Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

Kujo Sara knew very well that important people, more or less, all had some quirks.

“I’m not here to see Yae-no-ji, but to discuss important matters with the magistrate. I just went to the Kamisato family, and their representative said that Kamisato Ayaka came up the mountain early this morning.” Kujo Sara’s tone remained as cold and hard as a soldier’s. “Is Kamisato-san here? Sara requests an audience.”

Princess Egret.jpg

Chapter Fifty-Seven: Princess White Egret, I Have a Wonderful Job for You

Inatsume had three chief ministers who handled the vast majority of national affairs: the Kujo family – chief minister of state affairs, the Hiiragi family – chief minister of state affairs, and the Kamisato family – chief minister of state affairs.

These are the three most famous families in Inazuma, and Kujo Sara is the most outstanding daughter of the Kujo family in this generation.

However, the most outstanding and famous young lady of the Inazuma generation was not Kujo Sara, who came from a military family, but the eldest daughter of the Kamisato family, who was a clerk. She was beautiful and virtuous and was known as the "White Heron Princess".

"I wonder what business General Sara has with Ayaka?"

A girl wearing a haori pleated skirt emerged from behind the main hall. Her long, snow-white hair was neatly styled in a princess cut in front of her forehead and tied into a high ponytail at the back. She had exquisite and beautiful features, and was in no way inferior to Kujo Sara's heroic spirit, but rather exuded the elegant and noble air of a young lady from a prestigious family.

“If it’s official business, General Sara should contact my elder brother. Ayaka is only in charge of household affairs and probably can’t help General Sara much,” Ayaka Kamisato replied politely, her demeanor extremely measured.

That being said, she was not actually a pampered young lady who "only took care of housework".

The position of Shaman Magistrate is extremely prestigious, but the Kamisato family does not hold a high position in the shogunate, so there are many families that covet the position. With no one in the court, Kamisato Ayato, who is ill, is unable to support the family alone. Even though Kamisato Ayaka is only sixteen years old, she has already been subtly exposed to the power struggles among various noble families.

Therefore, Ayaka Kamisato is well aware of the principles of "don't meddle in things you shouldn't meddle in" and "don't contact people you shouldn't contact."

Ayaka Kamisato avoids Kujo Sara, a core member of the Heavenly Rank Enforcer, like the plague. At least she hopes these matters are "official business," because "official business" allows for flexibility, while "private business" that asks her to do will leave many handles for her to use against her.

Moreover, the relationship between the Kamisato family and the Kujo family was not very good. The magistrate of the shrine repeatedly submitted documents opposing the Eye-Killing Edict and the Seclusion Edict, but they were all invalidated due to the veto of the Tenryō magistrate and the Kanjō magistrate.

“This matter is nothing serious. It’s rare for your brother to see you, so asking Miss Kamisato is enough.” Kujo Sara smiled. She felt that she was being too formal with Kamisato Ayaka and thought that it would be inconvenient to communicate with her so formally, so she said, “It’s too formal to call me General Sara all the time. We have been friends since childhood. How about we go back to the way we used to address each other? Just call me Sara.”

Yes, family friends.

Although Kujo Sara is three years older than Kamisato Ayaka, they are childhood friends, and it is perfectly normal for the younger generation of the three starter families to interact with each other.

Back then, Kujo Sara, Hiiragi Chisato, and Kamisato Ayaka used to play temari and hopscotch together in the courtyard of the castle tower. In autumn, there was a hot spring inn in Inatsuma Castle with a large pear tree in its courtyard. Although the innkeeper forbade picking the pears, none of the three girls dared to stop them. Kujo Sara, carrying a long spear, charged straight at it, while Kamisato Ayaka and Hiiragi Chisato, the two little girls, ran around catching them, filling their baskets to the brim. They happily took the pears home to give to their parents, only to be scolded by them in return…

The three foolish little girls were beaten, and they ran out with teary eyes, saying that all the adults were bad guys. They said that they would be best friends forever, and that when they grew up, they would all marry the same person and never be separated again. Then they made a solemn promise and pinky swear. Pinky swear, pinky swear. Those who lie will swallow a thousand needles and have their little fingers cut off.

How great.

However, Hiiragi Senri is already preparing to get married, Kujo Sara has joined the military and entered politics, and Kamisato Ayaka is adept at navigating various social occasions.

When they met again, there was more wariness than joy, and they were even like strangers.

“General Sara… you’re already an adult, how can you talk like that…” After a long while, Ayaka Kamisato smiled gently, “The era before we were burdened by our families is over. You have to devour everything for the sake of the Kujo family, and I have to protect and establish myself for the sake of the Kamisato family. We both know that we are no longer on the same path, and we can’t go back to the past.”

Kujo Sara remained silent, then looked at Kamisato Ayaka, still stubbornly insisting: "Yes, I say yes, so it is."

The two looked at each other, and Ayaka Kamisato's gloomy expression turned into a wry smile. She finally spoke helplessly, "Alright, that's enough, General Sara. Let's get down to business."

Kujo Sara looked somewhat disappointed and turned her attention back to the matter, saying, "It's about the Coral Palace rebels."

"Shouldn't you be asking Ayaka about military matters?"

“Military internal affairs certainly won’t involve you, but this matter concerns diplomacy, so the Commissioner needs to take charge.” Kujo Sara didn’t keep her in suspense. “Have you ever heard of a Liyue person named Shen Liang?”

“Liyue?” Ayaka Kamisato stroked her fan, frowning in thought. “General Sara is referring to that unknown young general who ambushed our army with fire during his first appearance, right? I heard he destroyed more than ten of the Shinju Island Cannons of the Tenryo Magistrate, causing huge losses. Hmm… Your Tenryo Magistrate’s deficit this time is so large that even the Kanjuro Magistrate can’t cover it up.”

"I was in charge of that battle at Tengdouzhai," Kujo Sara said casually.

Ayaka Kamisato realized she had said the wrong thing, touched her face with her fan, and gave a polite but slightly embarrassed smile.

“Winter is coming. Although we suffered a defeat, we are still in the upper hand overall. Most people in the shogunate hope for a truce in winter, but I guess the people on the Sangokushi side hope for it even more. So even if we stop fighting, we have to make them give us something.” Kujo Sara looked at her. “If the Sangokushi wants a truce, my demand is that they hand over Shen Liang.”

Ayaka Kamisato stopped patting her fan, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise. "General Sara, you... want to call a truce?"

Only a fool would do something like that! Aren't you just forcing them to keep fighting?

“I learned from my inside contact that Shen Liang has only been in the Coral Palace for a month, but the value he has shown is already astonishing,” Kujo Sara said. “The magic oil he uses is impossible to analyze, and the fire extinguishing mechanisms we are familiar with are completely ineffective against his alchemical flames. On the battlefield, this kind of thing is simply unsolvable. He even provided the Coral Palace with a type of seawater rice that can be grown on saline-alkali land.”

Ayaka Kamisato was genuinely surprised.

“So you can understand why I want to invite him to the Shogunate. After all, he is from Liyue, and fighting for Haiji Island doesn’t mean he is loyal to Haiji Island. Such a talent should be brought under the Shogunate. What Haiji Island can give him, we can give him ten times or a hundred times more.” Kujo Sara stared at Kamisato Ayaka. “But you know, the Kujo family is a military family after all. Inviting an enemy who just defeated our army back as an honored guest is bound to cause gossip.”

Ayaka Kamisato frowned slightly. "General Sara, you shouldn't speak so confidently. How do you know that the Sangokushi Palace would let such a talent go? They would rather go to war than let this opportunity slip by."

“They might have had that kind of backbone before Shen Liang came,” Kujo Sara laughed. “But it’s precisely because Shen Liang gave Haiqi Island hope that they’ll back down… Trading the safety of an outsider for the safety of the entire Haiqi Island is a very worthwhile deal. And if they don’t want to be the ungrateful villains, then Haiqi Island will have to continue fighting. Do you think they dare to fight?”

Ayaka Kamisato was also aware of the power disparity.

If another war breaks out this winter, it will be a losing proposition for the shogunate.

But for Coral Palace, it meant the destruction of their nation and the extinction of their race.

"You want him to become the company magistrate?" Ayaka Kamisato understood her meaning and looked somewhat troubled. "However... you could have asked someone else for this kind of thing."

"Who in Inazuma has more personal charm than the 'White Heron Princess'?" Kujo Sara joked. "Moreover, that Mr. Shen Liang is only fifteen years old and has a rather handsome appearance, not inferior to you, Ayaka—strictly speaking, this is a cushy job."

"Don't make fun of me!"

Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Mob

This is Yang Conspiracy.

Even though they are chatting and laughing now, Ayaka Kamisato is still very clear about this open conspiracy.

“We treated him with courtesy, giving Coral Palace an excuse to hand him over. If he is unwilling, Coral Palace will have a reason to force him. And if Shen Liang really doesn’t come…” Kujo Sara closed her eyes, her tone somewhat reluctant, but still said resolutely, “After the shogunate army captured Hachiyū Island, my father ordered that only the old, children, and women be spared, and everyone else be executed.”

The snow-white-haired young lady, Kamisato, was silent for a moment, then said, "That's... a bit despicable."

“Only in this way can we make the people of Haiqi Island think that it was Shen Liang’s lack of cooperation and sacrifice that led to this horrific massacre. The hatred between Haiqi Island and Shen Liang will be born from this, and he will leave Haiqi Island sooner or later and return to our side.” Kujo Sara said in a low voice, “This is not Sara’s wish. Soldiers should be upright and honorable, but this is also my father’s open strategy... There is no such thing as despicable in war. What is beneficial to the country is the greatest good.”

Hearing this, Ayaka Kamisato was speechless.

Humans are such foolish creatures, and Ayaka Kamisato knows very well why Takayuki Kujo dares to use such a blatant scheme.

Because the people of Haiqi Island truly think this way, even if Shen Liang has rendered outstanding service to them and even saved the day from collapse. But as long as the hero doesn't continue to do what they expect, doesn't continue to sacrifice or save others, then the hero will become a thorn in their side.

The people of Umijima will hate that this hero did not continue to do what a hero should do, even though they know that the shogunate should be the one they hate the most.

But that's how humans always are.

It's easier to hate a friend than an enemy.

“When Mr. Shen Liang really has nowhere else to go and comes here, I hope that you, Ayaka, can give him some…” Kujo Sara turned around and looked at the tall cherry tree in the courtyard, “Give him some comfort. Inazuma has wronged him, and I am ashamed to face him. Only you, Ayaka, are unrelated to the war, you are innocent.”

She thought of the spirited young general on the city wall again, and felt pain and a strange sense of resentment.

She bit her lip until it bled.

--------

The Coral Palace, the South Study, was deathly silent.

Ruka Sango felt the boy in her arms tremble; it wasn't a tremor of fear. But she didn't make a sound, only continuing to watch these people.

These subjects watched, not daring to look Shen Liang in the eye.

It was obvious that only the military and some priestesses who had been exposed to the battlefield knew what the barking tail had said beforehand; the vast majority of priestesses, who lived secluded lives in the Coral Palace, immediately showed expressions of disbelief.

"What are you saying, General Baro! Are you believing the Shogunate army's lies? Are you even thinking straight?"

"They want to hand over Ryoko? They're dreaming! My Ryoko would still be alive after all this time! She couldn't even beat me!"

"Are you getting senile, old man? Can't you see this obvious scheme to divide us? You might as well give up being a general and let Wulang take over!"

Because the priestesses were not part of the "bureaucratic" system, they were relatively detached from the military commanders. Therefore, the young priestesses even dared to directly and sharply satirize the generals of the military. They were inexperienced in the ways of the world, and many were still young girls, so they spoke their minds without reservation.

But they soon discovered that the military generals simply remained silent, letting them laugh at them.

So the priestesses gradually realized that something was wrong.

Their expressions changed from mockery to suspicion. "General Barking Tail...you don't...really think that, do you?"

Barking Tail raised its head, ignoring the gazes of the priestesses, and even the puzzled and angry expression on its own son's face.

He stepped forward, stared at Coral Palace Liuge, and said earnestly, "Emotionally speaking, I don't want Mr. Shen to leave. Mr. Shen has done a great favor for my Haiqi Island, which we have yet to repay. Even if I were an ungrateful wretch, Mr. Shen is of great value to Haiqi Island. Losing Mr. Shen would be unwise from a purely economic perspective. If I could exchange myself for Mr. Shen to do this, I would have no objections."

He paused, then said, "But..."

Shen Liang finally lifted her head from the arms of Coral Palace Liu Ge and looked at him with an emotionless gaze.

"But the shogunate values ​​Mr. Shen's talent, which is why they made this request. I have fought against the shogunate army all my life, and I know very well that the shogunate army led by the Kujo family acts for profit and would not do anything unwise out of hatred. They want Mr. Shen not to harm him, but as an honored guest, hoping that Mr. Shen will serve them." Hio said firmly, "Mr. Shen's life is not in danger on this trip."

At this point, a priestess couldn't hold back any longer and shouted, "You're talking nonsense!"

The barking tail remained unmoved.

"It's not you who's going to your death, you old fool! You're just jealous of talent!"

“I said this isn’t suicide, and if my death could bring about a ceasefire, I wouldn’t hesitate to drag Goro to his death with me.” Hio took a deep breath. “The enemy commander is Kujo Sara. Even though we are enemies, I have to admit that she is an upright and righteous warrior, loyal to the country, and a woman of her word. Since she swore on the honor of the shogunate that she would never set an ambush and would treat us with courtesy, she would never break her promise.”

It is indeed impossible to go back on one's word.

Kujo Sara's reputation for integrity resounded throughout Inazuma, but treating someone with courtesy did not mean that they would not turn against each other.

To put it bluntly, this is just about taking a hostage, a hostage to be handed over for the sake of peace.

"Even if we really get to the shogunate, will Kujo Sara still be in charge?" Sangoko no Kokoro finally spoke up. "Ryoko is on our side, and we've got everything under our control. If we hand her over to someone else, we'll be like fish on a chopping board in a foreign land, with our lives out of our own hands—I disagree."

“Even so, didn’t Mr. Shen still have a backup plan?” A military officer, unable to tolerate the repeated objections from the priestesses, said sternly, “Mr. Shen possesses spatial magic; he can come and go freely throughout the world! Does he need you to worry about his safety? Even if he goes to Inazuma, who can interfere with Mr. Shen, who has spatial abilities? This is a great power that only a demon god can wield!”

"Insolence!" Coral Palace Ryuka immediately stopped him, staring at the young general with fury in her eyes. "Step back!"