As for aerial flight, that wasn't some kind of bug.
Video games have to account for skill bar limits and character mechanics; a lot of things simply can't be shown, and often some quests end up being a little clumsy or forced. But in the real world, there's no such restriction.
The magics of Narukami Grand Shrine, for instance, could never be reduced to just one or two skills. They encompass detection, exorcism, crafting extraordinary items, divination, healing—a complete, integrated system.
"They call it 'basic sorcery,' but the learning curve is anything but basic. This is a legacy left by the Kitsune Shrine—it would be considered a direct pathway to the soul in a cultivation novel."
For this reason, the 'graduation level' at Narukami Grand Shrine is only level 3. That's roughly the upper limit for an ordinary practitioner, yet Aiden's level 7 spells allow him to accomplish far more.
It's all thanks to the proficiency panel with its motto, "Effort always yields results." It lets Aiden be a Saber and a Caster at the same time, even moonlighting as an Assassin if needed.
If he had crossed into the Type-Moon world, he could probably fight in a whole Holy Grail War alone—though no matter the class, he'd still take the sword and charge into close combat.
Aiden looked down over the island, and as he left Narukami Island's perimeter, the view opened up to a wide expanse of sea dotted with tiny islands, like pieces on a chessboard. Calm, serene—almost like a painting.
In the distance, the outline of Kannazuka could already be made out.
Kannazuka—"The Place Unwatched by Gods"—lay between Yashiori Island and Narukami Island. Its complicated terrain made it a refuge for wayward samurai, and over time, it became the base for countless sea rovers: the "Liangshan" of Inazuma.
After the Inazuma civil war erupted, fleeing soldiers and bandits poured in, many forced to set up camp on the coast or simply take over Hilichurl encampments.
"The Hilichurls of Inazuma are probably the unluckiest on Teyvat… though the samurai aren't far behind. Drop rates are ridiculously low."
Aiden sighed. He'd never forget the grueling grind to craft hilichurl swords for his wives—especially Ayaka. Maxing out all three of her skills had practically drained him.
"What? How do you know I spent 80 pulls for Ayaka's second constellation?"
Approaching his destination, Aiden subdued his thunderlight and followed early Yuzu's qi to a camp.
It was one of those ubiquitous Hilichurl villages: huts, fences, campfires, even sections for farming and pig-rearing. Now, sea rovers had completely taken over and reinforced the perimeter.
These weren't ordinary bandits. From afar, Aiden noticed their uniforms: standard Tensho Magistrate armor, precise patrol movements and disciplined stances—they were clearly trained soldiers.
"Looks like deserters."
"Early Yuzu has infiltrated the camp… I wonder how things are going."
If this were a simple extermination mission, Aiden would've kicked down the fence and started a full "Assassin's Creed" maneuver. But with hostages involved, recklessness was out of the question.
He held his breath, masking his aura as he slipped through a gap in the fence.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, just a gust of wind."
The patrolling samurai felt a breeze brush past, paused to scan the surroundings, found nothing, and relaxed.
[Aura Suppression: C]
Aiden had never formally trained in stealth—it was simply a reflection of his martial prowess. More than enough to handle ordinary soldiers. The light drizzle helped mask his movements even further.
"There really are Fatui…"
Aiden stopped. Three huts made up the camp. Outside the central hut stood the Fatui F4: Ice Fat, Water Fat, Thunder Hammer, and Wind Fist. Inside, the Mirror Maiden negotiated with the leader of the sea rovers.
These Fatui F4 were hulking figures, more realistic in style than their game counterparts, armor and weapons gleaming with a cold metallic light.
Thunder Hammer in particular radiated latent intimidation: a massive hammer entwined with faint lightning, exuding raw pressure. No wonder he had been a coveted character in early game pulls.
They hadn't expected anyone sneaking in—only guarding the front gate. Aiden quietly circled to the rear of the hut, soon catching fragments of conversation:
"I have the person. She's in the leftmost hut. Now it's your turn to uphold your end: take me to Sangonomiya Kokomi and give me the artifact that can channel elemental energy."
"Captain Matsuzaka, there's no need to rush. Though the rebel forces repelled the Shogunate army by unsealing the sacred relic, that's only temporary. If your squad joins them, the strategist Sangonomiya Kokomi wouldn't refuse."
"Hah, easy for you to say. I killed so many people on Watatsumi Island—do you really think the rebels would accept me so easily?"
The samurai, Matsuzaka, bore the scars of battle across his armor and a still-healing jagged slash on his face.
"Rest assured. The rebels need power above all. Battles are only battles; allegiances are secondary."
The Mirror Maiden's expression was indifferent, her high-slit robe revealing glimpses of snow-white, well-shaped legs.
"And Captain Matsuzaka, you don't truly believe that Watatsumi Island launched a war out of pure concern for Narukami's people's wishes, do you? If that were the case, the rebels would have executed everyone who unsealed the relics, not simply imprison them."
Matsuzaka remained silent. Months of civil war had taught him better than to believe Watatsumi Island was fighting for anyone's idealistic notions.
The Eye Hunt Decree affected them little; the Seclusion Decree was the real killer. Watatsumi Island couldn't grow enough food. For a millennium, they survived by trading with the Shogunate, yet as followers of the defeated deity they had no bargaining power, forced to sell their goods at a loss.
The Seclusion Decree had cornered them entirely. War, at its core, is simply politics by other means.
"That strategist Sangonomiya Kokomi… she knows that if Watatsumi continues like this, they'll be crushed. So she raised the banner against the Eye Hunt Decree, uniting all forces to ignite this war. If they gain even a slight advantage, Watatsumi can grasp a chance at survival, a foothold in negotiation."
Of course, they might also risk angering Raiden Shogun, inviting annihilation. The disparity in strength left them no choice—it was a battle for survival.
Hearing the Mirror Maiden praise Kokomi, Matsuzaka scoffed. "Hmph. If it weren't for the Fatui supporting them behind the scenes, how could Watatsumi have survived on their rations? And if not for the Shogunate…"
"Had the Shogunate not deliberately held back, refusing full force, the situation wouldn't have escalated this way, correct?" The Mirror Maiden's voice was teasing.