Chapter 422: Noise

The Sacred Sakura stood at the center of the Grand Narukami Shrine, its lush branches and thick trunk pruned into the shape of a fox. The ever-blooming pink cherry blossoms covered the entire courtyard, with only sparse sunlight filtering through.

In the history of Inazuma, the Sacred Sakura held a significant place. Without its existence, Inazuma might have been endlessly plagued by calamities.

According to historical records, the rapid post-disaster reconstruction of Inazuma five hundred years ago was greatly aided by the Sacred Sakura.

"Your perceptions have diverged. Are you asking me because I connected with the Sacred Sakura? But... why are you so focused on the Sacred Sakura?" Li Mo asked.

Shouldn't the current focus be on Inazuma's national policies?

Yae Miko: "Of course. Ei and I once discussed the Sacred Sakura. Back then, she even tried to prove to me that the Sacred Sakura was connected to Makoto."

"Is that so? But at that time, my feelings weren't very clear either." Li Mo recalled the sensation at that moment and said, "At that time, I was in a very special state, completely immersed in a state of emptiness.

While preparing for 'Musou no Hitotachi,' I was devoid of joy or sorrow. All human emotions were condensed into one. More accurately... at that moment, I seemed to enter a transcendent state. My thoughts weren't active.

At that time, rather than being a person, I was more like an abstract concept."

Looking back at himself at that moment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. After methodically following his initial plan, he felt as if he had connected with something, and the memories of others seemed to flow into his body.

After a moment, Li Mo offered a conjecture: "At that time, I was probably wielding the identity of 'The Raiden Shogun of Inazuma.'"

"Huh?"

Ei was stunned.

Yae Miko laughed: "Little one, if you were 'The Raiden Shogun of Inazuma' at that time, then what was the Shogun?"

Yesterday's battle was between Li Mo and the Raiden Shogun, both using the power of the Electro Archon.

Li Mo explained: "Pay attention to the prefix—'of Inazuma.' Not the Raiden Shogun that exists in reality, but the Raiden Shogun as perceived by the people of Inazuma.

Ei, Yae. You understand what I mean, right?"

Yae Miko said: "Oh my. Is the little one upset? Are you implying that I, as the head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, should take responsibility instead of dumping everything on others?"

"Yes, especially on me. Every time I'm at the shrine, you're lazy and would rather go to Yae Publishing House to nag authors than do your work. You're so irresponsible. In others' eyes, the head shrine maiden is mysterious, powerful, and capable. But the real Yae Miko is just a lazy, slacking-off fox."

During his time at the Grand Narukami Shrine, Li Mo, as a shrine priest, had taken on the duties of the head shrine maiden. Compared to last time, this time he was even handling internal affairs, drawing on his experience as a director in Academy City.

He knew how to handle various administrative tasks.

"So, is it like how Kujou Takayuki's perception of me differs from who I really am?" Ei pondered.

"Yes, that's the idea. At that time, I was more like a collective concept rather than an individual. In fact, I didn't even know what was happening at the time. I just connected with the Sacred Sakura, and that's all I know."

After a pause, Li Mo felt his explanation was a bit stiff, so he raised his teacup as an example. "It's like drinking tea. I only know that I took a sip, but I don't know what the tea tastes like, what its aroma is, or how bitter it is. I have no idea."

"Were you being controlled? You don't know anything. Little one, that's not good."

"Yae, I can't answer you," Li Mo said. "But how is Kujou Takayuki doing now?"

Yae Miko explained: "Hmm... Before I brought you back to the Grand Narukami Shrine, Ei went to the Tenryou Commission first. She happened to run into Kamisato Ayaka and Kujou Sara, and after reviewing the documents they had, she went there to learn more. Then, after hearing Kujou Takayuki's reasons for his actions, she dismissed him."

As she spoke, Yae Miko covered her mouth and laughed: "Looking back now, it's still funny. Ei just said, 'You're wrong,' and Kujou Takayuki looked as if he had died, his face ashen. According to today's news, he's apparently bedridden now. He might not even last until Ei's official punishment is handed down."

"You're laughing so happily?"

"That guy was so rigid and self-righteous. Over the years, Yae Publishing House has faced a lot of trouble because of him. Even when I personally went to the Tenryou Commission, he wouldn't give me any face," Yae Miko said.

"So it's because of Yae Publishing House?!"

"Of course. Yae Publishing House is something I built from the ground up. The Grand Narukami Shrine, on the other hand, was thrust upon me. By the way, little one, when are you going to bring Hanachirusato back?"

"So you can be a hands-off boss again?"

"This is to free you from suffering. I'm already a hands-off boss now, little one."

Their banter caught the attention of Ei, who had been deep in thought. She looked up and asked, "Who is Hanachirusato? Why do you say she can take over the Grand Narukami Shrine?"

Li Mo and Yae Miko exchanged a knowing glance. Seeing this, Ei grew even more puzzled.

In her eyes, it was only natural for Li Mo, as a shrine priest, to take on the responsibilities of the Grand Narukami Shrine. His use of "Musou no Hitotachi" at Tenshukaku had proven his strength.

Yae Miko lightly kicked Li Mo.

Sighing, Li Mo said, "It's a long story."

He then began to explain Hanachirusato's origins, her connection to Lady Saiguu, and her revival in another world.

The sheer volume of information left Ei deep in thought.

After a while, she spoke: "So much has happened? Staying in the Plane of Euthymia all the time really isn't the way, is it?"

"All it does is let the beauty we hold slip away," Yae Miko said. "Change doesn't stop just because we want it to. Rather than worrying about the beauty we might lose in the future, we should cherish what we have now. That way, even if we lose it, we'll still have beautiful memories."

Ei said, "What I pursued before was eternity, to freeze everything in place so that the beauty we hold wouldn't disappear. Now it seems I was too naive."

"Ah, so you finally listened to what I said. Before, you wouldn't hear any of it. Did it take the little one clashing with you to make you understand? Now it seems the little one deserves the credit!"

Li Mo said, "Actually, I want to say that the perspectives of long-lived beings and short-lived beings are different. For ordinary people, family is the most precious thing, but life is always subject to birth, aging, illness, and death. Beautiful things always fade—it's an unsolvable problem.

Moreover, the Vision Hunt Decree causes those who hold Visions to forget their wishes. But when stimulated, they will remember. Besides, those with Visions can pursue their wishes, but can't those without Visions do the same?"

The conversation gradually shifted back to the topic of "eternity." Compared to Yae Miko's sophistry, the young shrine priest's perspective was more grounded in practical considerations. He approached the issue from the perspective of the common people.

Ei recalled the battle between the Raiden Shogun and Li Mo. The final "Musou no Hitotachi" had undoubtedly had a significant impact on the Shogun. She vaguely felt that, in that moment, this young man had represented all of Inazuma, speaking to her on behalf of the nation.

As she pondered, she heard the young man offer a conclusion: "The only constant in the world is change itself."

"Didn't you tell **Shirasagi Himegimi** that everything will fade, only death is eternal?"

"Yae, do you have to ruin the moment?" After such an impassioned speech, Li Mo was a bit annoyed by the teasing remark.

The two began to bicker. Seeing this, Ei was reminded of memories from long ago.

Five hundred years ago, when everyone was still around, during outings in the wild, it was often like this—full of noise, laughter, and joy.