"Understood, but Lady Sangonomiya..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Although we didn't catch them red-handed this time, our people personally witnessed the Tenryou Commission colluding with the Fatui. Regarding peace talks, please reconsider, my lady!"
After much hesitation, Uchimura finally relayed the matter to Lady Sangonomiya.
"I understand. I will think about it further."
Kokomi agreed for the moment, calming the soldiers' anxieties.
"Lady Sangonomiya, Mr. Feng Yi, we should also take our leave. See you next time."
Kuki Shinobu saw that the Sangonomiya soldiers had taken away the merchants, and with the matter concluded, she immediately requested to depart.
"Mm, you are welcome to visit Watatsumi Island again."
"Goodbye, Arashi, goodbye Itto."
Kokomi and Feng Yi bid farewell to Kuki Shinobu and the others in turn.
After the Arataki Gang and their companions left, Kokomi prepared to return with shrine-related items and invited Feng Yi to walk with her.
"Feng Yi, you just saw it, didn't you? The soldiers of Watatsumi Island are very resistant to peace talks."
"They claimed to have seen the Tenryou Commission colluding with the Fatui, but when asked for specifics – who, when, and where – they became evasive and couldn't provide a clear answer...
Furthermore, the investigation into the Watatsumi Island moles hasn't concluded. Do you think this might be the work of those moles? Spreading news that could easily incite panic, attempting to create chaos, prevent peace talks, and reignite war, thereby achieving some hidden agenda..."
As they walked towards the Watatsumi Island shrine, Feng Yi offered Kokomi a new line of thought.
"You mean moles like Nathan? That's quite possible..."
Kokomi pondered, putting herself in the shoes of others. Who would least want to see Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate reconcile? It would undoubtedly be the moles from other factions, individuals or organizations who profited from the war.
The more she thought about it, the more Kokomi realized she couldn't let these people succeed.
With these thoughts cleared, Kokomi felt much more at ease and began to chat with Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi, the customs and traditions of Watatsumi Island are quite different from other islands. Have you gotten used to it during your stay?"
"It's been good. I was a little unaccustomed at first, but thankfully you took care of me..."
"That's good to hear. I haven't visited this village in a long time either. I've been getting busier and busier lately... If there's a chance in the future, I'll take you to see the old shrine."
"Alright, we'll talk about it another day!"
Feng Yi expressed his anticipation for that day.
"Actually, in the very beginning, the shrine of Watatsumi Island wasn't in Sangonomiya, but somewhere else, closer to the Seven Statues of the Seven on Watatsumi Island. Back then, while Watatsumi Island didn't revere the General as much as the Shogunate did, they still acknowledged her existence..."
"But after that strike, the god who protected our Watatsumi Island was severed. The shrine then fell into disuse, and from that moment on, the relationship between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate became rather delicate, with prejudices deepening between them..."
"This time, during the peace talks, I had originally intended to discuss this issue thoroughly with the Tenryou Commission. Some grievances must be let go eventually..."
Kokomi felt it was time to tell Feng Yi some of Watatsumi Island's secrets.
"Lady Sangonomiya, what brings you here today?"
In the village, an old man saw Lady Sangonomiya approach and greeted her with a hearty smile.
"I feel your complexion isn't as good as last time. Please take care of yourself. You are our greatest pillar of support..."
"Yes, yes, don't worry, I'm fine."
Kokomi replied with a smile.
"Lady Sangonomiya, please listen to an old woman's advice. We've fought the Shogunate army for so long, we can't just agree to talks, can we? If we reconcile with them, wouldn't our divine being who protected us have died in vain?"
An old woman stepped forward, unwilling to let the Shogunate off so easily.
"Alright, alright, what era are we in? The war just ended, and it's good to live in peace and stability."
Old man: You shut up! Our strength is no match for the Shogunate. We were lucky to hold on until the Vision Hunt Decree ended, so be grateful!
The old man thought the old woman was being overly emotional and acting stubbornly without considering the island's actual situation.
If war were to break out again, Watatsumi Island would lose its banner of resistance against the Vision Hunt Decree, attract no external allies, and face overwhelming odds against the powerful Shogunate army, leading to heavy casualties.
In the end, it would be the ordinary people of Watatsumi Island who would suffer.
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed the old man became, wishing he could stuff a Kijinshi into the old woman's mouth.
"I know, of course, but... alas, at least be firm in our stance, and don't compromise easily."
The old woman, rebuked by the old man, sighed and conceded.
"I understand. I will reconsider this matter and handle it appropriately."
Kokomi spoke to soothe them. She suddenly realized that even without the moles spreading rumors, there were many people among Watatsumi Island's populace who harbored deep hostility towards the Shogunate.
This might also be one of the reasons why the rumors spread so widely in such a short time.
This was something that needed to be taken seriously, or trouble would eventually arise.
"That's good, that's good. Lady Sangonomiya, and this young man... is he the companion you've chosen? Hahaha, the young man is handsome and distinguished, with an extraordinary aura. You two are truly a match made in heaven! May the Great Serpent protect us, the lineage of the 'Living God Priestess' finally has an heir..."
The old woman noticed Lady Sangonomiya repeatedly glancing at the young man, a faint affection in her eyes. As someone with experience, how could she not understand the situation?
Ever since Lady Sangonomiya became the 'Living God Priestess', she had been constantly busy, neglecting her personal emotional matters.
This simply wouldn't do!
Bloodline inheritance was a crucial matter!
This was worrying them old women greatly.
"Ah... Grandma, it's not what you think. Feng Yi and I are still... still just ordinary friends..."
Kokomi's face flushed instantly. While she defended herself with dignity, she secretly stole glances at Feng Yi's reaction.
Seeing Feng Yi smiling at her, Kokomi felt even more embarrassed.
The lineage of the 'Living God Priestess' on Watatsumi Island had always been passed down through a single line. She had inherited the position of 'Living God Priestess' from her mother.
The issue of bloodline inheritance had always been a matter of great concern to the people of Watatsumi Island. Kokomi had always used her busy work schedule as an excuse to postpone it until she met someone who moved her heart.
Now that the old woman had brought up the matter again, Kokomi felt shy but also realized it was time to face this issue.
"Really... just ordinary friends? This old woman has eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, you know~"