Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The room was warmly lit.

In the flickering glow of the fire, two shadows leaned closer together.

Ren sat upright, his posture rigid.

But the slight curve at the corner of his lips betrayed his good mood.

"Why does it still hurt?"

Ei's fingers brushed lightly over Ren.

For some reason, instead of alleviating the pain, it seemed to intensify it.

"Uh... maybe it's internal injuries," Ren coughed lightly, making up an excuse on the spot.

"..."

Ei cast a sidelong glance at him, her gaze lingering on his uncontrollably smug expression.

There was no helping it—out of a sense of responsibility toward her subordinates, she decided to stay a few moments longer.

And then...

That rare, tranquil atmosphere stretched on for quite a while.

Outside, the torrential rain that had lasted all night finally came to a halt.

"Does it still hurt?"

"Just a little... Fine, no, it doesn't."

The warm sensation withdrew softly.

Ren felt a pang of disappointment in his heart.

If he had known, he would have feigned a more serious injury.

But there was no helping it. Although the Tenryou Commission had dispatched elite troops, they posed no real threat to Ren.

"This is nothing."

Ei snorted lightly and closed her eyes, exuding calm.

It was likely that his little schemes had already been seen through.

The two sat facing each other, and silence fell once more.

"Shogun-sama?"

"Hmm?"

"What am I supposed to do next?"

Ren glanced around.

The room was empty except for the two of them.

Had Ei always been this solitary?

It felt...

Ei slowly opened her eyes, faint purple glimmers dancing within.

It seemed she had caught on to Ren's unspoken thoughts.

"Sit here."

"What?"

"Stay by my side. That's all."

Ei's tone carried an unusual seriousness.

Since he had come to Tenshukaku, he shouldn't think about leaving.

"And the Vision Hunt Decree?"

"I'll handle it."

Her cool voice radiated authority.

To Ei, it wasn't even a problem.

With her absolute strength, she was the biggest problem.

"..."

Ren sighed softly, shaking his head.

Danger gathered in Ei's gaze.

"Are you planning to defy me?"

"But, Shogun-sama, I won the duel."

"That was only a fraction of my power."

"But I still won."

Ren couldn't help but remind her.

"..."

The flickering firelight seemed to freeze.

Ei glared at Ren fiercely, her chest rising and falling slightly.

No one had ever dared to speak to her like this.

She wanted to draw Musou Isshin and teach him a lesson.

But Ren's gaze remained firm, unwavering even before a god.

After all, he had truly won.

"That doesn't count," Ei said coldly.

"Shogun-sama, you're not going to go back on your word, are you?"

"..."

Finally, Ei let out a soft sigh.

She couldn't counter the sincerity in the young man's eyes.

Some unspoken emotion suppressed her temper.

She couldn't actually draw her sword against him.

Ei gestured for Ren to extend his hand.

"Fine. Then you'll handle things outside."

[Ding! Transcendence: Baleful Omen trial card successfully renewed.]

Ren's heart skipped a beat.

How long would the trial period last this time?

[Duration: Unlimited.]

...

The air in Tenshukaku was tense.

Kujou Takayuki's grip on his sword trembled ever so slightly as he recalled the surreal events that had unfolded.

What had just happened?

Takahashi had broken through the elite troops' blockade, standing unharmed before the Shogun herself!

Could it be that the duel…

A chilling thought crossed his mind, and the image of the young swordsman tearing through the formation grew sharper.

Kujou Takayuki staggered back two steps, his expression twisting in disbelief.

"No… no, impossible!"

From a distance, Kamisato Ayato approached at a measured pace, his gaze calm as he looked at the frantic Kujou Takayuki.

"It's over, Kujou Takayuki," Ayato stated coldly.

Foolish and ignorant…

Behind him, several figures emerged—women who had followed in Ren's footsteps.

Kujou Takayuki suddenly raised his head, roaring:

"Impossible! The Musou no Hitotachi is invincible!"

"As long as the Shogun is here, even I…"

His furious expression froze mid-sentence.

Behind him, steady footsteps echoed.

"Even if you betray Inazuma, it doesn't matter?"

The women's eyes brightened as they saw who had arrived.

"Ren!"

They waved excitedly, their faces lighting up with joy, like neighbors welcoming a hero's return.

He's safe!

"Takahashi?!"

Kujou Takayuki whipped around, only to be met with Ren's indifferent gaze—and an incoming fist that loomed larger in his vision.

Bang!

With a dull thud, his body was sent flying.

The impact of his collision with the wall echoed loudly.

"Takahashi…"

Kujou Takayuki struggled to lift his head, tasting the metallic tang of blood.

"Ugh!"

Bright crimson spilled onto the floor, along with fragments of shattered teeth.

He had been struck down.

Here, in Tenshukaku.

Under the eyes of a god he revered with absolute devotion…

Yet the Shogun herself had not appeared.

The storm had passed, leaving behind a biting wind.

The Tenryou Commission's samurai had withdrawn, leaving him utterly unprotected.

Realization dawned on the trembling Kujou Takayuki.

The Shogun was angry, disappointed.

And he… had been abandoned.

Clink.

Suddenly, the sharp tip of a blade gleamed in the faint red reflection of his blood.

Takahashi stood before him, sword in hand, gazing down at him silently.

Kujou Takayuki's memories unraveled in his mind.

From the initial conflict at Yashiori Island…

Takahashi had used the Grand Narukami Shrine and the Shogunate's bureaucrats to seize critical documents.

Then, with decisive force, he had purged the Kanjobugyo.

Leveraging the authority of the Guuji, Takahashi had secured his position.

Most importantly…

Takahashi had grown too strong.

This once-disgraced samurai had risen far too quickly.

No one could stop him.

Not even the Tenryou Commission's army.

"The Fatui intelligence—hand it over," Ren said, raising his sword to point at Kujou Takayuki.

Hearing this, Kujou Takayuki let out a deranged laugh.

"It was you… all along. You caused all of this… hahaha!"

"I thought Kamisato Ayato was the greatest threat!"

"I was wrong. We were all wrong!"

He abruptly leapt to his feet, rushing toward the doors.

The Shogun…

Even if it cost him his life, it wouldn't be Takahashi who would end him!

Takahashi had planned everything.

But Kujou Takayuki wouldn't let him have his way.

Takahashi turned to watch the man flee, his gaze calm.

He made no move to stop him.

"Ren, don't let him get away!" one of the women called out from afar.

"Hahaha! Takahashi, you can't touch me!"

Kujou Takayuki's wild laughter echoed as he bolted toward the exit.

Light streamed in as he approached the door.

He opened his eyes wide, hope surging within him.

Just a few steps onto the stairs outside Tenshukaku…

A blinding flash of icy blue streaked through the air.

Kujou Takayuki's triumph froze on his face.

The residual force of [Kamisato Style: Soumetsu] robbed him of his balance.

"!"

As his vision flipped, searing pain coursed through his body.

His senses began to fade.

Weakly, he turned his head, his lips trembling as he mouthed:

"Takahashi…"

"Was this part of your plan too?"

As his vision darkened, Ren approached, blade in hand.

Kneeling beside him, Ren said softly:

"You don't deserve her execution."

"I won't let her blade be stained by your blood."

Kujou Takayuki's eyes widened.

"I… Shogun…"

His fading gaze caught the faint glow of violet—an ominous single eye reflected in his view.

The [Baleful Omen]…

That feeble voice fell silent.

No more sound came.

Clatter.

Something slipped from Kujou Takayuki's lifeless grasp.

Ren picked it up, frowning slightly.

It was a lifelike…

"Puppet."

---

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