A month passed in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, the entirety of Inazuma City was draped in festive colors, and joy radiated from the faces of its citizens.
Lord Akira's wedding was fast approaching. The entire nation of Inazuma was set to celebrate together. It was to be a grand, magnificent ceremony, and there would be many brides.
Most of Inazuma's most renowned beauties were to marry Akira.
The people of Inazuma could do nothing but offer their deepest blessings. In their eyes, Lord Akira was worthy of such beauty, and his marriage to the Shogun was an even greater blessing for the nation itself.
Since the guest list for Akira's wedding was strictly limited, no official delegations were sent from the other six nations. However, many journalists flocked to the islands, hoping to break the news of this divine wedding.
The actions of the gods are always the biggest headlines, and the first to report it would surely top the charts!
Before the main event, however, three distinct auras descended upon the land: the Anemo Archon Barbatos, the Geo Archon Morax, and Furina.
Sumeru had declined the invitation, citing the Dendro Archon's seclusion. Natlan did not even send a letter or offer a reply. As for Snezhnaya, Columbina had sent a letter, and the Tsaritsa responded with only a few words of blessing.
"Tsk, just as I thought—you two came together," Akira clicked his tongue as he looked at Venti and Zhongli standing before him.
Akira smiled. "I felt the presence of the wind and the stone early this morning."
"My old friend Akira, we meet again," Zhongli nodded, letting out a soft sigh. "How time flies since we parted ways in Liyue."
"We've known each other for hundreds of years; there's no need for sentimentality. Come, stay at my place, and let us eat and drink to our hearts' content," Akira replied.
"That sounds wonderful. I am here to experience the culture and scenery of Inazuma," Zhongli said with a nod.
"Wow, brother Akira is truly brilliant! Even our leader Jean and Lisa were thoroughly impressed," compared to Zhongli, Venti was far more outgoing and naturally friendly.
"The Anemo Archon, truly worthy of the title 'God of Freedom'," Akira smiled. "I had heard that Jean and Lisa mentioned you before. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ah, brother Akira, what are you saying? We're friends," Venti chuckled. "Just call me Venti."
"Hey, Akira, we're here for your wedding, but what about the wine...?" Venti threw an arm around Akira's shoulder and giggled.
"There is plenty of fine wine," Akira laughed. "You can drink as much as you like."
"That's what a real friend is like!" Venti felt relieved—he had definitely made the right choice coming here!
"As for Jean and Lisa, I'll be organizing a trip to Mondstadt soon to handle their wedding preparations," Akira added.
"That's your business. I suppose I'll have to attend the wedding banquet again," Venti shrugged. "They have the freedom to love you. Mondstadt is the freest city-state, and naturally, it is the freest place for love."
"That's perfect," Akira nodded.
"Akira!!! Darling!!" Suddenly, a clear voice rang out, and a figure appeared behind Akira, leaping onto his back.
"Furina, you're here too," Akira smiled.
"Mmm." Furina hopped off Akira's back and glanced at the two figures standing in front of them.
"Furina, this is Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, Barbatos, and this is Liyue's Geo Archon, Morax," Akira introduced. "And this is Fontaine's Hydro Archon, Focalors."
"Hello everyone," Furina waved, greeting them.
"So you are the Hydro Archon. It is a pleasure to meet you," Zhongli nodded. "Please, just call me Zhongli. I am walking the world in this form, and 'Morax' might cause some unnecessary trouble."
"Yes, just call me Venti," Venti agreed with a nod.
"Alright, then you can call me Furina." After she finished speaking, Furina snuggled into Akira's arms and said in a sweet voice, "My love~ I've missed you so much."
"I missed you too," Akira smiled gently, holding Furina in his arms.
"Wow! I never guessed that the Hydro Archon of Fontaine was also Akira's lover," Venti exclaimed, his eyes wide. "As expected of Akira! He truly is a role model for us all."
"From a rational perspective, this is indeed quite shocking," Zhongli nodded.
After a while, Akira smiled and said, "Since we are all here, shall we go? It's my treat for dinner tonight."
"Plenty of delicious food and wine!"
"Hurray!" Venti was the first to cheer. "Let's go! I've missed Inazuma's sake so much."
"I have some spare time today, and enjoying warm wine and a plate of delicious food with an old friend—it truly is a wonderful thing," Zhongli said with a smile.
"I want to eat the chocolate dumpling cake!" Furina said excitedly, tugging at Akira's hand. She had been craving Inazuma's chocolate dumplings for a long time.
"Alright," Akira smiled. "If you like it, we'll buy the recipe. You can take it back to Fontaine and have the chefs at the palace make it for you every day."
"Okay, okay!" Furina nodded excitedly.
Suddenly, a streak of lightning flashed across the sky and materialized right before them.
"Makoto, you've arrived," Akira smiled lightly.
Makoto looked at Akira gently. "Yes, I sensed the presence of an old friend, so I came to see them."
"Big Sister Makoto!" Furina greeted her joyfully.
"Fufu, how have you been lately?" Makoto asked with a smile.
"Great. Since I've been with my love, I don't feel so depressed anymore," Furina said happily.
"Is that... Lady Baal?" As soon as they saw Makoto, Zhongli and Venti's eyes widened in shock.
Hadn't Baal died in the Cataclysm at Khaenri'ah hundreds of years ago? They had witnessed it themselves.
"Mr. Morax, Mr. Barbatos, it has been hundreds of years since we parted ways in Khaenri'ah. How have you both been?" Raiden Makoto asked with a nod.
"We are all well," Zhongli and Venti replied, still stunned, though they quickly nodded.
"Just call them Venti and Zhongli. One is lazy, and the other is retired," Akira joked, gesturing toward them. Both of them nodded in agreement.
"I see." Makoto nodded, surprised that these two were so carefree. Weren't they afraid their nations would fall into chaos?
"However, if I may be so bold, Lady Baal... didn't you perish in that great war?" Venti finally couldn't suppress his curiosity.
Makoto looked at Akira, as if asking if she were allowed to say. Akira nodded, and Makoto finally felt at ease looking at the two of them.
"I did indeed die in that war, but it was Akira who brought me back, awakened my soul, and rebuilt my body," Raiden Makoto said.
"Akira, you truly possess the power to resurrect a Demon God!" Zhongli and Venti gasped, their breath hitching.
Over the past thousands of years, they had all lost their dearest friends, but life and death were predestined, and even the laws of nature could not easily bring someone back. And yet, Akira...
"I have the ability to resurrect others, but I will not use this power lightly," Akira replied with a nod.
"I understand," Zhongli and Venti both nodded, their eyes lost in deep thought.
"Alright, let's not talk about those matters anymore," Raiden Makoto laughed. "My love said he arranged a hotel, let's head there now."
"Let's go," Akira nodded and led everyone to the hotel.
Sitting at the table, Zhongli looked at the various gods and couldn't help but sigh: "Thousands of years ago, when the original Seven Sovereigns were still alive, we would gather in Liyue and raise our cups together."
"A thousand years have passed. Aside from the resurrected Lady Baal, only Barbatos and I remain from that original ruling class. Four of the Seven have departed. It is a pity..."
"Even the gods cannot resist the eroding effect of time..."
"I miss the days of picking osmanthus flowers and drinking wine, but alas, my dear friends, when shall we meet again..."
"Alright, alright, Mr. Zhongli, the purpose of this gathering should be to raise our glasses in joy, not to drown in sorrow," Venti said, raising his cup. "We are all gathered here today, so I would like to propose a toast to everyone!"
"Venti is right; I was being a bit too sentimental." Zhongli nodded, chuckled, and raised his cup as well.
"Let's drink together!" Akira, Furina, and Raiden joined them, clinking their glasses and downing the wine in one breath.
After the gathering, Akira looked at Venti and Zhongli. "Would both of you like to stay at the hotel? We have already made the arrangements."
"No need, no need! When you come to Inazuma, you should enjoy the scenery," Venti said, shaking his head. "A free-spirited soul has no need for a hotel."
Akira nodded and looked at Zhongli.
Zhongli shook his head. "I agree with Venti," he added. "Instead of sleeping at the hotel, I might go for a stroll through Inazuma with Venti. You two don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not." Raiden Makoto and Akira both nodded. They knew the personalities of both men well enough to not worry about them causing any trouble for Inazuma.
"Oh my, it's rare to see the old man accompany me like this." Venti giggled and took a sip of his drink. "Well then, let's go. We'll be at your wedding. Thank you for your hospitality today."
"Alright," Akira nodded, and Venti and Zhongli vanished.
"As expected of the God of Freedom, he can even influence the usually stoic God of Contracts..." Raiden Makoto said with a smile, shaking her head in surprise.
"Haha, don't just look at the surface," Akira held the hands of Makoto and Furina and smiled. "Since Zhongli retired, he has truly let himself go."
"After stepping down from his divine position, he became a guest at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He doesn't do any real work all day; he just walks his birds, drinks tea, and listens to music in teahouses. He lives a very carefree life," Akira complained. "He even calls it a pleasant stroll through the mortal world."
Raiden Makoto said, "As expected of the oldest god, his ideas are truly different from the others."
"Big Sister Makoto, aren't you also one of the first gods, one of the ancient gods?" Furina asked with a teasing smile.
"Indeed, Ei and I were born in that era and endured countless darkness and wars. The world wasn't quite as wonderful back then," Raiden Makoto seemed lost in thought.
"However..." Raiden Makoto looked at Akira and smiled. "My love, since you were able to resurrect me and return to the present, you must also be able to find a way to return to the past."
"Yes, I possess the power of time and can travel to any moment in this world whenever I wish..." Akira nodded. He had the ability to travel to the future or past of this world at will!
"My love, do you know how beautiful the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the first Hydro Archon, Egeria, were?" Raiden Makoto said with a smile.
"Huh? Really? What do you mean by that?" Akira asked, a bit surprised.
"My love, do you think I don't know your feelings?" Raiden asked sincerely. "I once drank with them in Liyue. The wisdom of the Greater Lord and the kindness of Egeria impressed even me."
"Setting aside the other goddesses, if the Greater Lord..." Raiden Makoto looked at Akira and smiled. "That would be wonderful. You know how great it is to have a wise goddess by your side."
"We shall see, it is not the right time yet," Akira said, gently caressing Makoto's face.
He would certainly not let the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata or Egeria go, nor would he let the Goddess of Flowers, Malika, slip away; these were all top-tier beauties!
"We support you in everything," Raiden said gently. "Let's go~ Our wedding is the day after tomorrow. Chisato and the others have already arrived."
Akira's eyes widened slightly. Had all the beauties come to Tenshukaku? He couldn't even imagine what kind of heaven this place was.
"Darling, I want to marry you too." Hearing Makoto's words, Furina pouted and spoke in a coquettish tone to Akira.
"Good girl~" Akira pinched Furina's soft, smooth face. "I will go to Fontaine personally to organize a beautiful and romantic wedding for you and Clorinde."
"Hmph, that's better~" Furina said, putting her hands on her hips arrogantly. Suddenly, she leaned into Akira's ear and whispered, "Do you know? Clorinde has a very close friend from her past named Navia. She is an extremely beautiful young lady."
"Hmm?" Akira looked at Furina. "Why are you telling me this, baby?"
"You scoundrel! There are many beautiful girls in Inazuma, but there is no shortage in Fontaine either!" Furina said, hands on her hips. "Hmph! There are as many beautiful girls in Fontaine as there are in Inazuma! Whenever you come, I will arrange all the beauties for you!"
"What if they don't obey?" Akira looked at Furina's silly expression and couldn't help but tease her.
"How could that be? Only those who haven't seen you would dare to question your charm." Furina pouted. "Heh, when Clorinde and Navia were fighting before, I invited Navia to dinner at the Palais Mermonia to ease the tension between them, and we talked about you then."
"Is that so? What did she say?" Akira was curious. He hadn't known of a character named Navia before his reincarnation, so he was quite intrigued.
Furina hugged Akira's waist, angrily saying, "She knows that we have been in love with you for a short while, and she is very skeptical about it. Besides, she said it's impossible for anyone to possess such charm."
"Heh, that woman is very stubborn," Furina said. "Darling~ When you arrive in Fontaine, I will bring Navia to you first. I want to see how much this young lady from the Spina di Rosula can resist your charm."
"There are other beautiful girls in Fontaine, hmph, when you come, I'll organize a beauty pageant for you!" Furina grumbled.
"Huh?" Akira was surprised and looked at Furina. Good heavens, a beauty pageant! He had no doubt that Furina was capable of pulling off such a thing.
"I am the Hydro Archon, how could they refuse?" Furina grinned.
"Whatever you say~" Akira smiled and patted Furina's small head, though he knew when the time came, he would definitely go and flirt with all the girls himself.
Makoto looked at Akira and Furina, listening to their conversation with affection. As for Akira's interest in the beauties of Fontaine, she naturally didn't care. She knew that no matter how many beautiful lovers Akira had, they would never leave him. She would soon be Akira's legally wedded wife.
"Alright, let's hurry back to Tenshukaku." Raiden Makoto led Akira and Furina back to Tenshukaku.