Teyvat, Inazuman offshore waters, The Crux Fleet, Alcor.
This renowned vessel, having sailed from Liyue to Inazuma while braving the waves, was now nearing its destination.
The Alcor buzzed with busy sailors and crew members, with even the captain and first mate preparing for docking.
Only a few remained unmoved, standing quietly on the upper deck.
Among them was a man dressed in luxurious attire, elegant and dignified, with a handsome yet imposing countenance that commanded respect.
Originally named Lin Shuo, he had crossed over from another world and lived in this one for over 2,700 years.
The fact that he could live for millennia proved he was no longer human after his transmigration.
Indeed, his identity was that of an ancient God, one who concealed himself within Teyvat while adhering to the current order of The Seven.
Moreover, with his changed status in this world, his name had also evolved.
He was now known as: Raiden Saku.
Yes, that very same “Raiden” – the shared surname of Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei.
The reason he shared this surname with the sisters traced back to when Lin Shuo first arrived in Teyvat and encountered Makoto and Ei.
At that time, Raiden Makoto, seeing that Lin Shuo also wielded Electro power, felt a deep connection and adopted him as her sworn younger brother, bestowing upon him the Raiden surname.
Thereafter, the three siblings traveled together, relying on each other, gradually establishing the nation of Inazuma.
And later…
those inevitable events still came to pass.
However, Raiden Saku had concealed much.
While the world knew him as a God who commanded Electro authority, in reality…
Coupled with the contingency plans he had secretly prepared in advance.
Those regrets and tragedies that occurred could still be remedied in time.
Thus, as time flowed onward, until now.
There were specific reasons why Raiden Saku was aboard the Alcor, appearing as if returning to Inazuma after a long journey.
Setting aside the detailed reasons for now, let us focus on the present.
Standing there gazing into the distance, Raiden Saku could faintly discern the outline of Ritou through the morning mist.
Beside him stood the youth Kaedehara Kazuha, his friend.
Kaedehara Kazuha was also quietly observing distant Ritou, appearing calm yet seemingly touched by some sentiment.
Breaking the silence between them, Raiden Saku spoke first.
“Truly, the closer to home, the more anxious one feels.
Kazuha, are you certain you won’t return with me?
If you’re willing to come back, I can immediately clear your name.
The confiscated Kaedehara family assets would be promptly returned.
Should you wish to serve the Shogunate, I could directly appoint you as an officer.
With some accumulated experience and military achievements, it wouldn’t be long before I could promote you to a position comparable to Kujou Sara’s.
What do you say?” Kazuha smiled and shook his head.
“To receive Saku-sama’s recognition is an honor, but I must respectfully decline.
I am but a wandering samurai, drifting across the seas with no attachments.
I was fortunate to meet the captain and be accepted by everyone in The Crux Fleet – this shall be my home henceforth.
To travel with the captain and witness different landscapes is my future aspiration.” Seeing Kazuha’s sincere and straightforward expression, Raiden Saku couldn’t help but sigh.
“What a pity.
Inazuma currently faces both internal strife and external threats, with countless tasks awaiting revival—precisely the time when talented individuals are most needed.
Kaedehara, you come from a prestigious family, possessing both virtue and talent, yet you’re content to wander as a ronin, refusing to serve under me.
It’s truly…
a pearl cast into darkness.
What a pity, what a pity.
Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, I must apologize for your deceased friend and the hardships you’ve endured.
I hope we can always remain friends.” Kaedehara replied with utmost sincerity: “Of course, Saku-sama, we will always be friends.” As the two were conversing, someone approached from behind and interrupted them: “Hey, hey, hey, this gentleman, so blatantly trying to poach my crew right under my nose, and even calling our Kaedehara a ‘pearl cast into darkness’—aren’t you taking me a bit too lightly?” Turning to look, they saw it was none other than the Dragon King of the sea, the captain of the Alcor, the big sister of The Crux Fleet—Beidou.
Beidou stood with her hands on her hips, laughing heartily, showing no anger at the attempted poaching; her words were merely in jest.
Faced with this big sister’s boldness, Raiden Saku laughed heartily as well: “Alright, Big Sister Beidou, I apologize for the ‘pearl cast into darkness’ remark—it was inappropriate.
But as for the poaching, I have some objections.
Clearly, it was you, Beidou, who first poached talent from our Inazuma, and you succeeded.
Now that I want to poach back, isn’t that only natural?” Beidou paid no mind, walking over and wrapping her arm around her little brother Kaedehara’s neck, making it clear she had no intention of letting him go.
“Recruiting talented individuals—how can that be called poaching?
It’s clearly your Inazuma that failed to retain its talent, allowing me to pick up the slack!
Hey, hey, hey, Mr.
Saku, no matter how noble your status may be, I absolutely will not hand over our little brother Kaedehara to you!” Kaedehara felt a bit embarrassed and awkwardly apologized to Raiden Saku: “Sorry, Saku-sama, Big Sister’s words are a bit blunt.” Raiden Saku waved it off indifferently: “Do I not know Beidou’s personality?
Such a small matter is hardly worth taking to heart.
Moreover, it’s true that our Shogunate was at fault first.
Even if I wanted to poach back, I wouldn’t have the confidence to do so.
Ah, well, if I gain him, it’s my fortune; if I lose him, it’s my fate.” Seeing that Raiden Saku had given up on poaching, Beidou seemed to relax, finally removing her arm from Kaedehara’s neck.
She looked seriously at Raiden Saku and sincerely expressed her gratitude: “But speaking of which, this voyage was all thanks to you.
When we sailed to the outer seas of Inazuma this time, we encountered no thunderstorm at all.
It was as if the Electro from the sky avoided us entirely, shifting away elsewhere.
Though I’m not entirely sure what happened, Kaedehara told me it was your doing.
Well, regardless, thank you!” Raiden Saku smiled knowingly: “Not at all, Beidou, you’re too kind.
This matter does have something to do with me, but I can’t take credit for it.
After all…
my elder sister’s Electro wouldn’t strike me.” These words startled Beidou, and she looked at Raiden Saku in surprise.
“El…
elder sister!?
I knew Kaedehara addressed you as Saku-sama and that your status in Inazuma is extraordinary…
I thought you were some noble’s son from Inazuma, but it seems your identity is far more impressive than I imagined!
Could it be that you are the younger brother of the Raiden Shogun herself?” Raiden Saku smiled and nodded, tacitly confirming it.
Beidou was clearly taken aback, but she remained neither subservient nor arrogant.
“Truly remarkable!
I never expected to have such an important figure aboard my ship!
It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, esteemed sir!
Hahaha…” While the three were conversing, a young woman dressed in traditional Inazuman attire came jogging over.
She approached Raiden Saku, clasped her hands respectfully before her abdomen, and spoke with perfect decorum: “Saku-sama, everything has been prepared.” Raiden Saku nodded: “Good, Atsuko.
We’ll be arriving at Ritou shortly.
As my attendant, you needn’t worry about the illegal border crossing – I’ll ensure your safety.” The girl nodded seriously, though traces of anxiety remained visible in her expression.
This girl named Atsuko was indeed that Atsuko.
She was the one who, unable to endure the oppressive atmosphere in Inazuma after the implementation of the Sakoku Decree, had illegally departed by sea and come to Liyue, where she had been making a living at Liyue’s southern docks.
Incidentally, both Atsuko and Kaedehara were people Raiden Saku had met during his travels through Teyvat when he visited Liyue.
When they first met, both Kaedehara and Atsuko had been greatly astonished – even somewhat fearful – upon learning he was the Raiden Shogun’s brother.
After all, both of them could be considered lawbreakers within Inazuma.
Kaedehara was essentially a fugitive who had escaped from Inazuma.
When he first met Raiden Saku and learned of his identity, he couldn’t help but feel panicked, worried that Raiden Saku might arrest him and send him back.
Atsuko was someone who had illegally fled the country.
When she first met Raiden Saku and discovered his identity, she too had been seized with panic, fearing she would be punished for her crimes.
***** A very old Genshin novel, so it focuses on the first few nations.
Still a great novel though.
Enjoy.