Chapter 423: Transition

Tonight, clear skies, the sunlight is just right.

Just last night, there was a torrential downpour and howling winds. But with the rumble of thunder, the dark clouds dispersed, and the sun appeared above the skies of Narukami Island.

Just like the situation in Inazuma.

At the Kamisato Estate, Ayaka sat at her desk in her room, gazing at the bright sunlight outside. The worries of the past were gone, and her heart was as calm as the night she performed her dance in front of her friends.

Originally, Inazuma... after the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree were enacted, it wasn't just that the future seemed dark, but a fog seemed to hang over everything. Within the Yashiro Commission, which was most closely connected to the people, a sense of unease began to emerge. They took active steps, but in the end, it all seemed futile.

After the incident involving the Raiden Gokaden, the Yashiro Commission was removed from the center of power and could no longer influence the Shogun's decisions.

"I can't forget…"

Ayaka closed her eyes, and the events of last night flashed through her mind.

Last night, heavy rain.

The sky was dark and oppressive.

As that shrine maiden set out from Komore Teahouse, walking through the streets and alleys, entering the Tenryou Commission, and then ascending to Tenshukaku.

She stopped outside the gates of Tenshukaku, exchanging words with the general of the Tenryou Commission, Kujou Sara. She had to convince Sara on her own, and fortunately, the documents she had made it easy to persuade her.

Kujou Takayuki's teachings to Sara were not misguided. On the contrary, Sara's loyalty was stronger than anyone's. So, when she saw those documents, Sara briefly broke down…

Kujou Takayuki's teachings clashed with the reality of what had happened, causing Sara to want to retreat. Ayaka remembered the conflict in Sara's eyes at that moment.

But… personal conflicts became irrelevant in an instant.

As if they shared a telepathic connection, she and Sara both looked toward Tenshukaku, as if something inside was calling to them.

A dual-colored lightning pillar burst through Tenshukaku, purple and yellow light enveloping all of Inazuma. The shockwave tore through Tenshukaku, forcing her and Sara to join forces to defend against it.

And then…

The storm cleared.

Even decades later, the people of Inazuma would not forget that night.

Ayaka couldn't find the words to describe the moment she saw the lightning pillar pierce the sky, tearing through the dark clouds.

It was power, the power of the Shogun, the power of a god.

But few would know that it was a battle between the shrine maiden and the Shogun.

"What's wrong, Ayaka? Are you still thinking about last night's battle?"

"Brother? Why did you sneak into my room without saying anything?" Ayaka chided.

Seeing his sister's slight irritation, Ayato replied calmly, "I did call out to you before entering, but you were too deep in thought to hear me. What's on your mind? Are you still thinking about last night?"

"Yes, brother. I feel a bit sad. Did that shrine maiden, like that samurai from before, perish?"

Ayaka asked.

Last night, only a few emerged from Tenshukaku. One was the envoy from Snezhnaya, a woman known as "La Signora." The other two were the Raiden Shogun—Tenshukaku had been destroyed by the aftermath of the battle—and the last one was not the shrine maiden who had entered Tenshukaku alone to face the Shogun.

But it was Yae Miko.

The Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine had somehow entered Tenshukaku and left with the Raiden Shogun.

"I don't know the answer. Time will tell. Ayaka, I want to know what the Shogun discussed with you last night."

"Brother, how do you even know about that?"

At that time, in the ruins of Tenshukaku, the number of witnesses could be counted on one hand.

Ayaka paused for a moment, deciding not to ask how her brother, who was smiling, had gotten this information, and began to explain: "The Shogun asked me, 'What is eternity?'"

"And how did you answer?"

"Everything will pass, and only death is eternal."

Ayato fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Ayaka, that doesn't sound like your usual perspective."

"Yes, I didn't have a complete answer for the Shogun at the time, so I borrowed the shrine maiden's viewpoint."

"I see."

Ayato looked out the window, deep in thought. After a while, he spoke again: "Ayaka, why do you care so much?"

"Because I feel that someone like him shouldn't have disappeared so easily," Ayaka said. "He was braver than us. He dared to stand up to the Shogun and tell her she was wrong."

Ayato replied, "The Kamisato Clan follows the will of the Shogun."

"I understand, brother."

As a servant, there are limitations to what one can do.

In contrast, that shrine maiden from Liyue had the freedom to act as he pleased.

Ayaka looked out the window.

Unconsciously, she began to envy Kujou Sara. At least, as a simple warrior, Sara only needed to follow the Shogun's orders.

...

...

Kujou Sara was on a ship.

Last night, she had been at Tenshukaku, serving the Shogun and receiving the envoy from Snezhnaya. Then, an intruder broke into Tenshukaku, and she engaged them but was defeated. After that, a series of events unfolded that shattered her worldview.

Her father, who had taught her since childhood to follow the Shogun's orders, had broken that very principle.

But that wasn't the main point.

The destruction of Tenshukaku and the Shogun's announcement that the Vision Hunt Decree would be abolished were even more shocking. But since it was the Shogun's order, Sara would follow it. The Shogun had also sent her to Kannazuka to announce the end of the war.

The war was coming to an end…

When the Shogun abolished the Vision Hunt Decree, the rebellion's cause lost its justification. But looking back, it suddenly became clear.

Was this war ever truly just?

The ship had left Narukami Island earlier today, and it would still be some time before they reached Kannazuka.

As a soldier, Sara began to prepare herself for the upcoming negotiations with the rebel army—she had been urgently recalled from Kujou Encampment to Narukami Island. She was still the supreme commander of the Tenryou Commission's forces at Kujou Encampment, and with the Shogun's orders in hand, controlling the Tenryou Commission and announcing the end of the war wouldn't be difficult.

The real challenge would be negotiating with the rebel army. The Shogun hadn't provided specific terms, so the negotiations with Watatsumi Island would rely entirely on her experience.

During the journey, Sara was lost in thought. It wasn't until night fell and they arrived at Kujou Encampment in Kannazuka that she finally snapped out of it, fully dedicating herself to taking control of the Tenryou Commission forces.

Once she had secured control of the forces, she sent envoys to communicate with Watatsumi Island, announcing the end of the Vision Hunt Decree and the cessation of the war. The Yashiro Commission also provided assistance.

It was only then that Sara learned the Yashiro Commission had been in contact with the rebel army all along.

But that no longer mattered.

Fulfilling the Shogun's orders was what mattered most.

Kujou Sara had returned to her role as a warrior.