Atsuko was indeed quite pitiful.
Yet the more pitiable and aggrieved she appeared, the harder Raiden Saku found it to suppress his laughter: “Hahaha…
about that matter.
Well…
I’m aware of the situation now.
Atsuko, I presume you’ve already formed some suspicions about what truly happened, haven’t you?” Atsuko nodded with a pitiful expression: “Yes.
Afterward, my parents and I spent quite some time recalling and pondering before we roughly figured out what occurred.
It must have been a bake-danuki, right?
The kind of youkai that can transform into humans!
I heard from my parents that they once rescued a tanuki in the forest, and it was precisely after that incident this impostor started appearing in our home!” Raiden Saku nodded: “Exactly, this matter was undoubtedly caused by a bake-danuki’s mischief.
If I’m not mistaken, this particular bake-danuki likely came from Chinju Forest.
Hmm, being able to transform into your exact likeness without your parents detecting anything amiss—this bake-danuki’s magical abilities appear quite proficient.
There’s no need for concern, this bake-danuki means no harm to you or your parents.
It’s probably the very tanuki your parents rescued.
After being saved by your parents, it noticed your prolonged absence from home and, fearing your parents would worry, decided to repay their kindness by taking your form.
From another perspective, during your time away from Inazuma, having this bake-danuki assume your appearance to accompany your parents meant they weren’t left anxiously waiting, isn’t that right?” Atsuko fidgeted uncomfortably, her emotions complex: “That may be true, but…” “Why dwell on it so much?
While the process was rather peculiar, the final outcome was positive—isn’t that what truly matters?
During your absence, your parents had this bake-danuki looking after them.
In that sense, you should actually be grateful to it.
If this bake-danuki ever returns to your household, you might consider adopting it as part of your family—that wouldn’t be such a bad arrangement.” Atsuko sighed, somewhat reconciled: “Alright, I really should thank it.
At least everything turned out well in the end, and my parents are safe…” Muttering with slight resentment, Atsuko habitually moved to stand beside Raiden Saku.
This was her usual position for being readily available to work for him, and naturally she resumed it now.
Entering work mode, Atsuko intended to prepare tea according to Raiden Saku’s custom.
However, as she surveyed their surroundings…
Well, the main hall of Tenshukaku perfectly demonstrated the meaning of “bare walls.” Truly!
Beyond the surrounding walls, the tatami flooring beneath their feet, and two seating cushions—absolutely nothing else remained!
Atsuko couldn’t even find the basic tools to brew tea!
She couldn’t help feeling disappointed, quietly complaining to Raiden Saku about the difficulty: “Saku-sama, this Tenshukaku…” “Indeed, as you can see, this is Tenshukaku.
While it appears quite majestic and imposing from the outside…
the interior decorations remain rather sparse.” Saying this, Raiden Saku glanced toward the nearby Raiden Ei: “Blame Ei for this—she completely lacks any understanding of comfort!
She’s made Tenshukaku so cold and empty, there’s not even a proper place to rest comfortably, let alone enjoy any luxuries!” Raiden Ei closed her eyes, ignoring Raiden Saku, though a visible vein throbbed on her forehead.
Atsuko cast a fearful glance at Raiden Ei, worried the Shogun-sama might erupt in anger.
Raiden Saku continued his provocation: “No understanding of living, no concept of enjoyment—truly worthy of our Shogun-sama, so stubborn and rigid.” “Now that I am the new Electro Archon, my style is quite different.
Atsuko, you will continue to be my personal attendant, responsible for all aspects of my daily life.
However, with Tenshukaku being so large, it’s clearly impractical for you to handle everything alone.
Alas, there’s no other choice but to trouble you for now.
We can’t leave Tenshukaku in this state indefinitely.
Such a vast place is filled with nothing but Okuzumeshuu guards—the defensive forces are sufficient, but there’s not a single service personnel in sight!
Later, take my orders to the Shogunate to request funds.
This money will be used primarily for two purposes.
First, to decorate the interior of Tenshukaku.
I don’t care about other areas.
But this main audience hall must be adequately adorned—refurbished to be dignified, understated, and luxurious.
Additionally, my study on the second floor where I handle official matters, and my living quarters on the third floor, both need to be redecorated to be comfortable and pleasant.
The second purpose for the funds is for you to hire staff.
Recruit a few attendants to Tenshukaku to help share the workload and handle miscellaneous tasks.
You don’t need to hire too many—just enough to manage.
That’s about all.
Have you remembered everything?” Atsuko nodded, indicating she had.
Beside them, Raiden Ei couldn’t listen any longer.
She opened her eyes and lectured sternly: “Saku, as a warrior, how can you indulge excessively in luxurious and comfortable material things?
Overindulgence in ease and pleasure will corrupt your will, dull your blade, and even diminish your strength!” Raiden Saku retorted directly: “I’m not indulging in pleasure; I just want to live more comfortably!
If I were truly indulging, I’d have already surrounded myself with wine pools and meat forests, living in drunken stupor, seizing all the beautiful girls of Inazuma into Tenshukaku, spending my days…
ahem!
In any case, as the new Electro Archon, isn’t it normal to live a bit more luxuriously and comfortably?” Raiden Ei couldn’t bear to listen further.
She shook her head, stood up, and walked toward the back of the audience hall.
Watching Ei’s retreating figure, Raiden Saku called out: “Ei!
Should I also find you a few attendants to serve you in your daily life?” Raiden Ei glanced back at him: “Do you think I need them?” Raiden Saku thought for a moment.
Ei’s current body is merely the external Shogun puppet, while the inner Ei usually remains secluded in the Plane of Euthymia.
Well…
in that case, she really doesn’t need any.
Watching Ei stride away with a flick of her braid, Raiden Saku shook his head helplessly: “Ah…
she just doesn’t understand how to live…” Beside him, Atsuko had no words, remaining silent.
But inwardly, she was thinking about how Saku-sama had just addressed the Shogun-sama as Ei.
Could it be…
that the Shogun-sama’s true name is Ei?
With Ei gone, there was no need for Raiden Saku to remain in the empty audience hall.
He rose from the throne.
“Atsuko, you don’t need to follow me for now.
I have matters to attend to alone outside.
I need to meet a heavyweight figure.” “A heavyweight figure?” Atsuko, being clever, guessed after a moment’s thought: “Yae Guuji-sama?” “Exactly.
When I wasn’t in Inazuma, this woman was the stabilizing pillar of the nation, handling many affairs with finesse.
Now that I’ve returned to Inazuma and become the new Electro Archon, such a significant matter naturally requires me to inform Miko.
If I were to ignore her, Miko would surely be very angry.
And once that fox gets angry…
well, it’s quite troublesome.” Atsuko nodded, watching as Raiden Saku exited Tenshukaku.
Emerging from the Tenshukaku, Raiden Saku stood atop a high vantage point and glanced at the sky.
It was already nighttime, with the moon hanging amidst the treetops.
He then turned his head, gazing toward the distant Mt.
Yougou, the tallest peak radiating a violet glow.
In the blink of an eye, Raiden Saku transformed into a flash of golden lightning, streaking across the skies above Inazuma City, sweeping over the outer plains, and ascending directly toward Mt.
Yougou, straight into the Grand Narukami Shrine!
The Grand Narukami Shrine remained exactly as it was before, the Sacred Sakura still lush and beautiful—nothing here had changed.
The sudden appearance of Raiden Saku in a flash of golden lightning startled the shrine maiden nearby!
Turning to look, Raiden Saku saw that the one he had startled was Inagi Hotomi.
Fortunately, Raiden Saku’s golden lightning was far too distinctive.
After a brief moment of shock, the shrine maiden recognized his identity: “Ah!
It’s…
it’s Ogosho-sama!” Hearing her address him as Ogosho-sama, Raiden Saku knew that the relevant matters had already reached the Grand Narukami Shrine.
That was good—it saved him the trouble of having to explain things to Miko.
Inagi Hotomi bowed respectfully to Raiden Saku: “Ogosho-sama, have you come to see Guuji-sama?” “Exactly.
Where is Miko?” “Just ahead.” “Good, thank you.” “It is my honor to be of assistance to Ogosho-sama.” With that, Raiden Saku walked slowly forward, strolling along the vermilion corridors, enveloped by the drifting cherry blossoms.
Truly befitting the Grand Narukami Shrine—the scenery here was breathtakingly beautiful, an endless feast for the eyes.
Turning the corner of the corridor and entering the inner part of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Raiden Saku spotted Yae Miko sitting there at a glance.
And in that instant, Raiden Saku’s gaze froze slightly.