Though the Hydro Mimic looked nothing like a real person in-game, in reality, Lora could shape water into any form she wished—making it indistinguishable from the real thing.
And with Lora accompanying "Sara," it became even harder to spot anything amiss.
The Tenryou Commission soldiers raised no suspicion as they followed Lora and "Kujou Sara" out of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Behind them, Yae let out a quiet sigh. She turned to the real Sara at her side and said,
"Well then, Lady Sara—my apologies for the inconvenience. You'll have to make do with my humble Grand Narukami Shrine for the time being."
With that, she looped her arm through Sara's sleeve and, without the slightest effort, drew her back into the shrine—so smoothly that no one noticed.
Only after settling Sara into a room did she speak again.
"Rest assured, Lady Kujou. You won't starve here at the Grand Narukami Shrine. The only thing you'll be losing for now is your freedom."
The seal over Sara's mouth vanished. She glared at Guuji Yae and snapped,
"Guuji Yae, you're colluding with foreign agents to strike at our nation's commander! That's treason against Inazuma!"
"Sara." Yae's tone stayed mild. "What I'm doing is to save Inazuma. Blindly following the Tenryou Commission's orders—without question—is what truly betrays Inazuma and its people."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Think about what Miss Lora said earlier. Do you truly believe the Shogun would ignore the suffering of her own people?"
Backlit in the doorway, Yae looked at Sara for a long moment. She let out a soft sigh and shook her head.
"Ah well. Think it over."
With that, she left Sara behind and stepped out of the room. As she did, a barrier quietly enveloped the entire chamber. Even as a tengu, Sara wouldn't be able to break through something woven by a five-hundred-year-old fox.
…
Meanwhile, Lora followed the Tenryou Commission soldiers back to their headquarters.
Within that compound, Sara was the unquestioned authority. Though the soldiers were curious about the identity of the woman trailing behind "Sara," none dared to ask. That suited Lora just fine—it made her plans much easier to carry out.
She sent word for Ayaka and Fu Hai to be summoned.
When the two arrived and stepped into the main hall, both were visibly startled to see Lora seated beside "Sara," clearly unsure what was going on. Lora gave them a brief explanation of the situation.
Ayaka's eyes widened.
"I never imagined you could accomplish so much!"
"But I still need the Yashiro Commission's cooperation. Within the Tenryou Commission, I can only command those loyal to Sara. The rest are beyond my reach. I can't get the resistance past the blockade and to the Statue of the Omnipresent God on my own."
"Rest assured," Ayaka replied at once. "The Yashiro Commission will do everything in its power to assist you."
Lora added,
"Shouldn't you consult your brother? He is the head of the Yashiro Commission."
"When it comes to abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree, my brother and I stand united," Ayaka said calmly. "And he has already told me that, when necessary, placing full trust in you would be the wisest course of action."
She looked at Lora, her gentle smile unchanged.
"Such wholehearted trust… it's almost embarrassing."
Lora scratched her head, a little awkwardly, then cleared her throat.
"Then I'll leave this matter to the Yashiro Commission."
After finishing with Ayaka, she turned to Fu Hai.
"And you? How did things go while I was away? Any progress on the diplomatic front?"
Fu Hai let out a weary sigh.
"It's been difficult. The Tenryou Commission controls every channel of communication to the Raiden Shogun. As envoys from Liyue, they have no intention of reporting our affairs to her at a time like this."
"I should've just pretended to be with the Fatui."
Lora let out a quiet sigh.
"Alright, I understand. Tell the others to rest for now. We'll resume our diplomatic efforts in a few days, once the situation in Inazuma settles."
"Understood!"
…
Over the next several days, Lora, acting under Sara's identity, arranged a secure route from Watatsumi Island to Narukami Island.
The resistance could use that passage to cross over from Watatsumi Island. However, once they set foot on Narukami Island, they would be completely within the Tenryou Commission's sphere of control. At that point, even Sara's identity would offer no protection.
The Kamisato siblings, representing the Yashiro Commission, worked in tandem with Lora's plan.
They instructed their subordinates—the Shuumatsuban—to prepare to create an opening on the chosen day, one that would allow the resistance to reach the Statue of the Omnipresent God.
With Lora's approval, when Lumine and Kokomi selected operatives for the mission, they chose only those who had joined the resistance after their Visions were confiscated—those who sought nothing more than to petition the Raiden Shogun to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree, and who longed for peace to return to Inazuma.
As for opportunists within the resistance, Lora had made one thing clear: they would not be tolerated.
That was one of the reasons she had kept Lumine on Watatsumi Island—her presence would ensure the chosen resistance members stayed in line.
It wasn't that Lora didn't trust Kokomi. It was simply that Kokomi, as a strategist, was someone who could be pressured through force and circumstance.
…
Judging the timing to be right—with "La Signora" Rosalyne already entering Tenshukaku to demand the Gnosis—Lora made her move.
Tenshukaku was now heavily guarded by the Okuzumeshuu. With a Fatui Harbinger paying a formal visit, no unauthorized individuals were allowed anywhere near. The moment they saw Lora approaching, they stepped forward to block her path.
"This is the Raiden Shogun's residence! She is receiving a guest—no one is permitted to enter! You—"
Before they could finish speaking, they suddenly found themselves unable to move.
Lora walked past them as though on a casual stroll, continuing toward Tenshukaku.
"Damn it…"
The Okuzumeshuu struggled desperately, but how could they possibly break free from Lora's power? The authority of a god pressed down upon them—what chance did mortals have to resist?
Inside Tenshukaku, Rosalyne was in the middle of a discussion with the Raiden Shogun when Lora pushed the door open.
Smiling faintly, she greeted them.
"My apologies for the interruption. I have something to say."
Rosalyne and the Raiden Shogun both turned to look at her, their expressions shifting into guarded hostility.