“The Ogosho Almighty dwells high in the clouds, laboring tirelessly for the long-lasting peace of Inazuma. I humbly request that, alongside managing domestic affairs, you also look after the well-being and pleasure of your divine form.”
Lu Heng’s expression was sincere as his hands, steady as a rock, held the bottle of Dango Milk high.
The light shone upon its pristine white bottle, making it seem, in this very moment, as if the Dango Milk was radiating a holy, pure light.
“Absurd! How could the Ogosho Almighty possibly need to consume such mundane, worldly things…?” Below the steps, Kujou Sara’s expression shifted.
In her rigid worldview, the Shogun wouldn’t spare so much as a glance for this kind of street snack from Hanamizaka!
Kujou Sara’s expression hardened further, and she instinctively reached out to stop him.
However, a slight movement rippled from atop the high platform before she could act.
“…No matter.”
The Raiden Shogun’s tone, usually as flat and unyielding as a glacier of ten thousand years, actually carried a minuscule ripple of emotion.
Those cold purple eyes stared intently at the bag in Lu Heng’s hands.
Though she maintained her detached expression on the outside, deep within the Plane of Euthymia, hidden from all external eyes—
The true Raiden Ei, who had been sitting cross-legged, was now standing on her feet, her beautiful eyes glued to the puppet’s retinas.
“This scent… This rich, pure sweetness, blending the fragrance of rice and condensed milk…”
“This scent… Is it some kind of new dessert?” The Raiden Shogun leaned forward slightly, her voice sounding a little off.
“Precisely.”
“This is a revolutionary new product developed with the utmost devotion by a stall owner in Hanamizaka. It is called Dango Milk. Your subordinate had the privilege of tasting some a few days ago.”
“It has a thick, smooth texture and a delicate, milky aroma. Within its exquisite sweetness is the power to instantly soothe the fatigue accumulated from overworking one’s mind. Your subordinate has the audacity to present this item to the Shogun.” Lu Heng spoke with a look of absolute sincerity.
The deity atop the high platform remained silent for two seconds before speaking coldly.
“…This body is the guardian of eternity and has no need for mundane sustenance to maintain its functions.”
Sara let out a quiet sigh of relief.
*See, the Shogun really did decline.*
“However…”
The deity atop the high platform paused.
With a wave of her hand, the bottle of Dango Milk instantly turned into a blur, landing precisely in her slender hand.
Then, turning her head slightly, her tone softened.
“However… since this is the sincere devotion of my Sobayonin, I shall make an exception… and savor it. I have received your concern. Thank you.”
*Boom!*
Kujou Sara’s brain short-circuited right then and there.
*The Shogun actually accepted it?!
She even said “thank you”?!
That tone!
I’ve never heard her speak like that before!*
She turned her head stiffly, looking at Lu Heng, who was wiping a cold sweat from his brow while wearing an “all according to plan” grin.
Only after the two of them bowed and withdrew did the Raiden Shogun silently pick up the bottle of Dango Milk and drop it into the Plane of Euthymia.
Today’s mood status for Raiden Ei: *Happy.*
Half an hour later, on the stone-paved path heading toward the Tenryou Commission.
“Why?”
Even after they had fully left the Tenshukaku’s grounds, Kujou Sara was still in a daze.
She looked at Lu Heng, hesitated repeatedly, and finally couldn’t help but break the silence.
“Lu Heng… could the Shogun truly enjoy this kind of… common street sweet?”
Lu Heng stopped, turning to face her.
“Lady Sara, in your eyes, what kind of existence is the Shogun?”
“The Shogun is the sole deity of Inazuma’s people. She is absolute majesty. She calls down the lightning to shield and protect everyone in Inazuma,” Sara answered without hesitation, placing a hand gently over her heart, her tone reverent.
“Yes, majestic, merciless, and forever high above…” Lu Heng crossed his arms, his gaze drifting longingly toward the towering Tenshukaku.
“But have you ever wondered why she does it? Do you believe she loves Inazuma?”
“Of course! The Shogun deeply loves every single citizen of Inazuma,” Sara refuted immediately.
If not for the Shogun, her life would likely have ended the day she fell off that cliff.
“Since she deeply loves mortals, it means she cherishes the qualities they possess, doesn’t it?”
Lu Heng’s voice grew soft, carrying a hint of gentleness.
“To me, gods are no different from humans. They are stronger and live much longer, but they are by no means creatures without blood or tears. In the mundane bustle of mortal life, the deity sees the happiness she hopes to preserve. It brings her joy, which is why she protects humanity.”
Kujou Sara stared blankly for a moment.
“For the longest time, the Shogunate’s vassals have done nothing but beg for protection and report disasters.”
“Everyone treats her as a weapon designed solely to eliminate threats. But I believe that a deity willing to face all the thunder and storms alone for her people… must have an incredibly gentle side hidden deep within her heart.”
Lu Heng turned his head, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.
“So why shouldn’t we share a bit of mortal joy with her? I didn’t send her desserts just as food. I wanted the deity sitting all alone in the Tenshukaku to taste…”
“…just how sweet the fruits of the land she protects with her life truly are.”
*Is…
is that right?*
Listening to this profound philosophy, Kujou Sara stood frozen in place.
She had wanted to argue that “gods are different from mortals,” but recalling the Shogun’s warm “thank you” from earlier, she wavered.
*Could it be that my understanding of the Shogun has been lacking all along?*
*Indeed…
*Though Lu Heng’s actions were transgressive, they brought such a gentle look to the Shogun’s face…*
Kujou Sara’s golden eyes lost focus.
The street before her and the looming silhouette of the Tenshukaku blurred.
In her daze, she recalled a day from many years ago.
“Lord Patriarch… what kind of deity is the Ogosho Almighty? Does she watch the fireworks like everyone else?”
The young Tengu had looked up at the distant, beautiful purple figure on the high platform, tugging at her adoptive father’s sleeve as she asked in confusion.
She knew that it was the Shogun who had cast her gaze down, saving her back then.
Thus, she desperately wanted to understand her savior’s true nature.
“I… want to invite her to watch fireworks…”
“Mind your words!” The tall man spun around, rebuking her harshly.
“The Ogosho Almighty is the incarnation of heavenly light, the guardian of eternity, free from all desires and thoughts. She is the sole true god we must worship!”
“Sara, you must not presume to understand the Shogun. To do so is an offense against the divine! How could the Shogun possibly care for such mortal playthings?! You must realize that gods are not like us!” With that, the man bowed respectfully toward the deity.
Her young self had shrunk back, not daring to look at that beautiful figure again, bowing her head in turn.
And so she had kept it bowed, until this very day.
“Woof! Woof woof!” A sharp barking pulled Kujou Sara back from her distant memories.
She raised her head, directing a complex gaze at Lu Heng, who was just a few steps away.
“Oh? A doggy? The doggy is barking!”
This man, who had just been making grand pronouncements and discussing the gods, was now squatting on the street corner without a shred of dignity, using a half-eaten piece of swiped pastry to tease a passing Shiba Inu, wearing a perfectly content grin.
*Lu Heng, just what do you see the gods as through those eyes of yours?*
Kujou Sara fell into deep thought, yet a trace of envy rose in her heart for no reason at all.
*He really is a rebel to the core.*
In the end, she let out a sigh.
The Tengu maiden’s shaken worldview resolved into a closed loop under some bizarre logic.
*Since sweets can make the Shogun happy, should I, as a general of the Shogunate, also try to offer something in the future?*
*Hmm…
What would be good?
How about offering the prized sword bestowed upon me by the Shogun, which I’ve treasured for years, for her to admire?
The Shogun will surely be pleased to see such an excellent blade!*
While the Tengu maiden was seriously pondering gift ideas, the two arrived at the Tenryou Commission’s headquarters.
Kujou Sara composed herself.
Her face hardening, she stepped through the Commission’s gates first.
A low-ranking samurai guarding the entrance quickly lowered his head, bowing respectfully.
But when he raised his head and saw the well-dressed, perfectly relaxed young man walking right behind Sara, his pupils suddenly dilated!