He was in the rear residence, the staff quarters. It was still afternoon, and Shikao Nana, as this week's Final Harbinger, should have been handling duties outside.
Hearing his question, she gave a wry smile. "It's that little rascal Sayu. I looked everywhere and couldn't find her."
She quickened her pace to reach him. Though four or five years older, she had to tilt her head to meet Aiden's height—he'd grown fast from rigorous sword training, and unlike male Anemo Vision holders, his physique was fully developed.
He wasn't just tall—he was a grown man in stature.
"Sayu hiding again? Did you check my place? I was just going to look for her too."
"I did. She wasn't there. That girl… she thinks sleeping more will make her taller. Sometimes her naps are longer than her training."
Shikao Nana sighed, used to tending to Sayu since her master left, often exhausted by the child's mischief. But she paused at the topic of height, studying Aiden. "You've grown quite a bit… I wish my cousin Heizo could grow like you. Too bad Anemo Vision holders are… well, short. Maybe that's why Sayu won't get taller."
"It's just Wind male holders. Look at Jean of Mondstadt—she's tall," Aiden corrected.
Nana blinked. "Really? I only heard she's respected by the knights and citizens, called the soul of Mondstadt."
"Jean's butt is the soul of Mondstadt," Aiden thought, and smirked inwardly.
The travelers' intel confirmed the Traveler was Lumine, not Aether—thanks to the Final Harbinger network.
Aiden asked casually, "Any news about that blonde stranger recently?"
"Ah, the one who fought the dragon? Lord Miyaji ordered us to monitor closely. There should be a report in a couple of days," Shikao Nana answered.
To these shrine maidens, Aiden was Yae Miko's direct disciple, even honored by the Shogun in swordsmanship—a legitimate heir of Inazuma. There was no reason to hide secrets from him.
Aiden nodded. Though Inazuma was under a storm, the danger was mostly to ordinary people. Even the Fatui could communicate externally; Miko was far beyond that.
He guessed her interest in Lumine was to find a breakthrough externally, just as Kamisato Ayaka did.
'Ah, no wonder Miko wanted to prepare the Grand Sakura Purification. She hasn't confirmed the Traveler's tool-like nature yet. A few days, a new report comes in, and she'll probably slack off.' Aiden smirked inwardly.
Shikao Nana, unaware of his thoughts, asked worriedly, "Are you looking for Sayu? Did she cause trouble?"
"No, I just want to go on a mission with her."
"Oh? Congratulations, then," she said, slightly surprised. She assumed he finally received his mission clearance.
"Let's find her together."
She began scanning the surroundings, wary of Sayu's disguises.
Aiden stopped her. "No need. I can contact her magically. I gave her a talisman—it'll work as a communication medium."
Making protective talismans was a basic Narukami Grand Shrine skill. Though he couldn't store consciousness like Miko, a temporary call was fine.
He whispered the spell, linking his mind to the talisman, and turned on "hands-free" for Nana to hear.
"Sayu, where are you?"
"Ah? I'm above Kurarara Island."
The childlike voice carried through the magic. Instinctively, she answered upon hearing his voice, then asked, "Aiden, is that you?"
"Yes. I want to go on the mission with you. You're… above Kurarara Island?"
"Yeah. I'm scouting. Everything's normal here."
Aiden typed a question mark in his mind.
Inazuma was a classic island nation, with many small scattered islands besides the main ones like Narukami. Their names often came from local lore, beyond even Yae Miko's recall.
But Kurarara Island… that name was ridiculous. Just saying it made one imagine a plane crash.
Suppressing a laugh, he asked, "Where exactly is Kurarara Island? What mission are you on?"
"Near the southeast corner of Kamuna Tomb. I got an urgent request from a shrine officer: a group of Sea Hooligans kidnapped his daughter and forced him to come to Kamuna Tomb to ransom her."
"What?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow. Before he could question further, Sayu's tone grew anxious.
"No time to explain—they brought a huge crowd to the meeting point. It's… Fatui advance troops, plus a Mirror Maiden."
She abruptly ended the call, focusing on the sudden danger.
Aiden expected it—Sayu might like to slack off, but she worked hard to grow strong and protect others. Still, she always hung up on him too fast—his questions couldn't keep up!
Shikao Nana's expression turned worried. "This is bad. The Fatui must be behind this. Sayu probably can't handle them."
"Don't worry. Sayu isn't reckless," he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
His calm, steady tone restored her composure. She analyzed the situation, hand on chin.
"The Fatui have deep roots in Inazuma. This civil war… they're behind it. Targeting shrine officers now must have big plans."
"I understand. I'll spare lives if I can."
Aiden wasn't surprised. The Fatui orchestrated rebellion, intercepted Sakura energy, placed insiders in the resistance—it wasn't shocking that they resorted to kidnappings.
He shook his head, then rushed toward the cliff's edge, transforming into lightning, streaking away amid Nana's awed gaze.
[Skills (Magic): Narukami Grand Shrine Basic Magic lv7]
…
High above, violet lightning tore through the clouds, leaving a rainbow behind him.
As an incarnate, using elemental power was odd—his Vision was only a tool, with no wish or divine gaze attached.
Yet it was enough.
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