Chapter 447: A possibility

Raiden Ei had initially been absorbed in handling various official documents, barely paying attention to the conversation between Li Mo and Yae Miko. At most, she would offer a few perfunctory words when directly addressed. 

However, when the topic turned to Makoto, she couldn't help but take notice. 

Not long ago, she had seen Makoto for the last time. It was only natural that she would be sensitive to the mention of "Makoto." 

"Don't look at me like that, Ei. Do you really believe Yae's nonsense?" Li Mo said. 

Raiden Ei wore a thoughtful expression. The way Li Mo and Yae Miko bickered was nothing new—it had happened countless times before. So his response was entirely expected. 

Yae Miko, on the other hand, smirked and said, "Little one, are you really going to keep hiding things even in front of the Shogun?" 

"Because I enjoy ruining your fun." 

Li Mo simply couldn't stand Yae Miko's laziness. If he were equally lazy, everyone would be happy. But while Yae lounged around, he was the one stuck doing all the work. 

"See, Ei? This is how he is. Don't let him brush you off—he's clearly hiding something." 

Amid their squabbling, the three of them set aside the few remaining documents and made their way to the Sacred Sakura. 

Ei trusted both of them. One was her familiar, the other an opponent who had once challenged her on behalf of Inazuma's people. Both had helped her in countless ways... 

In truth, the two were quite similar—both prone to idle chatter, often speaking nonsense when nothing important was at stake. But when it mattered, both could be relied upon. 

The cherry blossoms of the Sacred Sakura never withered, as if forever suspended in spring. 

Beneath the tree's shade, the courtyard stood empty. Since Ei had arrived at the Grand Narukami Shrine, the area had been closed off to visitors, leaving it eerily quiet. 

In fact, even the shrine maidens rarely came here—it had effectively become their private retreat. 

Ei studied the Sacred Sakura before her. The only difference she noticed was that the trunk resembled not an ordinary tree, but rather... a fox. 

She turned to Yae Miko. 

As if reading her thoughts, Yae chuckled. "Well, the Grand Narukami Shrine is my domain. Naturally, I'd shape it to my liking." 

"Ei, hurry up and punch her." 

"Little one, you've been awfully combative lately." 

Just as the two were about to start bickering again, Ei cut them off. "Enough. What I want to know is why you brought up Makoto." 

Yae Miko clapped her hands together. "Let me share my theory. Ei, this guy has access to all sorts of unusual information. You can't deny that, can you?" 

Ei nodded. "Yes. During the process of entering Makoto's consciousness, I did sense that he was prepared." 

"Exactly!" Yae grinned. "So, little one—didn't you know long ago that the Sacred Sakura was only planted recently?" 

Once, Ei had tried to investigate the connection between Makoto's consciousness and the Sacred Sakura, only to abandon the effort. Back then, the Sacred Sakura hadn't even been planted—how could there be any connection? 

"I did know," Li Mo admitted. "But what would have been the point in saying so?" 

"Didn't you have a plan?" Yae pressed. "With your strange methods, if you knew in advance, couldn't you have saved Makoto?" 

Ei's gaze sharpened as she turned to Li Mo. "Could you have done it?" 

Li Mo sighed. "Makoto's situation is different from Hanachirusato's... Hanachirusato had independent thought, even if her essence was defilement. But Makoto left behind only a fragment of consciousness—nothing more." 

Ei was aware of Hanachirusato's circumstances. Yae often talked about how she'd retire from shrine duties once Hanachirusato returned, opting instead to laze around at the Yae Publishing House. Naturally, Ei had been curious about who Hanachirusato was. 

She was the continuation of Hakushin—her essence born from the Sacred Sakura's absorbed defilement. Yet through Li Mo's inexplicable methods, she had been revived, though she now resided outside. 

Li Mo was a traveler from beyond this world. Unlike Lumine, his methods defied the logic of Teyvat. Within Inazuma's power system, there was nothing that could replicate his abilities—let alone oppose him. 

So... 

Could he really have revived "Makoto"? 

Ei pressed further. "Then... did you try?" 

"I couldn't." Li Mo shook his head. "I did make some adjustments within the consciousness space. Originally, after Makoto's consciousness dissipated, the petals should have scattered into the distance. I redirected them into the Sacred Sakura. But after returning and examining the tree, I realized—I can't bring her back." 

At first, Li Mo had hoped to revive Makoto. So within the consciousness space, he had used his power to bind her lingering will to the Sacred Sakura. 

After explaining, he added, "Right now, Makoto's condition is like a body reduced to a single organ. Reviving her from that is impossible. I didn't mention it earlier because I didn't want you to cling to false hope." 

At least... not yet. 

"And in the future?" 

"Uncertain." 

Li Mo and Yae Miko fell into brief silence. 

In his memories, Li Mo had encountered many tales of resurrection. The most classic example was the Dragon Balls from that other world—but that place was far beyond reach. A closer comparison might be the Magic Gods. 

—Not Teyvat's Archons, but the Magic Gods from *A Certain Magical Index*. 

But becoming a Magic God? He didn't even dare consider it. 

The endpoint of his nine-tailed path—originally the "Beast"—now seemed like something that, if he reached it, might surpass the "Beast" but still fall short of a Magic God's level. 

"At the very least, you've preserved a sliver of possibility for Makoto's revival." The Raiden Shogun placed a hand on the Sacred Sakura, sensing deep within its roots a pure realm—a presence that shared her origin. 

Ei said, "Yae, protect the Sacred Sakura well." 

"Of course. The Grand Narukami Shrine's most important duty now is safeguarding this tree." Yae smiled. "I know that for you, Ei, the Sacred Sakura appeared suddenly five hundred years ago. But for us, it has existed since ancient times. Generation after generation, the shrine has guarded it." 

"Li Mo... is Makoto safe inside the Sacred Sakura?" 

"Perfectly safe. I studied the tree beforehand. Inside, the remnants of Makoto's consciousness won't fade—they'll be nurtured, maintaining their current state indefinitely." 

The Sacred Sakura purified Inazuma's defilement, its roots flowing with the essence of memories. Borrowing terminology from another world's metaphysics, so-called "ghosts" were merely lingering memories—things without a future. Using this principle, Li Mo had employed those purified memories to shield Makoto's consciousness. 

Ei raised her head, gazing at the cherry blossoms as she murmured, "Thank you, Li Mo." 

"What's there to thank me for? Save your gratitude for the day I actually bring Makoto back." 

The reason he hadn't told Ei immediately was simple: he couldn't revive Makoto. Not now, perhaps not ever. Her situation was fundamentally different from Hanachirusato's. Hanachirusato had been whole in spirit—Makoto was shattered. 

And even in the future... Li Mo had no guarantees. 

The uncertainty was simply too great. 

"Then I will wait. No matter how long it takes," Ei said softly. 

Li Mo clasped his hands behind his back and sighed. 

Another heavy promise to bear.