Within Tenshukaku, a solemn audience was in progress. The Raiden Shogun sat firmly in the central main seat. Seated below her on either side were Kujou Takayuki, Hiiragi Shinsuke, Kamisato Ayato, and Kujou Sara.
Kujou Sara spoke first: "Your Excellency, the Vision Hunt Decree now disregards the law and abuses its power to persecute innocent citizens. This situation urgently needs rectification."
The Raiden Shogun looked at Kujou Takayuki expressionlessly, her voice carrying a hint of sternness: "Is this true?"
Kujou Takayuki maintained his composure. "Reporting to Your Excellency, this is absolutely untrue. It's merely that some members of the Vision Hunt Decree occasionally act a little excessively in their efforts to quickly and completely implement Eternal Justice."
After hearing both sides' statements, the Raiden Shogun calmly delivered her judgment: "If that is the case, a proper warning should suffice."
Kujou Sara argued urgently, "Your Excellency, their actions are far more than just excessive means. In fact, their behavior is almost driving innocent people to desperation." Before she could finish speaking, Kujou Takayuki angrily retorted, "Sara, your words are far too exaggerated. Those members of the Vision Hunt Decree work tirelessly for Eternal Justice, even willing to sacrifice everything they have, yet they are subjected to your groundless accusations! For the sake of Your Excellency's Eternal Ideal, they are willing to bear any hardship. I simply don't understand why, when pursuing Eternal Justice, the more they do, the greater the grievances and misunderstandings they suffer!" His voice was passionate and infectious, causing even the usually indifferent Raiden Shogun to be moved.
She said in a deep voice, "The Vision Hunt Decree has indeed endured too much misunderstanding and criticism." Kujou Sara was not skilled with words to begin with, and facing Kujou Takayuki's passionate statement, she was clearly unable to retort.
At this moment, Hiiragi Shinsuke interjected: "All our efforts are aimed at achieving the Shogun's Eternal Justice. For the people of Inazuma to live a beautiful and eternal life in the future, a temporary sacrifice is worthwhile."
At this critical juncture, Kujou Sara cast a hopeful look towards Kamisato Ayato. "Kamisato Head, as the Yashiro Commissioner, you have the closest contact with the common people. Please speak about the true situation."
Kujou Takayuki's face suddenly turned very ugly. His adoptive daughter seeking help from Kamisato Ayato to oppose him was undoubtedly a betrayal.
Kamisato Ayato, with a trace of an inexplicable smile, said calmly, "General Kujou Sara, while the Vision Hunt Decree does indeed have shortcomings in some areas, their starting point is always for the sake of Your Excellency's Eternal Justice. Therefore, they should not be subjected to such groundless accusations from you."
Kujou Sara's eyes widened; she couldn't believe her ears. She had never expected that Kamisato Ayato, who had always sympathized with the common people, would say such a thing.
"Kujou Sara," the Raiden Shogun's voice broke the silence. "As a samurai, you should uphold loyalty and righteousness and not casually criticize others." With the Raiden Shogun's words, this audience officially concluded.
After the meeting, in front of the Tenshukaku gate, Kujou Sara resolutely blocked Kamisato Ayato, who was about to leave. "Kamisato Head, why did you say that during the meeting? You clearly know the true situation," she asked with confusion and accusation.
Kamisato Ayato smiled slightly and replied, "General Kujou Sara, why would you be so naive as to think I would stand on your side? If I were to speak for you, I would inevitably face the combined suppression of Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke. Do you think I would do something so foolish?"
Kujou Sara was speechless. Her actions during the meeting just now were indeed too rash.
Kamisato Ayato said no more. He turned and walked calmly towards the Kamisato Estate, leaving Kujou Sara deep in thought on the spot.
Passing by Hanamizaka, he saw a unit of the Vision Hunt Decree brazenly robbing a general store. The shop owner, an elderly man, was kneeling on the ground, his hands clasped together, desperately begging them to spare his little shop. Pedestrians came and went on the street, but most people merely glanced briefly at the situation inside the shop before continuing on their way. They seemed to have grown accustomed to such scenes; some didn't even look.
After clearly seeing the faces of the Vision Hunt Decree members, Kamisato Ayato quickly left. When the time for Inazuma's change came, all wickedness would be settled. And his method of settling would be a simple and brutal imitation of one person's approach. That person had slaughtered 512 people overnight, setting a record in Teyvat. Kamisato Ayato did not mind breaking that record and showing the world the sharpness of the Kamisato family's swords.
...
At the West Factory office building in Fudé Port.
"Boom!" Another deafening explosion.
After the aftershocks of the explosion, the system's voice sounded in Lin Yide's ear: "Congratulations, Host, for completing the Experience Event - Defeating Dottore's Segment, rewarding 2400 Experience Points."
This was the fifth time Lin Yide had successfully defeated a Dottore segment. With the increase in the number of defeats, the Experience Points rewarded by the system were gradually decreasing. At first, he could still get 6400 Experience Points, but now, the reward for a defeat had dropped to 2400. Lin Yide estimated that if he continued defeating them this way, perhaps after another ten or so times, the reward for defeating a Dottore segment would likely drop to 100 Experience Points.
As the smoke and dust from the explosion slowly dissipated, Thunderclap and Kaedehara Kazuha hurried forward. "Director, are you alright?" Kaedehara Kazuha asked with concern.
Lin Yide waved his hand lightly. "I'm fine." He looked around at his office, which was now in ruins, and sighed, "Next time, let's make the renovations simpler. Every time Dottore comes, this place turns into ruins."
"Understood," Kaedehara Kazuha nodded.
Lin Yide then asked, "How many people has the Resistance recruited so far?"
Kaedehara Kazuha frowned tightly. "Less than a hundred."
"Why so few?" Lin Yide asked in surprise.
Kaedehara Kazuha sighed. "Although many people bear hatred towards the Shogunate, they long even more for a peaceful life. Since they can live a stable life in Fudé Port, why would they return to Inazuma City and fight against the Shogunate?"
Lin Yide heard this and was speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond. Finally, he could only say, "Increase the pay."