"Elder Kurage, I was wrong, Elder Kurage..."
Following Elder Kurage's order, two resistance soldiers stationed at the sides of the hall stepped forward, flanking the young officer and dragging him out of the Sangonomiya Hall.
None of the officers present spoke up in his defense. They simply watched as the young officer was taken away, making no move to intervene.
"From now on, anyone who dares to propose such treasonous ideas will face the same fate!" Elder Kurage said coldly, tapping his cane on the ground once more.
"Yes!" xN
The officers and high-ranking officials responded in unison, though their true thoughts remained unknown. Those among them who had little faith in Orobashi were already scheming, their eyes flickering with hidden intentions.
Sigh... Elder Kurage couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seemed his words could no longer suppress the thoughts of these so-called high-ranking officials. Indeed, he was old, and his influence within the resistance had waned. Moreover, Watatsumi Island was now in a precarious situation.
Rather than placing their faith in the long-departed Orobashi, they were more inclined to seek out a deity who could truly protect Watatsumi Island.
Lady Sangonomiya, this is as far as I can help you. Elder Kurage sighed deeply in his heart. If Watatsumi Island were to lose its faith in Orobashi, the one who would suffer the most would be the island's current leader, the Divine Priestess Sangonomiya Kokomi.
Even with the support of Elder Kurage and a few loyal followers, it would be difficult for her to regain the authority she once held.
"Ahem, everyone, please listen to me." Sensing the tension, Kokomi could no longer remain silent. She cleared her throat and spoke softly.
"The equivalent exchange proposed by the Immortal Phoenix is not the conventional kind of equivalence."
Hearing this, all eyes turned to the young woman seated at the head of the table.
"The equivalence the Immortal Phoenix speaks of is not the usual 'equal exchange of goods.' Rather, it refers to what he deems equivalent in his heart. In other words, if he is willing, even a single coral pearl from us could be considered equivalent. And in my heart..." Kokomi paused here. "I have already made my decision!"
"Lady Sangonomiya, what do you mean by this?" Gorou's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. He quickly spoke up to inquire. He remembered that the Immortal Phoenix had once jokingly suggested something as absurd as 'spending the night' with Kokomi. Although the adeptus had brushed it off with a laugh, it was clear that he had entertained the idea.
Was Lady Sangonomiya planning to...
"Gorou, no need to say more! I have already made up my mind!" Kokomi interrupted Gorou firmly, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
"All of you, I will handle the equivalent exchange. Now, I hope you can vote on whether you are willing to accept the Immortal Phoenix's assistance."
"This..."
The hall erupted into murmurs once more, the previously quiet atmosphere now filled with noise. The officers and officials huddled together in small groups, discussing and debating. This time, even Elder Kurage did not intervene. He simply stood there, eyes closed, like an ancient, weathered statue.
"Lady Sangonomiya is wise. I agree with your proposal!" After some time, the middle-aged officer who had first spoken up stepped forward, voicing his support for Kokomi's proposal.
"I agree!"
"I also agree with Lady Sangonomiya's proposal!"
"Seconded!"
"..."
In the end, the proposal to seek the Immortal Phoenix's assistance passed with an overwhelming majority. Aside from a few abstentions, nearly everyone agreed.
"Very well, I will handle the rest." Kokomi nodded in satisfaction. "Meeting adjourned!"
——————
Under the cover of night, a shadowy figure slipped out of Watatsumi Island's territory and headed toward Yashiori Island. As the figure climbed over a small hill, they couldn't help but clutch their side.
"Ugh, those Watatsumi Island peasants really hit hard." As the clouds parted, moonlight illuminated the figure's face. It was the young officer who had proposed converting to worship the Immortal Phoenix. However, he was now dressed in Fatui attire, with a black coat draped over his shoulders.
"Who is this Immortal Phoenix? Why did he suddenly appear on Watatsumi Island? I need to report this to Lord Scaramouche immediately!"
Remembering the oppressive gaze and ruthless demeanor of Kunikuzushi, the young officer shuddered and quickened his pace.
Watatsumi Island and Yashiori Island were not far apart, and with the help of favorable ocean currents and winds, the journey that would normally take one to two days was completed in just a few hours.
As dawn broke, the young officer finally arrived at the Delusion Factory near the Serpent's Bones on Yashiori Island, which was currently Scaramouche's base of operations.
"Halt! Who goes there?" A Fatui vanguard stationed at the factory entrance stopped the young officer, glaring at him menacingly.
"I am a Pyro Agent embedded in Watatsumi Island. I need to see Lord Scaramouche. This is my token!" The young officer took out a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to the vanguard.
"Hmm, Lord Scaramouche is overseeing the delusion production line. You can find him there." After verifying the token, the vanguard returned it to the young officer and stepped aside to let him pass.
"Thank you!" The young officer hurried inside, rushing toward the delusion production workshop. Watching him go, the vanguard shook his head. "Still too young. If he accidentally angers the Harbinger, Lord Scaramouche will skin him alive."
...
"Have you found anything on the investigation I ordered?"
Inside the delusion production workshop, Scaramouche was in a foul mood as he glared at the Mirror Maiden before him. It had been a full day and a half since he sent his subordinates to investigate the identity of the impersonator.
During this time, he had been unable to eat or sleep properly. Every time he thought of someone using his face to cause trouble in Inazuma, he felt the urge to destroy everything in sight.
"Reporting to you, my lord, we have made some progress." Seeing the fury radiating from Scaramouche, the Mirror Maiden trembled and spoke with fear. This Harbinger was known for his temper, and if her answer displeased him, she might not leave the factory alive.
"Speak! I want to know who dares to impersonate me!"