"Thank you for your mercy, Lord Akio," Thoma said with great relief. His kind heart couldn't bear to see the people of Watatsumi Island starve to death.
"It was my oversight. I didn't expect the greatest evil to still be within Inazuma," Akio said calmly, but his calmness only made Thoma more uneasy.
"Go ahead and deliver the grain. Make sure it reaches Watatsumi Island safely," Akio said. "Is the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island still here?"
"Yes, she's at the Yashiro Commission with Lady Ayaka," Thoma nodded.
"Good," Akio nodded.
"Lord Akio, about Lady Ayaka…" Thoma looked worried.
"Ayaka did well. Strict enforcement of the law and humane governance are the qualities a ruler should possess," Akio said. "I'm going to the Yashiro Commission to meet the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island."
"Go ahead and deliver the grain."
"Yes, Lord Akio!" Thoma nodded and continued on with the soldiers.
Akio gazed at the sea for a long time, silent, before flying toward the Yashiro Commission.
"Akio… are you okay?" Kitsune Saiguu asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Akio sighed.
"Those despicable people, what has the Kanjou Commission become? A bunch of parasites!" Kitsune Saiguu was also furious.
"Centuries ago, the Tri-Commission was filled with talented individuals, wise and capable, governing the nation and caring for the people. How did they turn into such unscrupulous and immoral people?" Kitsune Saiguu said angrily.
"After being in power for too long, they've forgotten who they are and their responsibilities and duties," Akio sneered. "None of them will escape."
"Some people are worse than animals," Akio said coldly. "Treacherous officials! Corrupt and lawless, defying all morality."
...
In the garden of the Kamisato Estate, Kamisato Ayaka and the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi, sat facing each other.
"Shirasagi Himegimi! I'm truly grateful to you! You are the savior of all of Watatsumi Island," Sangonomiya Kokomi said with great emotion. Although the grain they received would only last half a month, it was enough to sustain them while they desperately tried to fish.
After Akio's forceful suppression of the resistance, their food supply had almost completely dried up, and even the Yashiro Commission had become hesitant to provide them with grain.
This time, she had come in person, hoping the Yashiro Commission would secretly supply them with some food.
"You shouldn't thank me," Kamisato Ayaka shook her head. "If it were just me, I might not have had the courage to give you so much grain. After all, your actions have angered him, and from Inazuma's perspective, you are our enemy."
"Are you saying that the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine… that he allowed you to continue providing us with grain?" Sangonomiya Kokomi pointed toward the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Kamisato Ayaka nodded. Akio had previously expressed his disdain for Watatsumi Island, and aside from the one he cherished most, who would dare to openly defy Akio's wishes?
"I'm sorry! Watatsumi Island was only trying to survive," Sangonomiya Kokomi said, biting her lip. "The Raiden Shogun's Sakoku Decree has cut us off from foreign trade, and we can't even fish properly anymore. To survive, we had no choice but to do this."
"I understand your difficulties, but that doesn't justify your rebellion against the Shogunate," Kamisato Ayaka shook her head. "Why didn't you seek an audience with the Shogun? Tell her about your struggles, and perhaps she would have…"
"Shirasagi Himegimi, you ask why we didn't seek an audience with the Shogun?" Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at Kamisato Ayaka. She was still too young, too naive.
"Have you considered that we wanted to, but we couldn't?" Sangonomiya Kokomi shook her head.
"The Shogun is in Tenshukaku, rarely leaving and not involving herself in state affairs. All matters are relayed by the Tri-Commission. You know this, right?" Sangonomiya Kokomi said. "Especially when it comes to political matters, only the Tenryou Commission has the authority to report to the Shogun."
"Do you think the Tenryou Commission would have passed our request for an audience to her?"
"This…" Kamisato Ayaka was stunned, then lowered her head in embarrassment. She hadn't considered enough.
"So we had to rebel against the Shogunate! Only then could we survive," Sangonomiya Kokomi said firmly.
"So, if I give you a chance to survive, will you live peacefully?"
Suddenly, a calm and cold voice rang out from above, and a figure descended from the sky.
"Akio!" Kamisato Ayaka, hearing the voice she had longed for, looked up and saw it was indeed Akio.
The young girl, who had just confirmed her relationship with him a month ago, could no longer suppress her emotions. She exclaimed and rushed into Akio's arms.
Sangonomiya Kokomi stared in shock. She had just witnessed the most elegant and noble Shirasagi Himegimi of Inazuma throw herself into a man's arms?
"Good girl," Akio gently held the young girl in his arms.
After a while, remembering there was an outsider present, Kamisato Ayaka quickly pulled away from Akio's embrace, her face red as she led him to sit down.
"Who are you?" Sangonomiya Kokomi asked cautiously.
"He is the Lord Akio I mentioned," Kamisato Ayaka introduced. "The new deity of Inazuma, the Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven, and the one who suppressed your resistance last time."
Sangonomiya Kokomi's face turned pale. She knew exactly how much this deity despised Watatsumi Island. His sudden appearance could mean…
"Lord Akio, I am Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island," she said, trying to steady her nervous emotions. After all, she was facing a deity, one who held a deep dislike for Watatsumi Island.
"I know you, the supreme leader of Watatsumi Island and the chief strategist of the resistance," Akio said, examining the delicate young girl before him. It was hard to imagine that such a young-looking girl was the one holding up all of Watatsumi Island.
"Akio, have some tea," Kamisato Ayaka poured a cup of tea for Akio, who accepted it with a smile. He then turned his cold gaze back to Sangonomiya Kokomi.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Sangonomiya Kokomi's heart was in turmoil. After all, facing a deity, no matter how clever her strategies or how sharp her mind, she had no means to contend with divine power.
"On my way here, I ran into Thoma and the convoy delivering grain to Watatsumi Island," Akio said, taking a sip of tea.
"Akio…" Kamisato Ayaka looked at him, wanting to say something.
Akio gently held her hand, signaling her to stay silent for now.
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