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Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Ei, the One Alluded To

Sangonomiya Kokomi listened to Su Ran's words.

Outwardly, her face remained calm.

But inside, her thoughts churned endlessly.

Why did it feel as though none of the three gods present really cared to address Watatsumi's plight?

Watatsumi Island might not worship the Raiden Shogun, but it was still part of Inazuma.

The special privilege of independent faith— hadn't it been granted by the Shogun herself?

Though… which Shogun had it been?

"Little Kokomi," Su Ran said lightly, "surely Sara has already explained the terms regarding the resistance and Watatsumi?"

Indeed—during earlier negotiations, Kujou Sara had laid out Inazuma's plans for Watatsumi in painstaking detail.

Those plans had weighed heavily on Kokomi's heart ever since.

And now, within this divine dreamscape… everything here belonged solely to the one who shaped it.

Even the "Watatsumi Island" they stood upon

was but part of the dream— not the real island at all.

If not for Captain Beidou being trapped in Inazuma, Kokomi might never have even considered such strange truths.

"To put it simply," Su Ran continued, raising a hand,

"even the place you now live in belongs to me. Rent, then—surely that can't be overlooked?"

"Eh?"

Kokomi almost staggered.

Watatsumi was already dirt-poor.

The war might be over, but the people's hearts were far from settled.

Now they were to pay rent?

How were they supposed to survive?

"But… Watatsumi is impoverished, my lord. The people can barely eke out a living as it is."

"Then another option. Since you are not Narukami's people, the Shogun bears no duty for your survival.

What if Watatsumi severed ties with Inazuma entirely?

I could grant you the land outright."

A grave choice.

Kokomi could not answer at once.

A gift of free land? Wonderful.

But cut off from Inazuma?

Watatsumi would truly be an isolated island.

That could not end well.

"I beg pardon, my lord. Watatsumi cannot yet forgo its dependence on Inazuma."

Self-sufficiency was a dream at best.

Even fishing was fraught with peril.

Here in the dream, none starved, true— but the spirit would wither in endless stasis.

Watatsumi could not survive alone.

"Then… would you forsake your faith, and join the dream instead?"

His voice was like that of a devil, seducing her with choices that were no choices at all.

Every path led only one way.

"Milord… may we not choose to leave the dream?"

Kokomi's voice trembled.

The dream had its boons.

But it was not the future she sought.

To linger in a stagnant paradise without tomorrow— better to return to the harsh reality, where at least struggle could bring change.

"This dream overlays Inazuma. When it formed, I had received no notice of Watatsumi's secession.

Thus, its inclusion was tacitly accepted."

Su Ran sighed, feigning trouble.

"Kokomi… this dream is one-way. Once inside, there is no leaving. Not even for gods."

He cast a glance at Ei.

Makoto had only consciousness left, unable to walk the real world.

As for himself—he was no native god of Teyvat at all.

Merely so powerful that the Inazumans mistook him for one.

Makoto knew as much.

Still, Su Ran rather liked being addressed as "lord,"

so he never corrected them.

"Not even you, my lord?"

If even gods were bound… then escape was impossible.

Hearing this, Kokomi felt her heart sink into ash.

Su Ran gave no answer.

Silence—not an affirmation, but not denial either.

No lie, but no hope.

The interpretation was left for her to bear.

"…If Watatsumi were to join the dream, would our people be treated as equals to Inazuma's?"

If no other road remained, then at least equality would bring them greater rights, freedom of exchange, a chance at prosperity.

And the cost?

Merely to abandon the serpent god Orobas.

Faith had endured for millennia, yes, but not with the same fervor as at its birth.

Even Kokomi, as Divine Priestess, only fulfilled her duties because they were her role.

Her devotion was less conviction than habit— the echo of teachings from childhood.

Stubborn elders might never abandon their god.

But Kokomi was pragmatic enough to weigh consequences clearly.

She would not cling blindly to faith.

"Tell me," Su Ran asked softly, "do you think the gods see you any differently from other Inazumans?"

"…Do they not? Do gods not always favor their own people more?"

She knew the answer even as she spoke it.

"And what of the Vision Hunt Decree? The Sakoku Decree?

Were those acts of love, or of persecution?"

Kokomi faltered.

What could she say?

It was persecution, obviously— but here sat two Raiden Shoguns.

"As you can see," Su Ran went on, "Inazuma's gods aren't much gentler with their own.

They can ignore their people for five centuries straight."

Ei's gaze never left the ceiling.

She knew full well at whom those words were aimed.

"So whether you gain equal rights depends not on the gods, but on the relationship between Watatsumi and Inazuma.

For in a god's eyes, you are the same.

The thunder that once raged across Inazuma fell on Watatsumi all the same."

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