The Dendro Archon's authority only caused a brief stir among the people of Teyvat.
Living on the colorful, monster-infested continent of Teyvat, its residents could all be said to have nerves of steel.
What hadn't they seen?
Terrifying monsters, bizarre illnesses, surreal scenery both beautiful and harsh, and all manner of strange domains.
Without nerves of steel, there was no way to live a decent life on Teyvat.
Hadn't everyone in the original story shown little surprise at the Traveler from beyond their world, or at that strange floating creature Paimon?
All anyone could say was that they had seen plenty. If you were supposed to unclog a drain, you unclogged it; if you were supposed to scrub a toilet, you scrubbed it. Who cared whether you were the world-saving Traveler or someone who walked alongside gods? You did whatever they asked. A yellow exclamation mark and twenty Primogems-why turn down something free?
So what if the God of Wisdom had some incredible authority now?
Everyone had lived like this for hundreds or thousands of years without seeing any harm come to them from it, and their own decades of life had passed the same way. What was there to worry about?
They found it novel for a brief moment, then went back to their business. People were actually more interested in the prize the God of Wisdom had received, speculating about how she would use it.
After all, everyone knew what milk was. There was nothing unusual about it.
But considering that the previous two giveaway questions had rewarded items related to gods, the milk awarded for this question, which the screen had called moderately difficult, probably wasn't ordinary milk either.
Sure enough, once they saw the screen's description of the effects of this so-called milk from the Minecraft World, everyone immediately began talking, especially the Eleazar patients in Sumeru.
This incurable disease of unknown origin, which could well be called terminal, had tormented them terribly. Looking at the reward's description now, did this mean there was hope for their Eleazar?
Unfortunately, there was only one bucket of milk, and the current God of Wisdom's presence in Sumeru was somewhat peculiar. For the moment, no one knew how to ask her for help.
Meanwhile, Nahida, still imprisoned inside the meditation device in the Sanctuary of Surasthana, studied her reward thoughtfully.
She had made a rare return to her own body instead of roaming through the dreams of Sumeru's children precisely because of this reward.
Nahida believed the screen had not chosen its rewards at random. Her earlier probing and the screen's reactions both indicated that what lay behind it was not a machine following predetermined rules, but a being with thoughts of its own.
Then was it also quite possible that this reward had been specifically chosen for her?
Could they want me to use this opportunity to perform a miracle before the people, reappearing before the people of Sumeru in the name of saving my own believers?
Thinking of Dunyarzad, one of her few believers in Sumeru City, who also suffered from Eleazar, Nahida briefly felt inclined to give her this bucket of milk.
But that was not the "wise" approach. As the God of Wisdom who had roamed the Akasha for centuries, she had considerable knowledge, even if she was still very young among gods. People resented inequality rather than scarcity-that could be called human nature.
She only had this one bucket of milk. Surely all the countless Eleazar patients throughout Sumeru couldn't depend on her competing to answer questions on this strange screen and winning rewards for their treatment from now on?
Therefore, this bucket of milk the screen had given her definitely had a more crucial purpose.
For example...
Did Eleazar also have a source?
Nahida looked at the notification the system had displayed when issuing the reward. She kept feeling that this strange system bore her goodwill, and those words definitely contained some information as well. The young God of Wisdom began to think.
The screen gave its viewers a buffer between videos to think and discuss. While the people of Teyvat were still discussing the God of Wisdom's authority, her reward, the major revelations in the previous videos, or the uses of the various rewards, the break slipped by unnoticed. Soon, the screen served up the fourth video.
By the fourth video, everyone felt more involved. Although there was no prompt asking for silence, most people fell quiet almost instinctively when the system's video-start notification appeared on the screen, staring at it with complete concentration and sitting motionless.
[System: Now playing the fourth video-godhood in a single stroke! Kazuha blocks the Electro Archon's blade! There will always be those on the ground who dare to brave the lightning's glow!]
Wow, that's a long title.
Some people silently made that quip.
But Teyvat's true big shots, especially the Seven-excluding Furina-watched the screen with solemn expressions.
That so-called Travail trailer earlier had revealed far too much.
Even though each nation had received only a sentence or two of commentary and an appearance by one character, and some of it was even misleading.
The titles for each nation alone had already revealed a great deal of information they had previously concealed or simply could not speak of.
Now, what was this bizarre video going to say?
But the instant they saw the video's title, everyone froze, their expressions turning strange. The people of Inazuma, in particular, involuntarily swallowed.
What was that?
Godhood in a single stroke?
Kazuha, blocking, the Electro Archon's blade?
Was this fucking kidding them?
Who was Kazuha?
Was there a god in some other nation called Kazuha?
It never occurred to the people of Inazuma-or they did not dare imagine-that this Kazuha was a human from Inazuma just like them, rather than a god, a great youkai, an adeptus, or something of the sort.
Of course, Kazuha was not a complete nobody in Inazuma. He still had some acquaintances and friends.
[Shikanoin Heizou: Aha, haha, well, how should I put this? Wasn't there a fan-made video earlier about Cyno being the Cryo Archon? Right, fan-made-that was the term, wasn't it?]
[Shikanoin Heizou: What I mean is, this video should be fan-made too, right?]
Clearly, while Kazuha had yet to fully become a fugitive wanted by the Shogunate, his friend Shikanoin Heizou was still putting his mind to work to cover for him.
But all of Heizou's efforts came to nothing once the screen showed the first scene.
The footage opened with Paimon hovering in midair, waving to someone outside, while Lumine walked out through... the gates of Tenshukaku's courtyard, looking both exhausted and relieved?
This image quality and pacing looked nothing like that earlier Cryo Archon Cyno video, whose attempts at comedy hadn't even landed.
[Kujou Sara: This is the Shogun's residence, isn't it? Who are these two?]
Kujou Sara had been preparing to watch closely and see whether this supposed scene of Kazuha blocking the Shogun's blade was a real future or another offensive comedy video like the earlier one about Sumeru's Great General Mahamatra being the Cryo Archon. She had not expected to see such a strange pair standing before Tenshukaku's courtyard gates.
For the moment, she could not work out whether these two strangers were the Shogun's guests or something else.
[Lumine: Just as I thought (facepalm). I knew it. Fine, the protagonist really does have to make an appearance.]
[Yoimiya: Huh? Lumine, will you two come to Inazuma in the future too?]
[Lumine: Barring any surprises, I'm afraid I'll be visiting all seven-no, eight nations.]
[Yoimiya: Haha, when you get to Inazuma, I'll definitely show you around! I'm telling you, my family's fireworks are gorgeous!]
Lumine could feel Yoimiya's warmth and hospitality even through the screen.
Yep, she's the same kind of girl as Amber.
In the video, the two stood at Tenshukaku's courtyard gates and looked outside. Behind them, a mass of pitch-black lightning abruptly spread open.
[Paimon: Aaaah! Behind you! Behind you! Lumine, look behind you!]
[Lumine: Paimon, stop shouting. That's me in the video. The me who's with you is still standing right here, perfectly fine, isn't she?]
[Lumine: Besides, that lightning... hmm, if I'm not mistaken, that Electro Archon should suddenly pop out of it, right?]
[Raiden Ei: I wouldn't pop out. I should charge forward while delivering a horizontal slash. That would ensure the swiftest possible kill in terms of both the strike's speed and power. But why would I do something resembling a sneak attack from behind?]
[Kujou Sara: Sh-Shogun?]
[Raiden Ei: It's me.]
[Kamisato Ayato: Almighty is the eternal way, everlasting is the Narukami.]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Almighty is the eternal way, everlasting is the Narukami.]
[Shikanoin Heizou: Almighty is the eternal way, everlasting is the Narukami.]
Their own god had spoken in person. A whole group of star-rated users with positions in or connections to the Shogunate hurried out to greet her.
After all, this was their fucking ultimate boss showing up. Would it be appropriate not to say hello?
The boss might not remember who had greeted her, but she would definitely remember who hadn't.
Among them, however, one person-or rather, one fox-struck a somewhat different note.
[Yae Miko: I have desserts and light novels here. Want some~?]
[Raiden Ei: ...]
[Raiden Shogun: This body will now take over for the one within.]
[Yae Miko: Tsk.]
There seemed to be some incredible gossip here.
The people of Inazuma who saw the conversation in the discussion area, especially the higher-ups privy to something of the relationship between the Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko, began putting their minds to work, coming up with all sorts of astonishing possibilities.
[Lumine: Keep watching, keep watching. I also want to know what spectacular death wish I, the protagonist, acted on this time to make a nation's god slash at me from behind on her own doorstep.]
[Raiden Shogun: Rejected. This body does not launch sneak attacks. This body only executes threats to eternity openly and honorably.]
[Raiden Shogun: Deduction: while inside Tenshukaku, this body must have informed you that you were permitted to leave Tenshukaku on your feet.]
[Lumine: Uh (sweating), so the moment I stepped outside, you popped out to slash me? You really are...]
[Raiden Shogun: To safeguard eternity, all things must naturally proceed according to the rules.]
Lumine decided that once she reached Inazuma, she absolutely had to stay far away from this Electro Archon. What the fuck was the difference between her and a robot following its programming?
A robot?
Lumine suddenly felt as though she had spotted the key detail.
The animation continued. Sure enough, as the disturbance behind them grew, Paimon and Lumine noticed something was wrong and turned around in panic. They saw a sight that occupied half the screen-so pale, so very pale. Ahem, it was the Shogun, seemingly gigantic thanks to the visual disparity, swinging her sharp blade down at them.
[Lumine: So pale-ah, no, I mean so big!]
[Furina: This should be an illusion of disproportion created through the screen's use of close and distant shots.]
[Lumine: I understand the theory. I just want to know why she's so big!]
[Furina: ...]
[Kujou Sara: Silence! Do not disrespect the Shogun!]
Lumine paid no attention whatsoever to Kujou Sara's threat in the discussion area. She silently retracted her earlier decision, thinking that once she reached Inazuma, she ought to pay the local god a proper visit out of courtesy, at the very least.
Yes, if I'm a little more polite this time, we shouldn't get into a conflict, right?
As for her safety?
Hah, ever since she had figured out that she and her brother were the game's protagonists, it followed that the protagonist would naturally not die in this game cinematic, which had clearly selected her as its protagonist.
After all, Inazuma was only the third nation, and the earlier introduction had said there would be eight chapters set in Teyvat. She wasn't scared in the slightest.
As the Shogun's blade drew closer, the camera gave Paimon and Gorou a close-up each.
Gorou's appearance delighted the people of Watatsumi Island, who had already formed the Resistance.
What, had they fought their way to Tenshukaku in the future?
Sure enough, under Lady Sangonomiya Kokomi's leadership, their Watatsumi Island was flourishing!
Even the march on the capital that Lord Orobashi had failed at before-ah, no, this removal of evil from the sovereign's side-was just around the corner!
Then the screen's perspective shifted, and the footage moved to the title's other protagonist, Kazuha.
At this point, not only the people of Inazuma but even those from Teyvat's other nations focused intently.
Everyone knew the exciting part was here. This video was clearly different from that earlier silly video about Cyno being the Cryo Archon. It took a realistic approach, and they wanted a good look at how Kazuha, a mortal, had blocked a god's attack.
Kazuha's expression gradually became that of someone who had made a decision as though casting everything aside, followed by a close-up of the two Visions hanging at his waist...
[Kazuha: Although I really don't want to speak up at a time like this, doesn't that Vision gradually lighting up with lightning look a little familiar?]
[Gorou: ???]
[Kazuha: That seems to be my friend's Vision. Also, I wanted to mention this earlier, but that title seems to be something my friend said to me these past couple of days.]
[Lumine: Faced with a crisis, you recall your friend's dying words, then finally ignite your little cosmos and block a god's attack. Excuse me, which hot-blooded manga did you come out of as the protagonist?]
[Kazuha: Sorry, what is a hot-blooded manga?]
[Lumine: Never mind. I'll just quietly watch you pull off something spectacular in a moment. I'm guessing there'll be a tragic flashback first, too?]