After upgrading the hardware for his two sentient AIs, Reisen Riou never felt short on processing power.
Normally, he had access to 10% of Revival's computing power and 30% of One Mind, Ten Thousand Wits's, making any calculation a breeze.
Of the two, Revival was the star. A versatile sentient AI, it oversaw Inazuma's industry upgrades, samurai and soldier training, shrine maiden spell simulations, and scientific lab computations.
If Revival went down, Reisen wouldn't die—his databases were safe.
But Inazuma's control would slip. People would gripe, as One System, Ten Thousand Minds Machine would lag without Revival's scheduling.
Regular AIs couldn't handle Revival's massive load—not even One Mind, Ten Thousand Wits.
Though based on Banjiao Island, One Mind, Ten Thousand Wits managed Narukami Island's administration. Unlike Revival's all-purpose prowess, it specialized in agricultural research, personnel training, and governance.
It handled Narukami's security monitoring, administrative order relays, grassroots Shogunate operations, and supported agricultural observation and research.
It also tackled ocean data studies, Banjiao Island shrine maiden training, and elemental beast taming.
In some ways, One Mind, Ten Thousand Wits's workload rivaled Revival's.
…
After assigning all research tasks, Reisen prepared to deliver goods to Liyue's Geo Archon.
At Ritou, he checked the cargo. Even the lowest-grade items were premium—scraps alone could fetch tens of thousands of Mora on the market.
Top-tier materials were plentiful, so Reisen couldn't afford slip-ups.
He wasn't worried about covering losses but about botching Morax's big plans.
"My lord, the inventory matches the list," a subordinate reported.
"Got it," Reisen nodded.
"My lord, the smiths' representative asks when we depart," a Kanjou Commission head said.
"Have the military shrine maidens set up barriers. We leave in an hour," Reisen replied, spotting Yae Miko approaching.
"Yo, Little Miko, what took you so long? Everyone's waiting," Reisen griped.
"I was preparing gifts for Sister Ganyu," Miko muttered.
"Fine, get your people on the ship and help with the ship barriers. These are precious goods," Reisen waved her off. Between erosion and research tasks, he was too swamped to bicker.
Normally, military shrine maidens didn't bother with ship barriers.
Inazuma had plenty of shrine maidens, but they were stretched thin across shrines, not spare enough for one per ship.
Ship barriers were tough to set up and quick to break, needing constant upkeep.
Only wartime armies used them, and those were basic.
This time, the ships to Liyue had high-grade barriers, set by Reisen Shrine maidens. Plus, Miko, the Grand Narukami Shrine's Guuji, came with a posse of senior shrine maidens.
An hour later, they set sail.
Six ships headed to Liyue: one Kanjou Commission merchant vessel, two troop ships for smiths and some cargo, and three Tenryou Commission warships.
Reisen and Miko stayed on the largest warship.
A hatamoto-dressed captain reported to Reisen.
"My lord, we're not taking a direct route due to monsoon winds. The fastest path is via Guyun Stone Forest. With good winds, we'll reach Liyue Harbor in eight days and nine nights."
"Miko, handle the ritual," Reisen prodded the spectating Yae Miko.
"Why not you?" Miko retorted. She knew Reisen, a shrine lord, was no slouch at rituals.
"It's your expertise. Do the ritual," Reisen grinned. "I'll reinforce the ship barriers."
"Fine," Miko pouted.
"Here, wear this for the ritual," Reisen tossed her a Wind-Sacrifice Crown.
Ship barriers weren't just protective. High-grade ones could calm nearby seas, pushing waves to propel and stabilize the ship.
Miko finished the ritual quickly, and Reisen felt a subtle wind shift.
"Not bad," he said. "Can't let you outshine me."
"Vajra Momentum Barrier."
"Elemental Cycle Annihilation Barrier."
"Wind-Guide Barrier."
Reisen didn't power these with his youkai energy. He pulled a Ley Line Crystal to fuel them.
The fleet sped up, glowing with a golden eggshell aura—the Vajra Momentum Barrier—visible from afar, screaming "don't mess with us." It offered durability, resilience, purification, and protection.
That was the "Vajra" part.
The "Momentum" part was Reisen's lucky find.
While sensing the Law of Inevitability, he tapped into a sliver of Fate's Law.
It thrilled him, but Fate's Law was too profound. He only enhanced Inevitability, with some extensions.
The best was combining it with the Vajra Momentum Barrier.
This barrier gathered the "momentum" of fate.
Early on, it's subtle. Over time, it builds, aiding goal completion.
How? That's up to fate's guidance.