Progress came swiftly.
After the negotiations with Kokomi and her followers that day, everyone threw themselves into a whirlwind of activity.
Under the personal supervision of Kujou Sara and Gorou, the ranks of both the resistance army and the shogunate troops were carefully reviewed. Unqualified soldiers were dismissed, and those weary of military life were released from service.
In the end, five thousand men remained , merged into a newly unified army. Their pay and treatment were significantly improved as well.
For now, five thousand was enough.
Any more, and Inazuma's current economy could no longer sustain them.
Of these, four thousand soldiers were assigned to follow Gorou and Kujou Sara in subduing the roaming monsters across Inazuma.
The remaining one thousand stayed on Narukami Island for daily training and drills.
Meanwhile, Kamisato Ayato and Sangonomiya Kokomi had little rest either.
Both the Kanjou Commission on Ritou and the Tenryou Commission on Narukami Island were completely purged of corruption.
The Tenryou Commission was easier to rebuild , after all, Kujou Sara herself was a natural leader and a disciplined commander.
The Kanjou Commission, however, was another matter entirely , there was simply no one left competent enough to run it.
With no other choice, Kokomi and Ayato took turns managing its affairs, while also coordinating with Makoto to carry out her many reforms and new policies.
Ayato had not slept properly in days.
Though the work brought him satisfaction, even his well-trained body was beginning to feel the strain.
He was already preparing to select and train new candidates capable of supporting the Kanjou Commission in the long term.
Once the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree were lifted, Inazuma's atmosphere gradually began to recover.
However, as expected, the moment Ritou's borders reopened, most of the merchants hurried to leave Inazuma , fearful and disillusioned.
This troubled Makoto deeply.
The Sakoku policy, coupled with the previous corruption within the Kanjou Commission, had alienated nearly every major trader.
Without new opportunities or breakthroughs, it was uncertain how long it would take for Inazuma's commerce to recover.
Fortunately, as part of the new alliance, both Liyue and Mondstadt sent envoys to reestablish trade , giving Inazuma a lifeline.
Compared to the ever-busy Makoto and her officials, Lumine and Ayaka spent their days simply enjoying Inazuma's renewed peace.
Lumine hadn't explored every corner of the nation, but by now, she had seen nearly all its most beautiful sights.
In the evenings, around 7:30, she would use a Teleport Waypoint to return to Liyue briefly, checking in with Ryen and the others to see how things were progressing.
Perhaps because Azhdaha had only recently reawakened, Ryen's group had no major plans these days , they merely visited that other world, gathered basic materials, and admired the scenery.
Snezhnaya, on the other hand, had made remarkable progress.
After screening and reorganizing their ranks, they now had 1,500 people , including 700 veterans who had broken away from the Fatui and now served as instructors for the 800 new recruits, teaching them about the MC World.
Snezhnaya's first base in that world was now fully operational, and basic resource collection had entered a steady rhythm.
Lumine also heard that exploration of a new continent was soon to begin.
As for the Tsaritsa, she had yet to return to Snezhnaya , seemingly choosing to remain there for a while longer.
Through Lumine's reports, everyone had a general understanding of Inazuma's current state.
Overall, while complete stability was still some distance away, it was now safe enough for envoys and allies to visit.
The Dragonrider Corps had already returned to Liyue, and the compensations recovered from the Kanjou Commission had mostly been distributed to the merchants.
Of course, since it was the Liyue government that had officially intervened to demand justice, part of the recovered funds would still be taken in by the General Affairs Bureau.
Even so, the compensation those merchants received still far exceeded their actual losses.
The merchants were delighted.
So much so that even when the General Affairs Bureau asked them to continue trading with Inazuma, they readily agreed.
It wasn't that they truly trusted Inazuma , rather, they trusted that if Inazuma dared to oppress them again, Liyue would once more step in to demand justice on their behalf.
And besides, when Liyue took action to "demand reparations," the profits they gained far surpassed what they could earn through simple trade.
Some of them even half-jokingly wished to be "oppressed" again.
In the meantime, tensions between Ei and Makoto had been growing sharper by the day.
Whenever they met in public, Ei hid it well , calm, composed, almost indifferent.
But Makoto knew her too well. She could see something was wrong.
No matter how she asked, though, Ei refused to speak of it.
A week passed since the initial negotiations.
Once again, Lumine and Ayaka were invited to Tenshukaku.
Inside the grand hall, most key officials , including Kamisato Ayato , had already arrived.
Makoto was still buried in paperwork; such had become her daily routine these days.
But as soon as Lumine and Ayaka entered, she set her brush aside for the moment and looked up with a gentle smile.
"Everyone," she said softly, "you've all worked hard during this time. I've seen every change with my own eyes. Inazuma's rapid recovery is thanks to your dedication."
Ayato shook his head modestly.
"This is what we should do, my Lady. Compared to us, you're the one who has been working the hardest."
Makoto turned her gaze toward him, her voice calm and steady.
"Then please, give us a brief report on Inazuma's current state."
Ayato rose, choosing his words carefully.
"Since the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree were lifted, the people's spirits have risen greatly. Many have taken to trade, and quite a few Inazumans have begun sailing overseas.
"Merchants from Mondstadt and Liyue have brought in a wealth of goods, selling them at relatively low prices , which has greatly accelerated the recovery of Inazuma's livelihood.
"If we can maintain this momentum, I estimate that within a month, the lives of our citizens will return to their previous standards."
He paused, then added gravely,
"However, there is one clear problem , our national treasury is rapidly depleting. We've been spending, but little revenue has come in."
Beside him, Gorou also stood to report.
"The integration of the new army is nearly complete. All compensation and resettlement payments to former soldiers have been distributed. We personally verified the process , no irregularities were found.
"As for monster suppression, it's proceeding smoothly. For now, Narukami Island, Ritou, Watatsumi Island, Kannazuka, and Yashiori Island have all been swept clean once.
"The lands have become much safer and more habitable , though, at present, Narukami Island remains the most secure region."
Makoto nodded slightly. She had expected as much.
Inazuma's geography made it difficult , surrounded by the dark outer seas, much of its land was perilous and unsuitable for long-term living.
Still, it wasn't an insurmountable problem.
Once connected to that world, they could simply transport the necessary materials , even reclaim land from the sea, if needed.
Liyue Harbor had already begun such projects, she'd heard , the new reclaimed land was now roughly one-third the size of the original harbor.
And expansion was still ongoing.
The roads and techniques already existed. When the time came, they could easily learn from Liyue's example.
Kokomi then spoke softly:
"The interrogations of the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions are complete. The innocent have been released, while the rest are being held in the Tenshukaku prison.
"How to deal with them… we await your judgment, my Lady."