Inazuma City(2)

Having spent around two days in Inazuma Day, Jason had finished purchasing all the supplies he needed with the help of Akane, along with his mature light novels that he acquired in secret from the Yae Publishing House.

As it was during the season leading up to the Shogun's birthday, the city had been in a festive mood. Drinking-bouts of sake had been held everywhere, and the streets were filled with vendors selling all kinds of goodies and food.

But even then, the mood seemed to be more suppressed compared to the celebrations the previous year. From what he gathered during his stay in Inazuma City, it was likely due to the Vision Hunt enacted a month ago.

"I wonder why the Shogun enacted the decree."

"Maybe it was because vision holders are a threat to Inazuma? I believe that the Shogun has the best interests of Inazuma at heart." Akane replied, her tone seemingly a bit defensive as they continued to walk down the crowded street.

"Relax, I'm not blaming Her Excellency ... but it is a puzzling decision. From what I've heard -A small group of people who opposed the decree have formed the resistance to fight against it and have taken up base at Fujitou. While their numbers are not too big, there's potential for it to turn into a huge civil war."

"They're just a bunch of upstarts, master. The shogunate army will crush them quickly."

Jason kept quiet for a moment, his eyes admiring the lanterns that lined the street. Akane had a point, the resistance had no hope to survive against the shogunate army that outnumbered them vastly. He was sure if the Raiden Shogun appeared personally to handle the matter, it would be settled in an instant. It was a matter of when.

Besides, the Vision Hunt Decree didn't affect him in anyway so he didn't really care - He wasn't a vision holder. All he wanted was to live his life in quiet and peace; reading his books. He would probably refrain from using sun-breathing in public, to avoid people's suspicion. Nobody in Teyvat except for Akane would believe that someone could wield the power of elements without a vision.; Jason didn't want trouble.

"Well, we can hope th-"

"Look at that, Master!" The girl tugged his hand, dragging him towards a brightly colored store.

Jason studied the store's signboard, sandwiched between two blue curtains underneath its roof, as he approached. "Yayoi Lacquerware ...?"

The store had an assortment of lacquerware of all shapes and sizes on the shelves and table. He could have sworn the human-shaped ones looked almost exactly like a real person, the handiwork and skill of those involved in making it were definitely top-notch.

"Welcome customers! If you're looking for the best lacquerware in Inazuma, this is the place to be. My name is Yayoi Nanantsuki - the store owner." A bespectacled young lady, dressed in a khaki kimono and a short green jacket, greeted them.

"I must say, your wares look really impressive …" He held up a female-looking lacquerware that had wings behind her back, inspecting it. "Who might this be?"

"Of course! We sell only the highest-quality items. Even big shots from the Shogunate order from us. The lacquerware you are holding is a figurine of Lady Kujou Sara - the general and leader of the Tenryou Commission Forces. It's a real hot-seller among the shogunate soldiers, many of them admire her!"

"I-I see …" Jason placed it back on the desk. If even the lacquerware figurine of her looked so attractive, she must have looked incredibly beautiful as well in person. Her assets also seemed quite ... well-developed.

"Do you have any lacquerware figurines of the Raiden Shogun?" Akane asked, her eyes gleaming.

"Definitely. It's the most popular ware we have despite the expensive price tag. Our Almighty Shogun is truly a being worthy of our worship and respect." Yayoi took out a lacquerware and placed it on the desk slowly.

"Let's buy it! Master!" The girl hugged his hand, sandwiching it between two round soft sensations that squeezed against it. "

"Well I -" Jason wanted to shrug her off, but the girl had captured her weak point. Even though he was already twenty-one years old, he was still too weak against such matters.

"Pleaseeee?"

"Fine."

They made their purchase to the delight of the owner, who tried to sell them even more of her wares at a discount. He brought Akane away before the damage to his already dwindling Mora got beyond control. The last thing he wanted was to get into debt and borrow from those unscrupulous Fatui merchants.

He had heard rumours of how people who owed them Mora and unable to pay disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Jason had no intention of verifying the truth behind that for himself.

His attention was soon drawn towards a large crowd of people who had gathered around a noticeboard beside a bridge. Right in front of it stood three samurai in a semicircle, and the person in the center was speaking.

"... and therefore by the Order of the Almighty Shogun. The Sakoku Decree is hereby enforced as of today. All foreigners will be forbidden from entering the nation of Inazuma, except for those with special permission."

"What?"

"That's bad news for businesses …"

"I'll have to change my menu now, it relies on imported ingredients from Liyue."

There were gasps and looks of unbelief among the crowd as the samurai finished reading the declaration.

Jason frowned. Maybe there were outsiders supporting the resistance? The so-called resistance had probably been underestimated by everyone. The decree might be a means to reduce their ability to procure supplies by making it more difficult, as most of it would now have to be done through the official channels that would be monitored.

It was strange though, the shogunate army shouldn't even be struggling that much against the resistance.

"Also in order to bring the Vision Hunt Decree to a quick end, the Tenryou Commission has decided to swiftly defeat the rebels. All families in Inazuma are required to send an able-bodied adult from the age of twenty-one and above to join the shogunate army at once if they have any. We will eliminate the blasphemers who have dared to oppose the Almighty Shogun's Will." The Samurai continued. "Defying the military draft order will result in capital punishment. By order of the esteemed Kujou Clan Head of the Tenryou Commission - Kujou Takayuki."

Silence fell over everyone as the Samurai finished reading the contents of the scroll. The festive mood was already completely gone, as the reality of a civil war sunk in. It was so quiet that Jason could hear every palpitation as his own heart hammered against his chest.

His original plan was to continue living his life in peace and quiet in the countryside. For Jason, reading light novels and stories was his favorite hobby. It would seem that for him to resume his lifestyle, the civil war had to end.

"Uh… Master? What do we do now?" Akane asked in a low voice.

Jason sighed. While he was confident in his own strength; opposing a decree like this seemed foolish. Hopefully, everything would just end quickly …

"I don't really have a choice, do I?"

(1200 words)