Chapter 413: Soar into the sky

Narukami Island, Mt. Yougou, Grand Narukami Shrine.

In terms of physical distance, this was the highest point on Narukami Island. The Grand Narukami Shrine stood here, radiating its influence over the surrounding areas from its lofty position.

In the past, this influence was about dispelling calamities and driving away monsters. But now, the shrine's duties mostly involved organizing various festivals.

As Yae Miko put it, the shrine had shifted from martial duties to civil ones.

But what was wrong with that?

"Today's rain is really heavy, isn't it? The constant pitter-patter is so loud it's keeping me from sleeping."

Spring drowsiness, summer fatigue, autumn weariness, and winter naps—Yae Miko thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of sleep. What could be better than a good nap when there was nothing else to do?

In truth, Yae Miko hadn't told Li Mo one thing: her tenure as the head shrine maiden was far more comfortable than Lady Saiguu's time.

At least, the pressure from the dark outer seas hadn't resurfaced.

"Lady Guuji."

"Ah, it's Miyuki. Perfect timing. Could you help me brew a fresh pot of tea?"

The tea from last night had gone cold, and Yae Miko had no intention of drinking it.

Miyuki moved swiftly. She took the teapot out and returned with a fresh one in no time.

Yae Miko noticed the slight change in Miyuki's expression and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Just now, my younger sister came back for a visit."

"Oh? Your sister? If I recall correctly, didn't she refuse to become a shrine maiden and went to study in Liyue? Now she's hanging out with the Arataki Gang, right?"

Very little escaped Yae Miko's notice at the Grand Narukami Shrine.

She had kept an eye on Miyuki's sister. It wasn't often that she encountered such a rebellious child. So, she had taken a special interest in her. Sometimes, she even toyed with the idea of dragging the girl back to become a shrine maiden.

Forced fruits might not be sweet, but they could be amusing, couldn't they?

But back to reality—what could have driven Miyuki's sister to risk being made a shrine maiden and come to the Grand Narukami Shrine?

Realizing this, Yae Miko pressed further, "Did something happen?"

"She said she ran into the shrine priest last night."

"Oh, so she met that guy, huh? What did he do to make your sister rush all the way back to Inazuma?"

Miyuki explained, "She said the shrine priest asked her, 'What is eternity?' and then left. Strangely, she said she felt no sense of caution around him during their conversation."

Her sister possessed a Vision.

At the Grand Narukami Shrine, only shrine maidens who had reached the "Meikyo" level could wield Visions. At that stage, shrine maidens entered a state of clarity, understanding the world and its mysteries. It was the highest level for most shrine maidens, with the next level, "Jōkai," being reserved for the head shrine maiden—a position of honor.

Thus, her sister had the ability to sense danger.

Ordinary illusions cast by spirits wouldn't work on her. Moreover, her sister should have been particularly wary of anyone from the Grand Narukami Shrine.

"Miyuki, don't you find it strange? You know as well as I do that guy is a fox, just like me," Yae Miko said seriously.

This made Miyuki feel as though the oversight was her fault.

A fox...

Miyuki fell silent for a moment before saying, "I know the shrine priest is a celestial fox. I saw his true form at Tatarasuna. But... what does being a fox have to do with her lack of caution?"

"Do you feel cautious around me?"

Miyuki shook her head.

Yae Miko clapped her hands and said, "There you have it! You see, you don't feel cautious around me, the head shrine maiden, who possesses the 'Hakutaku bloodline,' embodying both wisdom and beauty. So isn't it natural for your sister to feel the same around that guy, who also has the 'Hakutaku bloodline'?"

Miyuki thought to herself, *What kind of logic is that?* But since it came from the head shrine maiden, she didn't argue.

Yae Miko leaned to the side and opened a nearby window. Through it, the sound of the rain grew louder.

"Ah, with such heavy rain, why isn't there any thunder? The Shogun should strike a few bolts of lightning to liven things up."

Only the head shrine maiden could make such a bold joke about the Shogun.

Miyuki had long grown accustomed to Yae Miko's audacious remarks. The only thing she could do was remain silent.

"Miyuki, do you want to know what that guy is up to?"

Still met with silence.

Yae Miko shook her head. "Ah, you used to be such a sweet and lively child. Now you've become so dull. That guy is good at many things, but he's not very likable in this regard."

The head shrine maiden had two hobbies: listening to others' stories and watching people's troubled expressions. If the two could be combined, it was even better.

Thus, to avoid being teased by the head shrine maiden, one had to become dull and uninteresting. That way, Yae Miko would lose interest and stop focusing on you.

In the past, the shrine maidens couldn't openly discuss this, or they'd risk being remembered by the head shrine maiden. But the shrine priest was different. He showed no fear and spread the methods of dealing with the head shrine maiden.

"Ah, Miyuki, you should know that this time, that guy is going to confront the Shogun head-on. He might even fight her."

Half-leaning against the window, her eyes reflected the rain. Through the hazy scenery, she could vaguely make out the towering Tenshukaku in the distance.

Inazuma City was a day's journey from Mt. Yougou. But for someone like Yae Miko, it didn't take a day to get there.

Through certain channels, she knew that Li Mo had set out for Tenshukaku this morning with Kamisato Ayaka.

He had only been gone for a day or two, and now he was heading to Tenshukaku. Plus, Miyuki's sister had rushed back overnight...

"Lady Guuji, why would the shrine priest fight the Shogun?" Miyuki asked, stunned and disbelieving.

The Shogun was special in Inazuma.

For over a thousand years, everyone had lived under her lightning. No one would dare stand against her.

Yae Miko smiled at Miyuki's disbelief. "Because he's from Liyue."

"He respects the Shogun, but that doesn't mean he'll let her make mistakes... In truth, Inazuma isn't lacking in people like him. They just don't have the strength."

"And coincidentally, that guy has the strength and finds the current state of Inazuma unbearable."

She figured that guy must have fully understood where the root of Inazuma's problems lay.

Miyuki stammered, "Then... then... shouldn't you go and see, Lady Guuji?"

"Why should I go?"

"Wouldn't the shrine priest die like this?"

"How could he? That guy's skills are impressive, especially when it comes to survival. Hmm... actually, watching the show might be fun. Miyuki, could you tell Igami I've gone out?"

Yae Miko finished her tea, flipped out the window, and soared into the sky.

Miyuki watched as Yae Miko disappeared into the distance, falling into silence...

She was still processing the news she had just received...