Simple Friendship

"Shogun, I'll leave Inazuma in your care while I'm away," Raiden Ei said to Yae Miko inside Tenshukaku.

With that, Raiden Ei departed from Inazuma to visit Fontaine.

The series of events orchestrated by Felina had left Raiden Ei deeply impressed with Felina's strategies. The appearance of Osial further placed Raiden Ei in Felina's debt. Coupled with her desire to witness Fontaine's prosperity firsthand and draw inspiration for Inazuma's development, Raiden Ei informed Beisht that she would be making a diplomatic visit to Fontaine.

Before long, she arrived in Fontaine and was warmly received. Accompanied by Felina, Raiden Ei embarked on a comprehensive survey of the nation.

The visit lasted four full days. Since Felina wished for Furina to form lasting friendships with other long-lived beings, she made no effort to conceal her dual personality. Throughout the visit, Felina frequently had Furina accompany Raiden Ei to enjoy opera performances, films, and scenic tours.

Furina, with her broader knowledge of cultural nuances, was well-suited to explain these aspects to Raiden Ei.

"Ei, this is one of Fontaine's specialty drinks!"

"And this, it's my favorite little cake—try it!" Furina said cheerfully.

Inside a restaurant, Furina smiled brightly as she placed the drink and cake in front of Raiden Ei. Over the past few days, she and Raiden Ei had developed a warm rapport, and Furina had even begun calling her "Ei" directly.

Having learned that Raiden Ei had a fondness for desserts, Furina intentionally shared her favorites with her new friend.

"Thank you very much," Raiden Ei replied with a smile, accepting the drink and cake. She gazed at Furina, her expression soft but tinged with complexity.

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Furina asked, a little uneasy under the scrutiny. She scratched her head awkwardly.

Hearing this, Raiden Ei chuckled softly, but the complexity in her eyes grew more pronounced. "Forgive me, I was simply reminded of the past."

Her face took on a wistful look. "Once, I had an elder sister. She was wise and kind, a natural in matters of governance.

"She shielded me from all the schemes and machinations of the court, allowing me to immerse myself in honing my martial skills.

"Under her protection, I too experienced a time of innocent happiness. I devoted myself to my craft, indulged in sweets now and then, and played chess and card games with friends. Those were truly joyful days.

"But alas, disaster took them from me, and I was forced to abandon my innocence and grow up."

She paused before continuing, "In you and Felina, I see echoes of myself and my sister. When I look at you, I can't help but think of my younger self."

"Still, you're more fortunate, Furina."

Furina understood Raiden Ei's meaning. Whenever Furina spoke of Felina, her emotions overflowed with happiness, security, and pride. Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she replied proudly, "Of course! Felina is my most precious treasure!"

She then looked at Raiden Ei with a gentle smile. "But Ei, you don't need to dwell too much on the past. Time always brings new people and experiences. Look at us—we've already become friends, haven't we?"

"Friends?" Raiden Ei paused, visibly taken aback. She had treated Furina with warmth and kindness, seeing in her the carefree innocence she herself had once known under her sister's protection.

Faced with Furina's warmth, Raiden Ei's gaze softened.

"Yes, we are friends."

...

That evening.

"I always thought the depictions of Fontaine in novels were exaggerated, but now that I've seen it for myself, I realize they were all true," Raiden Ei remarked. Over the past few days, accompanied by Felina and Furina, she had gained an in-depth understanding of Fontaine's culture, technology, and way of life.

"The more I learn about Fontaine, the more I realize how much Inazuma has lost under the misguided pursuit of eternity."

Walking alongside Felina through the streets of Fontaine, Raiden Ei couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the two nations. The prosperity of Fontaine underscored Inazuma's stagnation. Even the streetlights, illuminating the night so brilliantly, felt blinding to her. Many in Inazuma couldn't even afford candles, while Fontaine's streets were bathed in radiant light.

"Felina," she asked, leaning against a railing and gazing out at the illuminated Court of Fontaine, "what is eternity? Is it truly wise to let people advance without restraint?"

"I don't know what the ultimate outcome of unchecked progress might be," Felina replied, shaking her head. "But humans are never satisfied with the status quo. They always strive forward, seeking happiness. And it's precisely because of this that they continue to grow stronger and make progress."

"I've seen people gravely injured, whose families couldn't bear to let them pass, so they used every means to forcibly extend their lives. While their lives were prolonged, they endured even greater suffering."

"For me, restricting the development of a people is much the same," she continued. "If humanity's future is destined to end, then rather than restricting them and letting them live out their days in misery until the end, why not let them strive forward? Let them enjoy their limited time with greater happiness."

"As their god, to simply watch over their desires, protect them, and bear witness to their ultimate fate—that is enough."

"And besides," Felina added with a faint smile, "your restrictions on Inazuma didn't truly preserve it forever. In fact, they nearly led to its premature destruction, didn't they?"

Felina didn't provide an answer to what true eternity was, but she laid out her philosophy with unvarnished realism. Raiden Ei listened in silence, her expression gradually softening as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Clearly, Felina's words had helped her let go of many of her doubts.

"Thank you," Raiden Ei said after a long pause. Then, her tone shifted. "After these past few days, I've already begun to envision a plan for Inazuma's future."

"No development is possible without energy. Therefore, I hope Fontaine can help Inazuma build an Arkhe Reactor and the necessary supporting facilities."

Felina chuckled at her request. "Of course, that can be arranged. But Ei, you know matters involving national interests aren't something I'll concede easily."

"The Raiden Shogun's Gnosis was already sold at an excellent price. I've been more than generous in that transaction, so if you want an Arkhe Reactor, you'll need to offer something in exchange."

With a smile, Felina looked expectantly at Raiden Ei. Given Inazuma's current state of poverty and with the Gnosis already traded away, she was curious what Raiden Ei could possibly offer.

"Inazuma may be struggling now, and I don't have much to offer," Raiden Ei said softly, meeting Felina's gaze. "But there is one thing you might be interested in."

Her voice was calm but firm as she continued, "I propose trading the method for creating puppets in exchange for an Arkhe Reactor for Inazuma. What do you say?"

"Exchange the method of creating puppets?"

Hearing this, Felina's expression shifted.

Raiden Ei had created only two puppets in total: one was the prototype Scaramouche, and the other was the Raiden Shogun.

Both puppets possessed extraordinary power, with the Raiden Shogun's strength rivaling that of an actual god. The most critical aspect was that these puppets exhibited exceptional intelligence—far surpassing the capabilities of Fontaine's current intelligent machines.

Although Felina assumed that the materials required to craft such a being must be rare and difficult to obtain, she was still tempted. Even creating just one would yield immense benefits.

"The method of puppet creation is incredibly valuable, and yet you're only using it to trade for a reactor. Don't you think that's a losing deal?"

"Not at all," Ei replied with a smile. "A reactor concerns Inazuma's future. I don't think such a trade is inappropriate."

"Besides, I owe you a favor," she added. "And aren't we friends?"

"Friends?" Felina repeated with a chuckle. "Very well, thank you."

The deal was struck, and that very evening, Felina and Ei signed the agreement.

The following morning, Ei prepared to leave Fontaine. However, before departing, she requested Felina and Furina to see her off.

Yet, as the three soared above the vast ocean after leaving Fontaine Court, Raiden Ei suddenly attacked. In an instant, she unleashed a slash with her blade, narrowly grazing Felina's forehead.

Startled, Felina immediately pulled back, creating some distance.

"What's this about?"

Hovering above the sea, Felina raised an eyebrow, her tone amused as she regarded Raiden Ei.

"As a ruler, I can understand your use of various strategies and schemes against Inazuma," Ei began. "But as an individual—or rather, as a friend—when I think about how you manipulated me and Inazuma from thousands of miles away, and even had my retainers bomb me with missiles, I can't help but feel indignant."

"Even the Shogun feels the same way, so we both agree that unless we fight you, I probably won't be able to sleep soundly when I return to Inazuma."

With that, Ei raised her blade, pointing it at Felina. "So, come on—let's have a fight!"

Instead of being upset, Felina chuckled and shook her head. "You've become much more honest than before. It seems you've truly moved forward."

Knowing Ei's personality, Felina understood that Ei would never express such thoughts so openly unless their relationship was close. The fact that she admitted her lingering frustration over being outmaneuvered showed that she regarded Felina and Furina as friends. Otherwise, even if Ei harbored resentment, she wouldn't act on it, fearing it might escalate into conflict between their nations.

Because of their friendship, there was no need for restraint. This duel was more akin to a friendly sparring match between warriors before parting ways.

"Very well, let's fight!"

With those words, Felina charged toward Ei without hesitation.

Over the vast ocean, the two gods clashed!

In an instant, water and lightning intertwined, thunder and torrential rain echoing across the horizon.

Thunderstorms and tsunamis spread far and wide, with shockwaves from their battle rippling across hundreds of kilometers, scattering countless fish and shrimp from the surrounding waters to flee to distant seas.

The fierce duel lasted a full two hours. During this time, Felina and Furina took turns controlling their body to engage in combat, while Raiden Ei and the Raiden Shogun alternated mastery over their own form to fight.

Two bodies, four personalities, switching seamlessly in an exhilarating and intense battle.

Finally—

"Heavy Water, go!"

Furina extended her hand, and an immense concentration of Hydro-elemental energy compressed into a droplet no larger than a thumb.

Then, using the principle of acceleration, she propelled the droplet to a speed of 20 times the speed of sound—6.8 kilometers per second—and hurled it toward the Raiden Shogun.

At this moment, the Raiden Shogun revealed her puppet form, unleashing her signature in-game move, "Musou Isshin." A forty-meter blade tore through the void, cleaving toward Furina.

The droplet, traveling at an incredible velocity, collided directly with the massive sword mid-air.

At the moment of impact, a deafening roar echoed as the immense compressed Hydro energy within the droplet exploded in front of the Raiden Shogun, enveloping her in a massive shockwave.

The sheer force of the collision and subsequent explosion pushed the Raiden Shogun back. Stabilizing herself, she prepared to swing her sword for another strike, only to hear Furina shout:

"Stagnation!"

A humming sound reverberated. In Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei's perspective, Furina, who had been a distant opponent a second ago, now stood directly in front of them.

"How about now? Admit defeat?"

Hovering above, Furina held a sword of water pressed against the Raiden Shogun's neck.

Staring at the blade poised against her throat, Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei were momentarily stunned. Clearly, if Furina had the time to place her sword here, she could just as easily have injured or even killed them.

"We concede," Raiden Shogun admitted.

"Hooray!!!"

At the moment of victory, Furina cheered like a child who had just won a championship.

"I actually defeated the Raiden Shogun!"

"Furina, did you see that? I really used the acceleration and stagnation laws!"

"This is amazing! All your efforts in teaching me, again and again, finally paid off—I did it!"

Her joy was overwhelming, and her first thought was to share her success and happiness with Felina.

"Yes, Furina is incredible. With this, you now have the ability to protect yourself, and I can finally rest assured," Felina responded, her pride unmistakable.

This scene left the nearby General and Ei feeling somewhat helpless.

"I didn't expect you to possess such formidable abilities," Raiden Ei remarked. "The ability to halt time—if you'd used it at the start, this match would have ended immediately."

"To think we believed our skills were on par with yours. How childish of us."

"Don't say that," Furina replied, scratching her head sheepishly. "Felina said you and the Shogun are warriors who love combat and sparring."

"Besides, this was a farewell match among friends. If I'd used the law of stagnation right away, wouldn't that have ruined the fun?"

"This duel was thrilling for me, and Felina said she enjoyed it too."

Seeing Furina's endearing earnestness, Raiden Ei chuckled and shook her head.

"All right, I was just joking."

"This match was exhilarating for both the Shogun and me."

"Inazuma has many pressing matters waiting for my attention, so it's time for me to return."

"Though Inazuma may not be as prosperous or convenient as Fontaine, it has its own unique charm. If you ever have the chance, you're welcome to visit."

"We will, if time permits! And you're always welcome back to Fontaine!" Furina waved enthusiastically at Ei and the Shogun.

Ei nodded, waved in return, and left Fontaine.

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