Chapter 28

[Perhaps it was your string of victories that made the Tenryou Commission uneasy—these past few days, they've been launching assaults on the Resistance base every few days.]

[Your gunpowder supplies were rapidly dwindling, so you had someone send a message to Yoimiya to place a new order.]

["Lord Kael, the new batch of gunpowder is ready. Please come to Naganohara Fireworks tomorrow night to pick it up. —Yoimiya."]

[Upon receiving Yoimiya's letter, you assigned Swordfish II, your special operations squad, to carry out the mission. Their objective: retrieve the gunpowder and return safely to base.]

[But this time, Swordfish II took longer than expected. Dawn had already broken, yet they hadn't returned.]

[A vague sense of unease crept into your heart.]

[As expected, your premonition was right—something had gone wrong with Swordfish II.]

[Kamisato Ayaka sent urgent intel through the night: the Resistance's deal with Yoimiya had been discovered by the Tenryou Commission. Swordfish II walked right into their trap—they were completely wiped out. Yoimiya was captured as well, and her Vision was confiscated. Soon, she is to be executed publicly by the Raiden Shogun to make a statement.]

[Kamisato Ayaka urges you not to act rashly—give her time, and she'll find a way to rescue Yoimiya.]

[You quickly understood why Ayaka told you not to act rashly.]

[Following closely behind her intel... was an official challenge from the Tenryou Commission.]

[The letter stated: if you want Yoimiya to live, you must appear at the Tenshukaku within 24 hours—exchange your life for hers.]

[After reading the letter, your choices are...]

[1. Refuse the Tenryou Commission's terms. Sacrifices are inevitable in war—you can't derail your plans over one life.]

[2. Accept the Tenryou Commission's terms. Yoimiya could have stayed far away from this war. But it was you who used her feelings to drag her into this storm.]

Kael thought for a moment and gave his final answer, "I'll go with 2."

This system wasn't a strategic war sim—it was a Tragedy Simulator.

The scoring was based on how deeply you could stab others in the heart with your choices.

He had already confirmed this during his last life simulation: tragic storylines involving Genshin characters earned him significantly higher scores.

If Yoimiya died, he'd lose yet another character to generate emotional pain with.

Even if he won the war, so what?

It wouldn't benefit him at all.

[You couldn't bring yourself to abandon Yoimiya. This girl once lit up your night sky. Just like she wished, that burst of color had truly left a mark deep within your heart.]

[With a calm expression, you returned to your room and pulled out a Delusion from the cabinet.]

[This Delusion, long hidden, would finally serve its purpose today.]

[As per the letter's instructions, you journeyed to Inazuma alone.]

[The moment you appeared, you were intercepted by Tenryou Commission soldiers.]

[You remained calm, allowing them to escort you to the Tenshukaku.]

[Raiden Shogun sat at the highest point of the hall, while Kujou Takayuki and Kujou Sara stood beside her, awaiting your arrival.]

["My Lady Shogun, we have successfully apprehended Kamisato Kael. Please execute him swiftly to show the world the inviolable might of the Raiden Shogun."]

[With your hands bound behind your back, you're forced to kneel in the center of the great hall. Unflinching, you raise your gaze to meet the Shogun's. "I have long since been cast out by the Kamisato Clan. I am Fujiwara Kael."]

[The head of the Tenryou Commission lets out a mocking snort. "Who doesn't know you were once engaged to the Kamisato princess? Kamisato Ayato treated you like his own brother. You say you're not part of the Kamisato Clan—who's going to believe that?"]

["Why drag others into this, Lord of the Tenryou Commission? I was the one who sabotaged your deal with the Fatui. If there's a grudge to settle, let it be with me."]

["You—!" Kujou Takayuki's face twists in anger. He bows before the Raiden Shogun. "My Lady Shogun, this traitor's words are nonsense. I swear, I have no connection to the Fatui whatsoever. Please, proceed with the execution and rid us of this lying criminal!"]

[Raiden Shogun lifts her gaze coldly and rises from the high platform, beginning to walk toward you.]

["My Lady Shogun, I request a duel before the throne—with Kujou Takayuki."]

[Raiden Shogun halts mid-step. "Oh?"]

["That's not fair!" Kujou Sara shouts. "My father is old! A duel between them would be a disgrace!"]

[You sneer. "If Kujou Takayuki could scheme to lure me here, why shouldn't I have the right to challenge him to a duel? Or is he only capable of cowardly tricks, like a rat hiding in the gutters?"]

["You'll pay dearly for your insolence!" Kujou Sara grabs her bow. "My Lady Shogun, please spare my aging father. Let me fight in his place!"]