"So be it. In that case... Father—no, Takayuki-sama, draw your blade." Kujou Sara's voice was solemn.
Kujou Takayuki took a step back—he knew all too well of Kujou Sara's martial prowess.
"Why should I duel you?" Kujou Takayuki waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to step forward.
However, only a handful of his most loyal followers actually moved. The others hesitated upon seeing Kujou Sara, for she had long been their commanding general and instructor.
In their hearts, Kujou Sara's prestige far surpassed that of the clan head. It was only her unwavering loyalty that had kept her from ever harboring disloyal thoughts.
She had sought out the Yashiro Commission not because she feared standing alone against the clan head, but because she refused to believe he had betrayed the Shogun.
Yet the deeper she investigated, the more evidence she uncovered of his betrayal. And now, there was no reason left to show him mercy.
The mere presence of Kujou Sara was enough to give the Tenryou Commission pause. And with Yae Miko standing beside her? Who would dare raise a hand against the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine?
Thus, only Kujou Takayuki's die-hard loyalists charged forward.
Seeing how few rushed to attack, even Sayu could tell that Kujou Takayuki was no longer a threat. She promptly curled up on the spot and fell asleep.
They had even prepared copies of Kujou Takayuki's correspondence with the Fatui, ready to scatter them as evidence if needed. But now, it seemed unnecessary.
"Such a tedious struggle." The Balladeer found the whole affair dull and left with the Fatui in tow.
He was a man who sought to defy Baal herself—what interest did he have in this "child's play" of a conflict?
The few who charged forward didn't require a group effort—Kujou Sara alone was more than enough.
Yae Miko discreetly lent a hand with a few sparks of electro, though she hid her involvement well. Combined with Kujou Sara's own electro Vision, it simply appeared as if Sara had done it all herself.
"Fools! What are you all standing around for? Attack!" Kujou Takayuki bellowed.
His loyalists at the front had already been struck down, yet those behind him remained frozen.
Alas, Kujou Sara's prestige within the Tenryou Commission was too great. And with Kujou Takayuki's downfall now inevitable, even his own retainers began to waver.
The Tenryou Commission betrayed the Shogun, but we subdued him upon realizing the truth—what a perfect script! Perhaps the next head of the Tenryou Commission will be one of us!
"Move!" Kujou Takayuki shouted.
They moved—but not as he intended. Instead, they seized him.
"Outrageous! I am the head of the Tenryou Commission, the leader of the Kujou Clan!"
He emphasized his position as Tenryou Commissioner first—a title bestowed by the Shogun. Laying hands on him would normally be an act of disrespect toward Her Excellency.
But these were not normal circumstances. With the Guuji herself standing against him, what else was there to say?
"..." Kujou Sara sheathed her blade.
Father, you were the one who taught me the path of loyalty and righteousness. You shaped me too well.
She was the sharp blade Kujou Takayuki had forged—yet he lacked the strength to wield it.
"Take him away. The Shogun will decide his fate." Kujou Sara ordered.
"Yes!" The Tenryou Commission responded with practiced obedience.
Truly, following Lady Sara's commands feels far more natural than obeying Lord Takayuki. We grew up heeding her words, after all.
And so, just as Thoma and Masakatsu emerged from the dungeons, Kujou Takayuki was escorted inside.
"Huh? That was it?" Paimon peeked out from hiding, having expected a full-blown battle.
Lucian shrugged. Of course it was simple—Kujou Sara had already been swayed to their side, and Yae Miko had personally accompanied them. If things had been difficult, that would have been strange.
However, resolving Inazuma's issues wasn't as simple as dealing with the Fatui and the Tenryou Commission. There was still a god to contend with—and that would be the hardest part.
"Little author~, what's your next plan?" Yae Miko asked playfully.
"That's up to you." Lucian replied bluntly.
"Ah, how boring. You've seen right through me, haven't you?" Yae Miko sighed before turning to Lumine.
Meanwhile, Kujou Sara was busy stabilizing the Tenryou Commission. With the current turmoil, her presence was necessary to prevent internal chaos.
Notably, Kujou Kamaji had long wished to stop his father but lacked the influence Kujou Sara commanded. His only recourse had been persuasion—which had failed.
Now, though he wished to help, his father was a criminal, and the Kujou Clan faced charges of treason against the Shogun. What standing did he have to intervene?
In the end, he could only approach Lucian and offer his thanks.
Lucian had heard "thank you" far too often—he was growing accustomed to it.
Coincidentally, the Traveler had a matter to discuss with Kujou Kamaji—a letter entrusted to him by Hiiragi Chisato.
Another unexpected development was the arrival of a new faction—Beidou's fleet had also appeared.
"Already resolved? I didn't even see the signal." Beidou scratched her head.
She had been hired as a mercenary—would she still get paid if no battle occurred?
"If it could be settled this way, then all the better." Kazuha was satisfied with the outcome.
Still, he hadn't expected Kujou Sara to draw her blade against the Kujou Clan head. It gave him a slightly better impression of her.
"Beidou? Kazuha? What are you two doing here?" Paimon asked, puzzled.
Lumine had been dragged away by Yae Miko for "Anti-Raiden Shogun Training," leaving Paimon to stick close to Lucian—far away from that terrifying device.
"The Yashiro Commission hired us in advance. They said they'd signal us when needed—and paid us daily for it." Beidou explained.
This had been Kamisato Ayato's contingency plan—one that ultimately went unused.
The one responsible for sending the signal was Sayu... who was now fast asleep.
"That Ayato guy is way too cautious." Paimon remarked.
Kazuha nodded in agreement. The head of the Kamisato Clan was indeed meticulous—preparing them in advance for a plan with no fixed timeline.
"Well, our part here is done. Time to collect our pay from the Yashiro Commission." Beidou left with her usual swagger.
Kazuha lingered, however. As an Inazuman, he wanted to witness what came next for his homeland.
As for Inazuma's future... Lucian glanced at Thoma.
My friend, we might still need you to be the "100th Vision." Only then can we secure an audience with the Raiden Shogun.
For now, the only occasion that would draw Ei out was the confiscation of the 100th Vision.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Thoma asked, unnerved by Lucian's gaze.
Lucian patted Thoma's shoulder without a word.
"I know! This is called patting Thoma!" Paimon declared.
"..." Lucian decided it was time to teach Paimon another lesson.
How many times have I scolded her now? Why hasn't she learned?
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Lucian: About Paimon
"Every time she causes trouble, I pinch her cheeks. But no matter how many times I do it, she doesn't learn—if anything, she seems to be getting used to it."