Yuki watched Ei's moment of realization and simply smiled without answering. He hadn't used his omniscience at all—he knew all of this simply because he had played the original game.
Back during the Archon War, why did the god Orobashi suddenly march east? Was it really just to invade Narukami Island? Of course not. The truth was, Orobashi had inadvertently come into contact with a person from Byakuyakoku and, in doing so, had learned a truth that predated even the gods themselves.
This knowledge burdened Orobashi with a terrible dilemma. The serpent god was left with no choice but to seek a glorious death. Only by dying in such a way could people stop suspecting the secrets behind the curtain. Only then could the people of Byakuyakoku be allowed to live under the rule of the Seven Archons.
Thus, Orobashi struck a deal with the Heavenly Principles. To bring the nation of Byakuyakoku back to the surface, he launched an attack on Narukami Island. What appeared to be an invasion was, in truth, a death sentence that the god had chosen for himself. In the end, Orobashi fell to Ei's blade without offering any real resistance.
Of course, Ei was aware of this. Before the serpent died, she had promised to treat the people of Watatsumi, the former nation of Byakuyakoku—well. That was why, after the war, she did not annihilate the people of Watatsumi. Instead, she brought them under Inazuma's governance and protection.
And that was also why she was now hesitating, unable to decide how to handle the rebellious sentiments rising among the people of Watatsumi.
"If you were the ruler, Yuki-kun, what would you do?" Ei turned the question back to him.
Yuki blew on his tea, took a small sip, then smiled. "I would eliminate everyone who harbors rebellious intent. Even if they were misled by others, it wouldn't matter. In my eyes, anyone who can be so easily deceived is someone without conviction. If they can be led astray once, they can be led astray again. So if I were the ruler, I wouldn't keep such people around."
Yuki's tone was calm, but his words were harsh and merciless, without a trace of pity. In his view, people like that were nothing but ticking time bombs within a nation. A handful might be manageable, but too many and the whole country would be in danger.
Hearing how ruthless he was, Ei couldn't help but wonder to herself: Perhaps Yuki-kun is right, but...
She dwelled on it for a moment, then shook her head and set the thought aside for now. "So you're saying someone is orchestrating this from behind the scenes?" Ei asked again.
"Yes. I don't believe you haven't noticed." Yuki chuckled and gave her a knowing look.
Ei nodded. She had indeed sensed that something was off. Though she was no political expert, she could still tell that something was amiss. "Who do you think it is?"
"So you think it's the Fatui," she guessed, piecing it together.
"Not 'think', I'm certain," Yuki answered calmly, correcting her wording.
Ei's expression stiffened in surprise. The Fatui were an organization from Snezhnaya, loyal to the Tsaritsa—the Cryo Archon who sat upon her throne in the nation's capital. They served as Snezhnaya's diplomatic corps and its most formidable fighting force. She hadn't expected this to involve Snezhnaya.
That made things far more complicated. After all, the Fatui were diplomats representing one of the Seven Nations. As long as they didn't openly commit an offense or violation, Ei couldn't simply kill them without cause. The Tsaritsa was, like herself, one of the Seven Archons. She had to give that relationship due respect.
If someone else had told her this, Ei might have had her doubts. But Yuki was speaking now, so she had no choice but to take it seriously.
"The Fatui, of all people?! This really is troublesome." Her expression grew severe as she sank into thought. "What are they trying to accomplish? And those so-called Visions, they're behind those too, I assume?" Ei voiced her suspicions after a moment.
"Let's start with the so-called Visions. They're counterfeits made by the Fatui using remnants of deceased gods. They call them Delusions. While they do allow the user to wield elemental power, they also come with a drawback—they inflict damage on the user's body." Yuki's expression remained calm as he answered.
He was actually somewhat surprised himself. The Fatui had already developed Delusions and begun distributing them across Inazuma. At this point in the original timeline, the golden-haired Traveler hadn't even set out on their journey. It was still a long time before the events of the game would begin. And yet, the Fatui were already stirring up trouble. Yuki couldn't help but reflect on how the Origin Force had shifted the trajectory of fate across countless worlds.
"Delusions… That certainly fits the side effects." Ei rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "And the Fatui's goal? Surely it's not just to throw Inazuma into chaos. Surely they're not unafraid of me cutting them down in anger?"
"Afraid? Of course not." Yuki let out a knowing smile, tinged with sarcasm. "Ultimately, they have only one goal: to obtain your Gnosis. Or rather, that's the goal of the Tsaritsa." He then briefly explained the plan of the Cryo Archon.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Inazuma City, a very different scene was unfolding.
Off the western coast of Narukami Island, a dozen or so furtive figures emerged from the deep sea and crept ashore. They were well-equipped, wielding a variety of weapons. After scanning the area and confirming it was clear, their leader motioned for the group to move inland.
After walking only a short distance, they spotted a small village. Watching the villagers go about their daily tasks, some working, some talking amongst themselves, their eyes lit up. Exchanging glances, they all caught the same glint of greed in each other's eyes. In unison, cruel grins spread across their faces.
"Go." With the leader's command, they charged forward and struck.
Caught completely off guard, the villagers scattered in panic, and before long, chaos consumed the settlement. The village quickly transformed into a living hell, homes swallowed by flames, lives ruthlessly cut down by cold steel.
The commotion soon drew the attention of a patrol of Shogunate soldiers. Five of them rushed to the scene and engaged the intruders. As the soldiers joined the fray, the situation escalated. The air crackled with elemental power as explosions and clashes filled the village.
In the end, the invaders killed all five soldiers and left a sixth gravely wounded. Battered and bleeding, the injured soldier forced himself to his feet and ran—headed back to call for reinforcements.
The invaders were about to give chase, but their leader stopped them. "No need to pursue. We're pulling out."
With that, they retreated the way they came, slipping back into the sea and vanishing beneath the waves.