Ei abolished the Vision Hunt Decree, but just as in the original timeline, she had no intention of abolishing the Sakoku Decree.
To abolish the Sakoku Decree, Ei would need to fundamentally change her view of "eternity." For now, she still hadn't figured out how to step toward the "future."
"Then let me tell you another secret," Lucian said with a smile, revealing the truth about Makoto and the use of his "wondrous puppet."
"What!?" Ei, rarely caught off guard, widened her eyes. "You're saying Makoto… is in my blade?"
Ei looked at the blade in her hand in disbelief. All these years, her sister had been with her? She had always been by my side…?
But what exactly is the "eternity" Lucian spoke of? If I can't understand it, does that mean I can't see my sister?
Ei pursed her lips, her gaze fixed on Lucian. You're not explaining everything—part of me wants to fight you again.
Lucian was also helpless. This is something you have to comprehend on your own. If I just tell you outright and you don't understand, Makoto won't awaken.
Most importantly, if you don't understand and accept the "true eternity," you won't be able to battle the Raiden Shogun for five hundred years!
Don't let it get to the "True and False Sun Wukong" episode, only for the real Sun Wukong to falter.
"For now, let's head out," Lucian said.
This matter had reached a temporary conclusion. They should go handle things outside—hopefully, they wouldn't step out to find the resistance army lying defeated on the ground.
Having resolved Ei's seclusion, Inazuma's story was partially settled here.
A few days later, Ei officially abolished the Vision Hunt Decree and began engaging with the outside world.
As for how Ei engaged with the outside world, she binged Lucian's novels in the Plane of Euthymia.
Lucian and Yae Miko thoughtfully provided Ei with tricolor dango and dango milk, essentially pampering her.
Lucian even left a teleport waypoint in Ei's Plane of Euthymia. This system-produced waypoint was so powerful it could be placed even in a consciousness space.
Now, Ei had lost her "access denied" privileges, and Lucian could "ignore risks and continue installation" at will.
It was even more casual than entering and exiting the Tushita Palace.
Of course, Yae Miko and Lucian weren't just delivering food to Ei. They also engaged in some gentle persuasion.
It felt like Lucian and Yae Miko were parents with a "shut-in daughter," bringing her tasty treats and fun things to her room while slipping in a few words of advice.
Thankfully, with the allure of her sister's "return," Ei wasn't annoyed by their persuasion and was genuinely reflecting on it.
Unfortunately, even while eating tricolor dango, drinking dango milk, and reading Lucian's novels, she still couldn't grasp the path to "eternity."
Ei's thoughts were probably along the lines of: Raiden Ei, oh Raiden Ei, how could you fall so low!
I've been wounded by dango milk and prophetic books, left so haggard! From today, I swear off books!
However, after finishing Inazuma's story, Ei did feel a deep sense of reflection. She had truly caused her people a lot of trouble. No wonder Lucian said he wanted to whip me.
She had promised to protect her people's dreams, yet she had become the one obstructing them…
Not just her, but the Shogun as well. The thunderstorms approaching Inazuma's outer seas, as mentioned by Lucian, were troubles caused by the Shogun. She'd need to tweak the Shogun's programming. Sigh.
Ei felt apologetic toward her people, but the Shogun couldn't be wrong. No "red bean paste, sumimasen" confession for her.
Ei knelt in the Plane of Euthymia, with the Musou no Hitotachi placed before her. These days, she had been meditating on "eternity" like this.
Ei had indeed changed her view of "eternity," as evidenced by the Raiden Shogun herself.
Since Ei, Lucian, and the others left the Plane of Euthymia last time, the Raiden Shogun had vaguely resisted Ei using her body, indicating that Ei had indeed changed.
Ei wanted to move forward, but she now realized there were too many paths before her, and she didn't know which one to take.
Meanwhile, the Raiden Shogun had no desire to move forward. Sensing this inner thought, she began to suspect whether this "wear and tear" was affecting her.
Raiden Q-treasure, a highly acclaimed "eternity measuring device" that everyone raves about.
And the other Raiden Q-treasure—Scaramouche—was about to evolve into "Ironclad Q-treasure."
Speaking of Scaramouche, let's talk about his colleague—Rosalyne.
Lucian released two new books this time, one of which was Teyvat's Story Collection, filled with miscellaneous tales. This time, it was about Rosalyne.
The book's title was simply Rosalyne's name, and the opening line read:
"Rosalyne died—not by the Raiden Shogun's blade. She had long been dead."
This single sentence left readers utterly confused. Signora had long been dead? Was the Signora they saw a ghost?
In the book, Lucian wrote about a story from hundreds of years ago.
"Hundreds of years ago, there was a knight who always wore a sorrowful expression. Only one song could ease his furrowed brow."
"Only the maiden singing that song in the plaza could make him briefly forget the burdens of his duty, granting him a moment of peace."
"The maiden recognized him. He was Rostam, the deputy captain of the Knights of Favonius."
"An upright, great knight."
"In the days that followed, whenever the maiden sang, she would always see the knight. He would sit there, calmly listening to her song."
"Along with the knight, the birds that landed in the plaza were also among her audience."
"Over time, the two became acquainted through her songs."
"The western wind carries away the scent of wine."
"The mountain breeze brings tidings of triumph."
"The distant wind tugs at my heart."
"Rustling, it sings of my longing for you."
This knight was named Rostam, and the maiden was named Rosalyne.
Lucian devoted some pages to introducing Rostam and their quiet, everyday interactions.
Rostam was a great knight, but he would secretly use less-than-honest methods to punish evil.
In his eyes, only by completely eradicating evil could he protect this land, even if it meant resorting to any means necessary and bearing a tarnished name.
"The maiden listened to Rostam's ideals and felt a sense of admiration."
"Faced with the maiden before him, the taciturn Rostam silently resolved to protect her."
The Young Wolf—Rostam—was somewhat familiar to those in Mondstadt.
Kaeya and Diluc exchanged a glance. This predecessor's conduct seemed like a blend of the two of them.
His ideals aligned with Diluc's, but his methods had a touch of Kaeya's flair—"Darknight Hero + Cavalry Captain."
The Penguin Boy and the Mermaid Warrior had finally merged into one!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Rosalyne: About Her Story
"My story? No, that's not me. Not anymore…"