LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 14: Chapter 14
"What? My subordinate is loyal to the General, how could he betray the country? Is there some misunderstanding?"
Kujou Sara was completely stunned, but she quickly regained her composure and spoke.
The surrounding Shogunate troops were also confused. Lord Kujou Sara was absolutely loyal to the Shogun. What was going on?
"I know you are loyal to the General, which is why I said you are unlucky, Kujou Sara," Yae Miko shook her head and walked up to Kujou Sara.
"The Tenshukaku has never received a proper report on Inazuma's current situation, but every time the reports appeared, they claimed that Inazuma was peaceful, and that the people were living and working in harmony."
"Kujou Takayuki conspired with powerful figures, colluded with the Fatui, and deceived both superiors and subordinates, causing chaos in Inazuma. They manipulated the General into issuing the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree. By the time the General realized the truth, the nation's foundations were already shaken."
Kujou Sara's head buzzed with disbelief.
"I also do not want to see loyal subordinates of the General be convicted. When the time comes, I will plead with the General for you. Now, you should go to the Tenshukaku and admit your guilt," Yae Miko said, raising the Raiden Shogun's sword, Musou Isshin, in response.
"Soldiers of the Shogunate Army, arrest Commander Kujou Sara and all individuals associated with her."
At that moment, the Shogunate soldiers realized what had happened.
It turns out that, over the years, the Shogun had no true knowledge of Inazuma's current situation. The one who had been giving orders was Kujou Takayuki—a traitor to the nation!
As for whether this was true?
Nonsense—the General's sword was here, how could it be false?
The rage of having been deceived erupted among the Shogunate forces.
All the Shogunate soldiers were furious. All those connected to the Kujou family serving in the Shogunate Army were arrested without hesitation.
None dared resist. If they attempted to, not only would the lightning in the sky instantly execute them, but the enraged soldiers would tear them apart without a second thought.
Yae Miko did not return to Inazuma City immediately but instead gracefully headed towards Watatsumi Island.
"Ah, I am just a servant who obeys orders. When nothing happens, I am left aside, and only when something happens do they remember me."
Although she complained, she was still happy that Ei had emerged from the Plane of Euthymia to begin rectifying Inazuma.
Although she was Ei's servant, Yae Miko also believed that Ei's disregard for Inazuma, leaving everything to the Raiden Shogun in pursuit of the so-called "eternity," was too much.
The chaos in Inazuma had even alarmed Celestia.
If not for Celestia's concern, Ei probably would not have left the Plane of Euthymia.
At the same time, Yae Miko also had a headache about Lord Takumi from Celestia.
She would spend the next few days as his tour guide.
She was worried about whether he might be attracted to her beauty.
She understood that her beauty was no less than that of her master, Ei.
But she dared not think about that possibility at all.
Judging by Ei's attitude towards Lord Takumi, it was clear that he was a god of a higher rank than Ei.
Yae Miko was deeply concerned about her future fate.
In her heart, she resented those who had brought Inazuma to this state.
The current situation in Inazuma was not just due to those parasites but also because of the Fatui from Snezhnaya.
It also had much to do with the puppet Ei had once created, which had now become an executive of the Fatui.
If Inazuma had not descended into chaos, Ei would not have been awakened to travel to Celestia.
It was easy to imagine the immense pressure that Ei was now under.
---
**Watatsumi Island**
**Sangonomiya Shrine**
Although the ordinary rebels who escaped could not return to Watatsumi Island immediately, Gorou, who possessed a Vision, managed to reach the island before Yae Miko, delivering a letter to Sangonomiya.
While Kokomi was relieved to hear that the soldiers were not completely wiped out by the lightning, she knew this did not mean that the Raiden Shogun would spare Watatsumi Island.
The member of the Narukami clan carrying the Raiden Shogun's sword would certainly come to Watatsumi Island to announce the General's will.
"Lady Sangonomiya, what should we do now?" one of the powerful men asked, trembling with fear as he looked at the sky filled with thunderclouds. Even his voice shook.
He had never seen the gods act before and thought that the Shogunate Army and the gods were not invincible—that as long as the soldiers had more weapons and greater numbers, they could fight back.
Now that he had witnessed a glimpse of divine power, his mental defenses had completely collapsed.
"What should we do... You're asking me what to do now? Why didn't you ask for my opinion before starting this war?" Sangonomiya Kokomi laughed bitterly at the trembling dignitaries huddled behind her.
"Orobashi, the great sea god whom we worship on Watatsumi Island, was killed by the Raiden Shogun with a single strike. Without divine protection, how could Watatsumi Island hope to oppose the Inazuma Shogunate, who have the Raiden Shogun's protection?"
"Even if we managed to defeat the Shogunate, do you think the Raiden Shogun would simply stand by and watch? For Watatsumi Island, regardless of whether we provoked the Shogunate or not, there was only ever one outcome."
"Originally, obtaining some concessions to sustain the survival of Watatsumi Island, slowly gaining benefits from the Shogunate within their limits, and eventually taking the initiative to end the war—that was the best course of action. But now, because of your greed, things have come to this."
"Can't we resist being oppressed by the Shogunate?" one of the powerful men asked bitterly.
"There were many ways to solve the problem, but you chose the stupidest one—using force. In warfare, the ideal is to attack the enemy's strategy, then to attack alliances, and lastly to lay siege to cities..."
Kokomi's heart was also filled with bitterness. She was not angry about the possibility of being punished by the Raiden Shogun, nor was she angry that these men had acted on their own. She was angry at her own weakness. If she had been firmer, would these leaders of Watatsumi Island have obediently followed her orders as they did now?
"At this point, the only option is to surrender."
"Surrender... Will the Raiden Shogun spare us?" the powerful man asked, unwilling to accept this outcome.
"..."
Kokomi said nothing. The Raiden Shogun's lightning had already enveloped the skies above Watatsumi Island. Did they still think there was any chance of survival?
Of course, Kokomi did not want to die either. The Raiden Shogun had spared the fighting soldiers, indicating that Watatsumi Island was being given a chance to survive. Therefore, they had to be wise and hand over those responsible for starting the war as an example to others.
Otherwise, Watatsumi Island faced the prospect of complete annihilation.
If it came to it, Kokomi would have no choice but to sacrifice herself for the people of Watatsumi Island, even if it was against her will.
People who rise to power are not simple-minded; they understood that the Raiden Shogun would not easily forgive them, but people often cling to hope.
---
*Rumble, rumble—*
Accompanied by deafening thunder and occasional lightning strikes destroying rocks on the island, the tension grew.
"Lady Sangonomiya! The Narukami follower wielding the Raiden Shogun's sword has entered!" a soldier reported tremblingly.
Everyone present was filled with fear, and before they could react, a seductive female voice called out.
"Oh~ I didn't exactly force my way in. No one stopped me, so I wouldn't call it an intrusion."
Yae Miko walked into Sangonomiya Shrine, holding the 'Musou Isshin,' and looked calmly at the nervous people, her gaze ultimately falling on Sangonomiya Kokomi.
"The living shrine maiden of Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi, you are wise and already know why I am here."