"In the chaotic era of the Archon War, time passed quickly... in the blink of an eye, fourteen years had gone by."
"The two infant girls had grown into graceful young women…"
"Baal, the elder sister, excelled at mastering theoretical knowledge... She often snuck into the boy's study to read his notes, learning many principles of governance..."
"Such as the system of the Three Commissions... methods for ruling a nation... and the structure of the shogunate..."
"Beelzebul, the younger sister, was more drawn to battle, pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts… She constantly clung to the boy, asking him to teach her swordsmanship…"
"Such as the strike that pushes martial skill to its utmost... or the strike known as Musou no Hitotachi... Though Beelzebul was still young and could not fully grasp these techniques, she committed them all to memory."
"As the two sisters grew…"
"They witnessed the chaos of Inazuma, the slaughter wrought by the gods, and the suffering of humanity."
"Gradually…"
"A dream began to take root in the hearts of the kind-hearted sisters."
"They dreamed of ending the chaos of the Archon War, of saving the people of Inazuma… They wanted to defeat all the gods."
"Once this dream took hold, nothing could suppress it."
"Though they had no Visions and no command over the elements… they resolved to challenge the gods with their knowledge and their ultimate martial skill."
"To show their determination, the sisters named themselves after the boy's lightning power."
"Baal, the elder sister, took the name Raiden Makoto."
"Beelzebul, the younger sister, took the name Raiden Ei."
...
At Wangshu Inn, upon the elevated stage, Li Mo let out a sigh of relief as he spoke the names Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei.
In that lifetime… it was from this moment that Baal and Beelzebul began their path toward becoming the Electro Archons.
Below, the audience erupted into excitement upon hearing the names Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei.
"Their dreams were born in this moment…"
"So that's how the Shogunate system came to be in Inazuma—they learned it all from the boy…"
"So that's why the Raiden Shogun possesses such unparalleled martial skill—the boy taught her…"
"The Raiden sisters are about to take flight!"
"But… at this point, Baal and Beelzebul still have no Visions and cannot wield elemental power. Can they really defeat the gods?"
"Stay low and grow stronger… don't take unnecessary risks…"
"I have a feeling tragedy is coming…"
"Storyteller, please don't break our hearts…"
Most of the audience at Wangshu Inn were local Liyue citizens.
Yet, upon witnessing the Raiden sisters' dream, they could not help but cheer for them, cheer for Inazuma… because in Liyue, their own ancestors had lived through a similar era of chaos.
Everyone longed for peace.
At that moment, in a corner of Wangshu Inn, Keqing dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, visibly moved.
"Shenhe, the story he tells is so touching."
"Do you think what he's saying about the Raiden Shogun is true?"
As Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, Keqing had always been a strong-willed person.
But now, hearing such a moving story, her eyes could not help but grow moist.
Who could resist a tale that was both heartbreaking and heartwarming?
Yet Shenhe's expression remained as cold as ever. It was not that she was unmoved by the story of the Raiden Shogun.
It was because her own past had been equally tragic.
"Whether it's true or false, what difference does it make?"
"All of it will be buried in history… and one day, everyone will forget."
Even so, as Li Mo told his story, Shenhe listened intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.
Because in the boy within the story, she sensed a presence reminiscent of a childhood companion she once knew.
...
Meanwhile, on the sea between Liyue and Inazuma, a massive warship bearing the Raiden Shogun's emblem was sailing at full speed.
It would not be long before it reached Liyue Harbor.
The Raiden Shogun stood at the ship's prow, gripping her blade—Musou Isshin—her gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Miko, how much longer until we reach Liyue Harbor?"
Yae Miko consulted her map. "Liyue Harbor? About two more hours…"
The Raiden Shogun commanded, "Order full speed ahead."
Yae Miko sighed. "Very well…"
She was deeply curious.
What could possibly compel Inazuma's Raiden Shogun to abandon everything and travel to Liyue?
...
At that moment, at Wangshu Inn, Li Mo sat steadily upon the elevated stage. When his throat grew dry, he would pause briefly to take a sip of tea before continuing the tale of the Raiden sisters.
As he spoke, powerful Electro energy gathered above the inn, forming visions of Inazuma.
In the images…
The two young sisters called the boy "Brother."
Baal, the elder sister, was kind-hearted and gentle, studying under her brother and learning a great deal about governance.
Beelzebul, the younger sister, was obsessed with swordsmanship, seeking ever greater martial skill, and learned many combat techniques from her brother.
As the days passed and they grew older, their obsession with their shared dream intensified.
Beelzebul often pestered her sister. "Sister Baal, I have honed my swordsmanship to its peak. Let us go challenge the gods and protect Inazuma."
But Baal remained calm and composed. "It is not enough yet… we need greater strength."
They yearned for greater strength—just like the ultimate martial skill their brother had displayed when he fought the great Tengu.
But in this chaotic era, they had no time left to grow.
By then, the Archon War had reached its most turbulent stage.
Every corner of Inazuma, every living being, had been drawn into the conflict.
One day, before they could go out to challenge the gods, a fearsome god came to their doorstep.
That day, a terrifyingly colossal god arrived at their secluded mountain village.
When this colossal god saw the fertile land, the abundant resources, and the absence of any powerful god to protect them, it felt no mercy.
It launched a fierce assault on the peaceful, quiet village.
Just like the massacre fourteen years ago, the colossal god and its minions crushed the village as if they were trampling ants—destroying homes and slaughtering villagers.
Amid the slaughter, villagers cried out desperately.
"Baal, Beelzebul! A wicked god has come!"
"We will hold it off!"
"Take the children and flee!"
"Don't worry about us! Take the children and run—they are Inazuma's hope!"
...
The villagers threw themselves into the fray, using their fragile human bodies to shield the children, buying them time to escape.
But their strength was far too meager.
With a single strike, the colossal god unleashed towering flames that engulfed the entire village in an instant.
All who resisted were struck down.
"Kill."
The colossal god opened its massive maw and uttered a single, deafening word.
In that moment, the once peaceful village was transformed into a hellish slaughterhouse.
Witnessing this horrific scene, Baal and Beelzebul felt as if they were seeing the tragedy from fourteen years ago all over again.
Their hearts wrenched in agony.
They drew their blades and turned to face the terrifying god.
...