Grand Narukami Shrine.

Compared to the rest of Inazuma, where thunderstorms raged and the people suffered,

this place was the only peaceful and tranquil spot, untouched by the storm barriers.

It was, in a way, Shadow's gentleness toward the Miko.

Because the Miko hated getting her hair wet on rainy days,

here, it never rained or stormed all year round.

Even in Inazuma's time of deep turmoil, the Miko could leisurely tend to her—back garden.

More precisely, she was trimming the Sacred Sakura.

In her own words: she had been caring for the Sacred Sakura for five hundred years; shouldn't she have a little privilege by now?

The Sacred Sakura was tender and pink, but compared to the Miko, it lacked a certain charm.

The pink-haired fox, throughout all of Teyvat, was a striking presence.

Her gaze was like water and lightning, holding a faint smile.

Holding scissors and standing with her hands on her hips, the Miko looked at the Sacred Sakura before her.

A gentle breeze rustled, lifting the hem of her miko outfit.

This daringly designed outfit, worn on her, was both alluring and strangely solemn.

Her personality was somewhat like Lisa's, but with a touch more mischief.

She didn't have Lisa's inherent laziness.

She was a fox spirit that could captivate mortals.

No…

Better said, a mischievous fox spirit.

Looking at the Sacred Sakura, with its divine fox-like form, the Miko nodded in satisfaction.

"This is barely enough to show some of your divine spirit! Sacred Sakura, remember my care—you mustn't grow any random branches anymore.

Trimming you every day is such a bother."

Clusters of cherry blossoms fluttered down from the tree, drifting out of Grand Narukami Shrine, heading toward Narukami Island.

Normally at this time of year, the Sacred Sakura was in full bloom.

Daily, many worshippers would visit the shrine.

Even in the villages below, people would often look up, admiring the cherry blossom rain over the shrine.

But now, all one could see was thunderstorm clouds.

Gone was the dreamlike spectacle of dancing petals.

For the Miko, a bit of peace was nice,

but the only downside was that hardly anyone came to give her Mora anymore.

Fortunately, she still had Yae Publishing House to earn money.

She never lacked flowers, anyway.

Now, however, with Inazuma's current state, there was barely any need for spending.

Shops that remained open merely maintained the basics of daily life.

Thinking of this, the Miko sighed. She often marveled at how stubborn her old friend could be.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from the corridor bridge.

The Miko raised an eyebrow, set down her scissors, and leisurely knelt under the Sacred Sakura.

The vivid blossoms seemed only to serve as a backdrop.

"Chief Shrine Maiden Yae."

A shrine maiden approached the Miko, calling out to her.

The Miko smiled lightly and sipped her tea.

"Yuki, how many times have I told you? If you have something to say, just say it. Dawdling like this—be careful you don't end up unmarried someday."

The shrine maiden Yuki blushed, pressed her lips together, and quietly said:

"News came from the outlying islands: the eldest daughter of the Kamisato House has returned aboard the Alcor, and she brought along a traveler whose identity is… rather formidable."

"Rather formidable?"

The Miko pondered for a moment, then waved her hand.

"Travelers can wait for later."

"Has the Alcor brought Master Makura's new manuscript?"

Yuki looked a bit embarrassed and shook her head.

"Seems like… not yet."

"Huh?!"

The Miko reacted as if she had just heard some earth-shattering news.

"Master Makura… hasn't delayed his manuscript again, has he?! Really! Do we have to send Kuroda all the way to Liyue to make him write it?"

Yuki pursed her lips.

She still couldn't understand the logic of her Grand Priest.

The outlying islands are about to erupt into battle, and the Miko's concern is… a completely unrelated novel?

"Now's really the time to talk about novels, huh?"

Yuki reminded gently:

"Grand Priest Yae, over at the outlying islands, the Shogunate Army nearly went to war with the Alcor…

Captain Beidou of the Alcor, using some unknown weapon, broke the arm of Kamado Shinsuke, head of the Kanjō Commission…"

The Miko waved her hand, utterly indifferent.

"Who cares if that old man dies or not! He only lost an arm—what I lost is the new manuscript of Chen Qiu's Sword Collection!

And piles of Mora, too!"

The Miko theatrically wiped away non-existent tears.

Yuki sighed in exasperation.

"Grand Priest Yae!"

"I know, I know! You really have no sense of humor, Yuki."

Yuki ignored the Miko's teasing and continued in a calm voice:

"Something new might have happened in Liyue. Anyway, the Alcor is carrying a lot of extremely powerful weapons.

Even six dragons comparable to Abyss Heralds.

"After forcefully driving away General Kujou and the Shogunate Army, Captain Beidou took the Liyue and Mondstadt merchants stranded on the outlying islands with her.

"Captain Beidou, in the name of Liyue's government, demanded that the Kanjō Commission compensate the Liyue and Mondstadt merchants tenfold for their losses—or face a military advance.

"Now, it seems she's heading toward the Rebellion's territory to conduct business."

Finally, the Miko's interest was piqued.

Dragons comparable to Abyss Heralds? That she hadn't expected.

Moreover, taking away Liyue merchants was understandable—but Mondstadt merchants… why?

Because Morax and Barbatos are close friends?

Still, there's no reason Liyue and Mondstadt would suddenly be "in the same pants" over this, right?