The calls to continue the war didn't come only from the upper ranks of the Resistance—many ordinary Resistance soldiers were shouting just as loudly.
Victory had gone to their heads.
Not long ago, the Raiden Shogun had personally taken the field, only to be stopped by Kazuha and then defeated by Xiao. That incident struck them like a hammer to the heart.
So the Raiden Shogun wasn't invincible after all.
And they—had already latched onto the side of true power.
The smarter ones understood the truth: Xiao hadn't cared about their lives at all. He'd only shown up to save Kazuha.
But many people didn't want to hear that. Or believe it.
They convinced themselves that they had found the strength to overthrow the Raiden Shogun. At this point, what they wanted was no longer simply the abolition of the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree.
They wanted… more.
Human nature was ever thus.
Looking at the sea of faces before her—people who had once fought for the same goal, for Inazuma's future—Kokomi felt a deep exhaustion settle into her bones.
Now, the lines between them were stark and undeniable.
Most of them still reassured her. Though dissatisfied with the order, they didn't wish to defy Kokomi's will. To them, the war itself had never mattered—only that Kokomi had led them to victory.
As long as the decrees were lifted, they considered it a win.
Some were simply tired of fighting. The current outcome was enough for them.
But there were also many whose eyes burned with resentment and ambition.
Kokomi and Kujou Sara took it all in.
Kokomi, drained, gave a few final instructions, telling those willing to leave to do so immediately—tonight.
As for the rest…
Kokomi clenched her teeth.
For Inazuma, sacrifices were unavoidable.
For Kokomi's safety, Kujou Sara did not allow her to remain in the Resistance camp. She feared that the disgruntled elements might storm the camp and force Kokomi into something irreversible.
Kokomi and Kujou Sara leaving together finally pushed many wavering soldiers to make up their minds.
The once-massive Resistance officially became history.
Yet quite a few people exchanged glances—and quietly began gathering elsewhere.
They believed themselves clever.
They didn't realize that every single move they made was already being watched.
Inside the Shogunate camp, Kujou Sara looked at the report in her hands and let out a slow breath.
Gazing into the pitch-black night beyond the window, she knew—
By tomorrow, Inazuma's sky would be stained red.
"Eighteen thousand, nine hundred and forty…"
Kokomi stared at the list before her, her heart bleeding.
There were many from Watatsumi among them.
Bang!
Gorou slammed his fist into the table.
"Why did it come to this?! Weren't we all fighting for the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree?! How did it turn into this?!"
Kujou Sara wasn't surprised in the slightest. Her expression remained calm.
"Prolonged war inevitably breeds ambition. And with Her Excellency's defeat some time ago…"
"They've lost their reason."
"Regardless of their original intentions, now all they want is more power—to become the next Tri-Commission."
"General Gorou. Lady Sangonomiya. You should understand by now."
"These people are beyond saving. Even if Her Excellency doesn't act, the Shogunate will cleanse them."
"In the future Inazuma, there can be no room for such instability."
Kokomi and Gorou fell silent.
After a long while, Kokomi seemed to steel herself.
"General Kujou… the future Inazuma—can it really…"
"Why ask me?" Kujou Sara countered calmly. "You've seen Liyue's situation clearly enough."
"If Mt. Aocang—or Jueyun Karst—appeared in Inazuma tomorrow, could we defend against it as we are now?"
"And even if we could… could you endure someone stabbing you in the back while you're fighting for survival?"
Kokomi closed her eyes and drew a deep breath.
"I understand."
"Gorou—send people to help those willing to leave. Have them disperse overnight."
"Quietly guide those who refuse to disband… into the same area."
Gorou's pupils contracted—but he still nodded.
"…Understood."
"A wise decision," Kujou Sara said, inclining her head slightly.
She stood up.
"In that case, we act separately. I still have my own task to complete."
With that, she hurried out.
She was the busiest of them all.
At the same time, the Shuumatsuban was fully mobilized. Kujou Sara and Thoma arranged for the Kujou and Hiiragi clans to be completely surrounded.
A sweeping purge of the Tenryou Commission's forces had begun.
As for how the Kujou and Hiiragi clans reacted—
No one cared anymore.
As for the accusation of treason hanging over her head, Kujou Sara felt nothing.
For Inazuma, she would give even her life. What was patricide compared to that?
Meanwhile, a group of prisoners was urgently gathered and escorted toward Inazuma City.
For the first time in a long while, Kamisato Ayato donned his combat attire and assembled the hidden strength of the Kamisato Clan.
Silently, they moved toward the outskirts of Inazuma City.
This bloodshed could not be avoided.
After seeing everyone off, Lumine and Paimon returned to their room to rest and recover.
Though Xiao had once defeated Ei with ease, he was at the peak of the Refining Essence into Qi stage.
Lumine, on the other hand, was only at mid-stage.
Her only real reliance was her spirit artifacts—and the Divine Sword Art: Imperial Lightning.
Even so, she was confident.
She would not lose.
Soon, the night passed.
Today's Inazuma was unnaturally cold. A bone-piercing wind swept through the islands, keeping the citizens indoors.
Standing by the window, Lumine soon received a letter carried by a white dove.
She glanced at it once, then flames flickered in her hand as the letter turned to ash.
"Lumine…?"
Paimon looked at her expectantly.
Lumine nodded.
"Let's go."
With a single step, the two of them appeared on the street.
Inazuma had been quiet for some time—but never like this. Not a single soul was in sight.
The only sounds were the occasional clash of steel.
Perhaps the people of Inazuma sensed what was coming.
None of that concerned Lumine.
She headed straight for Tenshukaku.
Soon, she stood before its gates.
The Raiden Shogun's personal guards—once stationed here—were nowhere to be seen.
That suited her just fine.
As she stepped inside, the air grew oppressive.
The shadow of war pressed down on everything.
Lumine advanced deeper, Paimon floating beside her in full battle readiness.
At last, they reached the innermost hall—the towering structure beyond.
Lumine steadied herself.
She didn't draw the Primordial Jade Cutter. That supreme spirit artifact wasn't something she could wield freely—and it was her final trump card.
Instead, a plain, unadorned sword appeared in her hand.
The weapon that had accompanied her from the very beginning.
Now, it was a mid-grade spirit artifact.
She exchanged a glance with Paimon, drew a deep breath—and pushed open the door.
A figure clad in violet stood before them.
Her attire was not overly ornate, yet the innate nobility she exuded left no doubt.
This was the Raiden Shogun.
Others might not notice—but Lumine did.
The Shogun was wreathed in immense sword intent and divine power.
It was sword intent approaching that of true cultivators.
This won't be an easy fight.
And yet—
The harder it looked, the more excited Lumine felt.
She walked step by step toward the Raiden Shogun.
There was no reaction.
Lumine spoke first.
"Raiden Shogun! Let her out!"
No response.
Frowning slightly, Lumine raised her sword and pointed it at the Shogun.
Only then did the Shogun stir.
Her eyes slowly opened, lightning flickering within, pressing down on Lumine with suffocating pressure.
But recalling that this was someone Xiao had defeated, Lumine quickly steadied herself.
She gripped her sword, ready for battle.
Yet instead of attacking—
A flicker of struggle crossed the Shogun's face.
"You are… a variable… Eternity…"
The fragmented words made Lumine blink.
Then suddenly—
"Go! Leave now!"
The sudden shift left Lumine completely baffled.
This was not how she'd imagined things going.
Wasn't this supposed to be an immediate fight?
Paimon's eyes lit up.
"Lumine! There are two wills fighting for control inside her!"
Lumine froze, then quickly asked,
"Can you suppress it somehow?"
She trusted Paimon's judgment. As a Starborn being who cultivated under Jiang Yan's teachings, Paimon was the expert here.
Paimon didn't promise anything—only nodded.
"I'll try."
She floated forward, forming seals with her hands, murmuring softly:
"Clear heart like still water,
Still water mirrors the mind.
No wind stirs, no waves arise.
Bamboo shadows sit alone,
A long whistle, a zither's cry.
Enter stillness, bind the dragon,
Let venom fade and form subside.
With an unburdened heart,
Heaven rewards the diligent."
A clear, tranquil force slipped unimpeded into the Raiden Shogun's body.
The Shogun's expression eased. A faint icy-blue sigil flickered between her brows.
Paimon swayed midair, her face pale, barely stabilizing herself.
Lumine rushed forward and caught her.
"Lumine… the Tranquil Heart Mantra won't last long," Paimon said weakly.
"The two wills inside her are too strong…"
"I know!"
Lumine nodded firmly, turning toward the Shogun—now looking at her with dazed clarity.
Before Ei could speak, Lumine hurriedly said:
"Raiden Ei! Don't say anything!"
"I'm from Shushan. Yae Miko sent me!"
"We can't suppress the other will for long—tell me now! How do we free you completely?!"
Ei immediately sensed that the Shogun's will was being forcibly restrained by an external power—but it was on the verge of collapse.
There was no time to hesitate.
"Follow me!"
Without further explanation, Ei surged with divine power and smashed straight through Tenshukaku's roof, shooting toward Mt. Yougou.
Lumine scooped up Paimon and followed on her flying sword.
Along the way, Paimon kept her eyes shut, continuously chanting the mantra.
Yet her spiritual energy drained faster and faster.
The Shogun was already beginning to resist.
Lumine grew anxious.
"Ei! Faster! Paimon can't hold on!"
Ei glanced back, nodded sharply—and unleashed her power without restraint.
Thunder roared across Inazuma's skies.
At that same moment, Kujou Sara and the others, scattered throughout Inazuma, all understood—
The battle had begun.
In moments, the three arrived at Mt. Yougou.
Ei plunged directly into a hidden domain, passing through the torii gate.
Lumine followed, carrying Paimon, and crashed through after her.
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