Chapter 195

"Hubby~" Just as he stepped out of the room, Yae Miko's sweet and delicate voice rang out from beneath the Sacred Sakura Tree not far away.

"Huh?" Akio turned toward her, asking curiously, "Sweetheart, you're back from Tenshukaku?"

"Akio~ I missed you," Yae Miko cooed as she wrapped herself around Akio. She sniffed him lightly, then chuckled behind her hand, "Oh my~ Hubby~ you smell like that little girl from Watatsumi Island~ She's here too?"

"Yup. The Sacred Soil Degradation on Watatsumi Island is getting worse, so she came to ask for my help. As a price for requesting divine aid, she offered herself to me," Akio replied with a smile.

"Hehe, what a terrible man, taking advantage of someone in need~" Yae Miko teased with a giggle.

"Of course," Akio grinned, knowing she was only joking. He reached out and gently pinched her soft, fluffy ear. "Sweetheart~ weren't you also someone I scooped up while taking advantage of the moment?"

Yae Miko's cheeks flushed slightly. She gazed at Akio with loving eyes and nestled into his arms. "I'm lucky you did. Having you is a blessing."

"Soon, even Kokomi will understand just how lovable the person she follows truly is," she murmured softly.

Akio chuckled. He didn't mind such things at all—he had absolute confidence in himself.

…

In Inazuma City, within the Mondstadt delegation's residence, Jean and Lisa sat facing each other.

Meanwhile, Klee was running around in the courtyard, playing. She was going stir-crazy not being allowed to use her bombs in Inazuma!

"Lisa, the Divine Coronation Ceremony is almost over. We've been away long enough. We should get ready to return," Jean said, looking at Lisa. "Have you made your decision?"

"…" Lisa was silent for a moment. Instead of answering directly, she asked, "Jean, are you really willing to just leave Inazuma like this? Lord Akio is your lover—can you bear it?"

"Of course I can't," Jean shook her head. "But Lord Akio already told us in our group chat. He has a special space-type artifact called the Serenitea Pot."

"We can enter it directly through the Imaginary Anchor he gave us. It's basically another home for us."

"I see. As expected of a god," Lisa nodded in acknowledgment.

"But Lisa, you still haven't answered my question," Jean pressed gently. "Time is short. Don't let opportunities slip by."

"You mean what you said before—that I wouldn't be able to escape either?" Lisa smiled softly.

"Jean, I understand now," Lisa nodded. "You're right. I'll go find Lord Akio and tell him how I feel."

"Good." Jean nodded, visibly relieved.

"This is kind of funny, isn't it? We came to Inazuma on a diplomatic mission, and now both of us are practically gift-wrapped for their god," Lisa joked.

"I just hope Lord Barbatos will bless my love with Lord Akio," Jean said with a hopeful smile.

"Barbatos is probably off mooching wine and singing at Diluc's place again," Lisa laughed.

"Sigh… I already told Lord Barbatos—if he wants to drink, just charge it to the Knights of Favonius' tab. But he refuses," Jean said with a trace of frustration.

Their Anemo Archon was far from reliable—always drinking and singing—but what could she do? Such was the god fate had given them.

"Even the God of Freedom needs his freedom," Lisa remarked.

As the two chatted, a loud explosion suddenly rang out from outside, followed by the house shaking violently.

Startled, Jean and Lisa exchanged a look—something had gone terribly wrong! They rushed outside.

In the courtyard, Klee stared wide-eyed at the massive crater and the destroyed garden, on the verge of tears.

All she did was take out her Jumpy Dumpty to look at it. She swore she didn't mean to set it off!

But somehow… it exploded anyway…

"Klee!" Jean's voice, full of fury, came from behind her.

"Uuu… Klee's in big trouble…" Klee turned around with a pitiful little face, head lowered as she saw Jean's dark, stormy expression. She didn't dare say a word.

"Klee! Are you hurt?" Jean's first reaction wasn't to scold her. She rushed over to check Klee from head to toe. Sure enough, the little rascal was perfectly fine.

"Klee! How could you be playing with bombs here?!" Once she was sure Klee was unharmed, Jean finally let the scolding begin.

"Exactly! Little Klee, how could you play with bombs on Inazuma soil?!" Even Lisa didn't defend her this time.

If this escalated, it could cause a diplomatic incident! Setting off bombs in a foreign land!?

"Uu… I'm sorry, Acting Grand Master Jean, Miss Lisa…" Klee mumbled, not daring to explain.

"What happened here?" At that moment, Murata Himeko arrived with a squad of Tenryou Commission soldiers.

The residence wasn't far from the Tenryou Commission, and Himeko had been there when she heard the explosion. She rushed over immediately with backup.

"Himeko, I'm so sorry. It was Klee's bomb—it accidentally went off…" Jean stepped forward to explain.

"Please forgive her, Himeko. We'll compensate for any damage. Klee is still young. Please don't…" Jean trailed off. They couldn't possibly let Klee be detained, right?

"Ah~ Jean, what are you saying?" Himeko laughed, looking affectionately at the teary-eyed Klee. She crouched down and scooped her up into her arms.

"You two go handle your business. Everything's fine here. Tell the Tenryou Commission not to worry—I've got it covered," she instructed the soldiers.

"Yes, Lady Himeko!" The soldiers saluted and turned to leave.

"Klee baby's already playing with bombs at this age? And you're okay with it?" Himeko asked curiously.

"Her mother is Lady Alice. Her… uh, parenting style… well, let's just say she's a bomb expert," Jean explained with a wry smile.

"Oh, so she's Lady Alice's daughter. Yae Miko mentioned her to me before," Himeko nodded.

"Himeko, we'll pay for the damages—" Jean began.

"No need," Himeko waved her off. "We're all family here. What's a little property damage, especially with no one hurt?"

"Jean, don't worry. Akio already treats Klee like his own daughter," Himeko chuckled. "So what if our little girl blew something up?"

"…" Jean nodded silently. She knew Akio was especially fond of Klee.

"By the way, since our little sweetheart likes playing with bombs so much, it's not really safe to let her keep doing it here—she might hurt civilians," Himeko added thoughtfully. "So, Klee , want to come on a mission with me? You can use as many bombs as you want."

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