Kujou Takayuki ultimately lacked the courage to end his own life and couldn't bring himself to commit seppuku to defend his last shred of dignity. With trembling knees, he knelt at Kujou Sara's feet and said in a pleading tone, "I beg you, spare my life. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do it." Kujou Sara never expected that her once respected adoptive father, when faced with death, would become so pathetic.
"Kujou Takayuki," she said coldly, "you have no other choice."
Kujou Takayuki, hearing Kujou Sara's firm and cold reply, knew he was certainly going to die. His fear largely disappeared. He took a deep breath, straightened up, and seemed to return to his image as the dignified and powerful Tenryou Commissioner, second only to the Archon. He said sincerely, "Sara, I am willing to accept death, but before I die, I have one request. I hope you will assist Kujou Kamaji and let him succeed as the next Tenryou Commissioner, continuing to uphold the dignity and honor of the Kujou family."
Kujou Sara, after a brief moment of contemplation, slowly nodded, indicating her agreement.
Kujou Takayuki slowly extended his hand and picked up the cold samurai sword, pointing the tip towards his abdomen. He had thought he had summoned enough courage to face the imminent end with dignity. However, when the edge of death was truly within reach, he realized that his resolve had again wavered in the face of fear.
Just as Kujou Sara was growing a little impatient waiting, the door was suddenly kicked open violently. Kaedehara Kazuha strode in, sword in hand, followed by a hundred Resistance soldiers. They held rifles, their muzzles all pointed at Kujou Takayuki and Kujou Sara. Kaedehara Kazuha coldly glanced at Kujou Takayuki, and said with an icy voice, "Kujou Takayuki, if you wish to avoid more pain, end your own life now."
Kujou Sara frowned upon hearing this, but ultimately said nothing.
Kujou Takayuki's gaze turned to Kujou Sara, his voice carrying a hint of pleading: "Sara, don't forget our promise." Then he let out a loud roar and fiercely plunged the samurai sword into his abdomen. The intense pain made his entire body tremble, and his wails echoed in the room.
Seeing this, Kujou Sara quickly pulled the samurai sword from his abdomen and, with a swift movement, completed the kaishaku (second).
After witnessing this scene, Kaedehara Kazuha was about to turn and leave, but he heard Kujou Sara's voice, "Kaedehara Kazuha, please spare the remaining members of the Kujou family."
Kaedehara Kazuha stopped in his tracks and asked in return, "When the Tenryou Commission was persecuting the innocent, did they ever consider sparing the families of those people?" Kujou Sara was speechless. Kaedehara Kazuha continued, "Today, except for you, not a single member of the Kujou family will be left alive. Their blood will be used to atone for the crimes they have committed."
Kujou Sara gripped her samurai sword tightly, the tip pointed directly at Kaedehara Kazuha. "Your actions are unjust."
Kaedehara Kazuha also drew his own samurai sword. "More than a year ago, my dear friend was defeated by you in a duel before the Shogun. His dream was extinguished beneath the lightning. Today, I will defeat you, in remembrance of his still fervent belief." Before his words had faded, a fierce battle between storm and thunder erupted.
On the other side of Inazuma City, an unprecedented bloody massacre was taking place. Under the guidance of the Shuumatsuban, the Resistance stormed into the residences of various nobles. Except for innocent servants and children, everyone else was not spared, falling under the gunfire, forced to meet "Boss Prison" (a likely reference to an afterlife realm). This slaughter lasted from dawn till dusk, the strong smell of blood permeating the entire city.
As the setting sun's afterglow filled Inazuma City, the long autumn rain finally ceased. In the sky, the vibrant evening glow was like a beautiful painting. Kaedehara Kazuha slowly walked out of the hall of the Tenryou Commission headquarters. He looked up at the evening glow in the sky, a pure smile appearing on his weary face. After a fierce battle, he had ultimately defeated Kujou Sara, who was known as "the Shogun's devout believer."
Then, he cast his gaze towards the majestic Tenshukaku in the distance. The change in Inazuma was now only one step away.
...
Mt. Yougou, Grand Narukami Shrine. Standing beneath the Sacred Sakura tree, Yae Miko quietly gazed into the distance, her eyes deep and distant. She murmured, "The time for Inazuma's change has arrived. Foolish one, how will you face this cruel reality?" She sighed lightly, then turned. A man's figure came into view.
"Director Yide," Yae Miko asked with a smile, "Have you come here fearing that this humble one would disrupt your good deeds?" Lin Yide slightly shook his head. He opened his hand. In his palm, four-colored elemental orbs rotated like meteors, brilliant and mysterious. Yae Miko's eyes widened. This scene was beyond her imagination. Lin Yide's mastery of the Kitsune Intent Cultivation Secret Art had actually surpassed hers.
"Guuji Yae," Lin Yide stated calmly, "As I delved deeper into the Kitsune Intent Cultivation Secret Art, I discovered some rather interesting points. If my conjecture is correct, the concept of the Plane of Euthymia actually originated from the Kitsune Intent Cultivation Secret Art."
Yae Miko sighed lightly, showing a hint of helplessness. "At that time, Raiden Ei was deeply despairing and struggling due to the passing of her loved ones. If left unchecked, she might have descended into becoming a corrupted god. Therefore, I taught her the secret technique so she could retreat into the Plane of Euthymia, thereby escaping the cruel reality."
After hearing this, Lin Yide couldn't help but sigh with emotion. "To think that she, a warrior, was so fragile inside."
Yae Miko slowly shook her head. "You have no Idea what she truly went through back then. During the Cataclysm in Khaenri'ah, Raiden Makoto left without a word, going to Khaenri'ah alone, wanting to bear that heavy destiny by herself. At that time, disaster erupted in Inazuma, and Raiden Ei faced a difficult choice—to go to Khaenri'ah to save her sister, or to stay and protect Inazuma and her loved ones. Guuji Kitsune, my predecessor, actively persuaded her to go to Khaenri'ah. So, Raiden Ei made a choice that she would regret for the rest of her life. By the time she reached Khaenri'ah, Raiden Makoto was already on her deathbed. And by the time she hurriedly returned to Inazuma, almost all her loved ones had already died in that disaster."
Speaking of this, Yae Miko turned her gaze to Lin Yide. "If it were you, could you bear such pain?"
"No," Lin Yide answered honestly. "I would immediately end my own life. I would never forgive myself for making such a foolish choice. If I couldn't die, I would stab my heart over and over again with a sword, tormenting myself."