Casting a subtle glance at several Resistance soldiers nearby, Kujou Sara spoke softly,
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Shogun now has far greater matters to attend to,
matters concerning the long-term future of Inazuma."
"So, the war between the Resistance and the Shogunate must come to an end, no one is allowed to defy that."
"Otherwise, the Shogun will not hesitate to personally strike down every element that threatens Inazuma's peace."
"Do not question the Shogun's blade. Do what you must do, do what the Resistance should do."
Kokomi didn't take it as a threat. She simply nodded lightly and said softly,
"I know what to do."
"That's for the best."
Kujou Sara said nothing more. She turned to leave, preparing to return to Ritou with the Dragonriders.
There were still matters she needed to attend to.
Lately, Kujou Sara had barely had a moment to rest, she had been constantly occupied with one task after another.
"General Kujou, there's one more thing."
Kokomi stopped her, her expression calm but serious.
"How does the Shogun plan to deal with the Resistance?"
Sara paused for a moment, then replied coolly,
"That will be discussed during the negotiations. You'll know when the time comes."
"There's no need to worry. The Resistance are also subjects of the Shogun. Inazuma is in great need of capable people right now."
"As for you, and the Shogunate army, there will be no punishment. Those who deserve to be punished, the Shogun herself will decide their fate."
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, you are a wise woman. Your talents shouldn't be confined only to Watatsumi Island."
Having said that, Kujou Sara nodded to Captain Dashi, who smiled and patted Jūza's shoulder.
"We'll be taking our leave. We can only stay in Inazuma for three days. Once we return, I'll treat you to a drink when there's time."
Jūza looked enviously at Dashi as he climbed onto the dragon's back.
"Don't forget to ask about it for me!"
"I know, I know!"
Dashi laughed, gave a brisk nod, and then his expression hardened as he shouted,
"Dragonriders, move out! Destination: Ritou!"
A hundred dragons lifted their heads to the skies and roared in unison. The air trembled with their might as fierce winds swept across the land.
In moments, the vast formation soared away toward Ritou,
and soon, the terrifying wave of power vanished into the distance.
Watching Kujou Sara and her army depart, Kokomi exhaled softly.
She immediately ordered her subordinates to spread the news throughout the entire Resistance.
Then, together with Gorou and Beidou, she returned to the palace hall.
When she had gone out earlier, her heart had been heavy with worry.
Now, although her concerns had lessened, what replaced them was a deep and complicated feeling.
Tomorrow's negotiation left her uncertain.
After all, it meant facing the true ruler of Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun herself.
A being of divine power far beyond mortals.
Gorou glanced at Kokomi and asked quietly,
"Lady Sangonomiya, are you worried about tomorrow's negotiations?"
Kokomi gave a small nod.
"I thought the ceasefire talks would be led by Kujou Sara. But… the Shogun herself appearing, that was beyond my expectations."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Gorou asked.
Gorou looked at Kokomi curiously.
"If the Shogun herself is stepping forward, that means everything is true, doesn't it? She probably won't be too harsh either."
Kokomi gave a bitter smile and slowly shook her head. Her eyes carried a faint trace of melancholy.
"Didn't you notice… that many of our soldiers don't actually want to stop fighting?"
Gorou was taken aback.
"Why not? If we make peace, everyone can return to a calm, peaceful life, isn't that what we all wanted from the start? We only fought to end the Vision Hunt Decree!"
"Now that the Shogun has changed her mind, isn't that a good thing?"
Kokomi shook her head again without explaining further.
The complexities of human nature weren't something anyone could truly grasp.
The hardest thing in the world to understand, was the human heart.
"Anyway, Gorou," she said softly, "you'll be in charge of the Resistance's arrangements tomorrow. Under no circumstances can anything go wrong during the negotiations."
"This time, the nature of the talks is different. If something happens… the entire Resistance will face the Shogun's wrath."
"I don't know what the Shogun truly intends to do, but clearly, the ongoing conflict between the Resistance and the Shogunate has interfered with her plans."
"If the war were to continue out of necessity…"
Kokomi's voice dropped.
"Then the Shogun might personally take the field."
At the mention of Musoujin Gorge, Gorou's expression hardened.
He knew it well, if the Shogun truly drew her blade again, even the entire Resistance combined wouldn't withstand a single strike.
Humans and Archons were not on the same level of existence. Numbers alone could never bridge that gulf.
They didn't have Liyue's deep military foundation either.
And even if they did,
an ordinary Archon and a supreme one were two completely different kinds of beings.
"Lady Sangonomiya," Gorou asked hesitantly, "what do you think the Shogun will do with the Resistance?"
He couldn't hide the worry in his voice.
He didn't want any of his soldiers to suffer, but the reckoning that follows a war was rarely ever simple.
Kokomi sighed softly and shook her head.
"We'll know at tomorrow's negotiations. But judging from General Kujou's words, the Shogun probably won't be too harsh on us."
"In any case… we'll find out soon enough."
Beidou, who had been silent all this time, suddenly chuckled. She took a relaxed sip of wine and said casually,
"If you ask me, there's no need to worry that much. The Raiden Shogun likely won't make things difficult for you."
"If my guess is right, she's got her hands full with a mountain of other matters right now."
"And this is exactly when she needs capable people the most. Not only will she refrain from punishing you, "
Beidou smirked and tilted her cup,
"she might even entrust you with an important position."