Lumine and Paimon chased after Kujou Sara—
but they were too late.
Sara had already fallen beside the throne.
And before it stood a figure Lumine knew all too well.
"One after another, bursting in here all full of fire and noise…
If I didn't know this was Tenshukaku, I'd think I'd stumbled into a marketplace,"
Signora said, glancing mockingly at the fallen Sara.
"Now then—perhaps this will teach her a little sense?"
[Paimon]: "Ah! Miss Sara—Lady Signora… she—!"
From the throne, the Raiden Shogun spoke in an icy voice:
"The sins of Inazuma's people are mine to punish. You have no such right, Signora."
Her tone was calm, but her authority crushed the air itself.
Signora smirked, dipped her head with fake courtesy.
"My, my. A thousand apologies, Your Excellency."
"Signora!" Lumine shouted, anger flaring.
"Oh? You just can't forget about me, can you? You do love saying my name,"
Signora drawled, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"I suppose you still hold that little grudge… To see the ghost of a traveler here—it hardly surprises me.
But tell me—without that man, Gu Chen, by your side, where did you find the courage to come here?"
She looked Lumine up and down, her scorn palpable.
"You spread Delusions in secret, trying to seize control of Inazuma—"
"Ah, already starting with accusations?" Signora interrupted, shaking her head.
"Please. I'm merely a humble envoy from Snezhnaya. I have no idea what you're talking about."
Her arrogant smile made Lumine's blood boil.
"Enough talk," Lumine said coldly. "It's time to end this."
"End this? How cute." Signora's voice dripped with disdain.
"Did being protected by that man make you forget how fragile you are?
Or are you simply that much of a fool? You're still Inazuma's most wanted criminal, you know.
Barging into Tenshukaku to shout at the Shogun—do you even realize you're walking into your own execution?"
Her smirk widened.
"But if you truly wish to compare our standing—our strength—then by all means…"
"I challenge you to a duel before the throne!" Lumine declared.
Signora blinked, genuinely taken aback for a moment.
From her throne, the Shogun gave a quiet "Hmm," signaling approval.
"You actually know how to use the nation's own laws to your advantage? Hah. Unexpectedly.
But remember—this is a duel to the death. The loser dies.
Without Gu Chen here to save you… are you really ready for that?"
"Lumine…" Paimon whispered nervously.
Lumine drew her sword.
Signora laughed.
"Heh… very well. Then I shall stoop to dance with you—until one of us lies dead."
[Paimon]: "Not gonna lie—Signora's super cool!"
[Signora]: "Is there a law against being cool?"
[Paimon]: "…Touché." (Paimon·shocked)
[Heizou]: "I have a theory. Signora probably tipped off the Shogun about Gu Chen's group being illegal entrants. Normally the Shogun wouldn't care—but if that stowaway had the power to fight gods, she'd take it seriously. No wonder she attacked as soon as they landed!"
[Gu Chen]: "No wonder Signora's ranked No. 8 while Childe's No. 11! (meme grin)"
[Tartaglia]: "Gu Chen, if you've got something to say, say it! No need for the backhanded comments!" (Nahida·pointing)
[Collei]: "I'm dizzy already." (Collei·buffering)
[Tighnari]: "From how she speaks, Signora knows Gu Chen isn't dead.
In a duel like this, the loser dies by the Shogun's hand.
If Lumine lost, Gu Chen would've come to kill Signora;
if Signora lost—same result.
She's acting tough, but she's terrified too."
[Paimon]: "So she was scared! I thought she was fearless!" (shrugs)
[Lumine]: "Also, what's with the Fatui and their second forms?
Childe had Hydro, a Delusion, and that monster form—
now Signora starts with Cryo and suddenly bursts into flames!" (Collei·buffering)
[Tartaglia]: "Join the Fatui! You could too!" (Hu Tao·grin)
[Paimon]: "@Signora you lost—care to comment?"
[Signora]: "..."
In the video—
After a fierce battle, even the flame-wreathed Crimson Witch form of Signora fell to Lumine's blade.
"Your power… how…?"
Her body reverted, trembling, clutching her chest.
Then the Shogun rose, drawing her sword.
As Lumine tensed for another fight, the Shogun simply walked past her—straight toward Signora.
Signora gave a bitter laugh.
"I am a diplomatic envoy of Snezhnaya. Do you know the consequences of—"
She staggered to her feet, shouting—
"If you strike me down, I swear—Snezhnaya will make your nation—your beloved Inazuma—"
The Shogun advanced, lightning coiling around her blade, eyes glowing violet.
Behind her shimmered the sigil of Musou Isshin—the wheel of countless Eyes of ambition.
"Stop! I order you!"
"You—both of you—"
"I—how could I—"
Signora reached toward the Shogun's chest, desperate to repeat what she had done in Mondstadt—
but the Shogun was not Venti.
One step—one swing—
BOOM!
A storm of sword-light swallowed the hall.
When it faded, only ash remained.
"You… are the enemy of Eternity," the Shogun said coldly, sheathing her blade.
Lumine braced herself.
"But I acknowledge your victory. You may leave Tenshukaku… standing."
Only then did Lumine and Paimon dare to breathe.
[Signora]: "..."
[Paimon]: "Haha! Serves her right!" (Klee·yay)
[Lumine]: "The Shogun's so decisive! (respect)"
[Charlotte]: "@Tartaglia — care to comment? Your colleague just died at the Shogun's hand."
[Tartaglia]: "That's… complicated."
[Gu Chen]: "When's the funeral in Snezhnaya? I'm in for 200 mora—put me at Klee's table!"
[Hu Tao]: (pops up) "Hehe~ got business, do we? Wangsheng Funeral Parlor offers all-inclusive packages!" (Hu Tao·cute)
[Paimon]: "I'm in for 200 too! I'll sit with Sayu—no way she can beat me to the snacks!"
[Tartaglia]: "As her coworker, I'll pay 300. It's the least I can do."
[Klee]: (Sucrose·obedient)
[Zhongli]: "A pity. Snezhnaya lost a capable agent.
I once dealt with her in business—one could almost call us friends.
In remembrance, I'll contribute 200 and sit at the musician's table."
[Venti]: (meme grin)
[Keqing]: "Even you, Rex Lapis?! (Qiqi·lies flat)"
[Signora]: "I'M NOT DEAD YET!!!
And do you really think you can walk out of Tenshukaku alive?!"
[Lumine]: "The Shogun wouldn't go back on her word… right?" (uneasy)
[Yae Miko]: "Knowing Miss Stoneface, she'll let you walk out."
[Lumine]: "See? Problem solved!"
[Yae Miko]: "But what happens after you leave… well, that's another story."
[Lumine]: "…"
[Signora]: "Heh. What's wrong? Run out of smiles already?"
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