LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 15: Chapter 15
"I know." Sangonomiya Kokomi felt bitterness in her heart.
"But the 'Sakoku Decree' and 'Vision Hunt Decree' issued by the Raiden Shogun made it impossible for Watatsumi Island to survive. The war was just to show the Raiden Shogun the people's wishes, not for revenge."
Although the Raiden Shogun did not come in person, there was no difference between Yae Miko, a member of the Narukami family, coming with the Raiden Shogun's sword and the Raiden Shogun herself being there.
If her words were even slightly disrespectful, she had no doubt that the Raiden Shogun, who was watching, would bring down thunder without hesitation.
"The 'Sakoku Decree' and 'Vision Hunt Decree' were issued in the name of the Raiden Shogun by the Tri-Commission to deceive both the higher-ups and the people. The Shogun did not know about it."
Yae Miko looked at Sangonomiya Kokomi calmly.
"But Inazuma's current chaos has nothing to do with you. The Shogun will give you two choices."
"First, Watatsumi Island will immediately be removed from Inazuma's map."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere became terrifyingly silent. Sangonomiya Kokomi was trembling with fear, not to mention everyone else.
"Second, hand over the main instigators who started the war, all those who destroyed the town's monuments on Yashiori Island, restore the Narukami statue that you destroyed on Watatsumi Island, and abolish all worship of the demon god Orobashi."
"If this is done, the Raiden Shogun will let bygones be bygones and treat the people of Watatsumi Island the same as those of Inazuma."
After Yae Miko finished speaking, she looked at Sangonomiya Kokomi calmly.
Although this was the first time she had met the goddess shrine maiden of Watatsumi Island, she had heard of her capabilities. Kokomi was a very intelligent and capable individual.
"As a smart person, I believe you know what choice to make."
After saying this, Yae Miko turned and left gracefully.
Of course, these decrees were her suggestion. If Ei had come, she might have cut Watatsumi Island off entirely.
Only by abolishing Watatsumi Island's belief in Orobashi could the island truly be united with Inazuma. If the worship of Orobashi continued, conflict was bound to arise sooner or later.
And Yae Miko had the ability to appreciate Sangonomiya Kokomi.
After dealing with the corrupt officials and nobility of Inazuma, Inazuma would need capable leaders.
If Sangonomiya Kokomi could be recruited to work in Tenshukaku, and if the people of Watatsumi Island could see that the Raiden Shogun truly treated everyone equally, they would gradually come to support Inazuma again.
After watching Yae Miko leave, Sangonomiya Kokomi felt utterly hopeless. In the end, she knew she would still die.
After all, she was the apparent leader of Watatsumi Island, the strategist of the resistance army, and the goddess shrine maiden. Only her death could completely sever Watatsumi Island's belief in Orobashi.
The Raiden Shogun had given her two choices, but in reality, there was only one. How could she resist?
Rebel against the gods? It would be futile.
To ensure Watatsumi Island's survival, the only choice was to obey the Raiden Shogun's command.
Having no choice, and accepting that her death was inevitable, Kokomi felt an unusual sense of calm.
"Did you hear the deadline that the Raiden Shogun gave us? It determines whether Watatsumi Island can continue to exist. Don't say I'm being arbitrary. You may now discuss our current situation."
Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at the dignitaries of Watatsumi Island and spoke with a firm attitude.
She hoped that these people would use their final moments wisely and not try to escape. If they did, she would not hesitate to eliminate them on the spot.
After all, she had nothing to lose; she would be punished by the Raiden Shogun regardless. If she could help the people of Watatsumi Island by ridding them of these cancers and redistributing their wealth, then it would be worth it.
After saying that, Kokomi walked away in a daze.
"Lady Strategist, what should we do next?"
Gorou, Sangonomiya Kokomi's loyal subordinate, spoke nervously, seeing how dazed and exhausted she appeared.
He knew better than anyone how hard Kokomi worked for the people of Watatsumi Island. Many times, she would only rest when she was on the verge of collapsing.
"Gorou, what can we do now? Can I still lead everyone on Watatsumi Island to escape from the Raiden Shogun's thunderstorm blockade?" Kokomi smiled bitterly, then her expression turned serious.
"Tomorrow, I will be presented as an example by the Raiden Shogun, and I will bear all the blame."
"Besides..." Kokomi lowered her voice.
She knew some of the powerful people would try to escape, driven by a sense of hope.
Everyone had hopes, especially those in power—they were selfish.
So, no matter what the final decision was, she would not let them escape.
After hearing Kokomi's words, Gorou's expression gradually turned serious and then resolute.
"Lastly... if, after my death, the Raiden Shogun still cannot forgive us, then you must take the people of Watatsumi Island away from Inazuma."
"I... understand, Lady Strategist." Gorou gritted his teeth painfully, swallowing the words he wanted to say to urge her to escape. He knew that Kokomi would never abandon Watatsumi Island. If she escaped, the island would disappear the next day.
"If those people hadn't insisted on destroying the sacred monuments and statues, none of this would have happened."
Gorou was full of resentment. The powerful had ignored the strategist's guidance for their own benefit. If they had listened to Kokomi, she would not have had to sacrifice herself.
Thinking of this, Gorou's eyes grew cold.
No matter what the outcome of the discussions was, he would not let them escape.
As Sangonomiya Kokomi's most loyal follower, he knew better than anyone how selfish these powerful people were.
A good person like Kokomi was willing to sacrifice herself for Watatsumi Island. Why should these parasites be allowed to live?
Watatsumi Island had a sleepless night.
Gorou led a group of loyal followers of Sangonomiya Kokomi and kidnapped the powerful leaders directly. Gorou's instincts were correct; many of the leaders were planning to escape from Watatsumi Island by boat.
For those who attempted to flee, Kokomi mercilessly ordered Gorou to send their entire families away, leaving no descendants.
After capturing the powerful leaders, all the food and wealth were distributed to the civilians of Watatsumi Island.
Sangonomiya Kokomi did not hesitate as she ransacked homes and carried out executions.
This ruthlessness surprised Takumi, who had come secretly to observe. He was amazed by Kokomi's determination.
Someone who could rise to power—even if she seemed like a weak girl—was not as simple as she appeared.
Women, in particular, could be even more ruthless than men when needed.
Be careful of the sea—it was definitely no mere eel.
At least in terms of governance, she was far better than Ei, who only knew how to swing a sword.
After the food and land were distributed to the civilians, more and more people began to support Sangonomiya Kokomi.
The civilians had been enraged even before their homes were confiscated.
Many could not even eat a single meal a day, while the powerful hoarded so much food that even the rats in their barns were exhausted from overfeeding. The wealthy ate and drank extravagantly every day.
With so much grain stored, these powerful figures still feigned poverty and encouraged others to seize Inazuma's land for them, treating them as cannon fodder to die on the front lines.
The furious civilians did not heed the pleas or cries for mercy of the powerful but instead beat them with hoes, sickles, and hammers until the ground was splattered with blood.
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Before dawn the next day, Sangonomiya Kokomi and Gorou brought a group of captured dignitaries to Inazuma City.
By this time, Inazuma City was overcrowded, as people from all over Narukami Island had gathered to witness what would happen.
In front of the statue of a Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God, all the dignitaries from the Tenryou Commission and those who had conspired with the Fatui were forced to kneel by the Shogunate generals.
The crowd was vast, and all the prisoners were shouting their innocence.
"It's unjust! We have always been loyal to the Shogun!"
"It's unfair, General! Our Yashiro family has been loyal to the Shogun for generations!"
"We are innocent. It was all Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke's doing. They conspired to monopolize Inazuma's business and forced us into it!"