"You brought the heads of two Commissions to this shrine—aren't you afraid I'll detain you and hand you over to the Shogun?" Yae Miko fixed her eyes on Aether, probing cautiously.
"Lady Guuji, allow me to introduce myself. I'm a traveler—Aether. But, hmm… forget the formalities. I'll just call you Miko. I came here today to help you."
Miko found his words absurd. "Help me? You're holding the leaders of two Commissions hostage, and you say you're here to help?"
Aether didn't feel the need to play games—Miko was sharp enough to understand. "That's right. I can help you enter Ei's Plane of Euthymia."
Miko's eyes sharpened instantly, her tone colder. "How do you know about the Plane of Euthymia? And how do you know the name Ei?"
Aether wasn't fazed. "That's not important. What matters is this—I'm a variable." With that, he raised his hand.
Miko's eyes widened as she saw elemental power from five different elements swirling in Aether's palm.
She carefully examined the aura. "Five elements… you really are a variable."
Aether smiled. "Correct. I can wield five different elements—and I don't have a Vision."
"No Vision, and yet you can use elemental power? Five types, no less?" Miko was shocked—and secretly delighted. This was exactly the kind of anomaly that would draw Ei's attention.
In other words, this boy was telling the truth. He really was a variable. And through him, Miko might finally gain an audience with Ei.
But Miko didn't let herself show too much emotion. Still, Aether had already caught that brief flicker of excitement in her eyes.
"Why would you help me?" Miko asked. She didn't believe in kindness without reason.
"Why? I need something from you—I want to borrow your Gnosis."
Aether's face remained calm, his tone even.
"The Gnosis…? How do you know about that…? Ugh, never mind." Though her expression didn't change, Miko was clearly surprised.
This boy knew far too much. She didn't like it. She knew nothing about him—yet he seemed to know everything about Inazuma, about Ei, and even about her.
"Just borrow it?" she emphasized the word.
"Just borrow it. I'll return it when I'm done." Aether's tone was firm.
"Then after you successfully enter the Plane of Euthymia, I'll hand over the Gno—"
"Not good enough. I need it now," Aether interrupted her. "If you're worried I won't honor the deal, I can offer you collateral."
"Oh? What kind of collateral?" Miko raised an eyebrow.
"These two," Aether gestured toward the unconscious elders he brought with him.
"Them? You do realize they're high-ranking officials in Inazuma, not your property. And your actions against them alone give me every reason to detain you."
Miko's words carried a veiled threat.
"Oh, really?" Aether summoned elemental energy—five elements flaring at once. The power made Miko uneasy. "You sure you can detain me? I think we're better off negotiating."
"Fine. Let's hear what you have to say." Miko calmed her elemental energy.
"These two have already betrayed Inazuma. The head of the Kujou Clan has formed deep ties with the Fatui and supports the Vision Hunt Decree. The other has been tampering with the tax system."
"I now have control over them. These—" Aether handed Miko two elemental sigils—"are keys to their lives. With them, you can end them anytime."
"This way, you control Inazuma's situation. I'll return in two days. If you want to keep the sigils afterward, you can. How's that for sincerity?"
Aether smiled calmly, dangerous power still rippling around him.
Miko's eyes flicked back and forth. "Fine, Aether. You're indeed sincere. I accept your deal."
There was no other choice. Miko understood what Aether really meant: the fact that he was still calmly speaking with her this long was the favor. His patience was nearly gone.
She didn't have confidence she could win against Aether. And even if he never returned, the information and leverage he left behind would last her decades—it wasn't a bad deal.
"Then, please hand over the Gnosis," Aether said, dispersing his elemental power.
"Here. Honestly, I don't see why you want this. It's nothing but a glorified chess piece—just some stored energy at best." Miko handed over the Gnosis with a sigh.
"It's not that useful, no. But sometimes, it's exactly what I need. Anyway, a pleasure doing business." Aether handed over the two elders and their sigils.
"Oh, by the way—they already know the sigils can take their lives. They also have a sensing link—you can monitor them through it."
"But you can't use it yet. Give me your hand."
"My, my. We've just become partners and you already want to hold my hand? So forward. You know, little boys like that don't score points with girls." Miko teased.
"First of all, I have a girlfriend. And she's cuter than you. Sexy doesn't beat cute. Second, if you don't want to monitor them, that's fine too."
Miko took the jab in stride and extended her hand.
Aether grasped her hand and transferred a strange energy into her body.
"This is…?" Miko felt the unfamiliar force enter her—but it wasn't one of the seven elements.
"It's my own unique energy. It's the key to tracking and controlling them. That amount should last you a year."
"Just a year? I see. Is this your excuse to hold my hand every year, little scoundrel?"
Aether ignored her and changed the subject. "Miko, as a yokai who's lived for hundreds of years, do you have any spell or item that can change one's appearance?"
"Interesting. What do you want it for?" Miko asked curiously.
"None of your business. Do you have it or not?" Aether deflected.
"Ayaya~ I do have one, but if you won't tell me what it's for, I'll have a hard time giving it up. Come on, satisfy my curiosity."
"If you have it, just give me one. Think of it as part of the payment for helping you."
"You really don't understand people, do you? And you haven't helped me yet. Isn't that a bit much? Fine. I'll give it to you, but you'll owe me a favor. Deal?"
"A favor… fine. If it's something I can do, I'll help you. Now, hand it over."
"But you still haven't told me what you're using it for!" Miko pressed again.
"If I tell you, does that mean I won't owe you the favor anymore?" Aether asked seriously.
"Of course not. A favor is a favor. But if you tell me now, I'll give you the item immediately. How about that?"
She had a hunch this would be amusing—she'd noticed a flicker of awkwardness on Aether's face when the topic came up.
"I'm going to wear a mask and flirt with girls. I don't want anyone to recognize me. Happy?"
"Hahahahahaha! Delighted, Mr. Scoundrel!" Miko burst out laughing. Aether had delivered the most deadpan nonsense she'd ever heard.
"Here, this mask will let you change your appearance for a limited time. Don't drop it, Mr. Scoundrel."
"Got it, you 500-year-old hag!" Aether shouted back as he snatched the mask and turned to leave.
"Five hundred-year-old hag…" Yae Miko muttered. At that moment, nothing sounded more satisfying than giving that boy a good beating.
Aether had said it on purpose.
He was magnanimous and didn't hold grudges.
Because if he did have a grudge, he would settle it immediately.