Reisen Riou sipped tea with Sangonomiya Eigetsu, discussing Inazuma's aid to Watatsumi over the next decade.
Military support? Almost none. But resources, knowledge, and personnel? Plenty. Inazuma-bred agricultural and medical scholars, plus researchers and students, would gradually settle on Watatsumi.
A hefty Shogunate garrison would tag along, too, to counter Khaenri'ah's likely retaliation.
Crippling Khaenri'ah's forces like this, Reisen had zero doubt they'd hit back at Watatsumi. With the island's strength so depleted, the Shogunate would step up—and they'd be thrilled to, tightening their grip on the region.
Before coming, Reisen had cleared it with the Shogunate and Tenryou Commission. He knew their stance.
He and Eigetsu finalized the aid outline for Watatsumi.
Then they turned to Khaenri'ah.
"Based on traces, their logistics camp is likely at Mizuki Pool," Eigetsu said. "It's a big island, but most of it's taken by an abandoned ruin. Tidal shifts make the surrounding area barren—an effective desert island."
"But Mizuki Pool's a long sail from Watatsumi, so they've likely set up a transit camp on some sea isle," she speculated.
Despite short manpower, Sangonomiya knew Watatsumi's terrain like their own skin, easily deducing Khaenri'ah's logistics and transit camps.
"They've got another transit camp in Watatsumi's wilds," Reisen added.
He'd spotted it soon after arriving. If you looked hard, it was obvious. Why Khaenri'ah picked such a poorly hidden spot baffled him—maybe the camp commander had enemies.
"So, we've confirmed three Khaenri'ahn camps on Watatsumi, outside Enkanomiya: the main logistics hub at Mizuki Pool, and two transit camps—one on a sea isle, one near the Wilderness Shrine."
(The Wilderness Shrine, or Earth Spirit Shrine, was an ancient sacrificial ground where mortals offered earthly treasures to celestial gods.)
"I'll arrange verification," Reisen said.
…
"Teacher, here's the Learning Device you wanted," Yuenjou said, directing a Tiller-series mech to set down the half-ton machine beside his mentor.
His teacher, a senior figure in Khaenri'ah's archaeology mission, handled assessing Byakuya Kingdom documents, prioritizing translations, and tweaking the operation's details.
The Learning Device was the latest model but still weighed a ton. Only a Tiller mech could haul it easily.
"Yuenjou, hold on. Let me finish translating these," the teacher said.
Soon, he was done.
"Learning Device, huh," he muttered, swiftly pulling tools and a helmet from it.
He began crafting with care.
"Here's Byakuya script study material and its translation. Yuenjou, give it a go," he said, stepping off the machine.
"Got it," Yuenjou nodded, sitting down and inserting the teacher's freshly made card.
The Device whirred, decoding the card. When the green light flashed, Yuenjou donned the helmet, grunted, and started absorbing the knowledge.
The task took about 45 minutes.
Sweating, Yuenjou removed the helmet and griped, "I heard Inazuma's Learning Device is way better. True?"
"True," his teacher said, handing him water.
"Our Khaenri'ahn Device was built from the prototype of Inazuma's 'Distant Wisdom'—the One System, Ten Thousand Minds Machine," the teacher explained. "Rhinedottir, the bio-alchemy sage, negotiated with him for it."
"Khaenri'ahn scholars localized the tech, and this is our Learning Device."
"Even after five upgrades, it's still far from the One System. That thing can teach multiple people at once, super convenient. Even its first gen was just over 100 kilos. Now, in its eighth gen, it's a few kilos. Ours? The first gen was tens of tons. Even this fifth gen's half a ton."
"Teacher, why hasn't Inazuma spread the One System?" Yuenjou asked, curious. "That 'Distant Wisdom' guy should see the benefits of mass adoption."
"Who knows," the teacher said, flipping through documents. "God-ruled nations have their taboos. Even Sumeru, the scholar's haven, restricts research, or else…"
"Master! We found a Byakuya Kingdom library in Narrows Street. The commander wants you over," a knight shouted, cutting him off.
"On my way," the teacher yelled back.
"Alright, Yuenjou, work's calling. You can read basic Byakuya script now. Help with preliminary tasks. First, notify the archaeology team to join and learn."
"Yes, Teacher. I'll inform them and head over," Yuenjou said.
Then he spotted Shrine Maiden Izumi wandering, her samurai guard eyeing him sharply.
Yuenjou frowned. "Why's that samurai so weird? Whatever, ignore him."