Arataki Itto was ultimately helped away by others. If he had relied on himself, he would have collapsed before taking even five steps.
"Hehe, Shinobu, your boss is really unreliable. How about leaving that whatever-it's-called Arataki Gang and joining the shrine instead?"
Yae Miko had nothing better to do, so she decided to try poaching someone for fun, though she already knew how it would end.
Kuki Shinobu did not even consider it and said, "Guuji-sama, you already had my sister talk to me about this before, and I still didn't agree. You should give up on the idea."
"Also, even though Boss is usually unreliable, when it really matters, he takes responsibility."
Most people only saw Arataki Itto's ridiculous side, but she knew that Arataki Itto was actually someone many people wanted to follow.
"Oh my, I didn't expect that little oni to earn such an evaluation from you. But I suppose that makes sense. The oni race may not be known as a clan of strategists, but they are deeply loyal and righteous," Yae Miko said nostalgically.
Chiyo had been a very bold and straightforward oni too.
"If you ever change your mind, Shinobu, you can report to me anytime."
Yae Miko and Koji left. She really liked a genius like Kuki Shinobu. Placing that kind of talent in a small group like the Arataki Gang was a complete waste.
Kujou Sara shook her head. She had invited Kuki Shinobu far more times than Yae Miko had, but Kuki Shinobu had never accepted her invitation.
"Well, well, what wind blew you over here, Mizuki-san?"
Yae Miko saw an old acquaintance arrive and narrowed her eyes. This seemingly lazy young lady was no human. She belonged to the baku race, and in a sense, she was also a competitor in the same line of business as Yae Miko.
"We've known each other for hundreds of years, and we're old neighbors too. No need to be so distant, right?" Yumemizuki Mizuki said with a shrug.
"That's true. It has been hundreds of years."
Hearing that, Yae Miko revealed a wistful expression. Yumemizuki Mizuki was one of her few old friends.
"I'm actually rather curious about the story between you two back then," Koji said.
He had to admit, the way Yumemizuki Mizuki's tail wrapped around her leg carried a very seductive charm, almost like a succubus.
Yae Miko's expression changed, but Yumemizuki Mizuki had already started talking.
"Miko wasn't like she is now back then, always looking for fun. Thinking about it now, it really is nostalgic. When Miko had just learned to take human form, she was innocent and pure."
"Pfft…"
When Koji heard the phrase "innocent and pure" being used to describe Yae Miko, he really could not hold back and burst out laughing.
This unbelievably sly fox had actually been like that as a child? Then how exactly had she grown into what she was now?
Yae Miko's face darkened. What was that supposed to mean? Was she not allowed to have been innocent and pure?
Kitsune Saiguu was already laughing so hard her body shook like flowers in the wind. Before she died back then, little Miko had already taken human form. Compared to now, she had indeed been very innocent.
As for who had influenced her… well, everyone knew.
Yumemizuki Mizuki continued, "When Miko had just learned to transform into a human, she would come looking for me every day and ask me to taste what flavor her dream had that day."
"I still remember it even now… There were cherry blossoms, paper, ink, tri-color dango, and fried tofu. Every time, she would grab me, make me take human form, and run into the city to search for the things that matched the flavors in her dream…"
Those really were nostalgic times. Once someone discovered them, Miko would turn back into her true form and flee the scene. Mizuki often could not keep up with the nimble Yae Miko.
"Those were nostalgic days."
Yae Miko also revealed a deeply nostalgic expression. Back then had been when she played most happily.
"I wonder how much of that old flavor remains in the Guuji-sama's dreams now," Yumemizuki Mizuki said, looking at Yae Miko curiously.
"Do you want to taste them? I don't mind."
Yae Miko smiled faintly. If Yumemizuki Mizuki wanted to have a taste, then as an old friend, she would naturally satisfy her.
Yumemizuki Mizuki shook her head.
Although she did want to taste them, she could not casually devour another person's dreams. Usually, she only devoured dreams when there was a need for it.
"Does your baku true form look like this?"
Koji condensed an image. It was a pink baku, a creature from the Xianzhou Zhuming. It fed on dreams and was used to treat mental illnesses caused by restless thoughts.
"It's quite cute, but no, I don't look like that," Yumemizuki Mizuki said.
"That's also a baku?"
"Mizuki, do you want to taste my dream?" Kitsune Saiguu asked.
"If it is Kitsune Saiguu-sama's dream, then I'll pass," Yumemizuki Mizuki refused decisively.
She knew very well how troublesome this white-haired fox immortal was. For all she knew, she might end up crashing halfway through.
"The Dendro Archon's authority includes dreams. Have you ever eaten dreams in Sumeru?" Koji asked with great interest.
Yumemizuki Mizuki shook her head. "That Dendro Archon's authority is above my yokai power. Within Sumeru's territory, I cannot touch anyone's dreams at all."
She could come into contact with many people's dreams, but when she encountered the Dendro Archon, it was like meeting a natural enemy. She could not affect them in the slightest.
Koji smiled and directly brought Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Buer, over.
"Is something the matter?" Buer asked softly and gently, having been brought here before she even knew what was going on.
"I brought you here to meet Yumemizuki Mizuki, this baku," Koji said.
"You are…"
Yumemizuki Mizuki asked carefully. The moment this white-haired woman, who radiated a gentle aura, appeared, Mizuki felt her yokai power become suppressed on its own. She had already guessed Buer's identity.
Good grief. Koji could actually bring Sumeru's god here directly. She was starting to want to tremble.
Yae Miko and Kitsune Saiguu's expressions became much more solemn. This was a being on the same level as the Shogun and the others, and in terms of seniority, she could even be considered their predecessor.
"Baku, a dream-eating race. Irminsul has records of them. There were past cases of baku recklessly devouring dreams," Buer said with a smile.
"Ahem, that did indeed happen in the distant past, but present-day baku are strictly forbidden from devouring dreams without permission," Yumemizuki Mizuki said with a light cough.
It was said that that "ancestor" had been chopped down by Raiden Shogun with a single slash as if they were a stray dog by the roadside. By now, the Shogun probably did not even remember it anymore.
As expected of Irminsul. Even something like that was recorded.
"There's no need to be nervous. Since you have been to Sumeru, I know you have not done anything out of line," Buer said. Her smile was as warm and approachable as a spring breeze.
Aside from certain things that had been removed, Irminsul recorded many events that had happened across Teyvat.
"Mm. Although I cannot touch the dreams of Sumeru's people, the Dendro Archon's authority did not oppress or harm me. You truly are a very gentle god," Yumemizuki Mizuki said with a nod.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was the faith of Sumeru, but she did not give off the feeling of divine majesty towering like a mountain. Instead, there was a motherly gentleness about her.
(End of Chapter)
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