Rumble!
Above the coastal cliffs on the southwestern edge of Yashiori Island, a deafening peal of thunder tore through the heavens!
Crackle!!
A streak of lightning, like a shooting star trailing a long, radiant tail, burst forth from the swirling thunderclouds and struck the open ground below with pinpoint precision.
Boom!
After the explosive impact, as the shockwave and dust dispersed, the Shogun's figure emerged from the haze. Her violet eyes glowed faintly as they focused on the massive structure standing before her.
"..."
There were no guards in sight. The area was completely silent.
Tap, tap…
The rhythmic sound of her footsteps echoed as her heels met the ground. Raising her gaze, she examined the building before her—a long, rectangular structure, typical of Inazuman architecture. It appeared to be some sort of dojo. Ascending the steps, she reached the upper level and slid open the door.
Clatter!
The wooden panels creaked open, revealing exactly what she had expected—a kendo hall. A spacious tatami-floored area stretched before her, with armor displays positioned at the far end and several finely crafted swords hanging neatly on the wall.
Still wearing her shoes, she stepped directly into the hall. Lowering her gaze, she noticed the pale tatami mats—fairly new, their edges still clean. The surrounding walls were lined with violet-patterned folding screens. Because the sky outside was overcast, only dim light filtered through the paper windows, leaving the room shrouded in a muted gloom.
Everything appeared normal… except for one thing. It was too quiet.
"…Why is there no one guarding this place?"
She muttered softly to herself, pacing a few steps through the room. It was strange—surely the Fatui would have stationed guards here. Could this be the wrong location?
Crack!
As she took another step forward, her heeled sandal pressed down on something that gave a faint, crisp sound.
"?"
Her expression stiffened slightly. Looking down, she saw something purple beneath her left foot. She stepped back lightly, revealing the object's full form.
A magatama?
Bending down, she picked it up and examined it closely. It was a violet-colored magatama-shaped stone, about five centimeters long and quite light—clearly a tool used for unlocking mechanisms or hidden doors. In Inazuma, such charms were often used to activate sealing devices.
But… why was it here?
When she removed the magatama, her eyes caught sight of the faint stains on the tatami where it had rested—muddy discolorations contrasting sharply with the mat's pale hue.
Frowning, she stepped back a few paces, allowing the pattern of the stains to reveal itself. They weren't random marks—they were footprints, the kind left by muddy boots after walking through rain.
Stepping outside the trail of prints, she followed their direction with her gaze. They began at the entrance and led toward a folding screen in the far corner of the room.
"Someone's been here."
She was certain of it. Someone else had passed through this place recently. But since there were no signs of struggle, they must have moved through unhindered.
Following the tracks, she stopped before the folding screen.
Hum~
Activating her Elemental Sight, the world shifted to a pale violet hue. On the screen's edge, she spotted a faintly glowing shape—an irregular bump.
Click!
Deactivating her sight, she pressed her hand against the spot. The mechanism sank inward, and with a low rumble, the screen slid apart from both sides, revealing a hidden square-shaped chamber beyond—a concealed shaft, like an elevator well.
Quite the hiding place, she thought to herself with mild admiration, then stepped onto the wooden platform at its center. As her weight settled, the platform etched with the sigil of Baal began to glow faintly.
Rumble…
The floor shuddered as the platform descended, the folding screen above closing once more to seal the passage.
Inside the dim shaft, where light was scarce, her violet eyes gleamed brightly as she scanned the surroundings. Despite being an elevator, the entire mechanism appeared to be made of wood—even the pulleys and wheels that controlled its movement.
"Such craftsmanship… quite extravagant."
She murmured softly. The more elaborate it was, the more suspicious it became. Whatever lay below, she couldn't help but feel a growing curiosity.
Click.
The elevator finally reached the bottom. There was no door—only a dim, eerie hall that stretched out before her. Like the room above, it was square in structure and faintly illuminated by an ominous violet glow. On closer inspection, the place resembled a wooden prison, its layout complex, with numerous rooms branching off in every direction.
"!"
What caught her attention most were the bodies of several Fatui soldiers sprawled motionless on the floor.
Tap, tap…
She strode quickly toward them, crouched, and grabbed one by the collar to inspect him.
Still alive.
It was clear there had been a battle here—recently, too. Whoever had come before her must have already pushed deeper inside.
Was she too late?
Straightening, she surveyed the area, her gaze falling on the room next door, where faintly glowing materials could be seen—purple minerals emitting an unnatural sheen.
Bang!
She struck the door's lock and stepped through, finding herself surrounded by an enormous stockpile of the luminous ore.
Crackle!
Gathering Electro energy in her palm, sparks flickered in the air. The concentration of Electro in this space was unusually high—almost to the point of radiation.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something on a nearby table. Walking over, she found several sheets of parchment laid out neatly—an item inventory. Picking them up, she began to read.
The list was meticulously detailed—
"Crystallized… marrow?"
She muttered aloud. So this was the material used to create Delusions? Nearly every item listed was related to crystallized marrow.
But then, at the bottom-right of the page, her eyes caught a familiar name.
—Hiiragi Shinsuke.
So that's how it is…
The Shogun's lips curved into a cold smile.
"The Kanjou Commission has minor dealings with the Tenryou Commission. The main player is the Tenryou side, while the Kanjou Commission merely assists from the shadows—profiting safely without risk. Such an easy opportunity… comes once in a millennium."
She recalled Ayaka's words vividly. Now, the evidence was undeniable.
The Kanjou Commission was supplying the Fatui with funding and materials, while the Tenryou Commission provided them with safe transport routes.
How amusing… She had raised a pack of ungrateful wolves. If she hadn't uncovered these clues today, Ei might have continued to be deceived by these shameless traitors.
"Just wait… your reckoning will come soon."
She folded the document and tucked it into her robe before turning her gaze deeper into the chamber. There, shrouded behind violet-patterned screens, stood a small shrine faintly glowing with Electro light.
Her eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. Inside the shrine hung a magatama stone identical to the one she had found earlier. Taking it, she fitted it together with the previous piece, forming part of the Mitsudomoe sigil. The moment she did, a mechanism seemed to activate.
Click…
A hidden compartment within the shrine opened suddenly, and a folded letter fell out.
"..."
She paused briefly before picking it up and unfolding it to read.
Directive from the Hall Overseer —
The civil war in Inazuma remains unresolved.
The longer the conflict drags on, the greater our advantage.
To expand the Resistance's demand for Delusions, incite greater hostilities, and ensure the two commanders remain locked in prolonged combat.
Therefore, all colleagues are instructed to assist Second Lieutenant Nathan in his operations.
When necessary, invoke the power of the Tatarigami to prevent the Sangonomiya forces from achieving a swift victory.
If complications arise, aid Lieutenant Nathan's retreat immediately. Under no circumstances must the Fatui be exposed for infiltrating either side.
This is essential to ensure an uninterrupted supply of Delusions. Remember this well.
— A matter of utmost importance. Do not fail.
"Haa…"
She exhaled slowly, closing her eyes. When they reopened, they gleamed with barely restrained fury.
"Yashiori Island is now battered by torrential rain and endless thunder. The cause is the Resistance's destruction of the sealing wards, which released the Tatarigami's corruption.
"Still… that doesn't necessarily mean it was Kokomi's doing. It could've been her soldiers acting behind her back—or the Fatui's manipulation. Perhaps I've misjudged her. But, Shogun-sama…
"You must remember this: Sangonomiya Kokomi herself may be trustworthy—but her Resistance is not."
The Shogun's memory of Ayaka's words resurfaced vividly—and every word had proven true.
The Fatui had infiltrated both sides. Whether the Shogunate or the Resistance, their spies were already embedded deep within, pulling the strings from the shadows.
...
In her hand were two magatama stones—but to open the door before her, she still needed one more.
The Shogun stared at the pair of magatamas in her palm, her violet eyes narrowing in mild helplessness. With a sigh, she decided to test them, fitting each stone into the hollow slots on the center of the door.
Beep—Beep!
Two short sounds, then silence.
As expected… it didn't open.
Looking at the incomplete Mitsudomoe pattern on the door—one piece still missing—she let out a quiet sigh of irritation. Why did people always have to make these mechanisms so needlessly complicated?
"..."
Shaking her head slightly, she leaned forward, pressing an ear against the cold surface of the door. The action looked rather comical—and thank the heavens no one was around to see it, or she might've felt truly embarrassed.
Though the door's material was thick and soundproof, her heightened senses caught faint noises from within—muffled voices, and a mix of indistinct sounds. But beyond that, nothing.
Her brows furrowed. Stepping back, she scanned the room, eyes flicking from wall to wall. Finding nothing else of use, she sighed again and turned back toward the door, her gaze landing on that single, empty slot.
Crackle!
Raising her palm, she gathered a surge of concentrated Electro energy and let it arc across the door's surface. The lightning spread rapidly, corroding the reinforced material as violet sparks danced in the dim air.
Whoosh!
With a sharp flick of her sleeve—
Slice! ×N
In the next instant, countless streaks of purple light slashed across the door.
Boom!
The thunderous blast shattered it into fragments, scattering dust and debris through the room. The shockwave rippled forward, shaking the far wall.
Clack!
She carelessly tossed the now-useless magatamas aside and stepped through the ruined doorway without hesitation.
The chamber beyond was even larger than the last. The floor shimmered with a faint, eerie purple hue, every footstep stirring a misty vapor that rose like ethereal fog—beautiful yet ominous, like a mirage born of corruption.
Tap, tap…
As she walked further, she found the same sight as before—fallen Fatui soldiers strewn across the ground, both common troops and elite agents alike. Clearly, a fierce battle had taken place here.
But this time… something was different.
Because among the fallen, she spotted a familiar face—or rather, someone she had only recently met.
The Traveler.
"Aether!! Aether!! Wake up!!"
Paimon's tearful voice echoed through the vast chamber as she clutched his arm, shaking him desperately. When she saw the Shogun approaching, panic flashed across her face. She tried to drag him away, but his weight made it impossible.
"Wah!! D-don't come any closer!"
Paimon spread her arms protectively, floating between the Shogun and the unconscious Traveler. But the Shogun didn't even glance at them—she simply walked past without pause.
"You… what are you…"
Aether, barely conscious, lifted his head weakly. Through the blur of his vision, he saw the hem of her kimono, the shape of her legs, and the unmistakable silhouette of the Shogun's figure before his strength gave out completely. His body went limp, and darkness claimed him.
The Shogun's focus was not on them, but on the figure standing above—on the second-floor platform.
A young man.
He wore a deep crimson hat adorned with gold trim, his hair and eyes nearly the same hue as hers. Even his pale, refined features bore faint resemblance to her own.
His attire was a black silk ensemble trimmed with dark violet accents. Golden Electro sigils gleamed on his chest and arms, marking his identity unmistakably. The belt around his waist bound the short, formal garb that matched his upper attire. Yet while their colors were similar—both shades of purple—their presence could not have been more different. Where she radiated ethereal grace, he exuded the darkness of a hidden abyss.
"Heh…"
The young man's lips curled into a mischievous grin as he looked down at the approaching Shogun.
"I thought only that guy would make it here today. I didn't expect… we'd meet again like this, of all places~."
His tone was laced with mockery, yet the faint trace of nostalgia in his expression did not escape her notice.
"..."
The Shogun halted at his words, saying nothing at first. Instead, she fixed her violet gaze on him—more precisely, on the golden trim of his hat and the details of his face.
"Heh… amusing~ truly amusing~! Judging by that look, you don't recognize me yet, do you? Has she not told you about my existence?"
His tone carried no trace of respect—only mockery and disdain, with a hint of deep-seated hatred. When he saw the brief confusion in her eyes, he chuckled derisively.
"Heh… so you're still in the dark. How pitiful, my dear… sister."
At those words, the Shogun's eyes sharpened—understanding dawning. She finally realized who he was. Lowering her gaze briefly in thought, she looked back up at him.
"You are… Kunikuzushi?"
She asked evenly.
"Don't call me by that cursed name, you damned puppet!"
For some reason, the moment she spoke the name, his fury exploded. He shouted at her, his voice echoing through the chamber, laced with venom.
The Shogun frowned slightly, clearly displeased by his outburst.
"You're a puppet as well."
She countered calmly.
"Ugh! Tch… forget it!"
The young man—once called Kunikuzushi—clicked his tongue in irritation, turning away as if to change the subject. Having a sister, he thought bitterly, was always the worst kind of curse.
"Answer my question."
The Shogun's tone was curt, commanding—an order, not a request.
"Tch… still acting like the all-mighty 'Raiden Shogun,' huh? Ordering people around like it's a habit. So annoying. What's that, a royal complex? Hm~? Spoiled by that woman, perhaps?"
Kunikuzushi's smirk widened, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Kunikuzushi—"
"That name no longer exists. You'd do well to forget it."
Once, he had named himself Kunikuzushi—"the one who razes nations"—a name born of hatred for that woman and this land. He had wanted nothing more than to see it all burn.
But that was in the past. Now, he had been reborn—transformed into something else. Gone was the broken puppet he once was.
And if she knew that name, then it meant the truth had reached her—and that thought brought him a twisted sense of satisfaction.
"Haa… then what should I call you now?"
The Shogun asked, her voice low and cold with restrained impatience.
"I'm a Harbinger of the Fatui now—the Balladeer. Kunikuzushi is no more."
He corrected her smugly, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"Was it you who distributed those Delusions to the Resistance?"
She ignored his boast entirely, asking instead with steely calm.
Oh, she's ignoring me now? This damn woman! His teeth clenched, though his expression remained deceptively composed.
"Heh… what's with everyone asking the same stupid question today? That kid asked it too, and now you?"
The Balladeer sneered.
"Answer me."
The Shogun's tone grew colder.
"Oh? Struck a nerve, have I? Is this about that little priestess from the Resistance? Let's see… what was her name again~? Ah, right—Sangonomiya Kokomi, wasn't it? Tsk tsk… such a delicate beauty. Don't tell me… you're smitten? How adorably human of you."
"You're tiresome."
Her gaze remained fixed, unflinching.
"Heh… fine, fine. I'll talk. I'm merely the executor here—you're barking up the wrong tree."
He spoke languidly, completely unfazed by her piercing stare.
"As for the one truly behind all this—aren't you the great 'Raiden Shogun'? Go find out yourself."
His eyes gleamed with a taunting light, and he smiled arrogantly—as if daring her to strike him down.
The Shogun's fingers curled slightly within her sleeve, a flicker of lightning dancing in her eyes.
"You're not afraid I'll cut you down where you stand?"
She asked, her voice like cold steel.
"Cut me down? Hahaha~!"
His laughter burst through the room—wild, unrestrained, echoing off the walls. It was the laughter of someone mocking both her and fate itself.
But the Shogun didn't move—her expression didn't waver for even a moment.
"Heh… sigh… My dear sister, you won't kill me. Because you're not as heartless as I am. That's the difference between us."
Tap, tap!
He struck his chest with exaggerated motions, smirking as if at some cruel joke.
"..."
The Shogun's gaze narrowed slightly, her eyes flicking to the spot he'd tapped—as if contemplating the meaning of his words.
"That's the difference between us. She gave you a heart… but not me!"