The next in line was Inazuma.
"Oh my, little one, what wind blew you over here?"
After arriving in Inazuma, the Traveler followed her inner wishes and first went to the Grand Narukami Shrine, where she met a certain pink-haired fox.
"We actually want to talk about light novels," the Traveler said.
"Oh?" Yae Miko gently raised her delicate eyebrow, smiling with interest. "Little one, are you here to work at Yae Publishing House?"
"No, no," Paimon answered this time. "We want to discuss continuing a light novel's story with you."
After explaining the full situation, Yae Miko helplessly stroked her forehead.
"So he couldn't persist after all," Yae Miko said.
"Yae, what do you mean by that?" Paimon asked puzzledly. "Could it be that you already knew these novels were written by the Pyro Archon and that sooner or later, due to official duties being too busy, he wouldn't be able to write anymore?"
Yae Miko narrowed her eyes and smiled: "I don't have that great an ability to tell just from the text whether the author is a god."
"I just sensed from this light novel's update speed that the author might not be able to continue writing."
"After all, even at our Yae Publishing House, many authors write and write, then don't know how to continue, preferring to start a new book rather than giving the old one closure."
"I was even thinking that if this book couldn't continue, I'd urge the author to open a new one."
"I didn't expect he'd probably never open a new book in his lifetime."
"Your way of putting it sounds a bit scary," Paimon said.
"So, does that mean this book doesn't need to be continued?" the Traveler asked.
"For other light novels at Yae Publishing House that can't continue, it's fine even if they don't update."
"At worst, we can just say the author got addicted to playing mahjong, living a life of ease and comfort, so he doesn't want to write anymore."
"But since you little ones brought up something so interesting, I'll join in too."
"Yae, what are your thoughts on the later plots?"
"Let me think." Yae Miko pondered for a moment, then said, "Although I hope this novel's sequel can be even more captivating, this is still a work under my banner, so let's develop it normally—let every pair of lovers end up together."
"Since when did making the story more captivating become a derogatory term?" Hearing Yae Miko's words, Paimon grumbled.
"Perhaps in her view, the so-called 'captivating' doesn't refer to the book's content being captivating, but rather some plot causing reader dissatisfaction, and then finding the readers' reactions captivating."
The Traveler, combining Yae Miko's personality, guessed her meaning.
In short, she wanted to see rivers of blood.
Next, they found Kamisato Ayaka.
"Traveler, how did you think to come find me?" When learning the Traveler and the others' purpose, Kamisato Ayaka was somewhat surprised.
She didn't seem like someone who would provide suggestions for light novels at all.
Paimon smiled lightly: "Hehe, last time we came to play at your house, we noticed you had this light novel there."
"Judging by age, only Thoma, Ayato, and you might be the readers."
"Could it be Ayato who likes reading this novel?"
"No, it's not." Kamisato Ayaka shook her head, smiling embarrassedly. "It's actually me reading it."
"As expected." Paimon smiled happily. "So, Ayaka, how do you want the story to develop next? Like Yae said, steady and solid, hoping the later lovers end up together?"
"I hope so too. However..." Kamisato Ayaka changed her tone. "This novel is about one hundred lovey-dovey couples, but up to now, it hasn't even reached one hundred pairs."
"I hope in the later plots, we can add one more pair of lovers. The female protagonist is the daughter of a wealthy family, treated like a princess by others, with her clothing, food, housing, and everything else supervised—using nothing less than the best in the country."
"But the princess's heart is still unsatisfied; she yearns for a romance like that of ordinary people."
"I wonder if such an idea would work?" Kamisato Ayaka's face flushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Your idea sounds pretty good too; among the couples that have appeared before, none seem to be princesses."
Paimon scratched her hair: "This setup feels a bit familiar."
"Ayaka, thanks for your suggestion. We'll go find others now," the Traveler said, grabbing Paimon and leaving.
To prevent Paimon from blurting something out and making the scene awkward, the Traveler quickly pulled Paimon away from the Kamisato estate.
After consulting Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko, the last person they sought was Arataki Itto.
"You want my suggestions for a novel? Hahaha, you've come to the right guy!" Arataki Itto laughed heartily, then said.
"Though I haven't read it, I can definitely give super great suggestions."
"Where does this confidence come from?" Paimon said, spreading her small hands.
After telling Arataki Itto the light novel's plot, Itto said: "That's easy—just have the guys from dozens of couples fight it out!"
Arataki Itto clenched his fist and said: "The one who wins in the end gets all the girls. No one should have any objections to this method, right?"
"Indeed, no objections," the Traveler and Paimon said. "Anyone who could accept this plot probably isn't human anymore."
After collecting everyone's opinions, the Traveler and the others returned to the Grand Narukami Shrine to meet Yae Miko.
After all, since this light novel was serialized at Yae Publishing House, they could just discuss directly with Yae Miko—no need to return to Natlan or Liyue's editor to explain.
"Little ones, it seems you've got your answer. Tell me, what are you thinking?" Yae Miko said with a light smile.
Up to now, the Traveler had three options.
The first option was Yae Miko's suggestion: in the next plots, write the couples' parts well without any gimmicks.
The second option was to reference Kamisato Ayaka: set up a new pair of lovers and open a new story arc.
The third option was to follow Arataki Itto: start a massive brawl among all the couples, with the last man standing claiming all the women.
When choosing the first, Yae Miko just smiled lightly, then said: "Looks like you little ones don't want this work to end with too many regrets either. Then let's do it this way."
As for the second option, Yae Miko laughed even more happily upon hearing it: "That girl from the Kamisato Clan is still a child, right at the age to ponder these things."
"I think this idea is pretty good. Let's focus the next book on depicting this princess's romance."
Upon hearing the third option—Arataki Itto's suggestion—Yae Miko pursed her lips, unable to laugh, even developing a black line on her forehead.
"That guy who calls himself the King of the Oni isn't even a reader; no need to heed his suggestions, right."