The Raiden Shogun had not been faring well lately.
Documents from the Tri-Commission kept piling up on her desk, forming a towering stack before she even noticed. The space around her had become little more than a storage area for paperwork.
The familiar presence by her side was gone—the Traveler from another world had left Teyvat for now, and the Shogun had permitted their temporary departure. Yet she never expected that the duties imposed by the current system would become something she could no longer handle alone.
While the Shogun mechanically processed documents, Ei remained in the Plane of Euthymia, contemplating reforms to the system. A temporary structure was meant to be replaced—she had said so herself long ago.
…What had she been doing all this time?
The Raiden Shogun continued stamping the papers before her. The mountain of documents could vaguely be divided into two categories: those she knew how to handle, matters she had encountered over the past five hundred years, solvable through past experience—and those she did not.
In just a few months, Inazuma had undergone changes comparable to those of several centuries.
For example, the reconstruction of Tatarasuna required reintroducing Fontaine's technology. But importing expertise also necessitated sending students abroad to study—not because Fontaine's engineers were deemed incompetent, but because it was unwise to leave a nation's vital industries entirely dependent on foreign control.
The document before her now concerned the issue of exchange students.
The Shogun recalled that official channels with Sumeru and Fontaine had been reopened following the Tatarasuna explosion. The Fontaine Research Institute had sent investigators to examine the site before the final disaster, as the Mikage Furnace had stalled once before—an event of great interest to Fontaine's scholars. As for the student exchange program, Fontaine had accepted the proposal swiftly.
Sumeru's response had been slightly slower. While they welcomed Inazuman students enthusiastically, they insisted that they must take the same entrance exams as local students rather than being directly admitted. This left the Yashiro Commission officials uncertain—how should they proceed?
—Sending students abroad was a first for Inazuma. The officials in charge were treading carefully, unwilling to make a single misstep.
"Shogun, what has you so deep in thought?"
A man's voice sounded from within five paces of her. The Raiden Shogun lifted her gaze to see Li Mo standing before her.
She had been so absorbed that she hadn't even heard his footsteps.
Allowing someone to enter such close proximity unnoticed was a failure for any warrior. But if that someone was Li Mo, it was forgivable—after all, he was one who had once crossed blades with her as an equal.
"Why have you returned? And who is this behind you… a member of the Kamisato Clan?" The Shogun's eyes shifted from Li Mo to the young woman behind him.
Her hair was white as snow, her posture elegant and dignified. She wore a long dress, beautiful yet not lacking in practicality for defense.
"Kamisato Ayaka of the Kamisato Clan, Yashiro Commission. I pay my respects to Your Excellency."
"No need for formalities. Rise."
Li Mo ignored their exchange, his attention fixed on the documents on the Shogun's desk. Recognizing the subject as the student exchange dilemma, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"What's there to hesitate over? If they require exams, then let the students take them. Select the brightest candidates based on their interests and send them. If they pass, all is well. If not, have them stay and work locally for a time instead…"
Li Mo began elaborating. The Shogunate's sponsorship of overseas studies was no small expense, and Sumeru's entrance exams risked rendering that investment futile. Thus, contingency plans were necessary—otherwise, the officials wouldn't know how to proceed.
He argued that Sumeru's academic culture was rich enough that even if students failed the exams, they could still learn from private institutions. Alternatively, they could bypass the Akademiya entirely by directly sponsoring scholars for private tutelage.
He laid out various plans and their potential flaws, speaking at length until he eventually took a seat and began processing documents himself.
Traditional policies and personnel matters remained the Shogun's responsibility. But if Li Mo introduced sweeping reforms, he took charge of their implementation.
The Shogun's slow progress in handling paperwork stemmed from these new policies. Unfamiliar with them, she had to deliberate carefully, drawing on existing knowledge and experience to decide the best course.
In contrast, Li Mo handled such matters with far greater speed.
Kamisato Ayaka was not forgotten for long. Soon, a stack of documents was unceremoniously placed in her arms. Under Li Mo's instructions, she took a seat at a nearby desk and began reviewing them cautiously.
Fortunately, the documents pertained to the Yashiro Commission—her area of expertise.
…Though she couldn't help but wonder: Was it really appropriate for a member of the Yashiro Commission to be approving its own documents?
Doubtful as she was, the work had to be done.
Time passed, the hours slipping by. From morning to afternoon, and then into the evening after dinner, the mountain of paperwork was finally cleared.
Kano Nana was summoned and entrusted with escorting Kamisato Ayaka to a guest room. With that, only the Shogun and Li Mo remained in the office.
"What does the Shogun think of Kamisato Ayaka?"
"The Kamisato Clan lives up to its reputation as Inazuma's foremost noble house." The Shogun's assessment was effortless.
The document in her hand had been reviewed by Ayaka—its judgments were fair and impartial. Had the Shogun handled it herself, the outcome would likely have been the same.
Li Mo said, "Is that so? I deliberately selected those documents for her. Shogun, you must realize that the two of us managing everything from this office is no longer sustainable."
"I understand. What are you implying?"
"What are your thoughts on change?"
They had reclaimed some authority and duties from the Tri-Commission, consolidating power within this office. That it had functioned for months was a testament to the Shogun and Li Mo's competence—but this was not a long-term solution. Li Mo would eventually leave, and some responsibilities would need to be returned.
He needed to gauge the Shogun's stance. "Initially, I assumed you intended to revert to the old ways. That's why I went to Inazuma City. But now, it seems you're dissatisfied with the Tri-Commission system?"
Returning to the previous structure would be simple—like reverting to an older version. Restoring the old power framework could be done in days. Yet the current situation suggested the Shogun had no intention of going back.
"Naturally. After such a grave failure was exposed, the flaws in the system became apparent. Reform is necessary." The Shogun replied. "She is considering how to proceed."
She—meaning Ei.
This statement made the Shogun's position clear: she had no say in restructuring the future.
After all, as the embodiment of the past, how could she dictate what was to come?
"Then would the Shogun summon Ei? If that's possible."
"There is no issue with that." The Shogun's tone was neutral, but this was already her most accommodating demeanor.
She represented the past, the vessel of Raiden Ei's understanding of eternity.
A moment later, Li Mo sensed a shift in the atmosphere before him.
Ei had arrived.