Reality – Wangshu Inn
Lumine's heart was pounding wildly.
That feeling—when you're helpless, and someone appears the moment you need them most—
The surge of safety that followed made her head spin a little.
Her gaze lingered on Gu Chen in the video, and a sudden thought crossed her mind.
"Did he… did he fight the Raiden Shogun because she wanted to kill me?"
"Eh?"
Paimon froze at the question. Then, seeing Lumine's flushed cheeks, realization dawned and she nodded quickly.
"Of course! It's obvious, isn't it?"
"Look, when we arrived at Ritou, the Lady must've already told the Shogun something. That's why she came straight for us."
"Gu Chen probably wasn't a full match for her, so he had to retreat and protect you from the shadows. But the Shogun clearly took you seriously—she acknowledged your victory in the Duel Before the Throne, letting you walk out of Tenshukaku alive."
"But then, she planned to kill you at its gates. And when she struck at you, Gu Chen would have to appear. Her real goal was to take both of you down… oh, and me too, I guess."
Paimon sighed, spreading her tiny hands helplessly, a complicated look crossing her face.
"To stop anyone from using her people as leverage again, she even ordered all Inazuma's citizens to evacuate. She wanted a clean, final fight against Gu Chen. Once she defeated him, she could easily finish the two of us off. Too bad, though—looks like even Yae Miko didn't see this coming…"
She pressed her hands to her head, groaning. "Let's hope Lady Miko shows up soon!"
But Lumine wasn't listening anymore.
All she could think was—Gu Chen fought the Raiden Shogun because she wanted to kill her.
Yet he wasn't even her match.
By the time Paimon realized Lumine wasn't responding, she looked over and pouted.
She finally got it.
Even though they were watching the events of a past life, Lumine's feelings for Gu Chen were deepening with every passing moment.
Now she was full-on lovestruck.
Paimon could only shake her head. She wasn't too worried, though. Honestly, seeing Lumine and Gu Chen together didn't sound like a bad thing.
After all, that man radiated a sense of security—and he was good with his hands, too!
"Hehe…"
Paimon giggled unconsciously, rubbing at her mouth before breaking into a bright grin.
In the Group Chat
[Yae Miko]: This is bad. Without the power of the people's wishes, how could anyone defeat Ei? And the Shogun clearly intends to face Gu Chen herself—Ei's probably still meditating and doesn't even know! Breaking through that iron will of hers will be nearly impossible!
[Tartaglia]: Huh?! You mean Gu Chen's in danger?!
[Zhongli]: Not only Gu Chen. I fear Miss Lumine, little Paimon, and the resistance fighters are all in grave peril. Lumine and Paimon will almost certainly perish, and the rebels will suffer for their defiance.
[Furina]: This is very bad! Miko, hurry and save them already!
[Yae Miko]: If I haven't appeared yet, it means I've been delayed. Who would've thought that stiff Shogun could be this cunning?!
[Arataki Itto]: Where's past-me? Get over there and help already! (panicking)
[Kuki Shinobu]: Boss, maybe pray you don't show up and make things worse. (facepalm)
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: From the looks of it, everything's unfolding exactly as the Shogun planned. But… Why go through all this trouble? (Keqing-style pondering pose)
[Shikanoin Heizou]: There's only one answer.
[Alhaitham]: The Fatui.
[Kaeya]: Why are those guys always stirring up trouble?! (groans)
[La Signora]: Heh. Isn't dying with someone else a fitting end for most?
[Tartaglia]: Don't look at me! Everyone knows I'm not the thinking type of Harbinger. (Qiqi fainting emoji)
[Mona]: Could be Scaramouche. He's in Inazuma, and he was helping guard the Delusion Factory.
[Raiden Ei]: He has the brains for that?
[Scaramouche]: …
Ba'alzebul, are you looking down on me?!
But he didn't actually argue further.
He knew it probably wasn't him—after all, in that past life, he'd been beaten half-dead by Gu Chen and barely had time to recover, let alone scheme like this.
And this plan… didn't sound like his style.
[Diluc]: If we're talking about the Fatui who excel at such plots, it would likely be the Doctor, Dottore.
[Nahida]: (shivering emoji)
[Zhongli]: I have heard whispers of his methods.
[Tartaglia]: Now that you mention it, yeah, this does sound like something he'd do!
[Dottore]: My, how flattering—to be discussed mid-experiment. I admit, this is indeed the sort of work I'd take pride in… hehe.
[Paimon]: Aaah! He's so infuriating!
[Lumine]: @[Dottore]You'll pay for this!
[Dottore]: Hehe. My experiments await. I'll take my leave. Idle threats are best saved for another time.
[Paimon]: He's so arrogant!!
[Tartaglia]: Be careful—he's incredibly strong!
[La Signora]: How did Fatui end up with a traitor like you?
[Tartaglia]: I didn't say anything! …Oh, must be because Liyue tortured me for info. Totally forced. (dead serious)
[Ningguang]: ...
[Keqing]: ...
[Arataki Itto]: Why is there no Gu Chen perspective yet?! How's the fight going?! I'm dying here—come on, come on, come on!!
The video's viewpoint had shifted back to Lumine.
She and Kazuha were fleeing Inazuma City with the others, the thunderous roars from Tenshukaku echoing behind them.
That was all they could hear.
They couldn't see what was happening there.
Lumine ran, heart pounding, anxiety gnawing at her.
Then—suddenly—everything went quiet.
A single streak of lightning tore across the heavens.
The thunder that followed came late. Far too late.
Lumine's chest clenched painfully.
She turned without hesitation, sword in hand, and sprinted back toward Tenshukaku.
"Lumine?!" Paimon gasped, baffled.
Kazuha and the others froze, exchanged glances, and immediately took up their weapons to follow.
Before Tenshukaku—
The once-grand castle was in ruins.
Half of Inazuma City lay in devastation, a massive chasm splitting the earth in two.
When Lumine arrived, she saw Gu Chen in the crater below—
his robe torn, his body trembling as he spat blood, his chest carved open by a terrible wound.
Her rage ignited the moment she saw the equally battered Raiden Shogun standing across from him.
"Gu Chen!!"
Lumine rushed down and caught him in her arms.
"Cough… What are you… doing back here?"
Gu Chen looked at her, startled, before rasping, "You'll die here—leave, now!"
"Don't talk!"
Blood bubbled from his lips every time he spoke. Lumine's eyes brimmed with tears, her heart twisting painfully.
Paimon's tiny face turned pale. "Gu Chen, please don't die! Don't die! If you die, what'll Lumine do?!"
Gu Chen forced a weak grin. "I'm not dead yet, you little— Watch out!"
In an instant, he pulled Lumine into his arms.
A bolt of lightning struck his back.
"—!!"
Gu Chen coughed up blood and dropped to his knees.
Lumine stared in horror as his breathing grew faint. Shaking her head, tears spilling freely, she choked out—
"Don't die… please, don't die… You promised me! You said whenever I called, you'd be the first to appear by my side! If you die, you'll break that promise—and you'll face the judgment of Geo itself! Don't die!!"
"…I'm sorry."
"…I broke my promise."
With trembling fingers, Gu Chen brushed her cheek, his blood staining her skin. His voice was barely a whisper.
"Go… leave this nation… she doesn't have the strength to harm you… anymore…"
His hand fell.
"GU CHEN!!!"
[Prince Aether]: Finally dead! Serves him right!!
[Lumine]: @[Prince Aether]Are you happy my man is dead?
The chat fell silent.
Aether froze.
Lumine was actually angry.
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