"The little thing looks rather unique…"
Aside from the Rockfond and Thundercraven variants, Rift Hounds also came in different sizes. The large ones had relatively complete bodies, while the smaller ones possessed only forelimbs and a head. Below the head trailed something uncertain—whether a tail or an underdeveloped spine—making them look as though… as though half a wolf or dog had been sliced cleanly in two. Fortunately, they had no flesh or blood…
Moreover, this form underscored the alchemical nature of their existence.
If the Fatui's act of creating Delusions from the remains of a god was already defying the laws of heaven, then Rhinedottir's feat—creating life capable of devouring elemental energy through pure alchemy—was undoubtedly a step beyond even the Fatui.
The key point was that she had survived since the war in Khaenri'ah. Her power was truly immeasurable.
"Good thing these creatures fight almost entirely in close combat." After clearing out the two nearby packs of Rift Hounds, Lumine shook the unidentified residue from her sword and then asked, "South, or north?"
"Actually, splitting up to link up with the Adventurers' Guild and the Shogunate would be the best option, but there are just too many of these dogs. Feels like going solo would be dangerous." Paimon rubbed her chin, clearly hesitant.
Normally, this would be where they met the Raiden Shogun. But since she wasn't here, Victor Wang found himself uncertain as well.
"Hey! You guys really aren't looking carefully—the tree roots to the south look damaged. That means the south side probably needs more help!"
Following Little Wen's direction, Paimon spotted traces of blue-violet sap scattered across the ground. "You're right! Let's hurry and check the south side then!"
The trail of sap trickled away into the distance. The farther they chased, the fewer Rift Hounds they encountered. Victor Wang realized they were heading the right way and silently praised Little Wen in his heart. Sure enough, not much farther ahead came the sounds of battle.
"Inazuma shines eternal!"
Three Rift Hounds were obliterated by a single slash from the Raiden Shogun. Beside her, Hanachirusato's delicate hands drew arcs of lightning through the air, and every creature struck fell lifelessly in an instant.
The fight ended quickly. The Raiden Shogun turned her head slightly. "It's you… It's been some time since we last met at Tenshukaku."
"Shogun? It's no surprise to see Hanachirusato here, but why are you here as well?"
"I came because of the Rift Hounds' attack on the Sacred Sakura."
"There are quite a lot of them, but with the adventurers and the Shogunate here, it's only a matter of time before they're wiped out, right?" Paimon asked, puzzled. Normally, something of this scale was no more than a Hilichurl assault on Mondstadt—hardly a crisis that would require a god's intervention.
The Raiden Shogun nodded in agreement. "If it were the Shogun who discovered this rather than me, she might indeed have chosen to ignore it. But these Rift Hounds attacking the Sacred Sakura… they remind me of the disaster of the past."
"The disaster of the past?"
"Five hundred years ago, Inazuma suffered a great calamity. The land was shrouded in thick, black fog, and demons roamed freely, committing countless atrocities. Many lives were lost, and the homes people had worked so hard to build nearly perished entirely. The Rift Hounds have always been the vanguard of such demon hordes—their task is to tear open rifts in space with their claws and fangs, summoning far greater beasts to follow."
Lumine glanced at the silent Hanachirusato and recalled what Aether and Dainsleif had said before. Connecting the dots, she murmured, "That black calamity… Five hundred years ago—it happened at the same time as Khaenri'ah, didn't it…"
"So, you've heard of it as well. It's something I would rather never recall. Perhaps to you, my caution toward the Rift Hounds seems excessive." The Raiden Shogun's gaze swept toward Victor Wang. "But… such excess is not without reason."
"Understandable."
"Still, their appearance this time is strange—no warning signs, no reinforcements."
As the serious conversation went on, Lumine exchanged a nervous glance with Paimon, who immediately dragged her aside.
"So, Rift Hounds appeared five hundred years ago too… Lumine, what if it's because we killed their leader? Maybe they tracked us across the sea, found the Sacred Sakura that once blocked their path five centuries ago, and turned their hatred toward it instead?"
"That's… not impossible."
"So, this whole thing is our fault?!"
"…We'll just have to take them all down before they cause anything worse. Yes, that's the plan."
After their quick huddle, the two ran back.
"Ahem!" Paimon declared loudly, "Then let's hurry and wipe these monsters out! It'll be bad if they summon anything stronger!"
"Agreed. Since there are four of us, then Ei and Hanachirusato will head south, while Victor and I go north. That way, we can double the clearing speed."
Hanachirusato's fingers twisted beneath her sleeve, her eyes tightening as she suddenly lifted her head.
Victor Wang froze—that grouping didn't seem right.
Without Lumine, who would save Ei when she inevitably fought herself again?
It wasn't that he doubted Hanachirusato, but… knowing the "right answer," there was no need to introduce new variables.
The Raiden Shogun, however, seemed unaware and simply nodded.
"Let's go!" Lumine and Paimon turned to leave, eager to make up for their mistake.
"Wait!" Victor Wang and Hanachirusato shouted in unison.
The two stopped in their tracks, bodies stiffening. Paimon tried to look casual, though she was clearly sweating inside. "Huh? What's wrong?"
What's wrong?
I don't know either—I haven't come up with anything yet!
Victor Wang scratched his head and gestured to Hanachirusato. "You go first."
"I…" Hanachirusato glanced nervously at the Raiden Shogun, then at Victor, finally turning to Paimon. "Can I… team up with Victor instead?"
"Sure, sure…" Paimon wiped away imaginary sweat and swapped places between Lumine and Hanachirusato.
The Raiden Shogun thought for a moment, then accepted the arrangement.
…
"Whew…"
"Are you really that nervous?"
"I'm using Ei's body and Kitsune Saiguu's memories—how could I not be nervous in front of her? Besides… seeing me must remind her of things she'd rather forget."
Victor Wang fell silent, trying to imagine it—losing one's closest friend, only for the friend's memories to reappear in another's form. There would be no hatred, since it was that friend's will… but sorrow? That was inevitable.
"But you call her Ei?"
"Mm… Ei said I should just treat her as a friend, no need to be so formal."
"…And the Lady Yae? Didn't she tell you how to address her?"
"Lady Yae Miko told me to call her Lady Yae. That's exactly what she said."
"That woman…"
"I can guess what she's thinking. As long as she's happy." Hanachirusato blinked playfully. "Oh right—earlier, when you stopped Paimon, what were you trying to say?"
"That's not important."
"Hmm?"
"Ahem, I noticed that when you fought the Rift Hounds, you didn't seem to get your elemental energy devoured. How did you manage that?"
Hanachirusato looked up at the clear sky and said wistfully, "That's five hundred years of experience. The Rift Hounds need an instant to process when devouring elemental energy. If you divide your elemental power into two layers—one as bait for them, the other for your real strike—you can hit them in that fleeting moment. It's short, maybe only achievable with Electro energy."
"Five hundred years of experience, huh…"