Genshin Impact: What, the one we need to save is Focalors?

The atmosphere within the Tenryou Commission's main hall was unusually heavy and oppressive.

Kujou Takayuki's face was as cold as frost, his expression grim, his gaze sweeping coldly across the faces of the assembled retainers.

His voice was stern as he questioned, "Who can give me a clear explanation of what exactly happened?"

Under his piercing gaze, the retainers were uneasy, trembling as they lowered their heads, none daring to utter a word in response.

"A thousand elite soldiers of the Shogunate army, nearly annihilated,"

Kujou Takayuki's voice echoed through the hall, filled with indescribable anger and bewilderment,

"And all this was caused by a single ship from Fontaine. Don't you find this utterly absurd?"

After a moment, his second son, Kujou Kamaji, spoke up, "Father, Fontaine's technological prowess is extremely strong. Achieving such a result is not entirely impossible for them."

Kujou Takayuki fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

He was extremely resistant to this explanation, but the facts were undeniable: the gap between Inazuma and Fontaine was like a chasm.

"Father," Kujou Kamaji suggested, "we should immediately report this matter to the Shogun and request her personal intervention. I firmly believe that under the Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi, that ship will be reduced to ashes!"

His tone was filled with deep reverence for Raiden Ei.

The retainers present echoed his sentiments, convinced that as long as the Raiden Shogun intervened, any enemy would be annihilated.

However, Kujou Takayuki knew far more than his retainers.

The current Raiden Shogun was no longer the invincible thunder god who could cleave Musou no Hitotachi, but merely a puppet operating according to a fixed pattern.

If she could no longer unleash a Musou no Hitotachi of equal power, the entire foundation of the aristocracy's rule would be immediately shaken.

Those with Visions would not hesitate to stand up and rebel against the Tenryou Commission and the aristocracy.

Moreover, they had been deceiving the Raiden Shogun for many years.

Now, faced with a ship from Fontaine, many lies could be exposed.

After much consideration, Kujou Takayuki made a decision: "Immediately seal off all news about the destruction of Kujou Encampment. Unify the story, claiming it was an attack by sea monsters.

At the same time, send people to negotiate with the crew of that Fontaine ship. As long as their demands are not excessive, we should try to satisfy them."

Upon hearing his father's decision, Kujou Kamaji's emotions ignited instantly. He vehemently retorted, "Father, we must not take such a humiliating and nation-betraying action!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kujou Takayuki abruptly raised his hand and delivered a fierce slap to his face, the sharp sound echoing through the hall.

He glared at his son, angrily saying, "Do you think I want to do this? I'm doing this for the survival of the entire Kujou clan!"

Kujou Kamaji's face quickly swelled up, the slap not only bruising his cheek but also shattering all his illusions about the family.

Then, Kujou Takayuki sternly said, "Pass down the order to silence all surviving soldiers and completely block this news, claiming it was the work of passing monsters."

All the retainers present nodded in agreement. Although they had some reservations, no one dared to raise any objections under Kujou Takayuki's pressure.

Just as the meeting was about to end, a retainer hesitated for a long time before finally summoning the courage to ask timidly, "Kujou Takayuki-sama, how should we compensate the fallen Shogunate soldiers?"

Kujou Takayuki frowned upon hearing this, his gaze as sharp as a knife as he shot it at the questioning retainer.

He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do we need to provide compensation for missing Shogunate soldiers?"

Upon hearing this, all the retainers were shocked, gaining a deeper understanding of Kujou Takayuki's ruthlessness.

His implication was to classify all the fallen soldiers as missing.

According to Inazuma's traditions and regulations, missing soldiers were not entitled to compensation.

This was because missing status often involved many uncertainties, and no one could accurately determine whether they had died in battle or possibly defected to the enemy.

…

Kamisato Estate.

In a room filled with a delicate fragrance of books, Kamisato Ayato sat upright before a refined low table, his fingers gently turning the pages of an intelligence document urgently delivered by the Shuumatsuban.

His brow was furrowed as he repeatedly studied this shocking information, until every word and sentence was deeply etched in his mind, only then daring to believe that it was all true.

The Shogunate army at Kujou Encampment had actually been completely annihilated by a single ship from Fontaine.

Although he knew that Inazuma was a very backward nation, he could not accept such a vast disparity with Fontaine.

Furthermore, if that Fontaine ship could raze Kujou Encampment to the ground, it could naturally do the same to the entire Inazuma City, the only difference being the time required.

The following information chilled Kamisato Ayato even more.

The Tenryou Commission had actually decided to completely block the news and negotiate compensation with the Fontaine ship.

It was simply a betrayal of the nation!

Just then, a white-haired girl gracefully walked in.

She held a cup of steaming milk tea in her hand, her face dignified and beautiful, her silver-white bangs accentuating her freshness and refinement.

Her bright eyes sparkled with wisdom, her pearly white teeth gleamed in the sunlight, and her demeanor revealed the unique elegance of a lady of a noble family.

Seeing Kamisato Ayato's furrowed brow and solemn expression, the girl softly asked, "Brother, is something troubling you?"

As she spoke, she carefully placed the milk tea on the low table, the aroma instantly filling the air.

Kamisato Ayato looked up at his sister, the gloom in his heart slightly dissipating.

He took the milk tea and handed the intelligence document to his sister, "Ayaka, take a look at this intelligence document."

Kamisato Ayaka took the intelligence document with a puzzled expression and began to read it carefully.

As she read further, her expression gradually became surprised, and later she could hardly believe her eyes.

Her fingers trembled slightly on the pages, showing the shock in her heart.

"Brother, is… is this true?" She looked up, incredulously, at Kamisato Ayato, her bright eyes filled with doubt and surprise.

Kamisato Ayato took a sip of the milk tea, the sweet milk and fresh tea fragrance intertwined, dispelling much of the worry and sorrow in his heart.

He nodded gently, confirming Kamisato Ayaka's question, "This intelligence is indeed true."

Upon hearing this confirmation, sadness, anger, frustration, and disappointment flooded Kamisato Ayaka like a tide, and she could hardly express her current state of mind in words.

After a long silence, she took a deep breath and looked at Kamisato Ayato, saying firmly, "Inazuma should usher in change."

Kamisato Ayato was stunned at first upon hearing his sister's words, but then he understood her meaning, "What is your idea?"

Kamisato Ayaka analyzed clearly, "Contact that Fontaine ship. If possible, we may be able to use their power to change Inazuma."

Kamisato Ayato agreed with his sister's idea, "But what do you think this Fontaine ship wants? And what can we give?"

Kamisato Ayaka shook her head with a wry smile, "The real initiative is in their hands, we have no choice. Whatever conditions they propose, we can only try to satisfy them."