Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"Snap—!"

As the people at the port stood frozen in shock,

In Tenshukaku, the heart of Inazuma City…

Inside the empty grand hall,

A certain elegant and graceful young lady was working overtime on behalf of her revered Shogun.

Suddenly—snap!

The tip of her brush broke without warning.

Kamisato Ayaka furrowed her delicate brows.

Something… unpleasant had just happened.

"…"

Being interrupted mid-task was always frustrating.

And the thought that she hadn't been able to personally welcome Ren back…

"Sigh… This is the first time I've ever found work so tiresome."

Ayaka murmured softly, shaking her head.

As the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan, she had to conduct herself with grace and propriety at all times.

A complaint like that—she could only whisper it to herself.

Or, perhaps… she could confide in her master.

They could find a quiet, secluded place where no one would disturb them, and share their troubles with each other…

She lifted her delicate face and looked around.

The hall was empty—only one person remained working overtime.

That's right.

The Shogun had already left.

Who knew where she had gone?

"The Shogun must have her reasons."

Ayaka murmured to herself, as if reassuring herself.

If she left Tenshukaku, it must be for something important.

Ayaka had to learn from her example.

The only comfort she had left was…

Yoimiya was also keeping an eye on things.

A quiet chuckle escaped her lips.

Well done, Shogun.

If I couldn't greet Ren, then neither can you.

However, Ayaka failed to realize—

What exactly was the Shogun doing right now?

"Master must be feeling lonely, returning to Inazuma alone without anyone to accompany him."

Ayaka's voice was filled with gentle affection.

Then suddenly, her expression changed as another thought struck her.

"Wait…"

She had overlooked someone.

"Sandrone."

Her voice echoed coldly in the empty hall as she slowly stood up, her expression composed.

She had almost forgotten to keep an eye on that dangerous woman…

Yes—dangerous.

Any woman harboring impure intentions toward her master was a threat.

Except for herself, of course.

Ayaka's gaze flickered as she rapidly formulated a plan.

That seemingly frail, soft-spoken girl was no ordinary opponent.

The way Sandrone had gone head-to-head with two noble ladies and held her ground spoke volumes.

Speaking of which—her dear friend Yoimiya was there too.

Hopefully, she could hold off Sandrone from getting too close to Ren.

Ayaka sighed softly at the thought.

The number of troublesome women around Master was only increasing.

And her only reliable ally… was that airheaded best friend of hers, Yoimiya.

A sense of crisis loomed over her.

It was time to take the initiative.

The decisive king's move was—

"Hah… I suppose I'll have to ask my dear brother for help."

Ayaka picked up the thick stack of pending documents and spoke gently.

Dear brother, surely you wouldn't mind helping me… right?

The ever-dutiful, well-mannered Princess of the White Heron…

Was about to ditch work.

She was going to prepare a "big surprise" for Ren.

Elsewhere in Tenshukaku—

"Huh?"

The head of the Kamisato Clan, who was sneakily sipping milk tea during work hours, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Who was plotting against him this time?

---

Meanwhile…

Inazuma City, Hanamizaka.

Across from the Naganohara Fireworks Shop, there was a still-under-construction storefront.

"Creak—"

The tightly shut door was pushed open.

A moment later, a graceful young girl in a white dress wheeled herself out of the shop.

"It's time."

Under the sunlight, she lifted her face slightly and smiled.

My partner… Are you ready for our first meeting?

If you don't perform well, I just might devour you…

"H-Help… Someone save us—!"

Suddenly, a loud thud came from inside the shop.

A trembling hand reached out in desperation.

Collapsed on the floor was a pale-faced Fatui soldier.

"L-Lady Marionette…"

"Hah. I'm surprised you're still holding on, Captain."

Sandrone's gaze turned icy, but she didn't even look back.

Her good mood had been completely ruined.

"The Fatui army needs funding to maintain its operations," the soldier stammered, his voice shaking under her chilling aura.

"We require an official signature from a Harbinger to withdraw funds from the Northland Bank!"

Since Dottore's segment had been eliminated, Sandrone was the only Harbinger left in Inazuma.

And so, with nothing but a death wish, the captain had come to beg for his men's survival.

"…"

Sandrone finally turned to him.

She had no fondness for soldiers who had been mentally conditioned by Dottore.

Killing them on a whim wouldn't matter to anyone.

Besides, she wasn't a Harbinger anymore.

She had "died," after all.

Shing!

A series of razor-thin metal wires snapped into place, coiling around the captain's neck.

Under the sunlight, the glistening threads gleamed crimson—a sight that made one's blood run cold.

In the next instant, they were ready to tighten.

"Hrk—!"

Never before had the captain felt death so close.

This frail-looking girl in a wheelchair…

Had filled him with absolute despair.

"Who told you I was here?"

Sandrone's voice was calm, yet dark with unspoken menace.

"I-It was… The Damselette…"

"S-She came under… Her Majesty's… orders…"

"As an envoy… to meet the Raiden Shogun…"

The moment those words fell—

The wires loosened.

The captain gasped desperately for air.

Had he… survived?

"Plop."

Sandrone finished signing the documents and carelessly tossed them to the side of the road.

The captain scrambled over to retrieve them.

"You still have the chance to crawl away with your life."

She smiled at him in amusement.

"Y-Yes, Lady Marionette!"

He fled for his life.

"…"

Sandrone paid him no further attention.

Instead, her mind drifted elsewhere.

So… Columbina is coming to Inazuma too?

"Hmm… That's not bad."

A hint of excitement flickered in her eyes as she murmured to herself.

It seemed even Columbina had acknowledged Ren's potential.

The thought filled her with a strange sense of pride.

Like a prized cabbage she had personally chosen…

Only for someone close to her to approve of it as well.

"My partner… I'm looking forward to meeting you even more now."

Sandrone turned her wheelchair, preparing to leave—

Just then—

A lively voice rang out from the distance.

"Sandrone-chan! Where are you off to?"

Yoimiya appeared, full of enthusiasm.

Acting as if she had just happened to be passing by.

"Oh… It's Yoimiya-nee."

Sandrone blinked, a knowing glint in her eyes.

You've been tailing me for a while, haven't you? Must be exhausting.

Leaning forward slightly, she whispered,

"I'm on my way to meet my partner."

"Partner, huh… W-Well, let me help you then!"

Yoimiya scratched her head, trying to sound casual.

That damn Ren… He was really living the good life, huh?

"Sure."

Sandrone's lips curved slightly as she watched Yoimiya's reaction.

Trying to tag along to see Ren?

She could practically hear the gears turning in that head of hers.

"Alright! Let's go!"

Yoimiya cheered.

Hehe, she totally didn't notice!

The lively girl grinned to herself—

Unaware that she had already been completely seen through.

---

Elsewhere…

Keqing carried the drowsy Nahida off the ship and onto the shore.

"Mm… I-I'm fine… Don't…"

"D-Don't tell Ren… I don't want him to worry…"

Nahida's face was flushed as she murmured weakly.

A seed had begun to sprout.

Her consciousness was blurring.

Faintly, a distant memory surfaced.

A white-robed woman who had lived deep within the forest…

The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

Was she… her mother? Or…

"I'm taking you to see a doctor!"

Keqing tightened her hold on Nahida and dashed toward Inazuma City.

---

T/N: ughhh it would be the perfect time for a cliffhanger... >:)