In the pitch-black forest, the smell of decay almost overwhelmed all other scents.
Was it withered leaves? The carcass of an animal? Or perhaps...
Under Tatyana's command, the Fatui stationed here dug out a corpse from beneath the fallen leaves, already decayed beyond recognition.
The unknown insects crawling on the body almost made the nearby Fatui member vomit his breakfast.
But Tatyana's face remained expressionless.
The stench of decay, though overwhelming, was still somewhat mild compared to Bai Luo's pickled fish dish.
Very calmly, she had her subordinates collect the body. Tatyana then led the men she had borrowed from Scaramouche in a grand procession towards the resistance army's territory.
"Who goes there!"
Ever since the last incident with the Shogunate army spies, the defenses of Watatsumi Island had become increasingly tight.
Even the Nobushi and Hilichurls who roamed the island had shrunk back into their corners, not daring to show themselves easily.
So, the group of Fatui led by Tatyana naturally became the target of the Watatsumi Island guards.
"You disrespectful lot, inform your Divine Priestess that the Fatui have come to visit with a generous gift. Have her come and welcome us at once."
Tatyana maintained her elegance at all times, but her words were aggressive and demanding.
To specifically name Sangonomiya Kokomi to come and welcome them, wasn't this deliberately looking for trouble?
After the Watatsumi guards exchanged glances, the one in the back immediately fired a signal.
In the night, a bright flare illuminated the sky as if it were day.
This was the most urgent signal, indicating that Watatsumi Island had been invaded by a powerful enemy, and anyone nearby who saw the signal was to come to their aid.
Unlike Tatyana's composure, the Fatui soldiers behind her all gripped their weapons nervously.
A great battle was on the verge of breaking out.
"The disrespectful shall be punished!"
Tatyana slowly raised her hands, which had been resting on her lower abdomen, into a prayer-like gesture. Several water mirrors had already risen up beside the Watatsumi guards.
Reflected in the mirrors was not only her face, as cold as frost, but also several bloody corpses.
...
"Your Excellency, Sangonomiya!"
In the Sangonomiya Shrine, Sangonomiya Kokomi, who had been dozing off, was startled awake by a subordinate who suddenly burst in.
Compared to Gorou on the front lines, she had been much more at ease during this period.
The people stationed on Watatsumi Island were almost all trustworthy members, so after receiving the Mora "sponsored" by the Battousai, she had been living a particularly comfortable life.
Her energy levels were also much higher than usual.
"What is the cause for such alarm?"
After sitting up straight, Sangonomiya Kokomi asked calmly.
"A group of people claiming to be the Fatui have arrived outside. They are demanding that you personally go to welcome them. The captain of the Swordfish II special operations team went to engage them, and as a result..."
The soldier who came to report did not continue, but the fate of that captain was easy to imagine.
The special operations team bearing the name "Swordfish" was no ordinary squad.
They were composed of Watatsumi Island's elites, and the captain himself possessed a Vision.
If placed in the Shogunate's forces, he would be at least at the level of an Okuzumeshuu leader.
And from the words of the person reporting, it could be heard that the captain of Swordfish II had been taken down with ease.
"Go and stabilize the situation as much as possible for now. I will be there shortly."
Sangonomiya Kokomi's brow furrowed slightly. She knew that this visit from the other party was anything but friendly.
And as for why they had come... she had a general idea in her heart.
After the soldier left, Sangonomiya Kokomi picked up a nearby brush and paper and wrote a single sentence.
She then summoned a small fish.
Placing the note into a brocade pouch and entrusting it to the small fish for delivery, Sangonomiya Kokomi left her chambers and headed to where the Fatui were causing trouble.
The Fatui had not sent many people, only about twenty or so.
But Sangonomiya Kokomi was not surprised.
Because in the eyes of the Fatui, they also had their "subordinates" on this island.
However, they probably never imagined that those so-called defectors had, in fact, been deliberately turned with her consent.
And the benefits they received from the Fatui had almost all ended up in her hands.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit from such distinguished guests?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi wore a faint smile on her face. As the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, her performance was impeccable.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, this manner of greeting would have a great impact on her side's morale.
But this was precisely her method of winning people's hearts.
In order to prevent her own subordinates from getting hurt, the Divine Priestess herself had taken the initiative to lower her status and come to greet them.
If word got out, it would be a fine story.
"Some time ago, someone withdrew three hundred million Mora from Inazuma City in the name of the [Instructor]. Does Your Excellency, Sangonomiya, have any recollection of this?"
Facing Sangonomiya Kokomi, Tatyana's presence was in no way inferior.
In fact, due to her height, she even managed to suppress Sangonomiya Kokomi with her sheer presence.
'So that's what it is,' Kokomi thought.
Knowing the other party's intentions, Sangonomiya Kokomi showed no sign of panic.
Or rather, this was already within her expectations. To deal with today's situation, she had already thought up countless brilliant strategies.
"Then your excellency can very well go and find the Instructor himself. Why come to my Watatsumi Island to cause trouble?"
This statement from Sangonomiya Kokomi could be said to completely remove Watatsumi Island from the matter.
Just as she said, whoever took the money, go find them.
You say we took your money? Sorry, we haven't seen a shadow of that Mora.
Hmm? You ask why our Watatsumi Island has become so prosperous lately?
Is it not possible that we earned it by selling caviar?
There were many excuses available, and Sangonomiya Kokomi had at least ten different ways to justify her position.
Tatyana did not speak again, but gently raised her hand.
The Fatui soldier behind her nodded, then opened the box they had dragged over and threw its contents out.
Upon seeing what it was, all the Watatsumi Island soldiers present took a step back in unison.
It wasn't that they hadn't seen a corpse before, but the appearance and smell of this particular corpse were truly beyond description.
Only Sangonomiya Kokomi, looking at the body on the ground, unconsciously tightened her hand hidden in her sleeve.
Igor was dead. This was what the group who returned with the Mora had said.
According to them, Igor had been forcibly abducted by a masked swordsman and his whereabouts were unknown.
From that moment, she knew that Igor had definitely been captured and silenced by the Battousai.
But she had never imagined that Igor's body would be found by the Fatui.
"Your Excellency, the Divine Priestess, do you recognize this person?"
Tatyana still maintained her elegant appearance, but her voice was as cold as her expression, making one feel as if they had fallen into an ice cavern.
"He is a member of our Watatsumi Island. Do you have a problem with that?"
Pretending not to know him was completely impossible, because besides the majority of fake Fatui members on Watatsumi Island, there was also a very small number who were Igor's trusted associates.
Therefore, lying at a time like this would instead put her at a disadvantage.
"No. In fact, he was a spy that we, the Fatui, sent to your Watatsumi Island."
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