The God of Eternity
Tenshukaku.
Three figures were meeting in the middle of a room. At its center was a polished, round table, surrounded by three high-backed chairs. Each of these chairs occupied by the three figures was ornately carved with gold symbols representing the Kanjou, Yashiro, and Tenryou commissions respectively.
A colossal, singular portrait hung behind the table which would command the attention of anyone inside. It was a picture that depicted the Raiden Shogun, resplendent in her regal attire, wielding the legendary sword Musou Isshin and slaying the false god, Orobashi, with the Musou no Hitotachi.
"By a vote of 2 against 1. The proposal to present the Raiden Shogun with the request to repeal the Vision Hunt Decree is at this moment rejected." Takayuki declared as he turned to look at Ayato.
Next to him was Hiragii Shinusuke, the Kanjou Commissioner, who was nodding in approval.
"I suggest you and your sister give up on these meaningless attempts. It's barely been a month into the Vision Hunt Decree and you've already submitted five attempts. As the head of the Kamisato Clan, you should be helping our God to pursue Eternity, not going against it." Takayuki continued, his hands folded.
"I won't tolerate your questioning of our allegiance to the Raiden Shogun. If necessary, I'm prepared to uphold our clan's honor and demonstrate it in a duel, right in front of the throne. Are you bold enough to accept this challenge?" Ayato spoke calmly. Much more calmly than he usually did.
Takayuki knew he had hit a sore spot. If there was one thing that could possibly cause the seemingly perfect Kamisato Ayato to be riled up, it would be doubting their loyalty to the Raiden Shogun. Even the slightest insinuation of it.
It was well known that the parents of Ayato along with plenty of powerful figures in the Kamisato Clan were sentenced to death for their failure to supervise their subordinates during the Raiden Gokaden Incident.
If it wasn't for the intervention of that annoying sly fox, Yae Miko, the entire Kamisato Clan would have been removed from power.
Thanks to that, the Divine Guuji forced the Kamsiato Clan into a favor.
The clan stands because of Narukami's mercy. As such, the clan must defend the road to Eternity, and follow the Shogun eternally. Such was the Kamisato Clan's rule ever since.
"Hmph. No wonder the Kamisato House is in decline. You can continue your foolish theatrics with the festivals and Shummatsuban Shenningans. As the leader of the Tri Commission, it is time for me to approach the Violet Throne." Takayuki stood up and turned his back at Ayato.
He walked towards the door before Ayato's voice interrupted him again.
"Hold on."
"If you're going to waste my time with the Vision Hunt Decree. Save it." One of Takayuki's foot was already out of the door. He turned his head behind, locking gazes with the Yashiro Comissioner.
"The Fatui have been increasingly active as of late in Inazuma. My agents have uprooted a number of them, sleeper cells that have been planted here in Inazuma City. It seems they have been activated to search for something. We should inform Her Excellency."
"I object." The Kanjou Comissioner raised a hand.
"I object as well. This proposal is rejected by a vote of 2 to 1. Handling such trivial matters is the task of the Shummatsuban. Counter-espionage and espionage activities are normal between nations. It's not as if we do not have our own in Snezhnaya. Am I right, Ayato? Don't think I don't know the little tricks you are pulling aside from the Shummatsuban."
The Kamisato Clan Leader merely kept his silence. Takayuki reckoned that was most likely a tacit approval.
"The meeting is hereby adjourned." Takayuki waved his hands with a flick as he exited the building and the guards closed the ornate doors behind him.
He continued to stroll through the corridors of Tenshukaku before stopping at a flight of stairs, letting the wind blow against his red haori as he surveyed Inazuma City.
As Tenshukaku was located at the highest point of Inazamu City, one could see the bustling streets and beautiful landscape from its vantage point.
Takayuki frowned as he took in the scenery. That damned Ayato, bringing up the Fatui … he must have suspected a connection between him and Snezhnaya. The man was truly someone not to be underestimated.
"The Tenryou Commission, I must protect it and uphold the Kujou Clan's position. Those foolish harbingers - Signora and Pierro … Hmph. You think you are using me, but you are the ones being used by me. When the lightning strikes in Inazuma, you shall fall to your knees and tremble before the majesty of the Narukami, for we all walk in her eternal shadow."
"After all …"
"None can contend with the supreme power of the Almighty Raiden Shogun and the Musou no Hitotachi!"
The lips of Takayuki curled into a faint smile as he climbed the steps and approached the last obstacle that stood before him and Violet Throne.
The Okuzumeshuu. Personal guards of the Raiden Shogun.
The squad has no soldiers, all three members are officers. Their combined strength rivaled that of an entire army.
No one knew why the number was kept at three.
Takayuki couldn't help but feel pity for any unlucky soul that faced them. Even his adopted daughter, Kujou Sara, would probably face some difficulty in taking them down, not that she would lose of course.
In the middle of the Okuzumeshuu was a beautiful slim girl in her early twenties with lengthy silver locks cascading down her back, harmonizing flawlessly with her mesmerizing gray eyes.
She was decked as usual in a short white dress with accents of blue and gold intricacies. Her hands wore translucent gloves, and her stature was accentuated by the thigh-high black shoes. On her left breast was a golden mask adorned with blue ribbons.
One of the Five Sword Saints and leader of the Okuzumeshuu, Riko Kaedehara.
The girl's fashion sense had changed thanks to the influence of Fontaine traders in Inazuma.
Those people had some weird tastes …
It was something that Takayuki did not approve of. But as the Okuzumeshuu fell outside his jurisdiction, he could not do a thing to her. Either way, he was not on good terms with Riko.
To her left was the other Sword Saint, Saizou. The remaining member to her right was Takeshi.
"Kujou Takayuki, Tenryou Comissioner and leader of the Tri Comission. I have come to seek an audience with the Raiden Shogun," he stated.
The door swung open. With Riko escorting him down a hallway. The ambient glow of softly lit lanterns cast a gentle radiance against the polished, lacquered walls which had three portraits.
Takayuki admired the figures once again as he strode down the hallway.
The first portrait was that of a Kitsune. The girl had white hair and fur and was dressed in the traditional Miko attire that a priestess normally would wear. The artist had captured the Kitsune features of the figure masterfully, as every detail was rendered exquisitely. There was a soft ethereal glow around her figure that added a sense of mystery to her.
The description beneath the portrait bore the words
- Kitsune Saiguu -
The second portrait further down was that of a Tengu General. His black wings, majestic and imposing, stretched wide admist the lightning bolts that crackled around him as he stood tall atop a hill. In his right hand was a purple fan with gold details, elements of wind, and purple swirling around it.
- Sasayuri -
The last portrait was that of an Oni, her face as beautiful as the moon itself. The figure was dressed in battle garb as she grasped a blade adorned with intricate engravings on her left hand. The figure had a gentle smile on her face.
It was the only portrait that did not have a description. Takayuki could not help but wonder the reason behind it everytime he passed it by.
Riko voice's interrupted his thoughts.
"Harbor so much even a traitorous thought towards Her Excellency, and I will execute you." Riko's measured words and steps echoed off the walls.
"Scary scary … the aura of a Sword Saint is indeed formidable. However it is not good for a lady to be so fierce, you'll find it hard to get a husband in the future. For the sake of the Kaedehara family, you should work hard." Takayuki said.
"Do not mention that name. I have long abandoned it. " Riko's tone carried a tinge of annoyance and she stopped in front of a towering set of doors. "Her Excellency awaits."
Takayuki kept his silence. Either way, as long as they did not interfere with his plan, he could care less. Even though the Okuzumeshuu were the personal guards of the Electro Deity, she rarely interacted with them.
If the Raiden Shogun sent them to join the war against the heretical resistance, the resistance wouldn't even know what hit them.
Not that he ever planned on letting the Raiden Shogun know that there was a civil war, of course.
The beautiful gate bearing the Electro Mitsudomoe Emblem parted and he walked inside the throne room.
He carefully took several steps forward, then bowed to his knees, his head in deference.
"Your humble servant, Kujou Takayuki, has come to report on the progress of the Vision Hunt Decree."
A voice, that carried an unmistakable power, cut through the silence in the room.
"Proceed."
He lifted his face, admiring the ethereal person seated regally atop the Violet Throne. Behind the high-backed seat, an imposing symbol of the Electro Mitsudomoe loomed large, radiating a purple glow that cast light over the room.
There was an air of dignified grace exuded by Her Excellency. Hands resting gracefully on the throne's armrest, her gaze was piercing as it looked down upon him, making Takayuki feel like an ant in her presence that was only fit to be stepped on.
With deliberate poise, she confidently crossed her legs at the knee, her short purple skirt rose enticingly, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her thighs.
The dark purple thigh-high stockings that she wore accentuated her long, slender legs, showcasing every curve and contour. It served as if to invite her subjects to prostrate at her feet to admire her beauty and worship her.
The person was none other than the Master and Ruler of their Nation.
The Raiden Shogun.
Clad in her regal and beautiful purple clothes. It was an attire crafted by the finest of Inazuma's craftsmanship, fit for a God. It was the only attire that was permitted to be adorned with the Electro Mitsudomoe - the highest honor in Inazuma.
For the clothes worthy of a divine being, it was thus called Narukami's Law.
A fitting name. For in the Land of Eternity, the words of the Divine Narukami was Law itself.
"As you command, Almighty Shogun …"
=====
Elsewhere in Teyvat.
On a beach.
"Yeah, Paimon owes you for that. Otherwise, Paimon likely would have drowned … so, Paimon will do her best to be a great guide. We should, head off, let's get going!"
A certain blonde female and a floating figure began their adventure.