Narukami Shrine.
Yae Miko was in an exquisite mood.
After all, Su Xuan had, in the diary, laid bare the truth behind Khaenri'ah's fall.
In Yae Miko's eyes, the man had practically elevated himself to the level of a savior of common sense.
Khaenri'ah's destruction?
Of course it was deserved.
Relying on Abyssal taboo power, and worse — recklessly mining the leylines themselves?
Anyone with a brain understood what that meant.
The leylines were the blood and memory of Teyvat — the foundation of life.
To dig them open was to unravel the world.
Miko popped a piece of fried tofu into her mouth, tail practically wagging.
"Once Ei understands the real reason behind Khaenri'ah's ruin…
she'll rethink what 'Eternity' should look like."
"And with him beside her… she'll reach that answer even faster."
She sighed, utterly satisfied.
"If I get the chance to meet the diary's author in person… I'll have to thank him properly."
Meanwhile—
Kujou Sara looked like she had been struck by lightning herself.
The Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt—she could accept those being Ei's ideals.
But the truth was far crueler.
The Fatui had manipulated the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission from the shadows.
The two great clans… had betrayed their own nation.
For Kujou Sara—whose loyalty bordered on worship—that was nearly enough to shatter her entire worldview.
Miko merely glanced at her. She didn't bother comforting.
Once Ei returned, all the pieces would fall back into place.
For now—
She was waiting for the diary to update.
"He updated after breakfast, talked about Ei and Khaenri'ah a bit… then nothing."
"And now the sun's nearly set."
She sipped her tea… then her eyes slid to the photo of Ei kneeling.
"Hehehe… I wonder what the two of them have been doing all day."
Meanwhile — Yashiori Island
A sudden crack of lightning jolted Ei awake.
Her head throbbed faintly.
The makeshift shelter was unchanged—except for several pieces of clothing scattered on the floor.
And… those were hers.
Ei blinked.
"…What happened?"
The last thing she remembered was agreeing to let Su Xuan investigate her "secrets."
Then—
A sensation she had never felt before.
Internal pressure breaking through her composure.
Her body unable to keep up with the strain of his telekinetic probing.
She vaguely recalled losing strength midair—
And Su Xuan catching her.
And then—
being laid flat on a stone platform while he continued examining the channels of her elemental core.
"I… remember… I think I reflexively wrapped my arms around his neck… and then… nothing."
Ei touched her face.
Her expression stayed calm—but her ears were pink.
She lowered her legs to stand—
And immediately sat back down.
"…Hiss— Why are my legs still sore?"
She tried to recall—
Su Xuan's technique was… heavy.
Like striking mochi on festival days.
One precise blow and her entire being had gone white for a moment.
"So it was because I couldn't withstand the force that I fainted…" she murmured.
She had planned to go question him.
But then she saw the diary update glowing before her.
She opened it—
[This weather on Yashiori Island is unbearable.]
[Thunderstorms, rain, and lightning every few minutes.]
[And I got drenched earlier because of Ei. Now I feel sticky and uncomfortable.]
[Even if I'm immune to Tatarigami corruption, using polluted seawater to bathe still feels wrong.]
[So I guess I'll just restore the warding stones first, purify the sea, and then make myself a hot spring bath.]
Ei:???
"I drenched you?"
When?
Where?
With what???
Narukami Shrine — At That Exact Moment
Miko's ears perked up like a fox catching gossip.
"Shadow drenched him?"
A long, meaningful silence.
"…Water is involved…"
"Between an unwed man and an isolated god…"
She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
"Cooking? No… he knows full well Ei would poison him."
She reread the lines carefully.
Her pupils contracted—then she stood.
Even Kujou Sara flinched from the movement.
"A-Ah! The light curtain! It's back!"
Above Yashiori Island, a projection formed — Su Xuan walking alone among ruined shrines.
Kujou Sara clutched her chest.
"Why is he alone? Where is the Shogun!? Did—did he drown her because she splashed him!?"
Miko: slow exhale.
"…Sara. Sit down. And stop being insane."
Of course Ei was fine.
In fact—Miko now understood very clearly what happened.
And her fox tail practically curled with glee.
"So that's why he changed his mind about fixing the Warding Stones."
"Shadow must have offered him… compensation."
A slow, wicked smile curved her lips.
"Well done… Shadow."
Then—softly, almost tenderly—
"Shadow, dear—remember to bind him tightly."
"Men of this caliber—if you don't hold on, someone else will."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Wrap him. Secure the thigh. Do not waste this once-in-a-millennium chance."
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