In the book, Teppei asks the Traveler if they have come to join the Resistance. The Traveler confirms.
Teppei is overjoyed—the Resistance has been struggling with a lack of manpower, so he immediately decides to take the Traveler to their camp.
Kujou Sara and Sangonomiya Kokomi both frown slightly. They had assumed the Traveler revealed their identity before being accepted into the Resistance, but it seems that wasn't the case.
The Traveler hasn't even said who they are, and they're already being taken to the camp? Is that appropriate?
Teppei, however, doesn't think too deeply about it. All he knows is that the Resistance is currently at a disadvantage and desperately needs more fighters.
Moreover, even though the Traveler doesn't possess a Vision, they can wield elemental power—a rare and valuable asset. Recommending the Traveler would surely count as a merit, right?
[Teppei: "Please, allow me to introduce you to General Gorou! He'll definitely welcome you with open arms!"]
[Teppei: "This way, I'll have accomplished something significant… Though I still wish I could be like you—effortlessly taking down a few Shogunate soldiers and earning real glory with my blade."]
Kokomi sighs softly. This soldier named Teppei seems a little too eager for achievements.
It looks like he'll need some psychological counseling. Not only those who accomplish great deeds contribute to the war effort—every soldier fighting on the front lines or supporting from the rear is indispensable.
She had previously assigned him to the rear not because he was weak, and now, sending him to the front doesn't mean she expects him to perform miracles.
Gorou also finds Teppei's mindset somewhat concerning and considers talking to him. However, he worries that speaking to him directly might add more pressure, leaving him unsure of how to proceed.
Later in the story, Gorou appears—Teppei brings the Traveler to him.
[Gorou: "Tell me your reason for joining the Resistance. We cannot accept those without the will to fight. I personally hope you've considered this carefully."]
Though he's heard from Teppei that the Traveler saved him and possesses real strength—qualities the Resistance sorely lacks—Gorou doesn't immediately agree. He first asks for the Traveler's motives.
[Lumine: "About the 100th Vision… That was me."]
This is Lumine's pledge of allegiance.
Though the book makes it seem like she found the Resistance quickly, in reality, traveling from one island to another and locating their hideout took a considerable amount of time.
News of what happened during the 100th Vision Hunt Ceremony had long since reached the Resistance.
[Gorou: "'A blonde traveler and a mysterious flying companion'… So it was you two?"]
Gorou is visibly surprised—this golden-haired traveler actually fought the Raiden Shogun.
If you've faced the Shogun, that's more than enough proof of loyalty. The Shogun's too straightforward to devise any elaborate schemes—she's confident in her martial prowess, after all.
Why bother with deception when she can just cut you down with a single strike?
The Traveler successfully joins the Resistance, but with the "Western Front" currently inactive, they spend their time treating wounded soldiers and training recruits alongside Teppei.
Teppei chats with his comrades, boasting about how he fearlessly drew his blade against three or four Shogunate soldiers.
But the Traveler is even more incredible—while Teppei could only fight until exhaustion against three or four opponents, the Traveler dispatched them effortlessly.
Not only that, this Traveler even confronted the Raiden Shogun head-on during the 100th Vision Hunt Ceremony—and the Shogun couldn't do anything about it!
No one finds this kind of bragging strange—it's something everyone does to some extent. Teppei isn't stealing credit, so the Traveler doesn't bother correcting him.
Even so, one of Teppei's comrades voices skepticism.
[Tokuda: "I can believe the rest, but her facing the Raiden Shogun head-on… Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"]
This shows that even among the Resistance, the Shogun's might is seen as something beyond mortal capability.
Yet, despite this, they haven't given up their defiance. Another soldier even chimes in:
[Masashi: "I'm still training despite my injuries. Though my wounds reopened again yesterday…"]
Readers can't help but think that if Masashi keeps this up, he might end up becoming dead.
Kokomi frowns. While their determination is admirable, she doesn't support training while injured—it seems another soldier needs counseling.
Gorou also feels a headache coming on. There are strict orders against injured soldiers training—why are they still sneaking in sessions?!
Fortunately, the Traveler finds them new "medicine," healing their wounds before they worsen.
Kujou Sara observes that while the Resistance's morale and resolve are strong, their military discipline leaves much to be desired.
In the book, the Traveler is constantly busy—treating the wounded, training recruits, repelling a surprise attack from the Shogunate, and even repairing the barricades.
Before they can catch their breath, another report arrives: reinforcements from the Shogunate's frontline, led by Kujou Sara herself, are approaching. Gorou has already rushed to the front.
Worried about the battle, the Traveler and Teppei hurry to provide support.
At least the barricades are fixed—no need to worry about another ambush for now.
When the Traveler arrives, Kujou Sara's Shogunate forces and Gorou's Resistance stand in tense confrontation.
[Kujou Sara: "We've already assessed the Resistance's strength. All who defy Her Excellency shall face punishment."]
Yes—even Kujou Takayuki must be punished.
[Gorou: "The Vision Hunt Decree is not the right path. We will never stop resisting."]
In the book, Kujou Sara sidesteps the topic of the decree and demands that Gorou hand over the Traveler. If the Resistance complies, she'll grant them more time to recover.
To Sara, the Traveler is more important than the Resistance—after all, the Shogun herself has demanded their capture.
[Gorou: "'The Resistance does not betray its comrades'—that was a rule established long ago by Her Excellency Sangonomiya."]
As he speaks, a blonde head pops out from behind him.
[Gorou: "Teppei… and you? What are you doing here?"]
[Lumine: "Here to help."]
Lumine doesn't yet realize that Kujou Sara's primary target this time is her—the Resistance is secondary.
If not for the Shogun's direct order, Sara wouldn't have brought reinforcements to hunt the Resistance in the first place.
After all, Ei knows little about the Watatsumi Island Resistance. As her personal general, Sara's usual duties revolve around enforcing the Vision Hunt Decree.
It was only after Ei demanded the Traveler's capture that Sara deduced they might seek refuge with the Resistance.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Kujou Sara: Defying the Shogun
"All who defy Her Excellency shall face punishment—including the head of the Kujou Clan! Hmph… I, too, will accept my punishment."