Based on what Beidou and Kazuha had told him beforehand, Watatsumi Island was indeed willing to provide aid to those resisting the Vision Hunt Decree, and they even had plans to expand their forces. However, Watatsumi wasn't considered to be a prosperous land—especially after the war began. Their current supplies could barely sustain their existing troops. Though many were eager to enlist, their applications had to be put on hold.
Of course, it was different for Vision bearers. They were naturally welcomed, but even they had to start at the bottom—training and fighting alongside the ordinary soldiers in order to adapt to army life. And since there were already quite a few in this category, by the time one rose to prominence, the Vision Hunt Decree might have already be abolished.
Victor Wang had no intention of joining the Resistance as an ordinary soldier. Instead, he activated his talent skill [Stolen Borrowed Wisdom].
From the annals of Shenzhou, he brought forth three classics:
The Art of War — the earliest known military treatise in Shenzhou's recorded history, and perhaps the world's, revered as the "sacred classic of war," with the power to transform the rotten into the miraculous.
The Thirty-Six Stratagems — distilled from countless campaigns, capturing the cunning insights of generations of strategists.
The Art of Strategy — compiled from the Six Secret Teachings of Jiang Ziya and the Three Strategies of Huang Shigong. Because the original text was too detailed and domineering, Victor removed knowledge irrelevant to this world, creating this abridged form.
He hadn't chosen them for any special reason; they simply happened to be the only serious military texts he had read. But surely, they would be enough to deliver Kokomi a military theory shock, wouldn't they?
Unfortunately, after finishing her talks with Beidou, Kokomi had already left.
It was only natural. Figures like Acting Grand Master Jean, Ningguang, Keqing, or Ganyu were seldom seen outside of official duties or festivals. Kokomi, as the leader of Watatsumi Island and in the midst of a war, would of course be even harder to approach. Still, Victor Wang couldn't help murmuring:
"Is she really that busy?"
"Do you mean Lady Sangonomiya?"
Following his gaze, Gorou sighed. "Busy—beyond belief. Especially during the period without the Crux Fleet's support. Other supply ships came from the Inazuman mainland, moving in secret with small cargos. We couldn't fully trust them either. Every day was a struggle for provisions. Things should improve now, though—Alcor alone can carry as much as dozens of their ships."
"Haha, I just came back and already hear someone singing our praises?"
"Only stating facts, Captain Beidou. Here's to a good partnership."
"A good partnership indeed!"
Victor Wang, however, felt less than cheerful.
"Actually… I had hoped to contribute to the Resistance myself. So, I prepared three military treatises, originally intended for Lady Sangonomiya. General Gorou, could you pass them on for me?"
"Military treatises? May I see them first?"
"Please."
They weren't true books, of course—just hand-copied manuscripts Victor Wang had written during the voyage.
"Sun… Tzu… The Art of War?"
Curious at the odd title, Gorou opened the first manuscript. At the sight of Victor's handwritten characters, suspicion deepened in his heart, but he read patiently.
As a general, Gorou often studied military texts, and he was well-versed in Kokomi's tactical notes. With that trained eye, he quickly realized: not only did these writings echo Kokomi's own insights, some passages even surpassed them.
"This…!" He shot Victor Wang a sharp look, then hurriedly picked up another manuscript. After careful reading, he asked, astonished: "Did you truly write these yourself?"
"I merely borrowed wisdom from history."
"Incredible… truly incredible. This insight may well rival Lady Sangonomiya's own…"
Victor Wang gave no reply. After all, five thousand years of accumulated history from Shenzhou—refined through the hands of countless generals—would hardly be outdone by a single girl, no matter how brilliant.
With Victor's permission, the others also took a manuscript each. Beidou flipped open The Thirty-Six Stratagems and almost immediately laughed aloud:
"Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao? What nations are these supposed to be?"
Only then did Gorou realize: "That's true… I've never heard of them either."
Here it came—the inevitable problem. These strategies were drawn from history. Stripped of their historical context, they appeared hollow. To adapt them would mean rewriting everything, which Victor Wang had no desire to do. So, he simply tapped his temple:
"They come from the history in my head."
"You mean…?"
"…You mean?"
"You created all these nations and wars in your imagination, just to write these books?!"
Everyone was dumbfounded. Then Beidou gave Victor Wang a hearty slap on the shoulder.
"Ha! I almost forgot—you're a novelist, after all!"
Phew… At least their first reaction wasn't to treat him as an alien.
Having dodged that bullet, Victor Wang asked again: "So—do you think these treatises could be of help to Watatsumi?"
"Without a doubt," Gorou said firmly. "As soon as I have the chance, I'll deliver them to Lady Sangonomiya myself!"
…
"You really mean to stay here on Watatsumi Island?"
"My goal in Inazuma can only move forward once the Vision Hunt Decree is abolished. Besides, it's not farewell forever. Alcor will return every few days—just keep me posted on any news about the Vision Hunt Decree."
"Very well… then here we are."
Kazuha stopped walking. Victor Wang looked up—it was a modest but decently kept inn, its sign reading Yukawa Inn.
"Owner, it's been a while."
"Oh, Kazuha! You've come back to the Resistance?"
"This time I came for a friend." Kazuha tilted his head, guiding the innkeeper's gaze toward Victor Wang and Wilbur in his wheelchair. "Do you have any rooms available?"
"Yes, yes. Two rooms? Or one?"
Victor Wang replied: "Two rooms. But the one in the wheelchair will need someone to help with daily care."
"Hire a servant then—no problem. I can help arrange that."
This inn had originally been built for tourists coming to Watatsumi Island. With its striking scenery, tourism had once been a major source of income. But since the war against the Shogunate began, visitors had ceased. Instead, many outsiders seeking to join the Resistance came. Nowadays, the inn mainly housed people like that. Kazuha himself had once stayed here.
After checking in and bidding farewell to Alcor, another sunset came.
Sunset on Watatsumi Island was unique. From the inner island, the land resembled a giant well, its surrounding mountains the walls. Here, the sky seemed to have an end; the sun and moon rose from the peaks and sank below them. And it also meant…
It had already been a full day since Gorou took the manuscripts. Still no response.
Has he not given them to Kokomi? Or is Kokomi simply too busy to read? It can't possibly be that she read them and felt nothing… right?
Pushing the Chief Instructor's wheelchair into the lobby for dinner, Victor saw that the tables were already filled.
Upon noticing his unfamiliar face, someone teased half-jokingly: "The Resistance isn't recruiting right now. Why's another hothead come running? You can't get in, so food and lodging are all on your own dime. Every day you're just burning money. Best go home early."
But soon another spoke up for him: "Would anyone really oppose the Shogun unless they were desperate? Maybe he's like us—nowhere left to return."
The first man fell silent for a moment before muttering: "Fair point."
Victor Wang paid little mind. His thoughts remained with Kokomi—until news found him instead.
"You're… the one from yesterday! You really can use elemental power without a Vision?!"
What?
Clatter! The soldier's shout turned every head in the hall.
Victor traced the voice to one of the Resistance fighters he'd seen hauling supplies yesterday.
"Who said I don't have a Vision? I only hid it to avoid the Vision Hunt Decree."
"That can't be…"
"You place too much importance on Visions. Even without one, a person can still become strong."
"Impossible! Don't joke about that—you don't understand the pain of those of us with no Vision, no power!"
"You've never heard of Mondstadt's sword au—ah, forget it. I've no reason to teach you right now."
The young soldier pressed him: "What do you mean? Explain yourself!"
"Another time, perhaps."
…
At long last—by the following afternoon—Victor Wang was granted a meeting with Kokomi.
"I've heard of certain writers who can create an entire world within their minds, letting it develop on its own while they merely observe, and later they write the most interesting parts into stories. Are you saying these three military treatises were written in the same way?"
"They should be unique in this world."
"Remarkable… both your writing and your grasp of military matters are extraordinary."
Writing ability? That was just plagiarism. But military skill?
From the Red Wedding of western fantasy novels to the Feast at Swan Goose Gate he once saw in an animated film, King Wu's campaign against King Zhou and the First Emperor's unification of the six states and eight wilds, from the Second World War to the great wars of Shenzhou—the great battles born of millennia of wisdom endured in his memory despite the rolling wheels of history. As a model youth of the new era, he had absorbed them through textbooks, dramas, films, and games.
Yet, with the cautionary tales of Zhao Kuo and Ma Su ever in mind, he dared not overestimate himself. "When it comes to military prowess, I'm only a paper strategist. I've never taken part in an actual campaign."
"You're far too modest. From these very texts I can already sense the intensity and brilliance of the wars behind them… You're Captain Beidou's friend, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Then why do you wish to help the Resistance?"
Oh, a job interview?
"The Raiden Shogun ignored the will of her people, seizing their Visions and plunging Inazuma into turmoil. Those stripped of their Visions lost their dreams and ambitions—some even their most important memories. Others broke down completely, never recovering. I saw such a person with my own eyes. I cannot allow the Vision Hunt Decree to continue."
Kokomi nodded. "I see your conviction. Would you be willing to assist the Resistance more directly?"
"To be honest, the reason I didn't leave with Alcor is because I wish to join. I want to contribute whatever strength I can."
"'Whatever strength' is too humble. These three treatises alone prove your wisdom—enough to serve as the Resistance's strategist. But the Resistance already has one—myself. And since you're new here, unfamiliar with our troops or the Shogunate's, suddenly appointing you might cause resentment. Why not begin as my aide?"
Before Victor could respond, Kokomi added: "When the time is right, I may consider passing the role of strategist to you."
These treatises were sharp and comprehensive. Even if he hadn't fought a war, the man was clearly talented. But he was a stranger, and trust could not come so easily.
As the Divine Priestess of Sangonomiya, Kokomi bore responsibility for all of Watatsumi Island's affairs. She was weary. If… if this man proves reliable, perhaps I could let him shoulder the burden of the Resistance. After all, once the Vision Hunt ends, the Resistance will dissolve anyway…
Victor Wang was thinking, too. "Since it's only becoming as an aide, I shouldn't need to clock in every day, right?"
"Aides don't need to, no. But I'll need you to quickly learn our situation. Share any ideas you have, and I'll seek your counsel when needed. You must attend war councils, of course."
"That suits me perfectly."
"Good. I've already prepared your appointment letter. Tomorrow it will be announced to the Resistance. As for your compensation, please review the terms."
"I don't need a salary. Use the funds to recruit more soldiers instead."
"…Then, one more thing. Could you… could you show me that world you created? I want to see those battles in their entirety. It's very important to me!"
"Eh…?"
"Is it not possible…?"
"So, this is part of my aide's duties? My very first assignment?"
"…Would you?"
Kokomi loved military texts.
But the ones she read most often were from Yae Publishing House.
And Yae Publishing's "military texts" were mostly light novels. In other words—they were fictional. Kokomi was in fact reading military-themed novels.
In truth, wars between mortals were rare in Teyvat. Most battles were against monsters.
Through Victor Wang's treatises, Kokomi's interest in Shenzhou's wars had deepened. To be denied the full picture would be like reading multiple unfinished novels—leaving her sleepless, burdened with a lingering energy-draining debuff.
"I suppose… yes. But the history is too long. Perhaps I could compromise and show you only the most exciting eras?"
Using knowledge from textbooks, books like The Qin Empire and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and various films and shows, he could at least sketch the Warring States and the Three Kingdoms. It wasn't too hard. Still, he hadn't expected to be pressed by Kokomi herself here, after never writing about it even back in Liyue.
"Please!" Kokomi's eyes sparkled with hope.