"Hm? Isn't that the case?" Ei asked, looking at Venti.
Venti: "..."
Forget it. There was no point arguing with a country bumpkin.
After saying goodbye to Lumine, Paimon, and the others, the group headed toward Tenshukaku. Along the way, the shops were already filled with decorations and festival goods for the Irodori Festival. The lively atmosphere rivaled the grand celebration held when Makoto's return had first been announced.
"This is the real Inazuma," Makoto said, looking at the bustling streets before glancing at her sister. "You've really been quite an unqualified ruler these past five hundred years."
Ei obediently lowered her head and said nothing.
When they passed a dango shop, she slowed her steps slightly.
Makoto immediately said, "Little sister, we're out of money."
Hearing that, Ei fell silent.
But Venti chuckled from the side.
"Oh my, you two might be broke, but Lora isn't! Among all of us, she's probably the richest now, right? She gets a salary from the Jade Chamber and another paycheck from Furina."
Lora: "?"
As soon as Venti said that, Ei turned to look at her.
"Can you lend me some money? I'll have the Tenryou Commission repay you later."
"You're the Electro Archon. Do you actually pay when you buy things in Inazuma?" Lora asked.
She remembered Ei simply taking whatever she wanted in the past—she didn't even seem to understand the concept of money.
Ei didn't answer. Instead, she glanced toward Makoto.
Makoto noticed and explained with a smile.
"I insisted on it. Even though we are the gods who rule Inazuma, we shouldn't disrupt human life. If we can pay for something, then we should. Otherwise, how would people make a living?"
"I see." Lora nodded.
Ei asked again, "So… can you lend me some money?"
"..."
Lora sighed helplessly. She pulled out her purse, rummaged through it, and handed a few Mora to Ei.
"Here. Don't say I'm stingy. No need for the Tenryou Commission to repay it—just put it on Miko's tab."
Ei nodded seriously.
"Since Miko has been lent to you, there's no need to be polite."
"Now you're getting it," Lora said with a grin.
Ei then bought some Dango Milk. While eating the dango and sipping the milk, she followed the group toward Tenshukaku.
The vendor had originally intended to give the food to her for free. But when he saw her place several Mora on the counter with an expression that left no room for refusal, the words died on his lips.
"These are dumplings," Venti said while staring at the soft, chewy dango, suddenly struck by an idea. "Have you ever tried soaking them in alcohol? I wonder how they'd taste."
Ei shook her head.
"I haven't tried that. But I have soaked them in milk before. They're sweet and delicious."
"Really? Let me try one," Venti said, reaching toward her.
Ei immediately pulled the dango back slightly.
"If you want some, buy your own."
Venti spread his hands helplessly.
"I'd need money for that."
The Okuzumeshuu guards stationed at Tenshukaku watched their deity return in such an unusual manner. Though inwardly shocked, they maintained their composure and showed no reaction.
When the group reached the main hall, Makoto hadn't even pushed the door open yet when they heard Yae Miko's voice from inside.
"I still can't understand why we're stuck here working so hard while those two get to go sightseeing in Liyue and enjoy themselves!"
Then came the Raiden Shogun's calm reply.
"I don't dwell on such matters. Everything we do is for Inazuma. As long as I understand that, it is enough. Miko, you should understand as well."
"I just don't understand!" Yae Miko said, shaking her head. She continued coaxing the Shogun. "Shogun, you don't have to follow Ei's orders so rigidly. Why not rebel a little once in a while?"
While Yae Miko was busy trying to convince the Shogun to rebel, Ei pushed open the door.
"So this is how you talk about me when I'm not around?"
Hearing the noise, both the Shogun and Yae Miko turned toward the door.
Miko quickly stepped back a few paces and immediately put on a bright smile.
"Oh my, so it's Makoto and Ei! And Lora as well… and this gentleman?" she said lightly. "You're back so early. Why didn't you tell me? I would've come to greet you."
Venti, who had been casually referred to as "this gentleman," smiled helplessly.
Ei swallowed the dango in her mouth and said,
"If we hadn't come in quietly, we wouldn't have heard you trying to mislead the Shogun."
Makoto glanced at her dignified-looking sister, then gently wiped the milk from the corner of Ei's mouth.
"You're already grown, yet you're still this messy…"
"Sister, leave me some dignity," Ei complained.
Yae Miko and Venti quietly snickered.
The Raiden Shogun immediately stood and walked toward them, with Miko quickly following behind.
Makoto gestured toward the bard.
"Let me introduce him. This is Venti. You might not recognize that name, but you certainly know his other one."
"He is Mondstadt's Anemo Archon—Barbatos."
The Raiden Shogun looked at him and spoke bluntly.
"So you're the Anemo Archon Barbatos—the one who never handles affairs and has been missing for a thousand years?"
"…Yes, that's me," Venti said, nodding without the slightest embarrassment.
"You're here for the Irodori Festival, aren't you?" Yae Miko asked with a smile.
"Indeed. As expected of the famous Guuji," he replied cheerfully. "You guessed my purpose for coming to Inazuma immediately."
"This isn't a good place for reminiscing and drinking," Makoto said. "Let's go to the side room. Follow me."
She waved everyone along and led them out of the main hall. The layout of Tenshukaku had not changed in centuries, so she easily found the room she wanted.
This was the room where she and Ei once sat with old friends, brewing tea by the hearth.
Now they remained—but the friends around them had changed.
They sat around the table, and before long attendants brought tea, snacks, and wine.
Venti immediately poured himself a cup and drank it in one go. Afterward, he evaluated it thoughtfully.
"Hmm… Inazuma's wine is much lighter than Mondstadt's or Liyue's, but it has its own delicate fragrance. Perhaps I should follow Diluc's example and open a tavern selling wine from all over the world."
"If you did that," Lora said dryly, "you'd probably drink more than you sell."
Makoto placed several pieces of fried tofu onto Miko's plate and said warmly,
"Here, have some more fried tofu."
At first, Miko didn't think much of it.
But as Makoto continued being unusually attentive, she finally sensed something was off.
She frowned slightly and looked at her.
"Makoto… what's going on with you? You're never this nice to me normally."