However, before Yae Miko could say anything, Ei had already spoken up.
"Yae, what are your thoughts?"
Hearing this, Yae Miko knew she couldn't avoid the question any longer. She sighed helplessly. The matter of the Divine Lord was still unresolved, and she was already busy enough. She didn't want to get involved in this mess.
"Sigh, I'm just a humble shrine maiden. What qualifications do I have to participate in such important matters? You all can discuss it without me." Yae Miko made one last attempt to escape, but Kamisato Ayato's words shattered her hopes.
"Lady Yae, you jest. As the Shogun's familiar and her closest confidant, if you don't have the qualifications to participate in decision-making, then none of us should even be standing here." Kamisato Ayato smiled, looking every bit like a cunning blue-haired fox.
"Indeed." "Agreed."
Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke, for once, agreed with Kamisato Ayato. It was rare for these two to see eye to eye with the young Yashiro Commissioner.
'You little fox from the Kamisato Clan, I'll remember this.' Yae Miko silently noted Kamisato Ayato's name in her mental ledger, then smiled and said, "Since you all hold me in such high regard, I'll share my thoughts."
With that, Yae Miko's gaze swept over the three men before she turned to Ei.
"Shogun, I also agree with Kamisato Ayato's proposal. As he said, the resistance on Watatsumi Island is still your people. Slaughtering them outright would be too brutal."
"Instead, why not issue a decree granting Watatsumi Island autonomy? Summon their leader, Sangonomiya Kokomi, to discuss future developments. Then, we can detain her under house arrest in the Shogunate and use her name to issue orders to Watatsumi Island. This way, we can achieve our goals without bloodshed. What do you think?"
"Yae makes a good point. However, the Divine Priestess is no ordinary person. She might not come when summoned. Otherwise, how could she have become the leader of the resistance?" Ei nodded slightly but voiced her concerns.
"Hehe, from what I know of that mermaid, she will come. Even if she doesn't, we can use the narrative that the Divine Priestess refuses to negotiate and is intent on betraying Inazuma. This will turn public opinion against her, and Watatsumi Island will fall into disarray. Then, we can send troops at our leisure."
"Very well. Let's proceed as Yae suggested. You may all leave now. Kujou Sara, you too."
"Yes, Your Excellency!" x4
After the Tri-Commission heads and Kujou Sara left, Yae Miko walked over to Ei, stopping only when she reached her side and placed her hands on Ei's shoulders.
"Yae, do you have anything else to say about the matter?" Ei, having known Yae Miko for centuries, could tell her friend had more on her mind. That's why she had dismissed the others, leaving only Yae Miko behind.
"Hehe, as expected, I can't hide anything from you, Ei." Yae Miko smiled, her hands gently massaging Ei's shoulders.
Feeling the soothing touch on her shoulders, Ei raised an eyebrow. This fox... when she's being so nice, there's always an ulterior motive.
"From what I gather, this so-called Immortal Phoenix is likely the Divine Lord of Liyue—Yun Fan."
"Oh? How do you know? What evidence do you have?" Ei frowned slightly. If it really was him, things would become much more complicated.
"It's just a guess. The biggest evidence... is probably my intuition." Yae Miko shook her head, then spoke honestly.
"Intuition, huh..."
——————
Meanwhile, on Watatsumi Island...
"Immortal Phoenix! Lady Sangonomiya! Something terrible has happened!" A wounded resistance soldier stumbled into the hall of the Sangonomiya Shrine, shouting in panic at Yun Fan, who was seated on the main throne, and Kokomi, who was serving him tea.
"What's going on? Speak slowly, and don't leave out any details." Kokomi frowned, then cast a healing spell to tend to the soldier's wounds.
Feeling his injuries heal rapidly, the soldier's frantic mind calmed slightly. But when he recalled what had just happened, fear still lingered in his heart.
"Lady Sangonomiya, a short man suddenly appeared outside. He claims to be a Fatui Harbinger and says he wants to duel the Immortal Phoenix. General Gorou is currently confronting him!"
"A short man?" Yun Fan stroked his chin, thinking for a moment. He didn't recall any particularly short individuals among the Fatui Harbingers.
Then, he looked at the soldier before him. Hmm... this man was at least two meters tall. If he was the reference point, then there were indeed a few Harbingers who could be considered "short." Given that this was happening in Inazuma, the one who had come knocking was undoubtedly Scaramouche.
"Hehe, I didn't go looking for you, but you came to me instead. Scaramouche."
...
"Bow your heads!"
Scaramouche swung his arm, and murky Electro energy surged from his body, instantly knocking down dozens of resistance soldiers. Without hesitation, he then summoned a spear of lightning, aiming to finish them off.
Whoosh—
Just as Scaramouche was about to strike, a Geo arrow shot through the air, aiming straight for his forehead.
"Tch!" Scaramouche cursed under his breath. Even if the arrow hit, it wouldn't cause much damage, but it might still mar his handsome face.
So, he had no choice but to abandon his attack and dodge the incoming arrow.
Ssshh—
The arrow grazed Scaramouche's cheek, leaving a thin line of blood. Feeling the slight sting, Scaramouche's eyes sharpened, and a manic grin spread across his face.
"Hahaha...!!... You dare hurt me? Are you prepared to die?" Scaramouche's body surged with Electro energy, and in an instant, countless lightning arrows formed, raining down on the resistance soldiers and Gorou, who had shot the arrow.
"Not good! Everyone, scatter!"
Seeing this, Gorou's instincts screamed danger. He immediately ordered his troops to disperse while he charged to the front.
"Strike first, strike hard!"
The Geo Vision at Gorou's waist glowed fiercely as he spun mid-air, unleashing his Elemental Burst—Canine Warrior's Tactical Formation.
In an instant, a banner was planted on the ground, and a domain unfolded—the Domain of the Canine Warrior!
However, this effort was ultimately futile. Scaramouche, as a divine puppet enhanced by a Delusion, was far beyond the capabilities of a mere Vision holder like Gorou.