Ch. 402Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Furina convinced Eris to use her power only under Furina’s command, believing she had gained a powerful assistant and a way to bolster her image. When they returned to the bedchamber, Eris pointed out that Furina no longer needed to be afraid, leaving Furina embarrassed and flustered.

  • Furina reasoned that Eris’s harmless personality and kind nature made her power safe to manage.
  • Furina told Eris that powerful beings must restrain themselves around fragile mortals and claimed she had recruited Eris to teach her control.
  • Eris agreed to use her power only under Furina’s command, though she had no intention of changing her behavior.
  • Furina celebrated her apparent success and began planning how to use Eris to reinforce her image as the Hydro Archon.
  • Eris said there would be no attacks in the bedchamber, and Furina loudly denied being afraid before blushing under Eris’s calm gaze.

Ch. 403Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Kaguya arrived on Watatsumi Island with a shogunate fleet and forced its people to submit by invoking the Raiden Shogun’s power. After accepting Kokomi’s cooperation and overseeing aid deliveries, she left for Sangonomiya, while Ei remained fixated on her and Ayaka grew closer to her.

  • Kokomi told Gorou that she had arrested war agitators and planned to hand them over to the shogunate, then went to welcome Kaguya’s fleet.
  • Kaguya demanded the captured conspirators and evidence from Kokomi, accepted the records, and warned Watatsumi Island that it must submit or perish.
  • Kokomi and the people of Watatsumi prostrated themselves before the sword representing the Raiden Shogun, and Kaguya ordered the fleet to unload food.
  • Ei reflected that the Shogun’s rules protecting Makoto conflicted with the changes Makoto was bringing to Inazuma, but she continued following Kaguya.
  • Kaguya reassured Ayaka that she still needed her protection, and Ayaka squeezed her hand as they walked together, leaving Ei jealous.

Ch. 404Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Kaguya imposed conditions on Sangonomiya Kokomi for receiving food aid, requiring Watatsumi to build a Narukami Shrine and make annual pilgrimages. After Kokomi accepted and left to help her people, Kaguya leaned against Kamisato Ayaka and praised Raiden Ei, who was pretending to be her body double.

  • Kaguya told Sangonomiya Kokomi that Watatsumi could continue offering sacrifices to Orobashi but had to build a grand Narukami Shrine and make annual pilgrimages on a greater scale.
  • Sangonomiya Kokomi accepted the conditions and bowed in gratitude, committing to distribute the Shogunate's provisions to the people of Watatsumi.
  • Kaguya dismissed Sangonomiya Kokomi with soldiers, officials, and supplies to relieve the islanders.
  • Kaguya leaned against Kamisato Ayaka and squeezed Raiden Ei's hand, praising her for the journey.
  • Kamisato Ayaka admired Raiden Ei's performance as a body double, while Raiden Ei focused on enjoying her sister's touch.

Ch. 405Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Raiden Makoto planned a ritual with Raiden Ei and Kaguya to ask the World Tree to resolve Watatsumi Island’s soil problem. The World Tree acted on the prayer, and Nahida and King Deshret agreed to conceal its involvement if questioned.

  • Raiden Makoto left Kaguya to handle the World Tree-related work and explained the ritual plan to Raiden Ei, urging her to think for herself and listen to Kaguya.
  • Kaguya and the Watatsumi people prepared a ritual, directing their prayers and faith into a Ley Line node beneath the altar.
  • Nahida and King Deshret heard the prayer at the World Tree and assessed whether answering it might draw Celestia’s attention.
  • The World Tree accepted King Deshret’s advice, resolved Watatsumi Island’s soil problem, and instructed Nahida to protect its consciousness and King Deshret’s secrecy.
  • Nahida and King Deshret praised the World Tree and its care for all living things.

Ch. 406Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

After Watatsumi Island’s affairs came to a close, Kaguya and Raiden Makoto discussed whether the Dendro Archon had been Inazuma’s ally. Raiden Makoto decided to meet with the others after returning to plan Inazuma’s future.

  • Gorou respectfully backed out after thanking Kaguya, and Kamisato Ayaka supported Kaguya as she leaned aside.
  • Raiden Makoto reflected that the World Tree had responded more strongly than expected and said she had been thinking about the Dendro Archon.
  • Kaguya explained that the Dendro Archon might have known about their affairs and the holy-soilization, and could have been their ally.
  • Raiden Makoto worried that Ei’s visit to the Dendro Archon’s home might have displeased them, while Kaguya said the World Tree likely would not mind.
  • Raiden Makoto decided to hold a small meeting with the three of them after returning to discuss Inazuma’s future.

Ch. 407Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Wendy asked Venti how to handle the new situation, and he advised her to consult the old man who had led the whole operation. Wendy set off at once, leaving Venti behind without his tea.

  • Venti said he did not know enough about the situation to judge it himself.
  • Wendy suggested reporting to the old man and the Electro Archon, and Venti told her to ask the old man first.
  • Wendy used water and wind to clean up and send the table, chairs, and dishes back to Dawn Winery, taking Venti's untouched tea with them.
  • Wendy departed, and Venti complained about losing his tea before remarking that having a diligent successor was convenient.

Ch. 408Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Furina prepared to attend Lyney’s outdoor magic performance with Eris, but the rainstorm prompted her to recall a plan from three days earlier. She set off anyway, leaving the details of her plan unstated.

  • Eris sneezed, and Furina saw the unsettling cake Eris had made and asked her to make it look more appealing.
  • Eris insisted the cake was pretty and pointed out that Furina was lying when she agreed.
  • Eris told Furina that they had no Court of Fontaine work that morning, planned to watch Lyney’s outdoor performance, attend a trial in the afternoon, and visit the library afterward.
  • A rainstorm gathered as Furina and Eris stepped outside, but Furina recalled what she had asked Eris to do three days earlier and decided they should set off.

Ch. 409Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Furina realized how much she relied on Eris when Eris left her alone, and felt relieved when she returned. Meanwhile, Eris visited Neuvillette, who became concerned after hearing that Furina was restricting Eris's use of her power.

  • Furina ate Eris's strange-looking cake, then grew uneasy when she noticed Eris had left.
  • Furina tried to reassure herself that she could manage without Eris, but found the quiet unsettling.
  • Eris brought Neuvillette a cake, and he praised it before asking about her work and well-being.
  • Eris told Neuvillette that Furina had warned her that her power could endanger Fontaine and ordered her to use it only with permission.
  • Neuvillette became displeased with Furina's warning, while Eris later returned to Furina, who eagerly welcomed her and asked for macaroni.
  • Eris quietly enjoyed the success of making Furina dependent on her.

Ch. 410Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Keqing visited the Knights of Favonius with Anqi, who gave her Cat's Tail Tavern discount vouchers before leaving. Inside, Jean hosted Wendy, who eagerly ate the food prepared for foreign guests.

  • Keqing spotted masked Fatui members watching her and considered discussing Liyue and Mondstadt's approach to them.
  • Anqi escorted Keqing to the Knights of Favonius headquarters and gave her discount vouchers for the Cat's Tail Tavern.
  • Keqing accepted the vouchers and compared Anqi's promotional enthusiasm to the director of Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor.
  • Kaeya came out of the headquarters and took over welcoming Keqing.
  • Jean watched helplessly as Wendy enjoyed the food meant for foreign guests.

Ch. 411Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Jean opened Mondstadt’s celebration of Barbatos’s return, while Anqi enjoyed the festivities and reunited with Amber and Eula. The chapter ended with Wendy questioning why Venti was standing beside him instead of taking the honored seat.

  • Jean welcomed Mondstadt’s people and praised Barbatos’s role in saving the city as the crowd cheered in a passing breeze.
  • Anqi watched the performances from a Knights’ watchtower, shared an apple with its guard, and spotted Amber and Eula in the crowd.
  • Anqi teased Amber and Eula with dramatic literary lines, and they reflected on how much more comfortable she had become in Mondstadt.
  • Anqi hugged Eula and Amber joined them, prompting Eula to protest as the three laughed together.
  • Wendy and Venti stood beside the stage, and Wendy asked why Venti was not sitting in the honored seat.

Ch. 412Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Wendy answered the believers’ Sacred Song with a stirring wind, bringing the crowd to ecstatic joy. Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon secretly ate the festival food and fled before anyone caught them.

  • Wendy sent a breeze across the grassland that harmonized with the Sacred Song as the God of Wind watched from afar.
  • The believers rejoiced at the wind’s response while Lumine and Paimon sneaked in and devoured the food on a table.
  • Lumine and Paimon wondered whether a deity festival was underway and realized they had no money to pay for their meal.
  • Lumine and Paimon left old items from wild chests on the table and ran before they could be caught.

Ch. 413Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Lumine and Anqi discussed studying Paimon, while Wendy secretly enjoyed Mondstadt’s festival and met Jean and Keqing. Wendy left the diplomats to continue their tour after spotting Albedo.

  • Anqi offered Lumine increasing amounts of Mora to study Paimon, and Lumine reconsidered selling the talkative companion.
  • Wendy watched the festival performances while secretly moving through the venue under cover of the Thousand Winds.
  • Jean escorted Keqing through the festival as part of her diplomatic duties, and Keqing reflected on Liyue’s growing dependence on its deity.
  • Wendy greeted Jean and Keqing, stopped them from bowing, and encouraged them to enjoy the festival instead of focusing on diplomacy.
  • Wendy criticized the oversized viewing gallery, but Jean explained that removing the seat prepared for the God of Wind would cost her the Acting Grand Master position.
  • Wendy spotted Albedo, said goodbye to Jean and Keqing, and vanished as a gentle breeze to go speak with him.

Ch. 414Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Venti, Dvalin, and Andrius discussed how to save Dvalin without provoking Celestia, and Venti revealed he had a plan he wanted to try before resorting to the Skyfrost Nail. The others agreed to help him, while Beiana stayed behind to protect Mondstadt; Venti then realized he had missed the celebration performance and was in trouble with Barbara.

  • Dvalin warned Wendy that tampering with the Skyfrost Nail could endanger Mondstadt, and Andrius agreed that they should avoid that risk.
  • Venti said he had been waiting for an opportunity for five hundred years and wanted to try his plan before scraping powder from the Skyfrost Nail himself.
  • Andrius offered to accompany Venti, and Dvalin joined them while telling Beiana to remain in Mondstadt and protect it.
  • Venti noticed that he had missed his celebration performance and pleaded with Wendy to help explain his absence.
  • Wendy whistled away, Dvalin flew into the clouds, and Andrius vanished, leaving Venti to face Barbara's angry scolding.

Ch. 415Raiden Ei's Stalking (cont.)

Venti tricked Paimon and Lumine into following a supposed treasure map to the Temples of the Four Winds, and Lumine decided the temples might lead them to the God of Wind. Wendy questioned Venti about the traveler before Venti begged her to persuade the order to lift his singing ban.

  • Venti told Lumine and Paimon a story about treasure hidden in the Temples of the Four Winds and the Dragon of the East Wind.
  • Venti gave them a newly drawn map and claimed it showed the locations of three temples and the route to the dragon's treasure.
  • Paimon eagerly believed Venti, and Lumine agreed to visit the nearest temple because the dragon might know where the God of Wind was.
  • Wendy appeared beside Venti and questioned whether Lumine had recognized his supposed trap.
  • Venti asked Wendy to tell the order that he had really fallen into the lake so they would lift his ban on singing for tips, but Wendy left without helping.

Ch. 416I’m Maria, a Hunter / If You Bleed Enough, It’s Not Awkward Anymore

Maria waited in the historical version of Teyvat for Heulia, but met Guizhong first and gradually accepted her friendship. After Maria helped Guizhong defend Guili Plains from demonic creatures, the adepti arrived and discussed Maria’s skill and character.

  • Maria arrived in The Salt of the Earth, fought the beasts there, and waited for Heulia.
  • Guizhong visited Maria repeatedly, and Maria eventually accepted her flatbread and introduced herself.
  • When Guizhong reported demonic creatures near Dihua Marsh, Maria asked where they were and rushed to help.
  • Maria slaughtered the creatures threatening Guili Plains before Guizhong and the adepti inspected the bloodied battlefield.
  • Guizhong praised Maria to Cloud Retainer, Yixiao Daotian Zhenjun, and Gechen Langshi Zhenjun, then left to prepare a return gift for her.

Ch. 417If You Bleed Enough, It’s Not Awkward Anymore (Continued)

Maria returned to The Salt of the Earth after slaughtering a horde of monsters, then encountered Heulia and tried to maintain her aloof persona despite her injuries and Heulia’s exposed state. The chapter left Heulia anxiously tending to Maria, who was bleeding profusely to hide her nosebleed.

  • Cloud Retainer lectured Ping'er about her relationship with the Dust King while Yixiao Daotian Zhenjun left to clean up the battlefield.
  • Maria rushed back to The Salt of the Earth after killing the monsters, exhausted from the effort.
  • Maria sensed a powerful presence in the forest and attacked it with Blood Arrows.
  • Heulia survived the attack and introduced herself, then worried over Maria’s bleeding.
  • Maria deliberately made herself bleed more so Heulia would not notice her nosebleed.

Ch. 418If You Bleed Enough, It’s Not Awkward Anymore (Continued)

Maria’s plan seemed to be going smoothly until a troublesome visitor interrupted her. She recognized the visitor as Hagintos, the Dust Demon God, and wanted him to stay away from her experiment.

  • Maria confirmed her plan and smiled, pleased with how it was going.
  • A visitor greeted Maria and said he had come to play with her again.
  • Maria’s smile faded as she realized the visitor was Hagintos, the Dust Demon God, and did not want him interfering with her experiment.

Ch. 419If You Bleed Enough, It’s Not Awkward Anymore (Continued)

Maria visited Salt City with Guizhong and saw that the salt people trusted her to protect them alongside Heulia. Heulia suffered another embarrassing clothing mishap, and Maria sent her to change before leaving the palace.

  • Maria dismissed the salt people who came to pay homage as she walked through Salt City with Guizhong.
  • Guizhong teased Maria for avoiding the people, and Maria hurried with her to the palace.
  • Heulia dropped her Salt Ruler, tripped, and tore her dress while greeting Maria and Guizhong.
  • Guizhong reminded Maria that Heulia had repeatedly lost her clothes in front of her.
  • Maria told Heulia to change into a better-quality dress, then turned to leave.

Ch. 420If You Bleed Enough, It’s Not Awkward Anymore (Continued)

Maria left Salt City in Heulia’s hands and flew to confront the colossal figure, viewing the encounter as a hunt despite being weaker than an Archon. Heulia watched her go, struck by Maria’s fearless smile and feeling an unprecedented sense of peace.

  • Maria decided that Salt City could not be moved away from The Salt of the Earth.
  • Maria judged that a direct battle against an Archon could drag on indefinitely and called the encounter a hunt.
  • Maria handed her trench coat to Heulia and charged toward the colossal figure.
  • Heulia held Maria’s coat and felt a peaceful feeling replace her usual fear.

Ch. 421If You Bleed Enough, It’s Not Awkward Anymore (Continued)

Maria defeated the mountain troll by turning it into a giant salt statue, then prepared a banquet with Heulia for Morax and Guizhong. The salt people celebrated their new safety and dignity, while the four guests sat down to a tense, quiet meal.

  • Maria set Heulia down after the Salt Demon God was left overwhelmed, then drew her sword and faced the mountain troll.
  • By sunset, Maria had turned the mountain troll into a towering salt statue, and Morax arrived to find her beside Heulia.
  • Guizhong arrived shortly after and saw the same scene, her joyful smile turning cold.
  • The salt people prepared an elaborate banquet to welcome Maria, Heulia, Morax, and Guizhong.
  • Maria told the salt people that the enemy was defeated and they could sleep safely, then the four gods and king began a notably silent banquet.
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