Things in the world always develop in the direction people least desire.
Before long, an urgent letter from Sangonomiya Palace plunged his heart to the bottom.
Kujou Encampment had been leveled by the cannon fire of a Fontaine ship, and the Shogunate army stationed there was completely annihilated.
He realized that the powerful Fontaine ship was likely the steel behemoth he had seen earlier in the distance.
Gorou gazed at Fort Fujitou, whose defenses were far less sturdy than Kujou Encampment, feeling very pessimistic.
Since that Fontaine ship could easily destroy Kujou Encampment, Fort Fujitou would naturally not be spared under its bombardment.
However, if the Watatsumi Island Resistance did not fight, their fate would only be starvation.
Had Watatsumi Island truly reached a dead end?
...
When the news of the Fontaine ship docking at Yashiori Island and the dissipation of the evil spirits on the island reached Inazuma.
A day later, Kujou Takayuki formally invited the Kanjou Commission and the Yashiro Commission for a three-party meeting to discuss countermeasures.
In a hidden and solemn room, Kujou Takayuki sat calmly at the low table, with Hiiragi Shinsuke and Kamisato Ayato sitting on his left and right sides, respectively.
A suppressed and tense atmosphere filled the room.
Kujou Takayuki spoke first, his voice revealing unquestionable authority: "I will not reiterate the current situation. Now, I would like to hear your opinions."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hiiragi Shinsuke let out a disdainful snort, expressing his firm stance: "Opinions? From the perspective of our Kanjou Commission, we will never bow our heads and pay compensation to that Fontaine ship. If your Tenryou Commission is willing, then you can pay yourselves!"
Hearing Hiiragi Shinsuke's response, Kujou Takayuki angrily slapped the table. "Your Kanjou Commission is responsible for making taxes and customs, and most of the money flows into your pockets. If you don't pay, who will?"
Hiiragi Shinsuke did not show any weakness and retorted sharply: "Did your Tenryou Commission not benefit less? In every tax collection, you took half. What do you say about that?"
Kujou Takayuki's face turned red with anger, and he argued loudly: "If our Tenryou Commission didn't take half, how could we ensure the payment of salaries for Shogunate officials?"
Hiiragi Shinsuke let out a cold laugh. "Heh, that sounds nice. I'm afraid most of that money quietly flowed into your Kujou family's private coffers!"
Kujou Takayuki retorted with the same sarcasm: "How can you accuse me of that? Is your Hiiragi family spotless?"
Throughout this heated argument, Kamisato Ayato maintained a detached, bystander attitude.
He looked at the two arguing endlessly with cold eyes, as if watching an absurd clown show.
"Gentlemen, I am not here to listen to you argue, but to discuss how to handle this matter," he interrupted their argument.
Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke exchanged glances and both chose to remain silent, the argument coming to an abrupt halt.
The room immediately fell into a dead silence.
After a brief silence, Kamisato Ayato broke it. He slowly spoke: "In my opinion, this matter should be left to the Shogun to make the final decision."
"Absolutely not!" Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke almost blurted out at the same time.
Kamisato Ayato frowned, questioning in confusion: "I really don't understand why you are both so determined to block the information and are unwilling to let the Shogun know about this matter?"
Kujou Takayuki hesitated for a moment and said evasively: "The Shogun may no longer be able to unleash the Musou no Hitotachi."
A flicker of astonishment flashed across Kamisato Ayato's face, and he immediately understood the reason.
If the Raiden Shogun was truly unable to destroy that Fontaine ship with one sword strike, the entire Inazuma could quickly fall into turmoil.
The tolerance and obedience of the Inazuma people to the Shogunate were largely based on their admiration for the Raiden Shogun and their fear of the Musou no Hitotachi.
Once the power of the Raiden Shogun was no longer awe-inspiring, the people's resistance would inevitably follow.
After a brief period of contemplation, Kamisato Ayato proposed a suggestion: "We should first send someone to understand the other party's intentions before making a decision."
Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke agreed to this, unanimously believing it was a wise move.
Finally, they decided to send the "Frostflake Heron" of the Kamisato clan, Kamisato Ayaka, as an envoy to ascertain the true intentions of the Fontaine ship.
.....
Yashiori Island.
In the sun-drenched wasteland outside Higi Village, a thin little boy with a worn hat on his head was squatting in the low grass.
His hands were pressed tightly against the ground as he carefully pulled up a few tender wild vegetables still covered in morning dew.
Due to prolonged malnutrition, his face was a little pale, and every movement revealed a hint of exhaustion.
This work, which would be very easy labor for most people, was a strenuous task for this little boy.
The sun gradually rose, and the temperature climbed accordingly. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he was already drenched in a cold sweat.
Just as he was struggling to pull up a particularly stubborn weed, footsteps suddenly sounded behind him.
The little boy straightened up alertedly, quickly and carefully hiding the wild vegetables he had already picked into his pockets.
He slowly turned his head and found that the three outsiders he had met in the village a few days ago were walking towards him.
After seeing who it was, his tense little face finally relaxed a bit, and a trace of relief showed in his eyes.
Yae Miko and Chiori were walking at the back of the group, and they keenly noticed the little boy's small movements.
Seeing his thin body and the careful way he hid the wild vegetables, a pang of sadness welled up in their hearts.
"Little one, don't bother picking wild vegetables anymore. Look, I have something to eat here." Lin Yide smiled and took out a plump white loaf of bread from his pocket.
The aroma of the bread drifted through the air, and for the little boy who had been in a state of hunger for a long time, this was undoubtedly an irresistible temptation.
The little boy quickly turned his head when he smelled the bread.
When he saw the white bread emitting an alluring aroma, his eyes immediately sparkled with longing and surprise.
He stood up without hesitation and quickly walked towards Lin Yide.
He extended his little hand, wanting to immediately grab this rare delicacy, but then he hesitated and pulled it back.
He looked down at his hands, which were covered in mud, and then began to rub them constantly on his dirty clothes, trying to wipe off the mud and sweat.
He was afraid that his dirty hands would soil this precious white bread.
However, no matter how hard he tried to wipe, the mud on his hands seemed to never come off completely. So
, he resolutely took off the worn straw hat on his head, held it with both hands, and carefully extended it towards Lin Yide.
"Thank you, kind foreigner," the little boy's voice was full of gratitude.
Lin Yide gently placed the bread into the straw hat the little boy was holding and then said gently, "If you are willing to be my guide and show me around this area, I will give you another loaf of bread as a reward."