"Hiiragi Shinsuke, it's not only the Shogun who has the right to judge you. Even if I kill you, no one would speak up for an idiot like you."
With those words, the final Subspace Lance pierced through Hiiragi Shinsuke, nailing his mangled body directly to the tree.
Akira had killed Hiiragi Shinsuke.
He slowly descended from the sky, his presence striking fear into everyone around.
But Akira paid them no mind. He swept his gaze across the crowd and declared, "The Shogun and I issued a ban long ago. No one is to touch a Delusion. Since Hiiragi Shinsuke dared defy that order, punishment must be absolute. Let his fate serve as a warning."
"Yes, Lord Akira!" Everyone responded in unison.
"Good. You may all leave now." Akira nodded.
Everyone dispersed quickly, leaving behind only Hiiragi Chisato, Lumine, and Paimon.
"Chisato..." Akira looked over. Seeing the sadness in the girl's eyes, he sighed.
Killing her father right in front of her was something he would've preferred to avoid-but he had no choice. Not just Hiiragi Shinsuke-he was about to unleash a bloody purge across all of Inazuma. Everyone on the list prepared by Kitsune Saiguu and Rosalyne... none would be spared.
Evidence? Trials?
Unnecessary.
Anyone found involved would die.
Lumine and Paimon glanced at Hiiragi Chisato worriedly. After their earlier conversation, they had grown close. But now that Akira had killed Chisato's father before her eyes, they were afraid she might break down.
Hiiragi Chisato couldn't hold it in anymore.
Tears streamed down her face.
Even though her reputation at the Kanjou Commission had soared in recent days, and she had proven herself a capable leader, seeing her beloved father killed by someone she admired... was too much.
"Chisato." Akira walked over.
Chisato instinctively stepped back-but the next second, she threw herself into Akira's arms, wailing uncontrollably.
She pounded on his chest with her fists.
Akira said nothing. He simply held her as she wept, letting her vent it all out.
When she was finally exhausted, Chisato clung tightly to him, sobbing softly.
It took a long time before she gradually stopped crying. Tilting her head up from his embrace, she looked at him.
"Chisato, I..." Akira tried to speak, but no words came.
Chisato shook her head. "Lord Akira... I've let it out. I don't blame you..."
"My father's death was his own doing. He broke a law that had been stressed again and again.
He dared to shake the nation's foundation and disrespected the gods. He deserved to die for every single offense. The only reason he lived until now was your mercy."
Her voice trembled with complexity, but she still forced a smile.Even if she was upholding justice by cutting ties with her own father... it was still painful.
And then, to the shock of Lumine and Paimon, Hiiragi Chisato suddenly stood on her toes and kissed Akira hard on the lips-as if trying to forget everything that had happened.
Lumine watched them kiss passionately and immediately felt awkward. But when she noticed Paimon watching the scene with great interest, she quickly covered her eyes.
"Hey! What was that for?! Ow!" Paimon slapped Lumine's hand away and glared at her with arms crossed.
"Little kids shouldn't be watching stuff like that," Lumine said solemnly.
"Paimon is not a little kid!" Paimon snapped back.
After a long while, Chisato finally pulled away from Akira.
"Lord Akira... forgive my rudeness."
"Please... just give me some time to process this," she said softly, then stepped away from Akira's arms.
She walked over to her father's barely human corpse, cradled it with great effort, and began carrying it back to the Kanjou Commission.
Akira stood there silently, watching her take Shinsuke's body inside without trying to stop her.
"Akira! Aren't you gonna-" Paimon began, but Lumine quickly covered her mouth.
Now was not the time to interrupt.
"Let her have a moment of peace." Akira shook his head. His spatial power lingered around her -no one could harm her, not even herself.
"You two came? When did you arrive?" he turned to Lumine and Paimon with curiosity.
"Just now..." Paimon replied, still a little shaken. Akira had been terrifying just moments ago.
"Good." Akira nodded. "Since you're here, go find Chisato later and have her issue you a travel permit."
"Got it." Lumine nodded.
"So, what brings you to Inazuma?" Akira asked.
We... wanted to meet the Raiden Shogun," Lumine replied.
She had already met her brother in Liyue, and he had told her to witness the beauty of all seven nations-and understand the true meaning of her journey.
"Of course. I can take you to meet Her Excellency," Akira said. "But before that, I have something I need you to do."
"What is it?" Lumine asked.
"I need you to go to Watatsumi Island," Akira said calmly. "Find their Divine Priestess-Sangonomiya Kokomi."
"Ask her directly how the handling of the Delusions is going. Also, investigate the current public opinion on the war with the Shogunate."
"Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate are at war? Aren't they part of the same country?" Paimon asked in shock.
"Watatsumi Island was once the domain of the great god Orobashi," Akira explained. "Hundreds of years ago, Orobashi invaded Inazuma and was slain on Yashiori Island by the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi. Since then, the island was brought under Inazuma's rule."
"Although they're considered Inazuman territory, they're still allowed to worship Orobashi. But due to the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree, they formed a resistance against the Shogunate."
"Huh?" Lumine and Paimon exchanged shocked looks. "So the Sakoku Decree left them no choice?"
"That's one reason. However, recently the Shogunate has started providing them with food supplies," Akira said. "They're no longer starving."
"So your mission is to gather public opinion-see how the people feel about the Resistance."
"Got it," Lumine and Paimon nodded.
Having not personally experienced the Vision Hunt Decree, and without anyone feeding them propaganda, they had no reason to automatically side with the Resistance.
"After you've gathered the people's opinions, ask Kokomi about the Delusion matter," Akira added. "She's very clever-she'll know what I mean."
"Alright," Lumine agreed. Since Akira was the one asking, they'd give it their all.
"Very good. Once you return with that mission complete, I'll personally take you to meet the Shogun." Akira smiled.