"Kamisato Ayaka, Present."
A calm breeze had found its way into Inazuma City. It was one of the many small things that the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan had noticed on her walk to the Throne Room. Ever since the withdrawal of the Vision Hunt Decree and the other events beyond it, Inazuma had once again gained a sense of liveliness that she never knew went missing. There was laughter in the streets as people spent more time outside, and the Sakura Blooms seemed brighter than ever, as if sensing the atmosphere had changed.
After walking up the main steps and into the courtyard, she could see that Kujo Sara and some other staff had gathered on the other side. Taking a closer look, she realized that Yoimiya was a part of the crowd, and was actually being scolded by Kujo Sara, no doubt about her recent fireworks that she had "accidentally" released yesterday. Catching each other's eyes, she could only offer a look of pity to Yoimiya's help me face as she walked by.
After presenting her pass to the guards outside, Ayaka was allowed inside to attend her meeting with the Raiden Shogun. It wasn't everyday that the Yashiro Commission met and directly reported to the Shogun, after all they were mostly on good terms. However, this was different, as Kamisato Ayaka was asked directly to report to the Shogun at once.
As she walked into the Throne room, she noticed that the Raiden Shogun was sitting at the Throne, and appeared to be reading something, some sort of brightly coloured book. It sorta looked like the cover of a light novel she herself had recently just finished. Discarding that thought, and deciding to be brave, Ayaka got the Shogun's attention.
"Kamisato Ayaka, Present."
Giving a traditional bow before the Shogun, Ayaka couldn't help but be slightly nervous and a bit scared. Even with her strict upbringing and constant training in the finest manners, it did not take away the fact that she was standing before the Raiden Shogun herself, a rare and in many cases a once in a lifetime opportunity. The tremendous amount of respect that the Shogun always commanded was not a laughing matter.
At least, that's what Ayaka always thought.
Looking up from her book, the Shogun nodded and placed her book to the side. "Kamisato Ayaka, thank you for arriving so promptly. I will make note of that." Clearing her throat, the Shogun continued. "Do you know why you are before me this hour?"
Looking up, Ayaka nodded. "Yes, as per the Decree, I understand that I am here to provide an immediate update regarding the procurement of Dango Milk for distribution to all of Inazuma….."
Nodding, the Shogun leaded her arm against the armrest of the Throne and put her head on her hand, as if already slightly bored of the conversation. "Continue."
"The Street Vender Tomoki has been able to scale up production effectively with our help and everything is on track. We should be able to begin deliveries by the end of this week at the latest."
Out of the blue one day, the Yashiro Commission received a Decree that Dango Milk was to be procured and given out to all Inazumains, for free. While it made sense that the Yashiro Commission would be placed in charge of this type of thing, it made little sense to most of the Commission's staff and to Ayaka herself. She didn't even know what Dango Milk was until a few days ago.
"Excellent, and I trust that you will be directly involved in those deliveries?"
Blinking twice, Ayaka responded. "Yes of course, I will oversee most of the deliveries myself. No mistakes or errors will occur."
A serious silence settled in the Throne room as the two women went quiet. The Raiden Shogun looked at Ayaka with a strong glare, and Ayaka glanced away shyly. Usually, she was the one strong arming others in meetings, but she was no match for the Shogun.
"Is The Traveler still under your employment and care?"
That sudden question caught Ayaka off guard. Surprised at the sudden topic change and unsure of what to make of the question, she assumed that the Dango Milk Decree conversation was over. It appears the Shogun had called her to talk about something else after all. Ayaka answered hesitantly. "Ahh…...Yes, The Traveler and their companion are still under the employment of the Yashiro Commission. They have made tremendous efforts in improving their reputation and have greatly assisted us in our work. It is also my understanding that they have also helped the other Commissions and the Adventurer's Guild greatly as well."
Hoping that was the right answer to give, Ayaka looked up at the Shogun, who still had her usual emotionless look on her face. She was just about to add more to her answer when the Shogun cut her off with a wave of her hand.
"When The Traveler first arrived here in Inazuma, did the Yashiro Commission, should we say, make use of him? Did you have any direct involvement with him?"
Ayaka's heart skipped a beat in nervousness. This was not a good line of conversation. The Shogun had asked that question in a threatening tone. With the overall withdrawal of the Vision Hunt Decree, The Traveler and other people were excused of their crimes. With that being said, that didn't apply to some of the folks of the Tenryou Commission. Assuming that her past actions in sheltering and helping Aether were about to be used against her, Ayaka made ready to defend herself via words.
The Raiden Shogun spoke before Ayaka could.
"Mfufu, so it appears that The Traveler speaks the truth. You two have indeed made a big impression on each other."
Noting the confusion on Ayaka's face, the Shogun continued. "The Traveler has told me a great deal of what he was up to when he first arrived and his actions during the Vision Hunt Decree. Mind you, it was nothing that I didn't already know. However, what interested me was that he does speak highly of you, Kamisato Ayaka."
Not expecting this direction for the conversation and the quasi-prase, Ayaka found herself blushing slightly. She wasn't sure of what to make of the Shogun's comments. She stayed quiet as the Shogun continued.
"I too have gone on, shall we say, ahem, adventures with The Traveler. He has told me a great deal about his relationship with you and about yourself personally. He himself is a very helpful person. He has assisted me greatly in my thinking for the future of Inazuma."
Silence once again filled the Throne room. Not expecting a confession that Aether had helped the Raiden Shogun herself towards her Goal of Eternity for Inazuma, Ayaka once again found herself even more speechless. On top of that, it sounded like Aether had told the Shogun about some of their outings and a bit about herself. How much Aether said, she could only guess. She could only blink at the Electo God as she digested this new information.
Smiling at the speechless Shirasagi Himegimi, the Shogun continued. "As part of your efforts to enact the Dango Milk Decree, you are to enlist the assistance of The Traveler. He should already be aware of some minor details of the Decree. You and himself will personally oversee and make some of the deliveries of Dango Milk here on Narukami Island proper. Do I make myself clear?"
"...Ahhh….Yes, you make yourself clear….."
"Excellent. I believe that ends our conversation for today."
Taking the queue that the conversation was now over and bowing before the Shogun once more, Ayaka began to make her way out of the throne room, wondering to herself what on Teyvat had just happened. She didn't dare ask any follow up questions. After a few steps however, the Shogun called out to her.
"Hmmm, a word of guidance before I fully dismiss you. This stays with you only. Do not share it. Despite what you may think, The Traveler desires a lot more than just finding those missing to him. He also desires something else. And I think you desire that same thing as well."
Pausing briefly for effect, fully aware that Ayaka was holding her breath, she continued.
"The two of you still have great roles to play, here in Inazuma and afar. His story will end when he manages to complete his first desire. Will you be there for him when he looks for his second desire?"
Ei let out a sigh of exhaustion that she didn't know she was holding in. Acting all proper and strict in front of her subjects was extremely tiring. Nonetheless, she still had to keep up the act. As she watched the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan walk out of the Throne room, she smiled to herself.
I swear, Yae Miko better be right about this. Though, I do admit this is quite a bit of fun, it's like watching a light novel plot play out before my very eyes. Hopefully I wasn't too forward with Ayaka at the end there. Sigh, I guess I was a bit obvious, more or less setting the two of them up.
"~Oh you most definitely were!"
What!? Yae! When did you get here! I did not give you permission to come see me! Let alone in my plane of-
"But you had summoned the famed Shirasagi Himegimi, I had to come in and spectate! After all, we've been planning this for so long~~!"
Sigh. We have to remember the big picture, Yae. If this plan of yours does not work out, then Inazuma could very well be at great risk to The-.
"Such a party pooper! I'll have you know, The Traveler just arrived and is meeting with Kujo Sara right now, so clearly things are proceeding as I have foreseen them to be."