When all was finally settled, Lu Chen and Ei once again walked the streets of Inazuma.
Compared to the tense, fear-filled atmosphere of the day before, the city was noticeably livelier today.
From Hanamizaka up through Machi Street, shops and stalls reopened one after another along the slope. Everywhere, people were chatting animatedly about the events of yesterday.
Leaving the disguised Ei behind for a moment, Lu Chen made his way—familiar as ever—to Kiminami Restaurant, where he bought two servings of her favorite three-colored dango.
Naturally, the murmurs of the crowd reached his ears.
"Did you hear?"
"Heard, heard!"
"The general captured all of Kujou Takayuki's rebels! And that bunch called the Fatui—dead or wounded, every last one!"
"As expected of the General… I thought the city would fall into complete chaos, was even ready to take my wife and kids to the countryside. But in less than half a day, they'd already fought all the way to the Tenshukaku…"
"Yeah, the way the enemy came at us from outside the city was terrifying. Never thought it'd end so quickly!"
"I heard those domineering officials from the Tenryou Commission, and quite a few from the Kanjou Commission too, have all been dismissed and are being held at the Kamisato estate for trial!"
"Huh? Why at the Kamisato estate?"
"Are you blind? Have you seen what the Tenshukaku looks like now? Won't be fixed in three to five years, at least!"
Hearing this, Lu Chen glanced toward the highest point of Inazuma Castle. After yesterday's battle, the landmark Tenshukaku had been completely reduced to rubble—nothing left but a ruinous wasteland.
He shook his head with a wry smile. Only after Kujou Sara had secured control of the defenses did they send soldiers and rally the townsfolk to finally put out the last of the fires.
Though the General's palace was uninhabitable, he was relieved that aside from the building, there had been few casualties.
A grand structure may be magnificent, but it's lifeless—people, on the other hand, are alive. And he knew which mattered more.
Returning with the fresh dango, Lu Chen handed one to Ei.
"Here."
"Mm…"
The General, incognito among her people, quietly watched the changes within the city as she ate.
Seeing that fear had faded from their faces, she finally relaxed.
"Chen, you kept things under control this time. The losses were minimal. You did well."
"Thank you for the praise, General! Just doing my job~" Lu Chen replied with his usual irreverent grin.
Ei shot him an exasperated glance. "Come on. We're going to the Kamisato estate. There's still plenty to do on our last day."
Lu Chen nodded. Once Inazuma's affairs were settled and the government back on track, their journey here would truly be complete.
And besides, Miko, Nahida, Lumine, and Paimon were waiting there—along with a farewell.
...
Kamisato Estate.
When they arrived at the elegant estate, Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka came to greet them personally.
"General, Prince," Ayato greeted respectfully. "The prisoners from the Kujou and Hiiragi families are in custody. I'll bring them over immediately to await your judgment."
Lu Chen nodded, and Ayato left in haste.
Moments later, Yae Miko and Nahida emerged from a nearby room, having clearly been chatting for some time.
"You're finally here," Miko said, smiling.
"So, when are we heading back? I'm starting to miss my big study…" She yawned, looking bored. "I stopped by Yae Publishing just now—no good novels at all lately! Hmph, I wonder what my editors are even doing!"
Lu Chen chuckled. In Teyvat, light novels were only popular here in Inazuma, and that was thanks to Miko's heavy promotion. In the other world, though, the entertainment market was vast—and Miko had enough novels to read for a lifetime.
That thought made him remember the manuscripts he and Miko had left with Hu Tao. By now, Yae Publishing's novel site should be running strong. His grand entertainment plan was about to take off.
It had only been a week since his return to Inazuma, yet it felt far longer—one task after another, from exorcising the corrupted god, to war, and finally to a battle that shook the heavens. Not a single moment to rest.
He found himself longing for the quiet days at the seaside villa. How was everyone now? Had the old man's glaze lilies all frozen? Has Xiao recovered? Had Qiqi frozen the cold storage again…?
Hearing the banter, Ayaka asked in mild surprise, "Lord Yae is leaving as well?"
"Yes." Miko regarded her like an elder instructing the younger. "I'll be leaving many matters to you and your brother. I trust in your ability to manage them."
"Ayaka will do her utmost to assist her brother with the affairs of the Evaluation Council," Ayaka replied with poise, unfazed by the presence of such influential figures.
"Good," Miko said seriously. "Tell Ayato that if he ever disagrees with the puppet General, he mustn't be afraid to speak his mind."
"Yes," Ayaka nodded obediently. "I understand."
Lu Chen and Ei exchanged a knowing smile. Five hundred years, and the little fox of the past had truly grown into a leader in her own right.
Choosing the Kamisato estate as the site to pass judgment on the two commission heads was deliberate. After today, all would see how much he and Ei valued the Kamisato family—giving Ayato and Ayaka the standing to confront the old foxes of the other clans without fear.
Ayato clearly understood this, which was why he treated this "Prince" who had appeared out of nowhere with such deference.
Before long, Ayato returned and led them to the Kamisato family's main hall.
There, Lu Chen saw two white-haired old men bound in ropes—Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke—with several other accomplices behind them.
"General…" Kujou Takayuki lifted his head with effort. Seeing Ei's impassive face, he quickly lowered it again, shame in his eyes.
It was as though he'd aged decades overnight. Only yesterday atop the city wall, he'd still spoken with vigor. But now, stripped of hope, he was a hollow shell.
"Kujou Takayuki colluded with Fatui, abused his power in Inazuma, neglected his duties, engaged in corruption, misrule, and oppression, and led a rebellion—making him a public enemy of all Inazuma…"
Ayato's expression was cold as he recited the crimes one by one.
"Kujou Takayuki, do you acknowledge your guilt?"
With each word, Takayuki's head sank lower, his lips trembling.
"I…"
A sigh.
He said nothing more—neither confession nor plea.
"You must be thinking," Ei said coolly from her seat at the head, "that the victor is king—and had you succeeded, you wouldn't be here now, correct?"
Takayuki only gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "I dare not. I was… blinded by power. At the start, I only meant to use their influence to weaken the enemies of the Kujou family…"
"Until you drew closer and closer to power," Lu Chen cut in. "Once you learned of the puppet General, you even coveted control over all Inazuma, didn't you?"
"Yes… It was Fatui! They tempted me!" Takayuki suddenly raised his head—not to Lu Chen, but toward Ei, pleading. "General… I have served Inazuma before. For the sake of my age…"
"Still unrepentant," Lu Chen said coldly, stepping forward to block his view of Ei.
He gave a sharp, humorless smile. "Since you're so old—let's have you executed immediately."
Shock flashed in Takayuki's eyes. He tried to look past Lu Chen to Ei, but Lu Chen did not move aside.
His gaze dimmed to dead gray.
Lu Chen sneered inwardly. In the original events, Ei had spared him—confined him for life because of his age.
But Lu Chen was not Ei.
He turned to Ayato and ordered decisively, "The ringleader is to be executed. Accomplices, life imprisonment. Confiscate all property. No bail, ever."
"Yes," Ayato answered at once, clearly approving of the judgment.
When the business in the Kamisato main hall was finished, Ei rubbed her forehead, looking tired.
"Everyone, you may withdraw," Lu Chen said with a wave.
He was weary too—and before leaving, he still needed to return to The Chasm to steal a Celestia crystal. Not a moment's rest.
"General, Prince, there's one more matter…" Ayato hesitated.
"What is it?" Lu Chen asked. It was the first time he'd seen Ayato look troubled.
"That Fatui Harbinger…"
"Oh." Lu Chen's gaze flicked to Ei. He'd almost forgotten about that one.
Now this could be interesting.