"That won't do, my sister is currently—"
Seeing that the Empress and Madam had made it clear they intended to force their way into the hot springs, Ei decided not to hold back any longer.
They were all gods, after all. When it came to the size of their chests, it was hard to say who was superior. Who was afraid of whom!
The small Asase Shrine never imagined it would one day host so many gods.
Hmm, perhaps there would even be a Archon War.
It had already endured too much.
Just as the several women were drawing their swords, on the verge of triggering an elemental reaction,
"Sister, what's wrong? Why is it so noisy?"
From within the misty, swirling hot springs, a calm inquiry suddenly sounded.
"?"
The air instantly fell silent.
"Ei?"
Makoto was startled and instinctively turned around.
*Sister, I was just trying to buy you some time. Why did you have to reveal yourself!*
Behind her, the Empress and Madam both looked over, their gazes sharp and scrutinizing.
Sneaking out of the camp in the middle of the night was definitely suspicious.
However...
*Splash—*
Faintly, a graceful and alluring silhouette could be seen, drying herself.
It seemed there was no one else?
"..."
The Empress and Madam exchanged a look.
Makoto had set up a barrier to block their senses here, so they couldn't accurately gauge the situation.
Unless...
They went in themselves to test the waters.
This was also why the two women were now wearing light bathrobes.
Using the excuse of happening to be strolling by and wanting to experience Inazuma's hot springs, Makoto couldn't easily refuse.
Thus, with their own intentions, the three women changed into bathrobes and agreed to go together.
Perhaps they could even help each other scrub each other's backs and discuss their relationships as Seven Archons.
As everyone knew, there could be more than one hot spring.
Makoto had a small trick up her sleeve, wanting to lure the two women to a different pool.
But the two women were not fools. How could they not see through such an obvious attempt to draw the tiger away from its mountain?
There was an old Liyue saying: "If you try too hard to hide something, you only reveal it."
Raiden Makoto, you're out of options!
"Sister, I'm just here to soak in the hot springs and relax."
Ei tilted her fair, delicate chin, her expression relaxed.
"Just soaking in the hot springs? Where is Qin Yu?"
The Empress frowned slightly, getting straight to the point.
She instinctively glanced around.
The hot spring mist swirled, the water rippled slightly, and it was quiet.
"I don't know where he is either."
Ei's purple eyes flickered towards the Empress, her tone calm.
*Splash—kuAiδugg*
Suddenly, the water surged with a splash.
"?!
All the women froze.
The Empress and Madam sensed something was amiss.
Something was wrong, very wrong.
There was movement in the water...
"Cough cough! These Inazuma hot springs... they sometimes act like this."
Makoto coughed lightly, forcing an explanation.
But beneath the surface calm, her heart was secretly anxious.
Her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the water.
*Could it be...*
She secretly gave Ei a meaningful look.
*My dear sister, can you keep it a secret?*
"..."
Ei nodded slightly.
At this moment, she was sitting with her legs crossed, maintaining a steady posture.
It was unclear what she was leaning her backside on.
"So that's how it is."
The Empress's lips curved slightly as she approached the pool opposite Ei.
Beneath her already short robe were a pair of fair, rounded, long legs, creating a powerful visual impact.
*Splash—*
She delicately lifted her elegant foot and dipped it into the water.
The proud Empress from Snezhnaya seemed very interested in Inazuma's hot springs.
Perhaps there was some "prey" to be found within.
What do you think, Electro Archon?
"... If nothing else, I'll see you later. I'm staying here a bit longer."
Ei's eyelashes trembled slightly as she spoke softly.
She raised one arm to dry herself.
With her other hand, however, she subtly exerted force.
Lightning flashed, followed by a crisp crack.
*At a time like this, you still want to cause trouble?*
*For the future mental and physical health of the child, I must not get angry...!*
Just as the two were locked in a silent struggle,
"Since that's the case, let's relax here too. It feels quite nice."
Tsaritsa, the Dendro Archon, smiled gently, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Raiden Makoto.
She tilted her head, her snow-white, beautiful long hair cascading onto her inviting shoulders.
Seeing that the other woman remained silent, her emerald green eyes gleamed with amusement.
After all, there was no one else here.
It seemed like a hot spring party for everyone.
"...!
Makoto bit her lip, falling silent for a moment.
The combined offensive from the Dendro and Cryo Archons made it difficult for her to resist.
From the very beginning, she hadn't had much room to maneuver.
In that case... perhaps she should join forces with her sister to counter the Empress and Madam.
"Okay."
Sister Makoto joined the fray.
Qin Yu: "?"
Four Archons gathering, but for a hot spring.
It seemed her retreat had been cut off.
*Wait, it's already full here!*
...
Outside the hot springs, the atmosphere was tense.
Yae Miko, Kitsune Saiguu.
And...
Columbina, Sandrone.
Her Majesty the Empress was here to snatch her man, so of course, someone had to hold the fort.
And Makoto was busy dealing with the Cryo and Dendro Archons, so she had also left people behind to maintain order.
Thus, the current situation was...
Four "bad women" were gathered together!
"My, my... what a rare sight, the two of you."
Yae Miko clasped her arms, resting her full chest, her gaze playful.
Harbingers from Snezhnaya.
What a coincidence, are you two also out for a stroll?
"Oh, it's Guuji Yae. What an unexpected encounter."
Columbina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her lips curving slightly.
It seemed their intentions were the same.
Moreover, they had "cooperated" earlier in the day.
Since they were both aware of the situation, there was no need to pretend anymore.
"If someone secretly eats my partner, where will he hide?"
"When Lady Columbina and I find him, we'll have to punish him severely."
Sandrone smiled slightly, tapping her lips with a fingertip, hinting at something.
The elegant lady had gained a bit more maturity and charm.
Could he be in the hot springs behind you, Guuji Yae?
"Heh, since everyone has gathered tonight, it must be fate."
"How about we all go soak in the hot springs together?"
Kitsune Saiguu subtly blocked the two women and proposed.
"Soaking in hot springs?"
After a brief moment of silence, the women reached a consensus.
...
And on the other side.
On a small path outside Asase Shrine, several elegant figures appeared.
"Miss Furina, why are we here so late?"
Kokomi, wearing a deep blue miko outfit, her slender legs clad in delicate white stockings.
After a day of training, she had a new understanding of the Water Dragon King's bloodline.
"Heh, of course, we're here to watch the show."
Miss Furina's lips curved into a playful arc as she adjusted her exquisite noble dress, looking elegant and composed.
The gentle night breeze lifted her white hair from beneath her hat, making her look soft and beautiful.
She looked like a noble lady about to enter a theater to watch a stage play.
As for who the protagonists of this play were...
"I don't quite understand."
Kokomi shook her head, instinctively surveying the distant shrine.
It looked so deserted; what sort of excitement could there be?
"Well... you'll know when the time comes, Miss Kokomi."
Miss Furina casually picked up a cat and began to play with it.
Heh.
The camp was empty in the middle of the night.
Electro Archon, Dendro Archon, Cryo Archon, Flower Archon.
They want to have a party behind her back?
Open up, Fontaine Court of Justice!