Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Yae Miko’s Forced Smile

Tenshukaku, the seat of a god,

and the tallest building in all Inazuma.

From its rooftop, one could look across the entire nation.

And now, within its highest chamber—the Raiden Shogun’s own quarters— Su Ran sat, keeping company with her remains.

The Shogun’s eyes had long since dimmed.

Her body lay in scattered fragments across the floor.

Fortunately, she had been but a puppet.

That thought, at least, spared him from guilt— though it left him far more annoyed.

He had expected to defeat her without much trouble, yes…

But never had he imagined a casual strike would shatter the Raiden Shogun he’d so anticipated meeting.

Repairing her was possible.

But first, he had to understand how this construct worked.

“At worst, I’ll upgrade her a bit when I fix her.

Consider it my compensation.”

With his knowledge, enhancing her systems and refining her intelligence would be child’s play.

Su Ran picked up the puppet’s head, staring into its vacant eyes.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

“…Enter.”

Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko each drew a deep breath.

Steeling their courage, they pushed the door open— and immediately wished they hadn’t.

A stranger stood inside, holding the Shogun’s head in his hands.

The floor around him was littered with her broken body.

Ayaka froze in shock.

She saw that the fragments were indeed of a puppet.

But the Shogun wasn’t a puppet… was she?

Then what in the world were these remains?

Yae Miko, by contrast, felt her heart sink into the abyss.

Her legs buckled, and she fell to her knees.

She knew too well what she was looking at.

That puppet was Ei’s vessel.

She had taught her dearest friend the very art of binding consciousness to an object.

If the puppet lay in ruins… Then what fate awaited Ei herself?

Ayaka, seeing Yae Miko’s despair, felt dread creep into her own chest.

A possibility she had never dared imagine flashed through her mind:

Could these shattered remains truly be… the Shogun?

“Well now—who’d have thought it would be you two?”

Su Ran’s voice broke the silence.

Yae Miko’s arrival he had expected.

But Kamisato Ayaka as well? That was a surprise.

“Though her vessel is destroyed, I never met her true self.”

He spoke idly, almost as if to himself.

Ei had always remained sealed away.

The puppet had never passed any word to her.

But now that its body was broken, the path to the Plane of Euthymia was locked tight.

Yae Miko’s despair eased slightly.

He hadn’t said outright that Ei was dead.

Then there was still hope.

“Might I… know the name of our honored god?”

She forced herself to calm, reaching for dialogue.

There was no aura from him, no pressure.

To all appearances, he was merely an ordinary man.

But the Shogun’s fate made it impossible to treat him as such.

She could only bow low, humble and cautious.

“Su Ran. A Descender.

Currently holding the post of Fatui Harbinger.”

“???”

Yae Miko and Ayaka exchanged looks, both full of disbelief.

A Harbinger?

Had the Fatui become so terrifying…

that even one among them could destroy a god?

“What? You think I’m lying?”

Su Ran set down the Shogun’s head.

He smiled at them, gentle and warm.

Yet that warmth chilled them to the bone.

“N-no… merely, I never imagined the Fatui could call upon one such as you.”

Even if it were a jest, Yae Miko had no choice but to play along.

“I came to Inazuma as a guest, really.

But the host was so fierce, my poor little heart nearly gave out.”

He pressed a hand to his chest, feigning fright.

“Only… she turned out to be rather fragile.

And I broke the toy before I’d had any fun.”

“Heh… heh…”

Yae Miko’s tiny fists clenched tight.

Her heart quivered with fear.

But she still forced a smile,

playing the jester before the god.

“You.”

Su Ran suddenly pointed—at Ayaka.

“M-me?”

Her voice cracked, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Had he chosen to kill her outright, she would not have feared.

Death, side by side with her Shogun—that she could accept.

But he hadn’t.

“You’re beautiful.”

“…”

Ayaka’s breath quickened.

Not from shyness— but from terror.

After realizing the truth of the remains on the floor, how could she not be afraid, no matter how sweet the words?

“My shoulders are sore, after sitting here a whole day.

Would you be so kind as to massage them for me?”

He even used the words please and kind.

The courtesy left her startled—almost honored.

“…Yes, my lord.”

She tiptoed around behind him, her delicate hands trembling as they settled on his shoulders.

His scent… it’s so pleasant…

Fear was her first thought.

But strangely, that was the second.

Yae Miko watched, her expression unreadable.

“Inazuma’s climate is far nicer than Snezhnaya’s.

Back there, all snow and ice… and the girls bundle themselves like dumplings.”

Su Ran sighed in nostalgia.

“If it pleases you, my lord, you may remain in Inazuma as long as you wish.”

Yae Miko forced another dry laugh.

“Mm. I intend to.

By the way—do you still have the materials used to make the Shogun?”

“…Yes. How much would you require?”

She dared not ask why.

“Enough to repair her. Prepare more than you think is needed.”

“Understood!”

Relief flashed in Yae Miko’s eyes.

If he could repair the Shogun, then Ei might yet return.

Without the puppet, her friend could never emerge.

“Good. See to it.

As for Kamisato Ayaka—she’ll remain here as my maid.”

“At once!”

Yae Miko bowed and departed swiftly, without a hint of hesitation.

Ayaka, still kneading his shoulders, froze.

The Yae Miko had left.

And she… had been left behind.

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