Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"Say that again."

"W-What?"

"The Sakoku Decree in Inazuma!"

Keqing suddenly stepped forward, pressing for answers.

"T-This... it's just a rumor..."

"I don't actually know anything!"

Facing the now serious Yuheng of the Qixing, the Yuehai Pavilion secretary flailed her hands in a panic.

I'm doomed.

Did I just say something I shouldn't have?

There's a saying among the people working between the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Yuehai Pavilion:

If you're unlucky enough to catch the stern gaze of the Yuheng, and she sets her sights on you, congratulations. You're probably about to be roped into overtime work.

But it's already late at night!

Not that! Please, no!

"Yuheng, my lady, what is this about?"

The helpless secretary asked in a small voice.

"I…"

Keqing froze, her expression shifting slightly.

What was that just now?

Why did she react so strongly all of a sudden?

"Ah—"

Under the secretary's curious gaze, Keqing awkwardly turned her head.

In her hand, unbeknownst to the secretary, she clutched a letter.

A letter from Inazuma.

"Do your job well. Goodbye."

Without waiting for a response, Keqing turned on her heel and briskly walked toward the Yuehai Pavilion.

Her twin tails bounced with each step, giving the impression she was in a great hurry.

If Inazuma lifts the Sakoku Decree, then…

A face flashed through her mind—someone who stubbornly refused to set foot in Liyue.

This time, you're not getting away.

I need to find Ganyu and confirm this news immediately.

"Yuheng!"

The secretary stood rooted to the spot, staring after the retreating figure, perplexed.

There shouldn't be anything in Inazuma worth all this attention… right?

---

The office of Ganyu, secretary to the Liyue Qixing, was brightly lit.

Inside, a woman was buried under a mountain of paperwork.

Her long blue hair cascaded down her back, complementing her ethereal beauty.

Her fitted qipao accentuated her impeccable figure.

Yet this seemingly otherworldly woman currently had her eyes closed and was muttering softly to herself.

"Must… replenish energy…"

The little tuft of hair on her head drooped down, a sign of her exhaustion.

Ever since Liyue Harbor experienced upheaval following the Rex Lapis incident, she had been working overtime, draining her energy day by day.

Even with her half-adeptus physique, she was reaching her limit.

"Plop."

A document slipped from her hands, sliding down her silk-clad legs onto the floor.

"Ah—!"

Startled, Ganyu snapped awake, sleepily glancing around.

No one saw that, right?

If someone caught her dozing off, it'd be so embarrassing...

At that exact moment, the distinct clack of high heels approached.

"GANYU!"

The next second, the door burst open, and Keqing stormed in, slamming both hands onto the desk.

Classic Keqing, always brimming with determination.

"Yuheng? What happened?"

Ganyu's tuft of hair perked up in alarm as she hastily grabbed a pen, scribbling in the air to make it look like she had been hard at work.

"This isn't about work."

Keqing paused, then shook her head.

Crossing her arms, she asked, almost nonchalantly:

"The Sakoku Decree in Inazuma…"

"Huh?"

Ganyu blinked in surprise.

Keqing, not talking about work?

Am I still dreaming?

But Ganyu quickly gathered herself.

"Ah, you mean that."

She retrieved a document from the side.

The Yuehai Pavilion had already verified the news.

Inazuma was preparing to reopen.

Keqing took the document and read it carefully, her amethyst eyes scanning every detail with sharp precision.

"Keqing?"

Ganyu tilted her head, puzzled.

There's something unusual about her expression…

Whenever Keqing wore that look, it was usually because she was studying a map of a location she was planning to visit.

"Do you… have someone you care about in Inazuma?"

The always-drowsy Ganyu blurted out the question without thinking.

Cough, cough—

Keqing quickly folded the document and ignored the question, pretending she hadn't heard it.

"?"

Before Ganyu could press further, Keqing shifted the conversation.

"How is the Jade Chamber salvage operation progressing?"

The battle against Osial had cost them a Jade Chamber, and Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Qixing, was spearheading recovery efforts.

The chamber's remains still held valuable treasures.

"For the most part, things are going smoothly, but there's one area…"

Ganyu sighed lightly, her weariness evident.

That particular section was infested with monsters and situated near Inazuma. It was proving to be the most troublesome.

"Let me handle it."

Keqing stepped closer to Ganyu, speaking firmly.

"But if you do that…"

"It's fine. I'm willing to work overtime."

As she spoke, Keqing took out a folded letter.

The paper was creased, as though it had been prepared long ago.

Ganyu accepted it, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise.

"Yuheng, you're requesting leave?"

"That's right. A long vacation."

Keqing flicked her twin tails with a soft huff.

After all the overtime she'd accumulated, she'd earned it many times over.

Once this task is complete, the Sakoku Decree should be lifted.

And a certain pen pal who refuses to visit Liyue...

Are you ready?

Somewhere in Inazuma, a certain someone sneezed.

"Achoo!"

"So this is why you've been overworking yourself lately…"

"More or less. I'd like to take some time to relax."

Ganyu silently nodded, jotting down notes.

After a moment's thought, she looked up again.

"I'll try to contact Inazuma.

If the Shogunate is willing to send someone to assist, it might make things easier."

Rumor had it that a man close to the Raiden Shogun had recently appeared, representing her will.

What kind of person could he be?

"Thank you," Keqing said with a faint smile.

It doesn't matter who they send. It won't change anything.

She wasn't worried in the slightest.

"Come on, let's go."

Keqing grabbed Ganyu by the arm and pulled her up.

"Huh? Where are we going?"

"My treat—Wanmin Restaurant."

"Th-that place... no! Please, no!"

The always diet-conscious Ganyu pleaded desperately.

---

T/N: its over ITS OVER