She straightened slightly, her tone steady and resolute:
"I swore my loyalty to Inazuma, to serve the Shogun. That is my duty and my honor."
Then, after a brief pause, gazing up at Makoto's gentle yet resolute eyes, Kujou Sara clenched her fists and said gravely,
"Lord Shogun… could you, could you perhaps change the situation in Inazuma? The lives of the people are truly…"
"I understand."
Makoto let out a soft sigh, her gaze shifting briefly toward Ei, her eyes full of reproach, making Ei lower her head even further in shame.
"I came back this time precisely to resolve Inazuma's current situation," Makoto continued.
"I've already reached an agreement with Liyue. They'll help us restore stability to Inazuma as quickly as possible."
"As for the people's livelihood, I promise, within one month, it will return to normal."
"For now, let's return to Tenshukaku. The Yaksha and the others aren't just here to seek justice for the Liyue merchants…"
"They're also here to help us bring peace back to Inazuma. Let them come with us to Narukami Island."
Kujou Sara froze for a moment, glancing from Xiao and the others to Ei.
Her expression turned hesitant.
After all, this was essentially allowing foreign military forces to enter Inazuma's capital.
But Ei's expression darkened. She fixed her sharp gaze on Sara.
"Whatever Makoto says, goes!"
Sara immediately straightened, nodding quickly.
"Yes, Lord Shogun!"
"I am not the Shogun!" Ei interrupted coldly. "Makoto has returned, she is the Raiden Shogun!"
After that, Ei fell silent, standing behind Makoto just like she used to, quietly assuming her role as her sister's shadow.
Yae Miko giggled softly, leaning over to poke Lumine's cheek.
"See? I told you, once Makoto comes back, every problem magically solves itself. Even that stubborn Ei turns back into a well-behaved little sister afraid of being scolded."
Lumine nodded thoughtfully, murmuring,
"She looked so proud and imposing a moment ago… and now she's like a little girl who got caught doing something bad."
"Well, to be fair, Ei did make quite a few mistakes," Miko replied lightly. "It's normal for her to feel guilty."
With Makoto here, the very ley lines of Inazuma behaved like obedient pets.
A single thought from her was enough to transport everyone directly to Tenshukaku.
Returning to Inazuma City after so many centuries, Makoto felt a deep sense of comfort.
But as she walked through its streets, the heavy, oppressive air made her frown.
She understood immediately where the problem lay.
This was not the time for nostalgia, there was still a mess to clean up, her sister's mess.
Casting a sharp glare at Ei, Makoto led Kujou Sara, Lumine, and the others into Tenshukaku.
The Dragonriders quietly stationed themselves within the palace.
For the first time in five hundred years, Tenshukaku, the heart of Inazuma, welcomed back its true master.
And for the first time in centuries, the halls felt alive again.
Makoto took her seat at the head of the chamber.
Out of habit, Ei began to kneel just behind her,
, but Makoto's voice turned cold.
"Sit over there. We'll discuss your matters later."
Ei's shoulders drooped; her expression turned pitiful.
But she knew she had angered her sister, so she obediently knelt at the side, quiet as a child in trouble.
Makoto sighed, regaining her composure before speaking softly:
"Summon Kamisato Ayato to Tenshukaku."
Kujou Sara instinctively rose to carry out the order, but Makoto stopped her.
"Have someone else go. I still have things to discuss with you."
Kujou Sara froze for a moment, then remembered, since the Tenshukaku was now under Makoto's control, she didn't really have to handle everything herself anymore.
She nodded, stepped outside to summon a Shogunate soldier to deliver a message, and then returned to the Tenshukaku.
Makoto turned to Lumine and said gently,
"Lumine, these matters will take a while to sort out. If you're bored, you can go walk around Inazuma City for a bit."
Lumine grinned and waved her hand.
"No need, Makoto! We'll just sit here for a while. After all, we've been riding the dragon for so long!"
Makoto smiled softly.
"That's my oversight then. I'll have someone bring you some sweets."
Before Makoto could even call for anyone, Kujou Sara stepped out again to give the order.
When she came back, she said quietly,
"Your Excellency, Kamisato Ayato is currently in Inazuma City. Normally, it should take him around ten minutes to get here."
"Ten minutes?"
Ei immediately frowned, clearly displeased.
Her sister had finally returned, and Ayato was still taking his time to come see her?
She stood up at once.
"I'll go bring him here myself!"
"Sit down."
Makoto said calmly, and Ei immediately bowed her head and went quiet again.
Kujou Sara looked a little awkward at the sight.
So the once cold and commanding Shogun… was actually this afraid of her elder sister?
She couldn't help but feel like she'd just seen something incredible.
"General Kujou," Makoto said, taking the chance before Ayato arrived,
"while we're waiting, I'd like to understand the current situation in Inazuma.
Tell me about the conflict between the resistance and the Shogunate Army, the issue with the Tri-Commission, and how the heavy taxes and the war have affected the people."
Kujou Sara quietly exhaled in relief.
Looking at Makoto, she felt a wave of genuine admiration.
The moment she returned, she was already diving straight into work, concerned for her people, asking about their lives.
It truly fit the historical descriptions of the Raiden Makoto from five hundred years ago,
a goddess known for her boundless kindness and compassion.
Kujou Sara's heart finally settled.
Perhaps Inazuma was finally going to see better days.
After organizing her thoughts, she spoke softly,
"A few days ago, the Shogun, Lady Ei, ordered the halt of the war between the Shogunate and the Resistance.
However, since the Vision Hunt Decree has not been completely abolished,
the Resistance has not disbanded. They're still stationed at Watatsumi Island, but they haven't made any advances. The frontlines remain quiet for now."
"As for the Tri-Commission… aside from the Yashiro Commission, both the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions have been involved in exploiting the citizens, imposing unlawful taxes, even collaborating with foreign powers."
"My apologies, Your Excellency. I only discovered this recently. It was Kamisato Ayato who provided the intelligence."
"As for Inazuma's livelihood…"
Kujou Sara trailed off.
Because, really,
what livelihood was left in Inazuma?
"Barely surviving" was the only way to describe it.
Makoto understood what she meant, and she turned to glare at Ei, visibly angry.
Just as she was about to speak, hurried footsteps echoed outside the door.
After a quick knock, Kamisato Ayato stepped in. His eyes first fell upon Ayaka, seeing her safe and sound, he breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, he noticed the two Raiden Shoguns.
Ayato froze on the spot.
For a long moment, he was utterly speechless,
before finally blurting out, with the same confusion Kujou Sara had shown earlier:
"Two… Shoguns?!"
~~----------------------
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