61 A single relaxing day is too much to ask for

The flashes of lightning and the rumbling sound of thunder has always been present at some point in his life.

It has always been the case for him and the other natives of Inazuma. After all, it shouldn't really come as a surprise, considering their nation is ruled by the Almighty Narukami Ogosho.

After his unfortunate 'death' of getting stabbed in the streets of Inazuma Island in broad daylight, everything that happens after seems like nothing more than a ridiculous dream. I mean, being alive right now is one thing, but being stuck as an electro slime is a whole other can of worms he's not quite ready to dive into.

But hey, he's alive, and for now that's all that matters.

Currently, after having dealt with outrageous matters one after the other, he's laying down in a surprisingly neat cushion on a recently rebuilt house.

"Hmm, is it called laying down though?" The condensed blob of purple in the middle of the shrine-like room hums as his body intermittently releases streaks of lightning. "I mean, aren't I basically standing up all the time? But then why does it feel like I'm laying down?"

[Answer. Whether you are laying down or not is irrelevant. Your state of mind is effectively overriding any mental faculties that might have clashed that comes with your drastic change in physiology.]

An emotionless voice replies back to his question. Something that was present since the moment of his awakening on that underground cave located beneath the skeletal remains of a giant beast.

"Huh. Interesting. I thought it was strange that controlling my body feels like second nature." The slime continued to speak, despite the lack of mouth. "Is there a chance that I can get a human body again?"

It scared him at first, but the voice proved to be useful in getting him to acclimate to his situation as he explored upwards in search of a way out. Though having a voice in the back of his head that was not his at all time is strange, he couldn't deny its usefulness. And considering his circumstances, he'll take every help that he can get.

[Answer. The chance is slim to none.]

"So you're telling me there's a chance?"

[Affirmative.]

"That's something to look forward to. Though that's probably not going to be happening anytime soon." The slime deflated as he released a sigh, before suddenly springing back to life. "Oh well! No use crying over it! Thanks for the information, Great Sage!"

[You're welcome.]

As if his previous sullen demeanor was nowhere to be seen, the electro slime, Ikazuchi, steps out of his house onto the streets, which, despite the stormy weather, is teeming with life as the occupants of this previously abandoned village worked hard towards repairing each and every houses.

The moment he steps out, the villagers look towards him with smiles on their faces, as they excitedly greet their savior. "Ikazuchi-sama!"

"Hello! Glad to see that everyone is in high spirits!"

As he bounces down the streets, Ikazuchi waves the antennae on his head as he returns the greeting of every villager he passes by. "Don't let me hold your work back, folks. The sooner you're finished, the better it will be for everyone!"

"As you wish, Ikazuchi-sama!" The villagers replied in unison, before focusing on their respective work once more.

"It's not an order though…." Ikazuchi sighed, before continuing on his way towards the village chief's house.

Honestly, it's a bit much to deal with the villager's borderline worship towards him. No matter how much he wanted them to act casually around him, they never seem to get the memo. Although he couldn't exactly fault them for it, if the village chief's explanation of their curse is true.

But there is one person that serves as an exception. Though whether his behavior stems from listening to Ikazuchi's pleading or from his inherent stupidity remains to be seen. That person being Hiruta, one of the only ones that seems to have not changed much after his curse has been released.

While the others would turn more humanlike – at least as human as they possibly can, barring the minute remains of their mutations – Hiruta remains largely the same, minus his much more human visage.

"Why do you think that is, Great Sage?"

[Answer. The cause of the phenomena is unknown.]

"Hmm, even you have your limitations, huh? I should probably test the extent of your assistance in the near future."

As Ikazuchi passes by a newly constructed arch, he bounces towards the two-storey house next to it, before knocking on the door.

Well, slamming his body on the door might be a more apt description.

"Village chief! Are you home?"

After a bit of waiting, the door was opened by a wizened old man, his face full of facial hair nearly covering his expression entirely, though the cheerful tone of his voice is more than enough indication of his mood. "Ikazuchi-sama! To what do I deserve the honor?"

"I told you already, gramps, there's no need for all that formality."

"Nonsense." The chief shook his head. "You've released us from the curse the Abyss has placed on us, no matter what we do, it's not a debt we could ever repay."

Seeing the serious expression on his face, Ikazuchi relented and merely sighed. "Alright, alright, I get it."

While the village chief smiles in response, Ikazuchi bounced his way inside into the living room. Once the chief returned and served both of them a glass of water, Ikazuchi spoke first. "How are the villagers these days? Any problems?"

"None so far, thanks to you Ikazuchi-sama." With wobbly hands, the chief picks up the glass and takes a sip before continuing. "Although there are still some that need time to get used to their new body, it probably wouldn't take more than several days."

"That's good. I was worried that there might be some side effects I'm not aware of."

"Rest assured, Ikazuchi-sama, if there are such cases, I would personally report to you."

"No need to push yourself, gramps. Just send Hiruna if you need to."

"As you wish, Ikazuchi-sama."

Thinking of his granddaughter, the old man couldn't help but smile, though it disappears just as quickly as it forms, before the chief's expression suddenly turns serious. "Although the villagers are fine, I suspect that the coming days wouldn't be so easy, Ikazuchi-sama."

"Oh?" His interest piqued, the purple slime's antenna straightens as the electricity surrounding him intensifies just a bit. "Why do you think so?"

"This island, though dangerous for humans, is basically a safe haven for monsters like us because of the miasma permeating the entire land." The chief explains. "But ever since three days ago, the miasma has thinned and is now on the verge of disappearing."

'Three days ago? That should be the time when I woke up.' Ikazuchi thought, briefly recalling his memories. 'Could it be because I absorbed Orobashi?'

Unaware of Ikazuchi's contemplative state, the chief took another sip before speaking once more. "With its disappearance, I'm afraid that humans will no doubt flock into this island to investigate. And humans have no love for monsters like us. Sentient or not."

"Right…."

After hearing the entire story, Ikazuchi was a bit conflicted. On one hand, he was a former human and understood just how dangerous monsters are for their day-to-day life. On the other hand, he helped this village become what it is today, and, despite the relatively short time, came to enjoy their company wholeheartedly.

'Why am I even thinking about this? The answer should be obvious, isn't it?'

Right now, he himself is a monster. And with no place to return to, it would be foolish to not protect the one place he belongs to.

'Besides, I wouldn't want to betray Orobashi like that.'

"You don't have to worry about that, village chief!" With renewed conviction, Ikazuchi jumps into an empty spot on the table, slightly shaking the glasses on top of it. "With the title bestowed upon me by the Serpent, I, Ikazuchi no Mikoto, will make sure that everyone on this village– nay, this island, is safe!"

Though surprised at the slime's sudden declaration, the village chief let out a hearty laugh. "Hahahaha! When you put it like that, then this old man can rest easy." Responding with equal intensity, the old man sincerely bowed his head towards the slime that seemed so small yet so large at the same time. "Then, as the chief of the village, I promise that I would do anything in my power to assist you, Ikazuchi no Mikoto-sama."

With the flash of lightning and the booming thunder as a signal, a promise was made between the two.

One that would last for a very long time.

***

'Not bad. Can't wait to binge the hell out of this one.'

Feeling a slight discomfort, I closed the book and stretched my body for a bit before sinking back into the soft cushion of the sofa.

After a hectic first day in Liyue followed by a second day of excursion, the third day seems tame in comparison, considering there's not much left Xinyan has to show other than the docks close to her home in Chihu Rock.

Although she wanted to show us around Yujing Terrace, it's currently closed to the public and will only be opened once the ceremony starts.

So today, with not much to do, the four of us opted to simply stay inside and spend the rest of our remaining days waiting for the Rite of Descension to come.

It's currently sometime before noon. While I was previously busy consuming some of the books I've bought, Xinyan is currently sitting in front of a sewing machine, continuing her work on the new stage dress she's been talking about.

Lumine, on the other hand, opted to simply sit next to me with Paimon on her lap, with the little fairy reading the travel guide the blonde traveler bought.

"Why are you even reading that, Paimon? I thought you hated the thing."

"Of course Paimon does!" She grumbled, moving her tiny hand as she flipped into a different page. "Paimon is not reading it because Paimon wants to. Paimon just wants to make sure everything in this magazine is correct!" She exclaimed, before turning towards me. "What if something bad happens to you guys because you trusted whatever this sham tells you?!"

"I doubt it'll ever go that bad." Seeing her agitated state, Lumine smiled and began to brush Paimon's hair. "But if it does, I'm sure we can always rely on you, isn't that right Paimon?"

"Hmph! Of course!" Paimon replied, puffing up her chest. "Unlike some lousy magazine, Paimon is way more reliable!"

"Fufu, of course you are."

Once Paimon calms down, Lumine waves her hand on the empty table in front of us, causing a variety of foods and drinks to suddenly show up.

"You've been going at it for a while, Xinyan. Come here and get some rest."

"Huh? Oh."

With her focus broken, it took some time for Xinyan to understand what was happening. Once she does, however, she slowly stood up and pulled the band tying her hair, causing the usually stylized hair to fall, showing just how long her hair actually is.

"You look better when you don't tie your hair up." Not used to seeing her like this, I couldn't help but voice my thoughts.

"You think so?"

"Mhm. Ever consider going out without that hairdo of yours?"

"Nah. That's a no go, unfortunately." She replied, shaking her head. "Always gotta be ready for a performance whenever, Yunyun." Walking closer towards the sofa, Xinyan collapsed into the sofa before giving me a nudge on my shoulder. "Scoot over, will ya?"

"I still hate that nickname you came up with."

Scooting a bit to the left, Xinyan made herself comfortable on my right before immediately resting her feet forward, a plate of snacks in hand. "Why not? It's short, concise, and fits you perfectly."

"I'm not sure I agree with the last one."

"It's a combination of your name and how you usually act, I'd say it's pretty fitting. But of course, the most important of all," Taking a bite out of the pastry in her hand, Xinyan quickly munched on it before swallowing, "is the fact that you hate it."

"It sounds like a girl's name. Why do you think I wouldn't hate it?"

"It's precisely because you hate it that I like it. Besides, you're pretty much the girl in your own relationship, so I'm in the right as far as I'm concerned."

"She's got a point, Yuu." Lumine suddenly chimed in from my left.

"You're supposed to back me up here, princess."

Looking over towards her, I saw Lumine tapping her chin as she thought about something before shrugging her shoulders. "Can't help you this time, sorry."

"I knew I could count on you, leader!"

As the two of them high-fived each other, I clicked my tongue in annoyance and ignored their laughter before opening the page where I left off previously.

"Laugh it up, why don't you."

"Don't worry, Yunyun, you'll get used to it in no time."

"I know I will. I'm still not going to like it, though."

As the conversation between us died down, the relaxing atmosphere returned as each of us enjoyed this moment of peace…

Thud! Thud!

…that unfortunately didn't even last for more than five minutes.

Begrudgingly looking away from the book, I raised a question towards the startled rockstar. "Are you expecting someone today, Xinyan?"

"Not that I know of." She replied, her face filled with confusion.

"Could it be your parents?" Lumine asked.

"Nah, they wouldn't be back for a while. Might be just some pesky merchant or whatever." Xinyan shakes her head before turning towards me. "Can you answer the door, Yunyun?"

"Can't you do it? It's your house after all."

"I would, but as you can see, I'm currently occupied." She said, as she raised the plate in her hand.

"What about you, princess?"

"Sorry, Yuu, but Paimon's still here." She said, as she pointed towards Paimon who was still engrossed in the magazine in front of her, to the point of clutching it hard with her tiny hands.

"Well I'm reading right now, so I'd argue I'm equally as busy."

Bang! Bang!

The previously hurried knocking has now turned into straight up banging. Clearly, whoever was behind the door doesn't know the meaning of patience.

"Yuu."

"Yunyun."

"Alright, alright! Geez!"

Putting my book aside, I stood up from the sofa – already do I miss its soft sensation against my back – and headed straight towards the door. Not before making my dissatisfaction known by giving them the finger.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

The moment I unlocked the door, it immediately swung open as the person banging on it practically sprinted her way inside, pushing me aside and immediately closing the door before locking it once more.

"Haa… haa… thank the archons…!" She said, as she leaned towards the wooden door, struggling to hold herself steady as she let go of the grip she had on her suitcase, causing it to drop into the floor with a loud thud.

"Well aren't you in a hurry, missy."

Startled by my voice, she looks down towards me as a hint of embarrassment appears on her otherwise fatigued face. "...sorry about that."

"You didn't mean to, so it's fine."

Once I regained my footing, I finally was able to take a good look at our new guest.

She was wearing a knee-length dark purple dress with a white underskirt, alongside similar colored boots covering half of her tights. The hat she usually wears is nowhere to be seen, exposing her long dark hair.

Her ragged breathing, on top of her disheveled clothes and the lack of makeup on her face clearly indicates just how much of a rush she's in.

The Geo vision pinned into her feathered cape slowly rose up and down alongside her as she panted for dear life. "Haa… haa… is Xinyan here?"

"She's in the living room right now. Lounging around like the lazy bum she is." I murmured the last part, making sure she can't hear them. "Can you still walk?"

"I… might need some help… and that suitcase over there–"

"I'll take care of it." Levitating the discarded suitcase, I walked closer towards her, slinging her right arm around my shoulder as I helped her walk deeper inside the house, suitcase in tow.

"Are you okay? You look like you've been chased around by the Milleliths or something."

"Haa… you could say that…." She suddenly paused as she let out several coughs. Once her fit was over, she began to slowly take several deep breaths. "Tch… those 'rén zhā'... who do they think they are…?"

Though I couldn't quite understand what she was muttering, judging by the venomous tone on her voice, it couldn't be anything other than a curse.

'Sigh. The one time I get to stay inside and relax, something just has to happen.'

Hearing the sound of rapid footsteps approaching, I braced myself for whatever troublesome matter the lady of the opera troupe brought along with her.