"Is there any difference? They're all fish."
"Of course there's a difference!"
"That's not important. What's important is why you joined Watatsumi Island? You can now be described as unilaterally interfering in another country's internal affairs," Shiki asked.
"Actually, it was mainly a coincidence…"
"After I purified the curse gods of Tatarasuna that day, I headed west, planning to explore Inazuma, and then I ran into the resistance. Coincidentally, they also needed my help."
"I saw that it wasn't a big deal, so I thought I'd help out, and then I discovered traces of the Fatui, and they were also connected to the resistance."
"So I thought I'd temporarily join them to investigate, and I really did find something," the Traveler said.
"So what did you find?"
"I found the culprit who previously toppled the warding stone on Yashiori Island. It's a Mondstadter named Nathan. I've met him. He said he joined the resistance for freedom to restore freedom to Inazuma, but I always feel something is off about this person. Connecting him to the Fatui's traces, I feel he's even more suspicious."
"Sigh…"
"Why are you sighing?" Paimon felt very annoyed. We worked so hard to help you investigate the resistance, and this is your attitude?
"Because I already knew what you investigated!"
Shiki was quite speechless. She didn't expect the Traveler to join the resistance for this reason. She had calculated everything, but still missed this.
But thinking about it, it made sense. As the Traveler, how could she stay in one place obediently? Moreover, she would do anything for twenty Primogems.
"What? You already knew?" Paimon said in shock, her small body erupting with extremely high decibels.
"Then why didn't you tell us in advance? You made me and the Traveler work for nothing!"
"Who would have thought you would run off to Watatsumi Island? Besides, why should I tell you these things?" Shiki retorted.
"Uh… that seems right… No, no, we were kindly helping you collect information. Even if there's no credit, there's hard work, right?"
"You mean collecting information that was already known again? What's the use of that?"
"…What do we do, Traveler? It seems we've caused trouble again…"
Paimon was at a loss and started crying tearfully to the Traveler.
"Forget it, talking about these things now is useless. In short, don't go to Yashiori Island these days. After everything is over in three days, you can properly enjoy Inazuma."
"Speaking of which, some of the responsibility lies with me. During a special period, I should have kept you in Inazuma City, or let you explore Seirai Island. Anything would be better than joining the resistance."
It was mainly due to fixed thinking. Shiki thought that without the Vision Hunt Decree, the Traveler would not be involved with the resistance, but it turned out like this.
And the Traveler, hearing this unfamiliar place, was somewhat puzzled: "Seirai Island?"
"Yes, an island located south of Narukami Island. The resentment of the ancient Archon Thunderbird is sealed there, but because of a certain shrine maiden centuries ago, the seal was broken, causing Seirai Island to be ravaged by thunderstorms. It's a good place for adventure."
"Uh, it sounds so dangerous. Traveler, let's not go," Paimon recalled the severely overflowing curse gods of Tatarasuna.
After all, the resentment left behind by a dead Archon, isn't that curse gods? And this stuff also exists in Liyue.
Shiki nodded upon hearing this: "It is very dangerous, but opportunities often coexist with danger, because due to the sudden incident, a large amount of centuries-old treasure has been left on Seirai Island."
As soon as Paimon heard "treasure," her eyes immediately lit up: "Treasure! Ahem, re-sealing the Archon's resentment, the Traveler and I are duty-bound!"
Lumine was speechless. It could only be said that it was indeed Paimon; as soon as she heard "treasure," her attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.
"However, given your actions of joining the resistance this time, I am very uneasy about you. To prevent you from causing any more major incidents, you must go to Seirai Island only after the negotiation is completed."
"Eh? How can this be…"
Paimon and Lumine walked away unhappily, and Kujou Sara, who had been holding back for a long time, finally had time to speak.
"Ryougi… Your Excellency, thank you for everything you have done for Inazuma. It's shameful to say, but I, being in the Kujou Clan, never discovered what was going on with them."
"No need to thank me. I just didn't want to see Inazuma continue to sicken, that's all. On the contrary, you, your Kujou Clan now only has you and Kujou Renji left. Don't you hate me?"
It was Shiki's first time seeing Kujou Sara, who was renowned as the "Milk Cap" of the northern hemisphere in the game, but her current situation was somewhat special. In a sense, they were enemies.
But Kujou Sara gave Shiki a completely unexpected answer. She thought the other party would be like Kujou Renji.
"Hate? That's not really the case. Everything I have was given by the Shogun. And your starting point was also for the Shogun. Not only do I not hate you, but I admire you very much," Kujou Sara said.
"All this time, I have only been executing the Shogun's orders, never considering whether this was good or bad for Inazuma."
"But you are able to propose different opinions and act on them, even changing the Shogun's original thoughts. From this point of view, I am completely incapable of doing that."
As a general, Kujou Sara was a sharp blade in the Raiden Shogun's hand, used to destroy everything of her opponents.
She was a qualified executor, but it was difficult for her to propose her own views; she always needed someone to give her a goal.
"You flatter me. I was just entrusted with a task. A certain older sister asked me to correct her foolish younger sister from a wrong path, so I did it."
Kujou Sara felt somewhat bewildered upon hearing this. Older sister? Foolish younger sister? What was all this?
"Anyway, thank you very much. If it weren't for you, this war would have continued indefinitely, and the number of casualties among my subordinates would have increased. In other words, you actually saved many people."
"Don't say anything humble. This is the praise you deserve. Whether it's me or my subordinates, we all need to thank you."
"Then I accept it. Also, have someone prepare the venue for the negotiation. At the very least, there should be a room. We can't just set up a table, can we?"
Although she had never negotiated before, Shiki believed that negotiations always needed some… well, something like a sense of ritual?
"You have a point. I'll have someone prepare it right away," Kujou Sara nodded.
And Shiki remembered something: "Oh, by the way, Kujou Masahito is dead."
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