Inazuma, Tenshukaku.
A tall woman wearing a Karasu Tengu mask on her head and a white kariginu knelt on one knee on the ground, speaking with a serious expression.
"Almighty Shogun, other nations seem to have been somewhat restless recently. Should we make preparations early?"
Before her was a woman with long purple hair, who simply by sitting there exuded supreme power. She was the Incarnation of Lightning, the supreme ruler of the Inazuma Shogunate, the Annihilator who commanded the thunder of authority and pursued the solitary path of Eternity: the Raiden Shogun.
And the woman before her was the adopted daughter of the Kujou Clan, the General of the Tenryou Commission: Kujou Sara.
Hearing Kujou Sara's reminder, the Raiden Shogun slowly opened those eyes that looked down upon all matters in the world and spoke.
"When exactly did this happen?"
"It is like this, a mysterious faction of immense strength seems to have appeared in Fontaine. Almost every Numbered Member possesses God-level power. The governments of Fontaine and Sumeru were nearly completely overthrown by them."
"Fontaine and Sumeru..."
The Raiden Shogun muttered softly for a moment, then spoke.
"I recall the Gods of Fontaine and Sumeru have only been in office for five hundred years. It is reasonable that they would be powerless against such a faction."
"We can make some preparations in advance. Let the Tri-Commission pay closer attention to any suspicious individuals recently. However, there is no need to be overly anxious. If they harbor any ill intentions toward Inazuma, I will intervene personally."
Upon hearing the Raiden Shogun's words, Kujou Sara felt a bit relieved. As long as the Raiden Shogun intervened, there would certainly be no problem.
"Yes, Almighty Shogun. I will also order my subordinates to constantly monitor the situation in other nations."
Because Inazuma was located on an island far out at sea, distant from other nations, the speed of information transmission was frighteningly slow. Otherwise, if Kujou Sara had known about Liyue's current situation, she definitely wouldn't have felt so relieved.
"Hmm, you know what to do. You can judge the specific details yourself. Only come to notify me if it becomes necessary for me to intervene."
"Yes!"
Kujou Sara quickly withdrew and left Tenshukaku.
Arriving on the streets of Inazuma City, seeing the bustling thoroughfares and the smiling faces of the passing Inazuma citizens, Kujou Sara's stern expression softened slightly.
Ever since the Raiden Shogun rescinded the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree, and purged some of the nation's parasites, the lives of the Inazuma people had been improving day by day, no longer as oppressive as before. Kujou Sara was also happy about this.
However, only some of the parasites had been eliminated. There were still some who were hidden deeper and extremely cunning, making it difficult to find concrete evidence against them. Kujou Sara could do nothing about them, only keeping a constant watch to prevent them from pulling any petty tricks.
Recently, those people had been somewhat well-behaved. Kujou Sara could only hope they would learn to be sensible from now on and stop causing trouble.
But overall, Inazuma was getting better by the day. She would not easily spare anyone who tried to destroy this hard-won peace.
"Kujou Tengu, I didn't expect to see you here?!"
Suddenly, a boisterous voice, so familiar it couldn't be anyone else's, came from not far behind. Kujou Sara's brows immediately furrowed, and she instantly accelerated her pace, practically taking off like the wind.
At this moment, she somewhat regretted not drawing a fortune slip at the Grand Narukami Shrine before leaving.
"Wait a minute, Kujou Tengu, don't run away! Come and have a man-to-man duel with me! I'm still not convinced after losing to you last time!"
"Boss is awesome!"
"We wish the boss a definite victory this time to wash away the shame!"
-
Hearing the commotion behind her, Kujou Sara felt her mood sour even further, and she picked up her pace. But the people following her were like a sticky patch of plaster, impossible to shake off.
Unable to endure the annoyance any longer, Kujou Sara directly tapped into her Electro Elemental Power, disappearing in a few flashes of movement and leaving the group behind her to strike empty air.
"You've got some nerve, don't run away!"
"Sigh, could it be that Kujou Chicken is scared of this Lord? Why does she not even dare to accept the challenge?"
A tall man with a muscular physique and eyes full of clear-headed foolishness complained incessantly to the people around him.
His appearance was somewhat strange, with a pair of red horns growing from his forehead, completely different from ordinary people. However, the people passing by him seemed to have already become used to it.
He was Arataki Itto, a well-known street loafer in the neighborhood.
"It must be! She's scared!"
"Boss is awesome, you've already made Kujou Sara flee in panic without even taking action, you're simply my most admired idol!"
"Hahahaha, keep it low-key, keep it low-key!"
Arataki Itto burst into laughter, clearly relishing his underlings' flattery.
"Since Kujou Chicken is scared of this Lord, we can add ' defeated foe Kujou Sara' to the Arataki Gang's recruitment ads! I bet the Arataki Gang will soon grow even stronger!"
"Wise as ever, Boss!"
Arataki Itto's joy was short-lived. Kujou Sara returned, black crow feathers appearing to manifest on her body as purple lightning swirled around her.
"Thousand Paths of Lightning!"
"Boss, save us!"
"Don't worry, this Lord will deal with her... Ah!"
The Arataki Gang was almost wiped out!
Minutes later, Arataki Itto and his underlings were all taken away by the Tenryou Commission. The chefs at Inazuma Tower's prison would once again face a trial!
As he was being escorted away, Arataki Itto kept shouting.
"Kujou Chicken, you just wait! This Lord didn't have breakfast today, so I had no strength. Next time, I will definitely find you and wash away this disgrace!"
"Dammit, how dare he be so disrespectful to Lady Kujou Sara!"
"Can we add a few more days to his sentence?"
Facing the expectant, hopeful glances from the Arataki Gang members, the Tenryou Commission soldier's lips twitched.
"No!"
Watching their figures gradually recede, Kujou Sara sighed deeply.
Ever since the meals at Inazuma Tower had improved, the Arataki Gang had been coming to provoke her almost every day. Kujou Sara found herself at a complete loss with these people.
She couldn't imprison them for long, yet they were truly an annoyance.
To borrow Arataki Itto's words: if they won, they'd wash away their disgrace; if they lost, they'd enjoy free meals. Either way, they had nothing to lose!
Kujou Sara shook her head. It seemed that the improvement in the quality of life for Inazuma's people wasn't entirely a good thing.
After which, Kujou Sara arranged for orders to be set out regarding heightened vigilance and intelligence gathering, then boarded a boat and left Narukami Island, heading for Yashiori Island.
Because the Electro Archon's Musou no Hitotachi had slain the god Orobashi here in the past, the remnants of the god and the lingering power of the Musou no Hitotachi made Yashiori Island almost uninhabitable today. Even the sea water had been contaminated.
In the past, there were some people who came to collect crystallized bone marrow for a living, but they would rarely live for long.
After the Shogunate and Watatsumi Island reached a truce later on, the two sides agreed to jointly govern Yashiori Island, and it had been some time since then. Kujou Sara planned to personally go and see how the governance was going.
As the quality of life for Inazuma's people continued to improve, it could be predicted that there would be many more newborns in Inazuma in the next period of time. After some more time, Inazuma's existing land would not be enough, and at that time, it would be necessary to migrate to other islands.
Soon, Kujou Sara arrived on Yashiori Island, and then came to the Shogunate Army's base, yet the scene before her eyes made her expression instantly become grave and angry.
At this moment, the Shogunate Army's base looked as if it had been baptized by war, with burning tents, flagpoles, and even bodies on the ground everywhere, and a foul smell filled the air.
The commanders following Kujou Sara were all stunned to see this scene, then extremely angry expressions appeared on their faces.
"Quickly, treat the wounded!"
After some time, a soldier with minor injuries came to Kujou Sara's front to report the situation.
"Today, we gathered at the outpost outside Yashiori Island as usual, then came to this outpost together for a short rest."
"Just as we finished warming up and were preparing to go out and clear the god's remnants, a squad of Watatsumi Island soldiers attacked our camp, killing many people..."
Hearing the other party describe what had happened while sobbing, everyone's eyes turned red!
"Those bastards from Watatsumi Island, we have already made so many concessions, yet they dare to take the initiative to cause trouble?!"
"If you ask me, the Almighty Shogun should not have been so merciful to them. We should have wiped them out directly back then!"
"It's not too late now, Lord Kujou Sara, please report this matter to the Almighty Shogun immediately. We must avenge our fallen comrades!"
Seeing everyone else so emotionally charged, Kujou Sara instead calmed down. After pondering for a moment, she spoke.
"Wait first, this matter might not be so simple."
"We must first investigate the origin of that squad, and then I will report to the Almighty Shogun."
"What else is there to investigate?! Is the truth not obvious?!"
"Lord Kujou Sara, could it be true that you have a secret contact with Watatsumi Island? Have you betrayed us?!"
Upon hearing this from the commander, Kujou Sara's expression instantly turned cold.
"Watch your tongue!"
Seeing Kujou Sara's obvious displeasure, the other commanders present immediately held down the person who had spoken out of anger.
"Lord Kujou Sara, he is only overly emotional because of those fallen soldiers!"
Hearing this explanation, Kujou Sara found it difficult to pursue the matter further for the time being.
"If you suspect my loyalty, you can report it directly to the Almighty Shogun."
"Otherwise, please remember your current status at all times. Don't forget that I am the General!"
"If such a situation arises again, I will definitely not be lenient!"
"Now, all of you go. Thoroughly investigate the specific intelligence on the squad that attacked the garrison and report back to me before tomorrow."
"Yes, Lord Kujou Sara!"
After receiving their orders, the commanders present led their men out to conduct investigations.
Right at that moment, the Watatsumi Island garrison on Yashiori Island was attacked by a squad of the Shogunate Army. Because the attack was so sudden, the Watatsumi forces were completely caught off guard. Combined with the Shogunate Army squad's overwhelming power, the Watatsumi Army suffered heavy casualties.
-
"Lady Sandrone, could you please voluntarily explain your reasons for infiltrating the Fontaine Research Institute?"
Led by the Melusine Secretary, Rene, Jacob, and Sandrone arrived together at the office where Neuvillette worked.
Before this, Neuvillette had simply reviewed the information on Sandrone. It was a bit strange that the Snezhnaya side would be willing to send such a talent out to act as a spy. Didn't they really fear she wouldn't return?
"No comment!"
Sandrone spoke very stubbornly.
"I will not say anything until my defense attorney arrives!"
Heh, it seems the other party had even conducted in-depth research on Fontaine.
If it were before, Neuvillette really wouldn't have been able to do much to Sandrone, but now?
Neuvillette simply raised his hand, and immediately the door and windows were tightly shut, and a layer of light blue ripples covered the entire room.
Seeing this scene, Sandrone suddenly felt a bit flustered, but she still forced herself to regain her composure. However, Neuvillette then spoke to her in a gentle tone.
"Lady Sandrone, now that I have completely sealed off this room, no sound from within will be heard by anyone outside."
With that, Neuvillette turned his gaze to Rene and asked.
"Monsieur Rene, you brought the device, I presume?"
"Of course, Monsieur Neuvillette!"
"I took some time to modify the device I used on Dottore into a portable version. I am confident that this, the culmination of the entire Fontaine Research Institute's hard work, can make anyone talk!"
"Wait, this is extrajudicial punishment!"
"Neuvillette, as the Chief Justice of Fontaine, don't you think doing this will disappoint those who place their hopes in you?!"
Hearing the conversation between Neuvillette and Rene, Sandrone grew even more panicked.
"It is fine, as long as no one knows what happens here."
"And Lady Sandrone, why do you think Dottore appeared at the Fontaine Research Institute?"
As soon as Neuvillette finished speaking, Sandrone froze.
Good grief, I never expected you to be this kind of person, Neuvillette!
Suddenly, Sandrone saw Rene pull out a device that looked like a helmet. Recalling the wonderful scenes of her torturing Dottore, the thought of becoming the one being tortured made her instantly surrender.
"Wait, I'll confess, I'll confess everything!"
This is too humiliating!
At this moment, Alain, who was inside Sandrone's body, witnessed this scene and felt some disdain for Sandrone's behavior. He regretted making her emotional system a bit too rich, allowing her to cower before Rene. Where was he supposed to put his face now?!
Just as Sandrone was about to finish explaining the matters she needed to confess, Neuvillette nodded and spoke again.
"By the way, doesn't Monsieur Alain want to say something?"
Say? Of course he wanted to say something!
He would personally demonstrate exactly what should be done in this situation!
Soon, Alain completed his control over Sandrone's body, crossed his arms over his chest, and said with a smug expression.
"My status in Snezhnaya is very high. If you treat me well, I can cooperate with you to ask for a little more when discussing the ransom!"
Neuvillette: "..."
Rene and Jacob: "..."