Within the gloomy world of the Isshin Pure Land, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared, but it was only a glimmer.
"What you said, I still need to consider carefully."
No sooner had Raiden Ei's words fallen than a third voice echoed within the Isshin Pure Land.
"Such childish words, when your heart has already begun to waver."
"Miko? I see. From the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual onwards, you've already been planning this, haven't you?" A look of understanding appeared in Raiden Ei's eyes.
The Sacred Sakura Tree contained a part of her sister, so of course she would care about something like the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual. She just hadn't expected that the little fox who used to be lured by fried tofu could now scheme so far ahead.
"More or less. I've been waiting for this opportunity for the little one to enter the Isshin Pure Land, after all, she inherited her power."
"But it looks like you're still quite nostalgic for her. I originally thought you two would have a fight." The pink-haired fox chuckled, covering her mouth, truly having everything under control.
Golden lightning, did she really not recognize it? It was precisely because of this that she was certain Raiden Ei would pull the girl into the Isshin Pure Land.
Otherwise, would Grand Narukami Shrine, which has been passed down for a thousand years, only provide three healing talismans among its many charms and spells?
Although these things were very precious, they were nothing to Yae Miko. What was truly important was the omamori containing the talismans.
Through the omamori, she could send her consciousness directly into the Isshin Pure Land, thereby prying open Raiden Ei's heart, which was locked by eternity.
"Heh, I wouldn't go that far." Raiden Ei chuckled.
At the same time, that glimmer of light rapidly expanded, spreading throughout the entire Isshin Pure Land within a few seconds. The originally dim space instantly brightened, and the blood-red moon also turned into a normal moon.
"Ei, tell me, is abandoning your physical body and enduring endless solitude here truly good for you?" Yae Miko's eyes slightly closed, a surge of sorrow welling up in her heart.
Raiden Ei fell silent for a moment: "…But it is necessary. A human's lifespan is but a hundred years. It is precisely because I have experienced everything that I know the pain of loss."
"But if you don't move forward, you will lose a lot too, just as the little one said. eternity should not be material. If it loses its spiritual core, Inazuma will be nothing but an empty shell. What meaning would such an Inazuma have?"
"For the sake of so-called eternity, you've locked yourself in here, enduring solitude. That's also a form of loss!"
"And you yourself don't like this feeling, do you? The Isshin Pure Land is your inner world. The originally dim space is now as bright as day. Doesn't that prove you actually long to meet people?"
"I… have nothing to say."
"Then I have countless things to tell you, oh, by the way, why don't I tell you about the events of these Five hundred years, one by one?" Yae Miko said with a light chuckle.
"Five hundred years of events, how long will that take to tell?"
"A fox spirit's memory is quite good. Probably… it will take a few hundred years?"
"Heh… Heh heh…" Raiden Ei's shoulders subtly shook, her eyes narrowed into an arc. How long had it been since she had laughed like this?
"Miko, I originally thought there would be no more opportunities to meet you."
"Being able to see you is a variable within eternity, and a pleasant surprise for me."
"So, you're honestly admitting your mistake then?"
"Mm." Raiden Ei gently nodded: "Shiki is right. This state of constant change is also a kind of eternity. Perhaps I should try a different approach…"
Shiki, who was standing by as a third wheel, paused. How did this turn back to her?
"From your plan, I saw your similar ability to her. Perhaps you can help me govern this nation well. Besides, changing the approach, wasn't that your suggestion?"
"…Am I shooting myself in the foot here?" Shiki massaged her forehead. Sure enough, she couldn't escape the fate of a laborer?
"However, I agree. Who told me I promised her?"
Shiki agreed to Makoto's request. From a transactional perspective, it was certainly unbalanced, but who knew this was a sister's final act of care for her younger sister?
Shiki, who had lost family affection, was very susceptible to this. Of course, there was also her good education; taking benefits without doing anything, she herself would feel uneasy.
"You've met her?" Raiden Ei asked.
"Only a remnant soul. After entrusting her power to me, she dissipated on her own."
"Then this situation isn't right. If it was just a remnant soul, it shouldn't have the power to summon heavenly lightning. And since our last meeting, your power has grown a bit stronger." Raiden Ei shook her head.
"Perhaps you are inherently very compatible with her power, which is why you can continue to grow until you become the new Raiden Shogun."
"I'm not too sure about that. I originally thought I would need some special items to further enhance my elemental power, but after the journey to Yashiori Island, I was able to summon lightning."
"Emotions are indeed a way to harness power, but the extent of yours seems a bit excessive," Yae Miko said.
"Getting stronger is always a good thing, but I need to think about what position to give you. How about you serve as the Tenryou Commission?"
But no sooner had Raiden Ei spoken than she shook her head, dismissing it: "No, after inheriting the Archon's power, your lifespan will gradually become like a Archon's. The Three Commissions are not suitable."
"In that case, you shall be my Side Attendant, to advise me, while the Three Commissions shall still be held by mortals."
"Any official position is fine. What's important now is to re-elect the Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission. After the investigation, there will be almost no one left in those two families."
Shiki was indifferent to her official position. After witnessing a broader world, power became something dispensable.
After all, now she no longer needed to rely on backing to contend with the Tenryou Commission.
"The selection of the Tenryou Commission still needs careful consideration. The Kujou Clan and the Hiiragi Clan have truly disappointed me."
"Let's discuss it after we get out. The people outside must be getting anxious about my sudden disappearance."
Shiki could imagine the anxious expressions on her friends' faces, especially Ayaka, that girl who inexplicably cared about her, she must be the most anxious one.
"Heh, you're quite concerned about your friends. Then let's leave it at that for now. After you've explained things clearly to your friends, we can properly discuss the selection of personnel for the Tenryou Commission."
Raiden Ei finished speaking and gently waved her small hand. The space of the Isshin Pure Land began to recede, gradually revealing the outside world.
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