Fast—simply too fast!!! In just a few seconds, the samurai who had held the advantage was already beheaded. This outcome stunned not only the Fatui, but also those who had halted earlier.
"Ito!!!!"
The samurai leader's expression twisted in shock as he watched his comrade fall. After all, Ito's strength was not weak. With a Delusion in hand, he had sparred with the leader before, and the leader knew very well that if Ito fully mastered his elemental control, he would be no less capable than himself. That someone as strong as Ito could be killed so easily by Aila was nearly unbelievable.
"Why are you just watching?!" The samurai leader glared angrily at the Fatui who had stood by. "We were supposed to strike together—yet you let my comrade die right in front of you! I will report this truthfully to Lord Hiiragi!"
"And if your Harbingers learn of this, they will certainly blame you. Move!!! Kill that maid!"
The Fatui remained silent. They too hadn't expected this maid to be so ruthless, showing not the slightest hesitation. As for the samurai leader's complaints? The Fatui didn't care in the slightest.
The Hiiragi Clan was only a temporary partner in Inazuma. Neither Lord Scaramouche nor the Lady Harbinger held any particular regard for them. On the contrary, both had shown faint disdain toward the Hiiragi and Kujou Clans.
Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama had drawn attention from the Lady Harbinger, the Doctor Harbinger, and Lord Scaramouche—he had even once been saved by Yae Miko. The Fatui respected strength. Even as enemies, they would show courtesy to Futsu Mitama. But Aila was a problem, and they had no choice but to attack seriously.
"Hahahaha! Let these little ones entertain us!"
The Electro Cicin Mage cackled. Her mental state always dipped into instability once combat began. She commanded her Electro Cicins to scatter, sending them spiraling toward Aila while waving her lantern and releasing crackling purple lightning.
"Snap."
The Mirror Maiden flicked her fingers, and the hydro mirrors surrounding her instantly transformed into streams of water cannons, all blasting toward Aila. Facing both attacks, Aila advanced instead of retreating—dodging water cannons, cutting down electro cicins, and closing the distance.
The spear-wielding water clone moved as swiftly as a stream, appearing before the samurai leader in an instant.
"Get back!" The samurai leader immediately recognized the danger. The moment the water clone approached; it would explode into deadly water needles. He knew he couldn't block all the projectiles in time. With extreme caution, he swung his tachi, the blade wrapped in violent Electro energy.
"Boom—!!"
A crescent of purple lightning slashed forward, attempting to shatter the clone before it reached him.
"Ignorant." Aila's calm voice cut through the clash as she wove past the Mirror Maiden and Electro Cicin Mage's attacks. "Water isn't that easy to disperse."
The next instant, the water clone split apart.
Yes—split.
It divided into two streams, slipping past the incoming crescent moon of lightning. From afar, it looked as though the samurai leader's attack had succeeded, but everyone presents understood—it was Aila who had deliberately divided the clone to avoid the strike.
"Fujii!!!! Stop her!!!" The samurai leader had never witnessed elemental techniques like this. If he dared to attack head-on—as Ito had—he knew he would meet the same end.
He was confident he wouldn't die instantly, but why risk it when he had comrades to throw forward? He immediately shouted toward the archer hidden at the rear.
"Zzzzz—!!!"
An Electro-infused arrow shot out. The samurai leader let out a breath of relief—only to feel a sharp threat and instinctively dodge.
"Pfft!!!"
An arrow pierced straight through his knee. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared toward the source of the shot, just about to curse—
But the water clone was already upon him, and behind it stood Aila, expressionless, her battle scythe raised.
The words "Fujii, you useless—" died in his throat. He didn't have the luxury to complain—if he didn't focus now, he would die.
On the other side, Futsu Mitama quietly observed Aila's battle as he entered the group chat with his consciousness.
Kamisato Ayaka: "@Futsu Mitama, Thoma and I have knocked that guy out. Miss Shinobu took his Delusion and fired that arrow."
Futsu Mitama: "@Kuki Shinobu, excellent shot."
Kuki Shinobu: "So strange… this Delusion holds power equal to a Vision."
Futsu Mitama: "Delusions are imitations of Visions. Snezhnaya mass-produces them so those without Visions can wield elemental power."
Albedo: "Delusions? Use them sparingly. Even if a Vision bearer can use them without cost… their nature is ominous."
Raiden Makoto: "Imitations of Visions…?"
Kokomi: "Miss Shinobu temporarily lost her Vision due to the Hunt Decree. But what about those who never had one? What happens to them?"
Albedo: "In Mondstadt… a non-Vision wielder once used a Delusion. The result was death."
Azhdaha: "Snezhnaya… how did it become like this? They weren't always so extreme."
Raiden Makoto: "Five hundred years is plenty of time for change. @Futsu Mitama, can you record video for us to see the real-time situation?"
Raiden Makoto: "Text descriptions are too limiting. A recording would be better."
Futsu Mitama: "In that case, I'll just open a live feed."
Albedo: "?"
Raiden Makoto: "Live feed?"
Kuki Shinobu: "What is that?"
Azhdaha: "Never heard of it."
Kamisato Ayaka: "It sounds novel."
Futsu Mitama: "Simply put—you can see from my perspective in real time."
Futsu Mitama: "First time streaming—exciting. Starting now!"
Group Leader Futsu Mitama has started a group live feed.
A semi-transparent screen appeared before him, showing his own first-person view, with bullet comments floating beside it.
One after another, the group members entered the live feed. Even Kamisato Ayaka and Kuki Shinobu—despite being just a short distance away—joined out of curiosity.
They were greeted by the sight of Aila completely overwhelming the samurai leader.
Yes—utter domination. Aila controlled the spear-wielding water clone on one side while swinging her lethal scythe on the other, pressing the leader so hard he could barely breathe. Though wounded by Shinobu's arrow, the samurai leader managed to survive only because the Electro Cicin Mage and Mirror Maiden offered cover.
Even so, he was drenched in sweat, forced entirely into defense—whether from Aila's relentless assault or from the arrow in his knee, he couldn't tell. Aila attacked fiercely while scanning her surroundings. Two enemies had yet to appear; she needed to avoid any missteps that would force her young master to intervene.
Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama stayed back, waiting for the remaining Debt Collectors. Once they revealed themselves, he would finish everything in one sweep.
Raiden Makoto: "Ohh—so this is a live feed? Fascinating."
Raiden Makoto: "That maid—Aila, yes? Remarkable. In my era, she would qualify as a general."
Azhdaha: "Her spear technique is lacking. Not as good as the girl Ping. Needs work."
Albedo: "But her elemental control is at an advanced level."
Kamisato Ayaka: "@Futsu Mitama, be careful. A Fatui operative approached us—hooded, with a hunting knife—trying to ambush Miss Shinobu, but Thoma stopped him."
Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Everyone, stay alert."
After reading Ayaka's message, a gleam flashed in Futsu Mitama's eyes. Only one Debt Collector remained—where was he?
Was he aiming for Aila? Or heading toward Ayaka's group first? Or perhaps—
"Hm?"
Futsu Mitama's gaze sharpened. He noticed the last Debt Collector creeping toward him from behind. The assassin had cloaked himself in invisibility, moving soundlessly. If not for Futsu Mitama's heightened senses, he might not have noticed until the blade touched his throat.
The Debt Collector looked up—and locked eyes with him. A ridiculous thought flashed through his mind:
Had—Futsu Mitama really noticed him?
Impossible. According to intel, wasn't this man merely a "special winemaker"? A strong maid was understandable—elite retainers were common among noble households.
But nobles themselves? Weak. Helpless. Useless.
That was why Snezhnayans held no respect for Inazuman nobles—trash with status and no skill.
The Debt Collector believed there was no way he had been detected— But he lunged anyway.
Low odds or not, he had to take Futsu Mitama hostage to turn the tide.
Because now he understood—they had walked straight into a trap. Both the Fatui and the Hiiragi Clan had been outmanoeuvred by the Yashiro Commission. Capturing the lone "defenseless" noble was their only chance.
"Whoosh—!!"
His blade flashed, reaching Futsu Mitama in two breaths—
"Bang—!!!"
But the next instant, the Debt Collector was kicked away even faster, sent crashing into a tree.
"How… impossible…"
His eyes trembled as he stared at Futsu Mitama, who still held his kicking stance. He had never imagined such power.
"Nothing impossible."
Futsu Mitama looked at him, calm and cold. "Whatever your reason for creating such a scene; since you've appeared, be ready for imprisonment."
"And I don't mean the Tenryou Commission's cells. I mean a private one."
He stepped forward. Lightning gathered around his hand—and a blade shaped exactly like the Musou Isshin formed in his grip. Countless hours of "discipline" in the Plane of Euthymia had engraved that weapon's form into his memory.
"Rumble—!!!"
Thunder roared. The Debt Collector felt overwhelming danger and instantly slipped back into the shadows, trying to escape.
But Futsu Mitama was far faster. Lightning flickered in his eyes. He swung the Musou Isshin.
A burst of purple light erupted from the Debt Collector's body, slamming him into the ground.
"Next—your turn."
Since he had already acted, Futsu Mitama no longer intended to hold back. His gaze locked onto the Electro Cicin Mage and Mirror Maiden.
They froze.
They had never imagined the "helpless noble" was actually this strong.
Electric light flashed—The Electro Cicin Mage vanished. The Mirror Maiden immediately conjured a mirror to flee within. The moment they saw Futsu Mitama attack, they understood—the mission had failed. Retreat was the only option. Only the Hiiragi Clan samurai remained, fighting alone.
He was completely dumbfounded.
Where were his allies?! Where were his allies?!! Why was he the only one left!!!
Facing Futsu Mitama's sudden attack, the Fatui elites clearly hadn't expected the noble young master—who should have been defenseless—to suddenly become so strong.
The Hiiragi Clan samurai also hadn't expected the Fatui to flee so decisively. They didn't even bring him along, which made the Hiiragi samurai silently swear that if he survived, he would make those Fatui pay dearly.
"Aila, I'll leave this to you."
Since Futsu Mitama had already revealed his strength, he naturally couldn't let the two escape. If they left, all his hidden plans would be exposed.
Although he knew this kind of "fishing" couldn't last forever and his strength would eventually be found out, he would still deceive the enemy for as long as he could.
"Yes, Young Master."
Aila nodded, turning her gaze toward the Hiiragi samurai. With nothing hindering her now, ending this fight would be simple. Earlier, she had been cautious because of the hidden Debt Collector, and part of the reason she hadn't immediately taken down the Hiiragi samurai was because of the Mirror Maiden and the Electro Cicin Mage.
Now that all his support was gone, it was time for her to finish things.
On the other side, Futsu Mitama turned into a bolt of lightning, rushing toward the fleeing Electro Cicin Mage and Mirror Maiden. Chakra Desiderata also manifested above him. With Chakra Desiderata activated, he was extremely sensitive to distortions in space. Under his vision, teleportation naturally left traces.
If opening space didn't connect to the Plane of Euthymia, Futsu Mitama might have been able to slash across space and appear directly before the Mirror Maiden and Electro Cicin Mage, giving them an unpleasant surprise. But since he couldn't skillfully control spatial movement yet, he could only rely on Chakra Desiderata to predict their next position and then chase them down.
The Mirror Maiden and Electro Cicin Mage couldn't teleport endlessly; their stamina was limited. How far could two or three short-range teleports take them?
"Hm?"
Just as he thought this, he arrived at the place where they had teleported. What he saw surprised him. Both the Mirror Maiden and the Electro Cicin Mage were lying unconscious on the ground. Not far away stood Yae Miko, watching him with a small smile of surprise.
She had clearly intervened and taken them down, though her sudden appearance caught Futsu Mitama completely off guard.
"This is truly unexpected." Yae Miko looked at the Musou Isshin in his hand and the Chakra Desiderata behind him, narrowing her eyes playfully. "You wouldn't happen to be the next Raiden Shogun, would you?"
"Hiding among the people, observing Inazuma's changes through a mortal's eyes, cutting away the useless and preserving the essence, finding a true eternity—"
Futsu Mitama was full of question marks. Sly fox, have you been reading too many novels? Your imagination is too wild.
"But given her personality, she definitely wouldn't do such a thing."
Yae Miko shrugged dramatically. "She should still be in that space, sulking like a child, stubbornly clinging to her so-called 'eternity.'"
Futsu Mitama sheathed Musou Isshin and dismissed Chakra Desiderata. Since he'd been seen, there was no point hiding anymore. "Aren't you afraid the Raiden Shogun will hear you?"
He knew Yae Miko was beyond frustrated with Raiden Ei. Though she always acted carefree, she had been forced to handle countless matters because Raiden Ei and the puppet did nothing besides remain shut away.
Yae Miko's involvement in this matter was shocking to him. If he had known she would intervene, he definitely wouldn't have revealed Musou Isshin or Chakra Desiderata. But since it was already exposed, there was nothing to stress about.
"Hear me?" Yae Miko smiled faintly. "If she actually heard my words, I'd be grateful. She refuses to come out and see Inazuma for what it is."
"Though she's the Raiden Shogun, she's more like—a useless light novel heroine who relies on others."
Futsu Mitama's mouth twitched. Why now— Why am I live streaming—
The chat instantly reacted:
[Azhdaha: "Who is this guy? How did the Raiden Shogun become a sulking brat in her mouth?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "That's Yae Guuji—the Grand Miko of the Grand Narukami Shrine, fox-blooded retainer, and chief editor of Yae Publishing House. That's what my family says."]
[Albedo: "Chief editor? Interesting. She once wrote to me praising one of my illustrations. Quite flattering."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "How can Yae Guuji speak of the Raiden Shogun like that—Even if they're friends, isn't that too much?"]
[Aila: "@Futsu Mitama Young Master, it's done. He's finished."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Yae Miko? How nostalgic—When she was unawakened, in the heavy-snows season, she would dive headfirst into the snow to forage."]
[Raiden Makoto: "I recorded it. Wonderful. When Ei joins the group, I'll show her."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "'Ei'? You mean— the Raiden Shogun?"]
[Azhdaha: "Yes. Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei—twin Archons."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "What?! In the future Raiden Shogun-sama will join? I've never spoken to her before!"]
The topic drifted, but Futsu Mitama remembered the key point: Raiden Makoto had recorded everything Yae Miko said.
He silently prayed for her future safety.
"Alright, little one." Yae Miko, unaware of her impending doom, crossed her arms and looked him over. "Let's talk about your issue."
"I came to gather evidence of the Hiiragi Clan's dealings with the Fatui. I didn't expect you to move before I did. I even planned to help you secretly."
"But I didn't expect you to be hiding something this terrifying."
She circled him, examining him like a rare animal. "Everyone has their secrets. I shouldn't pry."
"But this involves my Archon. So tell me—how do you know that technique?"
As Raiden Ei's signature skill, Yae Miko knew better than anyone how impossible it was to learn. Even she hadn't.
If she could, she would have visited the Plane of Euthymia a dozen times a day to nag Ei with light novels and dessert.
Futsu Mitama said calmly, "If I told you the Raiden Shogun taught me, would you believe it?"
He wasn't lying. Raiden Makoto was also once the Raiden Shogun.
"Ohya~?" Yae Miko stared into his eyes. Futsu Mitama met her gaze without guilt.
"I see~." She smiled. "I don't know how, but she did teach you. I won't ask further. I'll leave these two to you."
"If you want to do anything to them, I'll pretend I saw nothing. Their bodies are quite lovely, after all. Men, I can understand."
Futsu Mitama almost choked. Are you kidding me? I'm live right now.
Yae Miko made no move to pry further, so he relaxed. If she had pressed him, he might have been forced to use his "invite member" privilege to drag her into the Chat Group. But since she didn't, he wasn't going to add her.
If she joined, it would no longer be "Teyvat: A Family of Love and Affection Chat Group." It would become the true Anti–Raiden Shogun Chat Group.
Just as Yae Miko was about to leave and Futsu Mitama was preparing to "collect the bodies"—
A bolt of lightning shot from the side, aimed directly at Yae Miko.
"Pfft!!!"
The sound of piercing flesh echoed.
Futsu Mitama whipped his head around, utterly shocked.
A figure wearing a kasa appeared—Scaramouche. His left hand, glowing with Electro, had pierced straight through Yae Miko's abdomen.
With a cruel smile, he said, "I didn't expect you to value this winemaker so much."
"Though I don't know what you and Dottore saw in him, one thing is clear—your life is in my hands."
This sudden attack left Futsu Mitama frozen. He had only sensed the danger the moment Scaramouche had already acted. If Scaramouche had aimed at him— he would've died.
"You—"
Yae Miko stared at him, blood dripping from her lips, completely unprepared for his appearance. But Scaramouche's expression suddenly changed. He threw her aside.
"Bang!"
Yae Miko exploded into countless cherry blossoms.
"Honestly, so rough with a lady."
Her real form reappeared a short distance away. She swayed a hip and smiled coldly. "You really aren't likable."
When?!
Futsu Mitama was startled. He genuinely thought she'd been ambushed. Scaramouche had clearly held back earlier when dealing with him and Kazuha. Now he intended to capture both Yae Miko and Futsu Mitama.
And Dottore was targeting Futsu Mitama? For what? The wine? Wine that only slightly boosted physical fitness and Electro resistance—yet it attracted Dottore's attention?
Terrible news.
Dottore was second among the Harbingers. According to Childe, the ranking followed strength. Meaning Dottore was extremely powerful—far more dangerous than Signora or Scaramouche.
"Likable? Don't make me laugh." Scaramouche didn't want to talk. He prepared to strike again. The tension rose. A battle was imminent.
Futsu Mitama sighed, approached Yae Miko, and quietly asked, "How confident are you?"
"In defeating him?" Yae Miko glanced at him. "Not at all. I'm just a weak little miko. I don't have your strength."
"But running away? I'm far better than he is. The problem is— someone here can't run. I won't mention who."
Even now, she joked. Futsu Mitama's forehead darkened. He sighed. "I really am unlucky. I came to help the Kamisato Clan save someone, and somehow I got dragged into this."
Seeing him step forward, Scaramouche smirked. "Your mission is to draw out the fox. If you obediently stand aside, I might spare you."
"If you insist on dying, I'll oblige."
He didn't believe Futsu Mitama could interfere in a fight at this level.
"It's not about living or dying—"
Futsu Mitama extended his hand. Musou Isshin appeared, and Chakra Desiderata rose behind him. Electro flickered sharply in his eyes.
"You simply won't be leaving here today."
Scaramouche's eyes widened.