Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The evening breeze swept through, restoring peace to the world.

"P-please, spare me!"

The man buried his face in the dirt, his entire body trembling.

"Hmm... this thing..."

Ren examined the object in his hand, falling into thought.

It felt odd.

Not certain, he looked again.

It felt even stranger.

Unable to help himself, he rubbed his forehead.

The Fatui use this to transmit information?

But in Inazuma, it wasn't unusual for such a commonplace item to be used as a cover.

Still...

"..."

Noticing Ren's silence, the man began to shuffle backward on his stomach, inching further and further away.

He thought he saw hope—a slim chance to escape.

Ren glanced at him.

"Ahhh!"

The man let out a sudden scream, clutching his backside.

In the distance, a cold silhouette flashed with lightning.

Ren frowned.

"Alright, you're useless now."

The man hurriedly kowtowed. "C-can I leave now?"

"Leave?"

Ren's lips curled into a cold smile.

"No."

A scream echoed through the night.

---

"The trash has been cleaned up—much better," Ren said with a smile, looking into the distance.

"Hope I didn't scare you, Mei."

Mei showed no particular reaction, her voice calm.

"You've killed a lot of people."

Ren chuckled. "Surprised?"

"What provoked you? That's a weakness."

"It must be removed," Mei said icily.

Anger, huh...

Ren thought for a moment. "Maybe a little."

"What was it?"

"Are you sure you want me to say it?"

"Speak."

Ren sighed. "They wanted to bully you."

"That ticked me off—probably made me a little angry. That's all."

"Me?"

Mei murmured, giving Ren a long, searching look.

She turned her back to him, silent for a while.

"Hey?"

"... The fact you'd think that is truly foolish."

Ren's face darkened. Is this how you hold a conversation?

After some time, Mei let out a soft sigh.

She'd been watching everything unfold.

She knew Ren had been serious.

That feeling he described...

So this is what it's like to be protected?

"..."

She didn't understand it entirely.

But somehow, her heart felt fuller.

It wasn't unpleasant.

She cast a sidelong glance at Ren.

If this so-called weakness is me...

Maybe it doesn't need to be removed.

The village girl silently upheld her double standard.

"Aren't you afraid of putting yourself in danger?"

Ren smiled faintly, his tone light.

"With a dependable shrine maiden like you around?"

Mei let out a soft scoff, raising her chin.

The aloof shrine maiden seemed to accept the compliment.

Flattery? You can say more of it.

Something came to Ren's mind, and he asked casually,

"You got here fast—were you secretly watching from the shadows?"

It was a joke, even making Ren laugh at his own words.

In his mind, he pictured a scene.

The aloof village girl, hiding behind a tree, sneaking glances.

Maybe nibbling on a sweet snack while waiting.

When things went awry, she'd swoop in, feigning nonchalance to save the day.

Then scold him afterward for being careless...

Nope. Too cute.

However, the next moment, his smile froze.

"..."

Mei turned her face away, refusing to acknowledge Ren.

She even shot him a sharp glare, her entire demeanor radiating cold indifference.

Why is she upset again...

Ren shook his head, shifting his attention to the item in his hand.

Mei's moods are as unpredictable as the weather.

Maybe I shouldn't joke around anymore.

Time passed quietly.

The scene grew still once more, with only the soft rustle of pages breaking the silence.

Yes, Ren was holding a book.

But the style of the book was... a bit unusual.

"..."

Mei couldn't help but glance back at him, her gaze icy.

She said nothing.

Ren, absorbed in his reading, didn't notice her at all.

"..."

Seeing him remain oblivious, Mei's hand slowly clenched into a fist.

"Ah...!"

Ren's eyes lit up, as though he had discovered something.

Mei took a step forward, her voice cold.

"What are you reading?"

Snapped out of his thoughts, Ren hesitated.

"I'm reading... uh..."

He instinctively glanced at the book again.

"..."

The chill radiating from Mei was becoming palpable.

Without waiting for Ren's response, she reached out and snatched the book from his hands.

Ren was taken aback. "What are you doing?"

"You were so engrossed that you let your guard down..."

"I won't allow your weaknesses to increase again," she said with a cold huff, turning her gaze to the book.

She had to see what could possibly hold Ren's attention so completely.

The village girl had declared war on the book.

Ren opened his mouth, trying to stop her.

But it was too late.

Mei had already read the cover aloud:

"Reincarnated in Another World: Becoming Raiden Shogun's Dog..."

Ren buried his face in his hands.

Please, don't read light novel titles out loud in front of others!

This is so embarrassing!

That's right—the object used to transmit information was none other than a light novel published by Yae Publishing House.

Ren couldn't help but admire the Fatui.

Their localization efforts were truly impressive.

Who would have guessed?

Mei slowly lifted her face, staring at Ren.

Her gaze was dark, devoid of any light.

"You... enjoy reading this?"

For the village girl, such artistic expression was still too much to handle.

"I don't! I didn't!" Ren shook his head furiously.

"Then..." Mei's tone was strangely unreadable as she scanned him up and down.

"Do you want to be the Shogun's dog?"

She looked as though she were seriously considering something.

"Of course not!" Ren finally snapped, raising his voice.

He couldn't let her keep guessing where this was going.

Who knew what ridiculous conclusions she'd come to next?

---

After much explanation, Mei's mood finally settled.

But she still showed no intention of returning the light novel.

"Can I have it back now?" Ren asked, exasperated.

"..."

The village girl stared at the Raiden Shogun illustration on the cover, her expression contemplative.

They actually drew her like this...

Shameless! This must be destroyed!

"Mei?"

She silently flipped to the next page.

Ren's face darkened.

You're criticizing me, but you're just as hooked!

It seemed no one in Inazuma could resist the allure of Raiden Shogun.

Even the aloof village girl wasn't immune...

Mei snapped the light novel shut and lifted her face, her expression solemn.

"Should we go destroy Yae Publishing House?"

Ren's lips twitched. "Are you serious?"

"...That's Yae Miko's business."

"Ah, I see."

"Wait—where are you going?"

"To dismantle the Grand Narukami Shrine."

"???"

---

T/N: AWOOOOO BARK BARK BARK also she was acc considering making him her dog LMAOOOO

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