"Wishes…?"
Thoma rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Hm… that does seem to support one particular theory…"
"Have you heard of it? When a person's wish becomes strong enough, it draws the gaze of the gods."
"That's said to be the origin of the Vision… In other words, a Vision represents that person's deepest desire."
"If what you just said is true…"
"Then it seems the wishes of these people are even more fervent than I imagined."
Lumine pursed her lips, recalling the lifeless expressions of those whose wishes had been taken—wandering like the walking dead.
"Sigh… We really can't just sit back and do nothing."
It was a strange feeling. Lumine couldn't shake the sense that she was walking a path laid out long ago—one she couldn't escape.
Thoma clapped his hands excitedly.
"Alright, dear visitors of Narukami Island, it's time to follow me to our next stop—The Kamisato Estate!"
…
"So this is the mansion of one of Inazuma's noble families? It's not as extravagant as I expected."
Lumine nodded in agreement.
"Welcome to the Kamisato Estate, honored guests. The Lady of the house has been awaiting your arrival."
Thoma, leading the way, turned to look back.
"It's that 'Princess White Heron' you mentioned before, right? Where is she?"
Lumine looked around curiously.
Ahem…
A gentle cough came from behind the screen in front of them.
Paimon's eyes widened.
"Eh?! She's been behind the screen this whole time?"
Thoma explained with a chuckle.
"Hehe, as the head of the Yashiro Commission, Lady Kamisato typically receives guests in this manner."
"It's actually been a tradition of the Yashiro Commission for generations. I hope you'll understand."
Lumine's eyes flicked around, clearly pondering something.
From behind the screen came the elegant voice of the Princess White Heron once more.
"You two have crossed the sea to get here. Yet, we meet in such a way—I apologize for the lack of formality."
"I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Through Thoma's accounts, I've come to believe that you both possess the power to 'change the course of events.'"
"In the current Inazuma, the Vision Hunt Decree is trampling over the people's wishes without mercy."
"Though the Yashiro Commission serves the Shogun, our duties bring us closest to the people."
"Our authority comes from their trust. If we remain idle in the face of such suffering… how could we sleep soundly at night?"
"To the Shogun, a god, perhaps the people are nothing more than mere 'lives'…"
"Thunder, cold light, violent winds, torrential rain… they come without ever considering the feelings of mortals."
"So, Traveler, I hope—"
"I refuse."
Not just Thoma and the lady behind the screen, even Paimon stood frozen in shock.
Lumine crossed her arms.
"I do feel sorry for the people, truly… but that's not enough of a reason for me to join your rebellion."
"If that's all, we'll be taking our leave."
"Huh? W-Wait! Please, hold on! We're not asking you to start a rebellion!"
Lumine stopped, her eyes flashing with a touch of slyness.
"Ahem. Lady Kamisato, you're asking us for help while hiding behind a screen. Doesn't seem very sincere, does it?"
"Ah—I… You're right. That was inconsiderate of me."
Lumine turned just in time to see a girl emerge slowly from behind the screen—dressed in the armor of the Yashiro Commission, her long ponytail tied neatly behind her head. The sight left Lumine momentarily speechless.
Kamisato Ayaka, a bit flustered, raised her fan to cover her face. Only then did Lumine snap out of it.
Ahem!
Lumine cleared her throat.
"Mhm, now that's a bit more sincere~"
"So, what do we do next?"
Ayaka blinked in surprise.
After all that heartfelt speech, she got rejected. But now, just by showing her face, Lumine agreed?
Still, the goal had been achieved.
"Lumine, Paimon, I ask that you come with me to… the Grand Narukami Shrine."
"The Grand Narukami Shrine?"
Ayaka nodded.
"Yes. The head shrine maiden there—Lady Yae—is a close attendant of the Raiden Shogun. We may be able to learn a great deal from her."
Paimon immediately zipped off ahead.
"Then let's go already!"
"Mhm."
Ayaka gave a soft nod, lifting a small bag by her side that held two goldfish as she followed after them.
Lumine tilted her head.
Why do those two goldfish… look so familiar?
…
"Well, well. If it isn't little Ayaka. What brings you to visit your big sister today?"
At the Grand Narukami Shrine, a woman with soft, flowing pink hair and a playful expression gently pinched Ayaka's cheeks.
A pair of fox ears atop her head marked her status as a divine emissary. Dangling from her right ear was an earring inlaid with a purple gem—her Electro Vision.
She wore a shrine maiden's outfit in red and white, with matching detached sleeves secured at the upper arms. A large black obi was tied at the back of her waist, and her legs were bare, her feet clad in traditional wooden sandals.
She was none other than the chief shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine—Yae Miko.
"Lady Guuji, please don't do that…"
Ayaka's voice was muffled by the gentle squishing.
Only after a moment did Yae Miko reluctantly let go of her "criminal" hands.
Ayaka straightened herself, then turned to introduce her companions.
"Lady Guuji, these are the famed travelers from Mondstadt and Liyue—Lumine and Paimon."
Yae Miko's eyes lit up, locking onto Lumine and Paimon with an intense gaze.
Lumine instinctively took a step back, wary of getting the same treatment as Ayaka.
Yae Miko pouted.
"Tch. I know why you're here. While I can't help you directly, I can give you a little… hint."
"Little Ayaka, have you noticed it?"
"These days, Her Excellency's emotions seem… rather flat. She no longer feels like a ruler, but more like a cold and mechanical enforcer, single-mindedly pursuing only one thing—'eternity.'"
Ayaka's brows furrowed in thought.
"Lady Guuji, are you saying that the current Shogun is…"
Yae Miko silenced her by gently pressing a finger to her lips and winked.
"I didn't say anything~"
Ayaka nodded slowly.
"No wonder… Every time a proposal to repeal the Vision Hunt Decree is sent to Tenshukaku, it's rejected by both the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions."
"They pretend to support the Shogun unconditionally—there's no room for negotiation."
"Now that I think about it… there must be other forces at play behind the scenes."
"Only one group has the power to do something like this… the Fatui of Snezhnaya."
_
Please support my patreon, patreon. com/TravelerDouluo
And get early access to my 60 advance chapters.