Real World — Liyue, Wangshu Inn.
Lumine no longer knew what kind of expression to wear.
In Mondstadt, she was wanted for stealing the Holy Lyre der Himmel.
In Liyue, she was wanted again after "accidentally" getting too close to the Rite of Descension.
And now, in Inazuma—just because she could use elemental power without a Vision—she was wanted yet again!
[Lumine]: What did I ever do to deserve this?!
[Gu Chen]: Looks like someone's having a mental breakdown.
[Kaeya]: Can't blame her. Anyone would snap after being wanted in every nation they visit. (facepalm + smirk)
[Venti]: Traveler! With luck like yours, even bards would sing about you. You're clearly the protagonist of this world! (proud)
[Lumine]: Can I not have this kind of protagonist treatment?! I'm so done with being wanted! (bitter)
[Ningguang]: It's fine. At least it's your past life that's wanted. In this one, as long as you don't break any laws in Liyue, you'll be safe.
[Lumine]: Thank you… my broken heart feels just a little warmer now.
[Tartaglia]: Am I the only one who noticed? The Raiden Shogun didn't pursue Lumine because of Gu Chen.
And—when the Shogun attacked, Lumine was pulled into some kind of space, right? There was another Shogun inside!
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: (alert)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Does that mean… There are two Shoguns? (curious)
[Tartaglia]: Obviously! Didn't you notice their completely different auras and expressions?
[Yae Miko]: (Yae Miko·mischievous grin)
[Gu Chen]: If I had to choose, I'd pick the inner one—she seems more emotional.
[Tartaglia]: I'll take the outer one! She's colder, but that just makes her a sharper fighter.
[Kaeya]: Bro… are you two seriously picking favorites right now?
[Yae Miko]: Better prepare yourselves for a Musou no Hitotachi. (posts photo)
[Tartaglia]: Haha, I'm not stupid enough to test that. Besides, I'm already in jail.
[Gu Chen]: (troll face)
[Furina]: So… can I assume the Raiden Shogun actually has split personality disorder?
[Nahida]: (nervous)
[Zhongli]: What makes you say that, Lady Furina?
[Furina]: I don't know—just a gut feeling! And my instincts are never wrong.
[Gu Chen]: No comment… but judging from everyone's messages, her theory isn't entirely off.
[Yae Miko]: (smirk intensifies)
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: I can't comprehend this… (Kokomi·motion sick)
[Gorou]: Well, since Miss Lumine's wanted, she's got no choice but to join us in the Resistance! (Paimon·leave it to me!)
[Kujou Sara]: Hmph!
In the video:
Lumine and Thoma had returned to Komore Teahouse.
Thoma was safe there—but Lumine and Paimon, being wanted criminals, were not.
Their only option now: join the Resistance.
Along the way, they rescued a Resistance soldier.
[Raiden Ei]: Why does the war between the Shogunate and Watatsumi Island look… strange to me? (confused)
[Yae Miko]: You'll have to ask the Tenryou Commission that one~ (shrugs)
[Kujou Sara]: Sangonomiya Kokomi is a formidable opponent. And there's a mysterious outside force aiding the Resistance!
[Raiden Ei]: No, I mean—why is the fighting so intense? (confused)
After all, since Orobashi's death, Watatsumi Island had technically been under the Shogunate's rule.
It was managed by priestesses of Sangonomiya rather than direct officials—a system born from faith differences, not rebellion.
So why the war? What was Watatsumi doing?
Ei's gaze turned to the light screen.
"You must've heard by now—the Resistance's goal is to defeat the Shogunate Army and abolish the Vision Hunt Decree. Tell me, what's your reason for joining?" Gorou asked.
"The hundredth Vision…"
"Come to think of it, during battle we found wanted posters on some Shogunate soldiers—'A blond traveler and a mysterious flying companion'… That's you two, huh?!" Gorou said, shocked.
"Who are you calling a pet!?" Paimon roared.
"My apologies! Anyway, I understand your situation. On behalf of the Resistance, I officially welcome you!" Gorou said with a grin.
And just like that, Lumine and Paimon joined the Resistance, following Teppei to understand their current state.
[Gu Chen]: The Shogun shows no mercy. My bet's on the Resistance! (troll grin)
[Venti]: Same! Let's go, Resistance! Fight the power!
[Kaeya]: Too bad the Resistance doesn't have a god on their side. That'd even the odds.
[Gu Chen]: Then… Rise, Orobashi!! (roars dramatically)
[Yae Miko]: You're too abstract for this world. (smirk)
[Zhongli]: Rationally speaking, if Mr. Gu Chen joined the Resistance, their odds of victory would rise considerably.
[Raiden Ei]: (Shenhe·intense stare)
[Paimon]: Come join us, quick! @[Gu Chen]
[Gu Chen]: How would I know what my past self would do? (shrugs)
[Kujou Sara]: Hmph! You clearly haven't seen the Musou no Hitotachi in action.
[Raiden Ei]: The Shogun's strength is absolute. Gu Chen… likely wouldn't be her match.
[Gu Chen]: To be fair, in my past life, yeah—probably not. (nods)
[Venti]: So what you're saying is… now you are?
[Kaeya]: Classic Venti—always ready to stir the pot. (troll face)
[Gu Chen]: Hard to say.
He fell silent, deep in thought.
How many of his moves could the Shogun withstand at full power? It was… an interesting question.
"Hmm, that young man's vitality seems to be fading rapidly," Venti suddenly remarked. "It's like his life force is being drained."
Gu Chen looked back to the screen.
Time had passed—Lumine had been with the Resistance for a while now.
The soldier she'd rescued, Teppei, had grown close to them both.
But something about him had changed.
Where he once radiated health, now he looked hollow and frail—his hair streaked with silver.
"The Fatui… Delusions…" Lumine murmured. She recognized the signs.
"So the ones funding us were the Fatui?" Kokomi asked, frowning. "But why would they…? Never mind. We have to act fast! Tell the troops to stop using Delusions immediately! Anyone showing symptoms needs treatment—now!"
Lumine and Paimon immediately thought of Teppei.
When they arrived, Teppei was already collapsing.
"Delusions… they sound bad… How are they different from Visions?" he asked weakly.
He'd never received a Vision—he didn't know the difference.
"They drain the user's life force!" Lumine said urgently.
Teppei paused, then smiled faintly.
"I see… guess it makes sense something so powerful would have a cost. I've felt weaker every day… and today, I can barely see."
"Shame… I thought I could finally catch up to you… haha…"
"Seems the gods… never did have their eyes on me…"
His voice faded into silence.
Furious, Lumine cursed the Fatui under her breath and turned to leave.
Moments later, Gu Chen's figure appeared beside Teppei's body.
He placed a hand over Teppei's chest—then grabbed his shoulder.
In an instant, Teppei gasped, sitting up, alive again.
"Ambition is good," Gu Chen said softly, "but don't walk the wrong path to chase it."
With that, he vanished into thin air.
[Kaeya]: Holy crap, that was badass!
[Paimon]: GU CHEN!! YOU'RE MY GOD!!
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