Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"Why is she on the ship?"

Keqing lowered her sword, but her tone remained sharp.

However, by now, she had already calmed down.

So, she was just Ren's younger sister?

The realization made her feel an unexpected wave of relief.

Thank goodness. Ren doesn't have a child yet.

That meant…

Wait—

Keqing immediately shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

What does it matter to me whether Ren has a child or not?!

"Um, well… this child is looking for her mother."

Ren wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, carefully explaining.

With the door closed, the room felt way too warm.

Not to mention, there was still a warm, fluffy, white-haired loli clinging to him.

Come to think of it—he had felt uncomfortably warm while sleeping earlier.

Wait… was it because I was sleeping with—?!

Ren immediately crushed that dangerous thought.

No. No. Absolutely not.

This was something that Rukkhadevata must never know.

Wait, no—

She was his godmother now.

This was getting way too weird.

"Looking for her mother?"

Keqing frowned but still stepped closer to Ren's bed.

She bent down and gazed at the little loli before her.

Not a biological sister?

But… so cute.

"Hello there."

Nahida blinked her emerald-green eyes and stretched out a small hand, smiling sweetly.

Her soft voice was full of gentle warmth—

The kind that naturally drew people in.

Thanks to the fusion of Ren's power and Rukkhadevata's energy, the green leaf had sprouted—

And eventually, borne fruit.

That fruit, in turn, had become a highly adaptable new sapling.

And because of Nahida's consciousness—

That sapling had developed into a physical body.

A body separate from her original self.

But it wouldn't last forever.

A seed germinates and grows—

And once the power within the green leaf is fully spent, it will either blossom into a new tree…

Or return to the earth, merging back into its origins.

Nahida could already guess what the outcome would be.

She just needed time to confirm it.

But for now—

Her consciousness could experience the world in a different way.

She could talk to people like a normal person.

More importantly—

She could touch and feel Ren's presence.

This wasn't a dream.

Maybe…

Maybe this was a kind of freedom too.

A freedom granted by Ren and Rukkhadevata together.

This feeling…

Nahida recalled Ren's earlier assumption—

That Rukkhadevata was her mother.

Was this… what a mother's love felt like?

So, by that logic, Ren would be…

Her father?

…

No, no, no!

The little Grass God immediately shut down that thought.

If Ren were her father, then that would mean he and Rukkhadevata were a couple.

And Ren was also her older brother…

…?

Nahida fell into deep contemplation.

Something didn't add up.

She wasn't Ren's sister.

And Rukkhadevata wasn't necessarily her mother.

And Ren definitely wasn't married to Rukkhadevata.

…

Phew. Okay. That made sense now.

But her instincts still told her that something was off.

What was it…?

"Nice to meet you, Nahida."

Keqing's expression softened into a gentle smile.

She reached out and took Nahida's small hand.

It was soft and warm—a pleasant sensation.

"Hello, big sister."

Nahida sensed Keqing's kindness and smiled sweetly.

"!"

Keqing's hand trembled slightly—her eyes lighting up.

That… was pure maternal instinct kicking in.

She felt like something inside her had just been pierced—

In the softest, warmest way possible.

She couldn't help but steal a glance at Ren.

That damn troublemaker—

With his looks, any child he had would definitely be as cute as Nahida.

Which meant—

The choice of the mother would be very important…

"Ahem."

Keqing quickly looked away and cleared her throat.

Ren: "?"

Why did he suddenly feel like…

He was being evaluated?

Was this cat planning to bite him or something?

"?"

Nahida blinked her innocent green eyes, tilting her head.

She could sense Keqing's emotions—

But she didn't quite understand them.

Then again, most things related to Ren were still a mystery to her.

She would have to learn more from him in the future.

"Hmph. Idiot."

Keqing huffed and sheathed her sword.

"Alright, I'm an idiot."

Ren chuckled, deciding not to argue.

For now—

The misunderstanding was cleared.

Which meant—

He had successfully dodged a very dangerous fate.

At the very least, he now understood how Nahida had suddenly appeared beside him.

So it was a manifestation of the green leaf's energy…

He had to admit—

This spiritual resonance ability was ridiculously convenient.

Just one thought, and the other party could immediately understand.

Like a perfect, unspoken connection.

"And you're still laughing?!"

Keqing puffed out her cheeks at Ren's smug expression.

She had been so tense before—

She thought he had been possessed by some vengeful spirit on that island!

She had been worried sick!

And now… she didn't even know why she felt so irritated.

Before she could think further—

Bonk!

Keqing suddenly smacked Ren on the head with her sword's sheath.

"Keqing, was that really necessary?"

Ren rubbed his head helplessly.

He was still technically recovering, wasn't he?

"You suddenly collapsed—do you have any idea how worried I was?!"

Keqing sat down on the edge of the bed, hugging her sword and pouting.

She wasn't going to talk to him anymore.

"Keqing…"

Ren blinked—

And quietly reached out.

His fingers gently intertwined with hers.

"Let go."

Keqing glared at him, half-heartedly trying to pull away.

But, obviously, she couldn't shake him off.

After a moment, she just sighed and let him hold her hand.

…

Even though there was still a child here.

"?"

Nahida tilted her head in confusion.

She could sense the joy in Keqing's heart, despite her external rejection.

Why was that?

"Thanks for taking care of me, Keqing."

"Hmph. No need to thank me."

Keqing responded, still pouting—but her tone had softened.

"So…"

Ren smirked slightly and shifted his position.

"?"

Keqing immediately moved away.

She was sitting too close to him.

Why did she sit here in the first place?!

But it was too late.

Ren leaned in beside her ear.

"!"

Keqing's entire body tensed.

Ren chuckled and tugged at his clothes, which were clearly different from before.

"Keqing."

He smiled.

"Who changed my clothes?"

"…I don't know."

"Oh, so that's how it is, huh?"

"You—y-you're not allowed to laugh!"

After a bit of playful bickering—

"Do you admit your mistake now?"

Ren smiled in surrender. "I do."

Keqing huffed, then picked up the bowl of medicinal soup from the table.

"Open your mouth. I'll feed you."

She still sounded fierce.

Ren blinked, but obediently opened his mouth.

…The two of them seemed to have completely forgotten about the little white-haired loli sitting beside them.

Nahida sat quietly at the edge of the bed, watching Keqing.

"So this is how one interacts with Ren…"

The little Grass God… has understood everything.

"Oh, right."

As Ren accepted the spoonful of soup, he asked—

"What about Inazuma City…?"

"I told Sandrone… ahem, I told her to wait for my message."

She had almost called her big sister.

Damn that bet.

Keqing immediately stuffed another spoonful of soup into Ren's mouth.

Ren simply nodded, feeling relieved.

He had been worried she might act on impulse and do something drastic.

After all—

That was a Fatui Harbinger they were dealing with.

"Hopefully, nothing happened in Inazuma City…"

Ren mused silently.

It should be fine.

…Right?

---

"Finally… the work for the Yashiro Commission is—"

In the solemn great hall, Kamisato Ayaka let out a small sigh of relief.

Finally, she could go home.

She had heard that Ren was returning to Inazuma City soon.

Which meant she could—

Before she could even report to the elegant figure seated above—

"You've worked hard."

The Raiden Shogun spoke without lifting her gaze from the stack of documents.

"Then, Your Excellency, may I—"

"There is another batch of reports. Process them first."

The Shogun waved a hand dismissively.

In other words—

Stay and work overtime today.

"…Understood."

Kamisato Ayaka frowned slightly.

She couldn't shake the feeling that the Shogun was deliberately keeping her away from Ren.

Why?

Just then—

The Shogun slowly rose to her feet.

She had sensed it—

The fleet was returning.

"Your Excellency, where are you going?"

Ayaka instinctively asked as she saw the Shogun preparing to leave.

…Was she the only one stuck working overtime?

"I'm going to Inazuma City."

The Shogun murmured, the corners of her lips curving slightly.

A breathtakingly beautiful sight—

Though, unfortunately, no one was present to witness it.

She would greet Ren upon his return—

As the Raiden Shogun herself.

"…?"

Kamisato Ayaka's eyes widened slightly.

The Shogun, who had stayed in Tenshukaku for hundreds of years—

Was leaving?

---

"Overtime… I won't be able to greet Little Ren."

Hiiragi Chisato sighed, shaking her head regretfully.

"My Lady, regarding the latest trade policy—"

A government official hurried over, awaiting her decision.

Chisato quickly composed herself and gave clear, well-organized instructions.

Unknowingly, she had already walked to the edge of the port.

She had planned to take this opportunity to conduct an inspection.

"Hmm, should we…"

As she considered future development plans—

Suddenly, something caught her attention.

There was a figure floating on the sea.

A girl, clutching onto a broken wooden plank, drifting toward the shore.

Under the sunlight, her golden hair gleamed brilliantly.

"Over there?"

Chisato's eyes sharpened.

"Help! Save me—!"

Just then—

A small, white floating creature popped out from the water.

Noticing Chisato on the shore, it frantically waved and shouted—

"Help Lumine!"

---

T/N: ?????

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