"N-no way… the Shogun was actually defeated by the Guuji?"
"Is that really the main point? Shouldn't we be focusing on the fact that the Shogun just landed in that man's arms?"
"Damn it—who is that man?! How dare he hold the Shogun like that!"
"Hiss… why do I feel a strange sense of envy?"
"Waaah, my pure and noble Shogun, my faith—it's all gone!"
"Grab your weapons! Follow me! We must reclaim the Shogun!"
Seeing this shocking scene, the people of Inazuma collectively shattered inside.
To them, this was even more outrageous than Keqing working as a maid.
Keqing might be the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, a figure of great status.
But the Raiden Shogun's position was far above even that.
She was one of the Seven Archons— the supreme ruler of Inazuma.
The name "Raiden Shogun" had long transcended mortal existence, becoming an eternal symbol of faith for the nation.
Such a figure should stand high above all others, revered by the world.
And yet—she was lying obediently in a man's arms.
Even if it was an accident during battle, the distant crowd could not accept it.
They gritted their teeth in outrage.
Many of them wished they could rush forward—
not to replace him, but to take the Shogun back.
Ayaka's Confusion
"This…"
Kamisato Ayaka was completely stunned.
She had been watching the black-haired youth closely and hadn't paid attention to the battlefield.
Then suddenly—the Shogun ended up in that young man's arms.
The entire tone of the scene shifted instantly.
"Something feels… off."
Soon, Ayaka frowned slightly.
Given the Shogun's cold and decisive personality, shouldn't she have immediately stood up and resumed the fight?
Why was she still lying there without resisting?
And why did her expression seem… tense?
For a moment, Ayaka even wondered if she had misread it.
The invincible Shogun— showing nervousness?
Impossible.
Makoto's Teasing Thoughts
"Why hasn't Ei gotten up yet?
Could it be she's been captivated by the boss's handsome face?"
Makoto blinked, half teasing in her mind.
Even she hadn't expected events to unfold like this.
A sudden mistake, followed by a perfectly timed strike, then the Shogun being knocked straight into the boss's arms.
The chain of coincidences left her both amused and helpless.
Seeing the tension on the Shogun's face, she assumed it was embarrassment.
"No matter how powerful she is, she's still just a girl."
With that gentle thought, Makoto dismissed her sword and began walking toward them.
The Real Problem
"What… what is happening?"
After landing in Han Feng's arms, the Raiden Shogun felt genuine unease.
Not because of embarrassment.
As a puppet devoted to Eternity, she had no concept of romantic feelings.
What unsettled her was something far more serious:
Her elemental power had suddenly stopped responding.
It was as if it had vanished.
The Shogun's calm detachment was largely rooted in her overwhelming strength.
Now that strength was gone.
Without it, she was no different from an ordinary girl.
And that sudden loss created a rare sense of panic.
"Is it because of this black-haired youth?"
Ei sensed the Shogun's unease and offered a hypothesis.
"I'm not certain… but I believe so."
The Shogun nodded.
This phenomenon had only appeared after contact with him.
Clearly, he was the cause.
"In that case, let me take control."
After a brief silence, Ei spoke calmly.
Faced with this unexpected situation, it was better for her to handle things directly.
Especially since outside stood someone who might be connected to her sister.
She had to confirm the truth.
"You're going to come out?"
The Shogun paused in surprise.
Ever since Ei had created her puppet body and retreated into the Plane of Euthymia, she had never personally emerged again.
All matters had been handled by the puppet.
Yet now, she was returning.
Still, the Shogun did not object.
Without her powers, she could do little anyway.
She closed her eyes.
When they opened again—the person in Han Feng's arms was no longer the puppet.
It was Raiden Ei, the true Electro Archon of Inazuma.
First Meeting
"Raiden Ei, huh?"
Seeing the sudden change in presence, Han Feng smiled.
Truthfully, even he hadn't expected this situation.
Their first meeting—and she appeared directly in his arms.
One could only say Makoto's assist had been perfect.
And—the warmth and softness in his embrace was rather pleasant.
Recognition
"You know my name?"
Hearing the young man speak it, Ei's eyes flashed with shock.
This was her greatest secret.
Very few people knew it.
To the outside world, there was only the Raiden Shogun.
Yet this stranger recognized her instantly.
Who was he?
What kind of existence?
Still feeling her power suppressed, Ei spoke calmly:
"Could you… set me down first?"
Being without strength felt deeply uncomfortable.
And this was a public place.
For Inazuma's ruler to remain in a stranger's arms was inappropriate.
Release
"Of course."
Han Feng smiled lightly and placed Ei gently back on the ground.
He understood the cause.
When his right hand held her, his Imagine Breaker ability had activated.
That was why the Shogun had panicked earlier.
"Thank you."
Ei gave a quiet word of gratitude.
What had been suspicion was now certainty.
Her elemental power returned the moment she left his grasp.
This young man possessed an ability of terrifying nature.
As for the earlier "impropriety," Ei decided to pretend it never happened.
After all—if she attacked and lost her power again, the situation could become far worse.
At that point, even calling for help would be useless.
She had no intention of making such a foolish mistake.
So she swallowed her frustration and endured it silently.
A Careful Question
After a brief pause, Ei looked at him with measured caution.
"May I ask who you are, and why you have come to Inazuma?"
A person with such overwhelming ability posed a potential threat to Eternity.
Yet fighting him might be impossible.
So gathering information was the wiser choice.
"Just an ordinary comic shop owner.
I opened a branch here today, so I came out with a friend to have a look around."
Han Feng replied with a faint smile.
Watching Ei's guarded expression, he chuckled inwardly.
It seemed the earlier incident had successfully intimidated her.
From here on, there would likely be no need to use force again.
And as a result, the comic shop's future in Inazuma was probably secure.
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