Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [155] [40 PS]

The voice in his ear fell silent.

Swish—

Ei lifted her hand, flipping a page of her book.

The movement was deliberate, almost loud in the stillness.

Her expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

Ren stared at Ei, who was now completely ignoring him, and opened his mouth slightly.

Oh no, the boss is mad.

A giant, glowing "danger" sign practically lit up over his head.

Had he somehow triggered some sort of bad ending?

Ren froze for a moment before lifting his hand and giving it a little wave.

"Shogun-sama?"

Still, Ei didn't respond. The sound of pages flipping grew faster and faster.

"…"

Ren wiped the sweat forming on his forehead.

An unresponsive Ei, even through the screen, was overwhelming in her sheer, silent authority.

And right now, he wasn't even close to her, meaning he couldn't bribe his way out with sweets!

Alright, stay calm, Ren, he told himself, inhaling deeply to steady his nerves.

The fact that Ei hadn't struck him down with a bolt of Musou no Hitotachi from Narukami Island meant there was still a chance to salvage the situation.

There had to be something he'd overlooked in their earlier conversation.

His eyes lit up as he thought of a key detail.

The sparring from last night…

Sparring? Yeah, right, Ren thought to himself.

It sounded more like she'd gone to settle a score.

While it might seem a bit narcissistic, there was a high chance this had something to do with him.

Could it be…?

"Shogun-sama, did something happen last night?"

Ren ventured carefully, his tone testing the waters. He kept his gaze on Ei, whose hands had momentarily paused mid-page flip.

Sure enough, the flipping sound stopped.

Ei finally looked up, her cold gaze meeting his.

Ren returned her stare with an innocent, sunny smile, the kind that screamed, I'm harmless, I swear.

There was still hope.

"Speak," Ei said at last, tossing the light novel aside and fixing her sharp eyes on Ren.

Her meaning was clear: explain, and explain well, or face the consequences.

Ren swallowed hard.

She's so serious she even gave up her light novel?! This is bad.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, he decided there was no room for holding back.

"Cough… well, here's the thing…"

Ren began recounting everything that had happened in his dream on the island: the activation of [Baleful Omen], the battle with the lingering resentment of the god, and his clash with the Fatui Harbinger, Dottore.

…

"And that's about it," Ren concluded, letting out a long breath as he cradled the stern-faced Shogun doll in his hands.

Finally, he'd said it all.

"…"

Ei seemed deep in thought, her violet eyes flickering as she processed his words.

So, Ren had experienced all of this in a dream—and yet it had felt so real.

And that "girl" he'd mentioned… her identity was shrouded in mystery.

Ei glanced at Ren, her furrowed brows easing slightly.

At least you came clean this time. You'll pass—barely.

"Shogun-sama, are you still mad?"

Ren blinked at her with a wide-eyed look, playfully kneading the doll's face.

"Hmph. Did you get hurt?"

Ei let out a soft scoff as she picked up the light novel again. Her tone was as sharp as ever.

The idea of Dottore, the Fatui Harbinger, crossing paths with her… Well, he'd better hope she didn't catch him.

For anyone who crossed her line, the outcome was always the same.

Unlike how she treated Ren, those she remembered rarely lived to tell the tale.

"Nope, I'm perfectly fine," Ren replied with a grin, stretching his arms. "That guy didn't stand a chance against me."

Seeing Ei's cold demeanor soften just a little, Ren's grin grew even wider.

She was worried about him—he was sure of it.

That thought alone was enough to fill his heart with joy.

To be cared for by his formidable boss? That was a privilege few could claim.

"From now on, you're not allowed to leave the island," Ei said firmly, tilting her chin up slightly.

Her meaning was clear.

No more wandering off. Stay in Tenshukaku, by her side, where it was safe.

After all, Tenshukaku was spacious—more than enough room for an extra resident.

"Only I can shield you from those dangers," she declared.

Ren let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.

He'd known she'd say something like that.

"Shogun-sama, I'd like to show you something," he said as he carefully cradled the doll and moved toward the side of the ship.

"What is it?"

Ei's gaze followed the shifting view, a hint of displeasure flickering in her eyes.

She had logged in to see Ren, not just the ship's deck.

"Show me your face," she demanded, her voice cool and commanding.

"On it," Ren replied, smiling.

The screen darkened briefly.

Then, suddenly, his face filled the entire frame, close enough to feel tangible.

For a moment, Ei froze, her delicate hand instinctively lifting slightly.

From this angle, he seemed so near.

If she just reached out…

Before her fingers could touch, the view shifted away, zooming back out.

It felt deliberate, as if Ren were teasing her.

"Shogun-sama, take a look," Ren said, his tone light as he gestured to the ocean behind him.

"This is…!"

Ei's eyes widened as her long, elegant lashes trembled slightly.

Her gaze fixed on the massive tree rising from the ocean's depths, its branches stretching to block out the sky.

A construct of Dendro energy at this scale…

"Was there a god involved?"

Violet lightning crackled across Ei's chest as she prepared to draw her blade.

Before she could act, Ren stepped in quickly.

"Wait a second, Shogun-sama."

He pointed at himself with a mischievous smile.

"Isn't it possible that I'm the one who did this?"

"?"

…

Ei stared at him for a long moment before letting out a soft sigh.

Her thoughts wandered to her conversation with the Cryo Archon.

"You really are extraordinary," she murmured.

To think that he could tap into the ley lines, wielding a power akin to divine authority…

And that power—it felt oddly familiar.

Was it reminiscent of Rukkhadevata?

"To me, Shogun-sama, you're extraordinary too," Ren said, leaning casually against the ship's railing. His voice was calm, but his words carried sincerity.

"…"

Ei froze for a moment, then turned her face away slightly.

The way Ren looked at her with such earnestness—she didn't know how to handle it.

But this feeling of being seen, being cherished—it wasn't unpleasant.

At least, not when it came to Ren.

Suddenly, she spoke in a soft voice, almost as if to herself:

"Make sure to come back soon."

Her words carried the tone of someone waiting for a loved one's safe return.

"Got it!"

Under the sunlight, Ren held the doll close and nodded enthusiastically.

"I can't wait to see you, Shogun-sama!"

"…"

Ei watched the sunny smile on his face, her own lips curving into an exquisite, radiant smile.

"Good. I'll be waiting."

When you return to Inazuma City… there'll be a surprise waiting for you.

---

T/N: GAH DUMP EVERYONE ELSE PELASEEEE EI IS UR SOULMATE!@!!

"Gar~de! Voir voir."

- Gardevoir

(End of Bonus Chapter—If you like my work, consider supporting me at [patreon.com/WiseTL]!)