Fortunately, Kokomi's analysis had already deduced the location of the Delusion Factory.
At this moment, the Traveler recalled Teppei's strange behavior—his worsening health, constant coughing, and hair that seemed to be turning gray.
Weren't these symptoms exactly the effects of using a Delusion? Could it be...?
They hurried to find Teppei, and sure enough, he was already so weak that he could only sit slumped on the ground, devoid of strength.
[Teppei, voice weak: "Wait a moment, let me get up first... Strange, I feel like my body has no strength at all..."]
Under the Traveler's questioning, Teppei recounted his experiences during this time.
Naval battles with the Shogunate's forces, solo fights against Shogunate samurai, rescuing trapped comrades—all achievements he had never dared to dream of before.
All of this was thanks to the "secret weapon" he had recently obtained.
[Traveler, voice stern: "How long have you been using that thing?"]
[Then, with reluctance, they continued: "It drains the user's life force."]
[Teppei fell silent, but there was no fear in his expression—only resignation. He sighed softly: "What a pity... I really thought I was finally catching up to you... Haha..."]
He had even felt that his recent achievements would finally bring him closer to his friends.
["I guess... I really wasn't being watched by the gods after all..."]
Teppei's breathing grew fainter, and the Traveler knew he didn't have much time left.
Watching this scene, Pantalone's face still wore a smile. "Not being watched by the gods"—he was the same.
Like Teppei, he had wanted to prove himself. But he was even more ambitious—he wanted to prove that the gods who looked down on him were the ones in the wrong!
So he used his own methods and wisdom to "challenge" the God of Gold!
As for Teppei's fate, he felt nothing. Delusions were exclusive to the Fatui, and Fatui soldiers had long been prepared to sacrifice their lives for the Tsaritsa's cause.
Providing the resistance with supplies and Delusions was solely to ensure they could withstand the Shogunate's attacks. The chaos in Inazuma made it easier for the Fatui to fish in troubled waters.
Keqing shook her head with a sigh. She didn't agree with Teppei's thoughts or actions, but she said nothing.
As someone "watched by the gods," she knew that anything she said now would sound like someone well-fed mocking the starving.
Venti, on the other hand, wanted to say: How could the gods not be watching you? It's just that the gods' gaze has nothing to do with Visions.
The gods watch over every one of their people—their ancestors from millennia past, their descendants millennia hence. All of it, the gods see.
Venti remembered the name of every person in Mondstadt, knew their stories, and watched over their fates.
Zhongli was the same. He had engraved everything about Liyue over the millennia into his heart.
Even the trapped Nahida did her utmost to watch over her people and aid them.
No god would neglect their people... except for Ei at this moment. She no longer even watched over herself.
Ei wasn't watching her people now, but she undoubtedly loved them—that much was certain.
For ordinary people, this segment evoked a peculiar feeling—something like the departure of an acquaintance.
It wasn't too painful, but the thought of never meeting this person named Teppei again brought a faint sadness.
A quiet emotion, one that only hurt upon reflection.
The real Teppei also saw this segment, his heart a turmoil of mixed feelings.
Now, he felt that knowing his fate in advance might not necessarily be a good thing.
The Delusion had allowed him to achieve glory, fulfilling the fantasies he had long held in his heart.
But at the same time, the Delusion would take his life—granting him power and honor, yet no time to enjoy them.
The Delusion had fulfilled Teppei's dream, so even knowing the future, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't have used it.
"The Fatui..." Kokomi frowned slightly.
Though death on the battlefield was inevitable—anyone could die.
From a wartime perspective, the Fatui providing them with Delusions wasn't unforgivable. Delusions could indeed be considered a form of military supply.
But Kokomi would never allow her subordinates to use such life-draining tools to enhance their combat strength.
Moreover, the Fatui had provided them secretly, without disclosing the side effects.
That was clearly wrong—it was deception, deception that led to death.
So the Traveler in the story was furious and resolved to destroy the Fatui's factory.
The Traveler in the book returned to Kokomi, successfully achieving "three visits to the Sangonomiya Shrine."
By now, Kokomi had already confiscated the Delusions within the army. Gorou reported that the soldiers were causing an uproar—even knowing the Delusions were harmful, they still insisted on using them.
Such was the temptation of power. Many couldn't resist it, because it made previously unattainable things seem almost within reach.
This proved that even if the Fatui had disclosed the side effects from the start, the resistance's Delusion usage wouldn't have decreased much.
After learning the location of the Fatui factory from Kokomi, the Traveler in the story set out.
Inside the Delusion Factory on Yashiori Island, the Traveler cut through all opposition, charging straight into the heart of the facility.
[Scaramouche made his entrance, saying: "I didn't expect you to find this place. Not bad."]
The Traveler was furious, demanding answers about the Delusions.
[Scaramouche mused: "Oh, so that's what this is about."]
["Though I'm standing here, I'm only executing the plan on behalf of others."]
["The mastermind is someone else entirely. Quite capable, aren't they? Go ahead and find them if you can!"]
Dottore, also reading, smiled but said nothing. Who was the mastermind? How puzzling.
[Scaramouche continued: "Even without Delusions, they would have died anyway. At least the Delusions gave them a chance to fulfill their 'wishes.'"]
Teppei was silent. Though the Delusion had killed him, Scaramouche wasn't wrong.
The Delusion had given him the chance to realize his dreams, which was why he couldn't let go of that power.
This was also why he couldn't obtain a Vision—his wish was to gain the power to fulfill his wishes. How could such a wish ever earn a Vision?
No Vision bearer had their wish fulfilled immediately upon receiving their Vision. Most were still on the path to realizing their dreams.
Returning to the story, Scaramouche was honest—even without being asked, he revealed that the Vision Hunt Decree had been instigated by the Fatui.
Just like during the "Unreconciled Stars" event, Scaramouche remained "forthcoming"—whether you asked or not, he'd tell you.
[Scaramouche: "Inazuma may seem stable on the outside, but internally... it's full of opportunities for us. A little push, and it crumbles from within."]
The people of Inazuma were furious. From within!? So it was you after all! Tenryou Commission! Kanjou Commission!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice: Sangonomiya Kokomi - About Delusions
"Weapons that consume soldiers' lives—at least within the resistance under my command, I will not permit their use. My soldiers are not expendable."