Yae Miko's eyes gradually filled with moisture as her tail was stroked continuously, and she made light sounds with her nose. However, because they were in the lively Grand Bazaar, she covered her mouth, trying hard not to make any noise.
While Takumi was indulging in his antics, Istaru secretly ate Nasida's fruit, her cheeks stuffed like a hamster's.
Nasida tilted her head, looking curiously. Everything she didn't understand needed to be learned.
Yae Miko kept leaning feebly into Takumi's arms until she ended up sitting directly on his lap, the alluring fragrance she emitted constantly spreading out.
Takumi looked at Yae Miko for a second and immediately realized what was happening. She couldn't help but lean into him. Just touching her tail made her squirm. This strange fragrance turned out to be the scent that a fox monster naturally emits when courting.
Of course, humans cannot resist the fragrance that monsters emit during courtship, hence the nickname "vixen." Such a beautiful fox woman was emitting this scent in a bustling bazaar, yet nobody around seemed to notice, as if the space Takumi occupied was devoid of attention.
It was just a small spell to block perception in an area. For someone like Takumi, even the immortals of Liyue would find it trivial.
Yae Miko looked at Takumi, her watery eyes filled with frustration. "Lord Takumi, you really are a bad person."
Takumi saw her lack of resistance and kissed her gently on the lips. The feeling was different from Nasida or the Great Merciful Tree King. The Great Merciful Tree King and Nasida carried the vitality of nature, whereas Yae Miko had a rich and intoxicating fragrance of cherry blossoms, both alluring and pure.
He kept holding Nasida firmly with one hand and used his other hand to stroke Yae Miko's tail. However, he didn't go too far—this wasn't the place for that, not in a busy bazaar.
"I can be worse. After all, you are my fox," Takumi said teasingly.
Takumi let go of Yae Miko, then touched his chin thoughtfully and extended his hand. A light orb composed of strange symbols appeared.
"I was planning to give this to you when we arrived in Fontaine, but since you've given me such an unexpected gift today, I suppose I could give this to you in advance," he said with a smile.
Yae Miko rolled her eyes, still recovering from her flustered state. "A gift, you say? You make it sound as though I gave myself to you willingly. I had no choice. I'm just a little fox, how could I resist you?"
She knew best that it wasn't forced, but she didn't want to admit it. Then, she looked at the strange white orb of light that Takumi was handing her. She could feel a power similar to that of a god, and it felt strangely familiar, as if it had always belonged to her.
"What is this? Why does it feel like it's a part of me?"
Takumi nodded. "You're right. It is related to you. This is the core of the Fox Spirit's faith, similar to the origin of a demon, but it does not carry the full personality of the demon's origin.
"Do you remember the last world we annexed? Over 100 million humans believed in you, and their faith converged to form this Fox Spirit's essence."
Takumi pressed the essence of the Fox Spirit into Yae Miko's chest, giving her a reward.
The moment the Fox Spirit's essence entered Yae Miko's body, the divine power of belief belonging to the Fox Spirit within the "Human Realm Power System" instantly connected to her. Before the eyes of Istaru and Nasida, Yae Miko's aura rapidly transformed, taking on the qualities of a god.
Yae Miko felt her consciousness drift to the starry sky, where countless human voices lifted her onto a divine throne. A steady stream of divine power began to flow into her body, brought by their prayers. This power was different from what Raiden Shogun had once bestowed upon her, yet it was unmistakably divine.
As she took hold of a golden "Kagura Bell" that materialized before her, she felt a sense of connection—to "harvest," "subduing demons," and "thunder." Takumi watched as Yae Miko's lifeless form slowly emanated divine energy.
This was the throne forged by the "Human Realm Power System," embodying the core of belief. Yae Miko was originally a descendant of the Thunder God, and the 100 million humans saw her as a subordinate god to the Thunder God. Thus, the divine throne's attribute was related to thunder.
Her authority also derived from the original myths of the people of that world. Since she was a fox spirit, people endowed her with the template of "Inari God," granting her the authority over "harvest." She also had the authority of "subduing demons" from her role in protecting Tokyo, as well as "summoning thunder" due to her connection with the Thunder God.
These three forms of authority were weak but, nevertheless, divine. The divine throne created by the "Human Realm Power System" was not as powerful or noble as the gods born from "Primordial Fragments." Demon gods were incarnations of laws, while the throne forged by the power of human faith was a god of belief—a god shaped by humanity.
The divine structure Fanes envisioned was ambitious. If the world of Teyvat had not been shattered by the Throne War, each country would have had multiple gods. Holders of "Visions" fulfilled their wishes to become gods because they were expanding their influence and inspiring faith in others. If the faith was strong enough, the divine authority would be granted.
This faith-based system would then be integrated into "Heaven's Law," strengthening the "Original Dharma Ring." With enough power, new demon-level gods could be born.
It was a perfect divine structure, and only Takumi could exploit Fanes' plans to such an extent.
Istaru wiped some cream from her mouth. "So, this is a throne born of faith? It's the first time I've seen it—it falls somewhere between a divine descendant and a lesser demon. It's equivalent to those weaker but powerful witches."
In the Pantheon of Sky Island, located behind Raiden Ei's throne, a smaller divine throne slowly materialized. Both Raiden Shogun and Ei felt a change in their power.
"Is this... a new wish?"