A few days later, ever since Lumine rescued Thoma from the Raiden Shogun, a very subtle tension seemed to settle over all of Inazuma, with the Kamisato Clan bearing the brunt of it.
The Kamisato Clan's days had been getting harder by the minute. Even though Ayaka had successfully hidden Thoma away, rumors kept spreading throughout Inazuma that the Kamisato Clan was planning to betray the nation, putting the entire family on the edge of a precipice.
However, what was surprising was that the Kujou Clan had not made a single move. Even though Kujou Sara had stripped the Tenryou Commission of most of its power, anyone who knew the dynamics between the Three Commissions would assume the Kujou Clan would not let such a golden opportunity slip by.
[Kujou Sara: I have already restrained the Shogun's Army under my command. The Tenryou Commission will not make a move against the Kamisato Clan.]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Thank you, General Kujou. If you have the time, you are welcome to come to the Kamisato Estate for a cup of tea.]
[Kujou Sara: There is no need. The battles between the Shogun's Army and the Resistance are intensifying by the day. Let us skip the tea.]
[Paimon: I did not expect Kujou Sara to actually be a good person. That is quite a surprise.]
[Lumine: Yeah, yeah. I thought the Tenryou Commission was going to attack the Kamisato Clan, but I did not expect you, Kujou Sara, to actually protect them.]
[Kujou Sara: Hmph. Traveler, I advise you to turn yourself in as soon as possible. You are now Inazuma's most wanted criminal. I suggest you do not compound your mistakes.]
[Lumine: Just as I expected, I really am wanted again.]
[Hu Tao: Lumine, do you need our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's newly launched "Death in a Foreign Land" package? If so, I will write your name down right now and bury you in Liyue when the time comes.]
[Hu Tao: For the sake of our friendship, I can give you a thirty percent discount~ How about it? Are you tempted? Are you happy? Are you joyful?]
[Lumine: That will not be necessary. I think I can still live for a while longer.]
[Paimon: Do not worry, Hu Tao. Lumine definitely does not need your package. She was wanted when she first arrived in Mondstadt and Liyue. Now that she is in Inazuma, she is already used to it.]
[Kujou Sara: So she is a repeat offender. No wonder she is so brazen. I received news that a blonde girl with a white-haired fairy recently joined the Resistance. That must be you, Traveler, right?]
[Lumine: That is correct, it is me.]
[Kujou Sara: In that case, let us settle this on the battlefield. The Resistance is shaking the very foundations of Inazuma. The Shogun's Army and the Resistance are locked in a fight to the death. If you want to survive, you should leave the Resistance immediately.]
[Lumine: But the people of Watatsumi Island have not done anything wrong.]
[Kujou Sara: No. Back then, the Shogun showed mercy and did not destroy Watatsumi Island. Now, these people not only fail to show gratitude but also attempt to rebel against the Shogun's rule while Inazuma is in turmoil.]
[Kujou Sara: This behavior is no different from the ungrateful wretches Su Bai once mentioned to me. Traveler, before you investigate the truth of the matter, I hope you do not rashly judge it.]
[Kujou Sara: As a part of Inazuma, Watatsumi Island must abide by the principles of Inazuma. Unfortunately, it seems that Sangonomiya Kokomi has no intention of abiding by these principles.]
...
After sending this message, Kujou Sara put down her phone. Her break was over, and she now needed to go train her soldiers to repel the Resistance's attacks.
Meanwhile, far away on Watatsumi Island, Lumine also fell silent. She felt that Kujou Sara's words did not seem entirely wrong. Furthermore, she had been completing commissions assigned by the Resistance's general on Watatsumi Island these past few days. All the signs on Watatsumi Island indicated that this rebellion had been premeditated, and the entire population of Watatsumi Island seemed to support this uprising.
As a Traveler who had journeyed through many worlds, Lumine's mind was naturally not as dull as Paimon's. After some simple thinking and recalling the details of the battlefield, Lumine keenly realized that every time they fought the Shogun's Army, the ones charging at the very front were always the rebels from other parts of Inazuma, not the native soldiers of Watatsumi Island.
"Hiss~"
Lumine inhaled a sharp breath of cold air. If Watatsumi Island was using the name of the Resistance to prepare these rebels as cannon fodder just to wear down the strength of the Shogun's Army, that was simply too dark.
...
"Traveler, you came at just the right time. Some new rebels have recently arrived on Watatsumi Island. If you have the time, could you serve as their captain?"
Ever since Lumine successfully rescued Thoma in front of so many people, those who possessed a Vision and opposed the Vision Hunt Decree seemed to have been injected with a shot in the arm. As news of Lumine joining the Resistance continued to spread, many rebels flocked to join their ranks.
Although Lumine had not thought of this layer of complexity at the moment, looking at Sangonomiya Kokomi's sweet smile and soft request, she felt a chill run down her spine. This woman was probably not as innocent and fragile as she had imagined.
"I am sorry, Kokomi. I have not been feeling well lately, so I might need to rest for a few days. If possible, please assign this captain position to someone else for now."
Lumine politely declined the captain position Kokomi offered her. What she needed right now was time to think, not to continue fighting. Moreover, having faced the Raiden Shogun directly and calmed down, Lumine did not believe Watatsumi Island had the capability to stop the Raiden Shogun.
"Then please rest well, Traveler. If you feel unwell anywhere, you must tell me."
"Alright, Kokomi, you go ahead and get busy."
After watching Kokomi leave, Lumine felt like something was missing. Oh, right, Paimon! Seeing Paimon on the side, her mouth stuffed with a whole Lavender Melon and making muffled noises, Lumine had to exert all her strength to pry the Lavender Melon out of Paimon's mouth.
"Paimon, you dummy, how did you stuff a whole Lavender Melon into your mouth!"
"Lumine, you cannot blame me. After eating so much seafood on Watatsumi Island for so many days, my mouth is completely full of seafood flavor. I finally understand why Zhongli does not like eating seafood."
Paimon complained weakly to express her dissatisfaction with the food. Lumine pinched Paimon's chubby little face. Just a moment ago, she was still trying to think of an excuse to take a break from the Resistance, and unexpectedly, Paimon had provided her with a perfect excuse.
"Paimon, let us go. We will go catch boars somewhere else. I am almost sick of eating seafood every day too."
"Really? That is great! I finally do not have to eat seafood anymore."
...
Just as Paimon was cheering about not having to eat seafood anymore, inside the Kamisato Estate, Kamisato Ayato, who had been busy for a long time, was sitting in the gazebo drinking tea. Sitting across from him was none other than Su Bai.
"Su Bai, we have not seen each other for over two years. Why do you keep such a straight face? Did someone offend you?"
"Ayato, we have been friends for so many years. Stop talking nonsense. Tell me honestly, are you planning to betray Inazuma?"
Su Bai's words made Ayato pause. Immediately, Ayato thought of the pink-haired fox behind Su Bai. He gave a bitter smile. He had thought his actions were hidden well enough, but it seemed he was still discovered. As expected of the Guuji Yae.
"Fine. I will just tell you my objectives, Su Bai. You will not tell anyone anyway."