Chapter 513: Two Gods Ascend! The Shrine Maiden Presides!

Seeing this, Raiden Makoto rose to follow.

Although it was a divine ritual belonging to him, the Raiden Shogun also had to make an appearance.

Before moving, she looked at Ei beside her and teased, "One last chance. Do you want to stand at the front with him and accept the blessings of the people of Inazuma? If you miss this village, you won't find this shop."

Raiden Ei instinctively intended to refuse, but upon thinking of standing before the many subjects with Hearing Luo Li and receiving their blessings, she couldn't help but feel moved.

Initially, she had thought she could finally slack off, return the administrative duties to her sister, and from then on be as free as a bird.

But she truly hadn't expected this turn of events.

In the past, front-stage ceremonies were mostly completed by Makoto and Hearing Luo Li, which was why the people of Inazuma previously considered the two a match made in heaven, perfectly suited for each other.

Seeing Ei begin to hesitate, Makoto urged, "How about it? Make a decision quickly; we are about to depart."

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Ei lowered her head slightly and muffled a refusal.

"No need."

"I'm not joking this time," Makoto said earnestly.

The smile on her face had vanished, indicating she was not teasing her.

Raiden Ei ultimately refused, "There will be such opportunities in the future. As a gift for your return, I hope you can accept the congratulations of the Inazuman people together with Hearing Luo Li."

Because in the eyes of the world there is only one Raiden Shogun, Ei hoped even more that her sister could also receive the cheers and support of the subjects.

Makoto was slightly stunned, not expecting her sister to say such a thing.

"Since that is what you think, then I shall accept without modesty."

Ei noticed her sister's eyes were much brighter; she figured that just as she thought in her own heart, she also hoped to receive the congratulations of the Inazuman people.

Ultimately, she was no longer the green shadow warrior who only considered herself; her growth over the past five hundred years was by no means standing still.

Hearing Luo Li waved his hand at this moment and said, "Since you sisters have discussed and reached a result, either one of you coming to accompany me is fine."

This remark immediately drew angry glares from both women.

"I'm joking."

…………

Outside the Tenryou Commission!

At the Statue of the Omnipresent God, the high platform erected some time ago already stood at a height.

The solemn banner-bearers had already occupied the main thoroughfares. Although they knew that no normal person would dare to cause trouble where the gods appeared, after all, with the Traveler as a precedent, the banner-bearers had to exert twelve times the effort.

Below, including the delegations from the six nations and the people of Inazuma, everyone quietly awaited the start of the festival.

Just like the Rite of Descension of the Liyue Geo Archon, there were railings separating all the levels.

Rosalyne, who had become familiar with the women from Liyue and Mondstadt the previous day, was located in the area for Liyue.

Although Eula and Noelle did not particularly care, the officials from Mondstadt were consistently unwelcoming toward her.

"The festival is about to begin!"

Following a whisper from Keqing, the women immediately perked up.

Especially Sangonomiya Kokomi; she had come from afar from Watatsumi Island and did not worry at all about the safety issue of being detained, precisely because of the existence of Father.

Even as a former leader of the resistance, if one possessed the status of a divine descendant, any mistake committed could be forgiven.

"Father is really something, not coming to see me even once after returning for so long," Kokomi complained slightly, but her eyes were full of anticipation.

Being able to see Father re-ascend to the dignity of a god, she inexplicably felt a sense of reflected glory.

Ganyu also wore a look of anticipation; having not seen her teacher for so long, she was truly happy inside.

And like Eula and Noelle, they also showed curiosity, carrying a trace of joy at not having met for a long time.

On the other side! At the high platform!

Yae Miko was dressed in the ceremonial robes of a shrine maiden, no longer as frivolous as before, with a dignified expression on her face.

In the eyes of outsiders, she was the trustworthy Guuji; this was almost common knowledge.

Standing above everyone, she proclaimed the prayer.

"In this Yiwei year, promoting divine grace, gathering before the temple, stars shifting, the vicissitudes of time..."

A series of prayers began by praising the merits of the two gods, eulogizing their deeds and contributions to the development of Inazuma.

After a round of flattery, it reached the great war five hundred years ago.

The deeds of the Luo God and the Raiden Shogun going to the war to destroy Khaenri'ah and stopping the Abyssal invasion were also mentioned.

Only then could it be explained why the Luo God had disappeared for so long.

During the chanting, Miko's crisp voice lost its charm and allure; clearly without any amplification, it spread in all directions.

Until the prayer reached the end.

"Hereby, praying to the two gods, may all dreams in the world be peaceful and long-lasting..."

When the prayer ended, lightning suddenly appeared in the sky.

The flowing light arrived before the Statue of the Omnipresent God before stopping. After the hazy halo dissipated.

The figures of Raiden Makoto and Hearing Luo Li slowly emerged.

At this moment, it could be considered the end of the festival.

The two gods sat high above; they only needed to show their faces, without the need for either to speak.

Yae Miko could handle the whole process.

Taking advantage of Miko continuing the subsequent procedures, Hearing Luo Li sat high above, observing the crowd below.

Standing at the very front were the delegations of the six nations and many Inazuman officials, and behind them were the people of Inazuma.

Each had a different expression, but most carried a look of joy.

After all, having one more god's protection meant Inazuma was becoming more powerful.

Once upon a time, Inazuma was ranked first among the seven nations, even Liyue was slightly inferior.

But ever since losing Hearing Luo Li, the national strength had declined rapidly.

"Ara, I see quite a few acquaintances."

While observing, Hearing Luo Li suddenly heard the surprised words of Raiden Makoto beside him.

Following her gaze, Hearing Luo Li couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

"Eula, Noelle, Keqing, Ganyu, Rosalyne, Kokomi..."

Every one of them was a young woman with deep bonds with him.

At this moment, they all cast their gazes over.

Hearing Luo Li nodded slightly at them to show a greeting.

At this time, it was clearly not a good opportunity for small talk; indicating he had seen them was enough.

Raiden Makoto teased, "After the festival, it seems you will be quite busy for a while."

She naturally also exchanged glances with Eula and the others. At this moment, she was no longer as gentle and elegant as usual, but unexpectedly noble and imposing.

Holding great power, her demeanor as a god and a ruler of a nation was very obvious, much more like the Raiden Shogun than Ei, who had been in office for five hundred years.

After all, she was the original Raiden Shogun; even if she usually appeared approachable, when she stood in that position, she immediately became a different person.