The Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine

When Sangonomiya Kokomi was alone, she let out a tired sigh.

Since the Vision Hunt Decree was enacted, one by one, Vision holders were hunted down by the Shogunate, stripped of their ambitions. The people's anger turned into cries of protest, and Kokomi led them in raising the banner of rebellion.

Thus began the war between the resistance and the Shogunate.

As the leader of the resistance, Kokomi fought against the Shogun's tyranny, but… to be honest, she couldn't see a future.

Victory?

She had never expected it from the start.

Humans could not contend with a god.

As long as the Raiden Shogun remained resolute, the resistance's struggle would be futile—nothing more than a delay.

Rebelling against a god was impossible.

This was common knowledge.

Since ancient times, when faced with divine decisions that were disastrous for humans, the only thing people could do was to change the god's mind.

This was the duty of a shrine maiden.

Through dance, song, rituals, and faith… using everything at their disposal to communicate with the god and persuade them to change their will.

This had always been the way.

…But unfortunately, Sangonomiya Kokomi was not the Raiden Shogun's shrine maiden.

Though she was the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, she served Orobashi, the serpent god who had once opposed the Raiden Shogun and was slain by her blade.

Kokomi could not communicate with the Raiden Shogun, and without communication, there was no hope of changing her will.

No matter what she did—whether through dance, song, or rituals—she could never move the Raiden Shogun.

—This task should have fallen to Yae Miko.

The head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, the Raiden Shogun's only familiar, Yae Miko.

Undoubtedly, it was Yae Miko's duty as a shrine maiden to represent the people's will, communicate with the Raiden Shogun, and attempt to change her mind through dance, song, and rituals.

But for some reason, Yae Miko had not fulfilled this duty.

She ignored the people's will, neglected her responsibilities as a shrine maiden, and remained completely indifferent to what was happening in Inazuma.

Kokomi had no choice but to bear the heavy burden of leading the resistance under immense pressure.

And to relieve that pressure, she often needed moments like this—alone.

"You seem troubled, Miss Kokomi."

"Who's there?"

The somewhat familiar voice startled Kokomi, and she looked up toward the cave entrance.

What's going on? That voice…?

Am I already asleep and dreaming?

The next moment, seeing the figure entering the cave, Kokomi confirmed her guess.

Because the man was the one who had appeared in her dreams several times, doing… things to her. Even though it was just a dream, Kokomi couldn't help but blush.

Perhaps due to the immense pressure of recent years, Kokomi had started having dreams that were… relieving. The man in her dreams was someone she had conjured in her imagination, someone she had never met in reality but who fit her ideal. Though she felt a bit shy upon waking, Kokomi had accepted that she had reached the age where such dreams were natural.

And now, this man had appeared again, which meant she was dreaming once more.

That's fine. It's another chance to relieve some stress.

For Kokomi, these dreams were a rare form of entertainment that truly helped her unwind.

"Miss Kokomi, my name is Ye. I am the Supreme Archbishop of the Grand Cathedral of Fontaine. I've come here to discuss something with you."

This time, I've even given him such an identity in my dream?

Kokomi was a bit surprised. Was it because she admired the wise and resourceful Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine that she had imagined him as the man in her dreams?

Indeed, having such a dream wouldn't be bad.

Unfortunately, while devices like the Kamera had spread from Fontaine, not a single photo of the Supreme Archbishop had made its way outside. It seemed that photographing him was strictly prohibited, so Kokomi had no idea what he looked like.

If she knew, she could have dreamed of him directly, making the experience even more immersive.

But… this was fine too.

Looking at the face of the man in her dream and imagining him as the Supreme Archbishop, Kokomi suddenly felt her body grow warm. Why did this feel so real?

Kokomi stood up and walked toward him.

Ye smiled. "So, Miss Kokomi, would you like to talk… hmm?"

Ye's eyes widened in rare astonishment.

What's happening?

Seeing Kokomi's dreamlike face so close to his and feeling the touch of her lips, Ye's mind was thrown into chaos.

Wait, what's going on? What's happening here?

Ye watched as Kokomi walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and closed her eyes.

No, I'm a bit confused. Hold on, Kokomi, what's going on? Are you really this kind of woman? Is my charm really this effective?!

While Ye had indeed used Kokomi in his dreams to relieve stress recently—placing her alongside Ganyu, Barbara, and Nahida—he had never imagined this happening in reality! And for Kokomi to be the one initiating it? What was going on?!

Wait, no—should I really be questioning this right now?

Though Ye hadn't planned for this, now that the opportunity was here, was there any need to overthink it?

Never mind. Opportunities like this don't come twice.

Maybe Kokomi was just half-asleep and accidentally fell for my looks. If she wakes up, this chance might never come again.

With that thought, Ye made up his mind. The important matters could wait until tomorrow. Right now, this was the most urgent priority!

So, Ye stopped talking, gave up resisting, and in an instant, took control, pressing Kokomi down onto her desk.

This feels great. Just as good as in the dreams.

No, the sense of psychological satisfaction here is something dreams can't compare to!

Ye was quickly addicted.