chapter 52

Chapter 52: A Tense Heart, Beidou Who Can't Return to Liyue

There were dissenting voices within the rebel army—something Sangonomiya Kokomi had always known. While the Vision Hunt Decree had forced many to join the rebellion, it wasn't the sole cause of the conflict. Some within the ranks actually wanted the war in Inazuma to continue.

"Everyone, if you trust me, please heed my advice," Kokomi said. "The Inazuma we once knew no longer exists. There is now an unknown god in control of everything. If we continue to resist, we will not only face the Raiden Shogun but also this mysterious god."

Her words caused unrest among the rebels, who were already tense. Kujo Sara sat silently, observing the chaos unfold. The fact that Kokomi had learned about this god wasn't surprising—there had been no efforts to keep it secret. However, the fact that she knew suggested that there were likely spies within the shogunate. That, Kujo Sara thought, was troubling.

It wasn't easy to identify the culprit. So far, the only ones who understood Lord Su Ran's true nature were herself, Kamisato Ayaka, Yae Miko, and the guards stationed at Tenshukaku. Kujo Sara was sure it wasn't her or Kamisato Ayaka, as Ayaka was loyal to Su Ran. As for Yae Miko, Kujo Sara doubted she would ever betray General Raiden or help the rebels. That left only the possibility that the Okujizu—the Shogun's direct military force—had been infiltrated. After all, even the Tenryou Commission had been compromised by the Fatui.

Her analysis pointed her in the right direction, but the peace talks were already underway. Since the talks had been sanctioned by the gods, Kujo Sara wanted them to succeed.

"General Kujo, on behalf of Watatsumi Island, I agree to these peace talks," Kokomi said. "But I hope you will also consider some of our conditions."

These conditions included the right to fish and ownership of certain lands—issues that had always been crucial to the residents of Watatsumi Island. Kokomi's face was serious. She had made as many concessions as she could, but her people still longed for a better life. It was up to her to fight for these rights.

The two leaders locked eyes before Kujo Sara finally shook her head. Kokomi felt her heart drop. Was this modest request too much? Was the shogunate truly so unyielding?

"Lady Kokomi, I know you're upset, but I'm afraid this isn't something I can decide," Kujo Sara said, easing the tension slightly.

Hearing that, a glimmer of hope sparked in Kokomi's heart. "Is this what the Raiden Shogun wishes?"

"No," Sara replied. "Even the Shogun cannot grant these requests."

Kujo Sara made it clear: Inazuma was still Inazuma, but dreams were something else. Even though they may now live in an eternal dream, it was not the real Inazuma. And if even the Raiden Shogun couldn't offer a solution, then only the unknown god could.

At that moment, Kokomi realized the situation was worse than she'd anticipated. Kamisato Ayaka had mentioned some details about this god in her letter—the creator and proposer of the dream, someone even more powerful than the Raiden Shogun. If this being held the final say, was there any hope for Watatsumi Island?

"If you wish to meet the Lord God, you can speak with him directly," Kujo Sara offered, a hint of reassurance in her voice. "Perhaps he will agree to your terms."

"I understand. Thank you, General Kujo," Kokomi replied, feeling a small sense of relief. If there was still room for discussion, perhaps all was not lost.

Yet, the thought of meeting this unknown god filled her with anxiety. This was not like planning strategies in the shadows of war. She had never encountered a living god before. As the Divine Priestess, the only divine entity she had ever come into contact with was the remains of Orobashi, the serpent god. The idea of soon facing a powerful, mysterious god made her heart race with nervousness.

"Now that we've discussed the rebel matters, shouldn't we turn to your own situation?" Kujo Sara asked, shifting her gaze to Beidou, who had been standing alongside Kokomi.

The captain from Liyue chuckled. "Ahaha, long time no see, Miss Sara."

Compared to the tense rebels and shogunate soldiers, the relationship between Beidou and Kujo Sara was neither close nor strained. They had met a few times before.

"Why are you involved with the rebels?" Kujo Sara asked. Though the conflict between the rebels and the shogunate was an internal affair, Beidou's involvement as a Liyue citizen complicated things. It had the potential to disrupt relations between the two nations—something Kujo Sara wished to avoid.

"Oh, it's just a little business, nothing more!" Beidou laughed. "We're only providing some daily necessities, absolutely no military aid."

Though Beidou's crew had engaged in some mercenary work, they hadn't officially joined either side of the war, which was why she wasn't concerned.

"So you're playing both sides?" Kujo Sara asked. "On the one hand, you're transporting goods for merchants on the outlying islands, and on the other, you're supplying the rebels."

Had it not been for these peace talks, Kujo Sara wouldn't have realized how the rebels had been so well-supplied throughout the war. Now, she understood: they had outside help.

"So, Miss Beidou, you've exposed yourself here. Are you trying to clarify your stance with me?" Kujo Sara asked, her gaze sharp.

Beidou scratched her head, smiling sheepishly. "Of course not… but the truth is, I can't leave Inazuma right now. That's why I asked Miss Kokomi to accompany me here—I needed to see you."

Her ship, the Crux, and her crew were still intact. But due to the strange circumstances surrounding Inazuma, they couldn't leave. Beidou had come to Inazuma for business, and now she found herself stranded.

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