Kamisato Ayato let out a faint laugh, though surprise flickered behind his calm expression.
He was, after all, one of Inazuma's strongest Vision bearers, yet even he could feel a sense of danger standing before this Dragonrider captain, a man without a Vision at all.
Liyue… had truly made remarkable progress.
Without haste, Ayato reached into his robe and took out a Totem of Undying.
"I have already signed a pact with the Geo Lord, Rex Lapis, as well as the other two Archons. Miss Lumine and her companions explained the situation of that other world to me," he said lightly. "However, there are still some details I don't fully understand."
Seeing the Totem of Undying in Ayato's hand, Dashi's tense expression softened somewhat.
After a brief silence, he said quietly,
"The specifics… you'll only understand once you go there yourselves. It's not something that can be explained with words alone."
Ayato nodded thoughtfully. He didn't press the matter further and simply smiled.
"Then I'll trouble you no more, Captain Dashi. Thank you."
Kujou Sara, however, couldn't help but feel curious about the "other world" Ayato had mentioned.
But when Ayato gave her a subtle look, she held back her questions for now.
She would find out soon enough.
After all, she was going to lead a contingent to Liyue herself.
Talking about it now would only complicate things.
"In that case," Sara said after a short pause, her tone firm, "let's begin our operations."
"I'll head to the Resistance first. The matter of lifting the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree will be left in your hands."
"Also, make sure all members of the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions involved are imprisoned immediately and interrogated one by one."
Ayato waved his hand dismissively as he started toward the door.
"I know. Safe travels, General Kujou."
Sara nodded once, then turned to Dashi and his team.
She asked them to accompany her to the Resistance camp,
after all, if she went alone, Sangonomiya Kokomi might think something was amiss and detain her "for security reasons."
With Liyue's soldiers acting as intermediaries, things would proceed more smoothly.
Inside Tenshukaku.
Once Kujou Sara and Kamisato Ayato had left, Makoto finally allowed herself a soft exhale of relief.
Yae Miko, smiling mischievously as always, leaned toward her and teased,
"As expected of our dear Shogun, just returned, and already busy cleaning up Ei's mess."
"Looks like you'll be working your divine self to exhaustion for quite some time, hmm?"
At those words, Ei lowered her head slightly, guilt shadowing her eyes.
Makoto glanced at her sister but said nothing more.
She had already reprimanded her enough earlier, there was no need to be harsh now, not after so many years apart.
"Our time is limited," Makoto said softly, her tone composed again. "We must stabilize Inazuma as quickly as possible."
"No matter the state of recovery, within one month, we must send envoys to establish a foothold in Ryen's world."
"One month…?" Ayaka murmured, a trace of unease flickering across her face.
"The General… isn't a month too long? In Ryen's world, far too many things could happen in just one month."
Makoto sighed helplessly.
"I know. But stabilizing Inazuma's chaos can't be done quickly. One month is the most optimistic timeline."
"However," she continued, "that only means the main Inazuman forces can't go yet. Ayaka, you and the others can still head over first, consider it a vanguard mission for Inazuma."
"Yae Miko, you'll go too."
At Makoto's request, Miko naturally didn't refuse. If it weren't for Makoto insisting she return to handle Inazuma's situation, that fascinating world was somewhere Miko would have loved to linger in longer.
"So this counts as a business trip? Will there be travel allowances?" she teased, smiling playfully at Makoto.
Makoto could only shake her head helplessly.
"For you, it's basically a vacation. You still have the nerve to ask me for allowances?"
"Inazuma still has plenty of issues to handle. The Mora expenses are already enormous, so for now, there's no extra budget for you."
Miko immediately waved her hand, clearly losing interest.
"Fine then, Since it's your request, Makoto, I'll reluctantly go along."
Makoto nodded slightly, then finally turned her gaze toward Ei.
At that moment, Ei, who had been secretly glancing at Makoto, instinctively lowered her head, guilt flashing in her eyes.
"The puppet government, the Vision Hunt Decree, the Sakoku Decree, constant warfare, and the suffering of the people… Ei, all of this was your doing."
Ei's eyes dimmed. She looked down in silence, lips pressed together, saying nothing.
Makoto sighed softly. She had intended to continue scolding her, but her heart softened.
No matter what had happened, she couldn't ignore her sister's pain.
Stepping closer, Makoto's gaze softened as she looked at Ei.
"It's been a long time, Ei…"
"Five hundred years. You've worked hard. I'm home now."
Ei's eyes widened slightly, staring blankly at the familiar, gentle face that had haunted her memories for centuries.
Her lips trembled. Then, suddenly, Ei stood up and tightly embraced her sister.
"Makoto… welcome home. I've missed you so much…"
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