Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The night in Inazuma City was unusually serene.

Ren lay on the ground, gazing up at the sky.

He thought back on his many encounters with the sharp-tongued shrine maiden.

Despite himself, the corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.

The gentle night breeze carried the soft glow of the moon, shrouding everything in a calm stillness.

After all, this was the nation she protected.

Perhaps this side of her, the one that safeguarded her people, was the gentlest of all.

In his mind, a sharp and unrelenting arc of light flashed.

Ren chuckled bitterly and shook his head.

He was getting ahead of himself.

"Tenshukaku, huh..."

The evening breeze began to cool further.

Ren stretched out his hand, sensing the change in the air.

"It's about to rain."

The soft moonlight was gradually swallowed by gathering clouds.

Finally, thunder echoed across the sky.

The first drops of rain fell, cold and scattered, quickly turning into a downpour.

Whoosh—

Narukami Island was engulfed in a torrential storm, drenching Ren completely.

"..."

He stood and moved under the eaves of a building to take shelter.

This thunderstorm—was it trying to convey something?

A peculiar thought crept into his mind.

Or was it simply that someone was in a bad mood?

The suddenness of the rain was almost deliberate.

It was as if the heavens had singled out a certain someone lying on the ground late at night.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, a glimmer of violet light appeared atop Tenshukaku in the distance.

Ren's eyes caught sight of a slender figure shrouded in purple.

Instinctively, he waved.

Surely she could see him, right?

"..."

The figure seemed to notice his gaze and turned to look at him.

For a brief moment, their eyes met across the vast distance.

Then, the violet light disappeared.

The storm intensified, thunder and rain growing ever louder.

Ren lowered his hand and sighed softly.

The faint sound of her scoff lingered in his ears.

Was she urging him to come to Tenshukaku and take her strike?

"Do you think I stand a chance?"

[Ding! Just get cleaned up and go for it.]

"Get lost."

[I'm serious.]

[Right now, you need a new five-star talent.]

"Where?"

Ren tightened his grip on the hairpin in his hand and asked softly.

[Go to Tenshukaku, and you'll find out.]

This was destined to be a sleepless night for Inazuma City.

The Tri-Commissions simultaneously received the will of the Archon.

Tomorrow, she would awaken in Tenshukaku.

The fate of the Vision Hunt Decree would soon be decided.

---

Morning.

At the Komore Tea House,

everything seemed as it always had.

"Mmhh..."

A muffled groan of existential despair broke the quiet.

"How... how did this happen...!"

The lively girl's hair was disheveled, her clothes askew.

A deep blush painted Yoimiya's face, though she wasn't concerned with appearances right now.

Something far more terrifying had rendered her frozen in place.

She lifted the blanket, revealing her long, bare legs.

The light streaming in from the window reflected off her skin, dazzlingly pale.

A cool breeze brushed against her, sending a shiver down her spine.

The damp chill beneath her made her jolt upright.

In a daze, she tried to recall her dream last night... one that involved someone else.

"No way..."

She bit her lip nervously and reached out, trembling, to touch the damp blanket.

"!"

The moment she confirmed her suspicion, Yoimiya snatched her hand back as if shocked.

The blush on her face spread all the way down her neck.

"Yoimiya! Get up—there's a problem!"

A voice called urgently from outside the room.

"W-w-wait a second!"

Yoimiya shrieked in panic, her words barely coherent.

Her protest came too late.

The door burst open, revealing two stunning young women.

"Yoimiya, you—"

Kamisato Ayaka and Hiiragi Chisato froze in place, staring.

There, on the floor, a trembling bundle of blankets quivered.

"?"

The two ladies exchanged a puzzled glance.

Where was Yoimiya?

Suddenly, the bundle shifted, and Yoimiya's flushed face peeked out.

"G-good morning! Haha..."

The awkward silence stretched between them.

"Nice weather we're having, huh?"

"Yoimiya," Ayaka said, frowning, "it's raining outside."

"Ugh—"

"What are you doing in there?"

Ayaka's brow furrowed with concern. Her best friend was clearly hiding something.

"I-I didn't do anything with him!"

"?"

"D-don't come any closer!"

After a chaotic exchange,

Yoimiya quickly dressed and sat on the floor, clutching the blanket tightly.

Her flushed ears betrayed her embarrassment, and she refused to meet their eyes.

If the truth got out...

She would never live it down in front of her best friends.

And most importantly, Takahashi could never find out!

"..."

Ayaka and Chisato exchanged glances.

Why was she holding onto that blanket so tightly?

Shaking their heads, they decided not to press the matter.

More pressing issues awaited.

"Yoimiya-san, something's happened."

"Ren and Miss Mei... they're missing."

Hearing his name, Yoimiya's face shot up.

"That jerk Takahashi is missing?!"

Before she could ask further, the two women pulled her to her feet.

"Let's head to Tenshukaku. We'll explain on the way!"

"W-wha—?!"

---

Inazuma City, Tenshukaku.

Elite samurai patrolled the area, enforcing a strict lockdown.

Their sharp eyes swept every corner, leaving no room for intrusion.

Anyone attempting to enter Tenshukaku would be stopped immediately.

At the perimeter of the lockdown, a composed young man arrived on the scene—

the head of the Yashiro Commission, Kamisato Ayato.

Shing—!

A flash of steel greeted him.

"Lord Kamisato, all entrants must be searched."

"Oh?"

Ayato raised a brow, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

It seems Kujou Takayuki is feeling desperate.

He glanced up at Tenshukaku towering above.

"Heh..."

On the steps leading to the fortress, Kujou Takayuki smirked coldly.

Though the assassins sent last night had been wiped out without a trace, this was far from his only preparation.

The samurai stationed here all had one thing in common: they answered solely to the Tenryou Commission.

In other words... from this moment onward, no one would be allowed to deliver a message to the Archon.

Not even Kamisato Ayato.

"You've played your hand well," Ayato murmured with a slight smile.

But instead of forcing his way in, his gaze shifted to the heavily guarded gates.

There, rows of armored samurai stood like an impenetrable wall.

"Brother!"

Ayaka and the others arrived hurriedly, slightly out of breath.

Behind them came their own retainers, though far fewer than the Tenryou Commission's forces.

"Ah, you've made it," Ayato said with a small nod.

He turned to Chisato.

"Lady Hiiragi, you're here as well."

"What now?"

Ayaka's expression was tense, as was Yoimiya's.

They hadn't expected Kujou Takayuki to mobilize the military.

If the Vision Hunt Decree was issued, all their efforts would have been in vain.

Would it come to direct conflict?

"We must, of course, meet with the Archon," Ayato said calmly.

However, it won't be us who makes it in.

"Could it be...?"

Ayaka's gaze grew sharp.

"Hmph. Wishful thinking!"

Kujou Takayuki's laughter echoed from the steps.

Standing above them, he surveyed the group with disdain.

Today, no one would pass!

With so many samurai guarding the area, no one could possibly—

The next moment, he spotted a familiar figure.

Kujou Takayuki's smirk froze.

It was that little pest, Takahashi!

---

...he's late [patreon.com/WiseTL]