"Hello, Ningguang!" Jean greeted her warmly, visibly delighted. The two had exchanged plenty of letters over the years and now, seeing each other in person, Jean found herself quite fond of this elegant, poised woman from Liyue.
"How have things been lately, Jean?" Ningguang asked casually, their conversation unfolding like that of old friends—relaxed, familiar, without any awkwardness.
…
Inside the Tenshukaku, Akio and Raiden Makoto had returned, where Ei and the Shogun were already waiting.
"Was all that just for a public appearance?" Akio muttered. "That was way over the top."
"We're gods, remember?" Raiden Makoto said with a chuckle. "We can't just let people stare at us the entire time. It's better to leave the festivities to the people."
Ei nodded in agreement. She didn't fully grasp all the ceremonial stuff, but being surrounded by that many people definitely made her uncomfortable.
"Report!" came a voice from outside—it was a member of the Okuzumeshuu. "Shogun! Divine Sovereign! The Yashiro Commissioner requests an audience."
"Granted," Raiden Makoto replied.
Kamisato Ayato stepped in after receiving permission. He gave a respectful bow. "Divine Sovereign, Shogun, the six nations' emissaries request an audience. Shall I bring them in?"
"Go ahead and let them in," Akio nodded.
"As you wish." Ayato bowed again and exited.
Outside, Jean and Ningguang were still chatting. Jean mentioned how busy she had been lately, and that Lisa had practically dragged her to Inazuma for the Coronation just so she could unwind a little.
"Mm?" Jean paused mid-sentence, suddenly pressing her fingers to her temple.
"Jean, are you okay?" Lisa asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"It's fine," Jean shook her head and mustered a smile. "Probably just didn't get enough sleep. Nothing serious."
"Jean, work's important, but you need rest too," Ningguang advised gently. "Push yourself too hard and it all backfires."
"She knows that," Lisa said with a sigh. "But she never listens. Just last night, she was holed up in the hotel room working on some reports. Even here in Inazuma, her mind's still back in Mondstadt."
Keqing, nearby, nodded with admiration. She felt an unexpected kinship with Jean—both of them were dedicated to their nations, tireless and unshakable in their responsibilities.
"I still have a long way to go," Jean said quietly. For the sake of Mondstadt, she couldn't afford to slow down—not even for a moment.
Just as Ningguang was about to say more, Kamisato Ayato returned.
"Please line up according to your respective nations," he instructed. "You'll be granted audience in turn."
"The Mondstadt delegation, please come with me. The others will be called afterward," Ayato said.
"Oh, we're first," Jean said with a nod to Ningguang. "Let's chat more later."
"Of course," Ningguang replied, watching as Jean and Lisa followed Ayato toward the Tenshukaku.
"Ningguang, I really think Jean is a responsible leader," Keqing said. "Her dedication to her work… she's someone to admire."
"Maybe," Ningguang murmured, but her eyes remained on Jean's back. There was something off—Jean's steps looked faintly unsteady.
"Lisa, do you think I look alright?" Jean asked quietly as they neared the Tenshukaku entrance. She was nervous—terrified of making a mistake in front of the gods.
"You're perfect," Lisa assured her.
"Please, go ahead." Ayato led them to the grand doors. After the Okuzumeshuu announced them and received permission, the doors swung open.
"I'll wait outside," Ayato said. "The two of you may proceed."
"Thank you," Jean said politely. She and Lisa stepped into the Tenshukaku—and were immediately struck dumb by the sight before them.
Three Raiden Shoguns.
They had heard the rumors, whispers from townsfolk suggesting the Shogun was more than one person—but seeing three of them in the flesh? That meant… Inazuma now had four gods?
Jean quickly shook off her shock and bowed deeply alongside Lisa. "Jean Gunnhildr and Lisa Minci, representing Mondstadt, offer our highest respect to the Divine Sovereign of Heaven."
Akio nodded. He hadn't expected Jean to show up personally—he knew how devoted she was to her work.
"Shogun, Divine Sovereign, we represent the Knights of Favonius and offer our heartfelt congratulations on your ascension," Jean said. She held up a Vision and summoned a large ornate chest from it.
"Oh?" Akio and Raiden Makoto exchanged a glance. They could already sense the immense elemental energy packed inside.
"One Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone, five Hurricane Seeds, ten Lightning Prisms, and ten Crystalline Blooms," Jean announced.
"Quite the offering," Makoto murmured, her voice brushing Akio's ear.
Akio nodded. In Teyvat, pure elemental creatures were rare and tremendously powerful—not the kind you could casually respawn every few minutes like in a game. It could take years, even decades, for ley lines to condense enough to birth a new one.
And the materials they left behind were even rarer—highly regulated in every nation, and capable of greatly enhancing the strength of corresponding elemental gods.
Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone, for example, was said to be blessed by the Anemo Archon himself. It boosted elemental affinity and could even save one's life in desperate moments. Across all of Teyvat, there were fewer than five known pieces.
Even though such items weren't particularly useful to Akio anymore, the sincerity behind Mondstadt's gesture was deeply appreciated.
"I gratefully accept your gift," Akio said, smiling in satisfaction.
Relieved to see that he was pleased, Jean and Lisa exchanged a quick breath and prepared to take their leave.
But just as Jean turned, she staggered—then collapsed.
"Jean!" Lisa cried, lunging forward just in time to catch her before she hit the floor.
"My apologies, Divine Sovereign, Shogun," Lisa said, holding Jean carefully in her arms.
A quick check confirmed it: exhaustion. The stress of the ceremony, the nerves, the constant work—it had all built up. Her body had finally reached its limit.
"It's alright," Akio said, glancing at Jean's pale face. "She's just overworked, isn't she?"
"She's a good leader," he added quietly, shaking his head. "But Mondstadt's people…" He trailed off. No need to say more. Best to spare Lisa the embarrassment. After all, with the way those spoiled brats back in Mondstadt behaved, it was only a matter of time before they worked Jean to death.
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