"The effects of the Vision Hunt Decree have already been remarkable. I believe Your Excellency has seen it with your own eyes. You have taken the most crucial step toward Eternity—truly, congratulations."
La Signora spoke with a faint, congratulatory smile.
Yes... she had seen it—with her own eyes. It was indeed "remarkably effective."
The Shogun sneered inwardly.
But her expression remained completely composed, her arms folded as she listened silently.
"...Go on."
She wanted to hear this joke to the end—perhaps it would be entertaining.
"However... on your path to Eternity, a certain obstacle stands in your way."
La Signora continued, her tone taking on a deliberate gravity.
"And who might that be?"
The Shogun followed along calmly.
"Kokomi of Sangonomiya Island."
La Signora revealed the supposed 'obstacle.'
"..."
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly, recalling the image of the pink-haired girl who moved with the grace of a swimming fish.
"The Resistance poses no real threat. They need not concern me."
She gave an indifferent excuse.
"Is that so? I'm afraid not. From my perspective, the Resistance is Inazuma's greatest enemy—and yours, Your Excellency. Especially that Kokomi—leader of the Resistance and its spiritual pillar. If left unchecked, she will become your future calamity. It would be wiser to eliminate her now."
"And what makes you think so?"
The Shogun asked casually, masking the quiet disdain in her heart.
"My men were recently ambushed by the Resistance. Supplies meant to support the Shogunate were seized. Kokomi herself led troops to attack our factory—one of our most vital bases."
La Signora sighed theatrically, covering her face with one gloved hand, feigning sorrow.
"What kind of factory? Why was this vessel not informed?"
The Shogun's tone was cool.
"Why, it's a facility that provides weapons and materials to the Shogunate itself. We are your allies, remember? We built it—with our own funding and manpower—to strengthen the Vision Hunt Decree and aid your pursuit of Eternity. But those villainous rebels discovered its importance and seized it for themselves!"
Heh... What a web of lies.
The Shogun inwardly scoffed. Did they truly think her a fool? They knew well what kind of "factory" that was.
"Your Excellency must also recall—the seal suppressing the evil forces on Yashiori Island was broken by the Resistance themselves. It's clear that as long as they remain, Inazuma will never know peace. If they are allowed to persist, they will become an ever-growing threat to your Eternal reign!"
La Signora spoke passionately, her gestures grand and convincing—almost persuasive enough to believe.
"And according to your opinion... what should this vessel do?"
The Shogun asked coldly, her eyes closed, arms still folded.
"It's simple."
La Signora smiled faintly, her tone brimming with confidence as she stepped forward.
"All you need to do is personally slay Kokomi of Sangonomiya. She is the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island and the leader—the very heart—of the Resistance. Remove her, and the Resistance will collapse entirely. Once that happens, subduing them will be child's play."
"In this way, you can both destroy the Resistance and reclaim Sangonomiya Island—two birds with one stone. Such a perfect opportunity, Your Excellency, should not be wasted."
Her crimson lips curled into a witch-like smile, her voice a seductive whisper that slid like poison into the Shogun's ears.
Indeed... remove one obstacle, and the Fatui would have a clearer path to sink deeper into Inazuma—to rot it from within. And when the time came, the Gnosis resting in her chest would fall right into their hands.
La Signora's gaze flickered briefly to the Shogun's chest, where faint lightning pulsed beneath the silk. The prize was almost within reach.
However—
"Pfft..."
The Shogun suddenly let out a short laugh, echoing sharply in the quiet hall.
"?"
La Signora blinked, her expression twisting in faint confusion.
"Pay it no mind. This vessel simply thought of something amusing."
Her eyes half-opened, her tone emotionless yet faintly mocking.
"You're telling this vessel to eliminate that 'Divine Priestess'?"
"Exactly."
La Signora nodded, expecting agreement.
Eliminate Kokomi of Sangonomiya? Heh... Perhaps once, she might have considered it—but after meeting the girl herself, truth be told, she found her... intriguing.
"This vessel—"
Crack!!
Just as she was about to speak, the doors of Tenshukaku suddenly burst open from the outside. The loud crash echoed through the grand hall, utterly devoid of decorum—it was clear that whoever entered was in a hurry.
The Shogun frowned in irritation, about to reprimand the intruder, when she saw who it was: a young woman standing at the center of the doorway, her tattered composure betrayed by the faint traces of tears still visible beneath her tengu mask.
Sara?
Seeing her, the Shogun's brows eased slightly, though they soon furrowed again upon noticing the tear marks.
Sara... had been crying? What happened? Why would she suddenly rush to Tenshukaku—especially now?
Before she could ponder further, Sara's sharp eyes took in the scene before her—the Shogun standing close to La Signora—and her expression hardened immediately.
"Shogun-sama! Please, do not believe her lies!"
"!"
The Shogun froze for a split second before realization dawned upon her. So that's why Sara had come... Miko's doing, no doubt. Hmph... that fox...
"Oh~? And who might this be? Ah, the Shogun's little watchdog, I see? How quaint. You certainly know how to pick your moments, don't you? Do you have any idea what kind of important diplomatic meeting you're interrupting right now?"
La Signora clicked her tongue in annoyance. She had been so close to success—and now this dog had barged in to ruin everything.
"Silence! You vile deceiver, stop trying to mislead the Shogun!"
Sara's tone carried no fear; she barked the words coldly, stepping forward several paces until she stood just below the dais—close, but not crossing the line.
"Sara..."
The Shogun began, but the girl cut her off, her voice trembling with urgency.
"Shogun-sama, I know my actions are deeply disrespectful—barging into Tenshukaku like this may well disappoint you. You may punish me however you wish afterward, but please—do not believe a single word she says! She is deceiving you, and she seeks to bring ruin upon the Inazuma you so dearly love!"
Tears welled in her eyes again as she spoke. This was the second time the Shogun had seen Sara cry—the first had been that stormy night long ago.
"Pathetic mutt! To bark so insolently before the throne—your insolence shall be your death!"
Bang!
La Signora, her patience finally shattered, snarled in fury. Her plan had been moments from fruition, only to be torn apart by this foolish girl. Consumed by rage, she didn't even care that a god stood before her—she lunged forward, her entire body radiating chilling Cryo energy as she reached out to strike directly at Sara's heart!
"Die!"
Her hand formed a clawing motion, cold mist swirling violently around it like the jaws of a beast.
"!"
Sara stumbled back instinctively, but La Signora was far too fast. There was no time to react. She could only squeeze her eyes shut, bracing herself for the searing pain that would follow.
But—
Crackle!
In less than a heartbeat, a streak of violet lightning flashed before her eyes. A thunderclap followed as the Shogun appeared in front of her, intercepting the blow effortlessly.
Boom!
"What?!"
La Signora's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. The sight before her froze her in place—the Shogun stood protectively before the tengu girl, a shimmering barrier of lightning shielding them both. Her attack had been completely nullified.
When had she even moved? She hadn't seen a thing—it was as if the Shogun had simply appeared.
Behind the violet barrier, the Shogun's eyes glowed cold and bright, her Chakra Desiderata spinning into motion with a series of crystalline chimes.
The two women stood locked in a silent standoff—but only one of them was truly in control.
"Watch your hands."
The Shogun's voice was calm yet sharp as a blade. She clenched her fist and thrust it forward.
Boom!!
The lightning barrier exploded outward, the air itself distorting from the surge of divine power.
"Tch!"
La Signora leapt backward immediately, conjuring a shard of ice and hurling it toward Sara as she retreated—a desperate counterattack.
"!"
Sara flinched, trying instinctively to dodge, but before she could move, she felt an arm wrap firmly around her waist, pulling her in.
"///!!"
In the next instant, her face was pressed directly into the Shogun's chest, her cheeks igniting crimson as a faint, intoxicating scent filled her senses. Her entire body went rigid, her mind blank with embarrassment.
The Shogun, holding the trembling girl securely in her arms, glanced up at the oncoming ice crystal—then vanished in a flash of violet light.
The projectile struck only empty air.
Crackle...
The Shogun reappeared at a distance, still holding the blushing tengu girl in her arms. She glanced down at Sara, whose face was redder than ever.
"Shogun-sama... ///"
Gone was Sara's usual heroic composure—what remained was a tender, fragile side. Her tearful eyes shimmered faintly, making her look just like the child she once was.
"It's been a long time since I've seen you cry."
The Shogun smiled softly and brushed a tear from the girl's cheek with her fingertip.
"I-I'm sorry... I..."
"I know... Say no more."
She soothed her gently.
"Was I... disrespectful to you?"
Sara's trembling voice quivered with hesitation.
"You did the right thing. What disrespect could there be in that?"
"..."
Sara couldn't hold it in any longer. She buried her face into the Shogun's chest and began to cry in earnest—like the little girl from that rainy night long ago.
"Do not fear. While this vessel stands, no one will harm you."
The Shogun stroked her hair softly, comforting the fragile child in her arms.
"Sara."
Her cold gaze shifted toward La Signora, whose face still burned with rage, her voice calm but commanding.
"(Inhale)~ I'm here... Shogun-sama."
Sara pulled away slightly, her face flushed, eyes still watery as she looked up at her.
"Rest for a while, will you?"
The Shogun asked softly.
"...Yes."
Sara understood immediately, nodding with a faint, tearful hum—obedient and gentle.
"When you wake... it will all be over."
Crackle~
She placed two fingers gently on Sara's neck and let a stream of violet energy flow into her body. Sara's strength gradually faded; confusion flickered across her delicate features as her tear-filled eyes slowly closed. Her legs gave way, but the Shogun caught her and laid her carefully on the tatami.
"Your Excellency, such insolence should be punished on the spot."
La Signora, realizing her earlier outburst, tried to compose herself and addressed the Shogun sternly.
"Punished on the spot? You lack the right to speak of punishment."
The Shogun's gaze was cold as she stepped forward.
"...What?"
"My subordinates are not for wretches like you to lay hands upon."
Step. Step...
Her footsteps echoed through the hall, each one crackling with lightning. Behind her, the Chakra Desiderata glowed brilliantly with divine radiance.
"!"
La Signora instinctively stepped back, eyes narrowing in caution.
"To raise your hand in my presence, to weave lies and speak such arrogance—tell me, what punishment befits such insolence?"
Her tone was cold and formal, as if reciting a divine decree.
"Heh... Your Excellency, surely you don't mean—"
La Signora's words faltered as a bead of sweat slid down her temple, though she forced a mocking smile. She couldn't believe the Shogun would truly do something so foolish.
Sensing her disdain, the Shogun smirked coldly, producing the last remaining Delusion—and without hesitation, hurled it straight at her.
Whoosh!
The object flew through the air at blinding speed, slicing cleanly through the distance between them.
Thud!
Caught off guard, La Signora instinctively raised a hand to catch it, stumbling back a few steps. When she looked down to see what she held—
"!"
Her eyes widened as realization struck. A single thought connected everything in her mind.
That damned puppet... Scaramouche!!
Her expression twisted in fury, killing intent flaring as she looked up again—
Crackle!
The Shogun was suddenly there before her, faster than sight. In her hands gleamed the blade Engulfing Lightning, surging with ravenous thunder, eager to taste blood. Her amethyst eyes were as cold and lifeless as a storm over a grave.
"Return to your master."
With that, she swung her weapon in a flash, the motion tearing through the air with explosive force as it sliced upward toward La Signora's throat!
"Tch!"
At the last possible instant, La Signora cursed under her breath and shifted reflexively, her body crystallizing into ice as the blade's edge grazed just past her head.
Clang!
Even so, the black crown atop her head was sliced cleanly—its sharp corner shattered and fell to the floor.
Crack!
As her frozen form melted back into flesh, La Signora touched her cheek. Her fingertips came away streaked with blood. Her eyes filled with irritation as she glared up at the violet-haired goddess before her.
Step, step...
The Shogun, as if deaf to all else, gracefully spun her naginata behind her and strode forward with long, unhesitating steps—each one echoing with deadly poise.
"Have you truly thought this through?!"
La Signora's voice trembled between threat and disbelief. Despite her arrogance, the sweat on her brow betrayed her nerves. She looked down on the Shogun—after all, to her, this was no true god. Just a puppet. A doll following commands. A dog pretending to be divine. God? Don't make her laugh.
But even as she told herself this, her instincts screamed otherwise.
"Foolish question. This vessel never intended to let you leave Tenshukaku alive."
The Shogun's cold voice struck like thunder. You came here... and you think you'll walk away? Not a chance. Perhaps she'd let her crawl out—half alive, if she was lucky.
"You—!"
"How long do you plan to prattle on? If you don't want to die in disgrace, then draw your weapon and face me!"
The Shogun's patience had finally worn thin. Enough of this posturing! So what if she hid behind the Tsaritsa's name? Let her prove her strength in battle instead of her tongue!
"!"
La Signora's fury ignited as her entire body flared with frost. The relic hovering beside her blazed with Cryo energy as she smirked coldly.
"Then don't blame me for what happens next!"
But just as she began to unleash her power, the doors of Tenshukaku burst open—again.
Bang!
Aether and Paimon crashed through the doorway, and the sight that greeted them stopped their hearts—Sara lay collapsed on the ground, motionless.
"La Signora!!"
Aether's furious voice echoed through the hall.
"You—how dare you—!"
La Signora froze mid-cast. That voice. That infuriatingly familiar voice. Her head whipped around in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding... You? Here?! I saw you last in Liyue—at the Northland Bank! How in the Abyss did you end up in Inazuma?!"
For a brief moment, even she questioned the absurdity of it all. Was this really Tenshukaku? Why did it feel more like a fish market? Why could anyone just waltz in?!
"You're looking the wrong way."
A voice colder than death whispered beside her ear.
Her heart stopped. She reacted on instinct, raising an icy barrier around herself.
Boom!!
The Shogun's blade struck the barrier squarely, right at her chest.
Crack!!
Even with her Cryo shield in place, the sheer force of the blow sent fractures spiderwebbing across its surface.
Damn!
She disengaged instantly, barely evading the strike as her shield shattered behind her. Skidding backward, she flung a barrage of razor-sharp ice shards into the air, sending them raining down toward the Shogun.
The Shogun's form dissolved into pure lightning, weaving effortlessly between the falling crystals like a serpent of thunder. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a wave of swordlight.
Whoosh!
La Signora countered with a burst of freezing energy that filled the entire hall. The temperature plummeted in seconds; frost spread over the floors and walls, encasing everything in ice.
The Shogun's gaze flickered toward Sara, still lying on the tatami. She quickly extended a hand, wrapping the girl in a protective barrier of crackling lightning before refocusing on her opponent. As for the Traveler—he could fend for himself.
"Wha—Aether!!"
Paimon shrieked as a surge of freezing wind nearly swept her away.
"!"
Aether threw himself to the ground, rolling to the wall for cover. With a quick switch to Anemo, he conjured a wind barrier to deflect the storm.
"Haha~! Tremble before the winter winds of Snezhnaya!"
Hovering above, La Signora poured her power into her catalyst, releasing an overwhelming torrent of Cryo energy. Her voice rang with cruel pride, reveling in her own might.
The Shogun, watching the spreading frost surge toward her, calmly raised her naginata. Lightning surged around her body, the weapon spinning in midair before inverting to point downward. Torrents of thunder cascaded outward, clashing head-on with the storm.
Lightning and ice collided. The air cracked with energy. Thunder devoured frost, frost swallowed thunder—both forces consuming each other in brilliant chaos. The air itself shimmered with electric feedback.
"Tch! This woman's a real nuisance!"
La Signora clicked her tongue in frustration. She hadn't expected this level of resistance. Wasn't this supposed to be a mindless puppet? Since when did it think like a strategist?!