Su Han's group toured Watatsumi Island under the moonlight.
"Wow... I didn't expect Watatsumi to be so beautiful..." Mona gasped, stars in her eyes.
The island was a sunken basin, surrounded by waterfalls cascading from the high cliffs. Phosphorescent jellyfish floated in the air, illuminating the colorful coral reefs. It was a dreamlike landscape.
"No wonder you said this place was suitable for development," Shenhe said with a smile.
"Of course! I never make a losing deal," Su Han replied. "The people of Watatsumi don't have the Mora to develop it themselves, so we'll use the Falcon City model. We invest, they work, and we split the profits 50/50. It's a win-win."
He chuckled. "Eaglewing City is just a port. Watatsumi is a goldmine! Below us is Enkanomiya. Imagine the ticket sales alone! Plus the pearls, the coral... Once the Sea Train connects here, this place will be flooded with tourists."
The soldiers escorting them listened, their hearts stirring.
If the war really ended... could they live like that? Their families were starving. Their mothers were sick. Could peace really bring prosperity?
"Honored guests, would you like to dine?" a soldier asked hesitantly. "It's already late."
"Sure."
They were led to a drafty mess hall. Su Han looked at the food being grilled over a fire.
Lavender Melons.
Grilled fish.
Grilled... Onikabuto beetles?
"Is this it?" Su Han raised an eyebrow.
"Please enjoy! These are freshly grilled!" the soldier said enthusiastically, though his eyes betrayed his hunger.
"Uh... we'll eat our own food," Su Han said. He took out a table from his spatial storage and laid out the feast Xiangling had prepared.
Stir-fried pork tripe. Spicy crayfish. Roast suckling pig. Braised trotters. Twenty dishes in total.
The soldiers were dumbfounded.
Is this how people from overseas live? Why are they so rich?!
Comparing the Lavender Melons to the roast pig, they felt like they had been eating pig feed all their lives.
The aroma of the food silenced the entire camp.
"Sit down and eat with us," Su Han offered. "You've walked a long way."
"Cough... we're not hungry..."
"Yes, not hungry!"
They tried to maintain their dignity, but they hadn't eaten meat in six months. Their stomachs betrayed them.
Su Han smiled and handed over the roast pig. "Eat. We are friends. And... I have plenty."
The soldiers looked at each other, then bowed. "Thank you for your generosity, my lord!"
They tore into the pig like wolves. It was the most delicious thing they had ever tasted.
Watching them, Su Han said to Mona, "See? They can't even supply basic provisions. What good is this war doing them? It's just a waste of life."
"Yeah," Mona agreed, eating a dim sum. "Pearls and coral can't be eaten. Without trade, they're doomed."
While they ate, a storm was brewing over Yashiori Island.
BOOM!
A thunderclap shattered the sky.
The Raiden Shogun, leading tens of thousands of Shogunate soldiers, arrived at the front lines of the Resistance camp.
At this moment, Gorou and Sangonomiya Kokomi turned pale.
Their worst fear had come true.
The Raiden Shogun had come personally!
The soldiers, who had been grumbling about Kokomi's purge, were now filled with nothing but terror. Facing a god... it was despair.
"Watatsumi Island..." Ei's voice rolled over the battlefield like thunder. "I have tolerated you for too long. Today... it ends."
She rose into the air. The Musou Isshin slowly slid from her chest.
The Shogunate soldiers glared viciously at the rebels. One word from their Archon, and they would slaughter these ungrateful traitors.
"Wait! Lord Raiden!"
Kokomi rushed forward, her voice trembling but loud.
"If this is about today's events, I can explain! The soldiers who attacked unauthorized... I have already executed them all! Please, have mercy!"
"And... Watatsumi Island is willing to submit to your rule! May Inazuma be one forever, never to be divided!"
Hearing this, the Raiden Shogun paused, her blade hovering halfway out of her chest.
She looked down at the priestess.
Kokomi continued hurriedly, sensing a chance. "We were foolish and did not understand your grace. After being guided by a 'high expert,' Watatsumi is willing to submit. We will rebuild the Narukami Shrine branch... bigger than the Mouun Shrine! We will hand over military command, keeping only a self-defense force! And every year, we will offer high-quality pearls and coral as tribute!"
"Is this acceptable? Benevolent Raiden Shogun..."
The Divine Priestess knelt on the ground, performing the highest Dogeza.
This was total submission.
Kujou Sara was shocked. Peace? Just like that?
Ei was also surprised. She fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Are you serious?"
"Yes! Watatsumi Island is willing to sign a contract never to betray! If we break it, we are willing to be judged by your lightning!"
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