Genshin Impact: I'm just a mortal

A few days later.

An ordinary day.

Yu Xie brought Shenhe to the Tenshukaku.

Over this period, Shenhe had met with Makoto and Ei a few times. Although they couldn't be called familiar, at least they were no longer strangers.

In the training grounds, Shenhe saw Ei wielding a naginata. The blade gleamed brightly, slicing through the air with a single strike.

The row of wooden stakes in front of Ei remained motionless at first but then, after a few seconds, split cleanly in half.

The cuts were flawlessly smooth, polished like mirrors.

Ei had practiced this strike countless times, yet she always believed that the most perfect slash would come with the next attempt.

Shenhe stood beside Yu Xie, watching Ei at the center of the training grounds, sensing the unique aura emanating from her.

It was an aura Shenhe had never felt before, not even from her master.

This must be the aura of a Archon—a presence fundamentally different from that of humans.

Yet, strangely enough, Shenhe could also detect a faint trace of this unique energy from Yu Xie, which made her wonder if it was just her imagination.

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed, and Makoto entered the training grounds.

"Yu Xie, we just received news—Rosalyne is on her way to the Tenshukaku. She should be arriving shortly."

Hearing this, Yu Xie's brow furrowed slightly.

Yesterday, he had gone to see Rosalyne.

Rosalyne had told Yu Xie that the war between the Shogunate and Watatsumi Island was nearing its end. She had done everything she could—stopping the spread of Delusions that harmed the common people, preventing the Fatui from interfering in Inazuma. She said this was her way of atoning. Now, only the final step remained.

Recalling Rosalyne's words from yesterday, her face had carried a faint, serene smile. It was a smile filled with relief, as though she had already prepared herself to accept any outcome.

It wasn't hard to guess what would happen today.

"Where is Kitsune Saiguu?" Yu Xie asked Makoto.

"She's already waiting for you in the main hall," Makoto replied.

"Alright, I'll go now." Yu Xie paused, then added, "Makoto, Ei, thank you for supporting me in this."

Makoto and Ei exchanged a glance before smiling. "You saved my life back then. If anyone should be saying thanks, it's us," Makoto said.

Yu Xie returned their smiles and then shifted his gaze to Shenhe.

Shenhe also understood what Yu Xie was about to do. She said nothing, merely offering a faint smile.

Shenhe's smile was becoming more and more captivating.

"I'll be back soon," Yu Xie said, then turned and walked away.

......

The main hall of the Tenshukaku.

Kitsune Saiguu stood at the center of the hall, waiting for Yu Xie.

The sound of footsteps echoed as Yu Xie walked in.

"The Fatui Harbinger has already arrived outside the Tenshukaku," Kitsune Saiguu said.

"Let's begin," Yu Xie replied.

Kitsune Saiguu smiled faintly and gently raised her right hand.

Using a transformation technique, a soft glow flickered, and in an instant, Yu Xie took on Ei's appearance.

Kitsune Saiguu observed the transformed Yu Xie and nodded. "Even better than last time. I'll go and bring the Harbinger in now."

"Alright," Yu Xie replied softly, his voice now identical to Ei's.

A moment later.

Kitsune Saiguu returned, with Rosalyne following behind her.

It seemed Rosalyne hadn't noticed anything unusual. She entered the hall with a faint smile and gave a slight bow.

"Your Excellency, I've come today for one reason only."

"And what is that?" Yu Xie controlled his tone, striving to sound as much like Ei as possible.

"I've come for the Gnosis," Rosalyne said calmly.

"Do you still not understand? The Gnosis is incredibly precious. If you want it, you must offer something of equal value in exchange."

"I understand, of course. However, this is the Empress's order, and I dare not be negligent. How about this?" Rosalyne's gaze suddenly sharpened, like a blade. "In Inazuma's rules, there is a 'duel before the throne,' correct?"

"So what if there is?"

"Please allow me to initiate a duel before the throne. If I win, could the Gnosis be awarded as the prize?"

Yu Xie slightly furrowed his brow. Of course, at this moment, it would appear to Rosalyne that the Shogun was the one frowning.

"Do you understand that if you lose the duel before the throne, you must pay with your life?"

"Of course I know," Rosalyne said, smiling faintly, completely composed.

"Very well, I grant you this challenge," Yu Xie said.

"Then, Your Excellency, may I ask who my opponent will be?" Rosalyne's gaze shifted to Kitsune Saiguu standing nearby.

"It will be me," Kitsune Saiguu said with a smile as she stepped forward.

Rosalyne briefly sized up Kitsune Saiguu, her expression still bearing a faint smile.

"I never expected to have the chance to face off against the former Grand Shrine Maiden of the Narukami Shrine. It's truly an honor."

"Miss Rosalyne, have you thought this through? Once the duel before the throne begins, there is no retreat."

"I've already made up my mind," Rosalyne's smile gradually faded, replaced by a gaze of unwavering resolve.

Kitsune Saiguu's expression also became serious. Her opponent was a Harbinger of the Fatui—she couldn't afford to be careless.

The battle was about to begin, ready to erupt at any moment.

Elemental energy clashed like sparks, with ice and fire blooming into brilliant flowers.

For a moment, Kitsune Saiguu and Rosalyne were locked in an intense and evenly matched duel.

Yu Xie quietly watched everything unfold. In one moment, ice crystals drifted past his ears, and the next, sparks flashed before his eyes.

Ice and fire danced together, like an epic symphony—the song of ice and fire.

The duel before the throne seemed to stretch on for an unknown amount of time. In the end, both Kitsune Saiguu and Rosalyne were panting heavily. Kitsune Saiguu, using her hand as a blade, pressed it against Rosalyne's forehead.

Perhaps Rosalyne had seized an opportunity, intentionally leaving an opening to lose the duel.

She looked at Kitsune Saiguu in front of her, her breath heavy.

"I lost."

Her tone carried a hint of unwillingness, but Yu Xie could tell that the unwillingness was just for show. Behind it, there was a sense of relief.

Kitsune Saiguu withdrew her hand and walked over to stand beside Yu Xie.

Yu Xie took a slow breath, lightning flashing in his hand as Musou Isshin appeared before him.

"Losing the duel before the throne means paying with your life."

At that moment, the Pure Soul Blessed Land was released, bringing with it an overwhelming pressure.

But Rosalyne hadn't forgotten her purpose. Despite the intense pressure, she slowly retreated, deliberately saying:

"I am the envoy of the Snezhnaya. You cannot kill me, you cannot!"

Yu Xie didn't respond. He simply held Musou Isshin, stepping forward at a measured pace.

The lightning energy gathered on the blade grew even more intense, the sharp sound seemingly capable of cutting through the very sky.

Yu Xie concentrated, gripping the hilt tightly. This strike could not afford to miss.

With a flash of brilliant lightning, the entire hall was filled with the crackling of thunder.

The strike landed squarely on Rosalyne. In an instant, she felt her consciousness begin to fade.

This was a bit different from what she had expected.

The Shogun's power was far more than she had imagined.

How could that strike carry such a familiar aura?

It seemed she had lost the bet... her prepared feigned death tactic was useless in this situation...

In the moment before her consciousness faded, she fell backwards.

Yu Xie... it seems... I'll never see you again... Sorry, I broke my word.

End of chapter

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