"Lord Commissioner, a shrine maiden from the Grand Narukami Shrine has arrived. Lady Guuji has an urgent matter to discuss with you—it is said to be of great importance. She invites you to the shrine for a private conversation."
The servant's slightly stiff demeanor caused Kamisato Ayato's brush to pause mid-stroke. Letting out a soft sigh, he set the brush down, and his thoughts instinctively drifted to Thoma.
Thoma, though born in a foreign land, had been the most steadfast in staying by their side when the Kamisato clan's reputation had plummeted. In the entire Kamisato household, he was one of the few—alongside Ayato's sister—who held his absolute trust.
"Brother, I can handle the household affairs for now. Go and attend to Lady Guuji's business," said Kamisato Ayaka, who had been kneeling beside him, quietly refilling his tea.
Ever since the incident where her brother had fallen gravely ill after consuming a "strange drink," she had become particularly attentive to his well-being. She had even taken over tasks like this, which were normally reserved for servants.
"Very well. Regarding political matters, tell Tho—tell the servants to leave them in the study. I will handle them after I return from the shrine."
"Do not worry, Brother."
After bathing and changing into fresh attire, Ayato took only two guards and began the journey toward Mount Yougou. The Lady Guuji had done much for the Kamisato clan; although that Great Personage often seemed to find him a bit tiresome, he never dared to be lax with her commands.
Truthfully, this debt of gratitude stretched back several years.
Inazuma's swordsmanship was famous throughout the world, and the masterpieces of the Raiden Gokaden were regarded as treasures of the nation. However, due to a series of unfortunate events, more than half of those five lineages had been lost.
The resulting political undercurrents had ensnared countless nobles. The great families involved were all held accountable and demoted.
Even the Kamisato clan, which presided over the Yashiro Commission, was heavily implicated for failing to supervise its subordinates.
Before the Raiden Shogun could hand down the final verdict, it was the Lady Guuji who interceded, advising the Shogun to preserve the Kamisato clan during that turbulent time.
Though the clan was severely weakened, and the previous Clan Head—Ayato's father—was left like a flickering candle in the wind due to his injuries, they were ultimately spared from total removal, allowing the Kamisato family to maintain its status.
No one knew why the Lady Guuji had done it. After all, the Yashiro Commission remained the Yashiro Commission regardless of who led it. Whether the head of that massive bureaucracy was named Kamisato or something else made little difference to the Shogunate.
However, one thing remained etched in Ayato's heart.
"The Kamisato clan survived this incident only by the Shogun's mercy. In the future... never forget Her Excellency's grace."
That was the instruction the Lady Guuji had given Ayato after saving the clan. Not to his bedridden father, who was still technically the Clan Head, but to Ayato—the young boy who had transformed overnight from a pampered young lord into a pitiful young master struggling to hold his world together.
He understood what that meant better than anyone.
Now, even though Inazuma was shrouded in dark clouds, the Kamisato clan had not been hollowed out like the other two Commissions. Instead, they walked further and further along the path of upholding the Shogun's Eternity.
He had wondered more than once: had the Lady Guuji already foreseen what was to come? Was that why she had risked meddling in political affairs to forcibly preserve the Kamisato clan?
Walking over fallen cherry blossoms and through the vermilion torii gates, Ayato officially entered the Grand Narukami Shrine. After purifying himself at the temizuya, he followed the left side of the sandō and entered the shrine's administrative office, the shamusho.
[A/N: For the meaning of this terms, check the bottom of the chapter]
Yae Miko was already there, waiting.
"Lady Guuji, what are your instructions?"
Truthfully, compared to others, Ayato preferred dealing with the Lady Guuji. Working with intelligent people was far more efficient. Sometimes, a simple bit of small talk served to settle a complex mission, saving a great deal of unnecessary trouble.
"This flower... have you seen it before?"
She casually placed a photo in front of him.
"I have indeed. It is but the most common wildflower found by the roadside."
It was a wildflower. If a scholar from Sumeru were here, they would likely be able to categorize its family and genus with perfect accuracy. But in Inazuma, these ubiquitous blossoms were simply referred to as "wildflowers."
"Find a way to mark every location on Narukami Island where these flowers are found. Especially the ones that grow in large clusters."
"Mark them all?"
Ayato froze for a moment, looking at the photo again. Though the flower had no special name, it was considered a "wildflower" precisely because it was one of the most common plants in Inazuma.
One could see traces of it even here, within the Grand Narukami Shrine. To mark them all was no different than asking him to fetch five hundred stalks of fresh Qingxin—hand-picked.
—is the Lady Guuji intentionally making things difficult for me?
Yae Miko saw the doubt in his eyes. She didn't speak; instead, she glanced at the two guards behind him. Even Thoma, who was closest to Ayato, had yet to earn her complete trust, let alone these two servants. Ayato understood immediately and dismissed his men.
Even then, Yae Miko was not satisfied.
With a flash of electro, her Gohei materialized in her hand. As she brandished it, the sound of Kagura Bells echoed softly. Lightning transformed into a barrier, completely isolating the office from the outside world. Whatever happened inside, no one outside would know.
"Do you remember the Instructor?"
The Gohei floated beside her, maintaining the barrier while cutting off all nearby surveillance.
"Yes. The child Sayu only recently escaped his clutches. The Shuumatsuban is currently preparing to deal with the matter. I am currently organizing the intelligence she brought back and will deliver it to you shortly."
Ayato thought she was here to reprimand him for the incident, so he spoke quickly. The process was slow mainly because Sayu's report was fragmented and inconsistent, making the intelligence gathering difficult. He had been working on this very problem when he was summoned.
"No. According to the intelligence I've gathered, these flowers are related to the 'Authority' he wields. To put it simply... as long as he wishes it, every blade of grass and every tree can become his ears and eyes. These pale blue wildflowers, in particular, allow him to traverse Inazuma at will."
"Is this true?!"
Ayato stood up abruptly, the calm in his eyes replaced by a heavy solemnity.
"Are you questioning me?"
"I wouldn't dare..."
He didn't dare question her word, yet he also found it hard to believe. If she was right, then in a certain sense, had the Fatui not already occupied the entirety of Inazuma?
No wonder they constantly sent vanguard troops to wander the uninhabited grasslands. It was likely to ensure the Instructor's authority could reach every inch of Inazuman soil.
"I will arrange for the necessary measures immediately. I will see to it personally."
Ayato knew how critical this was. Forget five hundred stalks of fresh Qingxin; even if he had to haul Rex Lapis over from Liyue himself, he would get this done!
"Remember: do not alert the other two Commissions. We must not startle the snake."
"Understood!"
_______________________________________
[In the context of the story—and real-life Shinto shrines which Inazuma is based on—these terms refer to specific parts of the shrine grounds and the ritual of visiting them.
1. Temizuya (手水舎)
• Meaning: It is the small pavilion with a water basin and ladles (usually stone) located near the entrance of a shrine.
• In the Story: Before Ayato meets with Yae Miko, he stops here to wash his hands and rinse his mouth. This is a ritual called misogi or temizu, performed to purify oneself of "kegare" (spiritual impurity) before entering the presence of the gods or the high priestess.
• In-game: You can see this at the Grand Narukami Shrine in *Genshin Impact*; it's the wooden roofed structure over a stone basin right after you finish climbing the stairs.
2. Sandō (參道 / 参道)
• Translation: The Approach / Visiting Path.
• Meaning: Literally "the road of pilgrimage." It is the path or road that leads from the Torii gate (the red gate at the entrance) to the main buildings of the shrine.
• In the Story: The text mentions Ayato walking along the "left side of the Sandō." In traditional etiquette, visitors are often encouraged to walk on the sides of the path because the center is considered the path for the gods (Kami). By mentioning the "left side," the author is highlighting Ayato's deep knowledge of tradition and his respectful character.
_______________________________________
Hey guys, A little support will be appreciated. As you know, we don't earn on fanfiction.
Check my P@treon for advance chapters:-
Their are 10+ advance chapters available on P@treon
[email protected]/AnimeDarcx