"By the way… Traveler, what's your view on the resistance?"
Lumine shook her head lightly.
"Going up against the Raiden Shogun? It's like throwing an egg at a rock. They don't stand a chance."
Yae Miko let out a chuckle.
"Heh. True enough. Even if they occasionally pull off small victories against the shogunate's troops, when it comes to facing the Raiden Shogun herself…"
"Their so-called army—made up of those stripped of their Visions and embedded into that statue—is little more than a ragtag bunch of misfits."
Paimon stomped in midair.
"Don't be so harsh! Lumine's still the captain of Swordfish II, you know!"
Yae Miko waved her hand dismissively.
"Hehe, I don't mean to belittle them. On the contrary…"
"It's precisely because of their disadvantage—because they've lost their Visions—that they've gained something even more precious: willpower."
"In any case, if everything goes according to plan, they might just prove useful."
"Do you know what the most crucial step is before making any plan?"
"It's this—seeing through the current state of affairs."
"The Vision Hunt Decree was clearly born from someone exploiting the puppet Shogun's obsession with Eternity."
"Think back on how the decree was enacted. It's always been the Tenryou Commission pulling the strings, fervently pushing it forward."
"I think Ayaka mentioned it too—whenever a petition opposing the decree was submitted, the Tenryou and Kanjo Commissions would shoot it down without hesitation. No discussion whatsoever."
"Exactly. The truth's been plain as day for a while now. All but the Yashiro Commission have been colluding with the Fatui. Hmph. Greedy fools blinded by profit."
Lumine thought for a moment.
"If I recall… the Fatui's main objective is seizing the Gnosis, right?"
Yae Miko crossed her arms.
"Ah, that chess piece? That's already been handed over to the Gambler~"
"Eh?!"
Paimon scratched her head.
"But if they already got the Gnosis, why are they still doing all this?"
Yae Miko shook her head.
"Sure, someone like the Gambler is done with their part. But… the Regrator, the Rooster, and that Balladeer—they all still have their own agendas."
"Weaken Inazuma's national strength? Perfect for making a quick profit. And for Scaramouche, it's the sweetest revenge."
"So now, the Fatui's chaos-stirrers remain active. They've bought off two Commissions, they're spreading Delusions in the shadows…"
"Unfortunately, with the Raiden Shogun and the Commissions shielding them, we've yet to catch the tail of the real instigator."
"Even though the Gambler offered to help, Inazuma's future is too important. We can't afford to put all our eggs in one basket."
Lumine perked up.
Shajin's helping too? Then what's there to be afraid of?
She instantly felt reenergized.
Yae Miko stroked her chin.
"Hm… It's about time. My other guest should be arriving soon."
Lumine tilted his head.
"Another guest?"
Yae Miko shrugged.
"If we want to act through someone from Inazuma, it's easier to work with someone on the inside."
"And I intend… to turn someone from the Tenryou Commission."
Paimon's eyes widened.
"Turn someone? But hasn't the Tenryou Commission already betrayed the Shogunate?"
Yae Miko tapped Paimon on the forehead.
"Hehe, I don't mean the Commission betraying the Shogunate—I mean getting someone to betray the Commission."
"If we use her, I'm sure she can get you… face-to-face with the Raiden Shogun once more."
Paimon's curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
"Who is that person, exactly?"
Yae Miko glanced toward the shrine entrance.
"The one officially leading the Shogunate troops. At this time every month, she comes to the shrine to offer prayers. She's also our guest for today…"
"And she… is standing right behind you."
Lumine gulped and stiffly turned her head.
"N-no way…"
"Don't move! A criminal like you dares to waltz into the shrine?!"
It was Kujou Sara, flanked by two soldiers.
"Don't even think about resisting. Come quietly with me to the Tenryou Commission. Arrest her!"
The soldiers immediately responded.
"Yes, ma'am!"
But as they stepped forward, a streak of purple lightning blocked their path.
Kujou Sara narrowed her eyes.
"Lady Guuji Yae… what is the meaning of this?"
Yae Miko's trademark smile never left her face.
"Oh? Have you forgotten where you are? This is the Grand Narukami Shrine…"
"If you draw weapons here, it would be an act of disrespect against the Shogun herself. So tell me, who among you is ready to bear that sin?"
The two soldiers immediately stepped back. No one wanted to be held responsible for that kind of offense.
Kujou Sara took a step forward.
"Lady Guuji, are you harboring this wanted criminal?"
Yae Miko waved a hand dismissively.
"It's merely a meeting between friends. There's no 'harboring' going on. Have your men stand down—we can talk this through calmly."
Kujou Sara stared silently into Yae Miko's eyes.
"…Stand down."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Yae Miko also dismissed the shrine maidens around them.
"Now then, Lady Guuji," Kujou Sara asked coolly, "do you not consider hiding a wanted criminal in the shrine as an act of disrespect toward the Shogun?"
Yae Miko chuckled behind her hand.
"Hehe… You're still the same, Lady Kujou. When it comes to loyalty to the Shogun, no one can match you."
Kujou Sara remained composed.
"As her vassal, loyalty is my duty. As a warrior, the Shogun's ideal is my lifelong pursuit."
Yae Miko's gaze sharpened.
"Even if… your Shogun intends to take your Vision?"
Kujou Sara responded without hesitation.
"The Vision Hunt Decree is Her Excellency's decision. I bear no resentment."
Yae Miko shrugged.
"Sigh… Such loyalty, only to be betrayed by the times. Should I call you foolish… or the only one who sees clearly?"
Kujou Sara frowned.
"Please speak plainly, Lady Guuji. What do you mean by that?"
Yae Miko's lips curled into a sly, foxlike smile.
"The Vision Hunt Decree was nothing more than a misguided policy, born of the Fatui's manipulation. It's made the people of Inazuma sever their own hands."
"And the one who 'deceived the Shogun's ears'… was none other than your own master. The head of the Tenryou Commission—the Kujou Clan."
Kujou Sara's eyes widened.
"You're saying… the Kujou Clan betrayed the Shogunate?!"
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"
_
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