Chapter 432: Subtle Foreshadowing

For Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun is an undeniable force. If the Shogun chooses to sit high in Tenshukaku, ruling Inazuma alongside the Tri-Commission, then the Fatui's actions can proceed smoothly. Conversely, if the Shogun insists on taking matters into her own hands, no one in Inazuma, from the highest officials to the lowest citizens, would dare to defy her will.

Of course, there are exceptions. But as a Harbinger of Snezhnaya, the Lady does not know who these exceptions are. Even if she did, it wouldn't be easy to exploit them.

How can you manipulate someone who holds a high position yet remains a recluse? External schemes? A single strike from the Shogun could shatter all your carefully laid plans.

If you can steadily obtain the Gnosis, why add unnecessary complications?

"Is the ship back to Snezhnaya ready?"

"It's already prepared."

Receiving her subordinate's response, she nodded.

Currently, she was staying on Ritou, where she could see the towering Mount Yougou in the distance.

The Raiden Shogun was there, and so was the Gnosis.

The transaction for the Gnosis was progressing steadily. When she first arrived in Inazuma, the Lady had never imagined that obtaining the Electro Archon's Gnosis would come down to a business deal—though, on the surface, it was framed as compensation from Snezhnaya to Inazuma.

Even the likes of Pantalone had to admit that this deal was profitable.

Unlike the Geo Archon, Morax's Liyue was the commercial hub of Teyvat. Merchants from all seven nations flocked to Liyue. The Geo Archon himself was nearly devoid of desires, and it seemed there was an unspoken understanding between him and the Tsaritsa. Otherwise… obtaining the Geo Gnosis might not have been so straightforward.

Inazuma was different.

This nation was an isolated chain of islands on the edge of Teyvat, a relatively closed-off country. The Raiden Shogun paid little attention to matters outside Inazuma, and she had no idea what Snezhnaya was up to.

This outcome was acceptable.

The Lady, though haughty, possessed a keen mind. Faced with the martial prowess of the Raiden Shogun, she had to set aside her pride.

As for the previous puppet Shogun…

A puppet and a god were not the same.

"Hey, Lady. Are you heading to Mount Yougou?"

"Scaramouche, where have you been these past few days?"

Without even needing to think, the one who would barge into her room at this time, dressed in eccentric clothing, could only be her colleague, Scaramouche.

The hat-wearing Scaramouche strolled around the room and said, "Unlike the ambiguity of the Shogunate, the Sangonomiya Shrine on Watatsumi Island is fully hostile to the Fatui. Someone had to help your loyal subordinates retreat, didn't they?"

"Then I suppose I should say thank you? By the way, care to join me on my trip to Mount Yougou?" the Lady said with a smile.

"No thanks. I have no interest in meeting the Raiden Shogun. On the other hand, I heard you're staying in Inazuma?" Scaramouche replied.

The Lady said, "You're quite well-informed. It reminds me of the rumors I heard about you during the negotiations."

"Oh, are you talking about the Yashiro Commission looking for me? Probably some shrine maiden who knows we don't get along, trying to stir up trouble," Scaramouche waved his hand dismissively.

"Is that so? Do you have any other missions lined up?"

"Oh, noble Lady, how forgetful you are. Have you forgotten that I came to Inazuma to assist you?" Scaramouche's words carried a sharp edge.

The Lady replied, "Is that so? Well, I no longer need your assistance. I'm heading to Mount Yougou."

"Suit yourself."

Scaramouche watched as the Lady left the room.

He lowered his head, deep in thought…

He recalled the terms of the agreement. In reality, the information passed to him by the Yashiro Commission included details about the Gnosis transaction. According to the agreement, only the deposit had been paid so far. The remaining supplies would be delivered after the Gnosis was handed over to the Lady. During this period, the Lady would remain in Inazuma.

A seemingly ordinary clause, ensuring that their side wouldn't lose out. But when the Yashiro Commission specifically sent the letter to him, it took on a different meaning.

It seemed someone had guessed his intentions.

Scaramouche looked toward Mount Yougou.

It was now the political center of Inazuma.

The Raiden Shogun and the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine were of little consequence. But that male priest… he was important.

Scaramouche couldn't figure out that man. Ever since that Liyuean appeared, the entire situation in Inazuma had undergone drastic changes. The battle at Tenshukaku had completely disrupted the chessboard of Inazuma.

If anyone was likely to orchestrate such a thing, it was probably that priest.

But… this worked in his favor.

Scaramouche made his decision.

...

...

"Hey, little one, when do you think Ei will leave the Grand Narukami Shrine? Day after day, waking up only to be dragged into work. It's despairing!"

"You're asking me? Who should I ask, Guuji?"

The scene before him was Yae Miko, listlessly leaning against the railing, staring into the distance. But a closer look at her unfocused eyes revealed that she wasn't really looking at anything.

Li Mo knew why Yae Miko was so drained. These past few days, she had been helping Raiden Ei handle official duties. The sheer volume of work made Li Mo wonder if Inazuma even had any civil servants left. How could there be so much to do?

Later, he learned that Raiden Ei was simply returning to the state she had been in 500 years ago. Back then, after the Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah, faced with a crumbling Inazuma, an inexperienced Raiden Ei had relied on sheer endurance to keep the nation together.

The more Li Mo learned about Raiden Ei, the more he realized how lonely she must have felt during those centuries of relentless work, reminiscing about happier times and gradually withdrawing into herself.

Working the same job for hundreds of years? The thought alone was despairing.

"Little one, are you thinking about Ei again? Don't you care about me at all?"

"Caring for Ei only requires words. Caring for you requires actual effort. I don't need to think hard to know that if I show you concern, you'll take advantage and make me do your work while you sneak off to the Yae Publishing House," Li Mo said. "Instead of scheming against me, why not have the Yashiro Commission bring over the reports from the other two commissions?"

"Sigh, why did you suggest auditing the two commissions in the first place?"

"The hard work now will lead to an easier future."

"But aren't you planning to leave in the future, little one?"

"That's why I'm helping you, Guuji," Li Mo walked over to Yae Miko and said, "If it weren't for you, why would I have gone to Tenshukaku?"

"Oh my," Yae Miko's spirits lifted, and she smiled. "Does that mean you want me to repay you with my heart and soul?"

"In your dreams," Li Mo replied.

The two bantered for a while before dropping the topic.

They both knew that the reason Li Mo had gone to Tenshukaku was simply because he wanted to.

He did it because he chose to. At most, he might have hesitated a bit, but in the end, it all came down to his willingness.

Yae Miko asked, "Little one, why did you leak that information to Scaramouche?"

"What if I told you Scaramouche has a rebellious streak?"

"Oh, so you're saying Scaramouche will defy Snezhnaya, steal the Gnosis, and defect?"

"Exactly. As for why I want to cause trouble for Snezhnaya… it's because the Lady always looks down her nose at everyone."

"Haha. You're not wrong."

Today, the wind was calm.

Everything proceeded as usual.