In Inazuma.
Inside the alley beside the Solace Book House branch.
Raiden Ei had arrived with her beloved general, Kujou Sara.
"After we go in, show the owner proper respect and focus on reading manga. That's all you need to do."
Standing outside the shop, Ei gave Sara her instructions.
Originally, she had planned to stay in the Plane of Euthymia and continue playing games.
However, after considering that the Shogun might not handle relations with the manga shop properly, she ultimately decided to come personally.
Once she finished reading manga, she could always return to the Plane of Euthymia and resume gaming.
At this point, she was practically treating the Raiden Shogun as a full-time employee.
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Sara answered seriously.
Although she had no idea why the Shogun had brought her here.
Nor did she understand why she was supposed to show special respect toward the owner.
But if it was the Shogun's order, she would carry it out without hesitation.
A true "Shogun devotee."
The only person who could rival her loyalty was probably a certain Conqueror of Demons from neighboring Liyue.
"Good."
Ei nodded in satisfaction.
Obedient.
Decisive.
Capable of leadership.
These were exactly the kinds of subordinates she appreciated.
"Let's go."
With that, she stepped into the manga shop.
Sara hurried after her.
A flash of light passed before their eyes.
When their vision cleared, they found themselves inside the shop.
"Other than being unusually spacious, it doesn't seem particularly special."
Sara looked around and frowned slightly.
There were a few unusual figurines on display.
But as a strict, disciplined military officer, she had no interest in such things.
"Still, if Her Excellency brought me here personally, there must be a reason. The secret is probably hidden within the manga themselves."
Sara thought quietly.
Meanwhile, Ei was carefully examining the surroundings.
Last time, she had been in too much of a hurry to observe anything closely.
Now she finally had the opportunity.
And it didn't take long for her to notice something strange.
"This... isn't Inazuma."
Looking through the entrance, Ei's eyes widened slightly.
The scenery outside was completely different from the alley they had entered.
In other words...
The branch in Inazuma was merely a facade?
"I see. Some sort of teleportation device."
The Raiden Shogun's consciousness quickly reached the same conclusion.
"The Boss is truly remarkable."
Ei couldn't help admiring it.
She herself could accomplish something similar.
But only for her own body.
A fixed transportation system capable of moving anyone between locations was beyond even her abilities.
"If that's the case, there are probably similar shops in Mondstadt and Liyue."
"Perhaps eventually there will be one in all Seven Nations."
Ei felt she had vaguely grasped Han Feng's goal.
He likely intended to spread the manga shop throughout all of Teyvat.
"And if that happens... Celestia will eventually take notice."
The Raiden Shogun spoke solemnly.
At present, the shop's influence was mostly limited to the three nations currently connected to it.
But if branches appeared throughout all of Teyvat...
Its existence would become impossible for the gods above to ignore.
At that point, nobody knew what might happen.
What she didn't know was that Celestia had already noticed.
The moment the Four Swords Formation appeared, attention had been drawn.
For whatever reason, however, no action had been taken.
Perhaps they didn't care.
Perhaps they were observing.
Or perhaps someone had already arrived in secret, unnoticed by everyone.
"That isn't our concern right now."
Ei shook her head lightly.
Then she turned toward Sara.
"Come. I'll introduce you to the owner."
The two walked toward the counter.
"Welcome. I didn't expect the people of Inazuma to arrive this early as well."
Han Feng greeted them with a smile.
"Other Inazumans have already arrived?"
Ei looked slightly surprised.
Not because someone would come eventually.
That was inevitable after the branch opened.
What surprised her was the timing.
She hadn't expected anyone to be quite so enthusiastic.
"Yes. They're already inside."
Han Feng nodded toward the reading area.
"Your Excellency, should we go over there?"
Sara immediately spotted Thoma and stepped forward to ask.
She had heard about yesterday's events at the Statue of the Omnipresent God.
Most of it wasn't her concern.
But Thoma's escape as a Vision holder definitely was.
After all, she was one of the primary enforcers of the Vision Hunt Decree.
They hadn't managed to locate him before.
Yet here he was.
Inside this very shop.
"No. Leave it for later."
Ei waved dismissively.
It was only a Vision.
She wasn't about to ruin her morning manga session over such a trivial matter.
More importantly, causing trouble inside the shop would be disrespectful to the owner.
Knowing just how terrifying the black-haired young man before her truly was, she had no desire to provoke conflict.
"Understood."
Sara stepped back obediently.
"Boss, here's two hundred thousand Mora."
Ei placed a large pouch of Mora on the counter.
Han Feng's expression turned somewhat strange.
"She actually brought money?"
Wasn't it supposed to be a rule that the Three Archons never carried Mora?
Venti could be explained away as a poor bard.
Zhongli had special circumstances and simply borrowed money whenever necessary.
But Ei?
This shut-in actually remembered to bring Mora with her?
The truth was that Raiden Makoto had repeatedly reminded her yesterday.
Otherwise, she probably would have forgotten.
"Bookshelves are over there."
Han Feng pointed toward them.
Ei nodded.
Then she looked at Sara.
"You go ahead. I'll join you shortly."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
After offering a respectful bow, Sara headed toward the bookshelves.
Unlike most newcomers, she didn't suffer from indecision.
She rarely paid attention to entertainment in the first place.
So she simply grabbed the first manga she saw—Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone—and headed deeper into the shop.
"You seem like you have something else to say."
Han Feng looked curiously at Ei, who remained standing at the counter.
What could possibly make even the Electro Archon hesitate?
Was yesterday's game too difficult?
Did she want gameplay advice?
The answer turned out to be even more unexpected.
"Boss..."
Ei hesitated briefly.
Then she asked with complete seriousness:
"Do you have anything here that can cook automatically?"
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