#raiden ei

Wanderer!MC never thought they’d actually have to show up in Tenshukaku again, but here they are.

Forced to bring out their old but still gold feather token to meet with the Shogun.

Shogun: “That you appeared in person to see me can only mean there’s a matter that requires both of our attention.”

MC brings out a series of documents and written accounts:

Audit discrepancies with official ledgers from the Kanjou Commission.

Actual ledgers showing financial abuse of Ritou’s outlander inhabitants.

Officials and officers taking bribes.

Letters unsent to the writers’ homelands, expressing fear of homelessness and never seeing their loved ones again, since they can barely afford living expenses, and can’t leave due to the Sakoku Decree.

Economic struggles even among Inazuman locals, due to a lack of resources.

Some higher authorities pocketing that excess money.

Reports from officials and soldiers detailing what is actually happening throughout Inazuma and the brewing civil war.

Casualty numbers.

Journal pages of the recent Tatarigami outbreak from the Narukami Pillars’ destruction.

One such journal page containing a scheme to slaughter all of Higi Village and pinning the blame on Watatsumi soldiers, based on mere suspicion of harboring refugees.

Another page suggesting blaming Watatsumi for also destroying the pillars, despite solid alibis and evidence to the contrary.

Medical reports detailing the effects of a Vision being forcibly separated from its owner.

Assassination orders directly from Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke, to silence dissenters within the Tri-Commission.

Correspondence between Takayuki and Shinsuke, along with an unknown third party, regarding withholding a number of mask fragments to use their power for yet unknown purposes.

All of them have been dated since the start of the Sakoku and Vision Hunt Decrees.

It took quite a bit of effort to gather this much evidence. She better not dismiss them.

Wanderer!MC: “Does any of this match the reports you received so far?”

Shogun: “No. None of it. I was told that all was well, and the citizens have not suffered any severe impacts.”

It’s the first time MC has seen the Shogun genuinely confused.

Wanderer!MC: “Anyone is capable of lying. You can go out and see for yourself, if you don’t believe me.”

Shogun: “…Unless it is for official announcements and events from the Archon’s seat, I am incapable of freely leaving Tenshukaku at this time.”

Wanderer!MC: “Because you don’t wish to, or you don’t have protocols or programming in place that allow you to personally investigate?”

Shogun: “The second one.”

Wanderer!MC: (And that’s where part of the problem lies.) *sigh* “You really don’t need to follow such strict programming to fulfill your tasks. If anything, it’s only hindering you.”

Shogun: “I don’t understand your logic.”

Wanderer!MC: “Take this very situation in front of us as an example. By taking Lords Kujou and Hiiragi’s words at face value and not verifying the reports yourself, those two were able to drain vast resources at the expense of the people they’re supposed to protect, while you were none the wiser.”

Shogun: “But how could they possibly benefit from the decrees? As per the Shogunate’s organizational structure, they should already have more than enough authority.”

She’s actually asking questions. That’s a good sign. For a moment, MC thought they saw her eyes literally flicker.

Wanderer!MC: “To start with, the Sakoku Decree is useful to them in silencing anyone who tries to resist their influence. No one can get in to see what’s happening, and no one can get out to call for help when things start going wrong. As for the rest, that’s what I’m trying to find out for myself. But given that abyssal corrosion was found on the pillars, and there were fragments withheld in their homes, I wouldn’t be surprised if Shinsuke and Takayuki were contaminated.”

MC had already spoken privately with Chisato and Kamaji, but hasn’t heard from either in the past couple of days.

A simple walk through the streets with the Shogun disguised in casual wear is enough for her to see some of the effects.

Inflated prices.

Civilians uneasy around Tenryou officials.

Kanjou officials intimidating Ritou’s residents into paying ridiculous fees.

Officials and soldiers from either commission taking bribes.

Village children in the outskirts going hungry, because their working parents can now barely afford to put food on the table.

Sick patients unable to get the medicine they need, because some of the required ingredients need to be imported from other locations outside of Inazuma.

Vision-bearers who had their Visions taken almost completely forgetting who they are, some of them unable to fulfill their original duties to the Shogunate.

Wanderer!MC: “Dare I ask for your…analysis?”

Shogun: “This is the very opposite of what was reported to me. You also haven’t heard from Lady Chisato or Lord Kamaji?”

They pay a surprise visit to the respective estates.

Or rather, the Shogun pays a surprise visit, requesting to speak with Chisato and Kamaji while MC lurks hidden in the background.

She was declined both times, with the same excuse.

“Please pardon her, Almighty Shogun, but our lady is currently indisposed at the moment. As soon as she is in good health again, she will be sure to visit you personally.”

“Lord Kamaji is currently indisposed and unable to come greet you, but he will be absolutely certain to speak with you upon recovery. Please pardon him, Almighty Shogun.”

Bullshit. Both of them were perfectly fine last MC saw them. Maybe one would be at least somewhat believable, but both? And with the subordinate clans reporting back instead of their lords? That just shows they’re also in on it.

What really bothers MC, though, is the implication that Shinsuke might have turned on Chisato. Morally bankrupt he might be, he’s known to genuinely cherish his daughter, to the point that talk of marriage arrangements for her hasn’t even started yet. This could indicate a high enough level of abyssal corruption affecting his mind.

Not surprising, given that MC detected over 30 fragments in his possession. Takayuki himself only had about 7, but he was already crooked even without them. MC can’t really imagine what he’s like now while contaminated.

They just hope Kamaji and Chisato are still alive.

Thankfully, they are, according to the Shuumatsuban meeting them at Tatarasuna. But they were locked in their rooms ever since they tried to discuss the issues with their fathers.

Chisato was actually not doing well. Neither Shinsuke nor his still anonymous affiliates raised a hand against her, but meals were being withheld. She hadn’t eaten in the past 72 hours. She was still getting water and staying hydrated, but they had to move fast to get her out.

Kamaji wasn’t faring any better. He was also being denied food, and there’s some heavy bruising on him; and the situation might have escalated the longer he remained trapped.

Surprisingly, it was the Shogun who took the initiative, summoning Shinsuke and Takayuki to discuss other developments along with Ayato to avoid drawing suspicion. The Shuumatsuban took care of the rest.

As for Shinsuke and Takayuki’s “benefactor”…

Where the hell are they?

Wanderer!MC would have guessed they’d try to ambush them somewhere secluded, or out in the middle of nowhere with no one around, but there’s nothing happening.

Wanderer!MC: *tapping Gorou* (Hear anything strange?)

Gorou: 😞 *shaking his head*

Kokomi: 😥 *also shaking her head*

Kazuha’s friend, Tomo: 😣 “Heeeeeeeeeeeeeey!”

Isn’t Tomo supposed to be at Komore Teahouse with Ayaka?

Tomo: “Riots are breaking out! People are storming Tenshukaku and all three clan estates!”

Riots?

Gorou: 😱 “What do you mean riots!?”

Wanderer!MC: “Are Chisato and Kamaji safe?”

Tomo: 😰 “Thoma’s bringing them over to Watatsumi with Teppei— Dammit, there’s no time to explain!”

Wanderer!MC: “Tell us on the way.”

Ayaka is also safe, but she can’t return to her house with the rioters in the way.

Miko was still at the shrine when the rioting started. She tried to keep calm and diffuse the tension, but people were too angry to listen and violence actually broke out. She bought some time for the shrine maidens to escape. Shinobu just finished purifying the splinters and took the mask along sealed in a box, so that’s also secure.

The police station had to be barricaded, but that also means there are Tenryou officers trapped. Heizou was out investigating something, so he’s fine; but Sara is stuck protecting the ones who couldn’t make it out in time.

Ayato, Shinsuke and Takayuki are all still within Tenshukaku. There are just too many rioters on all sides.

Wanderer!MC: “What exactly caused the riots in the first place!?”

The Raiden Shoguns are being accused of fraudulence.

Yes. Shoguns.

Plural.

There’s a series of claims being made:

The current Electro Archon, the so-called “Raiden Shogun,” is not the same as the one 500 years ago, but instead Baal’s sister and shadow, Beelzebul.

Baal herself had none of her sister’s renowned martial skill, instead relying on Beelzebul to participate in war campaigns and fight in the former’s stead.

The “Shogun” currently overseeing Inazuma is actually a puppet ruler, while Beelzebul has been absent, hiding away for the past several centuries. After Baal died, Beelzebul took her place as the new Electro Archon; but the latter was sorely lacking where Baal exceeded in politics, so she crafted and programmed the puppet to rule in her stead.

That’s why the Tatarasuna Tragedy played out as it did four centuries ago, while the Raiden Shogun didn’t lift a finger to help. She basically abandoned all of them for her eternity.

That’s not the worrying part, though.

The accuser is also claiming that Baal and Beelzebul’s authority over Electro was actually stolen by the Heavenly Principles from the Sovereigns.

Meaning, even if they won in the Archon Wars, their “divine right” to reign over Inazuma is still illegitimate this entire time; and because the Tri-Commission and the whole Shogunate derive their governmental authority from the Shogun, said political power is also illegitimate.

In short, the accuser is airing out Ei’s dirty laundry and revealing the whole truth her, Makoto and the Shogun puppet.

All of it is true, and this is not something easily resolved with a duel and a show of raw power before the Shogun’s throne. MC doesn’t know what Ei’s debating skill is like, and MC themself can’t even think of anything reasonable to refute those claims with.

Not when Ei and the Shogun are the ones on the hot seat.

MC can already hear the angry yelling from meters away.

They can see torches, pitchforks, knives — the whole crowd is armed.

“Our children are starving, and you’re hiding in your palace eating expensive sweets!”

“We can barely afford housing in Ritou!”

“Heartless usurper—”

“Thieves!”

“We don’t need a fraud ruining our lives like this!”

“—dragging your own sister’s name through the mud—”

“My brothers died in the war because of your selfish decrees!”

“Arrogant bitch.”

“If this is what your so-called eternity involves, then we want out! Get rid of the storm and let us leave!”

“Come out here and face us, you shameless tyrant!”

Kokomi: 😰 “Even the radicals at Watatsumi don’t get this worked up. What kind of evidence does this accuser even have?”

Good question. For anyone to be making those claims at all, they have to have something to back it all up. MC can’t think of anything that might be used—

As soon as they reach the front steps to Tenshukaku, something knocks right into MC and sends their hat flying.

Revealing their horns.

The crowd’s stirring up even more.

“The Sixth Harbinger?”

“They really do almost look like the Shogun…!”

“Wait, those horns and scales—”

“Isn’t that Orobashi’s envoy?”

Wanderer!MC: 💀 (So that’s where this is going.)

MC is the evidence.

They ran right into a trap.

“The one standing before you, who the Tsaritsa calls her Sixth Harbinger, is another creation of Beelzebul!”

That voice.

“They are one of you! They have been the one nurturing and protecting you while the Shogun turns a blind eye to your suffering!”

Lumine.

“Who was it that restored the Raiden Gokaden? Who answered your cries for help when your children were sick and starving? Who built homes for those without shelter?”

Stay cool. Stay cool. Do not lose yourself in the heat of the moment—

“Look at their scars! Look at the mutilation they’ve endured over the years, while their creator shirks all responsibility instead of fulfilling what she vowed to you!”

Dammit, what do they even counter with…!?

Lumine: “Look at how this false god chooses to wallow in self-pity, while leaving her own children to suffer the consequences of her inaction and selfish pursuit of eternity!”

The crowd was already outraged before, but now they’re all livid. The barricades won’t be strong enough to hold them all back.

Tomo: 😱 “Folks are too angry! What do we do—!? ACK!!”

Poor Tomo just barely dodges a flaming torch.

The Shogun is reaching for her sword and MC has to subtly signal her to stop. Direct suppression from her when she’s the one being accused is only going to make things escalate.

MC, on the other hand—

They’re generating Cryo magic and charging at Lumine with very familiar handcuffs.

Yes. MC kept the handcuffs as a reminder and synced them to their Fatui pocket watch.

“By the Palestar Edict: Lumine, Princess of Khaenri’ah, is under arrest for indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations, profane human experimentation, mass murder, and other crimes against humanity!!!”

Given the surprise and fear in her eyes, she definitely wasn’t expecting that.

Lumine: 😨 “N— NO!! WAIT—”

MC doesn’t wait.

Kokomi and Tomo move fast and help restrain Lumine while MC seals her in a subspace within their pocket watch.

The crowd’s quieted down from MC’s public arrest.

“Did they just call her the ‘Princess of Khaenri’ah’?”

“Khaenri’ah? Isn’t that the nation that was destroyed 500 years ago?”

“She’s the princess?”

“She’s responsible for all those attacks by the Abyss!?”

“There’s no way, she looks so young…”

“But [Wanderer!MC] was the one who identified and arrested her, and they even invoked the Cryo Archon’s Palestar Edict. That’s pretty drastic, even for a Harbinger.”

“Wait, so, everything she said could actually be a lie?”

“Khaenri’ah was known for despising the gods even before the disaster.“

“I heard they even banned any kind of worship…”

Thank goodness Ayaka arrives to disperse the crowd.

Ayaka: 😣 “Everyone! The international fugitive has been arrested! Please leave the premises and return to your homes!”

“Lady Ayaka?”

“She called that blonde woman an ‘international fugitive.’”

“So, like, she’s wanted everywhere in Teyvat? Not just Snezhnaya?”

“She’s part of the Tri-Commission, isn’t she? Can we really trust her?”

“Well, sure, the Shogunate’s pretty shady, but isn’t the Yashiro Commission the only group who actively pushed back on the decrees…?”

“Apparently the Kujou and Hiiragi tried to go after the Kamisato’s housekeeper to silence them.”

Ayaka: 😥 “I understand you’re all upset with our nation’s current circumstances under the Sakoku and Vision Hunt Decrees. My brother and I are also upset! We want answers and changes just as much as you do! And we will get those answers and changes. Discussions regarding the decrees’ repeal are currently underway. Today has been long, and we’re all exhausted. return to your homes and get some rest…”

Trust the Shirasagi Himegimi to talk down the angry mobs.

Sara: “Everyone! Regular operations will be halted until the day after tomorrow. Please disperse immediately and return to your homes!”

Sara’s safe, which means the riots in the other locations have been dealt with.

Now’s a good time to pull the Shogun back inside.

MC’s quickly grabbing onto the Shogun’s hand and steering her inside.

Wanderer!MC: “Kokomi, whatever Lumine was up to was probably some kind of distraction. Can I leave the rest of the investigations to you?”

Kokomi: “Of course. We’ll send word if we find anything!”

Tomo: “Wait, this— That’s it? No dramatic duel before the throne or anything—?”

Kokomi: “Not now, Tomo.”

Tomo: 😭 “Ayeayeayeayeayeaye no need to pull my ear!!!”

As soon as they’re inside and the doors are closed, MC’s slumping to the floor.

Wanderer!MC: 😞 “Gods, I could use some sake.”

Shogun: “…Your new anatomical traits were nowhere in the old blueprints. You’re almost a completely different product.”

Wanderer!MC: “Yeah, that would fall under the ‘profane human experimentation’ I was yelling about earlier.”

Shogun (?): 😡💢⚡️ “She experimented on you?” ⚡️

Wanderer!MC: 😦 (?? Uh.) “That. You know what, not now. The Sakoku—”

Shogun (?): “The Sakoku and Vision Hunt Decrees will be repealed. Hiiragi Shinsuke and Kujou Takayuki will remain under house arrest until their punishments have been decided, and relief will be given to those affected and exploited.”

??? What.

Miko: “Oh, good. You’re all in one piece~”

Wanderer!MC: 👀 “So are you. Are the shrine maidens alright?”

Miko: “They’re hiding within Mt. Yougou for the time being. Anyway, while the angry mobs were vandalizing our doorsteps, I found a few ‘rats’ scurrying around Yashiori and Kannazuka and had to play pest control.”

Wanderer!MC: 💀 “Why is it always the Mikage Furnace. It’s a goddamn furnace, it’s meant for waste disposal.”

Miko: “Maybe they’re trying to forge something with it. And with how close it is to Yashiori, they can easily get their hands on some of that Crystal Marrow. Question is, what are they trying to make?”

Wanderer!MC: “…I found some blueprints in one of their laboratories. This is just one of their projects.”

Miko: 😨 “This is… Well, this is actually a problem.”

Shogun (?): “A mechanized god?”

Wanderer!MC: “The Abyss Order wants to restore Khaenri’ah, and they despise anything related to Celestia. As long as progress is made to achieve their goal, anything goes. Internal sabotage, unethical experiments, riots, anything. Even if it means endangering and dragging everybody down with them.

“I don’t think I need to overstate that you can no longer afford to keep your head down within your Plane of Euthymia. Not with those guys running around and raising hell.”

And to make matters worse, Lumine went as far as to try and reveal Teyvat’s history to the general public.

Even though she knows damn well what happened to Orobashi for it, and she knows damn well average civilians won’t be able to survive something like a Nail dropping on their heads.

But, again, probably a distraction for something.

And this also means MC can’t afford to be dragging their feet as a Harbinger anymore, either.

Miko: “It should be added that they’re active all over Teyvat. Not just Inazuma.”

…They’re talking to Ei right now, aren’t they?

Miko: “I can handle the rest of this discussion, dear. You should hurry back to Snezhnaya. Inazuma’s prisons aren’t as well developed to hold such a…special prisoner.”

Thanks, Miko. MC really doesn’t want to be anywhere near Ei for longer than they need to.

Time to get moving.

[…]

Iniquitous Baptist: “Her Highness has been captured? No matter. Retrieving her will be a simple matter—”

Abyss Lector: “It’s not just the Princess being captured! It’s that Gunnar! He’s gone rogue and absconded with the items we need!”

Iniquitous Baptist: “What!?”

[…]

It’s been days since the riots in Inazuma. People are still agitated by the accusations against the Shogun (and against the Archons) but overall peace has been somewhat restored.

Patrols in Snezhnaya are still on high alert for abyssal raids, but things have been quieter ever since.

Ei’s been sending letters, trying to pry about their personal affairs ever since leaving them in the Shakkei Pavilion. MC chooses to ignore them.

Lumine’s been transported to the deepest layer of the main prison until the Tsaritsa (and Neuvillette) can think of what to do with her.

Until then, Teyvat should have plenty more breathing room from any more Abyssal attacks for the time being.

MC’s bed has never felt so soft~

Knock knock!

Sandrone: “Scara? You in there?”

Wanderer!MC: 😶 “Sandrone…?”

Sandrone: 🙂‍↕️ “Soooooooooo we just received a critical alert from the Director…”

Wanderer!MC: 😦 “Critical?”

Sandrone: “That, uh, that prisoner you arrested and brought back days ago? She escaped. No idea how, but she’s on the loose again.” ☠️

…

……

………

Motherfucker.

Oh WOW, you sent me a long one! 🤩

Like holy shit I wasn't expecting Shogun being brought in, and her talk with Wanderer!MC went so much better than I thought it would go!

Though, I wonder when Ei started paying attention? Like did ahe take a peek through Shogun's eyes when felt Shogun leave the Tenshukaku? Gosh what was her reaction when seeing the 'puppet' she abandoned looking so different? Oh, and apparently they had been experimented on by the Abyss Order?! I'm sorry, what?!

And Lumine! Anothet character i didn't expect to see! Girl, you really are tempting fate, I swear. Oh, and can you imagine the flashbacks she got when she saw Wanderer!MC charging at her? She definitely had to have remember her last encounter with them!

But seriously? Wanderer!MC finally has this bitch in custody and she escapes- ...Wait, whats this about Gunnar?!

"...It's... nice. Being here with you, I mean. I haven't felt this warm since... well, those times were so long ago, but..."

"Naw. It's alright. I can tell what you're trying to say."

Lumine reaches over and puts her hand over Ei's, leaning into the Electro Archon with a small smile.

"If you ask me... I think you've definitely changed since we last met. Seeing you like this... well... I'm one lucky girl, aren't I?"

"...'Lucky'? Please. The understatement of the millennium."

Ei closes her eyes and leans into Lumine in turn.

"...Thank you for loving me."

Guys... I...

I think I like Raiden Ei... I thought I would have hated her... but the way I've written her...

...I read the conversation I wrote between these two after the fight in Sumeru with this song playing.

"Why did you give me life if this was what it was going to lead to?!"

"I had always loved you. From the bottom of my heart… I loved you so much that it killed me to realise what I had done to you."