Faced with this outcome of having nothing left and being at the mercy of others.
The two old dogs were extremely unwilling.
The malice and resentment in their hearts grew wildly like unchecked weeds!
Accepting their fate and waiting for death was not an option, nor was openly resisting!
In the end, Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke decided that, at the very least, they should not openly oppose Raiden Saku.
In other words, it was acceptable to cause trouble for Raiden Saku behind his back and set obstacles for him, as long as they acted discreetly!
The two formally decided that from now on, no matter what orders Raiden Saku issued, the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission would only go through the motions, feigning compliance while deceiving both superiors and subordinates.
Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke believed that only in this way could they prevent Raiden Saku from controlling or manipulating them!
This would make Raiden Saku realize that their two Commissions were not to be trifled with!
If he wanted to move against the two of them, he would have to weigh their influence in Inazuma!
If he did not want the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission to collapse, if he did not want half of Inazuma to be paralyzed.
He would have to acknowledge them!
Fear them!
Even yield to them!
Even if this guy had become the new Electro Archon, if he wanted to fully control Inazuma, he would still have to rely on them in the end!
Thinking this, Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke relaxed, feeling that the situation was not too bad, and even believed that the advantage was theirs!
What happened to the last person who shouted “the advantage is mine”?
It seemed the outcome wasn’t very good.
These two had clearly fallen into obsession, their minds clouded by hatred and anger, their vision blinded by their self-perceived strength.
They failed to realize that, in Raiden Saku’s eyes, they were nothing!
Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke overestimated themselves too much.
Did they think Inazuma would collapse without them?
That the Earth would stop turning without them?
What nonsense!?
Without these two parasites, Inazuma would only become better!
At the Tenshukaku.
After issuing orders to the Tri-Commission and their departure, Raiden Saku and Raiden Ei returned to the Tenshukaku.
They had just sat down in the main hall, and the siblings had barely exchanged a few private words, when the Okuzumeshuu outside came to announce: “Ogosho-sama, Shogun-sama, Kujou Sara-sama requests an audience.” Raiden Saku and Raiden Ei exchanged a glance.
Ei immediately understood: “Surely, Sara has learned of my abdication and rushed back to seek an explanation.
Saku, for my sake, do not make things difficult for her.
Sara is highly capable.
With her by your side to assist, I will be at ease.” “Mm.
Sara is diligent, responsible, loyal, and courageous—someone I greatly admire.
She will undoubtedly become my right hand in the future.
But later, Ei, do not speak.
Let me test Sara first.” Then, Raiden Saku instructed the Okuzumeshuu: “Allow Kujou Sara to enter.” Before long, a hurried Kujou Sara entered the main hall of the Tenshukaku.
As she looked around, she noticed that the one seated on the central throne was no longer the Shogun-sama she was familiar with, but Raiden Saku!
Shogun-sama was seated to the side, her demeanor calm and seemingly unperturbed.
Kujou Sara felt slightly relieved.
Ensuring her appearance was proper, Sara stepped forward and bowed in greeting.
It is worth noting that she first addressed Raiden Ei: “Is Shogun-sama well?” After seeing Raiden Ei nod slowly, Kujou Sara then turned to Raiden Saku: “Saku-sama, forgive my rudeness.
May I ask what exactly has happened?” “Why did Shogun-sama suddenly abdicate to you?” To be honest, if it were anyone else facing Kujou Sara’s attitude, even the most enlightened ruler would feel uncomfortable.
But how well did Raiden Saku understand Kujou Sara?
He knew that Kujou Sara respected, valued, and remained loyal to Ei too deeply—her earlier attitude was understandable under the circumstances.
Thus, Raiden Saku calmly replied: “As you can see.
Your Shogun-sama has abdicated.
I am the new Electro Archon, and from now on, I will fully govern Inazuma.
Additionally, to distinguish between titles, you may continue to refer to Ei as Shogun-sama, while you may address me as Ogosho-sama.” “Ei?” Kujou Sara was somewhat puzzled.
Raiden Saku kindly explained: “Just as my given name is Saku, your Shogun-sama also has her own given name, which is Ei.” “So that’s how it is!” Kujou Sara suddenly understood, feeling a bit pleasantly surprised.
This was the first time she had learned Shogun-sama’s given name, and it seemed that only she knew this secret now.
After a brief moment of joy, Kujou Sara became serious and earnest once more.
Upon careful observation, Kujou Sara did not detect any signs of hostility between Raiden Saku and Raiden Ei.
Both appeared calm and at ease, as if there were no grudges between them.
This put Sara considerably at ease.
On her way here, Sara had heard many rumors—rumors that were spread with vivid detail.
Some claimed that Shogun-sama’s younger brother had rebelled, defeated Shogun-sama, and even forced her to abdicate, among other things.
Now, it seemed things were not that bad; the situation wasn’t as dire.
Yet, Kujou Sara found herself in a dilemma.
Between these two before her, whom should she pledge her loyalty to from now on?
And how?
This troubling question was directly posed by Raiden Saku: “Sara, will you pledge your loyalty to me from now on?
Or do you intend to remain loyal to Ei?” Kujou Sara looked up, meeting Raiden Saku’s stern gaze, and her body involuntarily trembled.
She found it difficult to decide in her heart.
In Kujou Sara’s mind, Shogun-sama came first—Shogun-sama was supreme, and she had devoted her entire life to serving Shogun-sama!
But now that Shogun-sama had suddenly abdicated and passed the position to Saku-sama, how could she choose?
Deep down, Sara was still inclined toward Ei, or rather, toward the Raiden Shogun.
Besides respect and loyalty, she also held a sense of admiration for Ei.
As for Raiden Saku, Kujou Sara believed she was equally loyal, but without that same admiration.
Even knowing that her answer might offend the new Electro Archon, even knowing she might be forced into retirement, Kujou Sara still made her choice.
Just as Sara was about to speak, Raiden Ei stopped her!
Ei looked seriously at Kujou Sara: “Sara, do not worry about me.
I permit you to pledge your loyalty to Saku from now on.
Serve Saku with the same loyalty and respect you have shown me.” Kujou Sara was stunned: “Shogun-sama!?” Then, Kujou Sara widened her eyes in surprise.
For on Shogun-sama’s face, she saw an unprecedented gentleness and encouragement.
Ei’s smile gave Sara immense reassurance.
Since Shogun-sama had commanded her to pledge loyalty to Saku-sama, then…
Kujou Sara bowed her head to Raiden Saku: “Saku-sama, no, Ogosho-sama, Kujou Sara will forever be loyal to you!” Raiden Saku’s expression remained calm, but his mischievous urge to test her did not cease.
“Oh?
Forever loyal to me?” “If one day, I ordered you to raise your blade against your Shogun-sama?
Would you agree?” Kujou Sara was greatly alarmed, her face turning pale.
Without much thought, Sara knelt on one knee and bowed her head, speaking resolutely: “I am a warrior, a blade in the hands of Shogun-sama and Ogosho-sama!
Since I have pledged loyalty to Ogosho-sama, I must remain loyal to Ogosho-sama!
However, Shogun-sama promoted me and has shown me immense kindness.
I truly cannot bear to raise my blade against Shogun-sama!” “Oh?
So, by resisting my command, are you not being disloyal?” Kujou Sara gritted her teeth, her expression filled with struggle and anguish: “Resisting your command is disloyalty, and raising my blade against Shogun-sama is dishonor!
Since I am both disloyal and dishonorable, I would rather die to prove my resolve!” Raiden Saku could tell that Kujou Sara was serious.
If Raiden Saku truly gave such an order, Kujou Sara, left with no other choice, would indeed end everything with her own death!
Raiden Ei was displeased and secretly glared at Raiden Saku.
Raiden Saku smiled, feeling quite satisfied with Kujou Sara: “Sara, rise.
There is no need to be tense or troubled.
I was only joking earlier.
I apologize for testing you like that.
As for what you fear, it will absolutely never happen.
I will never become an enemy of Ei.” Kujou Sara let out a long sigh of relief, the earlier struggle and anguish vanishing without a trace.