The first delivery arrived: a batch of Dandelion Seeds, a key material Reisen Riou lacked. Priced at 1,000 Mora per batch, 100 batches cost 100,000 Mora. Common in Mondstadt but rare elsewhere, Dandelions symbolized the Anemo Archon and Mondstadt's spirit. Supposedly, only those wielding Anemo could harvest their seeds (though a simple puff worked). Valued for clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing inflammation, fresh Dandelions were hard to preserve, so Mondstadt adventurers carried seeds, claiming (halfheartedly) they brought Barbatos' blessing—a tradition inflating prices. Unable to grow them outside Mondstadt without the Thousand Winds' verse, Reisen Riou ordered dried Dandelion plants instead, posting another bounty.
Time slipped by. Six months after the Sumeru scholars arrived, their efforts bore fruit. Before Inazuma's Harvest Festival, the Shogunate collected a seventh more tax than usual—high-quality wheat and rice. Civilian yields were higher, with Oni and Tengu on Yougou Mountain doubling their violet melon, vegetable, and fruit harvests. Scholars reported Yougou Mountain's self-sufficiency, no longer needing Yashiro Commission or Grand Narukami Shrine aid, with surplus to spare. Reisen Riou sighed in relief. The Oni and Tengu, deeply tied to Narukami and Inazuma, were prime soldier stock. Untrained adult Oni hit LV20, surpassing junior officers. With training, they could reach Hatamoto general level, or higher with talent, though youkai followed a separate Shogunate hierarchy. Most Great Youkai, limited by status or age, didn't serve; those like Reisen Riou worked under Torachiyo or as Okuzume. Torachiyo was the sole youkai general.
Other islands saw tax boosts from the inspection team's guidance, correcting errors for easy yield increases. More crops meant more revenue.
…
"Watatsumi Island requests Sumeru scholars to address their agricultural issues," a report noted.
"Watatsumi's problem is soil petrification," Reisen Riou said. "Their Sangonomiya shrine maiden has discussed this with the Grand Narukami Shrine. Every few years, they undertake a trial in Enkanomiya to retrieve Coral Blood Branches, reviving the island's vitality for habitation."
Since confirming his relationship with Raiden Ei, Reisen Riou, still just a recorder, doubled as Makoto's advisor and knowledge bank. "Any theories on the cause?" she asked.
"I have a hypothesis," he said confidently, not relying on past-life memories but analysis predating his unsealed visions, later corroborated. "Watatsumi's history says it formed from coral shed by Orobashi, the Watatsumi Omikami. Exposed coral loses vitality. The Coral Blood Branches reactivate it. Watatsumi's shallow ley lines connect to Enkanomiya, which siphons the island's nutrients, transforming them via the food chain into Blood Branches, harvested in a cycle."
He didn't mention his suspicion: some Blood Branch power likely fused into the Sangonomiya shrine maidens, extracting Hydro Dragon bloodline over generations, potentially reviving a Hydro Dragon King—like a certain five-star ornamental fish centuries later. He kept quiet, suspecting even the shrine maidens were unaware, merely performing the Three Realms Gateway Offering as Orobashi's design.
"So, your recommendation?" Makoto asked.
"Send scholars, but not yet. Stabilize Narukami Island first, then dispatch a team. It involves Orobashi's divine authority—scholars can only study surface coral soil, mainly to appease Watatsumi's hopes."
"Too harsh," Makoto rejected. "Orobashi's matter has hidden truths. Your analysis is impressive, but I'll consider this carefully."
"Yes, my lady."
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage