I have to find something that can catch the Divine Sovereign's interest! Jean thought resolutely. She couldn't bear watching Lisa's health deteriorate without doing something.
"Come on now, Jean, don't overthink it," Lisa said cheerfully, looping her arm through Jean's. "Let's go grab something to eat."
"The festival's already begun. If we don't take a proper stroll, what's the point of being here?" Lisa added. She hoped the celebrations would help ease Jean's mind—give her a break from constant political stress.
"You're right," Jean nodded. She knew Lisa was right. A day or two to rest and relax wouldn't hurt, especially since Kaeya was taking care of the Knights of Favonius back home.
Jean had full confidence in Kaeya's ability to manage state affairs.
---
Meanwhile, the delegation from Snezhnaya included Pantalone and Columbina. The two now stood quietly observing Rosalyne.
Rosalyne was dressed in her Fatui Harbinger uniform. Now was not the time to reveal her allegiance to Akio—he had instructed her to keep an eye on the Fatui for the time being.
"Well, Rosalyne," Pantalone said with a faint smile, "seems like you've been getting quite comfortable in Inazuma. I've heard you've gotten rather close with the Grand Narukami Shrine?"
"And since when does that concern you?" Rosalyne sneered. "Tell me, Pantalone, I thought you were still hiding in Snezhnaya. Didn't expect to see you crawl out of your shell."
"I don't care who you cozy up to," he replied, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, his voice indifferent. "I just want to know what progress you've made. You've been burning through Northern Bank funds for months. Where's the Gnosis?"
"I recall you personally promised Her Majesty you'd deliver it soon."
Rosalyne let out a soft, mirthless laugh. "A merchant who doesn't understand the difficulty of a mission should keep his mouth shut. You've got no right to lecture me."
"Come now, both of you," Columbina said, her voice soft as a stream. "We're all colleagues, aren't we? There's no need for hostility."
"Hmph," Rosalyne scoffed. "Fine. I won't argue with fools."
"We share the same goal. We're friends, Rosalyne," Columbina said with a gentle smile.
"No, we're not," Rosalyne replied calmly, the corner of her mouth curling upward. "My ideals aren't the same as yours."
In truth, her heart belonged wholly to Akio. Everything she did was for him.
Rosalyne glanced at Columbina again. It was said this girl hailed from the ancient Seelie bloodline—so beautiful, even Rosalyne sometimes felt inferior.
Graceful, ethereal, perfect—those words defined her. And her singing voice? Simply divine.
Akio would probably like her a lot, Rosalyne thought. Maybe I should trick her into joining his side too?
"Rosalyne… why are you looking at me like that?" Columbina shivered, unnerved by the intensity of Rosalyne's gaze.
"Heh." Rosalyne said nothing. She simply turned away and waved her hand. "You two should get ready. You're next after Natlan for your audience with the Divine Sovereign. I won't be joining you—just make sure you learn how to show proper reverence. If you offend him, don't say I didn't warn you."
Columbina and Pantalone exchanged shocked glances.
Did they just hear what they thought they heard?
Rosalyne, warning them to respect a god?
Wasn't she the one in the Fatui least respectful of the divine?
Her reputation preceded her—after all, she once slapped Barbatos. That story had spread throughout the Fatui ranks, and many Harbingers had expressed… a strange kind of admiration for her guts.
This wasn't just any god—Barbatos was one of the oldest Archons in all of Teyvat. Even the Tsaritsa herself wouldn't risk offending him outright.
"…Let it go," Columbina whispered to Pantalone. "Let's prepare. We'll be facing the Divine Sovereign next."
"Alright." Pantalone nodded. With a god of unknown power, better to tread with caution.
---
"Phew…" After finishing their audience with the Snezhnayan delegation, Akio and Raiden Makoto finally relaxed a little.
"Six nations, six tributes… they brought quite a haul." Akio looked at the mountain of treasure chests before waving a hand to store much of it into his Imaginary Space.
"Makoto, take the Mora and elemental resources and send them to the national treasury," Akio said. "I don't have much use for these myself. Inazuma needs to replenish its coffers anyway."
After all, the Grand Narukami Shrine covered all his personal expenses. Mora was never in short supply for him.
Just the other day, Hiiragi Chisato had even sent him a message lamenting how broke the Kanjou Commission was. Well, this influx of tribute couldn't have come at a better time.
Akio picked up his bracelet and messaged her:
["Chisato, didn't you say you were short on Mora the other day? The six nations brought plenty today. I've told Makoto to put it into the treasury. Go see her and get a batch allocated to the Kanjou Commission."]
Her reply came quickly:
["Really?! You're the best, Clan Head! Thank you so much!"]
She was overjoyed. With no Mora, nothing could move forward. This would ease a lot of pressure.
After sending the message, Akio stretched his arms and looked around—only to realize Raiden Ei and the Shogun were both gone.
"Huh?" he blinked. "Makoto, where did Ei and the Shogun go?"
"They're preparing a surprise for you," Makoto replied mysteriously, gesturing with a nudge of her chin. "Speak of the devil…"
Akio turned to look—and his eyes went wide.
A whole group of beautiful women stepped in, all wearing shrine maiden outfits.
Yae Miko. Kitsune Saiguu. Yoimiya. Kamisato Ayaka. Hanachirusato. Hiiragi Chisato. Kuki Miyuki.
And even—Raiden Ei and Raiden Shogun.
Akio nearly choked.
Raiden Ei? The Shogun? Wearing shrine maiden outfits?
They looked incredibly awkward in the unfamiliar clothes, but there they were—blushing slightly, but in costume nonetheless.
Wait, wait, wait… Akio thought in disbelief. This is the Taihei Kagura Dance, isn't it?
Sure, he'd heard of the performance. But actual gods dancing it for the sake of another god? That had to be unprecedented. Maybe Hanachirusato didn't count, but still…
And Chisato too?! She was supposed to be busy with the Kanjou Commission! Why was she here?! They'd literally just been messaging from meters apart!
"How is it, Akio?" Makoto asked, a sly smile on her lips. "Surprised?"
Surprised?
Akio was speechless.
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 60+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol