Just then, Gorou's voice called out.
"Mister Shao Yun, could I speak with you for a moment?"
Shao Yun snapped out of his thoughts and looked around, realizing that Kujou Kamaji had left at some point.
He was slightly surprised, but didn't dwell on it. He walked over to Gorou and asked, "What's the matter?"
Gorou relayed his earlier conversation with Kujou Kamaji in full detail.
"I was just speaking with Mister Kamaji. He said that the Nobushi and Oceanid remnants are becoming increasingly rampant on Narukami Island. He hopes that the Watatsumi resistance forces might assist the Shogunate in maintaining public order."
Shao Yun was taken aback. After a moment, he asked with a hint of disbelief.
"If that's true... then the Shogunate army is as good as finished."
"At this rate, the Tenryou Commission might end up under Watatsumi's control. Doesn't Kamaji realize the implications?"
As the saying goes, inviting a god is easy—sending one away is hard. Could Kamaji really be so confident that Watatsumi wouldn't just take over?
Gorou nodded slightly, indicating agreement, and replied:
"Indeed, I feel the same way. But Mister Kamaji said this is a last resort."
"As you know, most of the Shogunate soldiers have died. Moreover, Lady Kokomi and the Grand Narukami Shrine's Guuji have already discussed this matter in advance."
"Lady Kokomi said she couldn't stand by and watch Narukami Island descend into chaos... so, well, you understand."
Shao Yun nodded and gave his advice.
"Then here's a word of advice—take this opportunity and secure the greatest possible benefit for Watatsumi."
The meaning behind his words was clear: let the Watatsumi resistance forces replace the Shogunate entirely.
After all, they were all people of Inazuma. Unlike the Fatui's attempt to take over Mondstadt's defenses, this was merely internal restructuring.
Gorou didn't fully grasp the implication, but he faintly sensed something.
"Well... I don't think Lady Kokomi would want things to go that far."
Shao Yun patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly.
"It's just a suggestion. The final decision lies with you and Kokomi."
"But whatever choice you make, just make sure Watatsumi doesn't come to regret it."
Gorou looked troubled. He scratched his fluffy ear and quickly changed the subject.
"Let's leave that for now. Oh, right—Mister Shao Yun, there's something I feel I should tell you."
Shao Yun caught the shift and asked promptly, "What is it?"
Gorou explained in detail.
"A few days ago, when we were dealing with the Archon's remains on Yashiori Island, we discovered a secret Fatui factory in the southern region."
Shao Yun froze. Could it be...? Was this the infamous Fatui Delusion Factory?
The Wanderer had been stationed there under the Fair Lady's orders. That place was dangerous—was everyone okay?
"Did you encounter any danger inside the factory?"
Gorou shook his head firmly.
"None at all. The place was completely deserted. Looks like they evacuated well in advance."
Shao Yun let out a breath of relief.
"That's good. No casualties, that's what matters."
Gorou's tone suddenly shifted, becoming more serious.
"But what we didn't expect was... we found a large number of leftover documents."
"After thoroughly analyzing them, we uncovered something shocking—the Fatui had been secretly harvesting crystallized marrow from the remains of the Orobashi while we were at war with the Shogunate."
"And that's not all. They were also plotting something even more terrifying... they planned to use something called 'Delusions' to poison Watatsumi!"
At this, Gorou scratched his head in confusion and muttered:
"But the strange part is, no matter how hard we searched, we couldn't find a single trace of those Delusions on Watatsumi. It's just... bizarre."
Shao Yun thought to himself, That box of Delusions? I tossed that into the sea ages ago. Maybe in a few hundred years, someone'll fish it out.
He rubbed his chin and said, "Maybe they never got the chance to enact their plan and had to evacuate in a hurry."
Gorou nodded vigorously, agreeing. "Lady Kokomi thinks the same. So, you believe that too, Mister Shao Yun?"
Shao Yun replied with a calm, steady voice.
"There's no other explanation. That has to be it."
Of course, he wasn't about to admit that he had personally dealt with the Delusions—and torched the Fatui's entire supply stock while he was at it, forcing Watatsumi into desperation. Some things were best left in the dark.
Gorou brought up another matter.
"There's one more thing—it's about the Kujou Encampment. The remains of the fallen soldiers have been properly taken care of. So, you don't need to worry."
Hearing this, Shao Yun finally had the presence of mind to ask what had been weighing on him.
"Right... now that I think of it—what did cause the Tatarasuna to explode?"
"I remember Lumine and Paimon already stabilized the Mikage Furnace. Why did it suddenly blow up?"
…
Meanwhile, back at the quiet and peaceful Chinju Teahouse.
After Shao Yun left, Yae Miko still sat in her original spot, eyes closed as if in meditation.
Time passed quietly, until the wooden door gently creaked open.
The soft chime of wind bells rang, crisp and melodious.
Sangonomiya Kokomi entered, walking gracefully. She made her way to the high stool Shao Yun had previously occupied and sat beside Yae Miko.
"Miss Yae, I've arrived."
Hearing the voice, Yae Miko slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to face Kokomi.
"Miss Sangonomiya, what brings you here today? Why this sudden, unofficial meeting?"
Kokomi smiled and answered calmly.
"To be honest, I came here to formally propose a peace treaty between Watatsumi and the Shogunate."
"Before that, I thought it best to speak with you privately and prepare accordingly."
Yae Miko's eyes widened slightly, a sly smile curling her lips.
"Peace is indeed a beautiful thing. But if I recall, our last 'ceasefire agreement' clearly stated that only after the Archon problem in Tatarasuna was fully resolved would we begin peace treaty talks."
Kokomi shook her head gently and carefully produced a seemingly ordinary, yet suspiciously weighty file.
She handed it to Yae Miko and spoke softly.
"Times have changed, Miss Yae. This file was retrieved with great difficulty from the Fatui Delusion factory on Yashiori Island. Please review it."
Yae Miko accepted the file, visibly puzzled.
But as she opened it and scanned the contents, she froze.
Inside were detailed Fatui operational records—countless marginal notes from their agents.
But that wasn't the real shock.
What truly left Yae Miko stunned was the presence of a document that explicitly recorded her secret deal with the Wanderer.
Even the original handwritten order from the Wanderer to blow up the Mikage Furnace was included.
Yae Miko's face went pale. Her voice trembled.
"This... what is the meaning of this, Miss Sangonomiya? What are you trying to imply?"
If Shao Yun found out... Inazuma would be doomed.
Kokomi took a deep breath, her strategic mind fully engaged, and spoke calmly.
"Miss Yae, we both know the horrors of war. I prefer to win with strategy."
"But you... you made a deal with the Fatui. You tried to sabotage the resistance by blowing up the Mikage Furnace."
"From any angle, this was a reckless gamble with Inazuma's future."
Yae Miko's face darkened, her foxlike eyes narrowing with quiet menace.
"And what exactly are you implying?"
But Kokomi didn't flinch under the intensity of her gaze.
She smiled faintly and replied, "It's simple. Very few people know about this. Besides you and me... only Gorou is aware."
She had expected Yae Miko might try to silence her, and had already shown Gorou the files—together, they had drafted a contingency plan.
And now, that plan had become essential.
Because Yae Miko had indeed been prepared to kill her.
But when she heard Gorou also knew, she hesitated.
"What... where is Gorou right now?" Yae Miko asked warily.
Kokomi replied calmly, "He's currently at the Tenryou Commission."
At that answer, Yae Miko's eye twitched ever so slightly.
Because Shao Yun is also there.
If she killed Kokomi now, Gorou would no doubt tell Shao Yun everything.
And that... could very well lead to Yae Miko becoming a fox hat for Lumine.
Now, it all made sense.
Kokomi hadn't asked for an unofficial meeting just for diplomacy.
It was blackmail.
Cornered, Yae Miko asked with a sigh, "What do you want in exchange for this document?"
Kokomi leaned in, whispering in her ear.
"My terms are simple…"
She relayed them quietly.
Once done, Kokomi smiled. "That's all. Agree to this, and your secret remains safe."
Yae Miko weighed her options, then gave a nod.
"In the name of the Third Raiden Shogun, I accept. So... the file?"
She looked at the document in her hands.
Kokomi glanced at a nearby candle, took the file from Yae Miko, and set it aflame using the small flame.
The document caught fire, flickering between their hands.
As the flame neared her skin, Kokomi released it.
The burning pages drifted downward, turning to ash midair.
She remarked coldly, "Now, the only ones who know of this deal are you, me, Gorou, and that one named Wanderer."
Yae Miko narrowed her eyes, cautious.
"And how do I know you won't tell Shao Yun?"
Kokomi, unfazed, replied with a cunning smile.
"Relax. I already had Gorou inform Shao Yun—and placed all the blame on the Fatui. This way, we protect ourselves and direct his wrath toward them."
Then she added, just in case Yae Miko got any ideas.
"Of course, to be safe, I also wrote twelve sealed letters and sent them to Adventurers' Guild branches in the six other nations."
"If anything happens to me or Gorou... they'll be delivered to Lumine and Shao Yun. And I don't need to spell out what that would mean."
Only then did Kokomi feel a flicker of relief—but she stayed on guard.
Yae Miko was no ordinary opponent. One mistake could cost her life.
This entire confrontation had been a high-stakes gamble.
Yae Miko hadn't expected Kokomi to be so thoroughly prepared.
She gave a cold, mocking smile.
"As expected of Watatsumi's tactician. This time... this shrine maiden concedes."
Kokomi smiled modestly in return.
"You flatter me. It was just a small maneuver."
But from her expression, it was clear—she was quite pleased with herself.
Wherever Shao Yun wandered in Teyvat, should she or Gorou ever meet a sudden end—
Yae Miko's days would be numbered.