It must be said, Kujou Takayuki's sophistry actually had some merit. Among those present, there were quite a few who shared his thoughts. Yes, since we have the almighty Raiden Shogun to protect Inazuma, what do we have to fear? What can the Fatui do? They only dare to engage in petty thievery.
Logically, with the Raiden Shogun's protection, Inazuma should be a safe haven, but the reality was quite the opposite. The existence of a god did not alleviate the people's burdens; instead, in some sense, it made Inazuma's environment worse.
Humans, after gaining a powerful patron like a god to rely on, easily become arrogant and conceited, because in their eyes, a god's power is absolute and unrivaled.
The Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi could cleave an island in two while simultaneously slaying Orobashi. This was something humans could never accomplish, especially given that the technological level in most of Teyvat was still in the medieval period.
Humans develop fear and reverence for gods, and relying on their backing, they undertake highly risky endeavors. But ultimately, this is just playing the part of a fox borrowing a tiger's might.
Raiden Ei looked at the crowd and saw quite a few people nodding in agreement, and she immediately felt a surge of anger. It seemed Inazuma's problems were truly severe.
This fellow actually thought that with her as his backing, he could brazenly betray Inazuma's interests, agree to the Fatui's demands, and gain some benefits. The most crucial thing was that he still didn't see anything wrong with his actions, and was still grandstanding and defending himself.
Raiden Ei turned to Kujou Sara and asked, "Sara, I heard the Shogunate Army is currently engaged in a war with the resistance on Watatsumi Island. What are the casualties so far?"
As the general commanding the Shogunate Army, Kujou Sara naturally knew these figures like the back of her hand. She said indignantly, "Reporting, General. The war between the Shogunate Army and the resistance has lasted over a year, with twenty-four battles of varying sizes. To date, 9,527 soldiers have been killed, and 35,426 soldiers have been wounded."
The moment these figures were spoken, the crowd instantly erupted in an uproar. Over forty thousand casualties weighed heavily on everyone present, and among the onlookers, some family members of fallen soldiers could no longer hold back their tears.
"Over forty thousand casualties? What about the casualties on Watatsumi Island?"
"Only higher, not lower, compared to ours!"
"Is that so? Meaning that since the Vision Hunt Decree was issued over a year ago, Inazuma has suffered nearly one hundred thousand casualties. Hmph! What a truly excellent policy! Such a major event has occurred in Inazuma, Kujou Takayuki, and you actually concealed it from me. You are truly loyal!"
Kujou Takayuki was utterly terrified by the Raiden Shogun's words. Although as the head of the Tenryou Commission, he had long known the Shogunate Army's casualty figures, his knowing them and the Raiden Shogun knowing them were two different matters. Especially with these figures being stated directly in public, he would certainly be held accountable.
He also felt a sense of confusion towards the Raiden Shogun before him. How strange, wasn't this silly girl usually easy to fool? Why had she suddenly become so sharp today?
Kujou Sara felt these figures were not enough and added, "General, these are only the casualty figures for soldiers. Civilian casualties have not been tallied. Over the past year of war, more than a dozen villages on Yashiori Island and Kannazuka have been destroyed. Villagers have become refugees, their fates unknown, their whereabouts lost.
Furthermore, the war has consumed a massive amount of supplies and provisions. Due to the war, a large number of young, able-bodied men have been conscripted, leading to widespread abandonment of farmland. The food situation has already become stretched thin."
Kujou Sara's additional remarks struck like a heavy hammer, hitting every citizen of Inazuma hard. Even Raiden Ei realized the seriousness of the problem.
Inazuma is running out of food?!
Originally, Inazuma had already cut off contact with the outside world due to the Sakoku Decree, relying entirely on self-sufficiency for food. Even if there were smuggling merchant ships, they wouldn't choose to transport low-profit goods like food.
If I'm risking my life to smuggle, I'll definitely choose goods with over 100% profit, otherwise, how can I justify my efforts?
However, since the Vision Hunt Decree was issued, it directly led to a major war between Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island. The pressure of war on logistics was immense, and coupled with a large number of young adults joining the army and farmland being abandoned, food production drastically decreased, reaching a point where expenses exceeded income.
The people of Inazuma are currently eating old grain from previous years. As for new grain, it's not even enough for the nobles to squander.
The Eye of Stormy Judgment behind the Raiden Shogun opened again, and suddenly the weather changed drastically. The sky became turbulent, with lightning flashing, and a naginata appeared in her hand. She walked step by step towards Kujou Takayuki.
Kujou Takayuki was utterly terrified by the Raiden Shogun's imposing presence, and an unknown liquid even flowed from between his legs.
"Ge-General, please... please spare my life. For the sake of the Kujou Clan's centuries of loyalty, spare me. The Vision Hunt Decree can be abolished immediately, and the losses incurred by Inazuma will be borne by our Kujou Clan. Please, please let me go!"
Kujou Takayuki completely lost all respect and dignity as the head of the Tenryou Commission. He performed a dogeza in front of everyone present, banging his head so hard that his forehead became a bloody mess, and his body began to sway. But this did not make the Raiden Shogun stop.
"Inazuma has suffered because of your actions, with over a hundred thousand people afflicted. Now, you say the Kujou Clan can compensate? And you want me to let you off? Your death alone will not be enough to appease the public!"
Upon hearing the Raiden Shogun's words, Kujou Takayuki knew he was doomed to die today. Along with him, the centuries of glory maintained by the Kujou Clan would also vanish in smoke today. Under this double blow, Kujou Takayuki, with courage from an unknown source, directly cursed at the Raiden Shogun.
"Hmph! Inazuma's current situation isn't just my problem. The Hiiragi Clan of the Kanjou Commission has been exploiting foreign merchants on Ritou and supplying resources like crystal marrow to the Fatui. And the Kamisato Clan of the Yashiro Commission has been sheltering Vision holders, even secretly sending them to Watatsumi Island to join the resistance. Everyone is the same, so why pretend to be loyal subjects?
And you, you incompetent General, are nothing but a pure tyrannical ruler. That Inazuma has been governed into this mess is primarily your fault. A country with no future like this will sooner or later be annexed by other nations, yet you still delusionally pursue some damned eternity! Bah! Hahahahaha..."
With a flash of electricity, the Raiden Shogun's hand moved, and the blade fell. Kujou Takayuki's laughter abruptly ceased. Immediately after, his head rolled to the ground, and blood sprayed several meters high from his headless neck.
"Good!!!"
"The General is wise!"
"The Way of eternity, Narukami's eternity!"
Seeing that Inazuma's greatest villain had been personally executed by the Raiden Shogun, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers and applause that lasted for a long time.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, the Raiden Shogun announced, "By Narukami's decree, the Vision Hunt Decree is hereby lifted! All military actions against Watatsumi Island are to cease immediately!"
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