NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 16: Chapter 16
At this moment, more than 80% of the dignitaries in Inazuma were kneeling in front of the statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God in a pitiful manner, while the Shogunate soldiers stood behind them, holding their swords indifferently.
"General, the last batch of prisoners has been brought here."
After a Shogunate warrior pushed the leaders from Watatsumi Island into the square, he knelt on one knee and bowed his head to report.
Even though Raiden Shogun was not physically present, those who had become her guards after winning the championship in the Shogun's annual martial arts tournament knew that the watchful Shogun was observing everything in Inazuma.
There was no Sangonomiya Kokomi among the prisoners. Instead, she stood trembling behind Yae Miko on the steps of Tenshukaku. Standing with her was Kujou Sara, who looked guilt-ridden.
Yae Miko looked back playfully at Kokomi, whose face had turned pale with fear, and said:
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, Kujou Sara, you two will remain here for now. I will deal with you both after the General has finished handling the current matters."
"I understand..." Kokomi said with a pale face. Her heart felt cold, and her body seemed to lose all warmth.
*I will be dealt with later, so I must be the final punishment, right?* she thought. Her head would likely be chopped off before the people of Watatsumi Island and hung from a banner for all to see.
After all, she was the leader of Watatsumi Island. If the Shogunate wanted to completely integrate Watatsumi Island, nothing could shock the people more than seeing her executed.
"Grrrr~" Yae Miko, who had read Kokomi's thoughts, smiled gleefully. Kokomi must have assumed she would be executed like those corrupt officials, and her face had paled with fear. It was so amusing.
"Although much of Inazuma is rotten, the fruit is still quite good."
Seeing Yae Miko express disdain, Takumi approached with a fruit plate prepared by Yae Miko, sampling it.
"Oh~ Lord Takumi, as long as it pleases you. The Raiden Shogun will resolve Inazuma's issues soon, so please be patient," Yae Miko quickly adjusted her expression, replying respectfully. She felt a small sense of relief. Though the god from Celestia had a personality similar to that woman, he was rich in humanity.
Thus, dealing with him was relatively easier.
After Ei dealt with Inazuma, this visitor would return to Celestia.
"Hmm, Shogun's servant, you seem a bit braver than yesterday. I still prefer to see you trembling," Takumi said jokingly.
"Lord, if you wish to see this servant trembling in fear, your wish shall be granted," Yae Miko said, putting on a feigned, pitiful expression.
"But the General needs to address Inazuma's problems first. Afterward, I will entertain this distinguished guest."
She understood that Takumi, like Ei, found entertainment in resistance and in getting what he wanted. Therefore, she used her own god as a shield to divert attention.
"Tsk, tsk~ Raiden Shogun is fortunate to have a follower like you," Takumi said playfully, looking back at Ei, who was emerging from Tenshukaku with an expressionless face, holding the "Musou no Hitotachi."
Previously, Sangonomiya Kokomi had been curious about who this person was, someone who received such reverence as a 'distinguished guest' from a member of the Narukami family. But as soon as she saw the Raiden Shogun, Kokomi quickly bowed her head in fear and spoke respectfully.
"I greet Lord Yuheng Mingshen, Lord Takumi."
"Are all the guilty gathered here?" Raiden Shogun asked coldly.
"Yes, all families involved in provoking the war, and all those who destroyed the evil-suppressing monuments are present," Kokomi replied, keeping her head bowed.
"Understood." Raiden Shogun nodded, not continuing her inquiry. She looked indifferently at the dignitaries who were detained in front of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed statue below Tenshukaku and walked down the steps slowly.
Originally, she intended to execute the priestess of Orobashi. However, following Yae Miko's counsel, she determined that sparing Kokomi would benefit Inazuma more.
"The General is here!"
Seeing Raiden Shogun descending from Tenshukaku, the people gathered around the square erupted in cheers.
"The way is always magnificent, and the gods are eternal."
"The way is always magnificent, and the gods are eternal."
"The way is always magnificent, and the gods are eternal."
In stark contrast to the enthusiastic citizens, the dignitaries kneeling on the ground cried out in fear.
"It's unjust, General!"
"I was wronged!"
"It was all Kujou Takayuki's idea, I was forced into this!"
"Please spare my life, General. I will never do it again!"
Raiden Shogun spoke coldly, "Silence. I am not interested in your excuses. None of you are innocent. Now, confess all the evils you have committed over the years, without holding anything back."
"Do not attempt to conceal anything, for I know all of it. If you hide the truth, not only will your family name be erased from the history of Inazuma, but your entire bloodline will be wiped out."
Though she did not know why Yae Miko had asked her to do this, Raiden Shogun trusted that it was the correct course of action.
Though they knew they were doomed, these leaders still wanted to ensure the survival of their descendants.
Now, with the threat of having their bloodlines severed, they began betraying each other.
One by one, they confessed their crimes.
Land annexation, manipulation of food prices, loan sharking—all of these were just the tip of the iceberg. Forcing girls into prostitution, human trafficking, selling children to the Fatui for experimentation—these acts went far beyond what the common people of Inazuma could imagine.
Even the full details of the 'Vision Hunt Decree' and the 'Sakoku Decree' were revealed by Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke.
The power wielded by Vision holders posed too great a threat to the ordinary people and corrupt officials. Furthermore, they envied those who were fortunate enough to have Visions. Their ancestors were heroes, so why didn't they inherit Visions?
Out of jealousy and a desire to consolidate power, they conspired to manipulate Raiden Shogun into implementing two harmful policies.
"Tsk, tsk, these maggots still wish to wield Visions—how ridiculous," Takumi said contemptuously.
"To obtain a Vision, one must experience a moment of pure resolve, to dedicate oneself to a lifelong belief, and through that belief, contribute to the world."
"As a reward, those who fulfill their wishes will attain a divine state."
"This is why holders of Visions are called 'Allogenes' and are considered worthy of becoming gods."
Therefore, holders of Visions are inherently pure individuals. They may not all be 'good,' but they are not villains in the true sense.
However, so far, no Vision holder has achieved their ultimate wish.
As for Vennessa, who ascended to Celestia? Takumi didn't know; he hadn't inherited Fanes' memories, only his power.
And achieving one's wish was challenging, just like Hu Tao's wish—to make people accept life and death peacefully—an impossible feat, as people always have regrets.
Therefore, it made sense for those who achieved their wishes to become gods.
"So this is it—the secret of the Vision?" Yae Miko was surprised. She had known some secrets about the Visions, but not many.
Most people only knew that Visions were granted to individuals who caught a god's eye. But she knew Visions were not given by Ei—they originated from Celestia.
No one knew why Celestia granted Visions to humans.
"Because noble wishes inspire human actions that contribute to the world, they are granted Visions. Once they fulfill their wishes, they are eligible to become gods..." Yae Miko said, looking at Sangonomiya Kokomi and Kujou Sara.
A secret from a Celestial god must be true.
But unfortunately, Yae Miko herself did not have a Vision. Her power came from Ei—after all, she was a member of the Narukami.
The Vision she carried was merely a decoration, once held by a little girl from the Naganohara family.
Sangonomiya Kokomi was not interested in discovering the secrets of Visions now. She was more concerned with her fate, knowing that she would be next after the Raiden Shogun dealt with these criminals.
The closer she came to death, the deeper her fear grew. Watching so many people being executed in front of her eyes only made the fear sink further into her bones.