Teppei was quite experienced with repairs and finished fixing it quickly.
Teppei: "Alright, that should do it. Those Shogunate Army bastards could sprout wings and still wouldn't be able to fly in here."
"Looks like I've made another contribution to the resistance, but why is it always logistics-related again?"
"After finally being transferred to the front lines, I wanted to make a name for myself fair and square. But here I am, back to my old life, aren't I?"
[Paimon: Teppei really is a natural-born logistics worker.]
[Furina: It's a good thing Teppei can't see this comment, otherwise he'd be crushed.]
[Ningguang: He still needs to train hard. When his abilities are sufficient, it will come naturally.]
[Keqing: Yes, Teppei's current combat strength is still weaker than an ordinary Shogunate soldier. It's naturally difficult for him to achieve great things on the battlefield.]
[Lumine: He really shouldn't rush it.]
Paimon didn't understand. "I get the feeling you're really fixated on the front lines."
Teppei explained, "It's like General Gorou says—we all joined the resistance because we have the will to fight."
"While there are many ways to contribute, if given the choice, who wouldn't want to take down a few Shogunate samurai with their own hands?"
"Anyway, we've pretty much finished touring the camp. Let's go see General Gorou now. Maybe we can even get some front-line assignments."
Back in the main hall, they found Gorou wasn't there. He had gone to the front lines to engage the Shogunate Army. Lumine and Paimon hurried over to provide support.
At the front lines, the Shogunate Army under Kujou Sara's command and the resistance forces led by Gorou faced off along the riverbank.
[Keqing: Not bad. The resistance soldiers on the battlefield have excellent form, good spacing, and maintain discipline well.]
[Paimon: Keqing knows so much! As expected of a Liyue Qixing member.]
[Lumine: It's because Keqing is very meticulous that she notices these details.]
[Zhongli: I greatly admire Keqing. Striving unwaveringly toward one's goal—this is the true portrayal of every Liyue citizen.]
Kujou Sara: "Only you are here? I had hoped to meet your strategist this time. She has indeed caused considerable trouble for our Shogunate forces. The resistance's ability to hold out this long is partly thanks to her."
"But now, it's time to end this. When the disparity in military strength is this great, schemes and strategies are meaningless."
"We've thoroughly assessed the resistance's capabilities. All who defy the Shogun will face punishment."
Gorou responded, "I believe in Lady Sangonomiya, and I believe in the soldiers of the resistance."
"The Vision Hunt Decree is not the right path. We will not abandon our resistance."
[Paimon: It seems everyone in Inazuma rejects the Vision Hunt Decree except the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission. Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission is the Shogun's loyal fan. Why does the Kanjou Commission also support the Decree?]
[Furina: I never expected Paimon to ask such a sharp question! The answer is simple.]
[Paimon: What's the answer?]
[Furina: The answer is that the Kanjou Commission are also brainless fans of the Shogun!]
[Kamisato Ayaka: I think it's about interests. The Kanjou Commission's actions have become increasingly incomprehensible to me.]
[Yae Miko: The Kanjou Commission are not the Shogun's loyal fans. To be precise, they are Mora's loyal fans.]
[Paimon: Mora?]
[Yae Miko: The information I've gathered is limited, but that description should be accurate.]
[Paimon: So... the Yashiro Commission, the Tenryou Commission, and the Kanjou Commission—three commissions with three different loyalties? The Yashiro Commission stands with the common people, the Tenryou Commission are staunch supporters of the Raiden Shogun, and the Kanjou Commission stands with neither.]
[Ningguang: This chaotic relationship... I would need more information to sort it out.]
[Venti: Inazuma's situation seems akin to discord among the Qixing.]
[Ningguang: That's a good analogy, but among us Liyue Qixing, our cooperation has always been excellent.]
[Furina: Zhongli is truly blessed. He doesn't have to manage anything and can just drink tea and listen to opera all day.]
[Paimon: But Zhongli worked for 3,700 years before retiring!]
[Zhongli: Retirement life is indeed beautiful.]
Kujou Sara was unperturbed and continued, "No matter. Another thing—you should have received the latest wanted list by now. That blonde traveler should be with you as well."
"If you're willing to hand her over, I can grant you some breathing room. A decisive battle at this time benefits neither of us."
Gorou: "Could it be that your sudden troop reinforcement is to—"
Kujou Sara nodded. "She is important to Her Excellency the Shogun. But I imagine she's expendable to the resistance."
Gorou answered sternly, "You're wrong. She is equally important to the resistance. She has already joined us and is now my subordinate. I will not hand her over."
"The resistance does not betray its comrades. That is a rule Lady Sangonomiya established long ago."
[Keqing: This Lady Sangonomiya possesses extraordinary wisdom.]
[Paimon: Why do you say that?]
[Keqing: Many Treasure Hoarders are individually stronger than a single Millelith soldier. Yet ten Millelith soldiers can easily rout a group of thirty Treasure Hoarders. The reason is unity and conviction. The Millelith know that as long as their comrades are there, no one will abandon them. But the Treasure Hoarders are different. Once they're at a disadvantage, morale crumbles. Those in the back will lead the retreat, leaving the injured and slow to face Millelith justice. Over time, the Treasure Hoarders grow weaker—not in physical strength, but because when cornered, their members aren't thinking of fighting, only of making others cover for them. The more of them there are, the weaker they become overall.]
[Paimon: So that's how it works! That means if the resistance had abandoned their comrades or betrayed each other, they'd surely have been defeated by now.]
[Keqing: Yes. A mob, no matter how large, remains a mob. But professional soldiers are as solid as a rock.]
The next moment, Lumine appeared among the resistance ranks.
Gorou was startled. "Teppei? And you? What are you doing here?"
Lumine, having overheard the exchange, smiled and replied, "Came to help. I'm a member of the resistance too."
Kujou Sara looked sternly at Lumine. "We meet again. I won't let you escape this time. I assumed you'd joined the resistance to hide behind them for protection. Your presence here shows you're braver than I thought. In that case, I have a proposal."
"How about representing the resistance in today's pre-battle duel?"
Paimon asked curiously, "Pre-battle duel? What's that?"
Gorou explained, "Before war begins, each side sends their finest soldier for a one-on-one match. For the stronger side, such a duel means little. For the weaker side, it's a chance to boost morale."
[Paimon: Keqing, Keqing! Explain why that is!]
[Keqing: Confidence is crucial in military engagements—it can even decide the outcome of a battle. The pre-battle duel significantly affects that confidence. Winning the duel creates an advantage. For the stronger side, it reduces casualties. For the weaker side, it slightly increases their chances of victory.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: That's why we specially train elite soldiers, hoping to win these duels.]
Gorou continued, "But her goal is obvious—she wants to capture you. Don't push yourself. We can just start fighting directly."
Paimon: "Traveler, should we fight?"
Lumine nodded. "Of course. I won't lose."
[Tartaglia: With Lumine's combat ability? Even if Kujou Sara herself fought, let alone her elite soldiers, she wouldn't stand a chance.]
[Arlecchino: Based on the current video analysis, that's likely the outcome.]
[Lumine: The me in this video only possesses a fraction of my prime strength. I vaguely remember... my power transcends the seven elements.]
[Paimon: The Traveler in the video has already mastered multiple elements! Could Lumine's original power be the sum of all seven?]
[Zhongli: The truth may indeed be thus. That tremendous power is known as 'Light Realm power.']
[Furina: Even the Archons master only a single element. If Lumine can master them all... just how powerful is she?]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, she would not be weaker than an Archon.]
Lumine's strength was overwhelming. The Shogunate samurai were no match for her, and she easily won the duel.
Kujou Sara's eyes lit up. "Impressive skills. It seems continuing this duel is meaningless."
"Soldiers, advance! The Way is vast and grand! Eternal Narukami!"
The two armies clashed on the beach. The Shogunate forces were clearly stronger, and the resistance immediately fell into a disadvantage.
Just as the entire Shogunate army was committed to battle, Sangonomiya Kokomi descended from the sky, landing in the center of the formation with a confident smile. "My apologies for the wait, my hidden troops. Now is the moment."
In the next instant, Kazuha and Beidou emerged with a large force from the flank, inflicting heavy losses on the Shogunate army. Kujou Sara could only retreat with her remaining forces.
[Yae Miko: Oh? I thought the resistance would be completely defeated today. Sangonomiya Kokomi truly lives up to her reputation as a brilliant strategist. Perfect timing.]
[Gorou: I was able to hold out this long thanks to Lady Kokomi's clever strategies.]
[Nahida: Wisdom is a form of power too!]
[Paimon: I'm starting to understand that.]
After the battle, Kokomi approached Lumine. "Hello, Lumine. Since this is our first formal meeting, allow me to briefly introduce myself."
"I am Sangonomiya Kokomi, leader of the resistance and the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island. This may be your first time hearing that title. Simply put, I currently govern Watatsumi Island, which serves as the resistance's main rear base."
"I've actually heard about you from Beidou and Kazuha. I just didn't expect you to join the resistance. What are your plans now?"
Lumine shook her head. "None."
Kokomi warmly invited her. "In that case, why not visit Sangonomiya Shrine?"
"Although the Shogunate forces have temporarily retreated, the war is far from over."
"The Vision Hunt Decree hasn't been abolished, and neither the Tenryou Commission nor the Raiden Shogun show any sign of stopping. The problem remains unresolved. I suggest we discuss our next move at the shrine. What do you think?"
Teppei asked hesitantly, "Can I come too?"
He looked at Lumine. "I'm familiar with Watatsumi Island. I can continue being your guide."
Lumine nodded.
Kokomi then turned to Gorou. "Thank you for your hard work. The resistance is naturally weaker than the Shogunate forces. You must have endured much in my absence."
"I'll need you to stay here a while longer—keep an eye on the Shogunate army and tend to the wounded. I'll station the mercenaries here, and Kazuha will remain as well. That should ease your burden considerably."
Gorou replied earnestly, "Rest assured, Lady Kokomi."
Kokomi looked back at Lumine. "Thank you for all your efforts so far. From today, I will fight alongside you—for Inazuma's future."
[Paimon: Kokomi is warmly thanking everyone!]
[Navia: Acknowledging others' contributions is a precious virtue.]
[Ningguang: Indeed. Beyond material rewards, praise is an irreplaceable part of appreciation.]
[Paimon: But... aren't they fighting the Shogunate to protect their Visions? Why 'for Inazuma's future'?]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: A land where people lose their dreams becomes stagnant. In eternal stillness, it gradually rots.]
[Keqing: I agree. Life's journey is a path of continuous self-improvement.]
[Ningguang: Yes, I believe the same. It's the merchant's pursuit of profit that brought Liyue Harbor its prosperity.]
[Yae Miko: Simple truth. Ei's gone down a dead end. Perhaps only defeating her can change this.]
[Paimon: Defeat the Raiden Shogun? But she's so powerful!]
[Yae Miko: If your wish is strong enough, nothing is impossible!]
A few days later.
After a long sea journey, Lumine finally arrived at Watatsumi Island with Teppei and reached Sangonomiya Shrine.
Inside the shrine, Kokomi was discussing supply issues with her subordinates. Their conversation mentioned some supplies from an unknown source, yet enough to sustain a larger army.
Teppei, not one for discretion, asked curiously, "Lady Kokomi, I overheard you mentioning funding earlier. What was that about?"
Kokomi replied, "Not long ago, someone wrote to me expressing support for Watatsumi's resistance and sent a large quantity of supplies."
"Thanks to this, we've finally been able to recruit freely and confront the Shogunate head-on."
Lumine: "That's wonderful. But... are these supplies reliable?"
Kokomi considered this. "I do have some doubts. However, Watatsumi Island isn't wealthy, and these supplies arrived at a critical moment."
"Their request isn't unreasonable—only that we continue resisting the Shogunate. Whatever their true intentions, we share this goal. Let's consider them an anonymous ally."