Lumine froze.
She felt as if someone were pulling her strings—that everything was predestined.
"That's right… it was Teppei's choice. So why am I doing all this?"
Her head throbbed, as if some invisible force were pushing her forward, guiding her along a predetermined path to complete some set task.
Shajin rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I've managed to interfere with nearly everyone else's fate trajectory…"
"But only yours keeps converging? Fascinating. That's a relief, then~"
Then he added casually,
"Oh, and… little fox, no need to hide. It's your cue."
Lumine blinked, confused. Little fox?
She tilted her head, scanning her surroundings for the hidden figure.
Just then, a familiar voice echoed out.
"My, my, nothing escapes you, does it~"
Paimon yelped in surprise.
"Yae Miko?! What are you doing here?"
Yae Miko wiped the corner of her eye theatrically.
"You wound me! I came all the way here to rescue you from my dear nephew's clutches, out of the kindness of my heart~"
"But it seems I won't be the one playing the damsel-saving hero after all~"
"Rescue me?"
"Dear nephew?"
Just as Lumine opened her mouth to say she hadn't been in any danger, the world went dark.
She turned to see Paimon collapsed on the ground.
"Sha… jin…"
Shajin smiled and waved at her.
"Good night, Lumine."
…..
Yae Miko strolled gracefully to Lumine's side, crouched down, and gently poked her soft cheek with a slender finger.
"My, my, how heartless you are, Gambler~"
Her voice was laced with playful sarcasm.
Shajin stood off to the side, suddenly shivering for no apparent reason. He snorted coldly.
"Hmph. Little fox, talk to me like that again, and I'll smack you back into your original form."
He stepped forward and grabbed Yae Miko by her fox ears.
Yae Miko didn't resist—who knew if doing so might only excite this lunatic more?
Instead, she merely furrowed her brow slightly, pouting.
"Hmph, such a humorless man."
Shajin twitched slightly at her words but released her ears with a sigh.
"Enough. Take them with you. You've got a task to hand over."
Yae Miko didn't respond right away. Instead, she gave him a teasing wink.
Shajin rubbed his forehead and sighed.
"I'm not going back on my word. I do have some credibility."
At that, Yae Miko nodded, patting her chest in exaggerated relief and giggling behind her hand.
"With that assurance, I feel much better. With your strength, convincing that shut-in to come out should be easy peasy—ah!"
She yelped mid-sentence.
Yae Miko clutched her reddening rear.
Shajin slid his pink sunglasses back on.
"Nice feel. See ya~"
With that, his figure dissolved into golden light and vanished.
Yae Miko spat on the ground.
"Ugh. Lech."
…..
"Ugh…"
Lumine slowly opened her eyes, staring blankly at an unfamiliar ceiling.
"Ah! Lumine, you're awake!"
Paimon's voice.
"Oh? Come on now, little one, repeat after me: 'Three-two-one, one-two-three, ahhh—' Quickly now."
"Three-two-one, one-two-three, ahh… Wait! Yae Miko?!"
"Mhm, good, good. That means your brain's not scrambled yet."
"Had a hell of a time fishing you out of that crater you left. Would've been such a waste if you were broken."
Paimon huffed on the side.
"Ugh… I've been meaning to ask this from the start—Yae Miko, why do you act so different from the first time we met?"
"Really? Must be because I've dismissed the other shrine maidens. Besides, this is the real me~"
"People always show the side of themselves they want to show. I know that very well."
"So every side is a true 'self'—humans just love slapping on pointless labels."
"In this society that barely counts as human anyway, I just do as I please."
"But more importantly… don't you think it's time to repay me for saving you?"
Lumine scratched her head.
"Repay you for what?"
Yae Miko feigned shock.
"Why, I rescued you from that brutal Gambler! Or… has your brain circuitry gone haywire after all…?"
Lumine's face twitched.
"You just want to give me a task, don't you?"
Yae clapped her hands, delighted.
"Sharp as ever! Nailed it in one~"
Lumine flopped back onto the floor, utterly resigned.
"Fine. What's the task?"
Yae waved her hand, laughing lightly.
"Relax, it's nothing major. You're still thinking about the Delusions, aren't you?"
Lumine replied flatly.
"No."
"Ah, I knew a traveler like you would never… Wait, what did you say?!"
Yae Miko genuinely thought Shajin might have pulled something in her ear.
Lumine spoke with conviction.
"Shajin had a point. They chose to trade their lives for power. Who am I to arrogantly deny that?"
Yae's eye twitched.
Great. The little one's been brainwashed. This is all your fault, damn you, Gambler!!!
"Ugh… whether that's true or not, let me just give you the update."
"The navigator of Watatsumi Island has already led her troops to purge them. A strict decree banning Delusions has been issued across the army."
"And now that Scaramouche is awake, he's not stupid enough to stage a desperate defense when his base is compromised."
"Honestly, if I had time, I'd love to watch the Fatui get thrashed. Especially that damn Gambler!"
Lumine's mouth twitched. Whatever Shajin had done, he must've really pissed off this foxy shrine maiden.
Yae Miko cleared her throat, regaining her elegant composure.
"That woman—Sangonomiya Kokomi—did quite well. I'd love to have a proper talk with her someday. Shame about our little difference in faith."
Then something clicked in Lumine's mind.
"Right… Miko, I remember you called Scaramouche your… nephew?"
Yae sat back in her chair.
"Ah~ that ties into what I was about to ask of you."
"You've heard the Gambler mention the term puppet, haven't you? It's not just the current 'Raiden Shogun.' The Sixth Harbinger of the Fatui—Scaramouche—is also one."
"Oh, and before that, his original name was—Raiden Kunikuzushi—Country Destroyer…"
_
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