Reisen Riou rarely inspected the vassal families around Reisen Shrine. Over time, these nominally independent clans had become inseparable from the shrine. Take the Kawasumi clan, the first to pledge loyalty. Now Reisen Island's second-strongest force, their patriarch, a bannerman samurai (LV30+), and matriarch, a retired senior shrine maiden (LV30+), led a family of seven or eight siblings. Four or five held Doushin rank; non-samurai siblings were prominent merchants. Elders managed Reisen Island's town magistrate. The eldest son matched his father's bannerman strength, while the second and fourth sons served Reisen Riou directly—Gensei Jirou, the second, reported from Tsurumi. Female descendants, even those married, were junior shrine maidens. The Kawasumi clan and Reisen Shrine were one. Their loyalty was ironclad; even a rogue member would face spousal dissent. Reisen Riou trusted their fidelity for at least two generations.
After consoling aging samurai, he left. His leave was short, meant for upgrading One System, Ten Thousand Minds, with inspections as a side task. Time was tight—he had to return to work.
Gensei Jirou wolfed down rice balls and fish. Bad news: their supply ship was lost in Tsurumi's dense fog. Delays were common, but this was severe. Contact confirmed the ship had recalibrated using alchemical tools and was en route, arriving in two days. Supplies stretched thin, the Rock-Shadow-Thunderlight Brigade's four elites stayed put, awaiting provisions.
Last week's intel confirmed Khaenri'ah's reinforcements: thirty-plus Tillers, five Heavy Units, and many knights and scholars. But the Brigade struck first, luring fiends and monsters to cripple them. Two Khaenri'ahn supply ships sank, over thirty personnel perished, a dozen Tillers were lost, and supplies dwindled. Gensei's team, disguised as fiends, assassinated several scholars. Khaenri'ahn camps were Tiller-locked, but gaps appeared in chaos. A fiend died on their massive ship, its death tainting the hull, harming humans nearby. Fire purification followed, stalling their Moshiri Ceremonial Site dig as they fought surrounding monsters—quite literally.
Shrine maidens and tech support studied Tsurumi's wild ley lines. Khaenri'ahn machines drained them, making them wilder, spawning monsters and fiends faster. Unlike the Brigade, with their ley line suppression stones, Khaenri'ahns struggled. The maidens predicted a monster surge soon, fueled by retained memories—unlike Teyvat's norm, Tsurumi's creatures recalled grudges, eager for Khaenri'ahn blood. The Brigade watched the chaos unfold, amused.
"Urgent report from the Kanjou Commission, requiring Great Narukami's immediate attention," a clerk announced.
"Got it," Reisen Riou replied, opening the document. His spirit lifted at the contents:
After failing to gain Araumi ruin permits, Khaenri'ahns sent untrained agents, damaging relics. No Inazuma casualties, but property losses and public panic ensued.
Attached: a list of Araumi locals and Kanjou Commission officials colluding with Khaenri'ahns, bribed to conceal activities and supply them.
Reisen Riou stroked his chin. No wonder the Kanjou Commission escalated this—it implicated another Triad Commission. He tapped the desk, rousing a dozing Makoto.
"Great Narukami, if you're overworked, let a puppet handle duties while you rest," he teased. "Take a look."
Makoto scanned the report. "Order the Okuzumeshu to verify. If true, pursue rigorously. Dispatch an oversight team, punish severely, redirect illicit funds to compensate Araumi's town magistrate and affected citizens. Relocate thirty retired Okuzumeshu veterans to Araumi as rural gentry."
Reisen Riou drafted as she spoke, presenting the order for her seal. Okuzumeshu and clerks joined the Kanjou Commission to investigate.
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