Three days later, as Lin Yide repaired the last of the warding tools that suppressed the evil spirits, the thunderstorms and thick clouds that had shrouded Yashiori Island, like a lifted mist, finally began to gradually dissipate.
The sky revealed its original clear blue once again, and the evil aura lingering in the air, like mist scorched by sunlight, also faded little by little.
Warm sunshine once again illuminated this land that had endured countless hardships, bringing new vitality.
The residents of Yashiori Island, who had long suffered from disasters and whose spirits had been numbed or even plunged into despair, cautiously emerged from their homes.
Looking at the somewhat dazzling light, they couldn't help but weep.
This moment had been waited for too long.
In a distant corner, Lin Yide, Chiori, and Yae Miko quietly gazed at this scene before them, their hearts filled with emotion.
"Congratulations, Host, for completing the event - Repairing the Yashiori Island Warding Tools. You have gained 1600 experience points."
Hearing the system's voice, Lin Yide's mood improved significantly.
As he had expected, completing tasks that were originally meant for the Traveler indeed earned him more experience points than usual.
This meant he had great hope of completing the task of saving Furina.
"Director Yide, if you forcibly occupy Yashiori Island, it will be equivalent to Fontaine invading Inazuma." Yae Miko glanced at Lin Yide indifferently, a hint of undetectable sarcasm in her words.
"How could I forcibly occupy Yashiori Island?" Lin Yide quickly and firmly retorted, his face filled with righteousness. "Fontaine, built on the foundation of fairness and justice, would never do such an unjust thing."
He then turned to Yae Miko, a knowing smile appearing on his face, and asked in return, "Have you ever heard of a concession?"
"Concession?" Yae Miko was confused. "What does that mean?"
"A so-called 'concession' is when I pay a fee to the Inazuma Shogunate and lease the right to use the entire Yashiori Island for one hundred years," Lin Yide explained. "After the lease expires, Yashiori Island will be returned to Inazuma intact."
After listening to Lin Yide's explanation, Yae Miko fell into deep thought.
If Yashiori Island became a concession of Fontaine, the residents of the island would undoubtedly be freed from the cruel exploitation of the Inazuma Shogunate.
At the same time, the Inazuma Shogunate would not have to face war with the Watatsumi Island Resistance.
It seemed like a good thing with multiple benefits, but everything has two sides.
While the residents of Yashiori Island would be freed, the nobles of the Inazuma Shogunate, in order to maintain their extravagant lifestyle, would likely intensify their exploitation of the residents of Narukami Island.
Furthermore, they would lose its source of cheap ore and labor and would no longer have any value.
Yae Miko took a deep breath, gazed at Lin Yide, and asked, "How much Mora do you plan to pay to lease Yashiori Island?"
Lin Yide calmly held up one finger without speaking.
Seeing this, Yae Miko frowned. "One hundred million Mora a year? Isn't that too little? Yashiori Island is vast and has a population of nearly ten thousand."
Lin Yide shook his head. "Lady Yae, you've misunderstood me.
What I meant by one is not one hundred million Mora, but one Mora!"
Upon hearing this, Yae Miko could no longer suppress her inner anger. A powerful pressure emanated from her, suppressing everything around them.
Behind her, a giant kitsune illusion loomed, like a god descending to the mortal realm, awe-inspiring.
"Inazuma will never accept this humiliating agreement!" Yae Miko stated resolutely.
However, facing Yae Miko's suffocating pressure, Lin Yide remained unusually composed.
He glanced lightly at the angry kitsune illusion and said nonchalantly, "See, you're getting anxious again. But please don't rush. I originally planned to offer one Mora.
However, for your sake, I am willing to raise it to one hundred million Mora a year."
Yae Miko almost spat blood upon hearing this.
This Lin Yide was clearly doing it on purpose!
She had dominated Inazuma for hundreds of years and had never imagined being so frustrated in front of a man.
Her fighting spirit was instantly ignited. Yae Miko, like a cunning fox, had finally found a worthy opponent.
She decided to play a game with Lin Yide and see who would have the last laugh.
Yae Miko slowly retracted her pressure, and the vast kitsune illusion also dissipated into nothingness.
At the same time, her facial expression changed rapidly. One moment she was as cold as ice, and the next, she was beaming with smiles and laughter.
She said to Lin Yide in a complaining tone, "Director Lin Yide, you're bullying this humble one!"
As she spoke, she cast a look at Lin Yide that contained three parts resentment and seven parts coy charm, as if blaming him for being insensitive.
Lin Yide felt a little flustered by this look. To avoid further "burning himself," he quickly changed the subject. "That was just a little joke, don't mind it. Now, let's hurry and treat the residents of Yashiori Island."
As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly walked away without looking back, as if he was escaping from something.
Yae Miko watched his slightly flustered back, a smug smile on her face.
Meanwhile, Chiori's eyes were almost spitting fire.
........
Fort Fujitou, Watatsumi Island Resistance Camp.
At this moment, Gorou stood on the tall watchtower, gazing into the distance, unable to hide his joy.
The complete dissipation of the dark clouds and thunderstorms covering Yashiori Island meant that the evil spirits on Yashiori Island had been successfully suppressed.
As long as Yashiori Island could be completely occupied, the food shortage problem on Watatsumi Island could be effectively resolved.
His thoughts were also the thoughts of most of the local soldiers on Watatsumi Island.
These soldiers did not yearn for illusory military achievements or empty beliefs; they threw themselves into battle without hesitation simply to ensure that their families back home could have enough to eat.
They all ran up to Gorou and requested to go into battle, hoping to capture Yashiori Island again.
Just then, a massive steel ship slowly sailed into Gorou's sight.
It was like a giant steel beast, cutting a long wake through the water, heading towards Yashiori Island.
A very bad premonition immediately arose in Gorou's heart.