In the quiet heart of Tenshukaku, the late-afternoon sunlight filtered through latticed windows, casting warm gold over stacks of documents.
Makoto knelt behind her low desk, a calm figure in the sea of parchment, reading and signing one decree after another.
Beside her sat Sangonomiya Kokomi, quietly assisting with the endless flow of reports.
"General," Kokomi said softly, "the trade activity in Inazuma City has increased by twenty-three percent this quarter , the statistics have been compiled."
"General, Gorou has departed for Seirai Island to clear the remaining monsters."
"General, regarding the new port constructions…"
Every few minutes, she lifted her head to deliver another update.
The rhythm of their work was steady, almost meditative.
Then, just as Kokomi opened her mouth again, something unusual stirred the air before them.
Tiny golden motes appeared above Makoto's desk, swirling into a glowing sigil.
Kokomi's eyes widened. She instantly rose, stepping protectively in front of her ruler.
"General! Please be careful, "
Makoto raised a gentle hand, her smile faint but serene.
"It's all right, Kokomi. This light belongs to Morax's contract. It seems… Ei has signed the alliance."
Relieved, Kokomi exhaled softly. She approached the contract as it fully materialized in the air, checked its magical structure for traps or curses, and only when she was sure it was harmless did she offer it respectfully to Makoto.
The Shogun chuckled, shaking her head.
"You don't have to be so cautious. I'm not as fragile as you think , and Morax would never harm me."
Kokomi pressed her lips together, her voice lowering.
"Forgive me, General. It's only that your safety now determines the stability of all Inazuma."
"Before she departed, Lady Ei charged me to protect you above all else. It's not that I distrust you or Lord Morax… but I cannot be careless."
Makoto smiled gently, touched by the girl's sense of duty.
In truth, Kokomi had every reason to be vigilant.
After years of turmoil, Inazuma was finally at peace , commerce thriving, the seas calm, the people hopeful again.
Yes, it was exhausting work… but Kokomi felt genuinely happy for the first time in years.
If anything happened to Makoto now, everything could collapse again.
She was, without question, the only god suited to guide this nation.
Makoto unfolded the parchment. As her eyes passed over the divine script, her expression softened into joy.
Kokomi tilted her head curiously.
"General, if I may , what does it say?"
If it had been Ei, Kokomi would never have dared to ask.
But Makoto was different.
She wasn't merely a ruler; she carried the warmth of an elder sister, someone who listened as much as she led.
For both Kokomi and Ayato , shrewd minds who often carried the weight of impossible decisions , Makoto had become a quiet refuge.
She could sense the hidden burdens they never voiced, gently unraveling their knots with a few kind words.
That, more than any policy, was why their loyalty had grown so absolute.
It wasn't just that Makoto offered a vision of Inazuma's bright future.
It was that her kindness made people believe in that future.
Kokomi could suddenly understand Ei's grief , why her sister's death had shattered her so completely.
Makoto smiled, folding the contract and placing it aside.
"I'm sorry, Kokomi. This is a covenant among the Four Archons. Its contents must remain secret."
Kokomi quickly shook her head.
"Of course, General , please don't apologize. I overstepped."
Makoto's eyes softened. She reached out, gently tapping Kokomi's forehead.
"Little Kokomi," she said with a laugh, "you don't need to be so formal. I hope I'm not as frightening as Ei?"
Kokomi straightened immediately.
"No! The General is the kindest god I've ever met! Of course, I don't mean Lady Ei isn't great , she's brave and mighty, the pillar of Inazuma , but you…"
Makoto laughed, amused by the girl's earnest panic.
"You truly have a way with words," she teased.
Then, her tone softened again. She took Kokomi's hand and drew her to sit beside her.
"Kokomi… you carry too much weight on your shoulders. You don't always need to hide behind perfection."
"You are still a young girl. Before being priestess of Watatsumi, before being a symbol of your people , you are yourself."
"And you deserve to be cared for. To be loved."
"Only someone who learns to love herself," Makoto said quietly, "can truly love her nation."
Kokomi froze. Her eyes trembled.
No one had ever said that to her before.
All her life, she had been told she was the Divine Priestess, the future of Watatsumi ,
that her emotions were a weakness, her individuality a distraction.
But now, someone she respected above all had told her the opposite.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"General…" she whispered.
Makoto smiled warmly.
"When we're in private, you may call me sister if you like."
Something broke softly inside Kokomi's heart.
She lowered her head, voice barely audible.
"...Sister Makoto."
At that moment, she finally understood why, in the ancient days, every Inazuman had loved their Shogun with such pure devotion.
Because Makoto had loved them first , completely, without reserve.
In her eyes, every subject was family.
Perhaps that was why so many had been willing to die for her.
Makoto, unaware of Kokomi's quiet tears, continued gently:
"I didn't tell you before because this contract concerns the alliance among the four nations."
"But now that it's signed, you should know why I believe so firmly that we can defeat Celestia , and rebuild Inazuma into something far greater."
"Do you remember the man who brokered the alliance , Ryen?"
Kokomi nodded quickly.
"The one who helped… you return to life, yes? He is Inazuma's benefactor."
"Indeed," Makoto said with a soft laugh.
"That man possesses an entire world of his own , a realm under his complete control."
Kokomi blinked.
"A… world?"
"Yes," Makoto said, eyes glimmering.
"It was through that world that I was revived. The same world that gave Liyue its dragon knights, its miracles, its unmatched strength."
"And that," she said, her smile gentle but certain,
"is why I know , beyond doubt , that our alliance will succeed."
Kokomi stared at her, stunned, wonder stirring behind her tears.
"An entire world…" she whispered.
"Yes," Makoto repeated, with quiet conviction.
"A world , and the hope of our future."
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