Chapter 367

As for the Kanjou Commission in charge of finance and foreign trade) and the Tenryō- Tenryou Commission in charge of politics and military affairs), Kamisato Ayaka had no answers.

But Kaguya knew the answer.

Electro Archon's sealing off Inazuma has had varying degrees of negative impact on the foreign trade and industries of the Seven Nations, benefiting none of them.

Only the Snezhnaya needs a place tainted by Demon God corruption to conduct various experiments, and a fierce and prolonged war to validate the weapons they have developed. And all of this must be kept secret, absolutely unknown to the other nations of the Seven Nations.

Turn over the private treasuries of those Kanjou Commission and those Tenryou Commission; there, the rare treasures bestowed by the Fatui are piled up like mountains.

But all of this ultimately points to the Electro Archon inside the Tenshukaku. If she hadn't first entertained this blind, reclusive thought, if she hadn't trusted the Three Commissions without any boundaries, or even if she had just gone out for a quick look after making that decision, things wouldn't be like they are now.

Kaguya was no longer emotionally affected by that Electro Archon; she simply said:

"By checking the total food imports in the year before the country closed its borders, and then checking the number of seafarers, dockworkers, miners, and forging workers registered that year, we can roughly understand Inazuma's current food shortage and unemployment situation. Who has this data?"

"They are all in the hands of the Kanjou Commission and the Tenryou Commission."

"Can I steal it?"

"...able!"

Kamisato Ayaka nodded firmly.

She felt the same sense of absurdity as Kujou Sara.

How could you do such a thing just because of what a stranger said?

But the simple truths, like the Kujou Sara a bell, were clearly heard by Kujo Sara, and even more so by Kamisato Ayaka.

"Cough cough!"

Kaguya coughed a few more times, then released her blood-stained hand and said:

"Go steal it, then bring it to me. I need a clear understanding of the current situation. Then, I will write a recommendation."

"Yes, Kaguya- sensei. Also, please take good care of yourself, sir. Your wisdom and foresight may be the hope to change all of this. For Inazuma's sake, please make sure you remain useful."

"I understand. I won't die until I see hope."

Kaguya smiled faintly.

That detached attitude of disregarding life and death, despite the blood at the corner of his mouth and his frailty as a candle in the wind, made him seem like an unprecedented warrior, exuding a poignant yet magnificent beauty.

Kamisato Ayaka felt a "thump" and her heart skipped a beat.

At night, when Kamisato Ayato returned home after a day's work, he saw his unusually serious younger sister.

That was a very different expression and demeanor from usual.

Kamisato Ayato paused for a moment, then sat down opposite his sister and said:

"What happened?"

"Brother, next, Ayaka would like to talk to you about something... very important."

Kamisato Ayaka took a deep breath, her eyes showing a hint of trepidation, but even more so, a rare determination.

Kamisato Ayato then noticed that the living room was very quiet, and there seemed to be no servants around. Only the sound of the wind and the chirping of insects at night came from the courtyard.

He nodded and said:

"You say."

Then, Kamisato Ayaka recounted Kaguya's name, the story of how Kujou Sara met Kaguya, and everything Kaguya had said that day to Kamisato Ayato.

Kamisato Ayato went from being interested to becoming serious, and finally unconsciously looked towards the direction of the guest room.

"Brother, are you aware of Inazuma's situation?"

Kamisato Ayaka stared intently at Kamisato Ayato.

Kamisato Ayato smile.

"In your eyes, is your brother the kind of person who would disregard such an important matter?"

"So, what Mr. Kaguya said really hit the nail on the head regarding Inazuma's current problem?"

Kamisato Ayato's statement seemed to confirm Kaguya's, leaving Kamisato Ayaka breathless.

Kamisato Ayato nodded.

"I had thought about the trouble that a trade disruption would cause, but not as deeply or clearly as she had."

"Then why doesn't the elder brother advise the general?"

"Because it's impossible. You remember how suddenly the Sakoku Decree came, right? The shogun blocked the sea with a lightning barrier, and then the Tenryou Commission issued the Sakoku Decree. After that... let me tell you the truth, now the only way to get the political document into the Tenshukaku is truly in the hands of the Tenryou Commission alone. Do you understand what I mean?"

"That means no matter how hard we try, news that is detrimental to the Tenryou Commission will absolutely not reach the General's ears. So, is this country now the General's country, or the Tenryou Commission's country?"

Kamisato Ayaka, her face pale.

Kamisato Ayato's expression changed, and he said:

"Ayaka, watch your words!"

"I understand. I've already dispersed the others beforehand. I know that with the power of the Tenryou Commission who controls the military and political affairs, if what we just said gets out... because of the Three Commissions' legacy, he might not dare to take our lives, but we probably won't be able to leave our home again and contact anyone outside, right?"

"Sigh... Kaguya- sensei has given me a difficult problem. Let's eat first, and let me think about it, okay?"

Kamisato Ayato sighed, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

Kamisato Ayaka naturally couldn't say no. She nodded, got up, and went downstairs to find someone to arrange dinner.

Afterwards, Kamisato Ayato looked towards the guest room and quietly clenched his fist.

For him, the Kamisato Clan, his family, and his younger sister Ayaka, are the ones he truly protects. Revering the Electro Archon and protecting Inazuma are merely means to an end, means to serve the purpose of protecting Ayaka.

Kaguya's reasoning was understood even by Ayaka, who was protected by him and kept pure and innocent, Kamisato Ayato naturally understood it even more deeply.

But what good would understanding do? No matter what efforts were made, the Tenryou Commission would not allow these principles to reach the Shogun's ears. This would only make the Kamisato Clan a thorn in the Tenryou Commission, and would only allow the Kamisato Clan's hard-won strength to be crushed by military power.

But at the same time, if nothing is done, Inazuma's breakdown is inevitable. Electro Archon will see this sooner or later, and then, will the Kamisato Clan, as one of the Three Commissions, be able to escape accountability?

Kamisato Ayato's expression shifted, and after a moment, she suddenly turned her head to Mount Yougou that appeared particularly majestic and oppressive in the dim moonlight.

There were lights on the mountaintop, not very bright when viewed from afar, but they remained bright in the night.

"Grand Narukami Shrine, Master Yae... does it necessarily need to be submitted to the Tenryou Commission? Isn't handing it over to the Electro Archon God's retinue also fulfilling the duty of giving advice? Our Yashiro Commission neither manages the military, nor politics, nor finances. By conveying the entire crisis of Inazuma to Guuji Yae, hasn't he already fulfilled his duty?"

Kamisato Ayato clasped his hands together and made a decision immediately.