Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

For three straight days, Jiang Ning read books in the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Even with his ability to read ten lines at once and photographic memory, it took considerable time to understand Inazuma's situation.

Jiang Ning rotated his stiff neck, joints making cracking sounds.

He stretched vigorously.

"Finished? Read everything?"

Yae Miko asked.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

Sitting beside Jiang Ning, Yae Miko casually asked.

Jiang Ning said: "I think... though disrespectful, your god is like a child throwing tantrums, not growing up."

After reading the history books, Jiang Ning understood why Havria and his names for the Electro Archon differed.

It was because the Electro Archon was twin gods - elder sister Baal and younger sister Beelzebul. Though they conquered Inazuma together, strictly speaking, sister Baal was the first generation god, while the shadow-dancer sister was second generation.

The Khaenri'ah war years ago took Beelzebul's sister's life, and five hundred years ago, dark tides swept Inazuma.

Beelzebul, going to support her sister, not only failed to protect her but let Inazuma fall.

If not for the then-Guuji Kitsune Saiguu and the oni general Chiyo fighting to death protecting it, Inazuma would have perished.

Thus, the current Raiden Shogun's friends - dead were dead, those infected by the Abyss went mad... Only lonely Beelzebul remained, and the not-yet-grown little fox, now Yae Miko.

Even the second Electro Archon used her body as material, transforming into a puppet whose consciousness became today's Raiden Shogun, Inazuma's ruler.

While she herself hid in the Plane of Euthymia meditating, resisting erosion.

Eternity without thought or desire was the result of obsessive fear of loss.

"Though friends died countless deaths and even her sister died, but... as an adult, one must carry on. Her sister entrusted Inazuma to her... is this how she wastes it?"

Jiang Ning found Beelzebul, true name Raiden Ei, both hateful and pitiful.

Yae Miko opened her mouth, defending her god.

"The impact was too great for her... Can't say that about her, she..."

Jiang Ning didn't let Yae Miko continue: "Hasn't our Rex Lapis lost much too? Companions, brothers, comrades, close friends... But he still chose to shoulder Liyue's sky alone."

"In position, fulfill duties. No governance ability, losing much, greatly impacted - though it sounds reasonable, as a sister who lost her sister, I sympathize and pity her, but as a nation's ruling god, I think she's severely derelict."

"A god should protect the nation with sword, guard borders with divine might. No need for national prosperity, just let people live peacefully... Yet your god turns blades on her own people?"

Yae Miko fell silent - how could she not understand?

But as a living being, one naturally sides with family.

"Hah... That's all past, let's not discuss such unhappy things. So, knowing Inazuma's situation now, what do you plan?"

Yae Miko asked.

Jiang Ning glared at Yae Miko: "This is Inazuma's internal affair, what right do I have to interfere? Don't think it, I won't act."

Yae Miko smiled: "What if I use that condition you promised?"

Jiang Ning fell silent then said: "I could... but are you sure you're not sending me to die?"

Yae Miko said surprisingly: "How could that be? Look at this face, so pitiful - Ei won't hurt you badly."

"Besides, you're an archon too - if you can't win, can't you run?"

Jiang Ning said irritably: "Cut it out, the last one who probably thought that way, their bones still lie there."

The two bantered, completely unlike their serious manner earlier.

Yae Miko became serious: "Really, what if I use this request for your help?"

Jiang Ning said: "Honestly, the trade's unequal. How much effort would that take? No deal, we Liyue don't do losing trades."

Yae Miko said: "Then... help protect that Traveler? At least, don't let her life be threatened?"

In Yae Miko's plan, the Traveler was crucial, even key to breaking Inazuma's deadlock.

However... plans can't be perfect, especially facing a god known for martial prowess.

If the Traveler died suddenly, the plan would fail directly, but if she lived, there'd be second or third chances.

Jiang Ning said: "Fine, no problem."

He wouldn't let anything happen to Lumine anyway, but Yae Miko didn't know that.

Yae Miko said: "Then, deal?"

"Mm, deal."

...

Back at the inn, seeing Keqing absent, Jiang Ning started locating Lumine.

"Let's see what Lumine's doing..."

Jiang Ning located Lumine's position, then activated his remote teleportation.

He teleported into a secluded cave but didn't see Lumine. Looking around, he found Lumine currently lying on the ground.

Jiang Ning looked down, seeing Lumine staring at him dumbfounded, and beneath her an ornamental fish-like girl.

Jiang Ning: "...Nice."

Feeling Jiang Ning's complex gaze, Lumine quickly stood, extending her hand:

"Wait! Let me explain! It's not what you think."

Jiang Ning remembered seeing Lumine's hand on the ornamental fish's chest, then said:

"Lumine, though I'm very open-minded about these things, but between girls, at least find a more private place. In this cave... what if someone comes?"

Lumine said: "That's why! It's not what you think! Listen to my explanation!"

Jiang Ning showed a listening pose, but currently Lumine was in an empty cave, an unconscious girl, and Lumine's hands braced beside the girl's head, looking at her...

However you look at it, this was a "murder and body-hiding" crime scene.

Lumine hurriedly explained: "Actually, it's like this - she's the resistance leader, Watatsumi Island's highest leader, also Orobashi's current Divine Priestess, Sangonomiya Kokomi."

Jiang Ning said: "So, you've barely joined the resistance and already knocked out their highest leader alone? Are you sure you're not a shogunate spy?"

Lumine said: "I said it's an accident! Kokomi disappeared, I went looking and found her secret relaxation spot, then accidentally saw her diary... Already tired Kokomi fainted from anger."

"So I was giving Kokomi first aid, right Paimon?"

Paimon, seeing Jiang Ning and thinking of good food, hadn't heard Lumine clearly, instinctively saying:

"Huh? But doesn't CPR need mouth-to-mouth?"

"Paimon!"

Lumine looked betrayed - you emergency food, did you hear what you're saying?!

Paimon also realized, hiding behind Jiang Ning, saying nothing more.

"Hmph."

Lumine turned away - Paimon you're dead, next month's food halved!

Jiang Ning said: "I understand, so now we're saving someone, right?"

Lumine nodded: "Yes... I'm not lesbian."

Jiang Ning said: "Mm, I believe you're not."

Speaking, Jiang Ning approached the Divine Priestess, examining this Watatsumi leader closely.

She looked completely like a proper beautiful young lady, with gradient-colored long hair, gauze tasseled dress, and long skirts.

The overall color scheme was like an ethereal... fish?

Though very disrespectful, this was the only description Jiang Ning could think of.

Channeling qilin divine power, under this healing power, Jiang Ning quickly revived the unconscious ornamental fish lady.

Kokomi slowly woke, opening her eyes confusedly, then her expression suddenly changed:

"My diary!"

Looking up sharply, she saw a strange man.

Alertness made Kokomi channel hydro power, watching the man before her full of wariness:

"Who are you?"

Jiang Ning said: "No need to be tense, I'm Lumine's friend, and I woke and healed you... You look very tired, feel it, aren't you more relaxed?"

Lumine also said: "Yes, Kokomi, this is my friend..."

Kokomi frowned, feeling her body, then surprisingly found all discomfort from fatigue and staying up late gone, her whole body warm, like having rested well for long.

Lowering her guard, Kokomi told Jiang Ning:

"Thank you for your help..."

Jiang Ning said: "I'm Jiang Ning, from Liyue."

Light flashed in Kokomi's eyes: "Are you with Liyue's delegation? Here to negotiate with Inazuma about the Kanjou Commission matter?"

Jiang Ning nodded: "Yes... Did Lumine tell you?"

Lumine shrugged: "Did I need to? Isn't Thoma here too?"

Jiang Ning nodded: "I see... Good that you're okay. I'll follow you for a while... Of course, I have my own business usually, but if you go out, I'll follow."

Lumine brightened: "Really?"

Paimon also said: "That's great! With Jiang Ning here, we don't need to fear any danger!"

Jiang Ning said: "Don't misunderstand, I just made a deal with someone to protect your life at crucial moments, but nothing else is in my scope."

Though somewhat disappointed, Lumine was more curious: "Who? Who could move you, great god?"

Jiang Ning said: "Never mind who, it's not bad for you anyway."

Kokomi said: "Is this person... very powerful? Could they accept the resistance's employment?"

Current Kokomi was trying every method to gather all possible forces.

Jiang Ning said: "No deal. Never mind that I represent Liyue, protecting Lumine is only because she's our Liyue friend. If things go wrong I'll take Lumine away. I won't manage your resistance, that's Inazuma's internal affairs..."

"Besides, I don't think your Watatsumi Island has anything to move me to your side. Remember, the opponent is the Raiden Shogun, one of the Seven's most noble."

Kokomi hurriedly said: "Whatever conditions, please state them, we might be able to..."

"Kokomi, don't bother, you really can't afford this price," Lumine couldn't help advising.

Kokomi calmed down, listening attentively.

Lumine said: "Could your Watatsumi Island make Liyue directly stand behind you, equivalent to declaring war on Inazuma?"

Kokomi said: "Of course not. Even selling Watatsumi Island couldn't pay that price, but what's that got to do with asking Jiang Ning to help?"

Lumine glanced at Jiang Ning: "Can I tell her?"

Jiang Ning nodded: "Go ahead..."

Now he didn't need to fear the Raiden Shogun's attention, so revealing it didn't matter.

Lumine cleared her throat:

"If Jiang Ning fights the Raiden Shogun, that equals Liyue and Inazuma starting a divine war, meaning the nations would directly start war... And then, Inazuma would surely fall. If Watatsumi Island wants to pay the price... you'd have to completely belong to Liyue."

"Hm? Divine war? That serious?"

Kokomi was confused, maybe from just waking up.

Lumine said: "Yes, Jiang Ning is Morax's disciple, officially acknowledged at the last Rite of Descension and Rite of Parting to gradually inherit his position, becoming Liyue's second Geo Archon, now the only candidate."

"Moreover, Tianquan Ningguang is Jiang Ning's fiancée, and he's very close with Keqing."

"The Qixing's Chief Secretary Ganyu is also his fiancée, and Jiang Ning himself is an adeptus disciple, this generation's only male... very favored among the adepti."

"Think about it, facing two gods, one known for combat prowess, could Inazuma possibly win?"

Jiang Ning's identity shocked Kokomi greatly.

Who would have thought this harmless, handsome youth was also a god? And this really would affect everything...

Kokomi stopped discussing employment. As Lumine said, they really couldn't afford it.

Besides, they didn't want Watatsumi Island becoming Liyue's military territory, making them criminals.

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