Shortly after leaving the Delusion Factory, the group encountered Gorou.
Gorou was shocked to see Yuna in such a dire state on Kuki Shinobu's back, and Lumine unconscious within Yae Miko's Electro circle.
"What happened?!"
Kuki Shinobu explained to Gorou, "There was a Fatui Harbinger in the Delusion Factory. He's the one who injured Yuna and the Traveler."
"What?!" Gorou felt a wave of guilt. "I'm so sorry. We should have gotten here sooner."
He then turned his gaze toward Lumine, who remained within Yae Miko's Electro circle. Compared to Yuna, who was battered but at least conscious, Lumine's condition seemed far worse.
"Don't worry," Yae Miko said, her gaze fixed on Gorou with keen interest, especially his fluffy tail. "The little one is merely unconscious."
Soft, fluffy, and a lovely color—hmm, top quality!
Gorou felt a chill run down his spine under Yae Miko's intense stare.
"Y-you're Yae Miko of Grand Narukami Shrine?!"
"You must be General Gorou of the Resistance. I've heard so much about you. Meeting you in person confirms... you're quite adorable..."
Gorou: "..."
Shouldn't that last phrase be "lives up to the hype"?
Ahem, I'm getting off track.
"Miss Kuki Shinobu, I'll take them to the rear for treatment right away!"
Before Kuki Shinobu could respond, Yae Miko interjected, "This Traveler is being corroded by the wrath of the gods. Do you truly have a way to cure her?"
Gorou: "Well..."
Yae Miko continued, "Perhaps we should take them back to Grand Narukami Shrine. I can help treat them along the way."
Kuki Shinobu had spent some time with the Resistance. Compared to their current situation, Yuna and the Traveler would undoubtedly receive better treatment at Grand Narukami Shrine.
"Alright, there's no time to lose. You two take the Traveler and Yuna for treatment immediately. We'll handle things here!"
-
When Lumine awoke, she saw Yae Miko upside down.
"Repeat after me: 'Three, two, one; one, two, three; ah, ah—' Hurry!"
Still dazed, Lumine repeated the phrase.
Yae Miko chuckled. "Hmm, not bad, not bad. At least your brain seems mostly intact for now. Hmm..."
"We barely managed to retrieve you from that little hole you were stuck in. It would be a real shame if you were broken."
Lumine rubbed her head and stood up, carefully piecing together the events before she lost consciousness.
Delusion... Scaramouche...
"Traveler, are you alright...?" Paimon asked worriedly, noticing Lumine's dazed state.
"Paimon, what happened after I passed out?"
Paimon: "After you fainted, Yuna and Scaramouche started fighting. That wretched Scaramouche injured Yuna. Then Kuki Shinobu arrived, and soon after, Lady Guuji Yae appeared. We brought you and Yuna back to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
"Yuna's hurt? How is she now? Where is she?"
It was Lumine who had taken Yuna to the Delusion Factory, but at the critical moment, she had faltered, leaving Yuna to face Scaramouche alone...
If anything happened to Yuna, Lumine would never forgive herself!
Paimon: "Traveler, Yuna was able to get up yesterday. She's already back home now."
Lumine sighed in relief.
Yae Miko: "That little one's recovery ability even surprised me. Despite having some internal organ ruptures, she healed completely in just a few days. Tsk tsk, young people these days..."
"Internal... ruptures...?"
Lumine's face darkened, and her hands clenched into fists.
Scaramouche!
You can hurt me, but harming those around me is absolutely unforgivable!
Lumine's hatred for Scaramouche reached its peak.
Paimon, recalling the detestable figure in the Delusion Factory, also gnashed her teeth in fury.
After calming down a bit, Paimon asked Yae Miko:
"Uhm, I've been wondering this since the beginning... Yae Miko, why are your speech and demeanor so different from when we first met you?"
-
A day earlier, at the Arataki Gang's headquarters:
"What?! Who hurt you like this, Yuna? Tell me, and I'll make them pay right now!"
A slightly weakened Yuna returned to the Arataki Gang's headquarters, and Itto rushed over as soon as he heard the news.
Yuna's current state enraged Itto; she had rarely seen him so furious.
"Boss, forget it. You wouldn't stand a chance against them."
"What?! I wouldn't stand a chance? Impossible! Don't underestimate me, Yuna! Just tell me who it was, and I'll definitely avenge you!"
Kuki Shinobu couldn't stand it any longer and stopped Itto, who was shouting wildly:
"Boss, keep your voice down! Let Yuna get some rest."
"Oh, right! My bad. Yuna, rest well and take care of yourself!"
Yuna waved her hand dismissively. She was actually almost fully recovered; her apparent weakness was merely the mental exhaustion from being forcibly confined in one place for so long by her Second Sister.
For some unknown reason, Lady Guuji, despite knowing she was almost fully recovered, told Second Sister that she needed more time to rest and recuperate. What ulterior motive could she possibly have?
"Second Sister, I'm really fine! Look, I can even stand up and swing a Claymore right now!"
But just as Yuna tried to rise, Kuki Shinobu gently pressed her back down.
Meeting those authoritative eyes, Yuna obediently sat back down.
Fine, she thought. The main storyline hasn't reached a critical point yet anyway. To avoid another lecture from Second Sister, I guess I'll just rest properly for the next few days.
Kuki Shinobu had been right all along. For several days at the Arataki Gang's hideout, Yuna didn't see a single Shogunate Army soldier coming to arrest her.
During this time, the Boss visited her often, staying for long stretches and even letting Ushi out to dance to stave off her boredom.
But without a Vision, how can the Boss summon Ushi?
And then there were Mamoru and the others, who frequently came to check on her, showering her with warmth and concern that truly touched Yuna's heart.
-
During this time, Lumine first underwent special training to counter the Raiden Shogun, after which Kujou Sara sought her out.
Later, with the help of Sayu from the Shuumatsuban and the energetic Yoimiya, Kujou Sara finally saw through the Head of the House's true nature.
In a corner of Inazuma City.
Angie instructed Ailina beside her, "Go wait for me by the Ritou docks. Be ready to depart at any moment. We'll regroup later."
"Ma'am, what are you planning to do?"
Angie gazed at the tenshukaku. "I'm going to rescue someone who doesn't understand the situation. The Electro Archon of Inazuma isn't as forgiving as the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt or the Geo Archon of Liyue."
"Ma'am, if I come with you, could I be of assistance?"
Angie sized Ailina up and down. "Return and wait for me."
"But..."
"Obey the order!"
"...Yes, ma'am!"
After Ailina left, Angie strolled through Inazuma City.
Rescuing someone from the Raiden Shogun's clutches was no easy feat. Even La Signora had failed and been struck down alongside her would-be savior.
I just hope the Raiden Shogun doesn't truly want La Signora dead. If she can't save her in time, she'll have to activate Plan B.
And then, I'll just have to hope Yae Miko pulls her weight.