Akira Shindo didn't feel that using resurrection as leverage over Raiden Ei and Yae Miko was wrong in any way.
He didn't believe that, without any emotional foundation, he could simply shake his body like the protagonists in many novels and have every woman—whether god, demon, or spirit—throw herself at him.
Especially someone like Raiden Ei.
With her reserved personality, having secluded herself in the Plane of Euthymia for hundreds of years in pursuit of Eternity, even with the "Teyvat's Most Devoted Man" buff, there was absolutely no way she would fall in love with him in a short period of time.
That title might have some effect on ordinary women—or even on a yokai like Yae Miko.
But expecting it to attract the love of a god was impossible.
After all, a god's will was far too firm.
Still, Akira Shindo didn't mind.
He wasn't a pervert.
Was there anything wrong with liking the wives he once adored in a game?
Why not secure the relationship first and then slowly build the feelings afterward?
As gods, their lifespans stretched far into the future.
They would have plenty of time to watch the seas change and the stars shift.
Plenty of time to slowly warm the wounded heart of Raiden Ei.
True love…
Would surely endure forever.
Thinking of this, Akira Shindo suddenly felt his thoughts become clear, as if the path before him had opened up.
So now—
It was time to take hold of the sly fox.
He turned his head toward Yae Miko.
She was calmly brewing tea nearby.
"Miko," Akira Shindo said casually, "I sensed a wounded soul inside the Sacred Sakura."
"Do you know someone named Raiden Makoto?"
"What?"
Yae Miko immediately raised her head, her eyes filled with shock.
For a moment she even thought she had misheard.
"Who did you say?"
"Raiden Makoto," Akira Shindo repeated.
"Lady Makoto? Inside the Sacred Sakura?"
Yae Miko abruptly stood up, her voice trembling with excitement.
"You're saying you sensed Lady Makoto's presence inside the Sacred Sakura?"
"Yes," Akira Shindo nodded.
"Unfortunately, the consciousness is extremely weak."
"Like a candle in the wind—it could disappear at any moment."
"…"
Yae Miko didn't reply.
She immediately rushed outside and placed her hand against the Sacred Sakura.
But she couldn't sense the presence she remembered.
Watching her reaction, Akira Shindo fell silent.
What Inazuma had experienced in the past was simply too painful.
Almost all of its powerful warriors had died.
Only Raiden Ei and Yae Miko remained.
And Ei had sealed herself away in isolation.
It was easy to imagine how lonely Yae Miko must have been for the past five hundred years.
After standing beneath the Sacred Sakura for a long time, Yae Miko finally returned to the room.
Looking at Akira Shindo—who was calmly sipping tea—she spoke softly.
"Akira Shindo…"
"You told me this because you have a way to solve it, don't you?"
"That's right," Akira Shindo nodded.
As expected of a clever woman.
"I recently regained the authority over life and death," he explained.
"I went out earlier just to test how far that power works in Teyvat."
"And fortunately…"
"I can resurrect anyone who has died."
"Even if only a trace of their consciousness remains."
After Akira Shindo finished speaking, he could clearly hear Yae Miko's breathing grow heavier.
But suddenly—
She seemed to think of something and forced herself to calm down.
Looking at him, she asked quietly:
"What do you want?"
"Or rather… what do you want me to do?"
If Akira Shindo brought this up now, he clearly had something he wanted.
If he wasn't lying, then the ability to resurrect the dead was an authority of the highest order.
The position of Chief Divine Priest—and the modest待遇 that came with it—was nowhere near enough to pay for that.
If the people of Teyvat discovered Akira Shindo's ability…
The entire world would tremble.
Everyone would covet his power.
"What I want is actually very simple," Akira Shindo said calmly, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"You want… me?" Yae Miko raised an eyebrow.
"More precisely," Akira Shindo replied,
"Not just you."
"But also the one in Tenshukaku."
He spoke bluntly.
As gods, neither he nor Yae Miko were ordinary people.
There was no need to dance around the topic.
"…Heh."
"Your appetite really is quite large, isn't it?"
Yae Miko clicked her tongue.
"As expected of a god."
"Fair trades require equal value," Akira Shindo continued.
"In exchange, I won't just resurrect Raiden Makoto."
"I can also resurrect the woman you mentioned earlier—Kitsune Saiguu."
"That really is an irresistible offer," Yae Miko murmured thoughtfully.
To be honest—
She was tempted.
If Lady Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu could return to life, then whatever price she paid wouldn't seem too great.
"But tell me something first," Yae Miko suddenly said, looking directly at him.
"What exactly about me attracted you?"
"I'm quite curious."
"What part of me is so outstanding that a god would offer such a precious 'gift' just to obtain me?"
"I've observed this world for quite some time," Akira Shindo replied calmly.
"And I must admit—"
"I like beautiful and exceptional women."
"You are one."
"The Raiden Shogun is another."
"And there are several others as well."
"I like them all."
"Ara ara…"
"To receive such praise from a god truly makes me happy," Yae Miko laughed softly behind her sleeve.
"But saying you're a womanizer so openly…"
"That really is just like you, Lord Akira Shindo."
"A graceful lady attracts the pursuit of a gentleman," Akira Shindo said indifferently.
"Besides, I'm just an ordinary man."
He didn't care that Yae Miko called him a womanizer.
He preferred to think of it as broad affection.
Couldn't he appreciate high-quality women?
"…"
Yae Miko was momentarily speechless.
This man had actually accepted the label of womanizer without hesitation.
"But Akira Shindo," she said after a moment,
"If you truly can resurrect Lady Makoto and Lady Saiguu as you claim…"
"Then being cherished by a god… I suppose I wouldn't object."
"However, resurrection is far beyond my understanding."
"How am I supposed to believe you?"
"Then how would you like me to prove it?" Akira Shindo asked.
"If you can resurrect Lady Saiguu, just as you said," Yae Miko replied after a moment of thought,
"Then from that moment onward…"
"I will belong to you."
As for why she didn't ask him to resurrect Raiden Makoto first—
That was Akira Shindo's greatest bargaining chip against Raiden Ei.
As a thoughtful little fox, how could she ruin his grand plan?
"Haha. Very well."
Akira Shindo nodded.
"But after I revive Kitsune Saiguu, you'll keep your word, won't you?"
He genuinely worried Yae Miko might try to back out afterward.
This fox priestess was mischievous.
Unless absolutely necessary, Akira Shindo had no intention of forcing her.
"Of course," Yae Miko nodded.
Facing a god, she didn't think she had the courage to break her promise.
Besides—
The fact that Akira Shindo agreed to resurrect Kitsune Saiguu first already showed considerable respect toward her.
"In that case," Akira Shindo said with satisfaction,
"I'll begin by resurrecting Kitsune Saiguu."
It seemed the sly fox was actually quite easy to handle.
"But first," Akira Shindo added,
"I need to take you somewhere."
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