SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 54 out, this is Chapter 55 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?
Pairings: Albedo/Sucrose, Zhongli/Mitsuko/Kazuha, One-sided Diluc/Mitsuko, One-sided Diluc/Jean
Disclaimers: Genshin Impact and Sailor Moon belong to miHoYo and Takeuchi Naoko-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the plot, I hope.
Chapter 55: Teyvat Arc: The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia, Part Four
In front of the Komore Teahouse...
"According to the letter, this should be the place." Paimon remarked.
"Sorry, we don't serve the general public." Kozue stopped the Traveler. "I'm afraid you'll have to leave."
"Here's our Invitation Letter." the Traveler handed the letter over.
"The Yashiro Commission's seal... this must be from Mr. Thoma." Kozue pondered. "It seems there's more to you than meets the eye. In which case, welcome to the Komore Teahouse, a safe haven for the Yashiro Commission."
In the Komore Teahouse...
"Now that we're here, where's Thoma?" Paimon wondered. "Paimon doesn't see him anywhere, do you think he forgot his promise to meet us?"
"Who forgot their promise?" Thoma chided. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me!"
"What!?" Paimon exclaimed. "Is that dog talking to us!?"
"Relax, no need to look so surprised." Thoma teased. "I take it this is the first time you've seen me in this form?"
"Where did the human—looking Thoma go?" the startled Traveler asked.
"So, you didn't see anything like this when you were in Liyue Harbor?" Thoma mused.
"Now that you mention it, this does suddenly seem less out of the ordinary..." Paimon trailed.
"But it still doesn't really add up..." the Traveler pondered.
"Alright, alright, I've had my fun." Thoma chuckled, walking from behind the counter.
"You're this close to getting an ugly nickname, mister!" Paimon fumed.
"I've had some time to kill, given that I've been waiting here for you for so long... as was the case in Ritou..." Thoma explained. "So, I came up with this little fun greeting for when you arrived. But, in all seriousness, I would like to apologize about that little 'test' you went through earlier. Though it was quite necessary, it helped us determine whether or not to bring you before Miss Kamisato, and whether you had the courage to face the lightning alongside us."
"So, how did we do in our 'test'?" the Traveler asked.
"Let me just say this, you've often found yourself skirting 'the rules' from the very beginning, haven't you?" Thoma inquired. "Naturally, this is due to your unwavering and resolute determination. A long time ago, we had a friend who was much the same... but when the lightning struck..."
"You mean Kazuha's friend..." the Traveler trailed.
"So, you've heard of his story." Thoma noted. "His light still burns all the more brightly..."
"So, will we be allowed to meet the Shirasagi Himegimi?" the Traveler asked.
"Of course." Thoma nodded. "I will bring you to the Kamisato residence, where the Yashiro Commission is located. But before that, there is one other place I was hoping you both would accompany me to. I would like you to come with me to the Statue of the Omnipresent God. It's still under construction now, but you can already see it from practically anywhere on Narukami Island."
In front of the Statue of the Omnipresent God...
"This area sure feels gloomy." Paimon shivered. "People probably don't come here often, do they? Are Paimon's eyes playing tricks, or are there things embedded in the statue...?"
"Visions." Thoma confirmed.
"Visions!" Paimon exclaimed. "You mean all the Visions that are collected from the Vision Hunt Decree are put into this statue!?"
"So, you've already heard of the Vision Hunt Decree." Thoma remarked.
"Why did the shogun issue the Vision Hunt Decree?" the Traveler inquired.
"Before I try to explain, I should perhaps remind you first that Mondstadt is the City of Freedom, and Liyue is the City of Contracts." Thoma started. "As for Inazuma, it's known as the Nation of Eternity. The Raiden Shogun is both the nation's most powerful ruler, and its deity. The 'eternity' in question is her endless and unchanging will to rule over Inazuma. As such, she relies on the Tri—Commission to regulate the nation's affairs, and the Sakoku Decree to limit the people's movement. The shogun wishes to keep Inazuma in stasis, allowing the stream of time to flow from one end to the other without disturbing it, for all time."
"Seems like every god has their own will." Paimon noted.
"Of course, this is my own limited understanding." Thoma added. "As for the reason behind the recent Vision Hunt Decree, perhaps the shogun believes that Visions grant people the power to change, and that her eternity doesn't allow for such instability to exist. Whatever the case, the fact is that the Raiden Shogun has dispatched the Tenryou Commission to scour the nation for Visions, embedding each one in this statue and this Statue of the Omnipresent God can be seen as Inazuma's symbol of eternity."
"But if that's the case, wouldn't you say that the Raiden Shogun is being... I don't know, selfish?" Paimon suggested.
"Only outlanders such as yourselves would ever dare speak out so directly against the Raiden Shogun." Thoma grinned. "And yet... I agree. The Vision Hunt Decree is something that simply should not exist, and Miss Kamisato has been committed to fighting it since the day it was announced."
"Traveler, are you okay?" Paimon looked at her wincing partner, their hand resting on their head as if to starve off a headache. "You look like your mind is elsewhere."
"What was that... sound just now?" the Traveler asked.
"Sound?" Thoma echoed. "What sound? I didn't hear anything. Did something happen?"
"You touched the statue, and then... and then what?" Paimon pressed.
"I could hear the sound of... people's aspirations." the Traveler revealed.
"'Aspirations'?" Thoma echoed. "That would seem to confirm the saying. Have you heard it before? That when a person's ambition reaches a certain strength, the gods look upon them with favor. That is where Visions come from. In other words, a person's Vision represents their ambition. So, if what you just said is true, then the ambitions of these people are stronger than I imagined."
"So, a Vision symbolizes ambition, and not power." the Traveler mused.
"Alright." Thoma nodded. "Time for the next stop on our tour of Narukami Island: the Kamisato residence."
In the Kamisato Estate...
"So, this is the kind of place where the big shots of Inazuma live, huh?" Paimon mused. "Paimon kinda expected it to be... snazzier."
"It's hard to top the Jade Chamber." the Traveler reminded.
"Welcome, at last, to the Kamisato residence, honored guests.' Thoma started. "Miss Kamisato is delighted to finally meet you."
"Is this the Shirasagi Himegimi you keep going on about?" Paimon asked. "So, uh, where's she at?"
"Ahem..." Ayaka coughed behind the screen.
"As the daughter of the Yashiro Commission, this is how Miss Kamisato is accustomed to receiving guests." Thoma explained. "Consider it a time—honored tradition within the Yashiro Commission. Forgive me if this is an unwelcome surprise."
"I think I understand." the Traveler nodded.
"Please forgive my lack of courtesy for receiving you in this fashion... especially following such a long and wearisome journey over the sea." Ayaka voiced. "I have awaited your arrival with great anticipation, and Thoma assures me that you do indeed possess the power to change the tide of the times. At present in Inazuma, in the name of the Vision Hunt Decree, the people's aspirations are being senselessly trampled underfoot. Though the Yashiro Commission serves the shogun, it is the people with whom we share close bonds, given the contact we are required to have with them in the performance of our duties.: A commission's power rises and falls with the trust of their people. Thus, we cannot remain indifferent to this situation without also remaining indifferent to our own fate. Traveler, lend us your power, and we can—"
"I'm just here to meet the Raiden Shogun." the Traveler cut her off.
"See, milady, it's just like I said." Thoma told his mistress. "This will take us nowhere."
"I'm going to leave now." the Traveler turned.
"No, please... wait!" Ayaka voiced. "Please... don't go... I will introduce you to the Raiden Shogun, on one condition: you must fulfill three small wishes on my behalf. They pertain to three whose Visions were taken from them. Perhaps once you've met them, you will understand."
"A warrior who guards a village, a former samurai who helped carry out the Vision Hunt Decree, and a swordmaster determined to become the best in the world." Paimon listed. "Does Paimon got that right?"
"Correct." Ayaka responded. "Please do all you can to help them. I will await your return here."
SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.