"Hahaha… I'm truly sorry. My mouth's like a wild horse off its reins—once it starts running, it's hard to stop."
"You two came from so far away, so you must have something urgent to deal with. I won't keep you any longer. If you have time in the future, feel free to drop by and chat."
With that, he nodded politely toward Sangonomiya Kokomi.
"Then, Lady Sangonomiya, I'll take my leave now."
Kokomi gave a slight nod.
"Alright. I'll be counting on your help in the days to come."
After the squad captain departed, Teppei scratched the back of his head, curiosity written all over his face.
"Lady Sangonomiya, I think I just heard you mention something about… 'funding'? What was that about?"
Kokomi gently stroked her chin, her tone thoughtful.
"Not long ago, someone sent me a letter offering full support for Watatsumi Island's resistance efforts. Along with it came a mountain of supplies."
"I distributed part of it among the island's residents, and allocated the rest as military funds to expand our forces."
"Thanks to this support, we can finally recruit freely and face the Shogunate army head-on."
Teppei clenched his fists excitedly.
"Lady Sangonomiya, does that mean meals on the front lines will improve too? I visited the medical camp the other day—those guys were begging for grilled meat."
Kokomi covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh.
"Haha… don't worry. I've already made arrangements. Grilled meat will be provided—but still no alcohol."
"That's amazing!"
Kokomi shook her head with a faint smile.
"You all have really endured a lot. Ever since the Vision Hunt Decree was issued and we rose up in resistance, the army's meals haven't changed much."
"I'll be coordinating with the logistics unit to make some improvements in that area."
"Though we now have ample supplies, they are still finite. Until victory is ours, I ask that you all continue to bear with it a little longer."
Teppei nodded enthusiastically.
"That's great news! I'll go tell the others right away. I'll take my leave now—goodbye, Lady Sangonomiya, Lumine, Paimon!"
Once Teppei was gone, Lumine frowned slightly.
"Kokomi, don't you think the origin of those supplies is a bit suspicious?"
Kokomi nodded.
"I've had my doubts as well… But Watatsumi Island is far from wealthy. These supplies are like a gift in our hour of need."
"The sender's request was simple—they only asked that we give our all to resist the Shogunate."
"Whatever their true motives are, at least for now, our goals align. So I'm treating them as an ally who prefers to stay behind the curtain."
"Of course, I haven't let my guard down. I've already sent people to investigate quietly."
"If anything unusual turns up, I'll be informed immediately."
Paimon listened with a half-understanding expression, then suddenly remembered something.
"Kokomi, we heard there was a civil conflict within the resistance recently, but it ended really quickly. What happened?"
Kokomi was momentarily taken aback.
"Didn't Shajin tell you?"
Paimon shrugged.
"Nope. He just asked us to pass along his regards."
A smile tugged uncontrollably at the corner of Kokomi's lips.
"I thought he was some cruel and manipulative man, trying to force me into something… but unexpectedly, he turned out to be a good person~"
—Flashback—
Shajin's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp and profound glint flashing through them. He thought to himself: Only by wielding the blade called truth to tear everything apart can I rebuild it according to my own design.
"You know it deep down—the only reason you're in this position is because you carry the blood of the Sangonomiya clan. That's why you've worked so hard to better yourself, hoping to truly earn your place."
He spoke softly as he wiped away a tear at the corner of Kokomi's eye.
Kokomi lifted her head slightly, eyes shimmering with uncertainty and hope. "R-Really?"
Shajin nodded with a gentle smile, patting her head reassuringly.
"Of course. After your mother passed, the so-called upper echelon took the opportunity to consolidate power. Only then did they appoint you as the next Divine Priestess."
"But they never expected you to win over the hearts of the people so completely."
Kokomi listened quietly, clearly drawn in by his words.
Shajin continued, "That's what put them in a dilemma. On one hand, they wanted to keep you under control. But on the other, if they tried to use force, they'd risk inciting serious backlash."
"So, they devised a plan that seemed clever—putting you at the forefront and inciting you to rebel. No matter the outcome, win or lose, it would benefit them."
Kokomi nodded. Her previous fear had now completely faded.
On this matter, Shajin clearly saw farther than she did—even though she was the one at the center of it all.
Looking back now, she realized she had fallen right into their trap, believing she had no choice but to fight… which led to the current situation.
"But…"
She rubbed her hands anxiously.
"If that's the case…"
"Then a civil war breaks out, and we self-destruct, right?"
Shajin finished the sentence she couldn't bring herself to say, his tone laced with irony.
"You're overthinking it. Among the Seven Nations, Inazuma is the weakest in terms of national power. And your Watatsumi resistance? Even less significant."
But Kokomi's eyes suddenly lit up.
That caught Shajin off guard.
"Looks like all those Liyue military treatises you've read weren't for nothing. You should know that thanks to the Sakoku Decree, most foreigners can't even enter Inazuma's seas."
"Except… for the Fatui's warships and Liyue's Crux Fleet."
"Watatsumi Island has always traded with the Crux Fleet, hasn't it? But little fish, you must understand—trade isn't just about goods. Manpower can also be part of the bargain."
Kokomi's eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope—but it dimmed just as quickly.
"I understand what you're saying. But mercenaries wouldn't accept a job like this without a high price. And if it's a full-scale war we're talking about, not even all of Watatsumi Island could afford that cost."
Shajin shrugged and snapped his fingers. A single Mora appeared out of thin air and dropped into Kokomi's hand.
"Who said mercenaries only work for payment? Favor is also a vital currency~"
"When the Crux Fleet arrives, show this Mora to their captain. They'll understand the debt owed."
Kokomi looked down at the Mora in her hands. Unlike ordinary coins, it emitted a faint golden glow—clearly special.
"I…"
Sangonomiya Kokomi wanted to say more, but the man had already vanished.
As if it had all been a dream—if not for the Mora still resting in her palm.
_
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