The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"Shadow? You..."

"Ahem...don't waste it," Shadow coughed, her knees bent on the picnic blanket, looking so dignified and virtuous, even more so than Yae no Miko's posture.

This can only be described as an example set by the Thunder General and the God of Shadow...

Kiana reached out and touched the sweet liquid remaining on her face, and suddenly felt... was she taking revenge?

"Is it tasty?"

"The food is truly remarkable... It includes not only local Inazuma desserts, but also specialties from Liyue and Mondstadt, bringing back memories of the time I spent with them when I was a Shadow Warrior..."

Ying closed her eyes and spoke these words in a melancholy tone.

It was clear that she really enjoyed the meal, perhaps even because it was so delicious... which reminded her of the past when the Seven Gods would gather together every year.

As such praise was uttered, a system notification sounded.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the mission. Yourrscher Points reward has been issued. Based on the overall evaluation, a full reward of 1200 Herrscher Points has been awarded.]

"Easy puff, phew..."

After replenishing her food, Kiana felt much better.

Next...

"Shadow, are you able to get back by yourself? If you feel unwell, I can help you get back to the castle tower~"

"...Are you leaving?" Ying opened her eyes, her tone revealing an unprecedented sternness.

When questioned like this, Kiana suddenly felt something was wrong.

It seems that if my answer doesn't meet her expectations, something terrible will happen?

But... I wonder if Ying is alright now. She, Zaoyu, and Paimon are waiting for me. I also wonder if the usually reliable Thomas has encountered any difficulties.

This is really worrying...

Finally, Kiana thought for a moment, scratched the back of her head, and chuckled foolishly:

"Someone is still waiting for me, so... I can't stay any longer. Are you alright? Do you need me...?"

As she spoke, she slowly reached out her hand, thinking that she would help Ying if she was feeling unwell.

However, the Thor who had just fought him suddenly unleashed an irresistible aura.

“Who is waiting for you? Tell me, and I will have someone bring them back.”

As she spoke, she caught Kiana with lightning speed and pulled her forcefully.

Caught off guard, Kiana fell into her arms, trying to escape but being held tightly...

"Um...no need."

"Alright, now come back to the castle tower with me. You must explain to me clearly who you are, where you come from, and what you want to do! Don't think you can leave easily until I understand what you want to do."

Shadow spoke these words with complete confidence, practically testing Kiana's limits, of course...

Perhaps this domineering behavior actually means that she genuinely wants to stay?

Regarding updates, I've been quite busy lately, mostly updating late at night... Once I have more free time, I'll update one chapter in the morning and two chapters in the afternoon, just like before.

I told the editor it's going to be available this week, so please remember to check it out! (*^▽^*)

Song of Flames and Lightning (Genshin Impact Inazuma Main Story): Chapter 55 The Castle Keep Where the General Is No Longer Located.

"No, I have to go find Ying and the others." Kiana tried to break free from Ying's grasp, but... she seemed to have just woken up and wasn't fully awake yet, or perhaps the desserts were too delicious and she ate too much and had indigestion.

This led her to try twice, but she ultimately failed to achieve her goal.

The faint resistance from the person in his arms made Ying suddenly realize...

"You're injured? From fighting me... No wonder you fainted. Heh. Looks like the gap between us isn't so big after all."

The thought that she could still have a significant impact on her gradually dispelled the shame and indignation in Ying's heart, replaced by a sense of pride.

At least in terms of strength, the power she displayed far surpassed that of any demon she had faced before.

If I had to compare it, it could even be compared to the calamity that occurred hundreds of years ago...

How could such terrifying power be wielded by such a lively and cheerful girl?

"You are so special, so special that I want to... keep you by my side forever."

As a god who seeks eternity, surely he wouldn't be so lonely if he had someone to accompany him throughout his life...

With her exceptional abilities, she might just be the best candidate.

Thinking of this, Ying unconsciously hugged Kiana even tighter.

However....

"To keep them by my side forever... I probably can't do that."

After a short rest, Kiana felt her lost power finally return.

She managed to break free from Ying's grasp with a little effort, and then gave her answer with a hint of regret.

"But I'll come visit you when I have time. I can promise you that..."

After saying this, she turned her back, then turned back and gave her a bright smile.

Then, under Ying's somewhat bewildered gaze, Kiana leaped out of the cave like a shooting star against the wind.

Her departure was so sudden, and that fading red shadow looked so enchanting, like a rainbow after the rain slowly disappearing...

"I will come to visit... I hope this promise won't just be a fleeting illusion."

Ying stared blankly up at the direction the girl had gone, a slight ripple stirring in her normally calm heart...

...

"The general...has not returned yet, what should we do..."

Tenshukaku, Tenryo-bugyōfu.

Numerous shogunate samurai waited anxiously in the hall, awaiting the orders of the Tenryō-bō, Kujō Takayuki.

Some of them were not warriors worshipped by the Heavenly Commander; some were even scions of prominent families within Inazuma Castle.

After that earth-shattering battle, they were all shocked by the power that ordinary people could hardly intervene in.

At the same time, they were also extremely worried about the general's safety.

Has the general won? Why hasn't the general appeared yet? If anything happens to the general, what will become of Inazuma...?

Inazuma is an eternal land because of the Thunder General's promise of eternity, which allows its people to live in peace.

General Thunder and Lightning is their faith.

Once this belief collapses, the consequences could be more terrifying than death itself...

Everyone knew that Inazuma Country had reached its most difficult moment.

At this very moment, the only person who could possibly give them hope is...

"General, could it be... defeated? Impossible, impossible! That's the Thunder General! How could this be... impossible, General, she..."

Kujo Takayuki paced back and forth, his bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief and panic...

He clutched his hair with both hands, and it was clear to anyone that this high-ranking and powerful figure was on the verge of collapse.

Seeing this, many samurai even began to feel fortunate that those present were people of some status. If the shogunate soldiers guarding outside the mansion knew about this... Inazuma Castle would probably be in chaos starting today.

"Lord Xiaoxing, it seems that..."

"Has Lady Kujo Sara recovered? Perhaps we should let her take the lead."

"Hmm, if this determined adult were here, he would surely lead us to find an opportunity to change the current situation..."

The samurai saw the poor performance of the Tenryo magistrate and were alarmed.

They had no idea what shocking decisions this powerful figure, obsessed with the general's martial arts to the point of madness, would make next...

If it were Kujo Sara, at least she wouldn't have broken down like this...

"Lord Kujo Sara! Your injuries haven't healed yet, please go back to your room to rest, please—!" A maid's soft call suddenly came from inside the mansion, followed by a series of hurried footsteps.

As the footsteps drew closer, a familiar figure appeared before the warriors.

She was dressed in simple white clothes, and the celestial dog mask that was originally worn in her side hair was nowhere to be seen. Her beautiful hair was tangled together because of the sweat pouring down her back.

Her thin clothes clung tightly to her curvaceous body due to cold sweat, adding a touch of fragility to her usually dignified and serious demeanor...

"Lord Kujo Sora!"

The samurai uttered these words in unison, their tone filled with trust and reverence.

After his narrow defeat at the hands of Kiana, this general had already gained great fame and become the last hope of the samurai.

Although these samurai were unaware that Kiana, the person directly involved, hadn't been fighting seriously at all, and that Kujo Sara's crushing defeat was entirely due to the lightning bolt that struck her...

But in their eyes, Kujo Sara was the only strong person capable of intervening in the duel between the general and the unknown white-haired girl, and that was enough.

"How long... exactly was I unconscious?"

Kujo Sara, who was barely able to stand by the door, swallowed hard, then looked at the samurai present and the Tenryō magistrate, Kujo Takayuki.

"this..."

The samurai looked at each other and briefly described the earth-shattering battle, finally informing Kujo Sara that it had been almost a day since the battle ended.

After getting a general idea of ​​the situation, Kujo Sara slammed her fist on the wooden board: "Since so much time has passed, why are you still standing here! Go find someone!"

"Who...who are we looking for?" the warriors asked in unison.

"That white-haired woman, and... the General."

"Oh, this..."

The warriors exchanged glances, then turned their gazes to the person present who truly had the authority to issue orders.

Kujo Takayuki, head in his hands, muttering to himself incessantly...

"General... defeated? That's the Thunder General! How could this be... impossible, absolutely impossible! Ahhhhh! This must be a nightmare, it definitely is, is it the demon fox's magic? Damn it! Catch all the demon foxes in the country and boil them!"

"...They're hopeless." The samurai lowered their heads, muttering to themselves in unison.