The Shogun and the Traveller

Chapter 1: Acquainted Shogun

Ever since I had met those two travellers in the meadow, my life has become more... eventful.

Approximately three days later, I went out for an early morning stroll hoping to encounter those two fascinating strangers again.

As I passed under the front gate, I caught a glimpse of the statue of the omnipresent god. I took a brief detour to stand in its shadow as it towered over me. It was a symbol of eternity and a reminder of my duty to pursue it. I took only a moment to count all the visions embedded into the statue. Ninety five. Ninety five elemental gemstones have been stripped away from their owners in the name of eternity. For as long as I can remember, this was my life; ruling Inazuma with a hand of iron, and hunting those with visions. I had made it law for them to be seized. Many obliged, many did not. Regardless, I took their visions and with them: their ambitions. Ambition was the greatest obstacle. People who had it had drive, that drive will drive change, and that change will drive Inazuma to ruin. The statue was an expensive reminder: of the costs of mora, time, labour and lives so that Inazuma may outlive time itself. The statue reminded me that no cost will be too great if it was for Inazuma, for eternity, and for Her.  Yet deep within, I did not even know the meaning of the concept I so dutifully pursued.

Before I could get lost in thought, I noticed the sun shinning brighter as it reminded me of today. I was to seek those two outlanders again. I charted a route through the city and made my way through; scanning the crowds for them. Luckily, they were easy to identify from the rest of the population. I approached to greet them. They were en route to the local adventurer's guild.

I was unacquainted with the adventurer's guild. I had never paid any mind to this organization as to not distract me from my work. I never concerned myself with such trivial matters. The travellers seem to be well versed in the guild, unlike me. The two noticed me and whispered to each other. They both looked at me with a gaze that made me suspect they were planning something. I approached anyways.

"Hey!" the fairy said, "Paimon knows we only met a few days ago but is it OK if we ask you something?"  I felt as if it was going to be a very important query.

"I... see no issue with that," I responded, "what is it?"

"We forgot to introduce ourselves," the traveller continued. The two began by introducing themselves. The small floating being is named Paimon; who always speaks in the third person, a rather peculiar quirk. The traveller's name always seemed to slip my mind but it sounded rather exotic, alien in fact.

"But what's your name lady?" Paimon asked. My mind completely blanked on that query.

"Uh... hmm... I am... sorry," I searched my memory for my name, "I am unable to remember." I admitted.

"Huh, that's really weird," Paimon commented, "how can someone forget their own name?"

"Maybe she has amnesia?" the blonde added.

"That's horrible!" Paimon gasped, "we have to help her!"

"That is alright," I interrupted, "why do we not proceed to the next question?"

"Oh, uh... Okay." the fairy blurted, "what was the other thing again?"

"Would you like to go with us on commissions?" the traveller asked.

"Accompany you on commissions? I suppose." I answered.

We took a look at the commissions posted to the guild. The receptionist, Katheryne, greeted us with the guild motto "Ad Astra Abyssossque". She has a similar speech pattern to mine; formal, eloquent, and devoid of emotion. Despite only having met her for the first time, we had many similarities, and we got along very well. Many of the commissions were simple tasks such as quelling bandits, ronin, machines, and Fatui who were running amok. I could easily send my forces to quickly complete all of these commissions but I cannot spread them thin. The easiest solution was to simply see them out personally.