In Khaenri'ah, the meeting dragged on.
"Only Mondstadt's Dragonspine and Sumeru's desert digs are progressing smoothly, but you know Sumeru's mess…"
"That old crook Bona screwed us," a delegate grumbled, bitter over the resources sunk into Sumeru with little gain. Secret excavations, hidden from Sumeru's scholars, offered some solace.
"Focus on restarting digs elsewhere," another urged. "We need more ancient tech—stronger tech."
"Our new mass-produced automatons handle underground sites well. We could deploy Serpent Units to Liyue's Chasm, where a massive ruin lies…"
"Sumeru's rainforest and desert have underground spots too…"
"Inazuma's underground is rich, but it's a hassle. They despise us—damn Reisen Riou."
"What about the Dragonbeast series?" a high official asked.
"Nearly done. Just a few technical hurdles before mass production."
"And that giant monster Ragnvindr accidentally created? It's functional now?"
Silence fell. After a beat, discussion resumed.
"That woman's swayed the royalty. Avoid mentioning her. Khaenri'ah's strength lies in machines."
"May machines endure forever."
"May machines endure forever!"
Ten years flashed by, and Inazuma transformed dramatically.
Agriculture hit Teyvat's average, with top regions rivaling Sumeru's rainforest, thanks to soil enhancements, crop breeding, and fertilizers. Fiscal revenue soared to 3.5 times its level a decade ago. Inazuma, now prosperous, rejected aid from all but Liyue, Mondstadt, and Sumeru—others weren't much richer, and Inazuma relied on Liyue's ores, Mondstadt's cheap grain, and Sumeru's affordable meat.
Military strength surged. The Shogunate brimmed with talent, bolstered by One System, Ten Thousand Minds, nurturing countless skilled commoners. Doushin now required LV25+ life energy, team leaders LV30+. Previously, LV30+ earned a Hatamoto rank, but a recent reform demoted them to Yoriiki, with many Yoriiki downgraded to Doushin after assessments.
Reisen Riou's breakthrough—a secret elixir enabling humans to surpass LV50+ with minimal harm—reshaped ranks. Below LV50, all were demoted to Hatamoto. Only LV50+ qualified as Generals, with over 100 in the Tenryou Commission and 50 in the Okuzumeshu.
Reisen also split the Okuzumeshu into three branches: Shukuei (standard guards, protecting Raiden Shogun, handling documents), Kagei (shadow guards, Raiden Ei's covert operatives, aiding Final Watch or Rock-Shadow-Thunderlight Brigade against fiends and Khaenri'ahn spies), and Giei (ceremonial guards, LV45+, chosen for physique and valor for Narukami Grand Festivals). Most Okuzumeshu now hit LV40+, a leap from their prior LV30+ Electro-leaning weakness, despite new recruits and retirements.
Inazuma's might wasn't just official forces. One System boosted private armies and retainers' quality, causing minor chaos but manageable due to overall gains. Even farmers now averaged LV7+, wielding hoes like warriors—leagues beyond a decade ago, when commoners ranged LV1–LV5, trained soldiers hit LV10, and elite recruits struggled to reach LV15. Lower samurai (rural gentry, Doushin) once needed LV20; now, even ronin casually hit LV20+, fueled by abundant food and monster skirmishes, breaking limits effortlessly.
Sumeru scholars in Inazuma also evolved. The Vitalist Faction, after years on Watatsumi Island, couldn't reverse its life-draining soil but suggested fertilizers, curbing famine rumors. Post-Watatsumi, with Reisen's nudging, they pioneered hydroponics' early tech. Too costly for Watatsumi's budget—nutrient solutions and equipment were lab-only—it still yielded a dozen high-quality papers, a win for all.
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