Inazuma, Yashiori Island — Delusion Factory.
The first batch of Delusions had been completed. Now that Yefei was free from any constraints, he began accelerating his plans. The tension between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate was escalating rapidly, and war was on the verge of breaking out.
Gazing at the neatly arranged Delusions before him, a manic grin spread across Yefei's face. He knew that his moment to rise was at hand. If he could stir up chaos within Inazuma, inciting conflict between the two sides and using the war as a cover to test the effects of the Delusions, then his mission would be complete.
As for the Fatui's reputation in Inazuma? Since when had the Fatui ever cared about reputation? And the plan concerning the Gnosis? What did that have to do with him? That was Saphir's headache. All Yefei had to do was take the experiment reports back to the Doctor in Snezhnaya, and he could leave this post behind—taking a step up the ladder within the Fatui.
Just thinking about it made his lips curl upward. He couldn't wait. He wanted to see blood flowing in the streets.
Just then, footsteps approached from behind. Lyudashka, the Electro Cicin Mage, entered once again.
Yefei was somewhat annoyed with this student of his. By all rights, he could have detained her in the name of being her mentor—or even killed her to save trouble. But considering her connection to Saphir, he'd restrained himself. You don't mess with that lunatic if you value your life.
Lyudashka's eyes welled with pain as she looked at the Delusions laid out before him. "Teacher, are you really going to do this?"
This meeting, she knew, was the final turning point. If negotiations failed today, she would have no choice but to act.
Yefei didn't even bother to take her seriously. "Lyudashka, I've told you—this is all by the Harbinger's orders. We're just following commands."
Lyudashka narrowed her eyes and took a step forward. "If this is truly under the Harbinger's orders, then why not let me confirm it with the Dark Shepherd? Inazuma is her domain—she has the right to know."
"Lyudashka, have you forgotten your place? Is this how you speak to your teacher?" Yefei snapped, turning and fixing her with a dangerous gaze. "Let me remind you one last time: we are not under the Dark Shepherd's jurisdiction. Our superior is the Harbinger, and we report to no one else."
Lyudashka took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Fine. Then please show me the official directive from the Harbinger."
Yefei froze. He had no such directive. Thinking quickly, he said, "It was a verbal order from the Harbinger back in Snezhnaya—there was no written document."
Lyudashka scoffed. You? Receiving a personal verbal directive from a Harbinger? Absurd.
Before she could refute him, a Pyro Agent hurried into the room. "Lord Yefei, the first batch of Delusions has already been distributed. We should see results soon."
Yefei nodded, pleased with the report. But Lyudashka's eyes widened in horror. "What did you say? You already sent them out?!"
The Pyro Agent blinked, confused but nodded. "Yes. They've been delivered."
Lyudashka turned sharply to leave, but Yefei called after her. "Where do you think you're going?!"
"I'm going to Watatsumi Island—to expose your plot!"
Two Fatui soldiers stepped forward, blocking her path.
Yefei walked toward her slowly, voice low and venomous. "Lyudashka, Lyudashka Schneizhevna… Have you been living too comfortably? Forgotten who you are? You're planning to tip off the enemy during a conflict? Traitor? Where's your Schneizhevna pride now?"
Her rage was barely contained. "Teacher, before we departed, you swore not to act on your own—that we'd wait for the Dark Shepherd to return. Did you forget?"
"That was then; this is now. The Harbinger has issued a new directive. I had no choice. As a proud Schneizhevich, refusing is not an option."
His fake anguish made her stomach turn.
She shoved at the guards, but the burly Cryo and Hydro Gunners didn't budge. She stomped her foot in frustration. "Always with the 'Harbinger this, Harbinger that'—you wear their name like a shield while hiding your own greed and cowardice. You're a disgrace!"
Yefei's voice suddenly rose. "You left me no choice! You think just because you're close to Saphir that I can't do anything to you? Think again! You've betrayed Schneizhevna's honor. According to Fatui law, I have full right to execute you! Or do you really think I won't?"
Lyudashka laughed coldly. "'Schneizhevna's honor'? I could have given up that title two years ago. But I didn't—because I wanted to stand on my own. I didn't want to live under someone else's shadow. I thought I could make something of myself. But in your eyes, I was always just Saphir's burden. Fine. Then I'll rely on her. Go ahead—kill me. Bury me. But know this: as long as I'm alive, I'll make sure she comes back and destroys every last one of you."
Her words stunned Yefei. He hadn't expected such defiance.
"Move!" Her voice was sharp. The guards hesitated, looking to Yefei.
After a moment, he waved his hand in resignation. "Let her go. Not worth the trouble."
The guards stepped aside.
As Lyudashka walked away, she turned back with a look of utter contempt. "Yefei, that so-called Schneizhevna pride you treasure so much? It means nothing to me."
Yefei sighed theatrically. "What a pity. You've not only betrayed your family—you won't even call me 'teacher' anymore?"
She sneered. "Drop the act. Once, I respected you. Now, your face just makes me sick."
In her eyes, Yefei was nothing more than a rat stirring the pot—sowing chaos in Inazuma and trying to pit the Dark Shepherd and the Harbinger against each other through petty tricks.
Whose side he was really on no longer mattered. What was clear to her was that her once-admired mentor had been blinded by ambition. But he was doomed to fail—he thought he understood everything, but he didn't. The relationship between those two was not something he could ever meddle with.
She found it laughable. All she wanted now was to see what Saphir would do when she returned and learned the truth. Hopefully, Yefei would have enough sense to back off before he lost his life.
After she left, Yefei vented his rage by smashing furniture. "That bitch! Filthy bitch! Damn Lyudashka, damn Saphir! Arrogant fools living off someone else's favor—who are you to lecture me?!"
His eyes burned with hatred. "Protecting Watatsumi Island? Fine. I'll go to the Shogunate. Once Watatsumi is wiped off the map, don't expect me to show mercy."
He wanted to kill Lyudashka. In his eyes, she had betrayed the Fatui. But he didn't dare. Saphir was notorious for her backup plans. Who knew what fail-safes Lyudashka might be carrying? One wrong move, and he might die without even knowing how.
Leaving the Delusion Factory behind, Lyudashka made her way to the village of Tatarasuna. She planned to find a ship to cross the gap near the unnamed fort and head to Watatsumi Island. Without the Fatui's support, she would have to do everything on her own.
Years ago, the Raiden Shogun's sword had split the mountain here, slaying the god Orobashi and leaving behind enormous divine remains, now known as Tatarigami.
The Tatarigami's influence was terrifying. Prolonged exposure caused anxiety, unease, paranoia, and eventually madness. Villagers near the area lived in constant suffering.
Looking at the fractured mountains and the despondent villagers, Lyudashka felt a pang of sympathy—but she was just a normal Fatui agent. She had no power to fix this. Shaking off her emotions, she pressed on.
On the southern beach of Tatarasuna, a Fatui forward base was stationed. Leading them was a Mirror Maiden named Valentina—someone Lyudashka knew well, and one of Saphir's direct subordinates.
Seeing her approach, Valentina stepped forward. "Lyudashka? Weren't you stationed at the Serpent's Lair? What are you doing here?"
Lyudashka gave a bitter smile and explained what had just happened. "I need to reach Watatsumi Island before this gets any worse."
She didn't share her suspicions—only what Yefei had done and what consequences might follow.
Valentina, calm and composed, fell into deep thought before asking, "Is there any way to contact the Dark Shepherd?"
Although she wasn't under Yefei's authority, he was the acting lead in Inazuma. Overriding him would require an executive-level directive.
Lyudashka shook her head. Inazuma's isolationist policy wasn't a joke. Without high-level clearance, they couldn't transmit intelligence—or even pass through the surrounding thunderstorms. They lacked permission to deploy a large vessel.
"That's… difficult," Valentina frowned. "Without authorization from an executive, we can't confront Yefei directly. If he accuses someone of treason, they could be executed on the spot—and by the time the Dark Shepherd returns, it might be too late to uncover the truth."
She left something unsaid: while Lyudashka might survive thanks to her ties to Saphir, the rest of them wouldn't be so lucky.
"I came to borrow a boat," Lyudashka said. "I need a fast one. I'm the only one who can do this."
Valentina looked at her and smiled.
"The Dark Shepherd is lucky to have a friend like you."
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