Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Chapter 109: Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds [109] [200 PS]



Morning came.

Keqing opened her eyes, still hugging her Raiden Shogun plushie.

Her slightly groggy gaze drifted toward the window, where the sky was still a soft pre-dawn gray.

Liyue Harbor lay quiet, still nestled in the embrace of slumber.

Keqing rolled over, her delicate face nestling into the plushie as she rubbed it gently.

The soft, fluffy warmth brought a faint smile to her lips.

"A brand-new day!"

As someone who prided herself on efficiency, Keqing didn't linger in bed.

Today, she was scheduled to head out to sea, bound for the waters near Inazuma to conduct salvage operations.

"If I waste time, there'll be no end to the work piling up."

After a quick wash and change, she grabbed the sword by her bedside.

"..."

Her eyes instinctively wandered to the collection of plushies on her nightstand.

Among the numerous Rex Lapis plushies, the fierce-looking Raiden Shogun doll stood out prominently.

Keqing's violet eyes sparkled as she picked it up.

"I'll bring you along for this trip."

Who knows? Maybe it'll bring her some luck.

At the port, a cloaked figure approached.

Her signature twin-tails swayed with every step, their vivid purple hue unmistakable.

"Morning, Ganyu."

"Y-you're so early, Keqing," Ganyu stammered, covering her mouth in surprise.

She hadn't expected Keqing to arrive this early.

"There's something on your lips."

Keqing pointed seriously at Ganyu's mouth.

"W-wait, that's…"

Blushing furiously, Ganyu bowed her head in embarrassment.

Caught eating Qingxin flowers by herself—it was mortifying.

"I'm heading out now."

Already in work mode, Keqing didn't dwell on it.

After all, she had eaten her fair share of leaves when surviving in the wild.

"Alright."

Ganyu sighed in relief, managing to swallow the last of the petals.

"Here's the sea chart. Keep it safe."

"And this is the token for meeting with the Inazuman representatives."

"Since we don't have extra personnel this time…"

She trailed off apologetically as she watched Keqing board the ship.

With Liyue still adapting to the absence of the Geo Archon, manpower was stretched thin.

"Understood."

"I'll head to the Millelith's outpost first."

Keqing nodded lightly, then paused, as if something occurred to her.

"By the way, where's Lumine?"

A certain golden-haired girl in a white dress came to mind—a radiant figure as pure and brilliant as sunlight.

If she were around, this mission would be a lot easier.

Ganyu blinked, recalling.

"She's already gone to Inazuma."

"But what about the Sakoku Decree?"

"She left before any news about its repeal."

Keqing frowned slightly, a sense of unease creeping over her.

Heading to Inazuma just like that…

Surely Lumine wouldn't run into any trouble, right?

Like being declared a wanted criminal or something.

---

Inazuma City, Komore Teahouse

Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow.

"Mmm."

Still asleep, Ren furrowed his brows slightly.

It seemed like he was dreaming.

As for the dream…

"Shogun-sama, please don't stab me!"

Half-conscious, Ren extended his hand, blindly groping along the floor beside him.

His fingers brushed against something soft, small, and warm.

"Nice texture. Let me feel this a bit longer."

A faint smile tugged at his lips as his fingers moved more deftly, exploring with intent.

The air around him suddenly grew icy.

"!"

A sharp sense of danger snapped Ren awake, his eyes flying open.

Standing by his side was a figure in a fox mask—a shrine maiden with a cold, imposing presence.

She stared down at him icily.

Oh no, this is bad. There's killing intent.

"..."

Without a word, Ren shut his eyes again and turned over, as if trying to escape reality.

There must be something wrong with the way I woke up. Why else would Mei be here first thing in the morning?

"Get up."

Her cold voice sliced through the air, accompanied by the sharp crack of wood meeting flesh.

The shrine maiden's wooden sword struck Ren squarely on the backside, jolting him fully awake.

The realization hit him—this wasn't a dream.

"Good morning, Shogun-sama—"

"Hmm?"

The shrine maiden raised her wooden sword again.

"...Good morning, Mei."

"..."

After a chaotic morning, Ren finally managed to push open the door and glance around.

Ayaka shouldn't be nearby, right?

They had agreed last night that after finishing their ice cream, they'd each head home.

But when faced with her gentle plea to stay, he'd ended up crashing here instead.

If that girl saw him and Mei stepping out of the same room together in the early morning…

"What are you looking at?"

A hard object prodded his back.

Ren froze.

"Mei, please put the sword down first—"

"Move."

Ren took a step forward, the shrine maiden following close behind.

Her wooden sword stayed firmly pressed against his side.

"Mei, why are you here all of a sudden?"

The situation felt increasingly strange to Ren.

Mei snorted softly, not bothering to respond.

In Inazuma, she went wherever she pleased.

Ren flexed his fingers slightly, his mind drifting back to the soft, warm sensation he had felt earlier in his half-asleep state.

That smooth, silky texture…

He'd almost reached the sole of her foot before he woke up.

"Ahem, I might have reached out…"

"What are you babbling about?"

The wooden sword pressed harder against his ribs, sending a chill down his spine.

"Nothing, just… had a weird dream…"


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