The area in front of the Yae Publishing House was buzzing with activity.
Unlike before, where only Ei, Chiyo, and Kitsune Saiguu had been reading, now the Traveler, Paimon, Yoimiya, and Kamisato Ayaka had all joined the little book club during the wait for Lin Mo.
Everyone was completely absorbed in the novel's twists and turns.
Just then...
"Huh? It's Rosalyne!" Paimon's surprised exclamation pulled everyone's attention back to reality.
Ei glanced over sideways.
There was Rosalyne, flanked by two Mirror Maidens, descending the steps and heading toward the publishing house.
"Oh?" Yae Miko's eyes sparkled with interest.
Ei instinctively frowned.
Her divine intuition told her this woman was up to no good.
At that moment, Rosalyne approached slowly with her escorts.
"Eternal Raiden Shogun," she said. "I am the Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers, the Lady. I also serve as an envoy from Snezhnaya."
Her arrogant demeanor didn't soften one bit, even in the presence of a god.
"I've cut ties with the other six Archons, and even with the Heavenly Principles," Ei replied coolly. "So, what brings you here? Are you representing Snezhnaya's new god to court my favor? Or is this a personal visit?"
"I represent Her Majesty the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya, and I'm here to propose a deal." Rosalyne's haughty tone grated on Ei's nerves.
Still, Ei asked politely, "What kind of deal?"
"Hand over your Gnosis, and in exchange, secure peace for Inazuma." The Lady spoke flatly.
Those words made Ei's eyes flash with faint lightning. "Are you threatening me?"
"Yes and no."
The Lady's gaze was mocking. "If you surrender your Gnosis, I can guarantee that all Fatui agents embedded in Inazuma will withdraw completely."
"The Fatui? What's that?" Ei furrowed her brow.
If it had been the Raiden Shogun puppet, she would have known all about the Fatui—the organization that had been scheming against Inazuma's national security for years. Things like spreading the power of Delusions, or conspiring with the Kujou Clan to keep the nation in constant turmoil.
At that point, Yae Miko stepped up beside Ei with a smile. "Ei, the Fatui are a cancer that Snezhnaya has planted in Inazuma in recent years. Even the puppet you created, the Balladeer, joined them as the Sixth Harbinger, codenamed 'Scaramouche.'"
"So... they're enemies threatening eternity..."
Ei's gaze turned icy. "A Fatui Harbinger who endangers Inazuma's eternity dares to show her face before me? Do you think your new god can protect you?"
"There's no need for anger, General. After all... I'm just here to negotiate." Rosalyne seemed utterly unconcerned.
She was confident in Snezhnaya's overwhelming lead in economy, military, and technology, backed by their own god. That kind of power should make the other Archons think twice.
Unfortunately for her, the one standing before her wasn't the Raiden Shogun.
It was Ei, who had secluded herself for centuries.
Snezhnaya's strength? Delusion technology? The Fatui's elemental armaments?
Ei knew nothing about them.
But even if she did, what difference would it make?
To protect the Inazuma she cherished so dearly.
To safeguard her returned friend.
She would never allow anyone to run rampant on Inazuman soil.
Not even if it was the Heavenly Principles themselves—Ei would strike them down with her Musou no Hitotachi without hesitation.
"Well? Will you accept my offer?"
Rosalyne raised her hand slowly, repeating her arrogant demand: "Your Gnosis for Inazuma's peace?"
A crackling sound filled the air...
Lightning suddenly surged around Ei in response.
"I'm an envoy from Snezhnaya—you wouldn't dare harm me?" Rosalyne's eyes narrowed coldly.
But she instinctively stepped back half a pace.
By then, Ei had summoned a long blade of thunder into her grip.
She raised the crackling sword high, her frigid stare locked onto Rosalyne's eyes. "Those who threaten eternity have no right to negotiate!"
"Um, hey—"
"We're all diplomats and friends here, right? Can't we just not fight?"
Paimon called out anxiously, trying to stop the impending clash.
But Ei acted as if she hadn't heard.
In her mind, Lin Mo was only ever known as Sasayuri, the great Tengu general.
Who was this "diplomat"? Never heard of her.
If anything, hearing "Snezhnayan envoy" only fueled her rage.
Crackle!
The thunder's roar lit up all of Inazuma City.
"Y-You... you can't kill me!"
Sensing the overwhelming power, Rosalyne panicked.
She'd only just reunited with Rustan—she wasn't the same Harbinger willing to die for the Tsaritsa anymore.
"Ei, calm down."
"If she dies, Sasayuri will be heartbroken."
Yae Miko stepped forward with a smile, gently steadying Ei's hand before the blade could fall.
The name Sasayuri was like a magic switch.
It made Ei pause, retracting her terrifying Archon aura for the moment.
"Sasayuri? Does he have some connection to this woman?"
Ei turned her head, asking in confusion.
...
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T/N:
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