Kujou Sara paused for a moment, then continued, "I will not doubt the head of the clan. You are overthinking this. Now, where is the evidence I requested?"
The moment Kujou Sara finished speaking, Lumine appeared behind her.
A smile spread across Yae Miko's face. "Oh, the other punctual one has arrived as well."
[Paimon: Miko's calculations are incredible! She timed everything perfectly.]
[Yae Miko: Haha, I didn't think that far ahead. If you hadn't managed to return in time, I would have simply found another excuse to stall, just like three days ago.]
[Paimon: Uh... that is definitely Miko's style.]
[Yae Miko: I am well aware of Sayu's abilities. The fact that she could slip away from the Shuumatsuban, evading even Kamisato Ayato himself, speaks volumes.]
[Paimon: So that's how it is!]
Lumine handed over the evidence, and Paimon chimed in, "It took quite a lot of effort to get this."
Upon seeing it, Kujou Sara was shocked. The documents contained nothing about the resistance's front lines—only statements claiming the Vision Hunt Decree was facing no obstacles.
"How can this be? The soldiers who fell on the front lines, the hardships endured by the people... are they all deemed insignificant?"
"Is this how little they value human life? Why go to such lengths to conceal the truth?"
[Ningguang: I wonder how the head of the Kujou Clan will try to talk his way out of this.]
[Furina: It will be a most splendid trial! And the prosecutor will be Lumine!]
[Neuvillette: A trial should be conducted in the presence of the Archon.]
[Paimon: Right! Let's go find Ei and have her witness this judgment.]
[Ningguang: To extract the truth, a trial requires skill as well.]
[Paimon: You mean if he refuses to confess, we'll need to use some tricks? But what kind of tricks?]
[Keqing: I know this. You set traps within your questions. You can also lead them to blurt out the truth subconsciously.]
[Lumine: Sara, are you familiar with these interrogation techniques?]
[Kujou Sara: I'm sorry, I am not.]
[Lumine: Hmm. It seems we'll have to put in some extra effort then.]
Yae Miko's voice rang out at the perfect moment. "Why, to ensure the smooth implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree, of course. If they included all of that, the Shogun might change her mind. And what would they do then?"
Faced with the evidence, Kujou Sara had no choice but to believe it. "The Tenryou Commission... has truly been deliberately deceiving the Shogun?"
The little fox nodded. "Indeed. Now think about it—who truly benefits from the Vision Hunt Decree?"
Lumine added, "There's also a secret letter here."
Paimon explained, "It's correspondence between the Tenryou Commission and the Fatui! The head of the Kujou Clan deliberately hid it."
After reading it, Kujou Sara gasped heavily, visibly shaken.
Yae Miko asked, "Well? Everything you wanted to see, and everything you didn't want to see—it's all right in front of you now. Surely you're not still trying to run from the truth?"
[Yae Miko: How amusing, how amusing. Seeing this expression on my own face from a video is absolutely delightful.]
[Furina: Miss Fox is absolutely adorable.]
[Zhongli: That expression on Miss Fox... I have seen it on Cloud Retainer before. How many years has it been?]
[Ganyu: My master... rarely assumes human form anymore.]
[Zhongli: I recall a time when Cloud Retainer frequently walked the streets of Liyue Harbor.]
[Streetward Rambler: Cloud Retainer, come back and celebrate this year's Lantern Rite with us.]
[Cloud Retainer: I am currently in the midst of completing an invention. We shall discuss this matter after I have finished my creation.]
Sara was furious. "Then everything I have upheld until now..."
"They... how dare they... this is utterly despicable."
"This betrayal is unforgivable. I will confront the head of the clan directly."
With that, Sara stormed off angrily.
Paimon observed, "Kujou Sara is really furious. Looks like our persuasion succeeded."
Lumine said, "Now that the Shogunate army is leaderless, if we follow her, we should have another chance to see the Raiden Shogun."
Paimon agreed. "Right! Let's hurry and catch up."
Just as Lumine was about to leave, Yae Miko called out to her. "Wait, Lumine. I still have something to tell you."
"The first time you entered the Plane of Euthymia was in front of the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God, correct? You must find a way to recreate that scene. If you can once again open the Shogun's heart before that statue, an opportunity will surely arise."
Lumine nodded firmly. "I will do my best."
Yae Miko then handed Lumine a charm. "Take this charm with you. Consider it a farewell gift. The charms from the Grand Narukami Shrine have always been very effective. I specifically saved one just for you."
[Paimon: I remember that if a girl gives a boy a charm, it usually has a special meaning.]
[Yae Miko: Generally speaking, that is true. But there is one exception.]
[Paimon: What exception?]
[Yae Miko: I am the issuing authority for these charms... If a boy invites a girl to dinner, it could be said to have special meaning. But if a restaurant invites a girl to dinner, that's completely different, isn't it?]
[Paimon: Hmm... that actually makes sense.]
[Furina: Regardless, I ship this couple!]
[Paimon: No, no! The Traveler is mine!]
[Neuvillette: It is rare to see Furina this genuinely happy. Most of her happiness is usually feigned. The emotions I read are not like this.]
[Furina: Neuvillette, you can read my emotions?]
[Neuvillette: Only vague impressions.]
[Furina: Knowing that Fontaine will eventually be saved, and having so many people willing to cooperate with me now... of course I'm happy.]
Lumine nodded. "Thank you. I will treasure it."
Yae Miko continued, "When you encounter an unsolvable crisis, take it out and look at it. Perhaps the crisis will resolve itself."
"Of course, you can also take it out when you miss me. Maybe I'll suddenly pop out to see you."
Paimon put her hands on her hips. "Now's not the time to tease the Traveler, Miss Fox!"
Yae Miko let out a cheerful laugh. "Haha, my apologies. Well then, I entrust my foolish old friend to you."
[Lumine: They really do share a close bond.]
[Zhongli: Indeed. Like Hu Tao and myself. Even after learning my true identity, she continues to fool around as before.]
[Hu Tao: You told me yourself to just treat you as the consultant!]
[Zhongli: Mm. The Director Hu is very happy working at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.]
[Furina: I understand this. It's about overlooking their identity as an Archon and simply treating them as a best friend.]
[Ningguang: Indeed. Constantly worrying about status makes it difficult to bridge the distance between two people.]
Following Sara, Lumine and Paimon charged into the Tenryou Commission headquarters.
Inside, numerous guards blocked their path, refusing entry to anyone.
Lumine and Sara fought their way through and, after a lengthy battle, broke inside.
Kujou Takayuki emerged from within. "Stop this, Sara! Have you lost your mind? How dare you defy my orders!"
Sara's momentum immediately faltered. Just as she was about to explain, Paimon reminded her, "Question him! Don't let his bluster intimidate you!"
Sara immediately demanded, "Lord Takayuki, I have seen the Commission's official reports and the letters addressed to the Fatui. I demand an explanation."
Kujou Takayuki offered no explanation but instead countered, "So it was you who stole those missing documents and letters? Hmph..."
[Furina: Ah, does this man have no brain? He admitted it without any tricks being used!]
[Ningguang: He likely believed there was no need to hide it.]
[Keqing: Such a fool wielding power over the Shogunate... This is a tragedy for Inazuma.]
[Zhongli: Mm. This likely relates to the inheritance of power. Inazuma's authority is divided among the three Commissions, each controlled by a single clan. Successors are chosen from within the clan. But within a clan, not every generation is brilliant. Occasionally, there are exceptionally shrewd individuals, and occasionally, there are complete fools. I understand this well. Therefore, when structuring Liyue's government, I established the Qixing to avoid this problem.]
[Paimon: I remember that Ningguang was originally from a poor family in Liyue, and Keqing is also a very capable person.]
[Zhongli: Correct. Anyone with ability can ascend to the position of Qixing and govern Liyue. Every Qixing successor is selected through examination. Thus, each generation of Qixing consists of exceptional humans. Fools never occupy high positions.]
[Yae Miko: My foolish friend had no experience governing a nation. Her initial arrangements were indeed somewhat hasty.]
[Paimon: Zhongli lived among the people for a long time before establishing Liyue.]
[Yae Miko: My old friend Ei was simply a martial artist obsessed with swordsmanship. Temporarily taking over the entire nation, she naturally governed poorly.]
[Ei: Mm. Afterwards, I will also revise Inazuma's laws and restructure its power system, abolishing hereditary succession within clans to prevent fools from occupying high positions. For now, let us refer to them as 'fools.']
Sara stepped closer to Kujou Takayuki. "Can I interpret your words as an admission that those documents were indeed your doing, and not forgeries?"
"Tell me, head of the clan. Tell me. Has the Tenryou Commission truly betrayed the Shogunate?"
Kujou Takayuki crossed his arms. "Hmph. I did indeed have dealings with the Fatui. And the documents you saw were indeed authored by me."
Paimon's eyes widened. "He just admitted it like that?"
Kujou Takayuki continued, "I considered it a rather profitable arrangement. There was simply no need to inform you, Sara."
[Ningguang: No wonder the Fatui succeeded so easily. This head of the Tenryou Commission is less capable than my personal secretary, Bailing.]
[Keqing: Mm. With his intelligence, he couldn't even serve as a squad leader in the Millelith. He lacks adaptability and quick thinking.]
[Furina: Truly a headache-inducing subordinate.]
[Navia: In the Spina di Rosula, this clan head would only be an ordinary member.]
[Paimon: And such a fool controls the entire Tenryou Commission. No wonder the Fatui run rampant in Inazuma.]
Kujou Takayuki continued smugly, "By promoting and enforcing the Vision Hunt Decree, we secured the benefits promised by the Snezhnayan diplomats. So many have coveted the Kujou Clan's position, countless families trying to drag us down. This move both secures powerful foreign support and uses the Decree to weaken our enemies' fighting strength."
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: What convenient logic. To solidify his clan's status, he plunges all of Inazuma's people into suffering. Countless lives lost because of this.]
[Gorou: For my fallen comrades, I will capture him and make him die in regret.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: That will certainly happen.]
[Kaedehara Kazuha: He is also the true culprit who killed my friend. I will never forgive him.]
[Ei: I will personally judge him. The verdict will undoubtedly be execution.]
Kujou Sara was heartbroken. "You always... you always revered the Shogun so deeply. How can you speak of betrayal so lightly?"
"Betrayal? Can this be called betrayal?" Kujou Takayuki did not accept Sara's view. "Those Fatui are simply being used by me. What can they possibly accomplish?"
"On Inazuman soil, when the heavenly thunder falls, they are but trembling ants. They dare not overstep. After all, we have the matchless Raiden Shogun, possessing that Musou no Hitotachi."
Paimon observed, "It's not really the Shogun he reveres, but rather her martial prowess and that Musou no Hitotachi. And his reverence borders on fanaticism."
Sara asked sadly, "But what of your sense of loyalty, my lord? Since the Kujou Clan adopted me, you taught me the way of a retainer's loyalty."
"Now I see... you only wanted my loyalty to the Kujou Clan. You feared I might one day betray you. Those grand principles were merely tools to mask your own ugliness and selfishness."
Kujou Takayuki spread his hands. "Selfishness? I am also protecting the Kujou Clan's eternity. I believe Her Excellency the Shogun will understand. The previous clan head would surely understand me as well."
[Furina: Those who speak constantly of loyalty are often the least loyal. What bitter irony.]
[Gorou: Protecting the Kujou Clan? More like protecting himself. His status matters, but the soldiers' lives do not?]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: I rarely get angry, but for some reason, today I am furious.]
[Lumine: For Teppei. For every comrade in the resistance.]
[Zhongli: This is the cost of eternity. It appears to preserve beauty, but in truth, beauty decays within it. Only progress allows beauty to endure.]
[Ningguang: The people of Liyue live and work in peace and contentment, happy and healthy.]
[Streetward Rambler: Liyue... I watched it grow up. People's lives are indeed getting better and better. This old woman is happy to see it.]
[Paimon: Yes, yes. Resting on one's laurels... how could that possibly be a good thing?]
[Yae Miko: The departure of old friends greatly affected Ei. In the Khaenri'ah war, my Lady Saiguu, Ei's sister... all left us.]
[Zhongli: That war was brutal. I had to exert my full strength just to cope. The Millelith paid a heavy price to hold back the Abyssal creatures.]
[Paimon: The Abyssal creatures... are they that powerful?]
[Zhongli: Mm. Not only powerful, but also numerous. The intensity of that war was no less than the Archon War. Even the Seven found it difficult to avoid injury. When she was truly in danger, she and I were too far apart. In the end, I could not save her.]
[Paimon: Were the Seven all friends?]
[Zhongli: In earlier times, the Seven often gathered in Liyue. We were naturally friends. But the battlefield was vast. Each Archon was responsible for a long stretch of the front. I could do nothing.]
[Ei: I understand.]
Paimon was exasperated with the clan head. "I hate to say it, but the Kujou Clan is far too arrogant. The Fatui won't be that easy to deal with."
Lumine said to Paimon, "Arguing with them further is pointless now. It all depends on Kujou Sara's stance."
Kujou Sara spoke slowly. "I have doubted within my heart as well. Was enforcing the Vision Hunt Decree truly right? Was it worth pursuing even against my own principles?"
"But I still resolved myself. As long as it was the path the Shogun guided, who was I to question right or wrong before reaching the end? But now I know—the path of eternity has no end. And this path has long been stained with filth by your selfishness."
Kujou Sara slowly turned. "So now I will go to correct what the Shogun hears. At the very least, I owe that much to my resolve thus far."
Kujou Takayuki was unconcerned. "Go, then. No one can shake the Kujou Clan's position now. The situation will not change because of you."
"The Shogun is currently in the Tenshukaku, receiving a diplomat from Snezhnaya. A Fatui Harbinger called La Signora."
[Tartaglia: Wasn't Signora returning to Snezhnaya?]
[La Signora: Returning to Snezhnaya requires sea travel. Stopping by Inazuma is on the way.]
[Lumine: Based on the video's context, we arrived in Inazuma immediately after leaving Liyue. So Signora is not the Fatui's responsible party in Inazuma.]
[La Signora: Correct. My assigned region is Mondstadt. I was merely acting as a messenger between Her Majesty and Zhongli.]
[Paimon: The Vision Hunt Decree was already in place in Inazuma before Signora even left Liyue.]
[Lumine: The one truly pulling the strings behind the scenes is someone else.]
[Nahida: The Fatui Harbinger stationed in Inazuma is a truly terrifying person. To some extent, that Harbinger controls all of Inazuma.]
[Paimon: And he still hasn't shown himself at all.]
[Ningguang: The enemy who hides in the shadows is the truly frightening opponent. You can never predict their next move.]
Paimon put her hands on her hips, furious. "Is Signora behind all of this in Inazuma too?"
"Back on Ritou, Miss Kujirai seemed to mention that the Kanjou Commission met with a haughty lady. We should have guessed it then."
Kujou Sara said, "A Snezhnayan diplomat? Perfect. She won't be walking away unscathed."
With that, Sara rushed out, and Lumine followed.
When Lumine entered, Kujou Sara was already unconscious on the ground.
Paimon was shocked. "How? Kujou Sara was taken down by Signora..."
The Shogun stood upon the dais, speaking sternly. "The transgressions of Inazuma's people are mine to punish. You have no authority here, Signora."
La Signora spoke lazily, "My apologies, Your Excellency."
Lumine glared angrily at Signora and spoke her name. "Signora!"
La Signora, as haughty and languid as ever, replied, "Alright, alright. I know you can't forget me. No need to keep my name on your lips."
[Paimon: Signora's haughty attitude is so annoying!]
[Tartaglia: Right? I can't stand that expression of hers either. It's like I owe her money. If she weren't so powerful, she'd definitely get beaten up outside.]
[La Signora: I wouldn't mind joining the other Fatui Harbingers in beating you up, Tartaglia.]
[Lumine: Signora really is detestable.]
"I also know you hold a grudge, you persistent traveler. Seeing you here doesn't surprise me in the least."
Lumine accused, "You secretly promoted Delusions, trying to seize control of Inazuma..."
A mocking smile played on Signora's lips as she casually replied, "What's this? Eager to expose my crimes in front of the Shogun? Hehehe. I'm merely a diplomat from Snezhnaya. What are you even talking about? I wouldn't know."
Paimon was furious. "She's completely dismissing us!"
Lumine continued, "For the people who lost their Visions, and for my comrade who suffered the backlash of the Delusion."
Signora cut her off mercilessly. "Stop talking about people and matters I couldn't care less about. They're nothing but small fries whose names won't even be remembered. To participate in this revolution aimed at reaching eternity, to become a stepping stone... isn't that already the greatest honor for their short lives?"
She looked toward the Shogun. "Am I not correct, Your Excellency?"
The Raiden Shogun gave a cold humph but said nothing.
Lumine pressed on. "And Venti's Gnosis. And the people of Liyue."
Signora interrupted again. "Ah, dragging up old grudges now? You really hold a grudge! Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's ideal is the noblest and purest thing in this world."
"Compared to that, what you speak of are but insignificant sacrifices."
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: They are not insignificant sacrifices.]
[Gorou: They sacrificed for their convictions, for Inazuma.]
[Ningguang: Such arrogance!]
[Paimon: And she doesn't restrain that arrogance even before the Shogun.]
[Arataki Itto: Villains like her deserve the Musou no Hitotachi!]
[Yae Miko: An excellent idea.]
Lumine declared, "It's time to end this."
Upon hearing this, Signora laughed out loud. "Heh. End this? Hahaha. I'm getting a little tired of your face myself. But I didn't expect you to be so brave and so foolish."
"Before you speak so boldly, have you considered that you're still Inazuma's most wanted criminal? Think about your own situation first. Breaking into the Tenshukaku, ranting in the Shogun's presence—if that isn't walking right into a trap, what is?"