"Uh... of course not. But my job isn't just housekeeping. At that time, we might need Miss Ryougi's help."
Thoma scratched his head. Although he was the Chief Retainer of Housekeeping, he actually did the least amount of housekeeping work.
"I can, but only limited to combat. After all, that's what I specialize in," Shiki said.
Ask her to fight, and she's fine, but chatting and haggling? Forget it; she's not good at that.
However, she could occasionally moonlight as a doctor. As long as it wasn't an external injury, she could solve it with a single cut.
Things like appendicitis, pneumonia, typhlitis, or even cancer—all treatable.
Reincarnated Divine Doctor (Mist)
"Right, Ayaka, there's something I need to know."
"What is it?"
"When will the Statue of the Omnipresent God be completed?"
This was something Shiki absolutely had to clarify. Inazuma was currently rife with undercurrents, and the implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree would be the moment everything erupted. She had to prepare countermeasures before the storm arrived.
Watatsumi Island was already preparing for rebellion. Shiki didn't believe that the Five-Star Ornamental Fish Miss was as useless as she appeared in the game.
At the very least, judging by the outcome of the game's storyline, this Ornamental Fish Miss obtained what she wanted—the governing rights to Yashiori Island.
The most important thing in war is always the outcome. Whether by accident or careful calculation, Shiki had to guard against Sangonomiya Kokomi.
And most importantly, the Fatui. They were the ones who ruined the nuclear reactor in Tatarasuna. If it weren't for the Traveler, all of Inazuma would have exploded into the sky, just as Xavier predicted.
Afterwards, they even destroyed the Ward on Yashiori Island, allowing the Tatarigami to ravage the entire island in order to establish a Delusion Factory.
Inazuma has too many messes. The main problem is having a shut-in Archon, the Electro Archon, who doesn't handle affairs. Even if someone wanted to do something, they couldn't.
Look at neighboring Liyue. Before the Old Man's retirement plan was executed, would the Fatui dare to cause trouble?
Believe it or not, an immense Geo Spear would descend from the sky in minutes, and another guest would be added to the VIP seating at the bottom of Guyun Stone Forest.
A puppet is just a puppet in the end. Even with the most perfect programming, unexpected situations will arise. It's already quite good that there haven't been any bugs.
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the statue will be completed in April. Shiki, do you have any plans?" Ayaka asked.
"I have some ideas, but Inazuma is currently poisoned to the bone. To cure it completely, a massive purge is necessary."
"Ayaka, you probably wouldn't have guessed that two of Inazuma's Three Commissions are colluding with the Fatui."
Shiki's words were shocking. Ayaka widened her ice-blue eyes. No one was unaware of the notorious Fatui, and the Kamisato Clan had always avoided contact with them, but... "Ayaka and Thoma, what I'm about to say might overturn your long-held beliefs."
"The supremely honored Raiden Shogun is not the true Archon of Inazuma."
Shiki recounted the story of the Twin Gods and the calamity of five hundred years ago. These matters were secrets among secrets in Inazuma, as the generation from five hundred years ago had been completely wiped out, and people are forgetful, so the truth was naturally buried in the torrent of history.
"Phew... So, in summary, if we can persuade the Shogun's true consciousness, the Vision Hunt Decree can be retracted?" Ayaka said, gently sitting back down on the tatami mat. The amount of information was simply overwhelming.
Shiki nodded: "That's right, but how to persuade her is a huge problem."
"But going back a bit, how would the Fatui know this kind of information?" Thoma asked.
"For that, we'll have to ask the Electro Archon's good son, Cannon."
Ayaka and Thoma: "??"
The two were completely bewildered. What was that? The Raiden Shogun has a son? And what kind of ridiculous name is Cannon?
"The Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers, the Balladeer, is the Raiden Shogun's Prototype Puppet, originally named Kunikuzushi."
"It is precisely because of this that the Fatui know the puppet's programming and can do as they please on the soil of Inazuma."
"The fundamental reason is that the Fatui knew the puppet Shogun's programming to 'Not Harm Envoys,' which allowed them to rapidly advance their plans without cautious probing."
"Those despicable Fatui! What exactly do they treat the common people as?" Ayaka didn't ask how Shiki knew these secrets; she wouldn't commit such a foolish act.
"Merely tools to advance their plans. What we need to do now is stabilize the situation in Inazuma and completely root out the Fatui, this malignant tumor," Shiki said coldly.
She had no goodwill toward the Fatui. No matter how tragic their background or past, it could not conceal the crimes they had committed.
Just because a murderer has a sad story, should he be forgiven?
That's impossible. At best, she might let him go easily, but if he deserves death, he must die.
"But this is too difficult. Even the Tenryou Commission, which holds military power, is colluding with the Fatui. I truly can't think of what to do."
Ayaka frowned deeply. Although the Yashiro Commission is one of the Three Commissions, the Tenryou Commission, which holds military power, is actually the strongest in terms of authority. One could even say the Yashiro Commission ranks last among the Three Commissions.
The Hiiragi Clan manages finances, and the Kujou Clan manages the military. The Kamisato Clan, which manages civil affairs, seems somewhat disadvantaged.
"Don't underestimate the voice of the people, Ayaka. Let me teach you about one of the most terrifying weapons in this world: public opinion."
"The Kamisato Clan manages civil affairs; this is a perfect starting condition. As long as we operate correctly, the consciousness of the Inazuman people will be guided by us."
"We won't even need to do anything; we just need to plant a seed in the hearts of the people, and they will make that seed take root and sprout on its own."
"Once the voice of the people is too loud to be ignored, we will then reveal the evidence of the Hiiragi Clan and Kujou Clan colluding with the Fatui. This way, the puppet Shogun will have no choice but to temporarily dismiss them."
"Kujou Sara of the Kujou Clan is a loyal and righteous person; she won't stand by and watch Inazuma be ravaged by the Fatui. Expelling the Fatui will then be a matter of course."
Shiki, who lived on 21st-Century Earth, knew deeply how terrifying the power of speech was. If enough people say it, even a lie becomes truth.
As long as rumors of the Kanjou Commission colluding with the Fatui are spread, Hiiragi Shinsuke will expose himself without us having to do anything.
"I understand, but how can we ensure we control the narrative? If they turn it against us, wouldn't that be disastrous."
Ayaka's worries were not unfounded. After all, everyone has a mouth, right?
"Don't worry. We just need to start a collaboration with Yae Publishing House and then apply for an official Inazuman certification."
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