Kujou Sara moved with remarkable speed. The moment she left the Kujou estate, she summoned a messenger and swiftly issued orders for martial law.
Within minutes, the entire island of Narukami was placed under strict control. Nowhere was this more evident than Ritou, Inazuma's primary port for foreign trade, a bustling hub of merchants from across the seas. Its population was diverse, its crowds large, making it the area most in need of security.
In less than half an hour, patrols were visible everywhere. The mood among the people turned anxious.
But even after Sara's directives were implemented, and despite the tight military control across Narukami, something happened that filled Sara with fury.
While patrolling the streets in her capacity as the Shogunate's leading general, she came face to face with two soldiers who looked as though they had barely escaped death itself.
One staggered forward, supported by the other. Both were covered in blood. Their armor hung in tatters, still leaking crimson, a harrowing sight. Sara's heart sank.
Nearby civilians rushed to help, offering hands to the wounded. Shopkeepers set aside their work, hurrying over with stretchers and warm blankets, ready to carry them to the clinic.
"What happened to you? Those wounds are terrifying. How are you still standing?"
The two soldiers wore expressions of anger, terror, and regret. "Our squad, ten of us, was patrolling the southern coast. We came across a group of suspicious people. We intended to stop and question them. But the results… hah. We walked into an ambush. More than twenty of them, all armed. Every one of them possessed a Vision. Under their assault, only two of us escaped."
"Another attack? That makes two in just the last hour."
"Yeah, I heard a squad was attacked over an hour ago. Those bastards even burned down a village on the outskirts."
"Right. Before it was twelve of them, now it's twenty-plus. I had my doubts it was just bandits, but now… I'm certain it's those people from Watatsumi."
"Makes sense. Where else could that many Visions come from?"
The crowd murmured, theories flying. Sara, approaching, overheard every word. Her brow furrowed. Something felt wrong.
"How are you holding up?! Quick, fetch the doctors!" Setting aside the uneasy feeling for the moment, she tended to the wounded soldiers and ordered her subordinates to find help.
Her men immediately sprinted toward the clinic. "Apply pressure to the wounds, stem the bleeding! Several of you, help lift the injured, be careful not to worsen any fractures!"
Sara took command, directing the soldiers with practiced efficiency. Soon, the doctors arrived, treating the men on the spot before escorting them to the clinic. But when they reached the clinic, they found the physicians already overwhelmed.
Other wounded soldiers had been brought in, their injuries nearly identical to those of the southern patrol. They had been attacked during routine patrols. And just like the others, each incident involved a dozen or more assailants, all carrying Visions.
As Sara listened to the reports, her mind went blank. A wave of dizziness washed over her. Had she not been leaning against the wall, she might have collapsed.
According to the reports, attacks were occurring across the entirety of Narukami Island. They were spaced minutes apart, sometimes occurring in locations hundreds of miles apart.
At last count, there had already been ten separate incidents. And each new attack was moving steadily further inland.
Sara's expression grew grimmer by the moment. Despite her orders—despite the heightened security—the invaders kept striking. She began to suspect a hidden hand directing the chaos from behind the scenes.
It seemed the enemy knew the movement of her soldiers all too well, always striking where the defenses were weakest. At the thought, a chill ran down Sara's spine—a creeping horror that tightened in her chest.
"Things have changed. Send word—have our patrols abandon the outer perimeter of the island and concentrate all forces in Inazuma City. In particular, prioritize Tenshukaku." Sara gritted her teeth and gave the order—pulling their forces back from the island's coastal zones to secure the capital.
"What? Lady Kujou, if we do that, the coastal villages will be left completely exposed…" Her aide looked stunned. The implications were clear. Inazuma City would be safer, but what about the people living along the shore? They'd be defenseless.
"I'm aware of that. But we don't have a choice. I have a feeling these mysterious invaders are already on the island. They might even be hiding within Inazuma City itself."
The soldiers around her sucked in a collective breath. "That… means all of Narukami Island could be in danger." Their concerns were valid. Sara felt them too.
"Perhaps. Which is why protecting Inazuma City is even more vital. Patrols will run twenty-four hours a day. Each squad must consist of at least twenty soldiers, including no fewer than five Vision bearers."
After issuing these orders, Sara left the clinic. She was heading back to the Kujou estate to consult her adoptive father when several soldiers came rushing past her. Noticing they were headed the same way, she stopped them.
"What's the matter? You're in such a hurry. Has something happened?"
The soldiers recognized her and looked relieved. "Lady Kujou! We've been looking for you! There's been a major disturbance in Ritou. It's complicated—you'd better come see for yourself."
Sara's head began to pound again. It never rains, but it pours. They still hadn't gotten to the bottom of the recent attacks, and now trouble had broken out in Ritou—the nation's most crucial port.
Her temples throbbed. But as a general of the Shogunate and an officer of the Tenryou Commission, it was her duty. She pressed forward and followed the soldiers.