Raiden Shogun's expression remained as unreadable as ever, her gaze fixed coldly on the golden dust in the sky. Her eyes held a detached indifference, as if nothing in the mortal world could stir her heart.
The force that had just blocked her attack wasn't merely Geo—it was an entirely unfamiliar power.
Rather than being blocked, her lightning had been… dismantled?
This power felt like it came from beyond the stars, alien to the world of Teyvat.
"A power that does not belong to Teyvat… You too are an exception."
Her voice carried the faintest hint of surprise as she lightly waved her arm.
Engulfing Lightning surged like lightning into her hand, pointed directly at Shajin.
Shajin's grin only widened.
"Heh, what a bizarre coincidence. Turns out I also happen to have a naginata. And wouldn't you know it—it looks exactly like yours~"
With a crisp snap of his fingers, an Engulfing Lightning materialized in his hand.
In that moment, the air itself seemed to freeze. Time stopped flowing.
Raiden Shogun: "?"
A flicker of confusion passed through her eyes. For the briefest moment, she froze in place, unable to comprehend—completely stunned.
She moved to swing her weapon, but it felt hollow—lifeless. The blade in her hand no longer radiated any power.
Meanwhile, Shajin floated in midair, adopting a solemn tone.
"It seems my own weapon is better than yours~"
His words were nothing short of blatant provocation.
Lightning surged violently around Raiden Shogun, thunder roaring like a stormy sea. The fake "naginata" in her hand shattered like brittle ice, revealing the true weapon hidden beneath—what appeared to be… a bident.
Spectators: "?"
Their eyes widened in disbelief, as if they'd just witnessed something that defied all logic.
Their Shogun… wielding a fishing spear?
[T/N: I CAN FEEL YOUR PAIN… I WASTED 70-ISH PULLS TO GET HER SIG WEAPON AS AN F2P BECAUSE I MAIN HER… OBVIOUSLY I LOST SO SHE'S LEFT WITH MY R5 CATCH.]
And somehow—there was no sense of dissonance at all. It felt like that weapon had been made for her.
"Hahahahaha…"
Shajin, who had been holding back his laughter the entire time, finally let it burst out like a dam breaking.
"Hmph!"
With a thunderous snort, Raiden Shogun crushed the bident in her grasp. It disintegrated into dust. From her chest, a one-handed sword emerged like a silver serpent, glowing faintly.
Shajin narrowed his eyes, thinking silently: Is this the former Electro Archon's "Musou Isshin"?
The air around them rippled like water. Raiden Shogun was attempting to pull them into another dimension.
"I'd love to keep playing, but I've got a much bigger game to set up. So… today's fun ends here~"
Shajin waved his hand. Behind him, the figures of Thoma, Lumine, Kamisato Ayaka, and Paimon—still trapped in jade barriers or hidden among the crowd—glimmered like stars and dissolved into golden light.
Without hesitation, Raiden Shogun vanished in a blink, reappearing before Shajin like a phantom. Lightning caged him in on all sides. Her blade fell in a clean, decisive arc.
But it passed straight through him—harmlessly, like cutting through air.
Shajin, still smiling, gave her a gentle wave.
"Goodbye, little puppet~"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, he vanished as well.
Only Raiden Shogun remained, standing alone before the Statue of the Omnipresent God. She slowly placed a hand on her chest, where unfamiliar emotions blazed like fire.
That feeling… was rage.
A few trembling guards cautiously approached her.
"Shogun… those people…?"
Raiden Shogun's voice, as cold as ice, answered them.
"Add them to the Vision Hunt Decree. I'll cut them down myself the next time we meet."
The soldiers bowed hastily.
...
Inside the Komore Teahouse
Paimon patted her chest, still shaken.
"Phew—close call! Thank the stars for Shajin, or we would've been toast!"
Lumine stepped forward, inspecting him with concern.
"Shajin, you're not hurt, are you?"
Shajin shrugged. "That puppet? Please. But more importantly—what's your next move?"
Thoma gave a helpless smile and shook his head.
"For now, hiding out in the teahouse is probably the safest option for me."
"But I won't be able to leave here anytime soon. The rest is up to you."
"I expect the Shogunate will declare us criminals soon. There aren't many factions that would take us in… except the Resistance."
"I remember Ayaka mentioning it—it's that group led by… Sangonomiya, right? The ones opposing the Vision Hunt Decree!"
Ayaka nodded.
"That's right. It was originally formed by the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi. Her general, Gorou, currently leads their forces against the Shogunate."
"However, the Yashiro Commission and the Resistance don't have much contact. Neither side fully trusts the other."
"But you're different. I doubt they'll turn you away."
"The only problem is… we don't know where the Resistance is based. You'll have to ask around on your way."
"Ugh, what a pain!" Lumine groaned and glanced hopefully at Shajin.
Shajin: "…"
He rubbed his temples.
"Lumine, I really can't help you this time. I think you've noticed it too—there's a force guiding your journey, pushing you to follow a certain path."
Lumine pursed her lips. "Yeah, and I hate being told what to do."
Shajin gave a carefree shrug and looked into the distance, speaking pensively. "Besides… during this trip to Watatsumi Island, we might just become enemies~"
Lumine's eyes widened. She stared at him in disbelief. "Shajin, you're kidding, right?!" She pointed at herself, then at him. "You just want an excuse to beat me up, don't you?!"
Shajin twitched at the corner of his mouth and sighed. "First off, I don't need an excuse to beat you up. And second—I meant 'enemies' as in opposing sides. Whatever, you'll understand when the time comes."
As if remembering something, he added, "Oh—when you meet Sangonomiya Kokomi, give her my regards."
Lumine immediately groaned. "Ugh! You really do leave pieces of your heart everywhere!"
_
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