Chapter 22: My Electro Archon Can't Be This Cute
Tn: This chapter is re-written at 5 / 20 / 2025
. . . . . . . . .
While Kujou Sara and Kuroda were locked in a fierce battle of wits over a limited-edition poster, Bai Luo quietly browsed through the light novels displayed in the store.
Compared to the motivational books that were all the rage in Snezhnaya, the light novels here were filled with wild, whimsical ideas.
Something like "Reincarnated as the Raiden Shogun" still sounded fairly normal.
But then there were titles like "Reborn as a Rhinoceros Beetle Surrounded by Four Burly Men", which veered into the downright bizarre.
Amidst all the colorful covers, one particular book caught his eye.
"A Legend of Sword".
It looked noticeably older than the others, with clear signs of being frequently read. Unlike the shiny new volumes beside it, this one felt... lived in.
"You're interested in that book?" Kuroda's heart skipped a beat the moment he saw Bai Luo pick it up.
He completely forgot his argument with Kujou Sara and rushed over.
"Is there a problem with it?" Bai Luo asked calmly.
The only reason he found the book interesting at all… was because he recognized the author.
But from his perspective—well, to be honest, the story was just okay.
After all, the wild imagination of Teyvat couldn't really compare to the kind of mind-bending stuff he'd been exposed to back in his world.
He'd spent over a decade marinating in anime, manga, and web novels—it took a lot to surprise him.
"That book, A Legend of Sword, was brought to us by a longtime customer of Yae Publishing House. He picked it up from the Wanwen Bookstore in Liyue. Ever since the Sakoku Decree was enforced, there's been no way to get another copy. This is the only one in all of Inazuma—it's here just for display, not for sale."
Actually, it used to be available for borrowing. But after someone almost damaged it, the editors at Yae Publishing House decided to treat it as a collector's item.
Now, only authors who had a working relationship with the publishing house were allowed to even read it.
They were hoping someone might write something with a similar vibe.
Unfortunately, while many copycats popped up—and even a few plagiarized versions—none managed to surpass the original.
If Bai Luo hadn't walked in with Kujou Sara, Kuroda probably would've shooed him away instead of explaining things so politely.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to overstep."
Bai Luo gently placed the book back on the shelf, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
"As long as the book's not damaged, it's all good," Kuroda replied, his voice soft as he carefully returned the novel to its spot and smoothed out the wrinkled cover with the kind of tenderness he probably didn't even show his wife.
"You mentioned earlier that authors with a publishing deal could read it, right?" Bai Luo asked casually once Kuroda finished tidying up.
"I did... Wait, don't tell me—you're thinking of...?"
"If I wanted to submit a manuscript, would you accept it?"
Bai Luo asked, flipping through a copy of Reincarnated as the Raiden Shogun with mild interest.
"Heh, of course we would! Yae Publishing is the biggest bookshop in all of Inazuma. If you're brave enough to submit it, we're bold enough to publish it."
Kuroda wasn't just bragging. Unless the content was extremely controversial, they really didn't reject much.
Even if someone wrote a fairy tale, as long as readers wanted it—they'd print it.
Now reassured, Bai Luo didn't linger any longer.
He had originally planned to stop by the Naganohara Fireworks Shop too.
After all, in the game, Yoimiya was his very first main DPS.
He had a soft spot for that cheerful fireworks girl.
Unfortunately, when Bai Luo arrived at the Naganohara Fireworks Shop, Yoimiya wasn't there.
With no choice but to save the visit for another time, he turned back.
He'd already toured the places he wanted to see, and his main goal for the day had been accomplished. So instead of wandering further, he chose to return with Kujou Sara to the area near the Tenryou Commission.
As soon as they got back, Kujou Sara gave him a brief nod before heading straight into the Commission.
She still had mountains of official work to handle.
Meanwhile, Bai Luo returned to his little courtyard.
The first thing he did upon arriving was summon one of his Fatui subordinates.
"Bring me paper and a pen," he said.
He was seriously planning to submit a manuscript to Yae Publishing House.
Holding the pen between his fingers, Bai Luo took a moment to collect his thoughts. Then, almost naturally, an idea took shape in his mind.
"My Electro Archon Can't Be This Cute."
Back at Yae Publishing, Bai Luo hadn't just been idly flipping through books—He'd gone through nearly all the popular titles on the shelf.
While there were a few big-name romance stories, only one really caught his attention:
"Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji?"
The rest? Mostly cookie-cutter hero-rescues-damsel stories with no soul.
So...
He decided it was time someone taught Inazuma's light novel scene a lesson in originality.
Taking a cue from "Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji?," which changed Yae Miko's name to "Yae Masako," Bai Luo decided to use a similar tactic to avoid getting his own book censored.
Thus, he created:
Yae Sakurako.
And with that, the story began.
. . . . . .
Synopsis of Bai Luo's Novel:
Yae Sakurako and the Raiden Shogun—two divine beings bound by eternity.
Their bond had always been strong... until recently.
At some point, things changed.
The Raiden Shogun locked herself away in Tenshukaku, refusing to see Sakurako.
Day after day, Sakurako would sit outside the gate, bringing her favorite three-color dango, telling the wind of her loneliness.
"Wanna build a snowman?"
But no matter how sweet her voice, the Shogun never answered.
Then one day, Sakurako stumbled upon a light novel at the steps of Tenshukaku. A title she'd never seen before.
She asked every member of the Shogun's guard, but none claimed it.
Were they too scared to admit it? Or...
Her gaze drifted up, toward the tallest point in Inazuma City—Tenshukaku itself.
That very night, something miraculous happened.
After years of isolation, the Raiden Shogun appeared before Sakurako.
And then the truth came out—
The perfect, untouchable Raiden Shogun... was secretly an otaku.
A shut-in who loved sweets and light novels.
She'd crafted an illusion—leaving a "shadow" of herself to fool her attendants—while the real her lived deep inside a personal barrier, indulging in snacks and reading.
But such a lonely life couldn't last forever.
When she saw how much Sakurako cared about the light novel she'd found, the Raiden Shogun made a decision.
Under the guise of "life consultation," she began to reconnect with her old companion.
. . . . . .
Bai Luo poured his soul into the story, and before he knew it, the night was gone.
The first rays of dawn crept across the horizon. He had written through the entire night.
But as he looked at the manuscript in his hands, he felt no fatigue—only satisfaction.
Yawning, he turned to the Fatui soldier who'd been dozing nearby.
"Hey. Read this."
The sleepy subordinate jolted awake, startled but obedient.
There was no refusing an order from their superior—even if it involved reviewing a light novel.
At first, he planned to shower it with praise no matter what. It was the safest move.
But as he flipped through page after page... something changed.
His eyes grew wide. He couldn't stop reading.
"Well?" Bai Luo asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
The subordinate took a deep breath and gave his most sincere response:
"Sensei… if you really plan on publishing this, I suggest preparing an escape route out of Inazuma. Because if the Shogun reads this... she might actually kill you."