Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [154] [30 PS]

"Good morning, Shogun-sama."

Ren held the Shogun doll in his hands, unable to suppress the smile spreading across his face.

Who would've thought his boss would check in on him?

Could Ei have guessed he was on his way back to Inazuma City?

"Hmm."

The familiar, cool voice echoed in his ears.

The next moment, within a familiar veil of light, the noble and elegant figure of Ei appeared once more.

Her piercing violet eyes, cold as ever, scrutinized Ren closely, as if confirming something.

Fortunately for him, Ren looked perfectly fine, his carefree grin showing that he was in good spirits.

"What are you doing?"

The coldness in Ei's gaze softened slightly as she asked, her tone gentler now.

"Shogun-sama, I'm already on my way back to Inazuma City," Ren replied, his grin widening further.

Talking with Ei always lifted his mood.

Though she was surely at Tenshukaku right now, wearing her stately and dignified robes, hard at work as the Raiden Shogun…

Ren couldn't help but recall her looking flustered in a bathrobe, turning away awkwardly.

And that massive Tenshukaku…

"That's good to hear."

Hearing his response, Ei's lips curved ever so slightly into a faint smile, and she nodded approvingly.

The image shifted, pulling back to reveal Ei seated at her desk, piles of paperwork stacked in front of her.

Of course, she wasn't actually going to read any of it.

Not that it mattered.

What caught Ren's attention instead was the sharp, violet glow in her hand.

"Shogun-sama, what are you…"

Ren's eyes narrowed, hesitating as he noticed the unmistakable light of [Musou Isshin], the blade representing Ei's divine authority.

The weapon hummed and quivered, as if restless.

Ren's thoughts raced.

Could it be? Is she about to cut someone down again?

He let out a sigh at the thought.

Whoever had angered Ei this time must be incredibly unlucky.

"I had some free time last night, so I decided to spar with someone," Ei said casually, her fingers lightly brushing the blade's edge. Her tone was so nonchalant, it was as if she were commenting on the weather.

Ding—

With a crisp sound, Musou Isshin vanished into the void.

Ren stared at where the blade had been, visibly disappointed.

He'd wanted to watch the process of her sheathing the sword.

But it quickly dawned on him what she had said.

"Wait, Shogun-sama—you sparred with someone?"

Ren's voice rose slightly, unable to hide his surprise.

Who on Teyvat could possibly spar with the mighty Raiden Shogun?

Who was this person? Were they close to Ei?

Ren couldn't help but let his curiosity spiral.

"…"

Ei glanced at Ren, noting the slight frown on his face.

"Just an old acquaintance. We don't meet often," she explained after a brief pause.

For some reason, she made it a point to emphasize that they rarely saw each other.

"An old acquaintance of yours…"

Ren sucked in a sharp breath, murmuring to himself.

That narrowed down the possibilities quite a bit.

"And the result?"

He couldn't resist asking, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"We stopped short of going all out. She's stronger than before," Ei replied, picking up a book from her desk and flipping to a new page. Her tone was calm, almost indifferent.

"But I've grown stronger too."

Since reuniting with Ren, her inner state had become far more stable.

Yet, what had changed most wasn't her strength or skills—

It was how she viewed Ren.

That's why, when Ei sensed that someone might make a move against him, she didn't hesitate to grab her blade and march straight into Snezhnaya.

No ulterior motives, of course. She simply thought it'd be nice to catch up with the Cryo Archon.

Totally not Ei being overprotective.

"As expected of Shogun-sama. You're amazing," Ren said, giving her a thumbs-up.

At the same time, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

God-level battles were beyond his comprehension, though the brief moment he'd spent connected to the divine realm still lingered in his mind.

"You don't need to worry about me. As long as you're safe, that's enough," Ei said softly, turning another page in her book.

Ren blinked and nodded silently.

This gentle and caring side of his boss was… incredibly captivating.

An odd thought popped into his head.

Why not take advantage of this moment…

Smiling to himself, Ren reached out and playfully poked the face of the Shogun doll in his hands.

After all, it wasn't like Ei could see what he was doing, right?

"…"

Ei's fingers paused briefly before continuing to flip the page, her gaze lingering on the book in front of her.

It was unclear whether she was actually reading.

"Shogun-sama, why aren't you saying anything?" Ren asked, his tone light, as he continued poking the doll's face.

"Stop distracting me while I'm handling official business," Ei replied sternly, her elegant brows furrowing slightly.

Ren, blissfully unaware of the situation, continued teasing.

What he didn't realize was that part of Ei's consciousness was currently dwelling within the Shogun doll.

So…

"But Shogun-sama, isn't that a light novel you're reading?"

Ren's voice was filled with barely contained laughter, his words laced with mischief.

"Hmm?"

Ei's head slowly lifted, her gaze sharpening dangerously as she glared at him.

She was clearly giving him a chance to rethink his words.

"Cough, I don't know anything," Ren quickly backtracked, shaking his head.

Daring to comment on his boss's reading habits? Yeah, no. He wasn't about to risk a pay cut.

With a soft huff, Ei flipped another page of her "official business".

"Hurry back. We're out of sweets," she suddenly grumbled, her voice taking on a slightly impatient edge.

Her patience wasn't infinite, after all.

If Ren continued to dawdle, she might just forego waiting for the ship entirely.

"And the reward for returning is…"

Ren trailed off, testing his luck on the razor's edge.

He was itching to know.

"…"

Ei slowly looked up, fixing her gaze on Ren.

Ren froze, a sudden thought flashing through his mind.

She was waiting for an explanation.

The sea breeze howled around him, and an icy chill crept down his spine.

It was only then that Ren realized—

Ei might already know something.

---

"Gar~de! Voir voir."

- Gardevoir

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