"Wow! This big shot is so young!" Paimon whispered to Lumine as she looked at Hiiragi Chisato. "And she's so beautiful too! She's actually a Commissioner?"
Lumine nodded, agreeing with Paimon's words.
Hiiragi Chisato first took a look at the two of them. Lumine's face was cold yet soft and beautiful, while Paimon was a small, floating creature?
Chisato took the token and examined it, then nodded. "This is indeed Lord Akio's token. I've seen it on his waist before. It seems you two are truly friends of Lord Akio."
"In that case, I'll take my leave," the samurai said, bowing and leaving after Chisato confirmed the matter.
"Please, come in," Chisato led Lumine and Paimon into her office.
"I'm Hiiragi Chisato, the Acting Commissioner of the Kanjou Commission. How may I address you two?" Chisato asked.
"She's Lumine, and I'm Paimon!" Paimon quickly said. This was a big shot, after all!
"Nice to meet you. I heard you're friends of Lord Akio. Could you tell me how you met him?" Chisato served them tea and invited them to sit down.
"Huh?" Paimon was curious. Why was she asking this?
"Since you two are friends of Lord Akio, I'll be honest with you. I've always admired Lord Akio, and I'd love to know more about him…" Chisato said shyly.
"So that's how it is! You're an admirer of Akio. With someone like Miss Hiiragi admiring him, Akio must be very happy," Paimon exclaimed.
"No… that's not it," Chisato quickly waved her hand. "Being able to admire Lord Akio is the greatest honor of my life! Just being able to follow in his footsteps is enough for me."
"Wow… what a devoted woman," Paimon sighed.
"We met him…" Paimon began to tell Chisato all about how they met Akio in Liyue.
---
Meanwhile, at the Grand Narukami Shrine, La Signora, dressed in a shrine maiden outfit, hurried in with a piece of paper. She walked over to Akio and Kitsune Saiguu, who were lazily sunbathing. Yae Miko had gone to inspect the Yae Publishing House.
"Master!" Rosalyne approached Akio and called softly.
"Hmm? Rosalyne? What is it?" Akio opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Master, take a look at this," Rosalyne handed the paper to Akio. "These past few days, Hiiragi Shinsuke has been sending people to negotiate with the Fatui, asking to purchase a hundred Delusions! I've held them off for now. What should we do…"
"What?" Akio took the paper and read it, his anger rising. Damn Hiiragi Shinsuke! He actually wanted to buy Delusions to arm his private soldiers?!
"These past few days, I've repeatedly warned everyone not to purchase Delusions and to turn in any they've already bought. I said I'd let bygones be bygones," Akio said furiously. "Damn Hiiragi Shinsuke! You're asking for death!"
"What's wrong, Akio?" Kitsune Saiguu asked, seeing Akio's anger.
"Take a look at this," Akio handed the paper to Saiguu, who read it and her expression turned cold.
The new Delusion Hunt Decree had already been issued, and everyone had been informed of the dangers of Delusions. Most people had obediently turned theirs in. Yet, at this critical moment, Hiiragi Shinsuke dared to privately purchase Delusions?
Wasn't this a slap in Akio's face?
"Fine, Hiiragi Shinsuke, you won't stop until you're in the grave," Akio said angrily. "I was going to let Makoto judge you, but it seems that's unnecessary now."
"I thought I'd be humane, but it seems I've been too kind! It seems blood must be spilled to suppress them," Akio said, his anger turning into a cold laugh. "Fine! From today on, anyone who dares to make trouble in these matters won't be judged by Makoto. I'll deal with them myself!"
"Saiguu, go to Tenshukaku," Akio said. "Tell Makoto to mobilize the Okuzumeshuu and investigate! Find out who's still hiding Delusions. Compile a list of all those who've kept them and report it to me."
"Alright," Kitsune Saiguu nodded, feeling Akio's rage. She thought it was time for him to vent.
"Rosalyne," Akio called.
"Master," Rosalyne quickly bowed.
"Return to the Fatui's base and compile a list of all the families and individuals who've had any shady dealings with the Fatui during the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree. Hand it all over to me!" Akio said coldly.
"Yes! I'll go right away," Rosalyne didn't dare to provoke Akio's anger and quickly left.
"Hiiragi Shinsuke! You'll be the first," Akio sneered, then transformed into a streak of light and flew toward Ritou.
---
In Ritou, Hiiragi Chisato, who had been chatting with Lumine, suddenly felt the ground tremble. Then, the sound of collapsing buildings and people's screams came from outside.
"What's happening?" Chisato was startled and quickly ran out.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances and followed Chisato outside.
They saw that the building where Hiiragi Shinsuke was being detained had turned into a pile of rubble, dust filling the air.
A figure hovered in the middle of the ruins, and Hiiragi Shinsuke was lifted into the air by a golden energy.
Numerous Kanjou Commission samurai rushed in with their weapons, aiming at the figure.
As the dust settled, the crowd was stunned. It was that man!
"Lord Akio!" All the samurai quickly lowered their weapons. This was the Great Divine Sovereign. Pointing weapons at him was suicide!
"Lord Akio!" Chisato exclaimed, but seeing the anger on Akio's face, she didn't dare to say more.
"Akio!" Lumine and Paimon gasped. They had just arrived and were already witnessing Akio in such a furious state. It was terrifying. Even the space around him seemed to tremble.
"Hiiragi Shinsuke! You dared to privately recruit soldiers and collude with the Fatui to purchase Delusions?" Akio roared at Shinsuke.
Akio's words caused an uproar among the crowd. The Delusions had already been banned by Tenshukaku. Everyone knew Delusions were evil items that consumed life. It was said that Lord Akio himself had issued the order. How could Hiiragi Shinsuke still do such a thing?
"Violating the ban, harming the nation, disgracing your family, and disrespecting the gods—Hiiragi Shinsuke, you deserve death!" Akio's words pronounced Shinsuke's death sentence.
Countless Subspace Lances hovered in front of Shinsuke. Akio looked around and declared, "Delusions are a poison that shakes the foundation of the nation. No one is allowed to touch them. Otherwise, death!"
As Akio's words fell, Shinsuke, feeling Akio's killing intent, was so scared he wet himself. He shouted, "Akio! You have no right to kill me! I should be judged by the Shogun!"
"Is that so?" Akio didn't even look at Shinsuke. With a wave of his hand, countless Subspace Lances pierced through Shinsuke. Even in death, Akio wanted him to feel the pain of being pierced by a thousand arrows.
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 40+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol