The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"No, the reason why... is actually quite complicated. You might not understand it now, but..."

If he were to search all seven kingdoms and finally find his brother, perhaps he would understand that sometimes, hatred towards someone doesn't need a reason...

The argument between Kokoro and Kujo Sara continued to escalate, eventually almost turning into a physical fight. It was only because Kiana and Ying sensed the danger and called for them to disperse that the situation was brought to a head.

I'm afraid a large-scale conflict will break out at the main entrance of the Coral Palace today...

After the event, Kiana and Hotaru took Kujo Sara back to the cabin and closed the door to prevent outsiders from eavesdropping.

"Lady Kiana, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have..." Kujo Sara knelt down as soon as she entered the room, expressing her humble apology with a perfectly executed dogeza (a traditional Japanese bowing gesture).

Seeing this, Kiana simply plopped down on the bed, comforting herself while exchanging food from the system shop:

"You don't need to apologize, really. After all, from your perspective, it's understandable that you'd be angry."

"Huh? Kiana, you didn't teach her a lesson? I thought..." Paimon covered her mouth, asking in a very puzzled tone.

"What did you think? I've already said that I'm just an unknown traveler. These things don't concern me much, and if I were to take action... I would focus on the Fools."

"The Fools?"

This time, not only Ying and Paimon expressed their doubts, but even Kujo Sara looked up and stared at Kiana with puzzled eyes.

I have absolutely no idea why she would drag the Fools into this...

The Song of Flames and Lightning (Genshin Impact Inazuma Main Story): Chapter 73 It turns out that everything was the lady's doing?

The Fools, originating from the Far Winter, are a major force under the Ice Queen, also known as the Ice God. They are stirring up trouble in various countries, and their high-ranking executors are often plotting things that ordinary people wouldn't even dare to imagine.

However, so far, at least in the eyes of Ying and others, the Fatui have always been well-behaved in their relationship with Inazuma and have not shown any significant romantic interest.

It was strange that when Kujo Sara arrived with his troops, he also brought a group of fools...

There's nothing particularly noteworthy about it.

As a result... she's suddenly going to deal with the Fools...

"Kiana, is this the ultimate purpose of your journey? To seek revenge on the Fools..." Paimon muttered to herself as she ate a cake the size of her face, taking small bites.

"Seeking revenge against the Fools, perhaps not."

Ying played with the hair by her ear, becoming increasingly curious about what Kiana was after.

Although the Fools are stirring up trouble in various countries, that's all they do. Whenever they dare to cause trouble on their home turf, they are usually sanctioned by the authorities.

No matter how powerful the Ice Queen is, she is ultimately just the Ice Goddess. If she were to openly fight with other gods... she probably wouldn't be that crazy.

So, what stupid thing did the Fatui do to offend Kiana?

Or rather, what reason did Kiana have for going after these people?

"Kiana, can you tell them what happened...?"

"I'm sorry, Ying, but I assure you, it was absolutely not because of personal desires or simply acting on impulse."

After Kiana set out the delicious food, she invited Hotaru and Kujo Sara to start eating. Now that the cause and effect had finally been explained... she had no thoughts at all.

After all, revealing too much about certain things can easily lead to trouble.

Because she remained silent at the center of the mystery, the others didn't ask any more questions and simply began their meal in silence.

Although the food was as delicious as before, the diners were not chatting and laughing as usual.

It was only after finishing her meal that Ying touched her belly somewhat embarrassedly: "I'm so full, Kiana, how about we do some exercise after dinner? I'd like to visit the Coral Palace again."

"Post-meal exercise...I really want to do it, but...ugh, I'm a little sleepy."

"Really? You're actually a little sleepy... Okay, remember to get some rest."

Although Ying found it strange that Kiana would feel sleepy for no reason, she thought that it might be because she was too tired from the battle with Thor and needed to rest to replenish her strength.

Perhaps she's just putting on a brave face all along, and really needs a good rest?

Thinking of this, Ying gave up the idea of ​​asking any more questions, tapped Paimon's head to signal him to follow and not stay here and disturb his rest.

Before leaving, this foreign visitor, who had always been indifferent to Kujo Sara, asked a question without even turning her head.

"Want to come together, Kujo Sara? I actually have a lot of stories I want to ask you, about Umi-no-Shima and Narukami-no-Shima..."

"Hmm? You want to hear it? You can, but..."

Kujo Sara, who was kneeling upright on the ground, slowly raised her head. She wanted to agree immediately, but then she saw Kiana waving her index finger, indicating that she should not agree.

Helpless, she could only close her eyes, lower her head, and coldly refuse.

"Given my status, if I were to run into those civilians, it would likely cause a lot of trouble. I'd better ask you another day."

"Huh? Well, I didn't realize you were so self-aware?"

Although puzzled by the rejection of her good intentions, Ying didn't hold a grudge. She simply slammed the door shut and left the cabin.

Once the dimly lit hut had finally quieted down, Kujo Sara turned around, intending to bow humbly to Kiana.

However, this time, before she could even kowtow, the other person slowly grabbed her shoulders.

"You...you really don't need to be so afraid of me."

Kiana opened her azure eyes and looked at the defeated general with utmost sincerity, her tone completely devoid of the arrogance and contempt she had shown when forcing him to submit.

Instead, it was replaced by a gentle, warm feeling, like that of a friend...

Kiana's alchemy had never been so close. Even in the dim light, her pretty yet spirited face exuded a unique energy that emanated from her.

Seeing this person's face so closely for the first time, Kujo Sara's pupils contracted slightly with tension as her shoulders were gripped.

"I simply... have great respect for you, well, you could say I admire you."

For some reason, her tone no longer carried that strong samurai air, but began to sound as bewildered as an ordinary young girl...

"Oh? Worship? There's really no need for that. Just treat me with a normal attitude."

"This... if this is what you wish for, then so be it. Although it is not in accordance with the code of a samurai to say this, you are indeed much gentler than the shogun."

"Gentle? I'm glad you used that word to describe me. Well... enough with the pleasantries."

After calming Kujo Sara's anxious heart, Kiana finally voiced the question that had been troubling her all these days.

"Why are there Fools among the people you brought? If I remember correctly, they are not diplomatic envoys, but armed forces from another country, right? Putting aside what this means, what exactly did you do to make these guys willingly help you?"

"Fools... if you don't tell me, I'll forget all the impulsive things I did that day..."

Accepting assistance from foreign armed forces so readily—if this small act displeases the general, the punishment won't be something that can be resolved with just an apology.

It wasn't until Kiana brought it up that Kujo Sara recounted what had happened at the Tenryo Magistrate's Office that day, and at the end, she also revealed that the lady had come to see her off and given her the Evil Eye.

"The Evil Eye? You accepted that Evil Eye?"

"Yeah, and then I threw it away."

"Very well, this thing is powerful, but the price... It seems the root of all the problems lies with the lady?"

In response to Kiana's question, Kujo Sara stroked her chin and then slowly shook her head.

"I don't know. I know too little about this diplomat from the Winter Solstice Kingdom. What exactly is she plotting, and what impact will she have on the General? I..."

"As for the impact, there's no need to worry about it. With her strength, dealing with you might be easy, but to pose a threat to Thor... that's just wishful thinking."

"...Judging from your tone, you really don't know where the General is?"

After hearing Kiana repeat the same words many times, Kujo Sara finally began to believe what she was saying.

Kiana smiled with satisfaction at this.

"otherwise?"

“In that case… I might have to return to the castle tower and reconsider.” Kujo Sara finished speaking and slowly rose to leave.

However, before she could take a step, she was stopped by a strong and tyrannical force.

"Well, you can go now. However, I think it would be better if you stayed on Haiqi Island for a few more days."

Kiana held Kujo Sara's hand, wanting her to stay for a few more days.

After all, there are some things it's better for her to understand...

The Song of Flames and Lightning (Genshin Impact Inazuma Main Story): Chapter 74 Captain Hokuto, Who Slayed Mount Hyjal

Kujo Sara, who had been pulled back, was taken aback for a moment, then had no choice but to obediently turn around and ask, "Is there anything else I can do for you, Lady Kiana?"

"Don't be so formal, just call me Kiana."

"Uh... okay."

Although Kujo Sara was a little uncomfortable, she didn't dare to object since the white-haired girl in front of her had already made the request.

Seeing that she didn't say anything more, Kiana organized her thoughts and then said:

"Do you remember what you just did? Many people in the Coral Palace probably know what you did, and since you're a defeated general, you weren't given special permission to leave. If you're targeted by someone with ill intentions, are you confident you can escape in your current state?"

"Hmm. Maybe it's because I've been through so much lately that I've become a bit slow. I didn't even anticipate this little bit of danger..."

Kiana's kind reminder finally made Kujo Sara realize that she was in the enemy's camp.

Even within the shogunate, a place teeming with talent, few would be so fortunate as to venture so deep into this place, let alone leave safely...

Its danger level is probably no less than kidnapping the commander directly on the battlefield.

"Then, Kiana, can you help me leave?"

"Of course, but not now... because Ying has some things to take care of, and there are still some issues with the resistance that need to be resolved. Let's talk about it in a few days. If you're free, how about we go for a walk?"

After agreeing to Kujo Sara's request, Kiana suggested that they go out and take a look together.

Kujo Sara didn't want to leave, since this place was insignificant to her, and could even be described as a land cursed by a demon god.

But unable to resist Kiana's persistent suggestions, she had no choice but to leave as requested.

Coral Palace is located on Umijima Island. It is one of only two cities in Inatsuma Province with a large area, besides Narukami Island. The buildings here are built on huge corals and shells, and its terrain is as rugged as that of Kagemiya and Narukami Taisha.

To leave Coral Palace and explore the outer areas, one needs to climb very high cliffs and walk a long way.

However, because Kiana was incredibly skilled, she could leap up mountains in a single bound, so the two of them arrived at the beach outside the Coral Palace in no time.

As for Kujo Sara's anxiety before setting off, her fear of running into the Sangokiya and the resistance forces, that didn't happen many times.