Genshin Impact: Template System

"Oh my, Lord Akio, I'm still hungry. It's not the right time to discuss serious matters while enjoying delicious food," Yae Miko said, poking Akio's firm chest with her slender finger before humming a tune and walking into Uyuu Restaurant. 

"This mischievous fox…" Akio was speechless. Sure enough, her true nature was showing. The same bold, pink-haired fox as always. 

Shaking his head, Akio followed her into the restaurant. 

This version of Yae Miko felt more real to him. 

Her multifaceted personality was more intriguing than intimidating. 

As soon as he entered, he saw Yae Miko already seated. 

"The usual, fried tofu and assorted skewers!" Yae Miko said to the waiter. "And make sure Eriko fries the tofu." 

"Understood, Lady Guuji!" The waiter nodded. 

"Lord Akio, what would you like to eat? Order anything you want, it's on me," Yae Miko said as Akio walked over and sat down across from her. 

"!" The waiter's eyes widened. What had he just heard? Lady Yae, the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, was addressing this young man as "Lord"? He must still be dreaming! 

"No need to call me 'Lord'! Just call me Akio," Akio said, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. This woman was definitely stirring the pot! 

"I thought it would be disrespectful to address a deity by their name directly," Yae Miko said with a playful smile. "In that case, as a gesture of goodwill, you may call me Miko." 

Akio looked at Yae Miko. 

She was indeed a meticulous woman, using their titles to test his attitude. 

Now, by allowing him to call her "Miko," she was subtly bringing them closer. 

"Sir, what would you like to eat? Here's the menu," the waiter handed Akio the menu. 

"..." Akio was at a loss. Well, he couldn't read Teyvat's script.

"I'll have the same as Miko's order. If you have sunsettia water dumplings, please bring me a portion," Akio said. 

"Understood, honored guest. Please wait a moment," the waiter left. 

"Akio, why are you staring at me like that?" Yae Miko noticed Akio's intense gaze and instinctively touched her face, asking curiously, "Is there something on my face?" 

"Nothing," Akio shook his head. Yae Miko was even more beautiful than he had imagined, exuding charm even while sitting there. 

"The food hasn't arrived yet. Could you tell me what you need me to do?" Akio asked. 

"My, what an impatient deity," Yae Miko propped her cheek on her hand, looking at Akio seriously. "I'd like to invite you to join the Grand Narukami Shrine!" 

"Huh?" Akio raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding her meaning. 

"You mentioned earlier that you plan to stay in Inazuma for a while, right?" Yae Miko said. 

"You're new here, without a job or an identity. By joining the Grand Narukami Shrine, you'll gain an identity and won't have to worry about Mora." 

"What would I need to do?" Akio asked directly. There was no such thing as a free lunch, especially with someone as shrewd as Yae Miko. 

"I want you to change the current state of Inazuma. My deity is too rigid, and with my power alone, I can't see a future for reform in Inazuma," Yae Miko said earnestly. "You are a variable outside of eternity, someone who can disrupt the status." 

"To change a deity's will, only another deity can do so," Yae Miko sighed. "Only a deity's will can shake another deity, but unfortunately, we don't have such power." 

"Change Inazuma…" Akio pondered. In the original storyline, it was the Traveler and Paimon who came to Inazuma, and Yae Miko began scheming to have the Traveler disrupt the situation. They barely managed to defeat Ei. 

This made Ei realize that even a deity's will could be overcome by the collective wishes of the people, and she understood the mistake of the Vision Hunt Decree. 

"I won't bear the wishes of the people of Inazuma," Akio thought for a moment and shook his head. He wasn't going to be a tool. 

He already possessed power comparable to a deity, and with time, he would surpass everything. But bearing the wishes of the people? That was something he might not be able to do. 

Moreover, the Traveler needed to grow. If he disrupted things, what would be the point of the Traveler's journey in Inazuma? 

"You know, even if I can defeat the Raiden Shogun, without bearing the people's wishes, I can't change her will," Akio shook his head. "I ignore the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree, so I can't understand the people's wishes, and thus, I can't bear them." 

"If possible, I can provide appropriate help at the right time. At the very least, I can share the burden of facing the deity with you until the situation changes," Akio said. 

"Is that so?" Yae Miko looked a bit disappointed, but she couldn't force a deity to bear the wishes of Inazuma's people, could she? 

"But don't worry. I've briefly observed the future of Inazuma. In the near future, a Traveler will come to Inazuma," Akio reassured her. 

"She can help Inazuma overcome this crisis." 

"Really? A Traveler?" Yae Miko's eyes lit up. 

"The Traveler who resolved the dragon crisis in Mondstadt?" 

"Oh?" Akio was surprised. So the timeline was after the Traveler had solved the dragon crisis in Mondstadt? 

"In that case, please join us and provide some assurance for our future," Yae Miko said, her excitement returning as she looked at Akio. 

"From what I know, the Grand Narukami Shrine is a place to serve the Narukami, right? It's full of shrine maidens. Is it really appropriate for me to join?" Akio asked curiously. 

"Not exactly. A century ago, the Grand Narukami Shrine had a position called the Great Divine Official, in charge of rituals. Although it didn't have administrative or military power, it was a highly revered position that allowed direct audience with the deity. Even the heads of the three commissions would address them as 'Lord.'" 

"Centuries ago, Ei sealed herself in the Plane of Euthymia, and mortals could no longer have an audience with the true deity. So, I stopped appointing a Great Divine Official," Yae Miko explained. 

"Now that you're joining the Grand Narukami Shrine, I'll reinstate the position. Although you can't have an audience with the deity now, your status will be high enough to move freely anywhere in Inazuma." 

"Moreover, as the Great Divine Official, the Grand Narukami Shrine won't assign you any tasks. Rituals will be handled by the Yashiro Commission," Yae Miko added. 

"The salary is also quite high, and you can just send the bills to the Grand Narukami Shrine for anything you want to buy." 

"Hmm?" Akio's eyes lit up, and he nodded. 

"In that case, I'll join the Grand Narukami Shrine."