The evening breeze of Watatsumi Island carried a salty chill as it swept past the temporary supply distribution point.
Bags of grain bearing the Fontaine emblem were carefully unloaded, and crates of medicine were swiftly inventoried.
Under the dim yellow sunset, a flicker of life finally returned to the numb faces of the people, accompanied by low whimpers and soft words of thanks.
King stood a short distance away, watching the scene in silence until a small white floating object "whooshed" in front of him, its large eyes filled with confusion.
"King, Paimon has a question she can't figure out."
"Why doesn't Neuvillette accept Watatsumi Island into Fontaine?"
"Isn't this a win-win situation?"
Paimon's question drew the attention of everyone nearby.
Sangonomiya Kokomi was approaching with a cup of freshly brewed hot tea. Hearing the question, her footsteps faltered slightly, and a complex look flashed in her eyes.
Raiden Ei also looked up, seemingly trying hard to think about something. Although the chances of her actually figuring anything out were slim, at least she was trying.
King took the tea from Kokomi, blew on the steam, and explained calmly:
"Neuvillette has his reasons."
"If Fontaine agreed today, by tomorrow, all of Teyvat would be abuzz with news that 'Fontaine has crossed the sea to seize Inazuma's territory.'"
"Even if Watatsumi Island is willing, in the mouths of others, this becomes ironclad proof of 'the strong bullying the weak.'"
"Once you're labeled an aggressor, it's hard to shake it off."
"In the future, no matter what Fontaine does, others will view it through a biased lens."
"It would be constantly constrained when dealing with other nations."
He paused and looked at the barren land around them:
"Furthermore, Watatsumi Island is very barren. Food production is extremely low, and there's almost no infrastructure."
"To support such a large population and rebuild the island's economy and livelihood, the resources required would be astronomical."
"For Fontaine, this is a massive burden with almost no foreseeable return in the short term."
"By comparison, providing humanitarian aid actually helps the people of Watatsumi while earning Fontaine a reputation for 'benevolence.'"
"It's the wiser choice."
Paimon nodded as if she understood: "Oh, so that's how it is. King, you're so smart!"
"Exactly." King took a sip of tea.
The moment he set down his teacup—
"Master King, is the tea at the right temperature?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi had somehow appeared at King's side. She bowed slightly, her pinkish-blue hair cascading down, her voice soft.
She produced a plain handkerchief from nowhere and made to wipe the dust from King's face:
"Watatsumi Island is quite windy and dusty. You've worked hard."
Her movements were elegant and natural, her expression full of concern.
However—
*Crack.*
The sound of something snapping.
Everyone turned to see Lynette shrouded in a layer of low pressure.
Those usually calm, pale-purple feline eyes were now fixed intently on the hand Kokomi held the handkerchief with, a faint crimson glow shimmering in their depths.
The cat ears atop her head were pulled taut, every hair seemingly bristling. Her tail swayed slowly and dangerously behind her, like a cat whose territory had been invaded.
Though Lynette's face remained expressionless.
But everyone could feel it—
This cat-eared maid was very, very, very unhappy.
The atmosphere instantly became subtle.
Paimon shrunk back in fear and whispered to Lumine: "L-Lynette just emitted a dark aura, didn't she? How scary..."
Lumine massaged her forehead helplessly and quietly distanced herself from the "battlefield."
Sangonomiya Kokomi seemed completely oblivious, instead offering Lynette a gentle, harmless smile: "Miss Lynette, you've worked hard. Would you like to go inside for a cup of tea and a rest?"
Lynette didn't answer.
She simply stepped forward in silence, nudging Sangonomiya Kokomi away from King's side, as if asserting some kind of sovereignty.
Sangonomiya Kokomi blinked, her smile remaining gentle, but she secretly applied pressure with her feet to stand her ground firmly.
Between the two women, invisible electric sparks seemed to crackle.
King: "..."
He raised his teacup and took another silent sip, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.
On the other side, Raiden Ei sat up straight, her purple eyes focused on King as she asked seriously:
"So, the core issue is that Watatsumi Island is too poor and the return on investment is too low, making it not worth the effort."
King nodded: "You could put it that way."
Ei looked thoughtful, then summarized with great seriousness: "I see. So taking in Watatsumi Island isn't worth the cost?"
She turned to Sangonomiya Kokomi and said earnestly, in a firm tone:
"In that case, Inazuma doesn't want Watatsumi Island either."
Everyone: "..."
Paimon's mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg inside.
Lumine held her forehead, feeling a wave of helplessness.
Clorinde and Lynette exchanged expressionless glances, tacitly lighting a candle for Inazuma's future in their hearts.
Zhongli's hand holding the teacup froze mid-air, his golden eyes filled with bewilderment.
Yae Miko covered her face, her large pink tail drooping weakly, the entire fox exuding an aura of "exhaustion."
Kamisato Ayato's lip twitched slightly as he struggled to maintain his composure as a clan head, but he felt his stomach churning, and a single thought roared in his mind:
Almighty Shogun!
Inazuma has gone through a massive purge; we have no talent left!
Why are you rejecting Watatsumi Island?!
Where do you get the nerve to be so picky, hey!
King: "..."
He felt his temples throbbing again.
Is this country bumpkin's logic a bit too bizarre?
Fontaine doesn't want Watatsumi Island because Fontaine has enough foundation and doesn't need Watatsumi's combat power.
After all, Fontaine's top-tier combatants include the Hydro Archon (Furina hasn't died yet), the Hydro Dragon King (though incomplete), and himself—an invincible existence.
The number of Vision holders in the mid-tier is also quite considerable.
Low-tier combat power? Just look at those steel dreadnoughts on the sea and the endless army of Clockwork Meka.
Plus, the Fontaine Research Institute literally blew up not long ago.
The costs of reconstruction, plus compensation for the victims.
Fontaine currently has a severe fiscal deficit. There's really no need to take on a bad reputation and a massive expense just for a little bit of combat power.
But what about Inazuma?
During the Sakoku and Vision Hunt Decrees, talent was either killed, injured, or had long since left this disappointing land in disillusionment.
Although a few remain, their hearts aren't necessarily with the Shogunate.
The top-tier combat power consists of just one Raiden Ei, whose brain is filled with nothing but muscle.
The backbone of their forces is sparse after the Vision Hunt Decree and the purge.
Kujou Sara is one.
That fellow Yae Miko certainly won't take to the battlefield herself, so she barely counts as one.
Low-tier combat power?
Just look at the parasites of the Tri-Commission, their bodies hollowed out by wine, women, and wealth.
What kind of combat effectiveness can you expect from them?
Inazuma is so starved for talent, and yet Raiden Ei actually wants to "abandon" Watatsumi Island?
Raiden Ei isn't just a political novice anymore; she's a total political black hole!
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