"That's good to hear." Keqing and Ningguang exchanged glances, nodding with a faint smile.
Meanwhile, inside a nearby house, Ganyu, who was immersed in her reading, was completely unaware that she had just been "sold out" by Ningguang and Keqing.
After spending a long time chatting with the two women and promising to spend quality time with them before they returned to Liyue, Akio hung up the phone.
Shortly after the call ended, Sangonomiya Kokomi and Hiiragi Chisato walked into the chamber, laughing and chatting.
"Everything settled?" Akio asked with a smile.
"Mhm." Hiiragi Chisato nodded. "Kokomi is quite capable—she handled everything in an orderly manner."
"Sister Chisato, you're flattering me," Sangonomiya Kokomi said shyly.
"Enough of the modesty, you two," Akio chuckled, pulling them both into his embrace.
Akio looked at Sangonomiya Kokomi and said, "Kokomi, I just had a video call with Ningguang and informed her about the diplomatic relations with Watatsumi Island."
"We're returning to Inazuma tomorrow. You'll come back with us, won't you?" Akio said with a smile.
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Lord Akio!" Sangonomiya Kokomi exclaimed, tears of joy welling up in her eyes.
"Still calling me 'Lord'? Just call me what Chisato does," Akio teased with a smirk.
"Yes," Sangonomiya Kokomi nodded shyly, her cheeks turning red as she stammered, "Hus… Husband."
"However, my dear Kokomi, you'll still need to prepare a proposal highlighting Watatsumi Island's strengths," Akio said seriously. "You need to show Ningguang the potential of Watatsumi Island. Only then will she agree to establish relations. Otherwise, she won't go for it."
"That's my stance as well. I don't want them to compromise just because of me, understand?" Akio added softly.
"I understand, Husband," Sangonomiya Kokomi quickly nodded. "Even if Ningguang is willing, we won't take charity. We'll earn her support through our own efforts."
"If we gain something without competing, it's merely their pity. Husband, I'm not a decorative vase. I won't accept their pity," Sangonomiya Kokomi said firmly, hugging Akio tightly.
"I know you," Akio said gently, stroking her soft hair.
Undoubtedly, Sangonomiya Kokomi was an exceptional woman—resourceful and wise were her hallmarks. She refused to be a mere ornament, someone who relied on others' charity.
"By the way, Kokomi, there's something else," Akio said, bringing up the incident of the destroyed village on Yashiori Island.
"What happened?" Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at Akio.
Akio explained the situation regarding the destruction of the village on Yashiori Island.
"What?!" Sangonomiya Kokomi was shocked. Gorou was currently in charge of the Tenryou Commission, but he hadn't reported anything about this.
"Did no one come to Watatsumi Island for help?" Akio frowned, puzzled.
Logically, since Yashiori Island was closer to Watatsumi Island, shouldn't they have come here to report the incident if it had recently occurred?
"I'll summon Gorou," Sangonomiya Kokomi said. "He hasn't reported anything to me."
"Alright," Akio nodded.
While Sangonomiya Kokomi went to find Gorou, Akio and Hiiragi Chisato headed to the meeting room.
Shortly after, Sangonomiya Kokomi returned with Gorou in tow.
"Your Excellency!" Gorou quickly saluted upon seeing Akio.
"No need for formalities. Have any villagers from Yashiori Island come to Watatsumi Island seeking help recently?" Akio asked.
"No," Gorou thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Yashiori Island is not under the jurisdiction of Watatsumi Island's Tenryou Commission. We don't have the authority to intervene in their security matters," Gorou explained. "Moreover, there hasn't been much interaction between Yashiori Island and Watatsumi Island lately, and no villagers have come."
"That's strange," Akio murmured, extending his immense spiritual sense to cover the entire Yashiori Island. Many villages had clearly been attacked by bandits, yet no one had come to Watatsumi Island for help?
"I recall that most of the former Resistance members have now been integrated into the Tenryou Commission, correct?" Akio asked.
"Yes, Your Excellency," Gorou nodded. "Excluding those who chose not to join, we currently have about 80,000 soldiers."
"Eighty thousand soldiers," Akio pondered for a moment. "Deploying eighty thousand soldiers across Watatsumi Island would leave us with a surplus of manpower."
"From now on, Yashiori Island's security will be under Watatsumi Island's jurisdiction," Akio declared. "Once I return, I'll have the Tenryou Commission draft an official document. Starting today, Yashiori Island's safety will be your responsibility."
"Lately, the Kairagi and Nobushi have been running rampant. Increase patrols, especially in the villages," Akio instructed. "The recent casualties on Yashiori Island have been severe. Compile detailed reports and plans for patrols, and submit them promptly to the Tenryou Commission."
"I don't want to see any more villagers fall victim to the Kairagi and Nobushi, nor do I want to see them pillaging and burning."
"Yes, sir!" Gorou responded promptly. The Nobushi and Kairagi had always been their targets, but these scoundrels were exceptionally good at evading capture.
"Additionally, if you encounter Nobushi or Kairagi committing acts of violence, you have the authority to execute them on the spot," Akio added.
"Understood!" Gorou nodded.
"Dismissed for now," Akio said. "The specifics will be sent to you by the Tenryou Commission."
"Yes, sir. I'll take my leave," Gorou bowed and exited the room.
...
Late at night, Sangonomiya Kokomi remained seated at the desk in the chamber, scribbling notes and sketching diagrams.
Hiiragi Chisato and Akio sat nearby, watching as she rapidly jotted down ideas.
Hiiragi Chisato, after reading the content, nodded approvingly. "Kokomi, this is impressive. I can see significant potential here. I'm sure Ningguang will see it too."
"Oh? Is that so?" Akio glanced at what Sangonomiya Kokomi had written. While he didn't fully grasp it, the ideas were clear and well-structured.
"If we want Ningguang to see Watatsumi Island's potential, we'll have to think outside the box and alter the island's developmental direction," Sangonomiya Kokomi sighed. "If this succeeds, it'll be a major shift for us."
"Watatsumi Island has always focused on agriculture. This change is something I can't fully predict," Sangonomiya Kokomi admitted. "But we have to try."
"Do your best," Akio nodded, offering encouragement.
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