Am I... about to die?
At this moment, a series of images flashed through Arataki Itto's mind, the most frequent of which were his fellow Arataki Gang members.
"Protection of the Deep Sea!"
Just as Arataki Itto was watching his life flash before his eyes, a voice broke through his thoughts.
The arrow fired by Sasayuri suddenly met with immense resistance, its speed plummeting. By the time it reached Arataki Itto's chest, it had lost all momentum. The Electro Elemental Power contained within erupted violently, but it was immediately enveloped by a soft blue light, ultimately fading into nothingness.
Seeing this, Sasayuri's eyes narrowed. He abandoned the idea of trying to kill Arataki Itto again and quickly retreated.
"All generals, heed my order! Full-scale assault!"
Sasayuri issued the command and then withdrew behind the Shogunate Army.
Sasayuri knew who the owner of that voice was, and he was no match for that person.
It wasn't that he was afraid of dying in battle again, but rather that he had reasons why he couldn't die!
As Sasayuri's order was issued, the Shogunate Army, formed into several square phalanxes, immediately charged in unison to surround Arataki Itto's trio—and perhaps the newly arrived Sangonomiya Kokomi as well.
"Lady Sangonomiya!"
Thoma's face lit up with obvious joy upon seeing Sangonomiya Kokomi, and he also breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Lady Sangonomiya, for saving our boss. If you ever need anything in the future, please be sure to let the Arataki Gang handle it!"
Kuki Shinobu, seeing Arataki Itto out of danger and feeling sensation gradually return to her body, cupped her fist in a gesture of profound gratitude.
"Miss Kuki Shinobu, there's no need for such formality. We can discuss any matters once we reach a safe place."
Sangonomiya Kokomi waved her hand dismissively, then tossed out a transparent jellyfish to heal everyone. The injuries on Arataki Itto and the other two quickly healed. At the same time, the Hydro Elemental Power unleashed by the jellyfish struck the Shogunate Army's phalanxes like a tide, though the effect was not very significant.
The next second, a hail of arrows flew through the sky. Sangonomiya Kokomi slightly condensed the Hydro Element in the air and completely blocked them all.
"Let's go!"
Hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's words, Kuki Shinobu and Thoma immediately nodded and then closely followed behind her.
"Hey, wait for me!"
"Hurry up, Boss!"
Arataki Itto recalled Ushi again, then also hastily caught up.
"Forget it, don't pursue them."
Seeing the four figures gradually distance themselves, Sasayuri raised her hand, ordering the Shogunate Army to cease their pursuit.
Although they outnumbered them, Sangonomiya Kokomi was not an enemy who could be defeated by numbers alone.
Sangonomiya Kokomi was not very skilled in direct combat, but she was also very hard to kill.
Earlier, during the party's escape, Sasayuri had tried several times, but the arrows she shot were all easily intercepted. She had quickly given up completely.
Meanwhile, after realizing no pursuers were following them, the four breathed a sigh of relief, then found a safe place to talk.
"As expected, the Shogunate side has also encountered the same thing..."
Hearing Kuki Shinobu's words, Sangonomiya Kokomi sighed softly.
"Actually, I thought the mastermind was planning to incite a war between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate, but now it seems he just wants to cause a massacre."
After all, inciting a war only takes a tiny spark, while the opponent has directly started two fires.
"Lady Sangonomiya, are the residents of Watatsumi Island okay?"
Hearing Thoma's concerned inquiry, Sangonomiya Kokomi nodded.
"I have already moved everyone to Enkanomiya as much as possible. Even a god couldn't easily open the seal at the passage, so you don't need to worry too much."
"The urgent matter now is to figure out the true purpose of the mastermind, so I plan to go to Yashiori Island to take a look."
"But before that, I will escort you away safely."
Hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's words, Thoma and Kuki Shinobu immediately shook their heads.
"Lady Sangonomiya, please don't delay your important matters because of us. The few of us have a certain ability to protect ourselves."
"It's still better to escort you for a while. After all, you've already been exposed, and the forces obstructing the way will definitely not be underestimated."
After Sangonomiya Kokomi finished speaking, she paused and then continued.
"Moreover, you have traveled so far and gone through several battles. Although I have helped you completely heal the injuries on your bodies, I cannot heal the mental fatigue."
"You risked your lives to come to Watatsumi Island, and as the leader of Watatsumi Island, I will definitely not leave you alone."
Hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's tone that brooked no refusal, Thoma and Kuki Shinobu finally nodded in agreement.
"Are we leaving already?"
"But I haven't taught that male Tengu a good lesson yet, isn't it too humiliating to go back like this!"
"Boss, don't say such willful things."
"Facing up to your own weakness is also what a real man should do."
Kuki Shinobu soothed Arataki Itto's emotions just like soothing a child.
"What? Shinobu, you think I can't beat that male Tengu?!"
Arataki Itto stood up.
"Isn't that the case?" Kuki Shinobu asked back.
"I was just, I was just fighting all the way and haven't recovered yet, if I find him in my best condition I will definitely beat him!"
"Boss, right now the only part of you that's tough is your mouth!"
Kuki Shinobu complained with a face full of helplessness, then looked at Sangonomiya Kokomi with an apologetic gaze.
"Sorry Lady Sangonomiya, let you see a joke, my boss is just like this."
"Damn, Shinobu, you actually don't believe me as your boss anymore, I'm going to find that male Tengu right now and win back!"
Arataki Itto turned around to leave in anger, however he stopped after walking a few steps.
"Shinobu, why aren't you stopping me?"
"I'm calculating whether our Arataki Gang's funds are still enough to buy a tombstone."
"I've just finished the calculations, and the funds are insufficient. It looks like you'll have to be buried in a remote wilderness, Boss. To save money, I won't bring any other Arataki Gang members along to visit your grave after this."
After hearing Kuki Shinobu's words, Arataki Itto slumped back down to the ground like a deflated balloon.
"How could that male Tengu be so much stronger than the Kujou Chicken?"
Although Arataki Itto was somewhat reckless, he wasn't a fool. With such an obvious gap in strength, he wouldn't be so stupid as to go back and offer his head.
He just felt it was a bit embarrassing. After all, he was the Arataki Gang's boss, whom Shinobu saw as an awe-inspiringly heroic and tall, powerful leader!
If Kuki Shinobu knew what Arataki Itto was thinking at this moment, she would definitely have given him a hard glare.
Seeing the interaction between Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu, Sangonomiya Kokomi found it quite interesting. She chuckled softly behind her hand, then spoke.
"Rest for another half hour, and then we'll set off."
-
Arlecchino walked along the familiar streets. The pedestrians on the road who saw her showed admiration, gratitude, and fear, but none of this mattered to her.
Before long, Arlecchino returned to the House of the Hearth, though she did not enter through the front gate.
"Who's there?"
Lyney immediately grew alert as he sensed the faint killing intent Arlecchino had deliberately released, and he swiftly arranged for the other children to evacuate in an orderly manner.
After all the other children had left, Arlecchino revealed herself to Lyney and Lynette, who were filled with vigilance.
"Excellent. Even though I haven't supervised you for so long, you have still maintained a high level of vigilance. I am pleased."
The moment they saw Arlecchino appear, Lyney and Lynette's faces instantly showed immense surprise, which then turned into delight.
"Father!"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Arlecchino began to ask Lyney about the recent situation at the House of the Hearth.
"Because Father was away from Fontaine and the Fatui were walking on thin ice here, I have not assigned any dangerous or special missions to my younger brothers and sisters during this time, ensuring everyone's safety as much as possible."
"Yes, you have done very well, Lyney."
"It seems you are becoming more and more suitable to take over my position."
Hearing Arlecchino's words, Lyney felt a jolt of surprise in his heart, then immediately lowered his head.
"Father, my abilities are still far from being comparable to yours!"
"There's no need to be overly humble, you have already done very well."
Arlecchino waved her hand, then walked to the bed, rested both hands on the windowsill, and slowly spoke.
"In fact, I returned this time precisely to handle this matter."
"As the global situation changes rapidly, the Fatui are on the verge of collapsing. I need you to take over my position and take good care of your younger brothers and sisters."
Hearing Arlecchino's words, both Lyney and Lynette were deeply shaken. The amount of information in this sentence was astonishing, even faintly hinting at Arlecchino's intention to break away from the Fatui.
"Father, just what has happened?"
Arlecchino remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking.
"I received the latest news from Monsieur Neuvillette. Liyue's oldest Geo Archon lost to Number Three, Persephone."
After hearing this news, Lyney and Lynette's pupils suddenly constricted.
"As time passes, the strength of that organization's Numbered Members is becoming more and more terrifying."
"As for No. 2, he has been silent for a long time. When he next appears, his strength will likely have reached a terrifying level."
"The Fatui's strength is simply no longer enough."
"As Monsieur Neuvillette said, the time has come for the Seven Nations to form a close alliance."
"The most critical difficulty in forming an alliance lies in the distance between nations, which causes information to be delayed, but Monsieur Neuvillette has already found a way to solve this problem."
"The great trend is about to arrive; Teyvat's sky is about to completely change."
If it were just developing a network, thinking the Seven Nations would unite would undoubtedly be a fairy tale. But with the distant Dark Apocalypse and the nearby chaos caused by the Numbered Members, the cooperation of the Seven Nations has become almost inevitable.
One must know that three nations have not yet experienced the chaos caused by the Numbered Members. To say the rulers of those nations are not panicking would be a lie.
"So even if you take over my position, you don't need to change anything, Lyney."
Arlecchino turned around and spoke softly to Lyney.
"I feel very relieved handing the House of the Hearth over to you."
"You are different from me. I only know slaughter and destruction, while your strength comes from protection."
"Compared to me, the children of the House of the Hearth need you more."
Arlecchino had never spoken to Lyney in such a gentle tone, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
"Father, are you going to leave us?"
The "leaving" Lyney spoke of was not leaving the House of the Hearth, but leaving this world. Lyney saw a hint of resolve in Arlecchino's eyes.
Lyney did not know what choice Arlecchino had made, nor why she had made it.
This time Arlecchino did not answer, merely finding a spot to sit with her legs crossed, remaining silent for a long while.
By the time Lyney and Lynette noticed, Arlecchino's figure had already vanished from the spot, leaving only her final message in the air.
"From now on, you are Father, Lyney."
"Perhaps you can also change to another title, like Older Brother."
"Father!"
-
On Narukami Island, a force of only about one or two hundred people launched a fierce attack on Inazuma City.
After Kujou Sara had withdrawn a large number of personnel from the Tenryou Commission, Inazuma City fell almost instantly. Fortunately, the Yashiro Commission noticed the situation was wrong, reacted in time, and immediately filled in to prevent further casualties.
However, the combat strength of this force far exceeded everyone's imagination. The Yashiro Commission was originally just an agency for handling civil affairs, and even with the Shuumatsuban fighting fires everywhere, they still retreated in waves.
"Milady, we can't hold on here! Those people are too strong!"
"Milady, you must leave quickly! Don't let them hurt you!"
Seeing the situation on the battlefield continuously deteriorating, Kamisato Ayaka's face was filled with worry and urgency. The enemy had chosen a time when her older brother was not around, otherwise the situation would not be so severe.
"Milady, we can't hold them back! You must leave quickly!"
Kamisato Ayaka looked at the front line that was about to collapse, took a deep breath, folded the folding fan in her hand, and then slowly drew the Amenoma Kageuchi katana from her waist.
"Milady?"
Kamisato Ayaka's expression was very serious as she spoke slowly.
"Behind me are the common people of Inazuma. There is no retreat for me!"
After uttering those words that deeply moved her guards, Kamisato Ayaka slowly closed her eyes. A moment later, she snapped them open, and a power of extreme cold erupted from her body.
"Sakura Blossom!"
A violent surge of Cryo Elemental Power swept across the battlefield like a hurricane, instantly engulfing several enemies. Then, before everyone's eyes, their bodies were torn apart piece by piece.
There were no bloody scenes, for these were all resurrected Heroic Spirits.
"Soldiers, stand with me and repel the foreign invaders!"
As Kamisato Ayaka's words fell, her figure melted away like snow and ice, then reappeared before one of the enemies.
She sheathed her sword, then drew it, delivering four consecutive strikes in almost an instant, severely wounding the man.
Kamisato Ayaka's actions inspired the members of the Yashiro Commission. Their morale soared, and with bloodshot eyes, they unleashed power beyond their limits, following her lead and even launching a counterattack.
With Kamisato Ayaka's participation, they even managed to briefly suppress the enemy's assault.
However, just at this moment, the cries of battle and screams of agony erupted from another location. Their spirits instantly wavered, and the tide of battle turned back in the enemy's favor...