Chapter 212: Ei's Confusion
After a moment of hesitation, Yuxie asked this question.
"The Fatui..." Ei paused briefly. "Their actions don't leave a good impression. However, because of their status as a diplomatic delegation, we cannot openly sever ties with them."
"And what about one of their Harbingers—The Fair Lady?"
"The Fair Lady? I don't have much of an impression."
"Her real name is Rosalyne. After arriving in Inazuma, she has been secretly undermining the Fatui's plans."
"Why would a Harbinger undermine her own organization's plans?"
"Perhaps she doesn't want to see more tragedies. The Fatui have been trying to meddle in the war between the Shogunate and Watatsumi Island to gain profit. Rosalyne has been preventing this and has also stopped them from distributing Delusions to the Watatsumi resistance forces."
"Delusions..."
"A device modeled after Visions, allowing ordinary people to wield elemental power. However, for mortals, the cost of using a Delusion is often dire—sometimes even fatal."
"..." Ei was silent for a moment. "So, in a way, The Fair Lady has already saved many lives."
"That's one way to see it. But if she wants to leave the Fatui, simply opposing them isn't enough. Acting against them without precautions might only lead to her being silenced."
"You don't want her to face such an outcome, do you?"
"That's right. Rosalyne wants to fake her death to escape the Fatui's watchful eyes," Yuxie said slowly. "Given her strength as a Harbinger, anyone who could kill her would have to be extraordinarily powerful."
"You want me to help stage a scene, don't you?" Ei inferred from his words. "But I'm not good at deception, let alone deceiving someone as vigilant as the Fatui."
"Would it work if I impersonated you to play the part?" Yuxie asked hesitantly.
"Impersonate me?" Ei was startled by the suggestion but quickly caught on.
"To confuse the truth and conceal reality," Yuxie explained. "When the time comes, I can stage the fight with Rosalyne, making it appear as though she truly perished at the hands of the Raiden Shogun."
Ei stood in silence, gazing at Yuxie for a moment.
"I don't mind, but... Yuxie, you seem to care about Rosalyne quite a bit, don't you?"
"Her life has been filled with sorrow. It doesn't deserve an equally tragic ending," Yuxie replied gently.
"Did you know her in the past?"
"..." Yuxie hesitated briefly before recounting Rosalyne's past.
After listening, Ei's expression grew complex.
"I see..." She gazed at him, an array of unspoken words filling her heart.
Over the years, Ei had become less certain of her feelings toward Yuxie.
When he had left, she had felt profound sadness.
Now, seeing him again, she was undoubtedly happy, but she still couldn't quite figure out what she truly felt.
Did she truly care for him?
Was it merely friendship, or was it something more?
"Ei, if you have some time, I'd like to ask for your help with one more thing," Yuxie said.
"Go ahead."
Yuxie raised his hand, and a golden light flickered in his palm. A Vision of Electro element appeared before him.
Seeing the Vision, Ei froze momentarily. Memories from the past began to replay in her mind like slides from a projector.
"This is..."
"This Vision was originally just a pendant styled to look like a Vision," Yuxie explained. "But now, for some reason, it has turned into a real one."
"That's wonderful." Ei smiled softly—a rare and beautiful expression. "In a way, this fulfills your wish back then."
"My wish?" Yuxie asked, puzzled.
"Back then, you told me you wanted a Vision. But the emergence of Visions is not something either I or my sister could control. It's not an easy matter. Still, I promised to try.
Later, my sister and I crafted that Vision-like pendant for you. After that, I searched for a way to bring about a real Vision, but as years passed, nothing came of it. Perhaps this is destiny—emerging now upon our reunion."
Yuxie felt a twinge of sentiment as he listened. He had no idea that the Vision-like pendant had been a gift from Ei and her sister.
"Ei, can you teach me how to wield Electro energy?" Yuxie asked, holding the Vision. "If I'm to impersonate you, I need to master the use of Electro. Otherwise, it'll be easy to expose the ruse."
"...Very well. Follow me," Ei said with a slight smile.
Despite her usually stoic demeanor, Ei's rare smile was as stunning as her sister's, leaving an unforgettable impression.
Yuxie followed Ei to a small island behind the Tenshukaku. Here, only the two of them were present.
The island, except for its proximity to Narukami Island, was surrounded by the vast sea.
"When I'm alone, I often come here to sit and reflect on past events," Ei said, gazing at the ocean. The sea breeze swayed her violet hair.
Her figure, framed against the sea breeze, looked so graceful, mature, and breathtaking.
"When you were around, I left many responsibilities to you. After you left, I had to take up those duties again. I thought I'd get used to it quickly, but even after all these years, it hasn't quite happened.
"But now, perhaps things will get a little better. Yuxie, try gathering some Electro energy first."
"Alright," Yuxie nodded, raising his hand.
Purple Electro energy began to converge in his palm, crackling and leaping with faint thunder.
Ei observed and commented, "About the same as most other Vision bearers of Electro. Yuxie, watch me."
As she spoke, purple lightning began to coil around Ei's body. Her hair and attire fluttered without wind.
The aura of her lightning was vastly different from Yuxie's.
It carried an overwhelming sense of authority, as if descending from the heavens—imbued with the absolute might of a god.
End of chapter
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