face consequences for rebellion!
[Furina]: This is bad, totally bad! Yae Miko, hurry up and save the day!
[Yae Miko]: Don't even think about it. If there was a problem, I'd show up at the right moment. Since I haven't, it means I got held up too. This rigid Raiden Shogun actually has that kind of cunning?!
[Arataki Itto]: Where am I? Past-life me, go help out quick! (Panicking)
[Kuki Shinobu]: Boss, you'd better pray you don't just get in Mr. Gu Chen's way. (Facepalm)
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: From the looks of it, everything's in the Raiden Shogun's calculations. But why would she scheme like this? (Keqing-style question)
[Heizou]: Only one answer.
[Alhaitham]: The Fatui.
[Kaeya]: How are the Fatui so good at stirring up trouble! (Headache)
[Signora]: Heh, dragging someone down with you when you die—isn't that common sense?
[Tartaglia]: I know nothing. Everyone knows I'm not the brains type of Harbinger. (Qiqi falls over)
[Mona]: Probably Scaramouche. He's in Inazuma, right? Guarding the Delusion Factory for the Lady.
[Raiden Ei]: He has that kind of intellect?
[Scaramouche]: ...
Beelzebul, who the hell are you looking down on?!
But Scaramouche didn't retort.
He didn't think it was him—past-life him was badly wounded by Gu Chen and wouldn't have the time or energy for this while recovering.
Plus, this plan didn't match his style!
[Diluc]: Among the Fatui, the one good at this stuff is probably the Doctor, Dottore.
[Nahida]: (Shivering)
[Zhongli]: I've heard a bit.
[Tartaglia]: Now that you mention it, it does sound like the Doctor!
[Dottore]: In the middle of an experiment, and suddenly everyone's talking about me—I'm honored. What happens in the video is exactly the kind of thing I'd do... heh.
[Paimon]: Aaaah, so angry, so angry!!
[Lumine]: @[Dottore] You're dead meat!
[Dottore]: Heh, experiments come first. I'll take a rain check on these empty threats.
[Paimon]: He's so arrogant!!
[Tartaglia]: Be careful—his strength is no joke!
[Signora]: How did the Fatui end up with a traitor like you?
[Tartaglia]: I didn't say much... Oh, must be because Liyue tortured it out of me. Had to spill. (Convinced)
[Ningguang]: ...
[Keqing]: ...
[Arataki Itto]: Why no Gu Chen POV anymore? How's the fight going?! Urgent urgent urgent!!!
The video perspective had shifted to Lumine.
Fleeing Inazuma City with Kaedehara Kazuha and the others, all they could hear were massive booms from Tenshukaku.
Nothing else was visible.
Lumine ran while worrying sick.
Until one moment.
Silence fell over heaven and earth, then lightning flashed—followed by a thunderous roar that took forever to arrive.
Lumine clutched her chest and twitched. Gripping the Edgeless Sword, she whipped around and charged back toward Tenshukaku.
"Lumine?"
Paimon was baffled.
Kaedehara Kazuha and the others froze, exchanged glances, then grabbed their weapons and followed.
In front of Tenshukaku.
The area was a total wreck.
Tenshukaku had collapsed, half of Inazuma City lay in ruins, and a massive chasm split the land in two.
When Lumine arrived, she saw Gu Chen in a deep pit, propping himself up on his spear. His robes were torn, blood pouring from his mouth nonstop. The horrific wound on his chest made Lumine burn with rage as she glared at the equally battered Raiden Shogun in the distance.
"Gu Chen!"
Lumine dashed into the pit and hugged him.
"Cough cough... Why... are you back?"
Gu Chen was stunned to see her, then urged, "This'll kill you. Get out of here!"
"Don't talk!"
Seeing fresh blood spill from his mouth with every word, Lumine's eyes reddened, her heart aching.
Paimon was frantic, her little face pale as a ghost. "Gu Chen, don't die! You absolutely cannot die! What will Lumine do if you die?!"
Gu Chen pursed his lips. "I ain't dead yet, you little... Watch out!"
Suddenly, Gu Chen flipped her around and hugged her tight. Endless lightning crashed onto his back.
"Pfft!"
The already gravely wounded Gu Chen spat blood and slowly knelt.
Lumine stared in disbelief. As Gu Chen's breathing grew fainter, she shook her head, tears falling, choking out, "Don't die, don't you dare die... I won't allow it... You said if I call you, you'd show up by my side. If you don't from now on, you're breaking your promise—you'll face the Punishment of Devouring Rocks! Don't die!!"
"Sorry..."
"I broke my promise..."
Gu Chen raised his hand, placing his blood-soaked palm gently on Lumine's cheek, his voice faint. "Go... leave this nation. She doesn't have the strength left... to hurt you..."
Gu Chen's hand fell limply.
"Gu Chen!!!"
[Your Highness]: Finally dead! Awesome!!
[Lumine]: @[Your Highness] Are you happy that my man is dead?
Aether was stunned.
Lumine seemed really pissed.