"What? I am utterly loyal to the Shogun! How could I commit treason? There must be some mistake!"
Kujou Sara was completely stunned. As she regained her senses, she quickly spoke.
The surrounding Shogunate soldiers were equally bewildered. Lady Kujou Sara was undoubtedly loyal to the Shogun. What was going on?
"I know you are loyal to the Shogun, which is why I said you were unlucky, Kujou Sara," Yae Miko shook her head as she walked up to Kujou Sara.
"The Tenshukaku has never received any reports about the true situation in Inazuma. However, the reports that did reach the Tenshukaku claimed that Inazuma was peaceful and prosperous, and its people were living happily."
"Kujou Takayuki, along with a group of nobles, colluded with the Fatui to deceive the Shogun, causing chaos in Inazuma. They incited the Shogun to issue the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree. By the time the Shogun realized what was happening, the foundations of the nation had already been shaken."
Kujou Sara's mind was buzzing.
"I don't want to see loyal subordinates of the Shogun implicated by association. I will plead with the Shogun on your behalf. For now, go to the Tenshukaku and confess your sins."
Yae Miko raised the Shogun's sword, the Musou Isshin, and said, "Shogunate soldiers, arrest Commander Kujou Jinsei and all those involved."
The Shogunate soldiers finally understood what was happening.
So, all this time, the Shogun had been unaware of Inazuma's true state. The orders affecting Inazuma had all been issued by Kujou Takayuki, the traitor!
Was this true?
Of course, the Shogun's own sword was here; how could it be false?
The soldiers' anger erupted instantly. Every Shogunate soldier seized anyone affiliated with the Kujou clan like a pack of wolves.
The arrested had no thoughts of resistance. If they dared to resist, they would not only face immediate death from the lightning above but also be torn apart by the enraged soldiers.
Yae Miko, instead of returning to Inazuma City right away, gracefully headed towards Watatsumi Island.
"Sigh, I guess I am destined to be a servant. Ignored when not needed, only remembered when there's trouble," she muttered, though she was actually pleased that Ei had emerged from the Plane of Euthymia to start rectifying Inazuma's issues.
Though she was Ei's familiar, she also felt that Ei had gone too far in her pursuit of "eternity" by neglecting Inazuma's governance and entrusting everything to the Raiden Shogun.
The turmoil in Inazuma had even drawn the attention of Celestia.
Had it not, Ei might never have come out from the Plane of Euthymia.
She was also concerned about Lord, who had come from Celestia.
For the next few days, she would have to serve as a guide for this lord.
She was uneasy, wondering if this lord would be captivated by her beauty.
She knew her beauty was no less than Ei's.
She could not fathom the thoughts of this lord.
From Ei's demeanor, it was clear this lord was a higher deity than Ei.
She was deeply worried about her future.
She harbored a deep hatred for those who had caused such chaos in Inazuma.
The root of Inazuma's current plight was not just the corrupt officials but also the Fatui from Snezhnaya.
Moreover, the puppet that Ei had once created now seemed to be a Fatui Harbinger.
Had Inazuma not been in such disarray, Ei wouldn't have been called to Celestia.
One could only imagine the pressure Ei was under.
... Watatsumi Island
Sangonomiya
While the ordinary soldiers of the rebel army couldn't return to Watatsumi Island quickly, Gorou, who possessed a Vision, managed to return ahead of Yae Miko to report to Kokomi.
Though relieved that the soldiers hadn't been wiped out by the lightning, Kokomi knew this didn't mean the Raiden Shogun had spared Watatsumi Island.
The familiar of the Raiden Shogun, who bore the Shogun's sword, would soon come to Watatsumi Island to announce the Shogun's will.
"Lady Sangonomiya, what should we do now?" A noble, trembling with fear, looked at the thundercloud-covered sky.
He had never witnessed the power of a deity and believed that as long as their soldiers outnumbered the Shogunate forces, they could win.
But now, witnessing a fraction of the deity's power had shattered his resolve.
"What should we do... Now you ask me?" Kokomi laughed bitterly at the nobles hiding behind her.
The deity they worshiped, Orobashi, had been slain by the Raiden Shogun.
Without divine protection, how could Watatsumi Island stand against the Shogunate blessed by the Raiden Shogun?
Even if they defeated the Shogunate, did they think the Raiden Shogun would simply watch?
For Watatsumi Island, the outcome of provoking war, whether victorious or not, was the same.
Originally, the best strategy was to gain some benefits to sustain Watatsumi Island, gradually securing more concessions from the Shogunate until they could negotiate a ceasefire. But greed had led to this predicament.
"Can't we resist the Shogunate's oppression?" the noble retorted indignantly.
"There were many ways to solve this problem, but you chose the most foolish one. 'In war, stratagem is paramount; attacking the heart is the second-best approach, besieging cities is the worst.'"
Kokomi's resentment was palpable, not because she feared the Raiden Shogun's retribution or resented the nobles' actions.
She blamed herself for being too weak. If she had been more assertive, would the nobles have dared to defy her?
"At this point, surrender is our only option."
"Surrender... Will the Raiden Shogun spare us?" The noble was unwilling to accept this.
Kokomi said nothing.
The Raiden Shogun's thunderclouds loomed over Watatsumi Island. Did they really think they had a chance to survive?
She, too, didn't want to die.
The fact that the Raiden Shogun hadn't annihilated the soldiers meant she was offering Watatsumi Island a chance to survive.
They needed to hand over those who had incited the war to set an example.
Otherwise, Watatsumi Island faced total destruction.
If a choice had to be made, for the sake of Watatsumi's people, she would have no choice but to sacrifice herself.
Those who had become nobles were cunning enough to understand that the Raiden Shogun wouldn't spare them, but humans always held onto hope.
Boom——
With deafening thunder and sporadic lightning striking Watatsumi Island, a soldier hurriedly reported in a shaky voice.
"Lady Sangonomiya! The familiar of the Raiden Shogun with her sword has broken in!"
Everyone present was terrified. Before they could react, a charming voice echoed.
"Oh my, I didn't barge in. No one stood in my way, so I didn't force my way through."
Yae Miko, holding the Musou Isshin, entered the Sangonomiya and calmly observed the tense crowd. Her gaze settled on Kokomi.
"The priestess of Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi, you are smart enough to know why I'm here, aren't you?"
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