Of course, their worries never came to pass.
Raiden Saku was exceptionally warm and tolerant toward these two fellow countrymen he had encountered in a foreign land.
He had no choice but to be tolerant, for he was in the wrong from the start.
His reclusive older sister had been misled into implementing the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree, and these two were direct victims forced to suffer under those policies.
Moreover, Saku had always been kind to his friends.
He would never adopt a condescending attitude toward those he acknowledged, despite his divine status.
As time went on, while Raiden Saku continued his travels through Liyue and deepened his acquaintance with them, they developed a genuine camaraderie.
Kaedehara was purely a friend.
But Atsuko, being an ordinary Inazuman girl without notable status, didn’t dare interact with Saku as an equal.
Coincidentally, Atsuko was struggling to make a living at Liyue’s southern docks, searching for work everywhere.
Seeing her impoverished state and knowing she had fled due to Ei’s Sakoku Decree, Saku felt somewhat guilty.
He offered her a job as his maid to attend to his daily needs.
And so it continued until today.
Until today, when Raiden Saku decided to return to Inazuma, Atsuko accompanied him as his maid.
Her willingness to return stemmed partly from wanting to rely on Saku’s protection, and partly because…
Saku had clearly stated to both Kaedehara and Atsuko that his purpose in returning was to save Inazuma from its turmoil, abolish the Sakoku and Vision Hunt Decrees, and restore peace to the nation!
Even though Kaedehara rarely returned to Inazuma, he fully supported Saku’s decision.
Atsuko was even more enthusiastic in her support!
She had originally fled illegally because she couldn’t endure Inazuma’s isolationist policies and oppressive atmosphere.
Now, staying by Saku’s side and seeing the possibility of changing Inazuma, she decided to follow him back.
As they conversed, the Alcor drew closer to Ritou, approaching the island’s docks.
Under Beidou’s expert command and the crew’s skilled handling, the Alcor docked smoothly at Ritou’s port and began anchoring.
Raiden Saku prepared to disembark with Atsuko.
Now came the moment of parting.
Watching Saku about to leave, Kaedehara expressed concern.
“Saku-sama, are you…
truly determined to do this?” Looking at Kaedehara, Raiden Saku replied: “Although the Vision Hunt and Sakoku Decrees weren’t originally my sister’s intention, the Shogunate wouldn’t have implemented them without her approval.
Therefore, to change these policies, I must change my sister.
And my sister, the Electro Archon…
has strayed from the path of eternity.
To fundamentally change my rigid and stubborn sister, I must first defeat her!
After defeating her, I will ask my sister to abdicate and ascend to become Inazuma’s Electro Archon myself.
Only then can I completely abolish the Vision Hunt and Sakoku Decrees, resolve Inazuma’s internal and external conflicts, and restore the nation to prosperity.” Even though this wasn’t the first time Kaedehara had heard Saku’s decision, hearing it again still made him apprehensive.
A war between gods was imminent!
Conflict was unavoidable!
The ruler of an entire nation was about to change!
These were momentous events indeed!
Throughout the history of Teyvat, nothing like this had happened in five hundred years.
Neither Kaedehara nor Atsuko were hearing Raiden Saku’s decision for the first time, so they remained relatively calm.
But Beidou beside them was truly hearing this news and situation for the first time.
Undoubtedly, even the renowned Dragon King of the seas was shocked.
The boss lady stared at Raiden Saku with wide-eyed astonishment.
Beidou wanted to say something, but after some thought, she realized this was both a family matter and a national affair of others.
As an outsider, it wasn’t her place to comment.
However…
A war between gods!
The changing of Inazuma’s supreme position, the Raiden Shogun’s throne about to be replaced, the old god stepping down while a new god ascends…
My heavens, just thinking about it is thrilling!
This boss lady Beidou had witnessed many storms, but compared to this matter, those storms were truly insignificant.
Even just considering the implications made her heart race with fear.
Seeing everyone silent and frowning deeply, Raiden Saku smiled carefreely: “Don’t worry, everyone.
It’s just a change of divine position.
I’ll do my best to minimize the turmoil.” Hearing this, even Kaedehara couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Just a change of divine position!?
And “just” at that!?
You make it sound so simple, but to us ordinary people, this is an earth-shattering, extraordinary event!
Moreover, are we only worried about potential turmoil in Inazuma?
We’re more concerned about whether you can succeed!
Whether you can defeat that master of martial perfection, Shogun-sama!
It would be best if you could defeat her, but what if you lose?
Forget about abolishing the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree – what consequences would you face if defeated?
Would you be imprisoned by your sister?
Exiled by Shogun-sama?
Or the worst possible outcome?
Thinking this far, Kaedehara Kazuha quickly shook his head, dismissing the most terrible speculation from his mind.
No, no, it wouldn’t come to that.
After all, this is Raiden Shogun’s younger brother.
Shogun-sama wouldn’t resort to lethal measures.
With his millennium of experience, Raiden Saku immediately recognized everyone’s concerns and worries.
He smiled reassuringly: “Don’t worry.
I have some confidence in my strength.
Although my sister possesses extraordinary martial prowess and divine might, I’m not to be underestimated either.
Having traveled across most of Teyvat, I’ve achieved mental completeness and my divine power has reached its peak.
Dealing with Raiden Shogun, with my elder sister…
won’t be a problem.” Beidou pondered for a moment, unsure what blessings to offer.
In the end, she could only say to Raiden Saku: “Take care.” Raiden Saku nodded.
Kaedehara Kazuha looked seriously at Raiden Saku and bid farewell: “Good luck!
You must succeed!” “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.
Goodbye, everyone.” Raiden Saku nodded in acknowledgment, without further hesitation, and disembarked from the Alcor with Atsuko, stepping onto the docks of Ritou in Inazuma.
Kaedehara Kazuha and Beidou stood on the deck, watching as Raiden Saku and Atsuko walked along the dock toward Ritou.
Thinking of the terrifying turmoil about to occur, even this boss lady Beidou felt an inexplicable panic.
“Should we hurry to unload, load, and set sail quickly?
We don’t know when the god war will break out.
Staying here isn’t very safe – it would be unfortunate to suffer collateral damage.
Although we’re not to be underestimated either, I must take responsibility for my crew.
I have no intention of facing a war between gods head-on.” Kaedehara nodded, gazing into the distance: “Indeed, we should be cautious.
But I trust Saku-sama—he is a man of his word, and unfathomably profound.
Ah, no—a god.” Raiden Saku and Atsuko walked along the lengthy wooden pier, heading toward Ritou.
As they walked, Saku couldn’t help but observe.
Observe what?
Naturally, the pier of Ritou.
As Inazuma’s sole official international trading port, Ritou should logically be bustling with commerce, teeming with people and prosperity.
Yet that wasn’t the case now.
The diverse foreign merchants who once crowded the pier were now scarcely seen.
Of the merchant shipping routes coming and going, aside from the Alcor currently docked at the pier, there were no other vessels.
The sailors and laborers who should have populated the pier had dwindled, and the few remaining sat idly on the docks, seemingly unable to find any work.
Even the many seafood shops that should have been conducting business had mostly disappeared.
Witnessing this scene, Raiden Saku couldn’t help but shake his head regretfully: “It has declined significantly compared to when I left Inazuma.” Beside him, Atsuko nodded in agreement: “Yes, it’s far inferior to the piers of Liyue.” Hearing this, Saku couldn’t help but glance at Atsuko.
Though blunt, her words held truth.
What right did this pier have to compare with the ports of Liyue?