Chapter 125. Use Musou no Hitotachi on Me
The atmosphere at the scene was unbearably tense.
Having assembled her forces, Jean was fully prepared to turn hostile against the Fatui if necessary. Even if the battlefield lay within Mondstadt City itself, this matter had to be resolved.
And moreover…according to intelligence, Futsu Mitama was still present in the city.
If a battle were to break out and her side encountered an unforeseen crisis, he would undoubtedly intervene. Though relying on him was far from ideal, Jean could no longer afford to reject Futsu Mitama's combat strength.
He was a retainer of the Raiden Shogun, a bearer of divine authority. And the Fatui Harbinger before her was likewise said to wield authority bestowed by the Cryo Archon. If a true clash erupted—if authority were unleashed—divine power would detonate within Mondstadt City itself.
Should the Anemo Archon Barbatos fail to appear at that moment, Jean could only pray for Futsu Mitama's aid… or else, as Acting Grand Master, she would have no choice but to fight the Harbinger to the death.
"Surrender!"
Eula stepped forward, her expression dark. She had wanted to teach the Harbinger a lesson yesterday, but for the sake of the Knights of Favonius and the city, she had forcibly suppressed her anger. She had not expected that even after leaving Mondstadt City, the woman would continue to act with such arrogance—going so far as to seek trouble with Futsu Mitama within the city itself.
A Fatui Harbinger and a retainer of the Raiden Shogun had nearly come to blows inside Mondstadt. As someone who understood Futsu Mitama's temperament quite well, Eula knew this much with certainty: he would never provoke others without cause.
Which meant there was only one explanation.
It was the Harbinger who had arrogantly provoked him, pushing both sides to the brink of open conflict. If the Knights of Favonius and the Fatui truly fought here and now, Eula would be the first to charge forward—and personally show the Harbinger what she was capable of.
"…"
The pressure in the air became suffocating.
The Harbinger's expression was colder than ice. Behind her, the two Electro Cicin Mages crackled with restrained thunder. Sensing the imminent danger, the remaining Fatui soldiers drew their weapons, aiming them squarely at the Knights of Favonius.
All it would take was a single order.
"Good. Very good."
At that moment, the Harbinger spoke.
She raised a hand, halting the Fatui soldiers. Her gaze settled calmly upon Jean as she said, "You will regret this decision. However, I admire your courage. In this nation, you are quite an outstanding individual."
"Lay down your weapons. Allow the Knights of Favonius to arrest us. Snezhnaya—and the Fatui—will not let Mondstadt off lightly."
At her command, the Fatui showed no resistance. One by one, they lowered their weapons, openly surrendering. Jean had not expected such compliance. Surprise flickered across her expression, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Confiscate their weapons," she ordered solemnly. "As for Snezhnaya and the Fatui…I will address them personally."
The Knights of Favonius immediately moved to disarm the Fatui. Lisa and Eula stepped forward, positioning themselves beside the Harbinger. Eula watched her with unrelenting vigilance, her ancestral greatsword firmly in hand.
Lisa, by contrast, wore her usual gentle smile. She let out a soft sigh and said, "What a troublesome affair."
"Heh." The Harbinger sneered, turning her gaze toward Lisa. "If you find it troublesome, then stay in your library, Witch of Purple Rose."
She knew Lisa well. Among all of Mondstadt, Lisa was one of the most dangerous individuals—not merely because of her strength, but because of her insight.
An exceedingly intelligent woman.
One who surely understood the consequences Mondstadt would face for arresting her.
"That won't do." Lisa shrugged lightly, her tone languid. "Though I would dearly love to spend my days quietly organizing books, what you've done—"
"Hmm~ how should I phrase it?" She tilted her head slightly. "It's simply gone too far. Even our good-tempered Acting Grand Master has resorted to invoking her authority."
As she spoke, Lisa subtly adjusted her hat, concealing her eyes from view. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Besides…Mondstadt today is no longer the Mondstadt you once knew, Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter."
"!!!!!"
At the sound of that name, the Harbinger's pupils constricted violently. A terrifying aura burst forth from her body. Icy power surged outward, instantly freezing the surrounding vegetation.
"!"
Eula felt the oppressive chill crash over her. She raised her greatsword at once—if the Harbinger made the slightest hostile move, she would suppress her immediately.
Lisa, however, merely observed with a faint smile, as though calmly waiting.
The Harbinger stared at Lisa, flames of fury burning within her eyes.
"As expected of the Witch of Purple Rose," she said coldly. "Your methods are as sharp as ever."
"But remember this. If you dare speak that name again… I will kill you."
With those words, the Harbinger stepped forward of her own accord. Her destination was clear—the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, where prisoners were held.
Eula glanced at Lisa, then signaled Amber.
The two women took positions on either side of the Harbinger, escorting her toward the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius. Other Fatui soldiers, along with the Harbinger's personal guards—the two Electro Cicin Mages—were likewise captured and escorted to the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
"Did it succeed?"
Albedo stepped closer to Lisa, lowering his voice as he inquired about the outcome.
"It failed." Lisa replied unhurriedly, her fingers brushing her chin as her gaze followed the Harbinger's retreating silhouette. "What she seeks is likely far more important than I initially assumed. Still…now is not the moment to provoke her."
"If we were to force her hand and drive her into a frenzy," Lisa continued, her tone measured, "the pressure Jean would have to bear would hardly be trivial."
This had merely been a probing test on Lisa's part. If circumstances allowed, she had intended to provoke the Harbinger—push her temper, incite an outburst, and draw her into open conflict.
Yet the Harbinger restrained herself.
That restraint alone was enough to surprise Lisa. Although Lisa possessed methods to drive the Harbinger into reckless madness, doing so would severely damage the public image of the Knights of Favonius.
Thus, she did not pursue further provocation, instead allowing the Harbinger to leave under escort, obediently walking toward the prison.
"But this way, we've bought ourselves about a week." Lisa smiled faintly at Albedo. "What comes next will depend on you—and on that retainer of the Raiden Shogun."
Albedo gave a slight nod. He said nothing more, casting one last glance toward the dessert shop before turning away. There was no time to waste. The poison afflicting Dvalin demanded deeper research, and every moment counted.
Watching the Fatui being arrested with unsettling smoothness, Diluc's brow furrowed.
"She's troublesome," he muttered. "That Harbinger."
Kaeya approached him, letting out a quiet sigh. "You saw it as well. She's restraining herself—for now. Even the Knights of Favonius can only keep her contained for at most a week. I'd wager that tonight, Snezhnaya will issue a formal protest. And under the pretext of negotiating her release, they'll dispatch additional forces."
This was pressure without form, yet no less suffocating for it. Snezhnaya's execution efficiency was notoriously swift.
Meanwhile, Mondstadt's current combat strength was undeniably strained—not in terms of high-end power, but in the sheer lack of elite Knights. Their numbers were simply too few. Counting the forces present here, alongside daily patrols, monster-hunting squads, reserve units, and rescue teams, the Knights of Favonius numbered barely three thousand.
Barely three thousand.
The Grand Master's expedition had taken far too many elites with it.
Three thousand was scarcely enough. Merely maintaining daily patrols and safeguarding the citizens already stretched them thin.
And the Dragon Crisis had only worsened an already precarious situation.
Initially, with the Fatui stirring trouble, Jean had chosen to turn a blind eye, intending to settle accounts once the Dragon Crisis was resolved. But the Harbinger's actions had crossed every line. She had nearly come to blows with Futsu Mitama within the city itself.
That alone forced Jean to confront an undeniable truth: the Fatui had to be contained, and quickly—or no one could predict the chaos they would unleash upon Mondstadt.
Yet by restraining the Fatui, Jean had also handed Snezhnaya a pretext to send troops.
That was why Kaeya sighed, a headache forming behind his eyes. Unless the Dragon Crisis was resolved within a week, the situation would become exceedingly difficult to manage.
"Don't worry," Diluc said calmly. "No Fatui soldier will set foot in Mondstadt City unscathed."
"Oh?" Kaeya glanced at him with interest, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Is the Darknight Hero planning to intervene? Even so, you'll only be able to intercept part of them. Fatui elites are not to be underestimated."
"And they're accustomed to coordinated combat," Kaeya added. "It's not as though you haven't suffered losses before."
Diluc fell silent. Individually, few Fatui concerned him—save for those on the Harbinger's level and their closest confidants.
But as a unit?
A fully coordinated Fatui squad possessed formidable combat capability. Even Diluc would find it difficult to face them head-on. And Snezhnaya was no fool. They would never deploy forces piecemeal.
They would act collectively.
If that happened, even Diluc's personal intervention would cause an enormous disturbance—one Mondstadt could not easily ignore.
And he would likely be fighting alone. If he were injured… or worse…
Trouble would follow.
Neither Kaeya nor Diluc pursued the topic further. Each had responsibilities to attend to, and after a brief exchange, they parted ways.
That very night, the Fatui disseminated news of the Harbinger's arrest—along with the capture of numerous Fatui soldiers—throughout Mondstadt City.
Their efficiency was terrifying.
As soon as the news spread, Fatui vanguard units and elite forces stationed across Mondstadt's wilderness began to mobilize. They gathered quietly, holding position, awaiting orders from Snezhnaya.
At the same time, the Knights of Favonius launched a large-scale monster-clearing operation, deploying their remaining elites with urgency. Through the Adventurers' Guild, Jean issued a bounty for information related to the Dragon Crisis, offering mora or artifacts commensurate with the value of the clues.
And at the bottom of the notice, she added a final line.
Whoever resolved the Dragon Crisis would be granted the title of Honorary Knight—or rewarded with one hundred million mora.
For Mondstadt's official governing body, such a sum was insignificant. Compared to the devastation wrought by the Dragon Crisis, it was negligible. If someone truly possessed the capability to end it, Mondstadt would gladly pay the price.
Once the quest was released, renowned adventurers across the region eagerly accepted it, setting out to investigate. For a time, all of Mondstadt was stirred into motion.
Within the Knights of Favonius prison—
The Harbinger and her two confidantes were confined together. Her expression was calm, composed—as though her capture were of no consequence. Yet her pacing betrayed her.
Restless.
Anxious.
So anxious that she nearly wished to tear the prison apart with elemental force.
She could.
This prison was little more than a formality. Given her status, her "cell" resembled a private chamber—fully furnished, comfortable, designed to ensure she suffered no undue hardship.
House arrest, in all but name.
As long as she remained, all would be well. But if she left— Then the Fatui would be completely blacklisted by Mondstadt.
From Jean's attitude, it was evident that Mondstadt's patience had reached its limit. Though this outcome had been part of the Harbinger's plan—she had even intended to be captured this way—the circumstances had changed.
With Barbatos absent, did the Knights truly believe they could halt the Abyss Order and defeat Dvalin head-on?
Wishful thinking.
Her capture had been meant to facilitate Fatui infiltration, to tighten control over the City of Freedom. But plans never accounted for everything.
The Anemo Archon had appeared.
Now, she needed to act decisively—seize the Gnosis. Yet the animosity had escalated too quickly. Jean had imprisoned her outright.
"Lady Harbinger," one of the Electro Cicin Mages asked softly, "why are you so restless today?"
This was all part of the plan. So why the agitation?
"Because the target has appeared," the Harbinger said coldly, her gaze fixed on the doorway. "If not for that, it would be the Knights who should be anxious—not me."
The two Electro Cicin Mages stiffened.
The target.
Barbatos?!
The realization struck them like lightning. Now they understood.
The Knights alone posed no threat. They could never resolve the Dragon Crisis so quickly. But with an Archon involved—
Nothing was certain.
"At this point, we must act," the Harbinger said calmly. "You must escape and relay the intelligence. Within three days, Snezhnaya must force Mondstadt to release me."
One could not free all Fatui prisoners at once—but that had been accounted for. What she hadn't anticipated was the target's emergence.
"Go," she ordered. "Their attention is on me. You won't be stopped."
After a moment's hesitation, the Electro Cicin Mage nodded.
"Understood".
She dissolved into lightning and vanished. Moments later, a Knight rushed in—only to find the cell missing one prisoner.
The Harbinger merely scoffed.
"If anyone wished to speak, let the Acting Grand Master come herself."
She would wait.
—
At the dessert shop, Venti and Zhongli departed quietly.
Outside the city, Raiden Ei drew Musou Isshin once more.
Training resumed.
And Futsu Mitama fell—hard—into the grass, breath ragged, body trembling.
Kuki Shinobu watched in silence. Only now did she truly understand the weight of an Archon's strength. Kuki Shinobu could only let out a quiet sigh. Truly, the gods were beings of terrifying strength.
After Futsu Mitama finally collapsed from exhaustion, Raiden Ei did not trouble him further. She did not sheathe Musou Isshin either. Instead, her gaze shifted—calm, weighty—toward Kuki Shinobu standing not far away.
The moment the Shogun's eyes settled on her, a subtle sense of unease rose in Kuki Shinobu's heart.
"The former shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine?" Raiden Ei asked evenly. "Your name is Kuki Shinobu, correct?"
Raiden Ei was no stranger to her. Kuki Shinobu had remained by Futsu Mitama's side, and Ei had seen her more than once. Her name had also been mentioned on occasion by the Miko and by Futsu Mitama himself.
"Yes, Shogun-sama." Kuki Shinobu nodded, meeting Raiden Ei's gaze with utmost seriousness. "I am Kuki Shinobu."
After speaking, she found herself momentarily unsure of what to say next. In the Chat Group, she could exchange banter freely with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Raiden Makoto, and Venti alike—but standing here in person before the Raiden Shogun, she felt only excitement, reverence, and a trace of awe.
Indeed, speaking across words and meeting face to face were entirely different matters.
"Since you are here," Raiden Ei said, "I will offer you some guidance as well."
As she spoke, she raised Musou Isshin in her hand. Earlier, she had noticed Kuki Shinobu's gaze linger upon the blade. From that gaze alone, Raiden Ei could tell that Kuki Shinobu was no ordinary combatant. At the very least, her close-quarters skills were solid.
And since she was a citizen of Inazuma, and possessed such foundations, Raiden Ei saw no reason to withhold instruction.
Her method of guidance, however, was neither subtle nor gentle. Musou Isshin flashed—
And Raiden Ei struck. Before the attack even landed, she released a thread of killing intent.
Kuki Shinobu reacted purely on instinct. Her blade left its sheath as she countered without hesitation.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Steel rang against steel.
In less than ten minutes, the exchange ended.
Kuki Shinobu was defeated.
Only then did she truly grasp the Shogun's overwhelming power—the terror that lay beneath that calm composure. And yet, even in defeat, she could clearly tell that Raiden Ei had gone easy on her. Very easy.
When Raiden Ei sparred with Futsu Mitama, the two fought in silence, neither yielding an inch. To any observer, it resembled a struggle balanced on the edge of life and death.
But with her, Raiden Ei corrected her movements mid-battle, reminded her when to shift her stance, and guided her on how to better release force under pressure. To be honest, this brief exchange brought Kuki Shinobu immense insight.
It also made her keenly aware of the gap between herself and Futsu Mitama. At the same time, she could clearly feel her own close-combat strength surging forward—yet the cost was exhaustion.
Not merely physical fatigue, but mental depletion as well. Only now did Kuki Shinobu truly understand why Futsu Mitama always complained of being unbearably tired after sparring with the Shogun.
It was exhausting—truly exhausting.
At this moment, Kuki Shinobu wanted nothing more than to quietly gaze at the beautiful star-filled sky, letting her mind rest. Yet even so, the things Raiden Ei had taught her continued to surface in her thoughts.
They were far too valuable.
And someone with Kuki Shinobu's temperament would never allow such insights to fade unused. In that sense alone, she and Futsu Mitama were indeed alike.
"You are very good," Raiden Ei said calmly. "Your foundation is solid. If you continue to train, you will surely achieve something remarkable."
A trace of appreciation flickered in her eyes. With such close-combat ability, Kuki Shinobu could already serve as a general within the Tenryou Commission—though she was still slightly inferior to Kujou Sara in raw strength.
But in a true life-and-death struggle, even Raiden Ei could not say with certainty who would emerge victorious between the two.
After all, Kuki Shinobu carried the legacy of a Grand Narukami Shrine maiden.
Moreover, she had traveled through Liyue alongside Futsu Mitama, encountered the Adeptus, and even met Rex Lapis himself. Through those experiences—and through Futsu Mitama's connections—she had undoubtedly gained certain benefits.
Most likely, she had received fragments of Talisman Arts inheritance. Even fragments alone were more than enough to elevate her considerably.
Raiden Ei felt a quiet stir of emotion.
Inazuma still possessed such talent.
In the past, she had remained secluded within the Plane of Euthymia, distant from the lives of her people. Even as Watatsumi Island's resistance grew, she had regarded it as a natural occurrence, leaving it to the Tenryou Commission.
And if the Tenryou Commission failed, she would simply intervene herself—to preserve eternity.
"You flatter me," Kuki Shinobu said with a faint smile.
Receiving the Electro Archon's acknowledgment was something to be proud of.
"And—"
Raiden Ei's gaze shifted, settling upon Futsu Mitama, who lay not far away, very clearly "playing dead."
"Futsu Mitama," she said slowly, "with your physique, you should have mostly recovered by now. Why are you still lying there? Do you wish to rest longer?"
Futsu Mitama's body stiffened.
He had hoped to remain on the ground a little longer—let Kuki Shinobu occupy Raiden Ei while he digested what he had learned. He hadn't expected her to fall so quickly.
Ten minutes. Only ten minutes.
He had lasted several hours.
Complaining inwardly, Futsu Mitama rose helplessly, brushing the grass from his clothes. The blades were sharper than he'd expected. He drew Musou Isshin and assumed his stance once more, prepared to continue.
"Mhm." Raiden Ei nodded slightly at the sight. "Then it is time to witness the results of your training."
"Eh?" Futsu Mitama froze.
Kuki Shinobu also looked over in surprise. Training results? What results?
She didn't know the reason behind Raiden Ei's special training.
Futsu Mitama hadn't said anything.
Aside from him, only Venti, Zhongli, and two other Archons knew the truth—that Raiden Ei was personally teaching Futsu Mitama Musou no Hitotachi. At the very least, she would not leave until he reached minor accomplishment.
The gifts given by the Anemo Archon and the Geo Archon had stirred her deeply. If others were giving so freely, then she, too, would teach him properly.
A Futsu Mitama who had achieved minor mastery of Musou no Hitotachi—combined with the Authority of the Electro Archon—would undeniably bear her mark.
Surely, Barbatos and Morax would not stoop so low as to steal him away.
"Use Musou no Hitotachi on me," Raiden Ei said calmly. "Whether you use Electro elemental power or even Authority—it does not matter. Show me your limit."
Futsu Mitama hesitated. "Isn't this…too fast?"
Special training in the morning, evaluation by night—wasn't that excessive?
"Not fast," Raiden Ei replied, shaking her head slightly. "On the contrary, this is the most appropriate moment. From the Musou no Hitotachi you unleash," she continued, "I will see its flaws."
"And from those flaws, I will guide you. So, Futsu Mitama—"
Her gaze sharpened.
"Use Musou no Hitotachi on me."
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