"Plan…"
Ayaka gave a bitter smile.
"I can't even get an audience with the Shogun. What plan could I possibly make?
If we want to change Inazuma, everything depends on convincing the Shogun herself.
We don't have the strength to confront her head-on.
All I can do is share what I've seen here with my brother… and trust that he will come up with a reasonable way."
Seeing Ayaka looking so helpless, Lumine spoke firmly:
"I'll go to Inazuma with you, Ayaka!"
"Lumine…" Ayaka's voice trembled with emotion.
"You don't have to—"
But Lumine just waved her hand with a carefree grin.
"It's fine! I'm traveling across all seven nations anyway. Inazuma is my next destination.
Zhongli—that guy who's always talking in riddles—already told me so.
And besides, I promised you before, didn't I?
As for Inazuma's problems, we'll figure them out once we're there!
If Raiden Shogun refuses to wake up… then we'll just beat her awake!"
She raised her fist, brimming with confidence.
Ayaka couldn't help but laugh at Lumine's antics.
To prepare for the dangers of Inazuma, Lumine had crafted two advanced staves.
One carried the power of earth, the other the power of thunder.
Both were reinforced with the Lich's Barrier.
Lumine could proudly say that she could stand still and let the Raiden Shogun strike her ten times without falling.
And beyond that, she had plenty of other weapons.
Together with Paimon—and Ayaka's six-headed dragon—once they reached Inazuma, the only real threat to her would be the Shogun herself.
As for Paimon, who had been dragged along by Lumine… she wasn't worried about her in the slightest.
Even if Inazuma blew up, Paimon would be safe.
Not only could Paimon slip into subspace to avoid any attack, but as Ryen's favorite flying companion, she carried a full set of Totems of Undying.
Paimon didn't have much in the way of offensive power—aside from the dozen or so Zombie Wands she carried—but she herself was the greatest danger of all.
If the Raiden Shogun actually dared to lay a hand on Paimon…
Ryen had already asked Zhongli to bestow a trace of divine power on her.
That divine power would trigger the instant the Shogun struck.
And when that happened, Ryen himself would personally pay Inazuma a visit.
When it came to doting on his "daughter," no one could claim second place if Ryen wasn't already first.
Thinking about it, Lumine felt a little jealous of Paimon.
That little glutton only ever ate and slept—wasn't she just sticking close to Ryen all day, flattering him and begging to be petted?
Shameless bootlicker!
Lumine scowled inwardly, full of contempt for Paimon.
Still, the fact that Lumine had promised to go with her truly made Ayaka feel a sense of relief.
With Lumine around, no matter how bad things got, there was always Ryen and the others behind her.
Perhaps on her own, Lumine wasn't a match for the Raiden Shogun…
But with her backing?
If things couldn't be resolved, she could always call in reinforcements.
Thinking this way, Ayaka finally felt a little more at ease.
After chatting for a short while, a sudden knock came at the door.
Ayaka and Lumine stood and walked over, only to find Baiwen waiting outside with a smile.
"Miss Kamisato, the supplies arranged by Lady Ningguang are already in place. Captain Beidou has also received the message and is on her way to the Alcor now.
You can prepare to return to Inazuma."
Ayaka froze, surprised.
"So soon?"
Baiwen only smiled, saying nothing more.
The truth was, those supplies had been ready for some time. But Ningguang hadn't wanted Ayaka to leave Liyue too quickly.
The more Ayaka saw and experienced here, the more desperate she would be, once she returned, to push Inazuma into signing an alliance with Liyue.
And besides—once Ayaka left, Lumine would follow. If Lumine followed, then Paimon had to as well.
Ryen was still rather reluctant to see Paimon and Lumine go.
Such an adorable little flying creature, so easy to pet and so eager to flatter him—wasn't it delightful to keep her around every day?
Still, Lumine had her own path to walk.
Since there wasn't much pressing business now, they might as well go early and come back early.
"Thank you, Secretary Baiwen. Then we'll go say our farewells to Mr. Ryen and the others," Ayaka said softly.
Though she was in a rush to return to Inazuma, now that the moment had come, she couldn't help but feel reluctant to leave.
Who knew what changes Ryen's world would undergo while she was gone?
The more she thought about it, the more urgently Ayaka wanted to resolve Inazuma's turmoil and bring her nation into Liyue's alliance, so they could develop together.
Following Baiwen, the two of them soon arrived at the port.
There was no need to check over the supplies—when it came to trade, Ningguang never played petty tricks.
She didn't need to.
For Liyue, earning Mora was far too easy; this amount of supplies wasn't worth her attention.
If Inazuma truly joined Liyue's alliance, Ningguang wouldn't hesitate to give such materials away for free, just to help them rebuild.
Ryen and the others were already at the port.
When he saw Lumine and Ayaka, he waved with a cheerful smile.
"Finally! Lumine, you've been staying in Liyue for quite a while this time."
Lumine grinned.
"That's because Liyue has so many fun things—and then there's your world, too! If I didn't have to keep traveling, I'd probably settle down here already!"
Ningguang chuckled softly and stepped forward, handing Lumine a Serenitea Pot.
"Once your journey ends, you're always welcome to come back and live here.
The Serenitea Pot already holds your six-headed dragon.
Even if you can't use teleport anchors, the dragon will bring you back quickly.
Also, I've placed one billion Mora inside for you. Don't worry about running out—when it's gone, just come back and find me for more."