"I know well the tensions between Watatsumi and the people of Inazuma's mainland," Kokomi said softly.
"But if the gods themselves would acknowledge us, then the pace of integration would surely quicken."
The conflict born of faith was not something a single generation could resolve.
It would take long years of reconciliation for Watatsumi to fully merge into Inazuma.
Before, she had never even considered such things.
Not only because the contradictions seemed irreconcilable, but also because Watatsumi had always had a chance of survival on its own.
But now… in their eyes, the world was no larger than Inazuma itself.
There was nowhere left to retreat.
If they did not find a way forward, Watatsumi might soon vanish altogether.
Were the circumstances not so dire, she would never have voiced a request so unpalatable to her people.
"So, little Kokomi," Su Ran asked, standing and walking over to her, "do you truly wish to hasten Watatsumi's integration?"
The difference in height forced her to crane her neck upward, straining as she met his gaze.
"My lord, do you mean there is a way?"
Su Ran shook his head.
"Not by me. But that doesn't mean others lack the means."
His wit was not to be squandered on such tasks.
Why help them, when Kokomi could find her own answers?
But the real reason lay elsewhere— the system task still hadn't marked itself complete, even with the war at an end.
He had no choice but to act.
"In Inazuma's prison sits a scholar from Liyue," Su Ran said with a faint smile.
"Far sharper than the Raiden Shogun herself."
Behind him, Ei's eyes narrowed.
Her gaze traced Su Ran's back as though searching for the best spot to strike.
"My lord, you mean to let such a man return with me? To aid Watatsumi's cause?"
Surely a figure recommended by a god must possess wisdom beyond measure.
But why would such a man be locked in a cell?
"No," Su Ran replied firmly.
"His crimes are grave. He falsely claimed friendship with the gods— such a sinner cannot be freed.
But you may visit him. Speak with him.
You may find the answers you seek."
Zhongli, in Watatsumi? Impossible.
If the old rock went there, he might very well settle down in comfort.
After all the trouble Su Ran went through to throw him in prison, how could he possibly allow that?
No—better to keep him locked up a while.
Let the so-called Geo Archon savor a "new experience."
How could one truly understand mortals without first tasting their prisons?
"…So my lord would have me go to him for guidance?"
Kokomi hesitated.
Why did this feel like some kind of trap?
"Yes. He might provide the answer you need.
After all, didn't the people of the Salt God once integrate into Liyue as well?
Surely Zhongli would have insight."
"Just remember," Su Ran added, "he is a prisoner. You are not. That difference matters."
Kokomi nodded, assuring him, "My lord, rest assured. I would never release a criminal."
She thought he was afraid she might be swayed and secretly free the man.
But betrayal was the last thing she could afford now.
"No, no." Su Ran wagged a finger.
"That's not it. The problem is that he's a prisoner and you're not— you have no common ground.
But if you were both prisoners…"
His smile widened.
"…then the two of you would share a language."
Kokomi's heart skipped.
A sense of dread welled up as she met his gaze.
"And by that, my lord means…?"
"Little Kokomi," Su Ran declared, "you shall enter the prison as a prisoner yourself."
At last, his true intent was revealed: to throw Watatsumi's own strategist into a cell.
"…On what charge?"
"How about 'leader of the rebel army'?"
Kokomi grimaced.
"But haven't I already concluded peace talks with Lady Sara, on behalf of the shogunate?"
If she were jailed under such charges, wouldn't that render the truce meaningless?
Word of her arrest could easily spark another rebellion.
And if the gods had never consented to peace at all?
What if this was nothing but a shogunate trick?
"Then drink this."
Su Ran produced a bottle of Dango Milk.
Kokomi eyed the strange container warily.
Was it poison? Some sinister concoction?
"It won't kill you. But it will put you in prison."
"Will I… be able to come back out?"
Her greatest fear was that this was simply a plot to rid Watatsumi of its leader.
But there were three gods in the room.
Could such a conspiracy truly exist here?
"It's nothing important," Su Ran assured her.
"You could buy barrels of it on the street."
Still uneasy, Kokomi finally lifted the bottle and drank.
Glug—
The sweet liquid left her blinking in confusion.
It wasn't poison, nor anything rare.
It was just… milk?
"Sara," Su Ran ordered, "take her to the prison."
"On what charge?" Kujou Sara asked.
After all, she had personally escorted Kokomi here.
To arrest her now without reason would shatter the shogunate's credibility.
"Without the Shogun's leave, she drank a tribute meant for Her Excellency.
The Shogun was so enraged she burst into tears, sobbing and wailing and utterly ruining administrative efficiency.
Tell me—that's not enough of a crime?"
"…Eh?"
Kokomi froze.
Sara froze.
Even Ayaka and Ei stared in utter bafflement.
What kind of charge was that?
Would the Shogun truly weep and throw a tantrum over a bottle of milk?
"Well? Don't just stand there. The Shogun is furious!"
In a flash, Yae Miko pressed a hand over Ei's mouth, silencing her.
Of course she understood at once.
Her gaze toward Su Ran warmed with delight.
A kindred spirit, after all.
~~--------------------------------------
To read 30+ future chapters head over to patreon:
patreon.com/YonkoSlayer