When she left, Xia Zhi sat alone.
At first, he'd only come because Xia Zhen had asked him to check on the Shogun. But now… it seemed more serious.
Not just because of her, but because this was tied to his third [Intertwined Fate].
And the Sacred Sakura Tree.
He lifted his hand. A few cherry petals rested in his palm, faintly glowing with the power of time.
He recognized that aura. Xia Le would, too.
The Shogun had said the tree hadn't existed five hundred years ago—that it had appeared suddenly.
Could it be… that he was the one who planted it when he went back in time?
This trip to the past was shaping up to be far more complicated than the last two.
He stared at the petals for a moment, then tucked them away, opened his system interface, and checked the [Shop].
The Shogun had said even Celestia couldn't alter her laws—but maybe something in the Shop could.
Her body was Ei's, a divine vessel. Which meant the laws binding her were divine in nature. Theoretically, the same type of "godly data" he'd seen corrupted before.
He'd searched the Shop before for items that could affect divine power—things that could shatter godly seals.
Stuff like "Art of Devouring Gods," "Blade That Shatters All Laws," or "World Dagger Projection."
That second one—the [Blade That Shatters All Laws]—could probably fix the Shogun's problem.
Except…
He found it in the Shop and checked the details.
Quality: Prismatic.
Price: Two million points.
Yeah, no. Absolutely not.
He wasn't rich enough for that.
Better check his inventory instead. The [Intertwined Fate] might be the key.
If he really did go back, maybe he could fix the issue at its root without changing the timeline—by leaving a "backdoor" in her programming.
"To do that," he muttered, "I'll need more than basic puppet knowledge. I need to upgrade it."
He glanced at the small manual in his inventory.
[Puppet Technique]
Quality: Black Iron
Type: Book
Trait: None
Effect: A simple text recording the basics of puppet creation.
Hidden Effect: None
Recyclable: No
Just an ordinary book.
Maybe it could evolve.
He copied it, opened the evolution menu, and placed one copy inside.
A system prompt appeared.
'Evolve [Puppet Technique]? Current Quality: Black Iron. Success rate: 10%. Cost: 1 point.'
"Yes."
A soft light filled his hand.
[Puppet Technique]
Quality: Gold
Type: Experience Book
Trait: Mechanica
Effect: Grants mastery of puppet creation upon use.
Hidden Effect: None
Recyclable: No
Gold-tier. That was as high as it could go for now.
He used it.
A moment later, new knowledge flooded his mind. His understanding of puppetcraft deepened dramatically.
He exhaled slowly. "Time to give the Shogun a full check-up."
---
Late at night.
After leaving Chinju Forest, Hanachirusato wandered around Inazuma City with Fischl and Qiqi before returning to the Grand Narukami Shrine.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Back in her room, Hanachirusato released her transformation, stretched lazily, and sat down on her bed.
Qiqi sat on the other, watching her quietly. "You feeling okay?"
"It was pretty fun. Do you two always go out like this at night?"
"It's not for fun. We're acting as night heroes."
"Night heroes…?"
"It's actually a folk legend from Mondstadt," Qiqi explained softly. "A mysterious person who appears at night to help those in danger. Fischl and I used to take turns playing that role for a while."
Hanachirusato nodded thoughtfully.
"Inazuma may look peaceful within the city walls, but there are still plenty of rōnin and bandits out there," Qiqi added.
"Rōnin?"
"Yeah. Wandering warriors who've turned to banditry."
"So?"
"I was thinking… maybe Inazuma could use some night heroes too. Want to go again tomorrow night?"
"Sure."
A round little finch fluttered off Qiqi's shoulder and landed gently on her hand.
Qiqi took out some dried fish she'd prepared earlier and fed it carefully.
Hanachirusato tilted her head, watching the bird nibble. "Did you pick it up somewhere?"
"No. It was a gift from my master."
"From Mr. Xia?"
Qiqi nodded.
"I noticed both you and Fischl have a pet."
"Baba's not a pet. And Oz isn't either."
"Then what are they?"
"They're partners."
"Ah…"
"Master said magical girls usually have partners like these. They can be a big help sometimes."
"Oh."
Hanachirusato watched the chubby little bird pecking happily, her eyes softening. "Does Yaoyao have one too?"
"Mm. She has Yuegui—a mechanical bunny made by Cloud Retainer."
"…Then maybe I should find one too."
"If you want, you should."
"What about a little fox? Would that be good?"
"As long as you like it."
"Do I like it, huh…"
---
In another room—
Charlotte sat under the lamp, sorting through the photos she'd taken that afternoon of the [Ruin Grader].
Some were from when it had been dormant. Others captured the exact moment it reactivated—Yaoyao and Klee caught mid-battle in the frame.
Under the soft light, Charlotte brushed her fingertips over the glossy photos, her eyes distant.
When she'd decided to become a journalist, her father had been firmly against it.
He'd worked in the business too long. He knew exactly how dangerous this road could be.
Some things may only weigh a few ounces—but once printed and exposed to the world, they could crush you like a ton of bricks.
In all her years as a reporter, she'd faced her share of danger and even received death threats.
But as a Vision holder, she could handle what ordinary people couldn't.
Still, that close brush with death today… that had been her first.
The memory flashed again—the blinding beam of a laser cutting straight toward her body, the suffocating pressure of death coiling around her.
It had been terrifying.
And that was exactly why, when Yaoyao saved her, the relief and gratitude that flooded her chest felt so overwhelming.
Charlotte's gaze lingered on the photo of Yaoyao in her new outfit.
So that's… a magical girl's transformation form.
She'd known about magical girls long before this.
Back when they were all still in Mondstadt, Mr. Xia had once messaged her late at night, asking her to come to his room.
When she arrived, he'd handed her a modified Kamera and a specially tuned Wind Glider.
He told her Fischl and Qiqi were going out to "play night heroes" and asked her to follow them and take some secret shots.
That night, she'd seen the two of them wearing dazzling outfits, their power far beyond usual.
But as a journalist, she hadn't pried. She'd simply done her job—snapping beautiful, clean shots just as Mr. Xia requested.
And only today, after talking to Yaoyao, did she finally understand—they'd been magical girls too.
Magical girls… and witches…
If I became a magical girl too, is there any photo in all of Teyvat I couldn't capture?
Charlotte sighed softly, half amused, half wistful.
Her roommate, Mona, lay on the next bed scrolling through her phone. Hearing the sigh, she peeked over. "What's wrong with you?"
Charlotte shook her head. "Nothing…"
"Then why the sigh? Homesick?"
"No… really, it's nothing."
Since Yaoyao had told her to keep the magical girl thing secret, Charlotte couldn't explain.
Mona frowned. "Tch. You say nothing but act all mysterious…"
Charlotte gave a sheepish smile.
----
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