Watching Sara’s relieved expression, Raiden Saku smiled and explained: “If I didn’t clarify the specific circumstances, you probably wouldn’t feel at ease, right?
Well, to be honest with you, I did indeed fight with Ei!
If someone says I seized the position of Electro Archon from Ei’s hands, that wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate.” Kujou Sara stared in stunned disbelief, turning to Raiden Ei with a look of both plea for help and thirst for knowledge.
Raiden Ei closed her eyes and nodded: “The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit—this has been true since ancient times.
Losing to my outstanding younger brother brings me no shame.” “Don’t interrupt and let Sara misunderstand,” Raiden Saku continued: “Sara, although Ei and I fought, and it was quite intense, we didn’t fall out.
After the battle, we had a frank discussion, and I corrected your Shogun-sama’s misguided path of eternity.
Ei was persuaded and realized her previous errors.
For the sake of Inazuma’s better future, she handed the position of Electro Archon over to me.
Ei trusts me, and I am full of confidence.
From now on, I will surely resolve Inazuma’s internal and external troubles and make Inazuma more prosperous.
Sara, do you understand?” Sara stared blankly at Raiden Saku, then glanced at Raiden Ei, and a sudden realization dawned on her: “I understand!
The older sister and younger brother fought, and in the end, the younger brother won!
But no matter how intense the fight, it doesn’t affect the bond between siblings!” Raiden Saku was taken aback for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter: “Yes, that’s exactly it!
You can interpret it that way!” “I understand, Ogosho-sama.
From now on, I will forever remain loyal to Ogosho-sama and Shogun-sama!” Raiden Saku nodded in satisfaction.
“Good, it’s great that you understand.
In that case, Sara, you may return now.
Head to the Kujou Encampment.
As the general of the Shogunate Army, you must lead them well during this period.
The change in the Electro Archon’s position will inevitably affect the morale of the Shogunate Army.
You must stabilize their morale, maintain control over the Shogunate Army, and prevent any unrest within its ranks.
At the same time, keep a close watch on the resistance forces on Watatsumi Island, make proper deployments, and guard against any counterattacks they might launch.” “Yes!
Ogosho-sama.” “There’s one more thing, concerning your adoptive father, Kujou Takayuki, and the head of the Kanjou Commission, Hiiragi Shinsuke.
Of all people, you are now the only one who knows the inside story of what happened between Ei and me.
But these matters are top secret.
You must not reveal them to anyone.
Especially not to your adoptive father or Hiiragi Shinsuke!” “Why is that?
Father has always been loyal to Shogun-sama…” Raiden Saku interrupted Sara, his expression stern: “Loyalty is one thing, but even if he is loyal, his loyalty is to Shogun-sama, not to me, Ogosho-sama!” Sara was stunned.
She was no fool and immediately grasped the implication of his words.
“Ogosho-sama, are you saying…
that Father and Lord Hiiragi Shinsuke are disloyal to you?
Could it be that the two of them have not pledged allegiance to you!?” Raiden Saku let out a cold laugh: “On the surface, they have, but in reality…
Hah.
Sara, you probably don’t know this yet.
Those rumors you heard along the way about me seizing the position of Electro Archon were spread by your adoptive father.” Sara was wide-eyed and utterly incredulous: “How is that possible!?
Ogosho-sama, you must be joking!” “Not only that, but your adoptive father and Hiiragi Shinsuke, behind Ei’s back, have committed numerous heinous acts.” “Embezzlement, corruption, nurturing bandits for personal gain, colluding with external threats, deceiving superiors and subordinates, exploitation and extortion—the list goes on and on.
There’s nothing they wouldn’t dare to do, only things you haven’t thought of!” “How… how could this be!?” Kujou Sara was utterly distraught.
“That’s why, from now on, don’t trust those two anymore!
If they try to test you or order you to do something, be on your guard.
Well, if they attempt to take further action, like trying to win you over or make you do something against me… You might as well play along and agree to their demands for now.
Then find an opportunity to report back to me, and I’ll turn their schemes against them.” Sara, still reeling from her shattered worldview, could only nod blankly.
Seeing his Shogunate Army general in such a state, Raiden Saku felt compelled to offer some reassurance: “Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke are guilty of heinous crimes, and I will definitely deal with them.
But Sara, you don’t need to worry.
I will spare the Kujou and Hiiragi clans—I won’t punish entire families.
If the Kujou and Hiiragi clans behave themselves from now on, I might even preserve their honor.
As for whether Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke will survive in the end… well, we’ll see.” After calming down for a while, Sara nodded and gradually accepted the reality.
“Alright, Sara, you may go now.” Kujou Sara bowed and took her leave.
After Sara left, Raiden Saku felt something was amiss—it seemed like someone was missing by his side.
Ah, that’s right—Atsuko wasn’t here!
The person who always took care of his daily needs wasn’t around.
He figured Atsuko had probably finished meeting her parents by now, so he decided to summon her.
After all, having a familiar face attend to him felt more comfortable.
Thus, Raiden Saku called for the Okuzumeshuu and ordered them to send someone to fetch Atsuko.
The Okuzumeshuu accepted the command and went to carry it out.
Ei was a bit curious and asked who this Atsuko was.
Upon learning that she was Saku’s maid, she lost interest.
Before long, Atsuko arrived, escorted by the Okuzumeshuu into the main hall of Tenshukaku.
Anxious and uneasy, Atsuko lifted her head as she entered.
There, seated on the central throne, was the familiar Saku-sama!
Only then did Atsuko fully relax, thinking to herself that Saku-sama’s plan must have succeeded.
Atsuko then noticed Raiden Ei beside Raiden Saku.
Nervous and trembling, she stepped forward to pay her respects: “Saku-sama, Sh-Shogun-sama!” Raiden Saku had always been lenient with his own people.
He smiled warmly and said: “Just as I told you before, when you saw me again, I would be the new Shogun-sama.
Now I am Inazuma’s new Electro Archon, the Raiden Shogun of the Shogunate, honored with the title Ogosho-sama.
To avoid confusion, you can refer to her as Shogun-sama and me as Ogosho-sama.
Of course, that’s for public occasions.
In private, you can still call me Saku-sama—let’s stick to what we’re used to.” Atsuko finally felt at ease.
Thank goodness, it was still the same Saku-sama she knew!
Noticing Atsuko’s pale face and lingering fear, Raiden Saku found it strange: “Atsuko, you don’t look well.
Did something happen?” If Raiden Saku hadn’t asked, it might have been fine, but his question stirred Atsuko’s emotions!
“Saku-sama, you see right through me!
I did encounter something very bizarre and terrifying!” “Oh?
Tell me about it.” With clear trepidation on her face, Atsuko began to recall: “After parting with Saku-sama at Hanamizaka earlier, I returned directly home.
After all, I missed my family and parents so terribly!
But…
but…
Who could have imagined that upon returning home, I would encounter another me!” “Oh?” Raiden Saku pondered thoughtfully, showing mild interest.
Raiden Ei also opened her eyes from her meditative rest.
Atsuko continued speaking with lingering fear: “Truly, the other me looked exactly like me!
Completely identical!
At that moment, it was like looking in a mirror – when I saw another me, my soul nearly flew away in fright!
My parents were also terribly frightened when they witnessed this situation!
When the other me saw me, she actually jumped out through the window and escaped!
When I rushed to the window to look, I saw nothing, only a gust of wind carrying fallen leaves.
But that wasn’t the most terrifying part!
The most horrifying thing was…
Later when I talked with my parents, they actually didn’t know I had left Inazuma for Liyue!
They even said I had been staying at home all this time, going out to work during the day and returning at night!
But how could that be possible?
I’ve been in Liyue all this time!” At this point, Atsuko spoke with pitiful grievance, both miserable and frightened: “While I was working so hard in Liyue, that impostor was impersonating me and enjoying my parents’ care at home!
This is…
this is just too much!
My parents hadn’t noticed anything wrong before and had been treating her as me.
If I hadn’t returned today and exposed this, who knows how much longer my parents would have been deceived!
After understanding everything, my parents were also filled with belated fear.
Really…
how could such a thing happen!”