Kujou Sara’s Mind Goes Blank

"What? I have always been loyal to the Shogun! How could I commit treason? Surely, there must be some kind of misunderstanding!" Kujou Sara exclaimed, utterly shocked.

Around her, the soldiers of the Shogunate looked equally baffled. Lady Kujou Sara's devotion to the Shogun was unquestionable. How could such a thing happen?

"I know your loyalty to the Shogun is genuine; that's precisely why I said you're unlucky, Kujou Sara," Yae Miko replied with a sigh, stepping closer to her.

"The Tenshukaku never received a single accurate report of Inazuma's actual state. Every report submitted claimed Inazuma was peaceful and prosperous, with citizens living in harmony."

"Takayuki Kujou colluded with a group of nobles and the Fatui to deceive the Shogun, fabricating false reports and causing unrest across Inazuma. He manipulated the Shogun into issuing the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree. By the time the Shogun realized the truth, the damage to the nation was already done."

Kujou Sara felt her mind spinning. None of this made sense.

"I don't want to see a loyal servant like you unjustly caught up in this, so I'll plead with the Shogun on your behalf. For now, comply and surrender yourself at the Tenshukaku to await judgment," Yae Miko instructed, lifting the Shogun's blade, Mistsplitter Reforged, in her hand.

"Shogunate soldiers, by the decree of the Raiden Shogun: arrest Takayuki Kujou and all others complicit in these crimes!"

The soldiers, having finally grasped the gravity of the situation, were incensed.

"So, all this time, Lady Sara had been in the dark while Takayuki Kujou was the real traitor!"

Could it be true? There was no doubting it now. The Shogun's blade was present—there could be no mistake.

The soldiers, driven by fury at being deceived, immediately apprehended anyone within the ranks connected to the Kujou family. None of the accused dared resist. Not only did the constant thunder above feel like divine judgment waiting to strike, but the enraged soldiers themselves looked ready to tear them apart.

Yae Miko did not immediately return to Inazuma City. Instead, she began walking leisurely toward Watatsumi Island.

"Oh, my poor, overworked self—destined to be summoned only in times of turmoil, then promptly forgotten when the dust finally settles," she murmured, her voice laced with a teasing melody that belied the faint trace of complaint. Yet, despite her words, her heart felt lighter knowing that Ei had finally emerged from the Plane of Euthymia to take control of Inazuma once more.

As a loyal retainer, Yae Miko had long been disheartened by Ei's negligence and reliance on the Raiden Shogun puppet to govern. Pursuing an ideal of "eternity," Ei had let the nation fall into chaos. Things had spiraled to the point of catching the attention of the divine beings of Celestia.

Had Celestia not intervened, would Ei have remained asleep forever?

And then there was the mysterious Noah, the one who had accompanied Ei back to Inazuma. Yae Miko's nerves were on edge. Acting as his guide over the next few days was no light matter. What did he think of her? Did he find her… captivating?

Miko's thoughts wandered, not out of arrogance, but because she was acutely aware of her own beauty, which even rivaled her master Ei's. And Noah? He was a complete enigma, exuding an air of authority even Ei deferred to. The implications of this were enough to make her tail twitch uneasily.

Beneath her light-hearted complaints was genuine concern about the direction Inazuma would take in the wake of all this upheaval.

Watatsumi Island

Sangonomiya Shrine

Though the ordinary soldiers of the Resistance could not reach Watatsumi Island quickly, Gorou, with his Vision-enhanced speed, managed to rush back to warn Sangonomiya Kokomi of what had transpired.

Upon hearing that the soldiers had not been slaughtered outright, Kokomi felt a momentary wave of relief. However, she knew this did not mean Raiden Shogun had forgiven them.

The sight of rolling thunder over the island only deepened her unease.

"The shrine priestess—what should we do now?"

A trembling voice from one of the island's noblemen broke her thoughts. The man was visibly terrified, his fear causing him to stammer uncontrollably.

"Do? You're only asking me that now?" Kokomi asked, her tone laced with bitter sarcasm. "Where was your concern when you initiated this war without consulting me?"

She glared at the man, her patience frayed. Watatsumi Island had no divine protection since the Raiden Shogun had slain their god, Orobashi no Mikoto. What made them think they could take on the Shogun's forces, let alone survive her personal wrath?

Even victory against the Shogunate would have been short-lived. Did they truly believe Raiden Shogun would not intervene to restore order?

Kokomi had always known the war was a disastrous idea. Yet, pressured by the pleas of her people, she had reluctantly taken command, using her tactical genius to extract small gains and then swiftly retreat.

It was a careful balancing act—one she had maintained until the war spiraled out of control.

"Surely we had the right to resist oppression!" the nobleman protested, his voice tinged with frustration.

"There were better ways to resist!" Kokomi snapped. "And now look where your greed has brought us. We've provoked the wrath of the Shogun herself!"

She closed her eyes, the burden of leadership weighing heavily on her. She knew what had to be done, even if it pained her deeply.

"The only path left to us is surrender," she finally said, her voice low but resolute.

"Surrender? How can we trust Raiden Shogun to spare us?"

"…"

Kokomi remained silent. She didn't believe they could fully trust the Shogun's mercy. However, the fact that the soldiers on the battlefield had been spared indicated there was still hope.

If they wanted to save the island and its people, the architects of this rebellion would have to be sacrificed.

Thunder continued to rumble ominously, shaking the earth and sending shockwaves through the island's inhabitants.

"Priestess! The Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine has arrived with Raiden Shogun's decree!"

The announcement sent chills through the room. Kokomi's hands clenched, but she maintained her composure.

The doors to the shrine creaked open, and a charming, amused voice broke the silence.

"Well, well, such a lively reception. It seems I've come at just the right time," Yae Miko said as she entered, her steps graceful and measured. She held the imposing Mistsplitter Reforged in one hand, its radiant aura of divinity making her intentions clear.

"Watatsumi Island's Divine Priestess, Sangonomiya Kokomi," Yae Miko began, her sharp eyes locking onto Kokomi. "I assume someone as clever as you already knows why I'm here."

"I understand," Kokomi replied, her voice heavy with bitterness.

"But Raiden Shogun's Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree made it impossible for Watatsumi Island to survive. Our war was meant to show the Shogun the will of the people, not for revenge."

Though Raiden Shogun herself hadn't appeared, the presence of Yae Miko, wielding her master's blade, was no less intimidating. Kokomi knew that a single misstep in her response could provoke the lightning-wielding god's wrath.

"The Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree were enacted by the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions, who deceived the Shogun. She was unaware of the true situation," Yae Miko said calmly, her sharp eyes studying Kokomi.

"However, the chaos in Inazuma is inextricably linked to Watatsumi Island's actions. The Shogun has given you two choices."

Yae Miko's expression turned solemn as she delivered the first option:

"First, Watatsumi Island is to be erased from the map of Inazuma."

The air became so still and suffocating that Kokomi and everyone present trembled uncontrollably. No one dared to make a sound.

"Second," Yae Miko continued, "surrender the primary instigators of the war, those who desecrated the sacred objects on Yashiori Island, and those responsible for defiling Narukami's statues. Furthermore, all worship of the serpent god Orobashi is to cease permanently.

"In return, the Shogun will pardon the rest. From this point forward, Watatsumi Islanders will enjoy the same rights as all Inazumans. No distinctions will be made."

Yae Miko's calm yet authoritative tone left no room for misinterpretation. She fixed her gaze on Kokomi.

"You're a clever person. I trust you know which choice to make."

Without waiting for a reply, Yae Miko turned gracefully and walked away. She knew Ei too well; if left to her devices, Ei might have simply erased Watatsumi Island with a single stroke of her blade.

Miko's proposal ensured a way to bring Watatsumi Island and its people back into Inazuma's fold. More importantly, she saw Kokomi's potential. Once the corrupt elite were purged from Inazuma's government, Kokomi's talents could be a valuable asset to the Shogunate.

Watching Yae Miko leave, Kokomi felt despair washing over her.

She understood all too well: though two choices were presented, only one was truly viable. Resistance was not an option against the overwhelming might of a god.

To secure the survival of Watatsumi Island and its people, she had no choice but to obey Raiden Shogun's decree.

Resolving herself to her fate, Kokomi's composure returned.

"Did you hear Raiden Shogun's final ultimatum?" Kokomi addressed the Watatsumi Island nobles who had gathered. Her voice was sharp, her demeanor commanding.

"The fate of Watatsumi Island hinges on this moment. Spare me your excuses and petty complaints—give me your decisions now."

Her sudden strength of will shocked the nobles, leaving them flustered. Kokomi silently hoped they would muster their last shreds of dignity instead of attempting to flee.

If any of them dared to escape, she would have no choice but to eliminate them herself. She had already accepted that she would have to pay with her own life for Watatsumi Island's crimes. But before her death, she intended to cleanse the island of these parasites and redistribute their wealth to the suffering people.

Leaving the room in a daze, Kokomi was intercepted by her loyal subordinate, Gorou.

"General, what's the plan?" Gorou asked anxiously, noticing her unsteady steps.

"What plan?" Kokomi replied bitterly. "Do you think I can lead Watatsumi Island's people past Raiden Shogun's storm clouds and escape? No. Tomorrow, I will take full responsibility for everything and accept Raiden Shogun's judgment."

Her voice softened as she leaned closer to Gorou.

"But before then…"

She whispered her final orders. She anticipated that some of the nobles, driven by self-preservation, would attempt to flee. Human nature, particularly among those accustomed to power, was selfish and short-sighted.

Gorou's face grew solemn as he nodded, understanding Kokomi's intent.

"And if Raiden Shogun refuses to spare us even after I've taken the blame, then you must lead the people of Watatsumi Island away from Inazuma," she added.

"I… understand, General," Gorou replied, though his voice trembled with emotion. He wanted to beg her to flee, but he knew she would never abandon Watatsumi Island. Without her, the island would fall into chaos the moment she left.

That night, Gorou and Kokomi's most loyal soldiers arrested the island's corrupt elite. As Gorou suspected, many of them had been planning to escape by sea.

At Kokomi's command, those who attempted to flee were executed, along with their entire families.

Their wealth and stores of food were seized and distributed to the starving population. Kokomi's hands did not tremble once during the grim proceedings.

In the shadows, Noah observed it all with quiet admiration.

"This young priestess has nerves of steel," he murmured. "For someone so delicate in appearance, her ruthlessness is extraordinary."

He had seen rulers from many worlds, and Kokomi stood out. She was no fragile eel but a fierce and decisive leader. Compared to Ei, who only knew how to swing a blade, Kokomi's capabilities in governance were leagues ahead.

The redistribution of resources quickly won the support of Watatsumi Island's people.

The sheer disparity between the nobles' obscene wealth and the people's abject poverty enraged the populace. They took up whatever tools they could find and joined Kokomi's efforts, tearing through the homes of the elites like a tidal wave.

Before dawn, Kokomi and Gorou arrived in Inazuma City with the surviving nobles in chains.

The city was bursting with people. Citizens from across Narukami Island had gathered to witness the unprecedented purge.

Before the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed Statue of the Shogun, the traitorous officials from the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions knelt in the dirt, their faces pale. Among them were nobles who had colluded with the Fatui.

They cried out in desperation:

"We're innocent! We have always been loyal to the Shogun!"

"Mercy, Shogun! Our family has served you faithfully for generations!"

"We were coerced by Takayuki Kujou and Hiiragi Shinsuke into participating! They forced us to comply!"

Their pleas fell on deaf ears.