The three-day deadline passed quickly. During that time, the Traveler, Aether, sought out Ayaka for help. Just as Miko had predicted, after Aether explained everything that had happened, Ayaka immediately understood the Guuji's intentions—and, naturally, agreed to lend her aid.
After all, Ayaka clearly remembered what Kujou Takayuki had done to the Kamisato family. It was time for him to be held accountable.
One key to bringing down the Kujou Clan was obtaining proof of their collusion with the Fatui. That part was simple enough. Her brother, Kamisato Ayato, and his covert organization, the Shuumatsuban, had been monitoring the Kujou residence for quite some time. They knew every corridor and chamber inside and out. Acquiring the evidence was as easy as reaching into a bag—and that's exactly what they did.
"The head of the Kujou Clan needs to be replaced..."
Ayaka murmured softly, trailing her folding fan along her lips as she watched Aether leave the Komore Teahouse with the evidence in hand. Her tone carried a dangerous elegance.
"Miss... what do you think Lady Guuji Yae plans to do with all this?"
Thoma asked curiously. Ever since Aether's explanation—and Ayaka's own cryptic responses—he had sensed a subtle current of intrigue flowing beneath it all.
"She intends to use the evidence to convince Kujou Sara—to bring her to her side. That old fox Kujou Takayuki is stubborn to the core. Without this, it would be difficult to make any real progress."
Ayaka replied calmly.
"So, she plans to expose the head of the Kujou Clan through Sara?"
"That's one way to put it. But that's only one of her objectives."
"One objective? There's more? Don't tell me—!"
"Mhm~ The second one concerns the Traveler."
Ayaka smiled faintly, her tone tinged with mystery.
"..."
Thoma fell silent.
Ayaka stood gracefully, walking toward the window out of habit. The sunlight spilled over her as she looked out upon the streets of Hanamizaka below.
"It seems she's made some kind of wager with the Shogun. The Traveler must be an essential part of that bet."
Her gentle voice carried quiet confidence as she spoke.
"If that's the case, then shouldn't we—"
"Do nothing."
Ayaka interrupted him immediately.
"Eh?"
Thoma blinked, startled.
"From here on, all we can do is wait—and hope. Hope for the Shogun's decision."
She turned back toward him, her figure framed by a soft glow of gold as the sunlight outlined her elegant silhouette.
"I believe in the one I love—our Shogun will surely give us a perfect answer in the end."
She lifted her fan, covering her face to hide the faint blush coloring her cheeks. Her voice remained serene and composed, the image of refined grace.
"Miss..."
Thoma looked at her, expression complicated.
"That last sentence, Thoma... please pretend you didn't hear it, alright~?"
Ayaka added gently, her eyes glimmering with a trace of playful warning.
"Uh... ahaha... understood!"
Thoma scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, forcing a laugh as he pretended to forget.
...
After receiving the letters and trade manifests proving the Kujou Clan's dealings with the Fatui, Aether immediately returned to the Grand Narukami Shrine and handed them to Miko. In truth, three days had been more than enough time. The Kamisato family had secured the proof in less than two.
By the fourth day at noon, the setting was the Grand Narukami Shrine—
Sara arrived as promised. This time, she came alone, without a single retainer in sight. Her intent was clear.
"Lady Guuji, I've come as agreed. Rest assured, I brought no one with me. No one will know of this visit."
She stood before Miko at the shrine gates, where the latter had been waiting for some time.
"I knew you'd keep your word. And I'd wager... these past few nights, you've been restless—unable to sleep, haven't you?"
Miko smiled knowingly, her teasing tone gentle but sharp. She truly did admire Sara's honesty and sense of duty. No wonder the Shogun valued her so highly.
"I... ahem... I would never doubt my lord or the clan head. Lady Guuji, you overestimate my doubts."
Caught off guard by the accurate jab, Sara coughed lightly, trying to maintain her composure with an awkward denial.
Hehe~ How cute. Miko couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. This girl's reactions reminded her of the Shogun at times—though unlike Sara, the Shogun was far more adaptable.
"Then, where is the evidence?"
Sara brushed aside all distractions, getting straight to the point.
"Right here."
Aether stepped forward first, approaching Sara and holding out the letters and documents in his hands.
"We went through quite a bit of trouble to get these, you know."
Paimon complained, her tiny arms crossed.
"Sara, take a good look. Judge for yourself."
Miko gestured lightly with her eyes for Sara to accept them.
"..."
Sara's expression grew increasingly complex as she stared at the papers. The resolve she'd tried to steel herself with began to waver once more. It felt like opening Pandora's box—but in the end, she mustered her courage and began reading.
Minutes passed—
"...Haa."
Sara's shoulders trembled faintly. Perhaps it was shock, perhaps heartbreak. Her face had gone a shade paler.
"These were all carefully hidden away by your clan head, you know?"
Paimon chimed in at the perfect moment, fanning the flames.
"So, how does it feel? The things you wanted to see—and the ones you didn't—they're all laid before you now."
Miko crossed her arms, her sharp eyes noting the faint tremor in Sara's hands.
"Don't look away, Sara."
She warned softly.
"I... Shogun-sama—"
"The Shogun already knows. Do you think the Kujou Clan's betrayal could ever escape her eyes?"
Miko interrupted before she could finish.
"Then... why? Why has the Shogun never spoken to me about this?"
"You still don't understand?"
Hearing that trembling voice, Miko's tone deepened.
"!"
Sara lifted her gaze, meeting Miko's eyes. For the first time, there was a hint of fragility in them.
"The Shogun doesn't want you to know. She wanted you to live peacefully within the Kujou Clan—away from its darkness. She's been sheltering you like a small fledgling under her wing, protecting you from the ugliness of humanity. She wanted you to keep that purity of heart."
"..."
Sara slowly lowered her head, her fingers tightening around the papers.
"But... circumstances have changed. You can't remain ignorant forever. Perhaps she'll scold me for this later, but it's worth it. No one can stay protected forever, can they, Sara?"
"!!"
Sara bit her lip hard, clutching the documents tightly before abruptly turning and sprinting toward the shrine gates without another word.
"Hey!"
Paimon called after her, but the girl didn't stop.
"She's not going to confront Kujou Takayuki alone, is she?!"
Paimon's voice trembled with worry.
"That's too dangerous!"
Aether frowned, alarmed.
"...You two should go after her. As they say—many hands make light work."
Miko sighed softly, her tone calm yet urging.
"!" ×2
The two exchanged a glance and nodded, ready to leave.
"Oh, one more thing."
"Huh?"
They stopped again, turning back to her.
"The last time the Shogun drew you into the Plane of Euthymia—it was before the Statue of the Omnipresent God, wasn't it?"
"That's right."
Aether nodded.
"Then you'll need to find a way to recreate that moment."
Miko said meaningfully.
"I'll try."
Aether understood instantly.
"Take this with you, as a farewell gift."
Miko stepped closer, placing a pink omamori charm in his hand, adorned with delicate sakura petals.
"This is...?"
"A charm from the Grand Narukami Shrine. It's quite special—I saved this one for you."
She explained with a faint smile.
"I'll keep it safe."
Aether tucked it into his pocket, then departed with Paimon to chase after Sara.
"..."
Miko stood quietly, watching their figures disappear into the distance.
The next time you're drawn into the Plane of Euthymia... you'll be facing someone else. And that will be the turning point.
...
Bang!
The great doors of the Kujou estate flew open with a loud crash. Sara had long abandoned her usual poise; all that remained on her face was raw anger and urgency.
She stormed into the grand hall. The guards stationed inside immediately moved to block her path.
"Lady Kujou Sara, by order of the clan head, no one is permitted to enter! Please leave at once!"
The leading officer stepped forward, voice stern.
Sara stopped, her golden eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Move. I will see the clan head. Don't make me force my way through."
Her voice was cold, sharp enough to cut.
"Y-You!" ×N
The guards raised their weapons, ready to subdue her. But before Aether and Paimon—who had just arrived—could prepare for battle, a deep voice echoed from within.
"Enough! Let her through!"
Tap, tap...
From behind the folding screen emerged the current head of the Kujou Clan—Kujou Takayuki. He stepped forward with a measured pace, his gaze stern and superior as he addressed those before him.
"Stand down!" he barked.
"Yes, sir!" ×N
The soldiers immediately obeyed, retreating to the sides and clearing a path for Sara.
Sara's lips pressed together before she took a steadying breath and walked forward until she stood directly before him. Raising her head, she met his cold eyes.
"Clan Head—"
"Silence! Have you forgotten your manners? Speaking out of turn in the great hall of the Kujou Clan—what insolence is this?!"
Takayuki's sharp voice cut her off immediately, his gaze filled with disdain.
"..."
Sara fell silent, her hands trembling faintly at her sides.
"It seems your courage has grown these past few days, Sara."
"..."
Still, she remained quiet.
"Ask him! Don't let him intimidate you!"
Paimon shouted from behind before Aether quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Hmph... Clan Head, I've seen the correspondence between the Commission and the Fatui. Please... give me an explanation."
Her tone was firm, though her voice quivered with contained emotion.
"So those missing letters were taken by you, were they? You insolent child! Do you even understand what you've done?!"
Takayuki roared furiously, slamming his folding fan against the table with a resounding thud!.
"So it's true, then?"
Sara's lips trembled as she took a few steps forward, her voice wavering with disbelief and pain.
"Tell me, please... Has the Tenryou Commission truly betrayed the Shogunate?!"
Her voice broke into a shout, raw with emotion. Her eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.
"!"
Aether froze—this was the first time he'd seen her like this. The fierce, disciplined warrior was gone; in her place stood a woman shaken to her core.
"Hmph! Yes, I've been in contact with the Fatui. The documents you saw were written by my hand."
Takayuki admitted without a hint of shame, his arms crossed, tone indifferent.
"...Why?"
Sara's voice trembled beneath her bangs.
"All that was required was to aid in enforcing the Vision Hunt Decree. In return, the envoy from Snezhnaya promised certain... benefits."
Snezhnaya... envoy?
Sara's heart clenched painfully. The Shogun had trusted them so deeply, and yet...
"This way, we gain the support of a foreign power while also using the Vision Hunt Decree to weaken those who oppose the Kujou Clan. A fair exchange, wouldn't you say? There was no need to inform you of such details."
Takayuki's tone was filled with arrogance, his eyes narrowing in disdain.
"You... You've always revered the Shogun. How can you speak of betrayal so casually?!"
Sara's voice shook with grief. Everything she had—her Vision, her position—had been gifts indirectly bestowed through the Shogun's grace. Hearing this felt like her world was collapsing.
"Betrayal? Is that what you call it? Those Fatui scum are mere tools! Do you really think they could accomplish anything on their own?"
He waved a dismissive hand, his voice rising.
"On Inazuman soil, should thunder fall from the heavens, they'll cower like insects! None dare defy us!"
Takayuki turned his gaze upward, his voice swelling with self-righteous pride.
"After all—we serve none other than the peerless Raiden Shogun, wielder of the 'Musou no Hitotachi'!"
The words rang out through the hall, filled with conviction—as though he himself had wielded that blade.
"..."
Sara stood motionless, her heart numb to his delusion.
"You put far too much faith in the Raiden Shogun."
Aether spoke up suddenly, his tone cool but pointed.
"Mhm... He's not so much devoted to her as he is obsessed with the Musou no Hitotachi. It's... almost fanatical."
Paimon added, nodding quickly.
"Silence! You outsiders have no right to judge me!"
Takayuki's furious voice thundered through the hall.
Old fool, Paimon thought bitterly.
"I do this for the Kujou Clan's eternity! I trust that the Shogun herself will understand me—and so will my late predecessor!"
Takayuki's tone brimmed with misplaced pride, utterly convinced of his righteousness.
"I once questioned myself… Is enforcing the Vision Hunt Decree truly the right path? Even if it means betraying my own sense of justice—should I still follow it?"
Sara placed a trembling hand against her chest, feeling her heart pounding violently beneath her palm. Each beat seemed to echo the turmoil within her.
"But in the end, I made up my mind. As long as it was the path Shogun-sama chose, who was I to judge right or wrong before reaching the end?"
Her voice wavered, but her words carried conviction.
"Yet... now I understand. The path of Eternity has no end—and this road has already been stained with the blood of your selfish desires."
She drew a deep breath, gathering her resolve.
"I'll set things right—I'll correct what the Shogun has been led to believe, even if it costs me everything. I owe my resolve that much."
With that, she turned sharply, holding back the tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she made for the door.
"Foolish girl! You insolent child! Hmph... Do as you please. It changes nothing. The times will not bend for you. Not even the Shogun's favor can alter what's been set in motion."
Takayuki's voice followed her, cold and dismissive.
"I've never believed myself superior just because the Shogun favors me."
Sara's voice cut back like a blade—low but steely. "The Shogun's side is filled with far greater talents than mine. I am merely a child she once chose to save. Standing at her side was more than enough."
"Hmph! The Shogun is at Tenshukaku right now, receiving a diplomat from Snezhnaya—the Fatui Harbinger known as La Signora! If you're so eager to cause trouble, go ahead and interrupt their meeting!"
Takayuki waved dismissively, his tone dripping with mockery.
"!!"
The Snezhnayan envoy!
Sara's golden eyes flashed with fury, sparking like lightning.
Don't even think about leaving Inazuma alive...
Tap tap!! ×N
Without hesitation, she bolted for the door, sprinting toward Tenshukaku at full speed.
"Wait!! Hey!! We've gotta go too!!"
Paimon yelled, tugging at Aether's sleeve.
"Right!"
Aether nodded firmly, and the two took off after her—heading for their final destination: Tenshukaku.
Tap tap!!×N
I swore... I'd follow you to the very end, Shogun-sama.
But now... the ones who betrayed you... are my own family.
Sara ran with all her strength, the pounding of her heart echoing the storm of emotion inside her. As she raced through the streets, memories of the woman she admired—her violet-haired goddess—flashed through her mind like fleeting dreams.
The gentle smile she'd once shown her. The soft warmth of her hand during a storm. The way she shielded her from the rain, and that fateful night they first met—every moment burned vividly in her memory.
Her vision blurred. Her throat tightened.
No... I can't cry now.
She bit her lip hard, wiping the tears from her face, forcing herself to keep moving. The pain of betraying the one she revered felt like daggers piercing her heart.
Through blurred eyes, she saw the towering gates of Tenshukaku looming ahead. Clenching her teeth, she threw her weight against the doors—
Crash!!
The heavy doors burst open with a deep, echoing boom.