Chapter 17: Inazuma’s Civil Strife Ends
"From now on, the names of these criminals who have poisoned Inazuma shall be erased from our land. Anyone using these surnames will be charged with treason, and all their assets will be confiscated," declared Raiden Ei to all the citizens of Inazuma.
"All those involved in poisoning Inazuma shall be sentenced to death. For the descendants of these families, those whose wrongdoings outweigh their contributions will also be sentenced to death. Those with neither guilt nor merit, or with both merit and demerit, will be exiled to Seirai Island for generations of labor to atone for their sins. Those with merit and no wrongdoing will be demoted to commoners and must change their surnames," she continued.
The impoverished citizens of Inazuma, having suffered for so long, responded with fervent cheers.
"Justice prevails, and Narukami is eternal!"
"Justice prevails, and Narukami is eternal!"
"Justice prevails, and Narukami is eternal!"
The entire city of Inazuma echoed with the chants of its people.
The faith of Inazuma's citizens in the Raiden Shogun was unwavering, even in the direst of times. Their hatred for the nobility was now matched by their reverence for the Raiden Shogun.
As Raiden Ei watched the joyous and fervent crowd, she was momentarily reminded of her sister, Makoto, in those days when she was still alive.
"Perhaps my sister's vision of eternity was the correct one..."
At that moment, she seemed to understand the "eternity that flows forward, driven by the wishes and expectations of the people" that her sister had pursued.
It was as if she could still hear her sister's teachings echoing in her ears.
She could feel the atmosphere of Inazuma changing, becoming brighter and filled with hope with the citizens' cheers.
The Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei spoke as one: "Only eternity is closest to the Heavenly Principles, for the Heavenly Principles are already here, and thus Inazuma already possesses 'eternity.'"
"Yes, only eternity is closest to the Heavenly Principles, but the Heavenly Principles are here," Raiden Ei thought, looking at the man on the steps of Tenshukaku, chatting and laughing with Yae Miko while eating fruit.
With the internal problems of Inazuma resolved, she needed to prepare for the mission decreed by the Heavenly Principles.
In the plan to devour the world of 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,' Vision bearers were required to serve as her envoys.
And she was to replace the 'God of Thunder' in the 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' world, giving the Heavenly Principles the opportunity to seize control of that world.
She then turned to Kamisato Ayato of the Kamisato Clan, who was waiting nearby.
"Kamisato Ayato, you have one day to handle the aftermath, then bring your sister, Kamisato Ayaka, to Tenshukaku."
Although puzzled by why the Shogun wanted to see his sister, Ayato knew it was likely a good thing for them. After all, with most of the nobility executed, Inazuma needed capable people.
"Yes, Shogun," Kamisato Ayato replied respectfully. He was confident that if he handled the upcoming tasks well, the Kamisato Clan would become the most powerful family in Inazuma. However, he vowed to use this power solely for Inazuma's benefit, knowing that abusing it would lead to his descendants facing the same fate as those now gone.
With Inazuma's corruption swept away, the skies cleared.
As the citizens of Inazuma fervently discussed the recent events, Raiden Ei returned to Tenshukaku.
...
Inside Tenshukaku, Raiden Ei sat on her knees before Kujou Sara and Sangonomiya Kokomi.
Compared to Kujou Sara's deep guilt, Sangonomiya Kokomi was dazed and unsteady, thinking, "I'm going to die."
"Sara, you have greatly disappointed me," Raiden Ei said.
She had nurtured Kujou Sara as her left-hand confidant, seeing in her the same qualities as her sister's friend Sasayuri. A masterful tactician, loyal and unmatched in martial skills, Sara had the makings of a great general even during the Archon War. Moreover, as a tengu, she wouldn't perish as quickly as humans do.
If not for knowing that Kujou Sara was genuinely loyal to her, Raiden Ei would have executed her just like the other corrupted members of the Kujou Clan.
"Your subordinate has committed a grave sin and betrayed your trust. Please, Shogun, punish me," Kujou Sara said, filled with guilt.
Having discovered her adoptive father Kujou Takayuki's crimes, she felt she should have committed seppuku to atone. But the Shogun spared her life, an unparalleled mercy. As the Shogun's close aide, she had failed to notice her adoptive father's actions, a dereliction of duty deserving of immediate seppuku.
Raiden Ei looked at Kujou Sara and sighed. Even the Shogun had been deceived; Sara's failure was not unforgivable.
"The Kujou name no longer exists. Are you willing to change your surname and atone for your sins?"
The name Kujou now incited only anger in her.
"Yes, I am willing," Sara replied without hesitation.
Though she was grateful to Kujou Takayuki for adopting her as a child, she now deeply resented his treachery. As one of Inazuma's Tri-Commissioners, he had betrayed the Shogun and poisoned the citizens of Inazuma. She had naively believed her adoptive father's loyalty and his frequent praises of the Shogun and "Musou no Hitotachi." She regretted not discovering his evil intentions sooner.
Raiden Ei looked at Sara and said, "I bestow upon you the surname 'Sasa.' I hope you can be as brave and wise as your ancestors. Additionally, many of Inazuma's sacred wards have been destroyed, and evil spirits are rampant. Lead the Shogunate Army and the Tenryou Commission to exterminate these demons, restore the wards, and capture the troublemaking Fatui."
Sara was deeply moved, understanding the significance of this new surname and the expectations the Shogun had for her. It was also a chance to redeem herself. She vowed that if she failed the Shogun, she would die with no peace.
"Yes, I will not disappoint you, Shogun."
"Very well, you may go."
Kujou Sara—no, Sasa Sara—immediately organized the Tenryou Commission and left Inazuma City. Although the Shogun had not explicitly ordered her to clear all the demons and capture all the Fatui, she felt it was her duty to do so to repay the Shogun's trust and opportunity.
With Sara gone, only Sangonomiya Kokomi remained, fully aware that her death was imminent.
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, you are very capable," Raiden Ei said.
From the Heavenly Principles' time projections, she knew that Kokomi was highly skilled. The soldiers of Watatsumi Island, initially inferior to the Shogunate Army, had repeatedly defeated them under her command. Yae Miko had also advised that keeping her alive would be more beneficial than killing her, whether to gradually integrate Watatsumi Island into Inazuma or to assist in managing Inazuma's affairs.
"Thank you for your compliment, but Watatsumi Island truly has no intention of rebelling against the Shogun. Could you spare the people of Watatsumi Island? We do not ask for equal treatment, just the ability to live normally," Kokomi pleaded, trying to make one last effort for her people before her death.
"Do you want to live or die?" the Shogun asked coldly.
"Uh?" Kokomi was stunned. "What do you mean, Shogun?"
"I know initiating the war was not your idea, and you have great capability in governance. However, the deaths of the Shogunate soldiers are also significantly linked to you. Therefore, you must atone for your sins by making the people of Watatsumi Island truly loyal to Inazuma and see themselves as part of it," Raiden Ei said, looking at the incredulous Kokomi.
"You need not worry. I value your abilities. I will give you five years. If you fail, you will still die."
"Of course, without authority, you cannot achieve anything. Currently, both the Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission are leaderless. You will temporarily take charge of the Kanjou Commission."
"Ah?" Kokomi's mouth fell open.
The Shogun had not killed her as a scapegoat but had instead granted her significant authority and status in Inazuma!
She quickly understood the reasoning. The Shogun aimed to integrate Watatsumi Island. Keeping her alive and giving her a chance to win over the people of Watatsumi Island was more beneficial than killing her. Inazuma had recently purged the corrupt officials of the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions, leaving a power vacuum. Kokomi's capabilities made her an ideal candidate to help stabilize Inazuma.
This position given to her, a Watatsumi Islander, clearly indicated the Shogun's promise of equal treatment for the people of Watatsumi Island. If she failed, it would prove Watatsumi Island's unyielding defiance, leading to its eradication.
Understanding this, Kokomi wholeheartedly accepted the Shogun's will and resolutely abandoned her faith in Orobashi.
"Thank you for your mercy, Shogun. I, Sangonomiya Kokomi, will fulfill your command."
Surviving and enabling the people of Watatsumi Island to live equally with the people of Inazuma was worth abandoning her old faith. From today onward, Sangonomiya Kokomi would only worship the Great Narukami Ogosho, Yae Miko.
With Inazuma's internal issues resolved, Indra walked alongside Yae Miko on the stone steps leading from Chinju Forest to the Grand Narukami Shrine. He was now tasked with establishing a gateway to the world of 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' at the Grand Narukami Shrine.
...........
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