Durandal was not interested in what both sides wanted. Her only demand was to end this meaningless war quickly.
If... if Sangonomiya Kokomi dared to use "no agreement, no end to fighting" as a threat, Durandal guaranteed she would appear in Sangonomiya Kokomi's room that very night to show her what she was capable of.
"Um, the main goal is still a ceasefire. Considering the current situation, the content of the negotiations will likely be unfavorable to Sangonomiya Shrine. However, I will try my best to minimize these losses."
So please don't look at me with such terrifying eyes. I... I know what to do. Don't give me that 'you'd better think about what you're going to say next, or I might just kill you' expression. It's really scary.
"Don't forget Nathan, who was captured. He is a member of the Fatui. No matter how much the Fatui deny it, the intelligence I gave you can prove this point. If the Shogunate makes any unacceptable demands, you can propose handing Nathan over to them. I believe the Shogunate will definitely not miss this bargaining chip to threaten the Fatui. Compared to Sangonomiya Shrine, the Shogunate's threat to the Fatui is stronger."
The Shogunate, at least, has Raiden Ei overseeing it. No matter how much the Fatui have objections, they still have to act with respect for the Raiden Shogun.
Sangonomiya Shrine is different. There is no powerful entity protecting them here. If it weren't for its proximity to Narukami Island, and the Shogunate not allowing the Fatui to occupy this place, the Fatui would probably have already intended to send troops to attack here.
Sangonomiya Kokomi's eyes lit up. Oh right! There's also Nathan, the mole, who can be used as a bargaining chip.
Previously, Sangonomiya Kokomi was troubled about how to deal with Nathan due to his identity. Since she couldn't handle him, it would be better to hand him over to the Shogunate.
This way, she could gain an effective bargaining chip during negotiations and also solve the hot potato that was Nathan, killing two birds with one stone.
"Thank you very much for your suggestion, Lady Durandal. I know what to do."
"Hmph, I just don't want to see you waste too much time on negotiations. Also, during this negotiation, you will both bring your respective soldiers. You better control your people. If they cause the negotiations to break down, I will not let them off."
"What... what are you going to do?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi knew that Durandal's concerns were not unfounded. The soldiers from Sangonomiya Shrine had always had strong opinions about the Shogunate, and conflicts during negotiations were inevitable, with a high probability of causing the negotiations to break down.
It was already a headache, and now Durandal was issuing such a threat. What did she intend to do? Was she planning to kill all the soldiers who caused the negotiations to fail?
"I know what you're worried about. I won't lay a hand on those soldiers. I'll just make them suffer for a long time, so long that they probably won't be able to carry out their missions."
"Suffer for a long time? What exactly does that mean?"
"...Sangonomiya Shrine will have a very strong smell."
Sangonomiya Kokomi was full of confusion, while Lumine, Shenhe, and Paimon understood what Durandal was referring to. Thinking of the Fatui members who had fallen victim in the past, they wondered if the Rebel Army members would receive the same treatment this time.
Asking Durandal was definitely not an option. Sangonomiya Kokomi could only turn to Lumine, with whom she had a slightly better relationship. Faced with Sangonomiya Kokomi's question, Lumine felt quite conflicted.
Actually, it was nothing, it was just that the phrase had a very strong 'flavor'.
But she felt it was better not to voice such thoughts, only telling Sangonomiya Kokomi that Durandal's punishment wouldn't be fatal, so she didn't need to be nervous and could relax.
No, if you do that, she won't calm down; instead, she'll worry even more.
You should at least give her some clues so she can be mentally prepared. Like this, she's really panicking.
After Durandal left Sangonomiya Shrine, she arrived at the Kujou residence under the cover of night, making her way to Kujou Sara's room.
At this moment, Kujou Sara was working. As a general of the Tenryou Commission, Kujou Sara had many things to deal with every day, and if there were urgent matters, she had to quickly send them for Raiden Shogun's review.
Especially recently, after Raiden Shogun established a new department and made her responsible for its management, Kujou Sara's workload increased even more.
But she had no complaints; this was Raiden Shogun's trust in her, and Kujou Sara did not want to betray Raiden Shogun's trust.
"You seem very busy, Kujou Sara."
At this moment, Durandal silently entered Kujou Sara's room and, seeing Kujou Sara working, couldn't help but say.
"You… why are you here?"
Kujou Sara looked at Durandal in surprise. She dared not underestimate this person in front of her. Once, when she went to report matters to Raiden Shogun, she saw Durandal sitting as an equal with Raiden Shogun.
Kujou Sara dared not be negligent, even using honorifics in her address.
Durandal didn't pay much attention, preparing to tell her about the Rebel Army's desire for peace talks.
Suddenly, her peripheral vision caught sight of a certain spot in the room. There, she saw figurines—Raiden Shogun figurines, and more than one.
The figurines were vivid and perfectly captured Raiden Shogun's appearance.
It felt a bit like Keqing; her room had quite a few figurines of the Half-Dragon, Half-Qilin Geo Archon. This must be their worship of their nation's deity.
It's just that the poses of Raiden Shogun's figurines were a bit strange. How to put it? A little suggestive?
Kujou Sara followed Durandal's gaze to her collection displayed on the shelf, and her pupils constricted.
It's… it's over! My biggest secret has been discovered!
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