A month later...
Everything proceeded as it did in the game. Nathan of the Fatui infiltrated the resistance and destroyed the warding stones on Yashiori Island. Due to the rampant curse gods, the Shogunate army was forced to withdraw from Yashiori Island and instead garrisoned at Nazuchi Beach.
The warding stones had to be destroyed. This was a necessary step to bring down Kujou Takayuki, because the Shogunate was responsible for relocating the villagers of Crimsonwood Village to Narukami Island. However, in the game, Kujou Masahito sank the refugee transport ships midway and framed the resistance.
Shiki knew this, which was why she allowed the Fatui spy to destroy the warding stones. Otherwise, catching an internal traitor would have been an easy task for her if she had been guarding it.
Tatarasuna also ceased production. The unexpected reason was that the rampant curse gods caused the Mikage Furnace Core to lose control. However, Shiki quickly linked this to the previous Hiiragi Shinsuke, speculating that he might have provided this intelligence to the Fatui.
During this period, Shiki still went to Ritou every Saturday night to exchange information with Ioroi. It had to be said that the Fatui were very tight-lipped, and she couldn't learn much. Instead, Ioroi found Hiiragi Shinsuke's corrupt account books and his Delusion trade with the Fatui.
Overall, the harvest was good. These evidences were enough to make Hiiragi Shinsuke die eight hundred times over.
"Ayaka, prepare the ships. It's almost time for the Yashiro Commission to step in." Shiki said at the Kamisato Estate.
"We can, but what's our reason? If we send ships for no apparent reason, it might cause some undesirable suspicion." Ayaka asked with some worry.
Upon hearing that ships would be used to receive the refugees from Crimsonwood Village, Ayaka was very much in favor. However, she didn't understand why it was proposed after the Tenryou Commission had already taken on the task.
"Reason, you say… Then let's say we're going to repair the warding stones." Shiki thought for a moment and said.
After being destroyed, the warding stones would burrow into a seal formed by a water curtain. She only needed to take them out and put them back, which required no technical skill at all.
Besides, if it really came down to it, she could just call Inagi Hotomi. They were old acquaintances, and she believed Eiimi would be very happy to help.
"That could work. It shouldn't arouse suspicion."
"Suspicion of what? We have a legitimate reason; it just so happens that we rescued the villagers of Crimsonwood Village while repairing the warding stones."
A slight smile appeared on Shiki's lips. As soon as the ship-sinking incident was over, she would have the evidence to overthrow the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission.
At that point, she would first expose the Kanjou Commission, and then, after the war ended, stab the Tenryou Commission in the back. Wouldn't the entire situation in Inazuma be under her control then?
"I hope so, but I always feel things won't be as simple as we imagine. Also, what about the departure time for our ships?"
"Of course, we'll arrive at the same time as the Tenryou Commission's rescue ships. We'll depart when they do. For now, we just need to wait patiently."
However, Shiki was still somewhat troubled about how to change Raiden Ei's mind. To change such a stubborn mind, one could only rely on force, just like Fujiwara.
Yet, in terms of combat power, Shiki had no confidence in being able to defeat Raiden Ei, because she couldn't even summon a thunderstorm, let alone split a Musoujin Gorge exactly like hers.
However, the idea of relying on the wishes of the people should still be viable. The problem was how to get those who lost their Visions to the statue.
"Oh, I have a rather important piece of news here, it came from Liyue." Ayaka said.
"What news?"
Upon hearing "Liyue," Shiki's heart already had some guesses, and after hearing Ayaka's subsequent words, she secretly thought, "As expected."
"Morax, the Geo Archon of Liyue, passed away during the Rite of Descension."
'Due to Inazuma's sakoku decree, news transmission must be slow. So… that old man might already be enjoying his retirement life, right?'
For a moment, Shiki fell into contemplation. The current situation in Inazuma was very similar to the game but also had some slight differences. She didn't know if the Traveler would still make the same choices as in the game.
The confiscation of Visions had been stuck at the ninety-seventh one for a long time. The next list of confiscations would definitely include the Three Commissions. It just depended on who they started with.
Oh, it was also possible it would still be the unlucky Thoma.
"Ryougi?" Ayaka waved her hand in front of the girl's eyes.
"Ah, sorry, I zoned out." Shiki snapped out of her contemplation. The mess in Inazuma simply wouldn't let her brain rest.
"It's okay. By the way, will Ryougi go to Yashiori Island personally then?"
"Yes. The burden on the human body after a curse gods outbreak is immense. Only elemental power can counteract it somewhat."
"Then… can I go with you?" Ayaka mustered her courage. She wanted to spend more time with Ryougi.
"You can… but will your brother agree?"
Shiki was quite welcoming to Ayaka accompanying her. When she was on Earth, she was also a member of the audience for the large serialized drama "Waiting for Kamisato"!
But as she said, Kamisato Ayato's attitude was a problem. No brother would allow his sister to be in a dangerous environment.
"This…" Ayaka clearly realized this problem as well.
However, neither of them expected that Kamisato Ayato would personally show up and nod in agreement.
"Haha, of course I agree. After all, with a powerful swordswoman like Miss Ryougi accompanying her, I can rest assured about my younger sister's safety."
A tall, young man walked into the room. His white hair combined with his handsome features was enough to make him the dream lover of countless Inazuman maidens.
This was the first time Shiki had met Kamisato Ayato. The Head of the Kamisato Clan was usually elusive, so it was quite rare to see him here.
And that voice... 'Otto, is that you!'
At this moment, there should have been a furious roar from Kaoge, but Shiki felt that Kamisato Ayato's voice was truly similar to a certain Bishop's.
"A pleasure to meet you, Clan Head Kamisato."
"There's no need to be so formal. You are both a consultant for the Kamisato Clan and Ayaka's friend. You can just call me by my name."
Kamisato Ayato seemed very courteous. An accident many years ago had caused the Kamisato Clan's strength to decline exponentially, so naturally, he maintained a positive attitude toward a powerful person like the young woman.
"Never mind. Clan Head Kamisato is more appropriate. After all, this is our first meeting, isn't it?"
Whether it was a man or a woman, Shiki felt it was inappropriate to call someone by their given name upon first meeting. At the very least, they should wait until they were more familiar.
Of course, another reason was that she held a certain level of caution toward this character who had not yet appeared in the game.
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