In the villa.
After all the invited guests had left and the living room quieted down, Ken opened the system interface.
[Host: Ken]
[Contract Partners: Klee, Barbara, Jean, Lisa...]
[Abilities: Full Constellation Klee, Full Constellation Lisa, Full Constellation Venti, Full Constellation Qiqi, Full Constellation Zhongli, Siren's Aria...]
[Life Skills: Top-Tier Cooking, Comprehensive Medical Knowledge, Top-Tier Forging, Top-Tier Planting, Abyss Language Proficiency...]
[Physique: Abyss Antibody]
[Exclusive Weapon: Abyss Chain]
[Special Item: Magic Tome Forgotten by Time]
[Draw Chances: 27]
The draw chances obtained over the past two days weren't many, but they were better than nothing.
If luck was on his side, he could still pull something good.
Given that the number of draws wasn't high, Ken didn't opt for super multiplication and chose to draw directly.
"Draw."
[Ding—]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining Top-Tier Chess Skills]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining 50 Million Game Development Funds]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining Black Tech Camera]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining Special Fried Tofu]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining 20 Amakumo Fruit]
[...]
Because Inazuma had been unlocked, most of the items drawn now were related to Inazuma.
Whether it was Top-Tier Chess Skills, Fried Tofu, or Amakumo Fruit, they were all closely tied to the guests he had invited.
Top-Tier Chess Skills likely corresponded to Ayaka, Fried Tofu to Yae Miko, and Amakumo Fruit to Raiden Shogun.
Overall, he hadn't obtained many special items.
However, the Black Tech Camera caught Ken's attention.
[Black Tech Camera: Upon receiving the host's command, it can autonomously shoot videos and automatically edit them according to the host's ideas. It's a hands-free black tech gadget.]
Automatic shooting, automatic editing...
These two features were great for Ken.
After all, most of their Star Dome second creation videos were mainly handled by him, as many videos required special editing that wasn't convenient to hand over to employees. Editing videos each time was quite time-consuming.
Now, with this black tech, it would save a lot of hassle.
"System, does this Black Tech Camera have regional restrictions?"
If it could only be used on Blue Star, that would be a bit underwhelming, since the Teyvat continent needed it more.
[Answer: No regional restrictions]
"That's good."
Ken revealed a smile. Although the items drawn were pretty average, one had to learn to find sugar in the glass shards of life; otherwise, living happily would be too difficult.
He was a bit disappointed not to draw anything related to the [Book of Life].
The [Magic Tome Forgotten by Time] recorded many mysterious rituals, but every ritual required extremely rare items as sacrifices, so even though Ken had the tome, he couldn't actually perform any of them yet.
"Buzz~"
As Ken pondered, a subtle ripple like water waves suddenly echoed in his mind.
Turning around, he saw a certain pink-haired fox returning.
...
After summoning the Vortex Gate from Narukami Grand Shrine, Yae Miko hurried nonstop to Blue Star.
Confirming that Ei hadn't followed, Miss Fox let out a sigh of relief and patted her chest.
"As expected, foxes are cunning. You tricked Raiden Shogun again, didn't you?"
Seeing Miss Fox's calm and leisurely demeanor, Ken guessed that Raiden Shogun had definitely been fooled.
But who could blame her? Raiden Shogun's personality was a bit dense.
With such a personality, she was easily tricked by the sly, multifaceted fox.
Yae Miko crossed her arms, her eyes flowing with charm: "Hehe... How can that be called tricking? A child throwing a tantrum and locking herself in her room needs time to cool off. Do you really want me to fight her? This Guuji is quite delicate... You wouldn't unwelcome me, would you?"
Compared to the reserved and elegant Kamisato Ayaka, Yae Miko blended into Blue Star life more easily.
Or rather, she was more casual in front of Ken, without restraint.
After all, this was Yae Miko, ranked alongside Lisa and Ying'er as one of Teyvat's top three "Moist Queen."
"Of course you're welcome. But as the Grand Shrine Maiden of Narukami Shrine, is it really okay to linger on Blue Star? You'll run into Ei eventually."
Ken smiled at the pink-haired fox, his tone teasing.
Ken was very interested in Yae Miko.
This interest wasn't just because she was a beautiful fox woman; it was more due to her unique personal charm.
Long, long ago in Inazuma, tengu soared across the skies, oni roamed the battlefields, tanuki appeared in the fields, and Kitsune walked among humans.
Under the leadership of the noble and sacred Narukami, the youkai used their incredible powers to help humans through the era of slash-and-burn farming and pioneering hardships.
They built defenses in the mountains and cities by the sea.
Thus, Inazuma was born.
As the most noble lineage among youkai, the Hakushin Lineage produced great youkai generation after generation, with countless legends and stories passed down.
Yae Miko was of the Hakushin lineage.
When Miko was still a young fox, she loved perching on the shoulder of her matriarch, Kitsune Saiguu, listening to everyone tell stories of the past or boast of their own heroic deeds, all while drinking sake, and ending with sparring matches.
On moonless nights, a hundred ghosts would parade.
Regrettably.
Five hundred years later, the little fox from back then had become a great youkai who could pierce the heavens and earth, but the youkai and old friends she once drank with had fallen in wars and history, their bloodlines growing thin.
Even the hundred ghosts parade became a tale from "long, long ago."
Especially during the harsh and cruel Khaenri'ah catastrophe, almost all of Yae Miko's close friends and family fell. In an instant, she lost many relatives and companions.
Even the Hakushin matriarch, Kitsune Saiguu, perished there.
The only remaining lord, Raiden Shogun, retreated into the Plane of Euthymia, indulging in the eternal dream she constructed.
At that time, though Yae Miko held a high position, she was utterly alone.
But this Grand Shrine Maiden didn't despair or give up. She assisted the Raiden Shogun, protected Inazuma's people, and waited for her old friend and lord to awaken from her "eternity" obsession and return to her side to face things together.
The bitterness and hardship of this were unknown to outsiders.
Having endured so many setbacks and trials, Yae Miko's growth into her current self was already an upward struggle.
If she had even a hint of self-abandonment, she might have shut herself away for centuries like Raiden Shogun, refusing to see anyone.
It was only natural for Ken to be interested in such a resilient fox lady.
"Hmm? What's that smell?"
As Ken pondered, Yae Miko had already swayed her graceful hips to the table, her perky nose twitching slightly, sniffing the special aroma in the air, looking intrigued.
So fragrant...
It smelled like fried tofu.
And this scent was different from the fried tofu she'd eaten before.
"You're the Grand Shrine Maiden, and you're still tempted by fried tofu?"
Ken looked at the intrigued Grand Shrine Maiden, somewhat helpless.
It was understandable as a child, but she was still so easily tempted as an adult.
"Is it fried tofu? This Guuji's senses weren't wrong... As for temptation? Hehehe... Pursuing beloved food, how can that be called temptation?"
Yae Miko's eyes sparkled as she looked around.
Finally.
Yae Miko spotted the sealed box of food on the table beside Ken: "So it's here! It looks different from the fried tofu you treated me to at lunch."
"Of course it's different; this one's special." Seeing Yae Miko's craving, Ken reminded her: "It might have adverse effects if eaten. Are you sure you want to try?"
He hadn't had a chance to check the system-produced fried tofu yet.
But referencing the Glazed Lily and Qingxin, Ken figured this fried tofu's effects were quite potent.
He just didn't know exactly what.
To avoid Yae Miko thinking he was "plotting" against her, Ken decided it was best to warn her.
"Hmm... Then let the wise and beautiful Yae Guuji see what's different about this fried tofu."
Compared to the past, Yae Miko's craving for fried tofu wasn't as strong now.
But this particular fried tofu smelled so special.
It made her feel like she was back in her childhood, smelling fried tofu in the woods—a feeling she couldn't resist.
Watching Yae Miko enjoy the fried tofu, Ken felt some anticipation.
He wondered if the sly fox would change after eating this special fried tofu.
"Why are you staring at this Guuji? Attracted by my beauty?"
Noticing Ken's gaze, Yae Miko's red lips curved into a charming smile.
"Have you heard of the Book of Life?" Ken ignored her teasing and asked with a sliver of hope.
"Book of Life?" Yae Miko pondered slightly, then shook her head with a smile: "Sister is only five hundred years old; for such profound questions, you should ask Ei. I'm still just a little fox..."
"..."
Ken was speechless.
But it was normal for Yae Miko not to know something even Zhongli hadn't heard of.
As for the "little fox" label, Ken glanced at a certain spot and didn't quite agree.
She had clearly grown into a big Kitsune.
...
At that moment.
In the Tenshukaku.
Standing atop the Tenshukaku once more, Raiden Shogun's mind involuntarily flooded with memories of past times drinking and chatting with her sister and close friends here. These recollections brought a touch of nostalgia and melancholy to the eyes of the noble and majestic Narukami.
"Shogun?"
Kujou Sara, summoned, looked at the dignified figure standing high above and bowed respectfully.
Despite the passage of time, the eternally enduring noble Narukami remained as lofty as ever.
But Kujou Sara keenly sensed that today's Shogun seemed different from before.
She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was different.
"Sara has arrived."
Raiden Shogun snapped out of her thoughts, turning to look at her loyal general kneeling before her, offering a faint smile.
In the prophecy she had just seen, Kujou Sara was the most loyal to her.
This loyalty bordered on fanaticism.
This was why Raiden Shogun had summoned Kujou Sara upon returning to the Tenshukaku.
She was extremely loyal and would go through fire and water for any order.
The lifting of the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree was a major matter, requiring someone absolutely loyal to handle it.
"???"
Though Kujou Sara didn't dare look up directly, she heard the gentleness in Raiden Shogun's voice and that faint smile.
This left Kujou Sara flattered and overwhelmed.
She had served the Shogun for years, and the Shogun's impression was always one of stern dignity, never smiling.
But today, the Shogun's tone was so gentle.
Even with a smile.
Kujou Sara thought she had misperceived, but the oppressive thunderous aura of the past was slowly dissipating. This change confirmed... she hadn't misperceived; the Shogun was indeed smiling at her.
"S-Shogun?"
Kujou Sara was already a "fanatic fan" of the Raiden Shogun, and sensing the Shogun's smile now filled her with excitement.
The usually calm and decisive Sara now spoke with uncontainable thrill.
"Sara, I've called you here for an important task." Raiden Shogun smiled lightly, her tone somewhat ethereal.
Kujou Sara quickly replied: "At your command, Shogun!"
"Lift the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree." Raiden Shogun looked at her kneeling loyal general, her voice turning serious: "This is no small matter; only you can handle it to my satisfaction. As the main person in charge, go find Kamisato Ayato of the Yashiro Commission and have him assist you in this matter."
Though the Yashiro Commission had "betrayed," it wasn't true betrayal. For such a major decision, Kamisato Ayato's cooperation was most suitable.
Kujou Sara was somewhat surprised.
L-Lift the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree?
Kujou Sara thought she had misheard. She subconsciously raised her head, and upon seeing the beautiful and noble Narukami's solemn expression, she realized she hadn't.
The Shogun really intended to lift the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree...
Though she didn't know why such an abrupt decision, the Shogun had just said... only she could be trusted with this...
This made Kujou Sara even more excited.
As a subject, this was the greatest recognition from the Shogun.
"Additionally, there's the matter of the Watatsumi Island rebels."
"Orobashi was indeed slain by my hand, but I permitted the people of Watatsumi Island to continue worshiping under the name of the Watatsumi Omikami, allowing Him to enjoy offerings. Now, Watatsumi Island has destroyed the Narukami branch shrine and rebelled against the shogunate. As the current human shrine maiden of Watatsumi Omikami, Sangonomiya Kokomi must bear responsibility."
Raiden Shogun gazed into the distant sky, her eyes profound.
She no longer wished to judge the rights and wrongs of the past, but all things had rules.
Inazuma was created by Narukami; even if the rebels from Watatsumi Island hadn't arrived yet, their intentions couldn't be ignored.
"I understand!"
Kujou Sara grasped her superior's meaning and left with excited resolve.
Watching Kujou Sara's departing figure, Raiden Shogun pondered thoughtfully.
The corrupt elements in the Kanjou Commission and Tenryou Commission needed to be handled by others.
For now, the most important was lifting the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree. With the Kamisato involved, she believed it could be done smoothly.
…