บท 10: Chapter 10: The Tricky Fox is Exasperated
"Enough with the small talk," Liam said, smiling at the vigilant Yae Miko.
"Yae, you know I'm an outsider, a traveler from another world, right?"
Yae Miko nodded, remembering how she had witnessed the Raiden Shogun taking Liam away herself.
"Yes."
Liam nodded back. "When I arrived in this world, I inadvertently gathered the remnants of a dissipated soul. That soul is Raiden Makoto."
Yae Miko was stunned, staring blankly at Liam. He waved his hand in front of her face. "Hey, Yae! Are you that shocked?"
His call brought Yae Miko back to her senses. She grabbed Liam's arm, her expression unusually serious—a rare sight on this tricky fox.
"Are you serious? This is not a joke. If you're lying, even I will get angry," she warned. Despite being a calm and collected being, Yae Miko had her attachments—old friends she couldn't easily let go of.
"Do you think I have nothing better to do? Makoto's soul resides in my consciousness. Because of the unusual way I gathered it, she can't leave there for now. I'm working on reconstituting her body. Once that's done, she can fully come back to life," Liam explained patiently.
"In your consciousness?" Yae Miko looked at Liam in surprise. "Can I see it?"
Liam shrugged, nonchalant. "You can try. But my consciousness space is quite unique. Even Makoto can't leave it. I'm not sure if you can enter."
"Let me try!" Yae Miko insisted. The chance to see an old friend again was too precious to give up easily.
"Alright, do as you need. Just let me know if you need my help," Liam agreed, seeing her determination. Sometimes, people had to experience things themselves to understand.
"No need. Just close your eyes and relax. I'll handle the rest," Yae Miko instructed.
"Okay," Liam complied, closing his eyes and gradually relaxing.
Seeing Liam was ready, Yae Miko's body shimmered, and she placed a finger on Liam's forehead. However, within a few moments, her hand jerked back, and she looked pale, her expression complicated as she stared at Liam.
Feeling the touch leave his forehead, Liam opened his eyes and saw Yae Miko's troubled face. "What's wrong, Yae? Did you see Makoto?"
Yae Miko took a moment to compose herself, her expression returning to its usual calm. "No, but I did sense her presence. As you said, I couldn't enter."
Yae Miko sighed and shook her head. Although she was disappointed, knowing Makoto's current state was a relief. She then turned her attention back to Liam. "I'm curious about you now, little one."
Liam was taken aback. "Curious about me? What's there to be curious about? I'm just an outsider, a traveler."
"What happened just now?" Liam asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Nothing much. Just sensed something indescribable, like a dangerous power sleeping inside you," Yae Miko explained. She wasn't sure if Liam knew about it, but she wanted to gauge his reaction.
"Oh, that," Liam nodded knowingly. Despite being a half-baked Herrscher, he was indeed a genuine Herrscher of the End. Though not yet awakened, he still carried some inherent intimidation. Yae Miko must have sensed this.
Seeing Liam's nonchalant reaction, Yae Miko realized he knew about his condition. "Ha! Don't worry, I'm quite safe right now!" Liam laughed it off, trying to ease the tension.
"Right now?" Yae Miko caught the crucial detail. If he was safe now, did that mean he might not be in the future?
"Can you explain it to me? Of course, if it's personal, you don't have to. I know overly inquisitive girls aren't popular," Yae Miko joked, her curiosity undimmed. The dangerous aura she sensed was more unsettling than the Abyss.
Liam thought for a moment and decided to give her a brief explanation. "To put it simply, think of me as a bomb capable of blowing up all of Teyvat. Handle with care, and nothing will happen. But if something goes wrong, I might explode."
Despite Liam's lighthearted tone, Yae Miko's expression grew increasingly grave. She couldn't help but think, "Was he exiled from his world?"
"What kind of mishaps could trigger this?" Yae Miko pressed, determined to understand fully.
"Severe injury, near-death experiences, or even death itself. Or if I choose to... But don't worry, I'm very peaceful by nature. As long as no one provokes me, I won't cause trouble. I'm not a murderer," Liam assured her, though his last condition made Yae Miko nearly lose her composure.
Though they hadn't known each other long, Yae Miko could tell Liam wasn't a villain from the little interactions they'd had. But still, knowing a potential world-ending bomb was right in front of her was unsettling. It was natural.
Originally, Yae Miko planned to manipulate Liam into confronting the Shogun. Now, she had to rethink her strategy. If something happened to Liam, she'd be the one to blame for the world's destruction.
...
After a prolonged discussion, Yae Miko, with a cheerful smile masking her frustration, saw Liam off. Concerned for his well-being, she handed him several omamori (protective charms) and assured him that he could call on her if he ever faced trouble in Inazuma.
Liam gladly accepted her offer. After all, having a powerful ally like Yae Miko was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
While Liam left in high spirits, not everyone shared his mood.
In the main hall of Tenshukaku in Inazuma City, Kujou Takayuki, the current head of the Kujou clan, was having an audience with the Raiden Shogun. At this moment, he was bowing deeply, his head almost touching the floor.
"Shogun-sama, the Vision Hunt Decree is of utmost importance. Why have you entrusted it entirely to that youngster, Liam? Do you no longer trust the Tenryou Commission?"
Raiden Shogun's expression was cold as she looked down at Kujou Takayuki.
"Are you questioning my decision, Kujou Takayuki?" she asked, her tone indifferent but carrying an immense pressure that made Kujou Takayuki kneel instantly.
"I wouldn't dare!" Kujou Takayuki replied, trembling. He didn't dare say another word, feeling the Shogun's displeasure.
"I have already decreed that Liam has the authority to command the shogunate and issue orders to the commissions. The Vision Hunt Decree is his responsibility. Is there a problem with this, Kujou Takayuki? Do you wish to be an exception?"
As Raiden Shogun spoke, a ring of purple lightning appeared behind her, and a chilling killing intent filled the hall. The terrifying aura made Kujou Takayuki's heart pound in fear. He pressed his body flat against the ground, terrified. He couldn't understand why the usually calm Shogun was so furious with him when he had done nothing wrong.
"Shogun-sama, I was merely concerned that mishandling the Vision Hunt Decree might hinder your pursuit of eternity," he stammered, desperate to save his life.
Hearing the word "eternity" seemed to calm the Raiden Shogun slightly. The ring of lightning behind her vanished. Realizing his life was spared, Kujou Takayuki relaxed a bit.
Just then, Liam appeared beside Raiden Shogun, holding bags filled with tricolor dango and dango milk. Noticing the trembling, middle-aged man on the floor, Liam turned to Raiden Shogun.
"Master, who's this?" he asked.
"Kujou Takayuki, the current head of the Kujou clan. He's here about your assignment regarding the Vision Hunt Decree," Raiden Shogun explained briefly.
Recognizing the name, Liam turned his gaze to the quivering man. "So this is the infamous Kujou Takayuki! No wonder he looks so deserving of a good scare!"
Sensing the lingering violent electric energy and seeing the state of Kujou Takayuki, Liam's eyes sparkled. He looked at Raiden Shogun with a grin.
"Master, do you need me to take care of this troublesome guy for you? Just say the word, and I'll handle it!"
Liam set his bags down and drew the Seven Thunders of Retribution (Shouki no Kami's) sword from his waist. Without asking where the scabbard came from, he prepared to execute Kujou Takayuki.
Kujou Takayuki, realizing Liam's intentions, silently cursed him and his ancestors. But Liam, being an orphan, was unaffected by such attacks. In fact, he might even join in the cursing for fun.
"Shogun-sama, I know my mistake! Please, have mercy!" Kujou Takayuki pleaded, sensing the imminent danger.
"Liam, stop," Raiden Shogun commanded. She saw value in keeping Kujou Takayuki alive.
Liam halted his attack, the blade just inches from Kujou Takayuki's head. The man's face had turned deathly pale.
"Ah, it seems the Kujou clan head is quite lucky today! Let's see if your luck holds next time!" Liam taunted, sheathing his sword with a flourish and returning to Raiden Shogun's side.
Raiden Shogun had taken out a stick of tricolor dango. She handed it to Liam without any change in her expression.
"???" Liam was puzzled but took a bite of the dango as instructed.
Seeing this, Raiden Shogun nodded slightly. Then she turned her cold gaze to Kujou Takayuki, who was still recovering from the shock.
"Leave!" she ordered.
Kujou Takayuki snapped out of his daze, quickly got up, bowed deeply, and left the hall, trembling. Liam watched him go with a look of disdain.
"We'll take our time, Kujou Takayuki!"
"What did you do this morning?" Raiden Shogun asked Liam.
"After leaving Tenshukaku, I wandered around Inazuma to see what needed improvement," Liam lied casually.
"Hmm. Come to my room. Ei has been asking to see you," Raiden Shogun said.
"Master Ei wants to hear more stories, I suppose?" Liam realized. He had promised to tell her stories every day, but had forgotten after spending time with Raiden Shogun yesterday. He felt guilty for neglecting her.
"Yes, I forgot about that! Haha," Liam scratched his head, laughing.
"It's not a big deal. Stories won't contribute much to eternity. Share them when you have time. Your priority should be managing Inazuma," Raiden Shogun stated, her expression unchanged.
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