Watching the Harbingers interrogate each other in the chat, Scaramouche's eyes flashed with mockery.
But now wasn't the time to tear faces apart.
Scaramouche: Heh. You're overthinking it. Since I obtained the Electro Gnosis, naturally I intended to deliver it to Her Majesty personally.
Scaramouche: It's not like some idiot who gets left in the dark about the plan, shoulders the blame, and watches someone else take the credit.
Tartaglia: ???
Tartaglia: %^#@!!
Who are you calling an idiot?!
Childe immediately started spewing profanity.
Scaramouche remained as sarcastic as ever.
Scaramouche: Stop raging uselessly. Enjoy your rehabilitation in prison~
Tartaglia: Scaramouche, I—%#@!
Dottore: Indeed. If he secured the Gnosis himself, there's no need to pass it through others' hands.
Il Capitano: Is that so? Then all is well.
On the surface, the "misunderstanding" was resolved.
Underneath?
Heh.
Villa
Luo Chen wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Where there are people, there is conflict.
And Fatui? A melting pot of contradictions.
A vengeful soul from Mondstadt.
An obsessive fanatic from Liyue.
A hollow puppet from Inazuma.
A dangerous scholar from Sumeru.
A fallen exile from Khaenri'ah.
All gathered under the Tsaritsa's banner.
Publicly united against Celestia.
Privately?
God knows how many schemes lurked beneath.
Compared to Snezhnaya's atmosphere, even Mondstadt's chaotic mix of foreigners looked peaceful.
How the Tsaritsa kept that mess under control—
A mystery.
Shaking his head, Luo Chen continued.
Yae Miko's Endgame
"After rescuing the Traveler, Yae Miko used the debt of saving her life to subtly demand repayment."
"She laid her cards on the table."
"She trained Lumine to counter the Raiden Shogun."
"She knew the power gap was enormous."
"Without preparation, Lumine would only repeat her previous defeat."
"At this point, Step Two was nearly complete."
"Now—Step Three."
"Raise the stakes."
"To convince Beelzebul, pressure must escalate."
"This meant dismantling the Tenryou Commission."
"And the key figure was Kujou Sara."
"If Sara could be turned, the Resistance could secretly enter Narukami Island."
"Even reach Tenshukaku."
"Checkmate."
"Miko only provided directions."
"The plan itself was conceived by Lumine."
"Ayaka supplied evidence."
"Yoimiya cooperated."
"Sayu executed the infiltration."
"From the Tenryou Commission's perspective?"
"The enemy was the Traveler."
"Miko and the Yashiro Commission remained clean."
"Objectively, this was efficient."
"Emotionally?"
A bit ruthless.
Sara discovered the truth.
Rushed to correct the Shogun.
Was knocked unconscious by La Signora.
Lumine followed.
Defeated Signora.
Meanwhile, under Miko's coordination, the Resistance stormed Narukami Island.
The clash at Tenshukaku loomed.
To protect the people, Lumine struck at the puppet Shogun—
And entered the Plane of Euthymia again.
Miko slipped in with her.
Buffed by the wishes of the people outside—
Lumine gained the strength to win.
Then came emotional persuasion.
Power and sentiment.
Dual pressure.
Beelzebul relented.
The Vision Hunt Decree was abolished.
Inazuma was saved.
Summary
Three moves.
Preserve the Kamisato Clan.
Find someone who could enter the Plane — Lumine.
Increase leverage — escalate conflict, dismantle the Delusion factory, sway Kujou Sara.
Even without Lumine?
Miko would have prepared the board.
She would simply wait for the right piece.
A true strategist never leaves herself without a backup.
Opportunity does not belong to the prepared.
It belongs to those who create it.
From the result?
Flawless execution.
She untangled Ei's heart.
Saved Inazuma.
And Lumine?
Got dragged in from the moment she boarded the Crux Fleet.
Came to search for her brother.
Ended up dueling an Archon.
Nearly died.
Yes, she gained friends.
Yes, she met the Raiden Shogun.
But none of that changed the fact—
She had been a chess piece.
And for that?
Inazuma really should kneel and thank her.
Aftermath — Reactions
The truth stunned many.
They had thought Lumine arrived first.
Then salvation followed.
No.
Salvation was already in motion.
Lumine was chosen.
Other nations shuddered.
High positions truly require terrifying minds.
The fox priestess?
Dangerous.
The Traveler?
Played thoroughly.
Arataki Gang
Arataki Itto went pale.
"She's… that scary?!"
He didn't understand everything.
But it sounded impressive.
And terrifying.
He turned to Kuki Shinobu.
"A-Ninja! Save your boss! What if she schemes against me?!"
Shinobu sighed.
"Boss… you mocked her multiple times in the chat."
"…Let's surrender."
"Lose half is better than being targeted."
Itto resisted.
Normally.
But recalling that mysterious smile—
He caved.
"I'm not surrendering!"
"I'm… adapting to circumstances!"
"识时务者为俊杰!"
He laughed loudly.
Shinobu: "..."
Watatsumi Island
Gorou was sweating.
Why did I laugh at her earlier?
Why?!
Kokomi sighed sympathetically.
"You should avoid Narukami Island for a while."
"Y-Yes, Lady Sangonomiya…"
Regret came too late.
Tenshukaku
Silence.
Ei, Lumine, and Paimon all looked at Miko.
Ei spoke first.
"Thank you."
Without her—
The Kamisato Clan might have fallen.
Chaos would have deepened.
Miko blinked in surprise.
"Thank me? I was technically part of a rebellion."
Ei patted her chest boldly.
"Then take the throne if you want."
Miko waved frantically.
"No, no. You keep it."
"I barely survived a few days as acting Shogun."
"No time for fried tofu."
Absolutely not.
She turned to Lumine.
"And you?"
Lumine folded her arms.
"…Honestly? I'm a bit annoyed."
"No one likes being a chess piece."
"Especially when it nearly costs your life."
Ei and Miko didn't argue.
Fair.
Then Lumine sighed.
"But… it was still my choice."
"I wasn't forced."
"And you did save me with the Gnosis."
"So… forget it."
Paimon nodded vigorously.
"If Lumine's okay, I'm okay!"
Relief filled the room.
But compensation was necessary.
Ei thought briefly.
"To show my apology—and gratitude."
"All your expenses in Inazuma, from now on, are covered by the nation."
It wasn't an honorary title.
Not yet.
But it was sincere.
And Inazuma—
Truly owed her.
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