Three days flew by in a flash. Lin Yide and his companions traveled through every village on Yashiori Island, healing all the residents afflicted with diseases by the evil spirits.
During this time, they gained a deeper understanding of the current situation on Yashiori Island.
Yashiori Island currently has a population of less than eight thousand, which is much lower than Lin Yide had imagined.
The vast majority of the residents suffer from severe malnutrition. They are short in stature, gaunt, and their faces show little vitality.
"That high and mighty god really should be brought here to see with her own eyes, this is the eternal dream she promised her subjects," Chiori said with a hint of sarcasm on the way back.
"Chiori, I don't deny her mistakes, but you can't put all the blame on her alone," Yae Miko said with a serious expression.
Just as Chiori was about to retort, Lin Yide calmly interjected, "It is indeed unfair to attribute all the mistakes to one person. She is actually just carrying a burden that does not belong to her alone."
Hearing this, Yae Miko was stunned and stared at Lin Yide in disbelief.
After regaining her composure, she quickly caught up to Lin Yide and asked tentatively, "Director Lin Yide, you mean...?"
Lin Yide said meaningfully, "Eternity and Transience."
At this moment, Yae Miko was completely certain that Lin Yide knew everything about the Raiden Shogun, including the secret that only a very few people knew - that the Electro Archon was a twin deity.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and scrutiny, and she became increasingly interested in this enigmatic man.
.........
After half a day's journey, the three of them returned to the ship together.
As soon as they stepped onto the deck, a West Factory Guard immediately came forward and reported that a young woman named Kamisato Ayaka of the Yashiro Commission had come to request a meeting.
Upon hearing the name, a strange look flashed across Lin Yide's face. He hadn't expected her to visit.
"Please bring her over," Lin Yide instructed.
The West Factory Guard immediately carried out the order.
Before long, in a relatively formal cabin room, Lin Yide met the "Frostflake Heron," Kamisato Ayaka.
She wore an exquisite dōmaru on her upper body, inlaid with the unique crest of the Kamisato family, while her lower body was a traditional skirt paired with sturdy haidate. This unique combination allowed her to maintain feminine elegance while also exuding an undeniable heroic aura.
Kamisato Ayaka's beautiful hair, like the brilliant Milky Way in the night sky, was meticulously styled into a single ponytail, flowing smoothly down her back.
Her bangs fell lightly across her forehead, perfectly framing her face and further highlighting the noble and dignified demeanor unique to a young lady from a prestigious family.
As Lin Yide observed Kamisato Ayaka, she was also carefully observing him.
She had a feeling that this man seemed familiar, as if they had met somewhere before, but for a moment, she couldn't recall the specific circumstances.
"May I ask, what should I call this distinguished guest from Fontaine?" Kamisato Ayaka asked politely, her words revealing a deep sense of upbringing.
Lin Yide answered simply, "Yide."
Hearing this name, Kamisato Ayaka's eyes widened instantly. She finally understood why this man gave her a sense of familiarity.
She had repeatedly read reports about him. The Steambird newspaper that published the photo of "The Bright Smile in the Darkness" was still treasured in her home.
Recalling the various things he had experienced, a chill couldn't help but run down Kamisato Ayaka's spine.
This man was a genuine butcher and executioner!
She suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind and asked without being humble or arrogant, "Director Yide, why did you commit such cruel acts, killing over a thousand innocent Shogunate soldiers at Kujou Encampment?"
Lin Yide's gaze was deep. He looked at Kamisato Ayaka's clear eyes, his tone carrying a hint of almost undetectable approval. "Miss Ayaka, what I did was merely in self-defense.
We had just arrived and were attacked by the Shogunate army. Since we possessed some strength, they were unsuccessful.
To prevent further retaliation from the Shogunate army, we had to take the initiative to destroy Kujou Encampment to eliminate future troubles."
Kamisato Ayaka found this reason absurd and ridiculous, but she didn't want to argue further.
She chose to avoid the previous topic and continued, "Since those Shogunate soldiers have received their deserved punishment, the grievances should be settled, and you can leave Inazuma now, can't you?"
"Originally, I did plan to leave," Lin Yide paused deliberately, then continued, "However, after witnessing the hardship of the residents of Yashiori Island with my own eyes, I changed my mind."
Kamisato Ayaka's heart sank when she heard this. She predicted that Yashiori Island would likely not be able to be saved.
Lin Yide continued, "As an envoy of justice, I am determined to reverse the tragic fate of the people of Yashiori Island."
"Could you please elaborate?" Kamisato Ayaka further inquired.
Lin Yide calmly explained, "My plan is for Fontaine to fund the lease of the entire Yashiori Island, making it our concession in Inazuma, with the lease term set at one hundred years."
Kamisato Ayaka's first reaction was to refuse. Accepting such terms would, in a sense, mean abandoning the sovereignty of Yashiori Island.
However, she quickly changed her mind.
If Yashiori Island could truly become a concession of Fontaine, then the residents of the island could escape the harsh exploitation of the Inazuma Shogunate and live a better life.
"So, Director Yide, how much Mora do you plan to pay as rent?" Kamisato Ayaka asked.
Lin Yide replied, "One hundred million Mora."
Kamisato Ayaka frowned slightly. "One hundred million Mora for one hundred years is a bit too little."
Lin Yide calmly corrected her. "No, you've misunderstood. I meant one hundred million Mora annually."
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes showed a flicker of astonishment upon hearing this.
One hundred million Mora a year was a very considerable sum!
Previously, the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission had been extracting every drop from here, and they only managed to get about one hundred million Mora in taxes annually.
She could foresee that if Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke heard this proposal, they would definitely agree without hesitation.
"Director Yide, I am a bit confused. Why are you willing to pay such a high rent?" Kamisato Ayaka directly voiced the question in her heart.
As far as she knew, the man in front of her was not a generous person.
Lin Yide smiled slightly. "You will understand naturally when you step out of this cabin."
Kamisato Ayaka had no choice but to temporarily set aside her doubts and said, "Director Yide, I have understood your conditions. I will return immediately and report this situation to the Three Commissions."
With that, she politely excused herself and left the cabin.
When she stepped out of the cabin and saw the familiar figure, the mystery in her heart instantly unraveled.