"Yawn… Did you hear? They added three new names to the wanted list. Headquarters even said we need to pay extra attention to them."
"Our main forces are all fighting on the front lines—how are we supposed to 'pay extra attention'? Let's just keep an eye out during our patrol."
"I wonder how things are going on the front."
"Last I heard, the resistance has been pushed to the northwest edge of the Musoujin Gorge. Not sure if it's true though."
"Sounds fake. Musoujin Gorge is right near the resistance's rear base. Even though we have the upper hand, I doubt they're doing that badly."
"Doesn't matter. We're just on patrol duty. Let's just do our job properly."
"Yeah, true… Sigh, back to work then."
Hiding in the nearby grass, Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance.
Paimon whispered, "The northwest of Musoujin Gorge… So the resistance's rear base is over there, huh? Just to be safe, we should try to confirm it again."
Lumine nodded.
The two of them quietly crept off in another direction.
…..
"What a coincidence—you're on the run too?"
"Yeah. Where are you headed?"
"I'm thinking of checking out Tatarasuna Village. There are some bad rumors about it, but it's better than living on the battlefield."
"What about you?"
"Don't even mention it. I was taking a short break at Nazuchi Beach, and it's a complete mess now."
"The resistance hasn't been doing well lately. It's mostly because their forces are too thin on the front lines—they can't compete with the Shogunate Army."
"I heard there was some internal dispute in the resistance a few days ago. A chunk of their frontline fighters got pulled back, which caused this mess."
"Their original line of defense was farther ahead, but after two retreats, they're now at Nazuchi Beach."
"I barely escaped from there… It's way too dangerous. With everything in chaos, no one recognizes each other anymore—people draw their weapons the moment they meet. I even dropped my belongings and ran all the way here."
"Feels like we should keep moving too. Things are changing fast—it's safer the farther we go."
"Agreed. Why don't we travel together? Safer in numbers…"
Paimon scratched her head.
"Nazuchi Beach… From what they're saying, it sounds like the resistance and the Shogunate are clashing there. And even the resistance itself has internal conflicts? We should go check it out!"
When Lumine and Paimon arrived, they saw a lone resistance fighter surrounded by two Shogunate soldiers.
Lumine didn't hesitate—she summoned a bolt of Electro energy that struck like a magatama, blasting the weapons from both soldiers' hands.
"Who goes there?!"
"Wait, isn't she that girl on the Vision Hunt Decree list—the one who survived an attack from the Shogun?!"
"What?! Run! Go get reinforcements!"
The two soldiers turned and fled in a panic.
Lumine: "…"
Paimon: "…"
The resistance soldier slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.
"Hah—saved… I really thought I was done for."
Then he looked up at them with gratitude.
"Thank you for helping me. I'm Teppei, from the Resistance's Gobius Platoon."
"I was just transferred to the front lines recently. Thought I'd earn some credit, but instead I made a fool of myself. Sorry you had to see that."
"Hey, judging from your clothes, you don't look like resistance members. Are you here to join us?"
Lumine nodded.
"Yeah. We came to seek refuge with the resistance because of the Vision Hunt Decree."
A flicker of envy crossed Teppei's eyes.
"So that's it… That's great! I heard General Gorou complaining the other day about how we're short on people. You've come at just the right time!"
"I'll take you to the camp—though before that, I should probably explain a bit about our current situation."
"As you've seen, on the front lines, the resistance has been on the back foot the whole time."
"The Shogunate Army fights in the name of 'eternity' and is led by Kujou Sara, a general of the Tenryou Commission. They're extremely powerful."
"As for us… because of the Vision Hunt Decree, even people with Visions are rare."
"We're still holding the line thanks to two things: Lady Kokomi's brilliant strategies, and the courage of General Gorou and our warriors."
"Oh! And just a few days ago, there was a major clash within the resistance. Lady Kokomi uncovered a conspiracy among some high-ranking members."
"No one knows exactly how, but she resolved it swiftly. Though the front line retreated because of it, morale actually improved. We might be ready to push forward again soon."
"Ah… if only I had a Vision."
"If I had one, I could help Lady Kokomi and General Gorou more, and maybe even make a name for myself on the battlefield…"
"Right—I saw you using elemental power just now. But where's your Vision?"
Lumine shook her head.
"I don't have a Vision. But somehow, I can still use elemental power."
Teppei's eyes widened.
"Really?! That's incredible! That means… the Vision Hunt Decree doesn't affect you at all!"
"Ahem… I'm talking too much. Let's get going. Please let me introduce you to General Gorou! He'll definitely be glad to meet you!"
"And this'll be my big accomplishment… Though I still dream of taking down a few Shogunate warriors myself and earning merit with my own blade."
…..
"…And that's what happened, General Gorou."
"I was surrounded by Shogunate soldiers, and they saved me."
"And they can use elemental power without a Vision—super impressive. Please let them join the resistance!"
Gorou looked pleasantly surprised, but quickly composed himself.
"Ahem…"
He cleared his throat.
"You've probably heard—our goal is to defeat the Shogunate Army and overturn the Vision Hunt Decree."
"It's no easy task. Everyone who sets foot on the battlefield risks their life."
"I've heard about what you did in Inazuma City—'The blonde traveler and the mysterious flying creature'… Honestly, surviving an encounter with the Shogun is nothing short of miraculous."
Paimon stamped her foot in midair.
"Who are you calling a 'mysterious flying creature'?!"
Lumine protested as well.
"Yeah! She's clearly a mysterious flying food supply!"
Paimon shot to the top of Lumine's head in a rage.
"That's even worse!!"
Gorou scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"My apologies! I understand your situation now. On behalf of the resistance, I officially welcome you both."
_
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