Gorou and Ayato stared at their Shogun in a daze, watching her finalize a contract with the Abyss Order in what felt like the blink of an eye.
And the terms were that the Abyss Order's people would help suppress Inazuma's monsters?
What was this supposed to be?
Using barbarians to control barbarians?
Setting aside the fact that the Abyss Order's members were themselves considered monsters by Inazuma's people and military alike, could monsters really be trusted to quietly clean up other monsters?
And taking it back ten thousand steps: even if the Abyss Order did suppress the monsters, who would lead them?
Gorou?
The image of himself leading a thousand-plus Abyss Mages into battle to hunt down monsters gave Gorou a persistent feeling that something was deeply wrong here.
After some silent deliberation, the two exchanged a look and swallowed their doubts.
Whatever their reservations, Makoto had already made her decision. When it came to matters of this importance, she would not act carelessly. They could trust her judgment.
Besides, they didn't know what Makoto had been through during all those months in Liyue.
What if the Alliance had already formally accepted the Abyss Order?
And given that the Abyss Order had volunteered to sign a contract witnessed by Ryen himself, with Morax's binding behind it, there probably wasn't much to worry about.
After turning it over from every angle, the two of them simply looked at each other and kept quiet.
At worst, they could remind Makoto to stay vigilant afterward.
Besides, any monster-clearing these Abyss Order members did would happen right under Gorou's watch.
Endis produced the contract he had prepared in advance and handed it to Makoto.
She examined it in careful detail for some time, then gave a small nod.
"It seems you have already consulted Zhongli."
Endis nodded.
"Yes. We discussed this with His Highness first. He agreed, and went to speak with Morax himself."
Makoto said nothing further and read through the contract clause by clause. Even with full confidence that the Khaenri'ahn people would not dare cause trouble, a contract was a contract. Caution was caution.
After some time, satisfied that everything was in order, she signed her name.
The contract split in two. One half went to Makoto, the other returned to Endis.
Contract in hand, Endis exhaled quietly. A trace of relief and quiet satisfaction settled on his face.
"With this settled, the Khaenri'ahn people will begin assisting Inazuma with monster suppression effective immediately. We provide only the personnel. The direction and command are entirely yours."
"Nothing better. Gorou, coordinate the handoff with them later."
Makoto glanced at Gorou, then continued:
"After the military handoff, set aside the forces needed to maintain order in the cities. The remaining forces, three thousand in total, are to be assembled and sent to Liyue in a few days."
Three thousand was the figure Makoto had determined in advance to be the right balance.
With three thousand additional people joining, no arrangement would be short-handed anymore. Inazuma's development in that world was finally going to accelerate.
Gorou accepted the order with a steady acknowledgment.
Endis was quietly pleased. He knew Makoto and the others probably still harbored some suspicion, but in all honesty, the Abyss Order had genuinely come here to do something good for once.
Though of course, the main goal was still to rack up goodwill with Ryen through the Five-Nation Alliance.
To give themselves some solid footing when they entered that world.
That world was vast and dangerous. Even with the Abyss Order's considerable strength, operating entirely on their own in that environment was not going to work. The best approach was to build good relationships with the five nations that had gone in ahead of them.
They would probably need help from those nations down the line.
Gathering Hilichurls was also, of course, one of the primary objectives.
Turning these thoughts over, Endis looked toward Ningguang and Lisa and the others.
"Lady Ningguang, regarding a similar contract..."
Ningguang waved a hand with mild indifference.
"Not interested. We don't need anyone else handling our monsters. If anything, we worry there aren't enough monsters to give our military proper training."
Endis went briefly quiet.
He had nearly forgotten. Liyue and Mondstadt had already pushed their strength to a level where this wasn't a problem. Their armies were well-supplied and well-staffed.
They had long since passed the stage of being short-handed.
And if they did need people, the way those two nations commanded the hearts of their citizens meant that the moment a recruitment notice went up, thousands would show up that same day.
What was a genuine headache for Inazuma registered as barely worth mentioning for those two.
For a moment, Endis wasn't sure where to take the conversation.
Ningguang glanced at Ryen, then said quietly:
"Out of consideration for Lumine, Hilichurls within Liyue's borders are yours to gather, except for the Black Sun Tribe and those that actively attack our people."
"But whatever activity you conduct in Liyue must be kept low-profile. Avoid being seen by the military or ordinary citizens as much as possible."
Endis understood Ningguang's meaning.
Gathering Hilichurls was fine. Cooperation and mutual assistance were not on the table.
The Abyss Order was not part of the Five-Nation Alliance, and would only be establishing a new nation in that other world.
Perhaps once Khaenri'ah was restored, there would be grounds for beneficial cooperation. But right now, Ningguang and the others saw no advantage in working with the Abyss Order.
No benefit, no reason.
Early investment?
Liyue had no shortage of strength. It didn't need to make that kind of investment.
The relationship between nations was always and only the exchange of interests.
At this stage, an unrestored Khaenri'ah had nothing that made it worth Liyue's investment.
Endis understood this logic perfectly. And he found he was not disappointed by it.
On the contrary, he was quietly pleased.
Because it meant Ningguang and the others were looking at the Abyss Order through the lens of one nation regarding another.
Khaenri'ah's restoration had taken a meaningful step forward.
Formal diplomatic relations could wait for later.
For now...
The foundation of the Brown-Nosing Initiative still needed to be built.
Today's visit to Inazuma had already achieved its most important goal: a signed contract with Inazuma. Ryen had seemed satisfied with the Initiative's progress. A good number of Hilichurls could be gathered. And the leadership of nations like Liyue had begun viewing Khaenri'ah as a proper nation in its own right.
One move, many gains.
Endis suppressed his excitement and said with composed sincerity:
"The contract is signed. We won't take up any more of your time. We will have personnel organized and sent over this afternoon, My Lady Makoto. Where would you prefer them to deploy?"
Makoto looked at Gorou, who spoke up.
"Yashiori Island. The population there is sparse and the monster density is extremely high. Monster clearance on that island has always been one of our most stubborn problems."
"With the help of Khaenri'ahn people, it may be possible to bring that island under control in short order."
"At the same time, Yashiori is a critical passage between Kannazuka and Narukami Island. Resolving that area would make trade and travel between the two significantly easier."
"And Yashiori's sparse population makes it well-suited for large-scale force deployment without drawing attention."
Makoto gave a nod.
"Yashiori Island, then. Coordinate the specifics with General Gorou when you arrive."
Endis gave Gorou a careful, cordial look.
"We will leave it in General Gorou's hands. I will instruct the Khaenri'ahn people to follow your direction."
With that, Endis and his four companions gave a slight bow and stepped back through the Abyss portal.
Tenshukaku fell quiet for a moment.
Ayato's brow furrowed slightly. He looked at Makoto with a measured expression.
"My Lord Shogun, the contract is signed, but the Abyss Order's nature is what it is. We should not let our guard down."
"Naturally."
Makoto gave a small nod.
"But there should not be any serious trouble. Gorou can keep watch. They will not dare act on their own."
"Stay alert, but there is no need to be overly anxious."
"Every member of the Abyss Order is already immigrating to Ryen's world. Going forward, unless absolutely necessary, they cannot return to Teyvat."
"Simply put, they no longer count as Teyvat beings."
"Without direct conflict of interest or enmity, with Ryen as witness, they will not dare violate the contract. They still have a nation to restore and a life to build in that world."
Ayato looked thoughtful.
"Immigration... and the Abyss Order is the first?"
He was quiet for a moment, taking it in.
He had assumed Liyue would be first, given how long they had been involved and how close their cooperation with Ryen was. The idea of immigration to that world had already occurred to him. It made no sense for Ryen to leave a wilderness of a world sitting idle indefinitely.
That the Abyss Order would be the first nation to immigrate wholesale was surprising at first, and then, the more he considered it, almost logical.
"In that case, we can rest somewhat easier. Though General Gorou should still keep a close eye."
He paused, then continued.
"My Lord Shogun, now that the monster suppression question has been resolved, Inazuma should begin recruiting new soldiers."
"If we avoid the retired veterans and bring in entirely new recruits for unified training, the disruption to Inazuma should be considerably smaller."
"Inazuma's current economy can sustain an army of ten thousand or more."
Makoto gave a nod.
"Keep the first round of recruitment to no more than three thousand. One step at a time. Too large a step and it will unsettle the people."
The Inazuma civil war was barely two months past. Even with the people's lives recovered and improved, the wounds left by war did not heal in a matter of months.
Any mention of military recruitment would send a chill through nine out of ten Inazuma citizens.
That was the lingering damage war left behind. There was no shortcut through it, only time.
Makoto exhaled quietly. If she hadn't already reprimanded Ei several times over, she would have said something again right now.
From there, Makoto and Ayato moved on to Inazuma's internal affairs.
Ryen and the others had no particular interest in listening in. They said their farewells and followed Yae Miko out of Tenshukaku.
They made their way down through Inazuma City.
Inazuma was not as developed as Liyue or Mondstadt yet, and setting the MC World's remarkable products aside, even its people's sense of stability hadn't yet reached the level of newly-joined Sumeru. But there was a quality about it: a city in the early stages of rebuilding, its future still ahead of it.
That had its own particular feeling.
At least the people walking the streets were smiling, and the smiles reached their eyes.
Commerce had returned. The city felt calm and settled.
But compared to the other nations, there was something still slightly unanchored about it, something even Hu Tao noticed at a glance.
These people still didn't quite feel safe.
The war had left its mark too deeply.
Still, the scenery through Inazuma City was beautiful.
Cherry blossoms lined the streets, and when the wind passed through, petals scattered across the sky like something from an illustration.
In her own territory, Yae Miko was noticeably more animated than usual.
She tucked her arm through Ryen's with a light smile.
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?"
Ryen smiled and gave a small nod.
"It does. After so long with Liyue's scenery, seeing this is genuinely refreshing. Give it a little more time and I imagine it will be even better."
Yae Miko understood what he meant and sighed with mild exasperation.
"It is what it is. Ei really did leave quite the mess. It's fortunate Makoto came back, and fortunate your world exists."
She paused, then turned to Ryen with a knowing little smile.
"Come. Let me show you something at my establishment."
"Yae Publishing House?"
"Hmm. There is a new light novel making quite a stir lately."
That caught Ryen's interest. He looked at her curiously.
Yae Miko didn't draw it out further. She smiled.
"A World Master who crosses into another world and somehow becomes everyone's most wanted."
Ryen considered this.
"What a terribly cliche title. Who exactly are you implying this is about?"