Chapter 398: Heading to the Resistance

On Yashiori Island, the active forces can be divided into five categories: the resistance army, the Shogunate forces, the Fatui, the shrine maidens of the Grand Narukami Shrine and the villagers of Kujou Village, as well as wandering samurai and pirates who roam the area.

Previously, Kujou Village purchased its food supplies from pirates to the northwest—a group of pirates with decent character. Though they were pirates, after the Sakoku Decree was enacted, they still engaged in productive activities like fishing.

The resistance army's main camp is located on this island, and the Shogunate forces have pushed the front lines to this island as well. However, the two armies are locked in a stalemate, with the resistance army striving to push the front lines back.

Traces of the Fatui are abundant on this island. Even the port where Li Mo disembarked showed signs of Fatui activity—at the very least, the port's infrastructure was built by the Fatui.

Li Mo brought the shrine maidens here for two reasons: to protect the villagers of Kujou Village and to repair the wards. Among these five factions, who could have been the one to destroy the wards? His initial assumption was that the Fatui were behind it—he had some knowledge about Teyvat, but much of the information in the game was hidden in obscure corners, and he wasn't the type to dig into such details.

At least, not while playing the game.

But when Inagi Hitomi discovered something while repairing the wards, it provided enough evidence to prove how the wards were destroyed.

"...This note, it looks like a setup," Li Mo muttered as he carefully examined the note. "Look, it says they received advice from a certain Mr. Nathan and destroyed the wards for the sake of Watatsumi Island. Let's not even talk about the reasoning process here, but why would they say that this matter shouldn't be known by others, as it would trouble their superiors? Meaning they even planned to hide it from their own leaders. If they were prepared to keep it a secret, why leave behind a diary?"

Scattered pieces of paper served as the most compelling evidence. Everything pointed to the resistance army of Watatsumi Island as the culprits behind the destruction of the wards.

The Grand Narukami Shrine's attitude toward the resistance army was ambiguous, much like the Yashiro Commission's stance. In reality, the resistance army had been fighting against the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission. The former was responsible for military operations, engaging in direct combat, while the latter handled logistics and supplies.

—Originally, the Yashiro Commission should have received special funds from the Kanjou Commission to procure supplies from the private sector. However, after the Raiden Gokaden incident, the Yashiro Commission declined and was suppressed by the other two commissions.

In fact, Li Mo also knew that the Yashiro Commission had unclear ties with the resistance army.

The Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree, the two most critical policies, had a massive impact on Inazuma's civilian population. Prices rose, inflation soared, and job opportunities dwindled. The number of wandering samurai and Treasure Hoarders increased rapidly.

Li Mo had learned all this from the Yashiro Commission's reports during his time at the Grand Narukami Shrine. Now that the Tenryou Commission controlled the channels of communication with the Shogun, the Yashiro Commission had lost its direct line to the Raiden Shogun, leaving it in a difficult position. Seeking Yae Miko's intervention was a smart move.

But who could have known that Raiden Ei would be so resolute as to refuse to meet even her old friend?

"Yae, what do you think?"

"I remember the leader of Watatsumi Island is called Sangonomiya Kokoma, right? I heard she's a Divine Priestess. She must be a smart and polite child," Yae Miko said. "Why don't you go talk to them? We can't afford to escalate the conflict with the entire resistance army, but as for this Nathan guy..."

Yae Miko smiled.

Li Mo understood her meaning.

If Watatsumi Island had wanted to destroy the wards, they would have done so long ago. There had been no news of a change in the resistance army's leadership, and the diary clearly pointed to a man named Nathan as the mastermind behind the destruction.

"Still, I don't understand why that person left behind these clues. Did they want others to know?"

Li Mo was well aware of the cause of these people's deaths. The destruction of the wards released the sealed Tatarigami energy, and they were on the front lines of the explosion. Being exposed to such high concentrations of Tatarigami energy made survival nearly impossible.

Yae Miko said, "What's so hard to understand? Most likely, the writer realized something was wrong with the task. They realized that a traitor is more despicable than an enemy."

"Is that so?"

Li Mo sighed. "So, in the end, it's still up to me to handle this, right?"

"That's right. I'm counting on you, little guy."

Yae Miko spoke in a soft, sweet tone that sent shivers down Li Mo's spine, making his bones feel like jelly.

He took a step back and said, "Please, act normal. You're scaring me."

"Little guy, are you scared already? Fine, I'll stop teasing you. Head to Watatsumi Island and come back quickly. When you return, I'll show you something good." The Guuji winked playfully, and Li Mo quickly left the wooden house.

During these days, Yae Miko and the shrine maidens had been staying in wooden houses built by Li Mo. Using "Dragon's Remnant Shadows," he had cut down trees and constructed the houses. Since they weren't meant to be permanent, the foundations were hastily laid. Wind and rain were kept at bay by barriers, and Li Mo's nearly limitless magical energy allowed him to use it extravagantly.

Flying into the sky, Li Mo looked down at the neatly arranged wooden houses. The shrine maidens had decorated the exteriors with vines, making them look less monotonous.

Rising higher, he could see the other side of the Musoujin Gorge, where the resistance army's main camp was located. At a glance, he could make out the distribution of troops in the camp. If this information reached the higher-ups at the Kujou Encampment, they could easily find weak points to attack.

But as the saying goes, the conflict between the Shogunate and the resistance army was something Li Mo remained neutral about. Gliding through the air, he headed straight for the entrance of the camp.

Landing directly in the center of the camp would inevitably cause misunderstandings, so he decided to enter politely and resort to force only if necessary.

Perhaps the commotion from his flight was too noticeable, as the moment he landed at the camp's entrance, the guards pointed their weapons at him.

"Who are you, and what are you here for?"

Li Mo: "I am a priest from the Grand Narukami Shrine. I have matters to discuss with your leader."

Pausing for a moment, he recalled seeing movement in the camp as he descended. Someone inside must have already reported his arrival. He casually engaged in conversation.

The natural charm of the Heavenly Fox gradually eased the guards' wariness. Through their conversation, Li Mo learned that one of the guards was named Nathan.

Without showing any reaction, Li Mo secretly placed a mark on the guard. Soon, someone came to escort him, and Li Mo followed them into the camp.

Along the way, he saw many wounded soldiers who had retreated from the front lines, all of whom had received proper treatment.

The atmosphere was relatively calm, not at all like a place in the midst of war.

Following the guide, Li Mo arrived at the leader's tent. If he remembered correctly, the person stationed here should be Gorou, the "Lady Hina," who had been holding the front lines.

But reality quickly proved him wrong.

As he turned the corner, Li Mo saw that the person standing at the high ground wasn't Gorou, but a certain five-star "ornamental fish" who was supposed to be on Watatsumi Island.