"You already know about Makoto?"
Lumine blinked, then quickly realized what Kokomi meant.
"Ah… so Captain Beidou told you, didn't she?"
Kokomi nodded, though she still looked a bit dazed as her gaze drifted toward Makoto.
"Captain Beidou told me many things yesterday, about the Shogun… and about Lady Baal."
As soon as her voice fell, a sharp flash of lightning illuminated the tent.
From the shadows, Ei, expressionless as ever, stepped forward,
and, in a familiar motion, knelt gracefully behind Makoto.
"Makoto is the true Shogun," she said flatly.
"I am… merely Baalzeebul."
Kokomi studied Ei quietly, nodding inwardly.
Yes, this was exactly the Raiden Shogun from her memories:
unsmiling, solemn, distant.
And yet… when she compared the two sisters,
she found that she far preferred speaking with Makoto.
Makoto, for her part, could only give a small, helpless smile.
She had indeed told Ei not to come today,
but in the end, she could never really stop her.
Ever since Ei had lost Makoto once before, she refused to be apart from her for long again.
If Makoto went somewhere, Ei would follow, always.
Makoto turned her gaze toward Kokomi, speaking softly but clearly:
"Since Captain Beidou has already explained much to you,
with your intelligence, I imagine you've already guessed Inazuma's path from here?"
Kokomi nodded gravely.
"To join the Three-Nation Alliance, and stand together against Celestia!"
Makoto smiled warmly.
"Correct. And because we intend to resist Celestia, Inazuma will need more people, more capable leaders."
"So rest assured, I will do nothing to the Resistance. In fact, I intend to make full use of their strength."
"Both you and Gorou are the very talents Inazuma now desperately lacks. If you're willing, I'd like you to come to Narukami Island to assist me directly."
"There's still much to be done. The situation in Inazuma remains delicate, and we cannot afford to waste time."
"At the latest, I must finalize our treaty within half a month, and within one month, completely stabilize Inazuma's condition."
"After that, with the alliance's support, we'll push Inazuma's development forward. But I can't do it alone."
"I truly hope you'll lend me your strength."
Her voice carried a calm sincerity that left no room for doubt.
Kokomi listened, her heart growing lighter with each word.
At last, she understood why the Geo Archon and others once said that the first Electro Archon, Baal, was a god of infinite gentleness.
Makoto truly was kind.
Helping her… somehow felt like a joy in itself.
Without hesitation, Kokomi responded decisively:
"Since the General herself invites me so earnestly, how could I refuse?
Sangonomiya Kokomi is willing to assist you in restoring peace and order to Inazuma as soon as possible."
"However, I do wish to ask, what are your specific plans for the Resistance forces?"
Makoto exhaled softly, a smile tugging at her lips.
Now that the conversation had reached this point, the rest was clear.
The long conflict between the Resistance and the Shogunate Army,
was finally, completely over.
Makoto pondered for a moment, then spoke softly:
"Both the Shogunate Army and the Resistance currently have many problems."
"Our immediate priority is to address the chaos within both forces."
"There's a bloated roster, a mix of the good and bad. Many soldiers are tied to the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission, these must be thoroughly investigated."
"I can't personally handle all of this right now. General Kujou also has much to attend to, so I must ask you, Gorou and Kujou Sara, to take charge…"
"And by the way, please invite General Gorou and General Kujou in. They should meet; there will be a lot of cooperation ahead."
Kokomi rose at once and went to fetch Gorou and Kujou Sara. Not long after, the two entered the tent.
Seeing two figures nearly identical to Makoto, Gorou froze for a moment, but Kokomi had already briefly mentioned Makoto's revival, so he kept his composure.
"We humbly greet the General and… Lady Baalzeebul."
Makoto smiled faintly and nodded.
"Please, sit. There's much to discuss, and soon we'll need your efforts."
That gentle, soothing warmth made Gorou feel oddly at ease. He nodded and sat beside Kokomi.
Makoto collected her thoughts and continued in a quiet, steady voice:
"The screening of Inazuma's Shogunate Army and the Resistance will be entrusted to Gorou and Kujou Sara."
"After screening, we will reorganize them into a unified Inazuma force, and improve pay and welfare."
"Those who no longer wish to serve may be compensated and sent home."
"The soldiers who fell in battle, whether former Shogunate or former Resistance, will be treated equally: given honorable burials and sufficient compensation to their families."
"Kokomi, you and Kamisato Ayato will meet and personally oversee this. No official is to embezzle or exploit this process."
"Every compensation must be generous and reliably delivered into the hands of the people."
Makoto's gaze hardened slightly.
"If anyone tries to obstruct this… Ei, "
Ei, who had been silent until now, inclined her head and spoke in a low, resolute tone:
"I will bring down divine punishment."
Makoto exhaled softly.
"Both the Resistance and the Shogunate are children of Inazuma. They should never have suffered so. We failed them."
"I know the dead cannot be returned, but regardless, we must do what we can to provide."
"Even if the treasury is empty, we will find ways to gather funds for compensation."
She looked at Kokomi with quiet earnestness.
"Kokomi, please bear with this work alongside Kamisato Ayato for a while."
"With the Sakoku Decree lifted, merchants from Liyue and Mondstadt will be officially dispatched soon. When trade resumes, our situation will gradually improve."
Kokomi's eyes shone with emotion as she nodded solemnly.
"It is my duty. The war is also my responsibility. Watatsumi will provide funds to help compensate the people."
Makoto paused, then added:
"Conduct a thorough investigation of the senior ranks of both the Resistance and the Shogunate. If any corruption is discovered, turn the matter over to Gorou and Kujou Sara for handling."
"My only demand is this: anyone who oppressed the people must receive their due punishment."
Gorou and Kujou Sara replied in unison, their voices low and firm.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Makoto paused briefly, then continued in a calm yet resolute tone:
"This matter takes top priority. If it can be done quickly, do it as soon as possible."
"After reorganizing the Resistance and the Shogunate Army into Inazuma's new unified forces, assemble a detachment of one thousand troops. Kujou Sara will lead them, and Ei will accompany her to Liyue."
"Once there, Lumine will take you to meet the Geo Archon, Morax, the Lord of Geo. They'll explain the details of your mission."
"Ei, once you arrive, sign the final Alliance Pact in my name. When Inazuma's situation stabilizes, I will personally bring Kokomi and the others to join you."
Ei pressed her lips together, reluctant.
"If I leave… what if you're in danger?"
~~----------------------
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