"We won a complete victory!"
"We barely lifted a finger and took Yashiori Island!"
The troops of Watatsumi Island cheered, standing in sharp contrast to the retreating Shogunate soldiers being driven from Yashiori with no ships, forced to march toward Nazuchi Beach on foot—and in sharper contrast still to a certain black-faced tengu who came flying in, only to slink away in disgrace.
A quartermaster pushed a cart full of confiscated Shogunate weapons through camp, shouting: "Come, come! Exchange weapons! Hand in your old one, get a new one—one for one!"
"We still have to turn them in?"
"What's the point of keeping two if you can't even wield both?"
"But this spear's been with me for months…"
"Don't want to trade? Plenty of others do. Come, come, exchange weapons! One for one!"
"Me, me, me!"
"Give me one!"
The soldiers scrambled to volunteer. Each who received a weapon swung it a few times, grinning ear to ear.
"I've heard the Shogunate's weapons are forged from a special material called Tamahagane. Now that I've seen it myself, it really is light, hard, and razor sharp!"
"That so-called Tamahagane is nothing but stolen remnants of Lord Orobashi's power. The Shogunate's freeloading days are over—time to return it where it belongs."
"Orobashi-sama… I heard his true power was sealed by the Raiden Shogun in the form of warding stones. If it were unleashed, the entire island would be affected. It sounds dangerous… Do you think Orobashi would spare us Watatsumi folk, his own bloodline?"
"Didn't Lady Kokomi already explain? That power became masterless the moment Orobashi died. It doesn't care who you are."
"Then… doesn't that make staying on Yashiori dangerous? What if we get caught in it?"
"Why do you think news of the Fatui trying to destroy the warding stones—and whispers of Shogunate officials colluding with them—threw the whole army into chaos? Because this power is too dangerous. But as long as all the warding stones aren't broken at once, we're fine."
"No wonder… No wonder Lady Kokomi released those surrendering soldiers. Can't let outsiders meddle in this matter…"
"That's part of it. But the real reason is simple: from the start, Lady Kokomi only wanted their equipment. What would we keep them for? Our supplies are scarce enough—who could feed them?"
"Exactly. Without weapons and armor, they can't even fight. And if we use that gear to arm ourselves, we can expand the army and even absorb those who defected early to our side. Two, three gains in one stroke!"
"Makes sense!"
"Lady Kokomi is brilliant!"
"Wait, I heard this battle was directed by Mr. Victor."
"Eh? I heard that too. They say the whole plan was his—he created the Shogunate's internal chaos, while Lady Kokomi simply carried out the final step."
"Mr. Victor is a master of farming and strategy. Truly… amazing."
"Hah, what a sorry way to praise someone—can't even find the words!"
"So, if this really was Mr. Victor's work, earning such great merit… what kind of reward will he get?"
"Shh—"
One soldier raised a finger to his lips. The others quickly understood, changing the subject with practiced ease. A short while later, they saw Lady Kokomi and Mr. Victor walking through camp together.
…
"If the furnace at Tatarasuna is like a ticking time bomb, then Lord Orobashi's remnant power is… a controlled bomb. And now, the Resistance has to deal with it. Ordinary guards feel unsafe; using Vision bearers is a waste of manpower. What do you think?"
"Propaganda is defense."
"Propaganda?"
"Make the potential culprits' public knowledge ahead of time."
As they strolled, Wang Victor explained carefully:
"On the Shogunate's side, the warding stones on Yashiori were created by the Shogun and ordered to be safeguarded by the Grand Narukami Shrine. With the personalities of Kujou Masahito and Kujou Sara, they'd never destroy them.
On our side, we emphasize to our people the dangers of breaking the stones, so that overzealous Orobashi cultists won't try it. Since we're stationed here, we clearly won't harm our own interests.
Spread the word: anyone who tries to destroy a warding stone is definitely a Fatui agent. No matter what they wear, kill on sight.
That way, among the three factions, neither the Shogunate nor the Resistance has a reason to destroy the stones. The islanders, though under our control, are still nominally Inazuman citizens. With public opinion stacked against them, the Fatui will see sabotage as more trouble than it's worth."
"Still… we promised the islanders to strengthen ward protection. It makes sense to assign more guards. With this captured gear, we can form a dedicated ward-guarding unit, even recruit islanders into it. If it concerns their own safety, their sense of participation will make them more reliable."
"Mm. Once that's done and Watatsumi's manpower is replenished, Yashiori will be truly secure."
…
As they walked, feeling the infectious joy of the soldiers, Sangonomiya Kokomi counted off on her fingers: "Tame the wastelands, root out traitors, secure Yashiori."
"It's hard to believe you've done so much in just half a month on Watatsumi. The results speak for themselves. I've confirmed you're someone I can trust. If I were to appoint you as military strategist now, no one would object."
"So quickly? You really trust me already?"
When Lumine arrived, she had only been made captain of a special ops squad. By comparison, his contributions to Watatsumi were greater. But being entrusted with such a high position after only two weeks—even with a bit more observation, it would still be unexpected.
"Don't underestimate me. I already confirmed everything with Captain Beidou."
"Big Sister Beidou's reputation is really something."
"So then?" Kokomi stopped, turned, and asked directly: "Will you accept the post of strategist for the Resistance?"
"If—I'm saying if—I become strategist, do I have to clock in and out on time every day?"
Kokomi sighed helplessly. "Why do you seem to have such a fixation with office hours?"
"…Since you'll be strategist, you won't be as free as an advisor. But much of the desk work here is deeply tied to Watatsumi affairs and can't be handed off, so I'll keep handling it. You, though, need to set an example—let the soldiers see you, and be ready to handle problems at any time."
"Isn't that the general's job?"
"Pretty much. Strategist is meant to assist the general. Our situation is unusual because of my own position. But if you take this post, I'll guarantee you'll stand equal with Gorou."
"…That doesn't sound so bad."
…
Meanwhile—
Lumine awoke from unconsciousness and hurried to the Komore Teahouse.
"The Raiden Shogun didn't follow us?"
"Even if she didn't, things must be bad!"
"Right. If nothing else, the Shogunate will soon put us on wanted posters. Narukami Island will no longer be safe."
"What should we do then?"
Recalling the peril they had just faced at the Statue of the Omnipresent God, Paimon was still shaken. Thankfully, Thoma offered a path: "Head to Nazuchi Beach. There aren't many factions willing to shelter us, but the Resistance is an exception."
"I remember Ayaka mentioned it—that group led by Sangonomiya, fighting the Vision Hunt Decree!"
"Yes. Originally founded by Sangonomiya Kokomi, the 'Divine Priestess' of Watatsumi. It's currently led by her retainer Gorou… Though recently there were troubling rumors: that the Resistance threatened the Shogunate by damaging Yashiori's warding stones. But from what I know, they would never do such a thing."
"Warding stones?"
"They seal away a dangerous entity called the Tatarigami. You'll learn more when you get there. The Resistance now holds Yashiori and clashes with the Shogunate around Nazuchi. Once you arrive, you'll find them. But as a retainer of the Yashiro Commission, they won't trust me—I can't go with you."
Paimon tilted her head, then realized: "But what about you?"
"Don't you remember? This area is land granted by the Shogun to the Yashiro Commission. Only the Kamisato clan has the right to build, maintain, and regulate access here. For me, hiding in the Komore Teahouse is the safest option."
"Eh? Then… could we hide here too?"
"…That's your idea? Maybe. It could work."
Seeing Thoma's furrowed brows, Lumine asked Paimon: "But this isn't the real solution, is it?"
"True… we can't hide here forever. Let's head out before the Tenryou Commission comes knocking!"
After sending Lumine and Paimon on their way, Thoma quickly slipped into the teahouse's labyrinth of screen-divided rooms, making for the underground cellar—only to stumble into an unexpected figure.
"Clan head?" He hurried to explain: "The Tenryou Commission tried to confiscate my Vision. I escaped, but I'll likely be wanted."
"I know."
"…Clan head, my Vision is no secret, but the confiscation hasn't even reached the Three Commissions yet. There must be a conspiracy. If it drags the Kamisato house into it, then I'll stop hiding."
"Those old fools—they suppress rivals when pleased, and suppress rivals when angry. I know exactly who ordered the Tenryou Commission to seize you. Just stay hidden."
Thoma hesitated. "…Clan head, could it be—"
Kamisato Ayato shook his head with a smile. "This is the outcome I wished to see. But I did nothing. I merely let things take their course."