Chapter 79: 79: Invitation to the Seven Archons’ Banquet
Reisen Riou smoothly completed the handover with the former Attendant Recorder and the new Fifth Scribe. Trading his Fifth Scribe seal for the new Attendant Recorder seal—Attendant Officer Riou Seal—he stepped into a high-ranking role in Inazuma's theocratic Shogunate, below Tenryou Commission generals but above Kanjou Commission elders.
Learning the Attendant Recorder's duties, he understood why most couldn't endure. The role required documenting Narukami's daily life, trailing her as she roamed Teyvat. Robust youths coped, but elders, like his predecessor, burned out fast. Narukami's picnics didn't require escorts, and most couldn't keep up with her, like during her Ritou visit. Demon gods and great youkai moved leagues in moments; mortal scribes couldn't match that.
But Reisen Riou, a LV64 humanoid Electro-Geo elemental youkai at Upper Leader tier, was different. He could keep pace.
"Huh, what's a little guy like you doing here?" Yae Miko's sudden appearance at the Attendant Recorder's office startled him, though he stayed composed. "I'll serve as Lady Narukami's Attendant Recorder. Once I've sorted the records and mastered the format, I'll report to her."
"Better hurry, little guy. True's been busy," Yae Miko said.
"What's happened?" Reisen Riou paused his work.
"Oh, my aching back," Yae Miko teased, eyes glinting. Sighing, he indulged her, massaging her fluffy, fragrant tails—hardly a loss, given they hit his preferences. After, she spilled, "Morax is hosting the Seven Archons' Banquet in Liyue. True loves these lively gatherings and won't miss it. You'll tag along as Attendant Recorder, in about two months."
"Got it," he said, savoring the tail-rubbing session. They chatted about breaking through to Great Youkai. At LV64, he'd caught up to Reisen Anko's LV65, both aided by the One System, Ten Thousand Divine Machines and Thunderous Yougou Divine Machine. Anko, on Raiden Ei's path, needed only to follow steps to grow stronger, not yet at Ei's full mastery. Reisen Riou had to forge his own way, but with amassed wisdom and experience, it was manageable.
Dismissing the smug Yae Miko, he scanned years of Narukami's records:
Inazuma 1442, Narukami Island: General visited Yougou Mountain youkai, earning loyalty from great youkai. Inazuma 1443, Kujou Encampment: General inspected Amemuki Clan forges, with Lady Ei refining techniques. Inazuma 1444, Watatsumi Island: General inspected Watatsumi, receiving offerings from the Divine Priestess.
These were brief reports, but detailed logs captured Narukami's words and actions, often inaccurate due to scribes' speed limits. One line had her debating divine speed spells with a Great Tengu, the next jumping to Oni clans—clear gaps.
The next day, Reisen Riou trailed Narukami, who prepared for the Banquet, a weeks-to-months-long event plus travel. Tenryou Commission samurai, with Okuzume, launched anti-pirate sweeps. Yashiro Commission mikos worked overtime, auditing shrines. Narukami handled the Yashiori Island demon gods easily, flashing Morax's empowered invitation. They quieted instantly.
In the Demon God Wars, the Seven Archons terrified Yashiori's gods. Among them, Morax, the Geo Archon, stood supreme. While the Narukami Twins' combined attacks surpassed typical Archon power, Morax alone matched that level. Even Celestia regarded him uniquely—other Archons' Statues of The Seven stood, but Morax's sat. If the Twins' presence halted Yashiori's aggression, Morax's mere aura sufficed. He'd personally defeated those gods at their peak, their faith-fueled might unmatched. Now, they cowered like mice before a cat.