Another three days passed. All relevant personnel were imprisoned, and various disaster relief efforts gradually began distribution.
The confiscated Visions were being returned in an orderly manner.
Once they finished rounding up all the Fatui they could find in Inazuma, they could essentially lift the thunderstorm lockdown.
It was said that Scaramouche was still in Inazuma and hadn't left, but they couldn't find him. No one knew what other schemes he might have. Originally, Raiden Makoto wanted to set a trap, but time was tight and there were many tasks at hand.
Raiden Makoto decided not to wait anymore. Once they settled the Watatsumi Island matter and publicly tried the criminals, they could open the country.
Therefore, she had already contacted the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya to negotiate trading the Gnosis. However, they would need to exchange it for resources, technology, and compensation. Of course, the Fatui would also need to leave Inazuma territory.
For each day they delayed meeting the terms, there would be another day of hunting down the Fatui.
Snezhnaya had already offered a suitable price, saying Scaramouche would come to collect it on an appointed date.
Jiang Ning had absolutely no goodwill toward this foul-mouthed puppet.
Moreover, after learning what had actually happened to him and seeing how he was now.
He could only laugh - it was pitiful, but more than that, detestable.
In his view, Scaramouche was just a coward who only dared to raise his blade against the weak.
If Raiden Ei abandoned you, go find Raiden Ei. If you want to kill the vermin who betrayed the Raiden Gokaden and those who wronged you, that's fine too.
But what did Kazuha's ancestors do to you? And what did Inazuma's people do to you?
If not for the deal with Snezhnaya, Jiang Ning would have wanted to draw out this puppet and dismantle it.
The materials were precious, weren't they? Might as well recycle the waste.
However, today's main task wasn't this...
Jiang Ning looked up at the negotiation table below.
Kujou Sara sat on one side, while Sangonomiya Kokomi and Gorou sat on the other.
"Your Excellency, shall we begin?"
Kujou Sara asked respectfully.
"Mm, don't mind us."
Raiden Makoto said.
"Well then... Sangonomiya Kokomi, this rebellion of yours has committed serious crimes, but the Shogun is merciful and willing to spare your lives. However, the resistance must immediately disband, surrender their weapons, and the Shogunate army will establish normal defenses on Watatsumi Island."
"As the main leader, you should have been executed, but the Shogun couldn't bear to see talent wasted. So, from now on, you'll help at Tenshukaku, along with Gorou."
"As for the other ringleaders, all will be executed."
"The people of Watatsumi Island will receive the same treatment as the people of Inazuma City, but all Orobashi temples must be abolished and replaced with Narukami Shrines. The position of Divine Priestess of Watatsumi will become a thing of the past - from now on, there will only be priestesses of the Electro Archon."
Kujou Sara methodically listed the series of measures, many of which were Jiang Ning's suggestions.
Talent, especially talent that could likely be won over to their side, could be kept. As for the other useless ones...
You started an internal rebellion, and you expect to be kept around for New Year's?
Gorou's expression wasn't good. He had thought they could come here for proper negotiations, but this wasn't negotiation at all - it was simply announcing how they would be dealt with.
But it was normal - they had won, with divine backing, who would bother negotiating with them?
Moreover,
Sangonomiya Kokomi's previously numb face showed surprise.
She... wouldn't have to die?
This was an unexpected blessing. After all, if given the choice to survive, who would want to die?
As for these conditions... to Sangonomiya Kokomi, they didn't matter anymore.
Lord Orobashi had long since passed away. Through many generations of priestesses, they had clung to their faith in Lord Orobashi, but truthfully, life had become increasingly difficult.
After all, why would those who believed in the Electro Archon want to deal with people who should have become subjects of the Electro Archon, but instead constantly criticized her and continued worshipping a slain deity? This was true even before the Sakoku Decree.
Add to that the other resistance leaders this time, and it was truly exhausting.
Kokomi had decided - she could respect Lord Orobashi, but she must also show absolute respect to the Electro Archon.
Otherwise, Watatsumi Island might really cease to exist.
Moreover, when they said no more statues of Lord Orobashi would be allowed, it showed they were determined to end this situation where Inazuma was one country on the surface but actually divided into two.
So, since they couldn't resist, why not accept it?
After all, while there were still people on Watatsumi Island who believed in Lord Orobashi, they were very few now. Most just used it as a banner to brainwash others for their own purposes.
Sangonomiya Kokomi respectfully said: "As you command, Your Excellency."
Gorou was still somewhat unwilling: "Lady Kokomi..."
"Say no more, let me take full responsibility for this matter." Sangonomiya Kokomi shook her head gravely at Gorou.
Just as she had once asked that god from Liyue.
Without resisting the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree, they simply couldn't survive. Moreover, even if they wanted to submit petitions, with the Kanjo and Tenryou Commissions in the way, they had no way to reach the Shogun's ears.
Even now, Jiang Ning's sneering words still rang in her ears.
"Remember, the fact that you can still survive on land is due to Ei's mercy. If I were the Electro Archon, do you know what I would do?"
"I would give you two choices: either leave the island uninhabited, or drive you back to the supposedly dark Enkanomiya, since that's where you came from."
"As for not being able to survive... that's just because you as the defeated refuse to give up your faith. You could completely abandon your faith and declare your devotion to the Electro Archon. And if the two commissions wouldn't accept you, you could have gone to Ayaka - aren't you on good terms with her?"
"You refuse to give up your faith, yet want equality and preferential treatment, and even resent the deity who showed you mercy... laughable and pathetic."
"Very well then. In a while, we'll send Shogunate troops to protect your return to Watatsumi Island."
Kujou Sara nodded slightly, very satisfied with Sangonomiya Kokomi's understanding of the situation.
They continued discussing the upcoming relief work for Watatsumi Island, along with subsequent integration and settlement arrangements.
Above, Raiden Makoto glanced at Jiang Ning, feeling very pleased.
As expected, this was resolved in one stroke. Her idea about a marriage alliance had truly been correct.
According to her thinking, for Watatsumi Island, they would either let time erode everything or divide and rule - as long as Inazuma remained one Inazuma.
As for faith... Raiden Makoto actually didn't care.
But now Jiang Ning had resolved it in just a few moves. In two generations at the fastest, or four to five at the slowest, Watatsumi Island's faith would completely change from Orobashi to the Electro Archon.
As Jiang Ning himself said, human judgment needs evidence, divine judgment does not.
Jiang Ning spoke softly to Keqing:
"Keqing, see, this is what happens when you don't have gods and other high-level combat power..."
Keqing remained silent.
Looking at Liyue now, it was ruled by humans with divine oversight, while the adepti had integrated into Liyue, beginning to strengthen and teach it.
Liyue was flourishing.
Only now did Keqing realize how naive her previous thoughts had been.
Without gods, you're at others' mercy. Even with adepti, when facing countries with archons, you're just throwing away lives.
Even if you repel them once, what about the second time, the third time?
Wouldn't they eventually perish?
So Keqing was very satisfied with current Liyue - it could demonstrate the self-reliance of its people while innovating under the adepti's guidance, with gods as backup... taking off.
"But why are you calling me Keqing now?"
Keqing's face grew warm.
Jiang Ning said: "Isn't it nice? I think it sounds intimate."
Keqing mumbled: "Then keep calling me that..."
Jiang Ning asked Raiden Makoto: "Are the materials ready? I'm going to make your bodies, and after the trial, we need to head home."
"Don't worry, tomorrow is the day of judgment, and all materials are prepared," Raiden Makoto said gently.
"That's good..."
Jiang Ning really missed Master's bicycle handlebars and Eula's flexibility from dance practice... ahem.
As for Master Shenhe and Ningguang...
Well, he could only see those two in the Serenitea Pot during this time, so they definitely wouldn't be idle.
"Your Excellency, matters here are settled, this servant will take her leave..."
Kujou Sara showed heartfelt respect to Raiden Makoto.
"Wait, Sara." Raiden Makoto called to Kujou Sara.
Kujou Sara stood straight as a spear, awaiting her deity's instructions.
Raiden Makoto smiled: "There's one more thing to announce... After Inazuma returns to normal, the twin gods of Inazuma will formally engage in a marriage alliance with Liyue's next Geo Archon... However, the wedding won't be held yet, after all, there are other sisters, right?"
Feeling Raiden Makoto's gentle gaze, Jiang Ning felt warmth in his heart. As expected, big sister was so understanding.
Although Kujou Sara had known this news before, hearing that it would be officially announced now still startled her. She then said:
"Understood, Lady Makoto."
As for Gorou and Sangonomiya Kokomi? They were dumbfounded.
Originally, they thought Liyue's deity could speak up in Inazuma because of the previously good relationship between Inazuma and Liyue.
But now it seemed...
This- this, Inazuma and Liyue were already family?
So this was handling family affairs?
Walking unevenly, Gorou and Kokomi didn't know how they left Tenshukaku.
Once only family remained present.
Eula teased Raiden Makoto:
"You're really eager... Moreover, have you thought about how to face Morax in the future?"
"What does this have to do with Morax?"
Raiden Ei frowned, somewhat confused.
Seeing her sister's unthinking brain, Raiden Makoto explained patiently:
"Because we and Morax are also good friends, we used to chat happily at the Seven's banquets, considered peers. But now suddenly we're marrying his disciple, won't it be awkward to face him?"
"What's awkward about that... Isn't this completely normal?" Raiden Ei muttered.
In the future, when meeting Morax, you call him old friend, I call him master, very normal.
Yae Miko laughed so hard she nearly fell over: "Oh my, I'm dying of laughter! I just realized, doesn't this count as an old cow eating tender grass? Look at you, a deity who's lived for thousands of years, while Jiang Ning just came of age... Hey, you're going to kill me! Really striking me with lightning!"
By the latter half of her statement, Yae Miko had become somewhat flustered. She quickly dodged aside, and in her original position, a thunderbolt struck.
Raiden Ei had controlled the force well, only leaving a slight scorch mark on the floor.
Raiden Ei snorted: "That's for talking nonsense..."
Even deities care about their age, so Raiden Makoto just smiled without scolding her sister.
Jiang Ning looked at the hole in Tenshukaku's ceiling, thinking the craftsmen would need to work overtime tonight for repairs.
But Jiang Ning didn't mind these things. He could solve wear and tear, so a few thousand years' age difference didn't matter. Besides, he and Master also had a vast age difference.
Not to mention, he still wanted to tease Master a bit.
Oh right...
Jiang Ning ignored Raiden Ei and Yae Miko's bickering, calmed his mind, and asked the system:
"System, let me ask you, does Inazuma count as my faction now? Or is my faction still just Liyue?"
[Hold on, Host, let me check... Been busy integrating materials lately, haven't looked... Hmm, yes it counts. Now you're a decision-maker in Inazuma too, so Inazuma and Liyue are one family.]
[Not bad, my Host, your efficiency is high. Keep it up - as a villain, you should conquer, explore, see if you can use this method to take all seven nations, oh, and the Abyss and Celestia too.]
"Can't do that at all, Barbatos is male, and Aether is male."
[Isn't Jean in charge of Mondstadt now... Work harder, take both Jean and Lisa, two and three make five, Mondstadt belongs to Liyue. And for the Abyss... take Lumine, wouldn't her big brother have to give a dowry?]
"I always thought I should be a great demon lord, starting wars and conquering other countries to fulfill my identity... Well, good news, I am indeed a demon lord, bad news is, seems I'm an incubus..."
Jiang Ning felt his prestige plummeting.
[I think it's perfectly normal, and Host, your appearance would be wasted if not used for seduction... It's fine, the battlefield just moved from the field to the bed. Besides, Host, are you happy?]
Jiang Ning was silent for a moment, then said: "Feels fantastic."
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