At this moment, the outside world was in complete chaos, with the Tenryou Commission, which had previously held the advantage, suffering heavy losses due to a pincer attack from Kujou Sara's faction and the Yashiro Commission. They were ultimately forced to retreat and defend themselves near the Kujou Estate, utilizing the terrain for counterattacks.
Meanwhile, the battle between Kujou Sara and Oogawara Goemon was also nearing its end. It must be said that Oogawara Goemon's skill was truly exceptional; despite not possessing a Vision, he was able to contend with Kujou Sara, who did have a Vision, for such an extended period. It seemed his claim of being Inazuma's top swordsman was not an empty boast.
His strength was top-tier among pure humans; unfortunately, Kujou Sara, who stood before him, was neither human nor lacked a Vision.
The physical constitution of the Tengu clan was far beyond what humans could compare to. Beneath Kujou Sara's slender yet well-proportioned figure lay a power and explosiveness that even a robust Oni like Arataki Itto could not match—this was the difference between races.
In the later stages of the battle, Oogawara Goemon's hands, which held his sword, began to tremble uncontrollably, and his swordsmanship lost its previous sharpness. He constantly gasped for breath. In contrast, Kujou Sara remained composed and unruffled, showing no signs of fatigue.
Goemon's mind was in disarray. Sure enough, the moment he charged forward again, Kujou Sara spun around and struck, directly knocking the sword from his hands, and his armor was also severed and fell off.
Goemon's large frame toppled straight down. The Tenryou Commission soldiers, seeing their leader defeated, instantly suffered a massive drop in morale, while their opponents' momentum surged.
Just as everyone intended to storm the Kujou Estate, the sky suddenly changed, and the Raiden Shogun appeared directly in mid-air. In addition, the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko, also appeared before everyone. As for Lumine, she seemed like a mere attendant in front of the two of them, completely inconspicuous.
The people on their side, who had just been full of vigor, suddenly quieted down. They exchanged glances, knelt in silence, and dared not act presumptuously in front of the Raiden Shogun.
Kujou Takayuki, who had just been hysterical, showed an expression of ecstatic joy when he saw the Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko appear. He hurriedly ran out of his estate and performed a dramatic kneeling maneuver, his face immediately adopting a wronged expression.
"Your Excellency, the Shogun, Your Excellency, the Guuji, you have finally arrived. This humble subordinate was incompetent in his guidance, allowing his adopted daughter, Kujou Sara, to collude with outsiders and conspire in rebellion. Originally, this humble subordinate had the advantage, but the Kamisato Clan of the Yashiro Commission also became accomplices. With their inside and outside coordination, the Tenryou Commission suffered heavy losses. Your Excellency, the Shogun, you must uphold justice for this humble subordinate."
It must be said that for an old fox of Kujou Takayuki's caliber, if he were an actor, he would undoubtedly be a national treasure. His heartfelt and emotional performance truly moved those who heard it to sorrow and tears.
"Oh? These outsiders you speak of, whom Kujou Sara colluded with, who are they?" Yae Miko was the first to ask.
"They are all people whose Visions were confiscated. Dissatisfied with Your Excellency, the Shogun's Vision Hunt Decree, they dared to betray the Shogunate. Yet, Your Excellency, the Shogun, was merciful, only confiscating their Visions and not affecting their livelihoods."
"Hmm? Didn't your official report state that the Vision Hunt Decree was implemented without obstruction, progressed rapidly, that all dissenters were subdued, all escapees returned, and that the common people, high and low, all bowed in welcome, gaining the full support of the populace?
Apparently, fewer than a hundred Visions were confiscated, but more than a thousand people participated in this unrest. On Narukami Island, which I personally govern, there are so many rebels. Does that mean they have already overturned the other islands? Kujou Takayuki, what exactly is going on with you?"
"This... this is all because the people of the Yashiro Commission were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant regarding the implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree. They secretly forged Visions to muddy the waters and even helped Vision holders escape Narukami Island. It stands to reason that Kujou Sara also provided assistance to those rebels who did not wish to have their Visions confiscated."
"Enough!"
Seeing Kujou Takayuki still trying to deny everything, Raiden Ei no longer wanted to waste words. She directly pulled several photos from her sleeve and threw them at Kujou Takayuki's feet. Kujou Takayuki bravely looked at the contents of these photos and was immediately terrified. These photos were precisely the evidence of his cooperation with the Fatui.
How did this foolish girl know about this? Could it be that Kujou Sara, that hussy, snuck into my room and secretly took pictures? Yes, it must be so; otherwise, there's no way to explain her sudden betrayal.
Kujou Takayuki's mind raced. Denial was impossible; these items were still in a secret compartment in his room and hadn't been destroyed. Since she could take these photos, it meant she knew the location of the secret compartment. If he outright denied it and she produced the original letters, he would be completely unable to defend himself.
"Have you finished looking? If so, explain to me, did you truly collude with the Fatui?"
The Raiden Shogun's words immediately caused an uproar among everyone present, especially the Tenryou Commission soldiers, who looked at the Kujou Clan Head in disbelief. Was this really true?
Kujou Takayuki suddenly had an idea: to play the victim and lavish praise. He began to kowtow furiously, then tearfully recounted his grievances with great emotion:
"Your Excellency, the Shogun, I did indeed have dealings with the Fatui, but this was not betrayal. On the contrary, I was doing this for Inazuma's sake! By simply assisting in the promulgation and implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree, we could gain strong support from the Snezhnayan envoys. Whether it was the massive quantities of food or Snezhnaya's advanced technological equipment, both would be of immense help to Inazuma.
This is a worthwhile transaction. Our Inazuma currently lacks these emergency supplies to improve the lives of its people.
As for the Fatui's schemes and conspiracies, we possess the unparalleled Raiden Shogun, who wields the Musou no Hitotachi! Before Your Excellency, the Shogun's divine lightning, everything will crumble. This is essentially getting these benefits for free."
"But where is your loyalty, Kujou Takayuki? Since you were adopted by the Kujou Clan, you have always taught me the path of loyalty as a subject. It seems, then, that you only wanted me to be loyal to the Kujou Clan, fearing that I might betray it one day, is that not right? Those grand principles were merely tools to conceal your own ugliness and selfishness!"
"I am selfish? Your Excellency, the Shogun, is a god who pursues eternity, and Inazuma is a nation that pursues eternity. Is it too much for me, as the Kujou Clan Head, to pursue the eternity of my clan? I am also safeguarding the Kujou Clan's eternity, Your Excellency, the Shogun. You can understand me, can't you? My actions are also to uphold your ideals."
If it had still been the puppet Raiden Shogun standing before him, she might have understood his actions. But Kujou Takayuki miscalculated one thing: the Raiden Shogun at this moment was no longer the easily deceived puppet, but the true Electro Archon, Raiden Ei!
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