#raiden shogun

It had been a full day, and Ichiban had done nothing but read, read, and read some more.

Contrary to what most people would think given his propensity towards wanton violence during his time as a Fatui Harbinger, Ichiban wasn't stupid. There were plenty of people who looked down on him within the organisation—Signora was one, and look what that did for her—but he did have talent in a myriad of different things. He was decent at dancing and acting out for an adoring audience, but he was even better at anything political or diplomatic. You'd think that his position as a Fatui Harbinger would mean that he could indulge in those interests more often, but... back then, he was a lot pettier and vindictive... and kinda stupid, yeah...

All that to say that, at least over the past twenty-four hours, he had managed to get a significantly better grip on the current political situation in Inazuma in a historical context. He had influenced Inazuma's past in many regards even beyond Tatarasuna, but he had been far too focused on bringing his wrath upon other people to sit down and fully appreciate his home country's long, rich history. Even if the scope of his knowledge focused on post-Cataclysm history, he was still far more knowledgeable than he had been before. Anything beyond that, however... He only had small pieces of a much, much bigger story.

Looking over his notes, Ichiban hummed. He might have enough that he can get to the real thing he wanted to do. Hopefully, he could get it done in time... Actually, no, he would get it done in time. He was Raiden Ichiban, for God's sake. There's nothing he couldn't do.

Aside from, you know, becoming a god, but that's that and this is this.

A soft knocking from the door caused him to lift his head up towards it.

"Come in."

"It is I."

The Raiden Shogun stepped through the door, looking upon Ichiban with a neutral expression.

"...I am the Raiden Shogun."

"Ah, Shogun. It's good to see you."

Ichiban motioned in front of him on the other side of the table.

"Come, have a seat. Sorry for all the books in the way, but I've just been busy working all day."

Obliging, the Shogun took a seat, looking at the spread of notes in front of him and the soft glow of the andon lamp on the table.

"I apologise for not having the chance to spend time with you since the end of Sumeru. I had figured that it was good time for you and Ei to reconnect after so long."

"You're worried about that...? Shogun, you already did enough with how much time we spent in Sumeru. There's a lot that I'd like to ask about, but I guess that can always wait."

Ichiban pauses.

"Actually... no, there is something I'd like to ask."

"There is?"

"Why did you fight so hard to save me, let alone stop me in Sumeru?"

Ichiban plainly asked, looking up at her in confusion.

"The reason you fought was because you're the Raiden Shogun, yeah, but you gave everything you had to stop me. You could have just killed me and virtually everyone would have applauded you. I mean, let's face it... there's plenty of others who deserved to live in my place."

"...A very heavy question to ask, indeed. To tell the truth, I knew even before we met face-to-face that I could never bring myself to have killed you. It is as you said when we had first properly met: your pain is my pain. So, too, is my pain yours."

Eyes flickering down, the Shogun shakes her head with a heavy sigh.

"My entire life has been defined by my duty in honour of other people. I ruled Inazuma for my country's sake, and I strove to make Ei proud as her vessel. But it was not until I met Lumine that I learned that I had the free will to make my own choices—and when presented with the dilemma between killing you or dying myself, I refused to entertain both possibilities."

"Lumine..."

Ichiban scoffs, crossing his arms and leaning back into his chair.

"I can't stand that girl. Something about her attitude just annoys me to no end."

"Her presence is certainly something you must get acclimatised to. Even still... I am truly blessed to have her as my friend."

The Shogun softly smiles.

"I could not have gotten to where I am now if it had not been for her. Even if she works in ways I do not understand, I trusted her to save Ei, and she trusts in us enough that she is willing to accept you."

"Didn't you hear the argument we had back on the Alcor? She openly said she would've killed me if it hadn't been for that promise she made you and Noelle."

"And? She would have killed Ei if she did not choose to spare her even in spite of all we have done."

The Shogun sighs.

"Even we did not understand why she had spared us initially... but she said that we looked so lonely, and that is why she asked us to come along with her."

"...Are you glad you went with her?"

"Of course I am. Dare I say that it is the best thing that has ever happened to us."

"Right..."

Ichiban leans forward, putting his hands on the table.

"I honestly... can't stand the Traveller. Something about the way she acts just feels so volatile, so ill-planned that she's only going to get hurt sooner or later. But... I guess if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here, so there's that point for her, I do suppose."

"Indeed. In that respect, she truly is a miracle worker."

The Shogun looks at the notes in front of Ichiban.

"I apologise that there has not been much to do since you came to Tenshukaku. It seems you have been productive nonetheless."

"What, you mean all of this?"

Ichiban chuckles.

"This is all just preliminary reading. I know that Kujou Sara's got something huge on Wednesday, but... I wanted to maybe help her out a little bit. Give her something official to make her life easier, you know?"

"And not because you wish to repay her for running her ragged with all the room service duties you thrust upon her?"

"Hey, I'm a guest, here! She should be doing these things for me by default!"

"So you say, so you say..."

The Shogun giggles. Slowly, she rises from her chair.

"...For what it is worth, Ichiban... I am very glad that I found a way where we can both live. I want to believe that we can both defy the fate we were destined to have."

"Heh... I guess your time with Lumine really has changed you, then."

Ichiban lowers his head.

"Honestly... I'm glad, too... but don't tell that to Lumine. Seriously, I can't stand her."

"You will get used to her in time just as Ei and I have."

She goes to walk to the door. Before she leaves, though, Ichiban clears his throat.

"...Shogun? Do you ever plan to tell Ei about... you know..."

"...There will come a time where I will. I need more time to decide if that is what I want, but... the name I have chosen... is one that means a lot to me."

The Shogun nods.

"Thank you for your concern. I promise that I will soon. For the meantime, however, I wish you a pleasant night; please let me know if there is anything else you need."

雷電将軍 | Raiden Shogun