"After Orobashi died, Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate have often been at odds. But this time, we formed the resistance not for matters of faith, but specifically against the Vision Hunt Decree. When Orobashi destroyed civilizations, it was the Shogun who stepped forward to stop him."
"Now, the Shogun has issued the Vision Hunt Decree, stripping the people of their aspirations. Someone must step forward to stop the Shogun!"
[Keqing: So this is the resistance's conviction?]
[Paimon: But most ordinary people don't have Visions.]
[Yae Miko: Little Paimon, it's not the Vision Hunt Decree they're resisting—it's eternity itself. The people of Inazuma are all trapped within eternity. The Vision Hunt Decree is merely a symbol of it.]
[Lumine: What the resistance is doing is truly meaningful.]
Teppei coughed heavily again. "I'm heading back first. Having just dealt with those Shogunate elite soldiers, I'm a bit tired and need to rest. There are other things to do later."
"You should go report to Lady Kokomi soon too. There might still traces of the Tatarigami lingering here—staying too long isn't good for your health."
With that, Teppei coughed a couple more times.
Lumine said, "Take care of yourself too."
Teppei laughed heartily. "Don't worry, I'm as strong as an ox!"
Paimon remarked, "I didn't expect Teppei to be able to fight Shogunate samurai now. He's grown so much without us even noticing."
"Let's head back and report to Kokomi."
[Sigewinne: His body has developed a very serious problem. I can see the disordered colors.]
[Neuvillette: Melusines can perceive things we cannot.]
[Paimon: But... this is through a screen.]
[Sigewinne: Our perception of color is different, you see.]
[Baizhu: Mm. If I'm not mistaken, Teppei's body has endured severe strain, and now it's overwhelmed—on the verge of collapse at any moment.]
[Lumine: He has grown so much recently, but even with great strain, he wouldn't age this quickly, would he?]
[Ningguang: It seems other forces are at work here.]
Back at Sangonomiya Shrine, they found Kokomi and Gorou discussing matters with grave expressions.
Lumine asked, "Has something happened?"
Gorou replied, "Recently, some resistance soldiers have shown strange symptoms of accelerated aging. I called them in for questioning and discovered they'd been secretly receiving some kind of secret weapon from our sponsors."
"Most of them are competitive and fiercely resent the Vision Hunt Decree. After receiving these secret weapons, they've been using them quietly."
[Ningguang: It seems Teppei's power comes from this so-called secret weapon.]
[Zhongli: All power in this world comes at a price. It appears the cost of using this secret weapon to gain strength is one's life.]
[Paimon: Such a terrible price.]
[Lumine: Such an evil weapon.]
Kokomi thought for a moment. "No wonder the battle has been going unusually smoothly lately. But this is not the right path—we must prohibit it immediately."
"Gorou, did you obtain one of these so-called secret weapons?"
Gorou replied, "Most of those who received them refused to hand them over, but I managed to get one."
He produced an object closely resembling a Vision.
Lumine recognized it instantly. "This is a Fatui Delusion."
Gorou was shocked. "That means the sponsors' true identity is the Fatui."
Kokomi wondered, "But why would the Fatui do this?"
[Paimon: Another fine mess caused by the Fatui.]
[Ningguang: The Fatui are actually supporting this war? What do they stand to gain?]
[Keqing: The Fatui specialize in sowing discord. In Liyue, they tried to drive a wedge between the Qixing and the adepti. Now in Inazuma, they're deliberately creating chaos.]