Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Click.

Behind him, the faint sound of a lock being turned echoed through the quiet room.

Then, silence fell.

The only thing Ren could hear was the sound of his own labored breathing.

"Mm-mm-mm!"

He raised his head, letting out muffled noises.

His vision was enveloped in darkness.

His body was tightly bound, and his mouth was gagged to ensure he couldn't cry for help.

At this moment, he resembled someone forcibly hauled into a bandits' den.

But to be more precise... he had been brought into a fragrant, private room.

The room of Inazuma's most fearsome "bandit leader"—

THE Raiden Shogun herself.

"Mm!"

Ren groaned a few times, but no one answered.

It seemed the ever-dignified Shogun had forgotten about him entirely.

He sighed, leaning back against the wall.

As he reflected on how things had spiraled to this point, memories came flooding back.

At first, he was just an ordinary young man from a fallen family, with a light wallet and a simple dream of working under the Shogun.

He had joined the Tenryou Commission as a samurai, hoping for the quiet life of a civil servant.

But then—

He had somehow crossed paths with a mysterious shrine maiden, and soon after, he was caught up in the storm of the Vision Hunt Decree.

Step by step, he found himself here, in Tenshukaku, standing before the Shogun.

"Mm!"

Ren wriggled against his bindings.

How had it come to this?!

He had dueled a god and won, and yet, here he was—tied up and blindfolded!

Shogun, you wouldn't want the people of Inazuma knowing you were such a sore loser, right?

As he struggled, the sound of soft footsteps echoed.

Tap, tap...

The sound grew closer, accompanied by the fragrant air thickening around him.

"Mm..."

Though he couldn't see, Ren instinctively knew—

The imposing Raiden Shogun was now standing before him.

The room fell silent once more.

"..."

Ren's heartbeat quickened.

The prolonged quiet made his mind wander.

Why did she bring me here?

Could it be...!

Swoosh—

Suddenly, the sharp sound of something cutting through the air shattered the silence.

The tension in his back eased as his bindings were cut loose.

Ren instinctively removed the cloth covering his eyes.

"This is..."

His eyes widened at the sight before him.

A warm, soft light illuminated the room, and in front of him stood a familiar figure.

Cold and elegant as ever, the shrine maiden's fox mask still hid her face.

"..."

Ren froze momentarily.

Instead of the commanding god he expected,

it was Mei, the mysterious shrine maiden.

"Mei... we meet again."

His voice carried a mix of surprise and delight.

He had known that night wouldn't be their final goodbye.

All his efforts, his hard-won victory—it had been worth it to bring her back.

"What are you staring at?"

Ei withdrew her hand, letting out a faint snort.

Seeing Ren's reaction, she was quietly pleased.

Her decision to change into simpler attire hadn't been in vain.

Even though this outfit couldn't compare to her official Shogun attire, she had already started to care about maintaining the image of Mei.

"I'm admiring a beautiful shrine maiden," Ren blurted.

The words slipped out before he could stop them,

and the realization hit him like a thunderclap.

Oh no.

He had just voiced his inner thoughts to the Raiden Shogun!

Was he tired of living?!

But the expected anger didn't come.

"Mm."

Ei simply nodded lightly, saying nothing more.

Ren was dumbfounded.

What does that 'mm' even mean?!

Before he could ponder further, a soft fragrance wafted toward him.

When he came back to his senses,

Ei had knelt gracefully in front of him, her posture perfect.

She gazed at him seriously, her calm demeanor unshaken.

"Shogun-sama?" Ren asked hesitantly.

The two locked eyes, their proximity allowing him to feel her presence.

The distance between them... was dangerously close.

Even with the mask, her cool beauty was impossible to hide.

And more importantly—

if Ren were just a bit bolder and reached out...

He could almost touch—

"Mm."

Ei's soft hum brought him back to reality.

Her acknowledgment was quiet, almost perfunctory.

They sat there, properly and formally, yet neither spoke.

The Shogun remained as aloof as ever,

And Ren, now face-to-face with a god, was naturally a bit nervous.

Once again, silence filled the room.

Time trickled by.

"..."

Ren stole another glance at Ei.

She met his gaze, their eyes crossing for the umpteenth time.

"Shogun-sama?"

An idea flickered through his mind.

The oppressive tension seemed to lighten slightly.

Was she waiting for me to do something?

He recalled that sunlit day, when he first encountered the shrine maiden, unaware of her true identity.

Even then, he'd been curious about her fox mask.

What if I removed it myself this time?

His fingers trembled at the thought.

Why were his hands suddenly so disobedient?

Ei didn't seem to notice his fidgeting, her voice calm as she asked,

"What is it?"

"You've been wearing that mask all this time... isn't it hot?"

Ren ventured tentatively, inwardly cringing at his flimsy excuse.

What kind of logic is that?

Gods don't feel heat!

"Hot?"

Ei furrowed her brow slightly, as if contemplating the concept.

She had never experienced such a sensation.

Did he think she could be so easily deceived?

Yet, after a moment of consideration, she nodded faintly.

"Tenshukaku is a bit warm."

"...?"

Ren blinked.

Shogun, you said it yourself—

This was all on you now!

His fingers twitched with anticipation.

"Then let me help, Shogun-sama—"

Before he could finish, his hand moved on its own.

Ren swore it wasn't his fault.

"..."

Ei cast him an inscrutable glance.

With such sluggish movements, did he really think he could get close?

Keeping a polite smile plastered on his face, Ren tried to remain composed.

This was it.

His hand moved closer and closer.

Ei let out a soft snort.

Then, slowly, she closed her eyes.

The dignified Shogun did not refuse.

After all, Tenshukaku was a little warm.

And besides, this was also Mei's wish.

At last, Ren removed the fox mask.

The shrine maiden's face was now fully visible before him.

His heart betrayed him, skipping a beat.

Ei opened her eyes, gazing at the slightly stunned Ren.

That warm, full feeling in her chest returned.

She didn't dislike being looked at like this.

"Shogun-sama."

"Mm."

"You're beautiful."

"..."

This time, Ei didn't respond.

But Ren noticed something.

A faint, gentle curve had appeared at the corner of her lips.

The icy facade she always wore seemed to melt away with the mask.

She smiled.

Ren's eyes widened in awe.

Was he truly worthy of witnessing such a sight?

"Shogun-sama, I have something important to report."

"What is it?"

"Your smile... it's even more beautiful."

In the quiet room, Ren spoke earnestly.

"..."

After a long pause, Ei glanced at him briefly.

Ren, still holding the fox mask, felt his palms grow clammy.

"If it's beautiful, you may look a while longer."

"Yes, Shogun-sama!"

---

T/N: ...as the chinese saying goes... I'm being made to eat dog food...

Oh, you're still here? Nice. While I'm out here juggling revival matches and reminding villains why they should reconsider their life choices, someone's behind the scenes making sure my story reaches you. Gotta admit, they're doing a pretty solid job.

If you want to help keep this whole thing running smoothly, here's the link: [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Think of it as… supporting your favorite underdog. Everyone loves an underdog, right?

Anyway, time to get back to saving the day. See you in the next chapter—don't forget to stay out of trouble (that's my job).

— Xia Luo 🕸️