Chapter 120. Futsu Mitama Battles the Raiden Shogun!
"My purpose in coming here is Futsu Mitama. You should have already met him."
"And you may simply call me Shogun. There is no need to be overly concerned with titles."
As for whether she was Beelzebub or the Raiden Shogun, she had long since grown tired of explaining.
This body existed solely to safeguard eternity. Names, distinctions—those were unnecessary details.
"Mmm~" Venti nodded slightly, clearly uninterested in pressing the matter. With a light laugh, he said, "You've come for Futsu Mitama, haven't you? To be honest, he's quite exceptional. I admire him greatly. I'm even a little envious—your Inazuma managed to produce such an outstanding talent."
At Venti's words, a faint ripple passed across the Raiden Shogun's usually tranquil face.
The corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
She was smiling.
Though this body was a puppet, it had been endowed with emotions and basic judgment.
When it came to Futsu Mitama—his potential, and whether he could one day become the Eternal Guardian—no one understood it better than she did.
Her presence in Mondstadt, as well as her earlier appearance in Liyue, already spoke volumes about how important Futsu Mitama was to Inazuma.
Both Rex Lapis and Barbatos held him in high regard. That alone was enough to bring her genuine satisfaction.
After all, what could be more gratifying than seeing someone she herself acknowledged receive recognition from two gods?
"As for your sparring and guidance," he said calmly, "I understand. I will prepare a suitable venue."
Venti had no intention of lingering on the topic. Whether it was the Raiden Shogun or Beelzebub, he hoped neither would harbor unnecessary suspicions once they sensed the Anemo Archon Authority within Futsu Mitama.
Though…to be fair, those suspicions would not be unfounded. That was precisely why Venti had no desire to interact with them any further. He was already at fault—there was no reason to walk straight into a beating.
After all, he was quite afraid of pain.
"Thank you."
The Raiden Shogun nodded slightly. Her attitude toward Venti could be described as unexpectedly courteous.
And so, Venti took the lead, with the Raiden Shogun following behind him.
—
Within the Chat Group, Futsu Mitama provided Venti with his coordinates.
He informed him that he had already left Windrise and moved to the abandoned ruins nearby—an area that had long since fallen into desolation. It was uninhabited, and even if some destruction were to occur there, it was unlikely anyone would notice.
Mondstadt had not been peaceful as of late.
Aside from the Dragon Crisis, the number of monsters roaming nearby had surged, and the Abyss Order was unusually active.
The once-free land of Mondstadt had become far less free. People stayed indoors, their movements restricted, their daily lives subdued.
Although the Knights of Favonius had begun to take action, the Grand Master's departure—with much of the elite forces in tow—had left the remaining Knights stretched thin. They could only patrol populated areas, powerless to fully eradicate the monsters.
Perhaps this was also why Jean had repeatedly tolerated the Fatui.
It wasn't that she didn't want to deal with them—It was simply that Mondstadt's current circumstances left her no room to act recklessly.
—
Within the abandoned ruins, Futsu Mitama casually dealt with yet another unknown wave of Hilichurls. It had to be said—the number of Hilichurls in Mondstadt was truly astonishing. In such a short distance, he had already cleared three or four camps. Perhaps it really did live up to its reputation as a beginner's region.
The strongest enemies present were merely Hilichurl Berserkers—there were no Mitachurls or similarly dangerous foes. Had they already been hunted down by Eula and Rosaria?
Or perhaps, before officially setting out, the Grand Master himself had personally led the Knights of Favonius in purging Mondstadt of the most dangerous beasts?
After waiting for some time, Futsu Mitama suddenly sensed something. He looked up—
And saw that Venti and the Raiden Shogun had arrived.
The sight of gods meeting was no longer particularly novel to him.
After all, four of the original Seven Archons already existed within the Chat Group.
Even if two of them were technically "dead," that detail was entirely inconsequential.
"Shogun-sama."
Futsu Mitama greeted her respectfully. He could tell at a glance that this was not Raiden Ei, but the Raiden Shogun herself. If it were Raiden Ei, her emotions would have been far richer.
This calm, unwavering presence belonged solely to the puppet.
"…."
Before seeing Futsu Mitama, the Raiden Shogun had been in a relatively good mood. But the moment her gaze fell upon him, her expression subtly shifted.
"Well then I've delivered the person to you I'll be heading off now~"
Sensing something amiss, Venti wasted no time. Without another word, he dissolved into a gentle breeze and vanished.
The Raiden Shogun raised her hand. Musou Isshin manifested within her grasp. She appeared ready to strike—
Yet, for reasons unknown, she halted mid-motion, her face filled with hesitation.
Seeing this, Futsu Mitama inwardly nodded. As expected—it was the Raiden Shogun.
Moments ago, she truly had intended to strike Venti down. Only the directives implanted by Raiden Ei had prevented her from doing so. As for why that killing intent had surfaced so suddenly—
Futsu Mitama could understand it perfectly. Because she had seen the Anemo Archon Authority within him.
In the Raiden Shogun's eyes, he was the future Eternal Guardian—one bound to eternity itself.
Eternity was her highest directive.
Safeguarding Inazuma's eternity was her absolute priority.
Anyone who dared to interfere with that—even Raiden Ei herself—would be stopped by Shogun, herself.
And since Futsu Mitama represented eternity's continuation, anyone who dared to covet him was, in essence, attempting to steal Inazuma's eternity.
That was something the Raiden Shogun would never tolerate.
Thus, she had drawn Musou Isshin, intending to cut Venti down.
She truly would have dared. After all, she had once raised her blade against her own creator—what wouldn't she dare to do?
Her sudden restraint now was likely due to a standing directive: not to attack other gods unless absolutely necessary.
"Hoo…"
The Raiden Shogun exhaled slowly.
She stared in the direction Venti had vanished, then shifted her gaze back to Futsu Mitama.
Musou Isshin remained in her hand. Lightning flickered faintly within her eyes.
"Shogun-sama?"
Futsu Mitama felt slightly unsettled. After all, he now carried the authority of two gods within him. Being stared at like this by the Raiden Shogun filled him with an instinctive pressure.
Though she likely wouldn't cut him down for being "impure," her silent, emotionless gaze alone was suffocating. After all—she was not Raiden Ei.
"It's nothing."
The Raiden Shogun shook her head lightly, as though suppressing something within.
Looking at Futsu Mitama, she spoke slowly, "Why did the Anemo Archon grant you his divine authority?"
It was a simple question. Yet one born of deep confusion.
Divine authority was no trivial matter—it was a portion of a god's own power.
To give it away was, in a sense, to weaken oneself.
Even many of the Raiden Shogun's retainers had never received divine authority.
They were already strong enough, and while authority could amplify their power, the gain was limited compared to the cost.
Thus, divine authority was rarely dispersed. And yet—
The Anemo Archon had given his authority to Futsu Mitama.
That alone was enough to raise suspicion. Was Futsu Mitama simply too outstanding? Outstanding enough to stir improper thoughts in another god?
"This…is actually because I'm going to fight his familiar."
Futsu Mitama explained calmly,
"Mondstadt is currently under the Dragon Crisis. Anemo Archon Barbatos hopes that I'll deal with Dvalin. To stop his actions, cleanse the poison afflicting him, and guard against interference from the Abyss Order."
"He said he had nothing else to give me, so he lent me the Anemo Archon Authority—for self-defense."
The Raiden Shogun frowned slightly as she listened. But in the end, she nodded in acknowledgment.
"I see. Actually…"
She seemed about to say something, yet ultimately fell silent.
"?"
Futsu Mitama tilted his head slightly. He couldn't quite understand her hesitation. More importantly, he felt that the Raiden Shogun's emotional fluctuations today were unusually pronounced.
This…didn't align with his understanding of her.
In the original story, wasn't the Raiden Shogun always calm, decisive, and unwavering?
"No." Seeing his confusion, she spoke evenly. "I was originally considering going in your place—to deal with Dvalin directly, and forcibly restore him. But upon further thought, I have no right to strike down another nation's guardian."
"And since Barbatos entrusted this matter to you, he must have his reasons. Moreover, you require tempering. If I were to forcibly interfere with your growth—"
"…it may disrupt eternity."
Futsu Mitama's mouth twitched.
You…are…going to fight Dvalin?
Wouldn't that traumatize him for life?!
—
However, one thing the Raiden Shogun had said was correct: Venti definitely had his own considerations when he asked Futsu Mitama to stop Dvalin. If he truly wished to resolve the matter swiftly, why had he not asked Zhongli to intervene?
Rex Lapis's strength was beyond doubt. With a single move, he could suppress Dvalin, restrain him completely, and forcibly administer the antidote.
But doing so would be nothing short of bullying the weak. Such methods might be acceptable when dealing with the Fatui—but using them against Dvalin was another matter entirely.
Moreover, judging from the Raiden Shogun's words, if Venti truly wished to act, he himself was capable of suppressing Dvalin. He simply chose not to.
Yet…why would this interfere with eternity?
Futsu Mitama felt puzzled. Why did he always seem to be associated with "eternity" in the Raiden Shogun's eyes?
It was deeply perplexing.
Was it merely because of his words? Because of the speed at which his strength grew? Or because of something else entirely?
While Futsu Mitama was still lost in thought, the Raiden Shogun had already steadied her emotions.
She faced him directly. Musou Isshin was already drawn, its blade leveled toward him as she spoke calmly:
"Next is our spar. Let me see how much stronger you have become."
Her words carried a faint trace of approval. She could clearly sense it—Futsu Mitama had grown stronger once again.
And this time, the increase far exceeded the previous one.
He was already approaching Yae Miko's level.
Though Yae Miko's combat strength did not lie in direct confrontation, as a divine familiar, she was by no means weak.
Yet Futsu Mitama was closing that distance in an astonishingly short time.
Even the Raiden Shogun could not help but feel stirred. Power alone was not enough. She wished to see how that power manifested in battle.
Thus, Musou Isshin was drawn.
"Wait—Shogun-sama!"
As the Raiden Shogun was about to strike, Futsu Mitama raised his hand, stopping her.
"Hm?"
She looked at him, puzzled. Did he not wish to receive guidance now?
"Shogun-sama" Futsu Mitama said seriously, "when I was in Liyue, I received the inheritance of Rex Lapis."
"Wait—! Not that kind of inheritance!" he hurriedly added. "It was an inheritance passed down since the Archon War era—the one Rex Lapis left among the people of Liyue. Just like what you once taught your own people."
The moment Rex Lapis was mentioned, the Raiden Shogun's expression darkened. Purple lightning surged around her. The sky above grew heavy, thunder rumbling within darkened clouds.
Her mood had plummeted. Why would the ancient Geo Archon suddenly intervene?
Now, both living original Archons had either passed on their authority or inheritance to Futsu Mitama.
What scheme lay behind this?
Even the Raiden Shogun—who was not inclined toward excessive speculation—could sense something amiss. Were they trying to steal Inazuma's Eternal Guardian?
If that were the case—she truly had little she could do.
Neither the Geo Archon nor the Anemo Archon would fight her over this.
And if they did—she might not win.
This would directly endanger eternity.
However, after hearing Futsu Mitama's hurried explanation, the storm around her gradually subsided.
If it was inheritance left among the people, then it could be understood.
Just as Beelzebub and Baal once passed down their legacies to Inazuma's populace—and just as Yae Miko later entrusted that inheritance to Futsu Mitama.
Then came Kunikuzushi's matter.
Through that, she learned of Futsu Mitama's existence. Through his understanding of eternity—and his potential—she came to believe that he would one day become the Eternal Guardian.
As for the Electro Archon Authority, Yae Miko had never desired it.
She understood clearly that it belonged to someone who needed it more.
Yet—The Raiden Shogun fell into brief contemplation.
For reasons she could not articulate, she felt that the actions of the Geo Archon and the Anemo Archon bore a striking resemblance to her own.
The Geo Archon's inheritance, passed through the people. The Anemo Archon's authority, given directly. And her own—entrusted through Yae Miko.
The Raiden Shogun shook her head, casting those thoughts aside.
She focused on Futsu Mitama once more.
"Are you saying you wish to use the Geo Archon's inheritance…to fight me?"
When sparring with him, she always demanded his full strength. His foundations were already solid. He had grasped Musou no Hitotachi in form—further basic training was meaningless. That was why she intended to remain in Mondstadt for a day or two.
Brief weekly guidance was insufficient—and detrimental to eternity.
It was better to observe him continuously.
To see, clearly, how far he could go.
"Mm."
Futsu Mitama nodded. At his current stage, the inheritance of Rex Lapis was indispensable. Without it, he would fall beneath the level of an adeptus.
"Very well." The Raiden Shogun nodded slowly. Lightning flickered within her eyes as she gripped Musou Isshin.
"Then let me test your abilities."
The moment her words fell, she vanished. In an instant, she appeared behind Futsu Mitama, Musou Isshin descending with lightning-laced force.
Fast.
Faster than before.
Futsu Mitama summoned Musou Isshin at once, meeting her strike head-on.
Crack—!
Fine fractures spread across his blade. After all, his weapon was merely an Electro construct. It could not compare to Musou Isshin—a divine blade born of Baal's power.
From a single exchange, Futsu Mitama realized something. The Raiden Shogun was only slightly stronger than last time. And yet—
She seemed—angry.
She was venting it on him.
Suppressing the thought, Futsu Mitama activated the Electro Archon Authority.
Authority surged.
In an instant, the cracks vanished. His blade radiated overwhelming pressure—divine might. With the authority reinforcing it, Futsu Mitama launched his counterattack.
"Baleful Omen—Strike!"
A bolt of purple lightning tore through space itself. The Raiden Shogun caught it with her bare hand. Her expression remained unchanged. Yet a trace of approval flashed through her eyes.
Futsu Mitama was not surprised.
This body was Raiden Ei's own physical form. Such a feat meant nothing to her.
He had never intended that strike to wound her. Behind him, a lightning eye manifested—Chakra Desiderata.
Swish—!!
He vanished, reappearing behind her. This battle had to be decisive. A war of attrition against the Raiden Shogun was impossible.
If this was guidance, then he would lay everything bare.
Only then could she truly guide him.
The Raiden Shogun turned slowly. The glow in her eyes intensified. Futsu Mitama's growth exceeded her expectations. But his techniques were chaotic.
Power had increased—but refinement lagged behind.
No wonder the Anemo Archon sent him to face Dvalin. If forced against an equal or stronger foe, his talent would fill the gaps.
His blade—like his techniques—could no longer keep pace. Even reinforced by authority, it was fragile.
Within a few exchanges, she understood everything.
Buzz—!!
Futsu Mitama drew his blade.
Musou no Hitotachi erupted forth.
It was far more refined than before. Seven days of relentless combat had carved it into his body.
The Raiden Shogun's eyes lit up.
This time, she did not block directly. Musou Isshin flared violently with Electro.
Pressure crashed down upon Futsu Mitama.
She was getting serious.
Swish—!!
The blades collided.
Boom—!!!
Lightning shockwaves erupted outward. The ruins collapsed further. Electro energy rippled across the land.
A Ruin Guard, stirred by the disturbance, was annihilated before it could rise. Nearby Hilichurl tribes fled instinctively, abandoning the area entirely.
"It's not over yet!"
Futsu Mitama felt the suppression. If this continued, his Musou no Hitotachi would shatter. If technique could not surpass her—
Then power would.
Buzz—!!!
Anemo surged around his blade. Electro and Anemo intertwined.
No—
It was not mere elements. It was the fusion of two Archon Authorities. (Uh, swirl?)
"Huh?"
A rare flicker of astonishment crossed the Raiden Shogun's eyes. This should have been impossible. Dual elements were already unstable.
Let alone two divine authorities. A single misstep would cause catastrophic backlash.
Yet Futsu Mitama endured it.
Controlled it.
Made it his own.
In truth, this had always been his path. Once, he relied on talismans and borrowed power.
Now—
Electro. Anemo. Geo.
Two divine authorities flowed within him. To face the Raiden Shogun—
He had no choice but to reveal everything. There was no other choice.
This move was a brand-new technique Futsu Mitama had researched overnight—developed the very moment Venti handed him the Anemo Archon Authority the day before.
Originally, it had been prepared for the Lady.
A "surprise."
But she had not left the city today.
Now that the Raiden Shogun stood before him, this was the perfect opportunity to test the move's flaws. If he did not use it now, he might never have another chance.
Musou no Hitotachi—imbued with both the Anemo and Electro Archon Authorities—slashed forth.
Astonishingly, it managed to suppress the Raiden Shogun's attack, if only for a moment. For that brief instant, the two stood evenly matched.
Even knowing that the Raiden Shogun had yet to unleash her full power, Futsu Mitama felt an undeniable surge of exhilaration.
No matter what—this was the Raiden Shogun. One of the supreme existences of Teyvat.
To stand against her when she was even slightly serious—That alone was something he could boast about for a lifetime.
"Not bad. Very good."
The Raiden Shogun gazed at the Musou no Hitotachi before her, where Anemo and Electro interwove seamlessly. Her voice was calm, yet sincere.
"Futsu Mitama, you have exceeded my expectations."
A pause.
"Since that is the case—" Her eyes gleamed with lightning. "I should also become a little more serious."
In that instant, Electro light erupted within her pupils. Behind her, the Omnipresent God manifested. Musou Isshin flared with blinding radiance.
"Holy crap—!"
Futsu Mitama barely had time to curse before his vision was consumed by lightning-charged brilliance.
Boom—!!!!
The explosion dwarfed everything before it. Electro energy surged upward, forming a colossal pillar of light that pierced the heavens—visible from anywhere in Mondstadt.
At that moment, every powerhouse within the city felt it. Their gazes turned simultaneously toward the source.
"What—is that?"
Inside her hotel room, the Lady—still simmering with anger—suddenly froze.
A crushing pressure seized her chest.
Her heartbeat thundered violently as her body trembled, instinctively reacting as if to a natural predator. The old wound left by the Raiden Shogun pulsed faintly.
"This… this is—" Her pupils constricted. "The Raiden Shogun?! That puppet?!"
As the Eighth Fatui Harbinger, she recognized it instantly. This was Archon-level pressure—unmistakable, absolute. Even from within Mondstadt City, that familiar terror wrapped around her like a vice.
Her face paled. Why was the Raiden Shogun here?
That puppet never left Tenshukaku—no matter what happened. Even after she and Scaramouche suffered devastating losses, even after being gravely wounded by that very blade—
Logic dictated that the Shogun Puppet would never abandon Inazuma. So why—
"No… this can't be her." The Lady pressed a hand to her chest, staring at the towering purple pillar of light. "Archons do not leave the nations they protect."
"This is impossible."
She repeated it again and again, as if trying to convince herself. Yet fear gnawed at her heart.
Archon-level power did not lie.
Her resolve hardened instantly.
She would lie low.
She would not provoke the Knights of Favonius for now. She would not, under any circumstances, antagonize Futsu Mitama again for now.
For the first time, she felt genuine gratitude that she had not followed him out of the city earlier. If that Shogun Puppet had appeared mid-battle—
She would have been utterly doomed.
"I need intelligence."
She suppressed her terror and issued orders immediately. This matter had to be investigated—thoroughly. Until then, she would not dare take even half a step outside Mondstadt City.
Elsewhere, other powerhouses reacted similarly.
Jean's expression shifted as she felt the pressure wash over her.
She knew some of the truth—yet even she had not expected the spar to escalate to this extent. Would this not draw out Lord Barbatos himself?
Diluc, on the other hand, fell into silence.
Kaeya had informed him of Futsu Mitama's plans—but this clearly exceeded them. Were Archon familiars truly capable of such devastation?
Both feared the same outcome.
If those two lost control—Mondstadt's map might need to be redrawn.
In contrast, Albedo's workshop remained calm.
"Futsu Mitama has grown stronger," Albedo sighed.
He had anticipated growth after the Anemo Archon Authority was transferred—but not this.
"This is only natural," Zhongli replied calmly. "His talent was never lacking. He has been honing himself relentlessly—for future battles, for Inazuma, and for Aila."
As Zhongli spoke, he glanced aside.
Albedo sniffed faintly.
"Wine?"
He turned—only to find Venti leaning casually nearby.
"With all due respect," Venti sighed, draining his bottle, "does this really still count as a spar?"
That level of destruction—Was the Raiden Shogun trying to reshape Mondstadt's terrain?
Thankfully, Windrise had been avoided.
Otherwise, even that sacred tree might not have survived.
"It does," Zhongli replied calmly. "For Beelzebub, true seriousness would look far worse than this."
As original Archons, both Venti and Zhongli knew well—A full-power clash would shake the world itself.
Venti sighed deeply, gazing at the fading light pillar.
"I really hope this doesn't happen again—"
Meanwhile—
Futsu Mitama lay sprawled on the ground, Electro light dancing across his body.
Not by choice.
His Musou no Hitotachi—infused with two Archon Authorities—had been shattered by a single strike. Only now did he truly understand.
This was the power of a top-tier Archon.
An adeptus—could not contend with it.
And suddenly, many things made sense.
Why Osial had shown no fear of the Adeptus.
Why, without Rex Lapis's seal, even the Jade Chamber would have been meaningless.
Those Adeptus were veterans of the Archon War—Yet even they had been helpless once Guizhong Ballista fell.
Now, having only just stepped into the realm of the Adeptus, Futsu Mitama had managed to make the Raiden Shogun slightly serious.
And that alone had been enough to defeat him.
"Broad, but not refined." The Raiden Shogun looked down at him calmly, Musou Isshin returning to her chest.
"You exposed too many flaws. Even had you used Rex Lapis's legacy, do you believe the outcome would have changed?"
Futsu Mitama sat up slowly and shook his head.
No. Musou no Hitotachi, empowered by two Authorities, was already his strongest move.
Planet Befall—would not have changed the result.
The battle had been too fast. And defeat was already decided.
"Good." A faint trace of satisfaction surfaced in her gaze.
"You have learned too many miscellaneous things. Discard the dross. Retain the essence. Musou no Hitotachi is not driven by brute elemental force—it is a convergence of principles."
"The strike you used was opportunistic. From now on, I will guide you until you reach minor mastery. Only then will I return to Inazuma."
"…Wait." Futsu Mitama froze. "Shogun-sama, you're staying in Mondstadt?"
Last time, she had left immediately.
Why now?
The Raiden Shogun nodded slightly, her gaze drifting toward the distant city. Her voice softened—becoming unmistakably human.
"Temporarily. There are two old friends I wish to visit. And questions I must ask."
Futsu Mitama understood instantly.
The one before him now—
Was Raiden Ei.
And those two friends—
The Anemo Archon.
And the Geo Archon.