"Kujou Takayuki is planning to run away? Hmph, didn't he claim to be devoted to Inazuma? Then why would he flee?"
Feng Yi scoffed, his eyes filled with utter disdain.
He didn't believe a single word that old scoundrel spoke.
Kujou Takayuki was a pure egoist. The talk of "for the Shogun, for Inazuma" was merely an excuse, a justification for his wicked deeds that allowed him to sleep soundly at night.
Feng Yi suddenly felt that Kujou Takayuki and Danzo, that cunning old fox from Naruto, would make excellent friends.
"After I discovered Kujou Takayuki's secret activities, he attempted to bribe me with riches, but I refused. Enraged, he then dispatched assassins to kill me. With nowhere else to go, I came here, thinking to discuss this with you..."
Having lived in the Kujou family for so many years, Kujou Sara suddenly being ostracized made her feel as though Inazuma, vast as it was, had no place for her.
With nowhere to turn, Feng Yi's image suddenly appeared in Kujou Sara's mind.
Recalling her bet with Feng Yi, where she promised to be his personal attendant, she figured Feng Yi would take her in. Thus, she sought him out.
Upon arriving at the battlefield of Kannazuka, she noticed that the Shogunate soldiers were wielding some strange new weapons.
After some inquiries, Kujou Sara learned that these were secret weapons provided by Lord Kujou Takayuki, allowing ordinary people to wield powerful elemental abilities.
Kujou Sara realized these secret weapons were not simple, but as she found no obvious severe side effects for the moment, she had no reason to dissuade the soldiers from using them.
"Little Sara, the secret weapons the Shogunate soldiers are wielding are called Delusions. They are an experimental product of the Fatui. While they allow ordinary people to control elemental power, the price is the consumption of the soldiers' vitality, and this process is irreversible! The side effects aren't immediately apparent, but by the time symptoms like graying hair and other signs of aging appear, it will be too late..."
Feng Yi sighed softly, a dawning understanding of the Fatui's scheme filling him.
The Fatui, using the agreement between him and Kujou Takayuki, supplied the Delusions to the Shogunate soldiers. These soldiers, empowered by the Delusions, would then slaughter the rebel forces in droves.
In the end, a great number of rebel soldiers would fall to the Shogunate troops, significantly weakening Watatsumi Island and the resistance.
The Shogunate soldiers, due to their use of Delusions, would have their vitality severely depleted, eventually perishing from exhaustion, thus greatly weakening the Shogunate's military strength.
The Fatui, without shedding a single drop of their own blood, would not only weaken Inazuma's forces, paving the way for their future plans regarding the Gnosis, but also acquire vast amounts of experimental data on the Delusions.
The mastermind, reaping the benefits of others' struggles!
Kujou Takayuki, that detestable old man, not only failed to stop this but actively contributed, aiding the Fatui's plan. He truly deserved to die!
The more Feng Yi thought about it, the angrier he became. Tonight, he would infiltrate Inazuma City and have a serious talk with Ei. He couldn't let Kujou Takayuki get away!
Kujou Sara, being a sharp individual, instantly grasped the gravity of the situation after Feng Yi's explanation. She rose abruptly, offering to accompany Feng Yi to Inazuma City and provide assistance.
Feng Yi gestured for Kujou Sara to sit down, agreeing to depart at midnight.
He tossed her two sets of clothes: one for stealth, and one for everyday wear.
"You should stay in the teapot for a while. I'll call you out when it's time."
With that, Feng Yi left the Serenitea Pot. It was still dusk, and there was still some time before midnight.
Feng Yi headed towards Watatsumi Island. He felt he ought to inform them about the Fatui's scheme, to some extent.
"Captain Feng Yi, you're back?!"
"Quickly go report to Lord Kokomi, Captain Feng Yi has returned!"
"Captain Feng Yi, we heard you defeated General Kujou Sara of the Shogunate army and successfully captured her! You're truly amazing!"
"..."
As Feng Yi entered Watatsumi Island, he was met by the enthusiastic crowds of Watatsumi Island's people, who surrounded him with faces full of adoration.
Feng Yi was clearly not adept at handling such situations, and became somewhat flustered. Fortunately, Kokomi arrived in time to save the day.
"Everyone, I know you're excited, but the victory celebration hasn't started yet. Please be patient..."
Kokomi's words managed to slightly divert the crowd's attention. She then quickly pulled Feng Yi away and led him into the government hall.
"Kokomi, what do you mean by 'victory celebration'?"
Feng Yi was somewhat bewildered, looking at Kokomi with a puzzled expression.
"I sent someone to inform you, but I couldn't find you. I was just about to discuss this with you. In the battle this afternoon, the resistance suffered heavy casualties. Coupled with the previous incident of defection, morale within the resistance is currently very low. If this continues, serious problems could arise. So, I thought of using a victory celebration to boost the soldiers' spirits..."
Kokomi sighed. This was the largest casualty count in the resistance's history. Many rebel soldiers were experiencing fear and reluctance to fight, negative emotions that were spreading rapidly through the ranks.
As the leader of the resistance, Kokomi felt it was her responsibility to encourage the rebel soldiers to pull themselves together.
"That's excellent. A balance of work and rest is important. The soldiers have been on the front lines for too long; they need to relax their taut nerves from time to time, or problems will inevitably arise."
Feng Yi agreed, finding Kokomi's consideration to be very thorough.
Though this battle was a victory, it was a costly one. Without his support, it would have undoubtedly been a devastating defeat that would have shattered their morale.
Shogunate soldiers wielding Delusions would have been an absolute massacre against ordinary resistance soldiers.
The fact that they held on for so long was a testament to Gorou's capable leadership.
Under these circumstances, boosting morale was indeed necessary.
"It's just... just that a victory celebration requires a lot of food. If we hold one, our current food reserves, which were meant to last until Captain Beidou returns, will not be enough..."
Kokomi smiled wryly, this being the true source of her worry.
Without a celebration, morale would collapse. With a celebration, they would face food shortages later.
This was a dilemma Kokomi was facing.
"I've already sent Gorou to lead some people to fish by the sea, to minimize the consumption of our reserve food. But I know, it's far from enough..."
"What if we add 1,000 plump rabbits?"
Feng Yi gently took Kokomi's hand, a smile on his face.
What a minor issue!
It was also an opportunity to address the problem of rabbit overpopulation.
"Really? Feng Yi, are you truly willing to share such precious food with the resistance fighters?"
Kokomi tightened her grip on his hand, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked into Feng Yi's.
"If doing so can help you, of course, I'm willing..."
As he spoke, Feng Yi gently embraced Kokomi, who was momentarily unguarded.