"As long as Her Excellency awakens now, with her strength, it won't be difficult to erect a temporary defensive barrier to protect Inazuma."
"When the time comes, we'll have to trouble Miss Lumine to escort Her Excellency to Shushan."
"Only cultivation can truly solve all our problems."
A cold glint flashed through Kamisato Ayato's eyes.
"But…"
Kokomi pressed her lips together and said softly,
"The Resistance, the Shogunate Army—even the upper echelons of the Tri-Commission haven't been fully dealt with yet. If Her Excellency awakens now and learns of the current situation…"
"Inazuma will be plunged into bloodshed instantly. How many innocent people will be dragged into it… no one can say."
Before her words had even settled, Kujou Sara spoke in a deep, resolute voice:
"There's no time to worry about that anymore!"
"A few sacrifices, if they ensure Inazuma's survival—then even if I must be one of them, I will not hesitate!"
"The innocent who are implicated—we'll find ways to redress their grievances later. As for unrest…"
"When the nation itself faces annihilation, what does a little turmoil amount to?!"
Everyone stared at Kujou Sara, the weight in the room growing heavier.
If Ei awakened now, she would instantly grasp the dire straits Inazuma was in.
Spiritual resurgence.
No martial arts. No cultivators.
What could Inazuma possibly use to resist it?
As Yae Miko had once said, Ei treasured Makoto above all else. And Inazuma—this nation Makoto had left behind—was Ei's final emotional anchor.
At a moment of life and death like this, would Ei bother distinguishing right from wrong?
The upper ranks of the Tri-Commission might not escape unscathed. The Kamisato Clan, which had largely stayed out of the chaos, might survive.
But the other two clans…
Ei would likely be consumed by fury. Good or evil wouldn't matter—if killing them stabilized Inazuma and allowed her to leave for Shushan sooner, she would strike first and ask questions later.
Even Kujou Sara herself might not be spared.
As for the Resistance…
They would fare even worse.
How many wrongful deaths would that cause? No one could count them.
The Kujou Clan head was guilty—but that didn't mean everyone in the Kujou Clan deserved death.
In that state, would Ei care?
Most likely not. Once the blade was drawn, it would fall.
The consequences…
The annihilation of the Kujou Clan. The extermination of the Hiiragi Clan.
On one side, her entire clan erased—and herself implicated.
On the other, Inazuma's survival.
Kujou Sara didn't hesitate for even a moment.
She was loyal to the Raiden Shogun. Loyal to Inazuma.
If sacrificing her life could save the nation, she would accept it without regret.
Looking at her unwavering resolve, Ayato felt a chill of sorrow.
This sort of thing might fool outsiders like Lumine—but not him.
The Kujou Clan had acted. Kujou Sara was the general of the Tenryou Commission and the Kujou Clan's adopted daughter.
In Ei's eyes, that made her one of them.
To Ei, that was betrayal.
And for traitors, Ei never hesitated to unleash Musou no Hitotachi.
The Kujou Clan would certainly be wiped out.
Kujou Sara's chance of surviving… was less than thirty percent.
Even so, Ayato clenched his teeth.
"General Kujou, I swear on my life—you are innocent."
Lumine seemed to realize the gravity of the situation as well, her gaze complicated as it rested on Kujou Sara.
"I'll do everything I can to protect you too."
Kujou Sara shook her head.
"Inazuma comes first."
"Lord Kamisato, explain your arrangements. We don't have time."
Paimon, who had been drifting in a daze, suddenly perked up, eyes sparkling as she looked at Lumine.
"So it's finally time to fight?! Paimon's been waiting forever!"
Lumine immediately grabbed Paimon's mouth and muffled her.
This was absolutely not the time for that!
Sure, Lumine herself had been bored stiff lately and wouldn't mind a good fight before heading back into seclusion—but read the room!
No one paid much attention to Paimon's antics. After all, they were used to it by now.
Ayato's mind raced. After a brief pause, he spoke calmly:
"First—today, Lady Sangonomiya must immediately issue the order to disband the Resistance."
"Have them scatter. The more dispersed, the better."
"As long as they melt back into civilian life, Her Excellency won't have the time to investigate thoroughly in such an emergency."
"That alone can save many lives."
Kokomi nodded firmly.
Gorou hesitated, then asked,
"And if some refuse?"
"Then push them out."
Ayato's eyes hardened.
"Stubborn fools make perfect targets for Her Excellency to vent her fury."
Gorou's pupils shrank in disbelief.
Ayato sighed softly.
"Don't think I'm heartless. We have no other way."
"Besides, if Lady Sangonomiya announces the disbandment while declaring that the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree will be abolished…"
"Those truly loyal to Inazuma won't refuse."
"Those who remain will be acting out of personal motives. If they won't leave, then so be it."
"You must sever ties with the Resistance factions quickly. They'll bring you up later—make you scapegoats."
Kokomi opened her mouth, then closed it again, falling silent.
There was no better option.
No time to search for one, either.
Sacrifice—for the sake of more survivors.
"I understand."
Kokomi nodded heavily.
"I'll need General Kujou to appear with me. I can't do this alone."
"I'll do my best to save as many lives as possible."
Ayato nodded.
"Do what you can. Your life is the most important."
"By my estimation, you also have excellent aptitude for cultivation."
Then he turned to Kujou Sara.
"General Kujou, you must quickly select troops and cut ties with the Kujou Clan."
"That force can be used to withstand the early impact of spiritual resurgence."
"As for you—"
Before he could finish, Kujou Sara cut in firmly:
"Don't worry about me. Follow the plan."
"Even if I die, I'll leave Inazuma with enough fighting strength."
Ayato didn't argue further.
"Ayaka—mobilize all members of the Shuumatsuban."
"Do everything you can to gather concrete evidence of the crimes committed by the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions—today."
"Save as many lives as you can."
Ayaka nodded sharply, then hesitated.
"But… once Her Excellency awakens, she'll surely be enraged. If the killings escalate, public sentiment—"
"I'll handle that."
Ayato took over smoothly.
"The best way to divert the public's attention is with another earth-shaking incident."
"Thoma—prepare a group of criminals. Make sure there are enough of them."
Thoma's eyes widened in shock.
"Master… you mean—"
Ayato closed his eyes. After a long breath, he spoke quietly:
"A large convoy transporting prisoners, on the way to Inazuma City."
"Due to creature evolution triggered by spiritual resurgence—"
"Completely wiped out."
"That news alone will plunge Inazuma into panic."
"At that point, Her Excellency will become the only pillar people can rely on."
"All attention will shift exactly where we want it."
"For Inazuma, I'm willing to bear any cost."
The others looked at Ayato with complicated expressions.
If today's events were ever made public, he would be branded a criminal in Inazuma's history.
Yet Kujou Sara felt genuine respect for him.
At the very least—this man was as absolutely loyal to Inazuma as she was.
"What happens today must remain secret," Ayato said softly.
"What becomes of me doesn't matter. If Her Excellency settles accounts afterward, I'll take full responsibility."
"But the Kamisato Clan—and Ayaka—must not be implicated."
"I ask this of you all."
"Brother…"
Ayaka looked at him with moist eyes.
"Don't worry," Kujou Sara said first.
"Everyone here is trustworthy. Not a word will leak."
The others nodded in agreement.
Ayato finally exhaled, a small weight lifting from his chest.
"Then let's act."
"Everything we do is for Inazuma."
"Miss Lumine—tomorrow, we'll find a way to send you to Tenshukaku."
"Everything… will depend on you."
Lumine nodded solemnly, swept up by their resolve.
"You can count on me!"
With the rough strategy decided, there was no time left to deliberate.
No one present was foolish—details would be handled as they moved.
What mattered now was speed.
To resolve Inazuma's crisis as quickly as possible, Lumine actively helped carry out the plan.
Leaving the Kamisato Estate, she first escorted Kokomi and Kujou Sara to the Resistance camp.
Then Ayaka, the Shrine, Gorou…
A dark cloud settled over Inazuma.
And within it, an almost imperceptible tinge of blood.
It had to be said—Ayato understood human nature frighteningly well.
Everything unfolded just as he had anticipated.
Kokomi and Kujou Sara arrived at the Resistance camp and publicly shook hands before both the Resistance and the Shogunate Army.
In the Raiden Shogun's name, Kujou Sara swore an oath:
The Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree were abolished—effective immediately.
As long as the Resistance's actions had not betrayed their original ideals, none would be punished.
Those imprisoned were to be released.
Confiscated Visions were to be returned at once.
Kujou Sara even personally handed several Visions back to their owners, right in front of everyone.
She further pledged to personally lead forces to deal with the corrupt commissions.
With Kujou Sara representing the Shogun's will, the abolition of the decrees was no longer up for debate.
For the Shogunate Army, the response was simple.
The war was over—and they welcomed it.
But the Resistance…
Just as Ayato had predicted.
At this stage, many within the Resistance were unwilling to stop.
They demanded that the war continue.
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