"I understand." Sangonomiya Kokomi felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.
"But the 'Sakoku Decree' and the 'Vision Hunt Decree' issued by the Raiden Shogun have made it impossible for Watatsumi Island to survive. We initiated the war just to show the Raiden Shogun the wishes of the people, not for revenge."
Although the Raiden Shogun herself did not come, Yae Miko, as her familiar and bearing her sword, was no different from the Raiden Shogun herself being here.
If her words were even slightly inappropriate, she had no doubt that the Raiden Shogun, who was watching, would not hesitate to strike with thunder.
"The 'Sakoku Decree' and 'Vision Hunt Decree' were issued in the name of the Raiden Shogun under the deceit of the Kanjo Commission and the Tenryou Commission. The Shogun was unaware."
Yae Miko looked calmly at Sangonomiya Kokomi.
"But the current chaos in Inazuma is also partly due to you. The Shogun offers you two choices."
"First, Watatsumi Island disappears from the map of Inazuma immediately."
The atmosphere became terrifyingly silent, and Sangonomiya Kokomi shivered, even more so than the others.
"Second, hand over the main instigators of the war, all those who damaged the stabilization devices on Yashiori Island, restore the Narukami statues on Watatsumi Island that you destroyed, and abolish all worship of the god Orobashi."
"After completing these tasks, the Shogun will forgive your past transgressions and treat the people of Watatsumi Island the same as the people of Inazuma."
Yae Miko finished speaking and looked calmly at Sangonomiya Kokomi.
This was her first time meeting the current Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, but she had heard of her capabilities—she was a smart and competent person.
"As a wise person, I think you know what choice to make."
Yae Miko then elegantly turned and left.
These decrees were indeed proposed by her. If Ei had come, she would have likely destroyed Watatsumi Island with a single strike.
Only by abolishing the worship of Orobashi could Watatsumi Island truly unite with Inazuma. Otherwise, prolonged division would inevitably lead to trouble.
Moreover, she appreciated Sangonomiya Kokomi's abilities.
With all the powerful figures in Inazuma resolved, Inazuma would need capable people.
Once Sangonomiya Kokomi was brought to work in Tenshukaku and the people of Watatsumi Island saw that the Raiden Shogun treated everyone equally, they would gradually become loyal.
After watching Yae Miko leave, Sangonomiya Kokomi felt a deep sense of despair. In the end, she still had to die.
She was, after all, the leader of Watatsumi Island, the strategist of the rebel army, and the current Divine Priestess of the Great Watatsumi God. Only her death could completely sever Watatsumi Island's faith in Orobashi.
The Raiden Shogun gave her two choices? In reality, there was only one choice. But could she resist?
Resist a god? How could she?
For Watatsumi Island to survive, she had no choice but to obey the Raiden Shogun.
With no right to choose and knowing she would definitely die, Sangonomiya Kokomi calmed down.
"Did you hear the Raiden Shogun's final deadline for us? It concerns the survival of Watatsumi Island. Don't say I'm being arbitrary; discuss it among yourselves and make a statement."
Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at the nobles of Watatsumi Island with a firm attitude.
She hoped these people would muster the last bit of courage and not think about escaping Watatsumi Island; otherwise, she would deal with them on the spot.
In any case, she would be executed by the Raiden Shogun as an example. She had nothing to worry about. Helping the people of Watatsumi Island eliminate these parasites and distributing their wealth before she died seemed good.
After saying this, Sangonomiya Kokomi walked out in a daze.
"Master Strategist, what should we do next?"
Gorou, Sangonomiya Kokomi's loyal follower, looked at her worriedly, seeing that she seemed about to collapse.
He knew better than anyone how hard Sangonomiya Kokomi worked for the people of Watatsumi Island, often exhausting herself to the point of near collapse before resting briefly.
"Gorou, what can we do now? Can I lead all the people of Watatsumi Island to escape the Raiden Shogun's thunderstorm blockade?" Sangonomiya Kokomi smiled bitterly, then became serious.
"Tomorrow, I will definitely be executed by the Raiden Shogun as an example. I will take all the blame." She lowered her voice.
She knew some nobles would still harbor hopes of escaping.
Humans always cling to hope, especially selfish nobles with power.
So, no matter what the nobles decided, she wouldn't spare them.
Gorou listened to Sangonomiya Kokomi, his expression growing serious and determined.
"Finally… if I die and the Raiden Shogun still cannot tolerate us, you must lead the people of Watatsumi Island away from Inazuma."
"I understand, Master Strategist." Gorou clenched his teeth, holding back the urge to ask her to flee. He knew Sangonomiya Kokomi would never abandon Watatsumi Island. If she fled, Watatsumi Island would disappear tomorrow.
"If it weren't for those people damaging the stabilization devices and the statues, this wouldn't have happened."
Gorou was deeply resentful. Those nobles, driven by greed, had ignored the strategist's advice, leading to this situation.
As Sangonomiya Kokomi's most loyal follower, he knew better than anyone how selfish the nobles were.
The strategist was willing to die for Watatsumi Island, while these parasites deserved no such grace.
Watatsumi Island was sleepless that night.
Gorou and Sangonomiya Kokomi's loyalists rounded up the nobles, who had planned to flee by ship.
For those trying to escape, Sangonomiya Kokomi mercilessly ordered Gorou to kill them and their families.
After capturing the nobles, all their food and wealth were distributed to the people of Watatsumi Island.
Even while confiscating and killing, Sangonomiya Kokomi didn't blink.
This decisiveness impressed Yae Miko, who had come secretly to watch.
A true ruler, even a seemingly frail girl, was never as simple as she appeared.
Especially women, who could be more ruthless than men.
Kokomi was far from weak.
At least, in governing, she was far superior to the Raiden Shogun, who only knew how to fight.
Moreover, as the common people received food and land, more joined Kokomi's cause.
The extent of the nobles' greed became apparent, fueling the people's rage.
They couldn't even afford one meal a day while the nobles hoarded enough food to feed an army, living in luxury.
Angry commoners didn't spare the nobles, regardless of their pleas.
...
The next day, before dawn, Sangonomiya Kokomi and Gorou brought the captured nobles to Inazuma City.
Inazuma City was packed with people from across Narukami Island, all there to witness.
In front of the Statue of the Omnipresent God, the officials of the Kanjo and Tenryou Commissions, along with all the nobles involved with the Fatui, were forced to kneel, shouting their innocence.
"We are loyal to the Shogun!"
"Shogun! Our family has been loyal for generations!"
"It was all Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke's idea! They forced us to monopolize Inazuma's commerce!"
...........
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