Bathed in blood and driven by resolve, the Shogunate forces displayed a level of combat power that was nothing short of astonishing.
After all, this was still the era when Raiden Makoto governed Inazuma—nothing like the era to come, when Ei would hide away within the Plane of Euthymia and forsake day-to-day affairs.
Every commission, every soldier, every official served with diligence, untainted by corruption or complacency.
Now that the Twelve Divine Generals Formation sealed every spatial node on Narukami Island, the Spectral Hounds could no longer melt space and drop waves of monsters directly into the heart of Inazuma.
All the army had to do now was perform sweeping searches, eliminating every monster already on the island. Once that was done, the rear would be secure.
"That man… silently laying down such a barrier—truly unbelievable."
Standing in Konda Village, Saiguu Kitsune guided the shrine maidens through purification rituals, dissolving the corrupted flesh of slain monsters. Otherwise, the filth would seep into the land and cause lingering harm.
When the ritual ended, she glanced up at the twelve giant shikigami watching over the sky.
Only then did a portion of the anxiety weighing down her heart finally fade.
Originally, this disaster should have resulted in catastrophic losses. Given how violently the monsters surged in the first wave, things should have been far worse.
But with Luo Li's formation deployed as the final safeguard, the situation had taken a dramatic turn for the better.
Still…
"Just where have Makoto and Luo Li gone…?"
Like Ei, Saiguu was unsettled by the pair's sudden disappearance.
A soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Lady Saiguu, purification is complete. Do you have further instructions?"
Saiguu turned to the fifteen- or sixteen-year-old Asase Hibiki, smiling gently.
"You've done well. Next, assign shrine maidens to accompany the Shogunate troops around Jakotsu Mine and Ritou. If you have free time yourself, lend them a hand."
"I understand."
Hibiki took two steps back, hesitated, and then added softly:
"Lady Saiguu… One more thing. Sister Mitsuyori says she's willing to lend the Thousand-Gates Vessel to the Shogunate fleet for clearing monsters at sea."
Saiguu chuckled.
"She only said that because of you and Luo Li."
Hibiki blushed but nodded. Saiguu watched the once-timid village girl depart with sure footsteps—no longer the insecure child from a fishing village, but a young miko capable of standing on her own.
All thanks to that man.
Tenshukaku
As good news from the front lines poured in, Raiden Ei—temporarily acting as Shogun—displayed, for the first time, a cold decisiveness entirely unlike her former self.
The Oniwaka Corps, the Hatamoto, and the Oogimachi all sensed the change immediately.
Today, the Shogun's presence was sharper, colder—her aura steeped in icy clarity.
"Deploy the Hatamoto to Kannazuka. Seal every spatial tear.""Dispatch officials to console the bereaved of Konda Village. Not a single family may be overlooked.""Place Inazuma City under lockdown. The Tenryou Commission will enforce curfew. Arrest all who disobey.""As for the agreement with Watatsumi—prepare to send troops to reinforce them. If lives are lost, compensation will be increased tenfold."
Orders flowed one after another, steady and unbroken, the Tenshukaku buzzing like a hive for an entire day.
Only when the sun dipped toward the horizon did Saiguu finally arrive.
Ei's rigid, mask-like expression softened for the first time.
Exhaustion seeped from her shoulders—mental strain far worse than any battlefield fatigue.
Saiguu approached quietly.
"If you're tired… rest for a moment."
Ei shook her head.
"If Makoto were here, she would never rest at a time like this. Everything is still unstable. If something happens while I'm away, the losses could be enormous."
Saiguu watched her push through wave after wave of urgent matters.
Her heart warmed—and ached.
She had a guess.
A dreadful one.
Based on her divination and countless subtle clues… Makoto seemed to be intentionally diminishing her own presence, quietly pushing Ei into the rightful position of Shogun.
But was she retreating into obscurity…
Or… would she never return at all?
The thought stabbed Saiguu's chest like a needle.
If Luo Li hadn't disappeared with Makoto, Saiguu suspected she would be far more terrified than she currently was.
"Any news of Makoto or Luo Li?"
Ei had entrusted the entire search operation to Saiguu—precisely why she could remain seated here.
"…None."
Saiguu hesitated, then said quietly:
"I suspect their disappearance is linked to the monster outbreak. According to reports from Liyue and Mondstadt… their gods have vanished as well."
Ei froze.
The moment she heard this, she understood:
Makoto and Luo Li were in far greater danger than she had imagined.
A gathering of gods was no trivial matter—if such powers converged, the threat they faced must be equal in magnitude.
If not for her obligations here, Ei would already be flying across the sea in search of them.
Saiguu placed a gentle hand on Ei's shoulder.
"For now… we must stabilize the situation at home. And wait for their return. I believe Luo Li will protect Makoto."
She spoke to comfort Ei—but also to steady her own heart.
With Luo Li's strength, surely he wouldn't fall so easily.
This was a man who had survived the Mondstadt Calamity, the Liyue Archon War, countless storms and catastrophes—none had claimed his life.
Why should this one be any different?
Ei took a slow breath.
"…Very well. Then next… we should address Watatsumi Island."
With Luo Li's formation protecting Narukami Island, dangers here were minimal.
The residents near Yashiori Island had already been evacuated; Kaedehara's domain required only cleanup.
But Yashiori and Watatsumi faced crushing pressure.
"Saiguu… Is there a way to send troops across without heavy casualties?"
To reach those islands, soldiers would have to traverse seas crawling with monsters.
Unless Inazuma possessed teleportation technology—which it did not—large-scale transport was nearly impossible.
Saiguu smiled and tapped her fan lightly.
"Leave that to me. Since Narukami Island is protected by Luo Li, I can redirect the preparations I set aside for the disaster."
Ei's eyes brightened.
"You're confident? "Ninety percent." "Then I entrust this to you."
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