"Wait for her to return… At this point, that's all we can do," Ayaka sighed.
The clues were cut off, and there was no lead. Now, she could only hope that those people would stay at home as per the announcement and not come out.
…
The next day, Nazuchi Beach.
The negotiation venue had already been set up. Considering that arguing would be hard on the throat, both sides specially prepared tea and snacks.
Shiki walked at the front, with Kujou Sara beside her. A squad of soldiers followed behind, nominally for security, but in reality, it was uncertain who was protecting whom.
At the negotiation table, Shiki and Sangonomiya Kokomi sat down simultaneously. Then, Shiki said, "Sangonomiya Kokomi, we meet again."
"The Vision Hunt Decree has been abolished. It's time for this war to end."
"I agree. Watatsumi Island's original intention was to help those people. Now that they no longer need help, there's no need for this war to continue," Sangonomiya Kokomi nodded.
She was truly shrewd. She didn't mention a word about her own terrible supplies. Instead, she adopted the posture of a victor, implying that if the Vision Hunt Decree hadn't been abolished, they would have already won.
"Good. Since both sides agree, let's discuss the armistice agreement." Shiki didn't care about her little tricks. She just wanted to finish quickly and return to Inazuma City.
"After the war ends, both sides can resume trade. At the same time, your Watatsumi Island can purchase grain at a price much lower than the market price."
"And our Shogunate will send special personnel to help you establish trade routes. Both sides need to recover their economies after the war. What do you think?"
"A very good proposal." Sangonomiya Kokomi expressed her agreement, but then her tone shifted: "However, our Watatsumi Island doesn't need to purchase grain at a price lower than the market price."
"Oh? Then what do you want? As far as I know, Watatsumi Island is saline-alkali land and can't grow grain, right? Do you have enough Mora to purchase it at the normal price?"
"That's right. Watatsumi Island's land cannot grow grain due to seawater intrusion, so I want the governance rights of Yashiori Island!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi revealed her true intentions. Before Shiki could say anything, Kujou Sara exclaimed, "Impossible!"
"Yashiori Island has been Narukami's land since ancient times. It's impossible to give it to you!"
"Why not? In this war, Yashiori Island was taken by our resistance. Now that the war is over, what's wrong with this island being under our management?"
"You!"
Kujou Sara wanted to say more, but Shiki stopped her.
"You want Yashiori Island?"
Faint golden light emerged from her eyes, and dark clouds gathered above Nazuchi Beach. Her cold expression, combined with the dimming light, gave Shiki an extremely powerful oppressive aura.
"Alright, you can."
"As long as you completely disband the Watatsumi Island system and integrate into the Shogunate, you can govern Yashiori Island. There's no problem with Narukami's land being governed by Narukami, of course."
"That's impossible!"
Sangonomiya Kokomi refused without thinking, but she didn't notice that the situation had completely reversed.
"Why not? Narukami slew Orobas centuries ago. Logically, at that time, you, who had lost your Archon's protection, should have been integrated into Inazuma. But the General was kind-hearted and allowed you to retain your original faith, allowing them to enjoy sacrifices."
"You should have been integrated into the Shogunate centuries ago, but now you've destroyed Narukami shrines and gone to war with the Shogunate. It's already very good that I didn't immediately demand the dissolution of your system."
As she spoke, the golden light in Shiki's eyes grew brighter, but she made no movement, just quietly watching the other party.
Sangonomiya Kokomi involuntarily clenched her hands. Her white lace half-gloves were soaked with sweat. In such an imbalanced power situation, her schemes simply couldn't play any decisive role.
Whether it was hints or excuses, the other party simply didn't care. With a single thought, she would have to face the awe of the thunder.
"What about west of Yashiori Island?"
"What do you think?"
Shiki retorted expressionlessly. This Sangonomiya Kokomi, had she not realized her current situation yet?
"It seems it's not possible, but does the current Shogunate still have people who can govern Yashiori Island?"
"As far as I know, something significant seems to have happened with the Kanjou and Tenryou of the Three Commissions."
Sangonomiya Kokomi's words caused a slight change in Shiki's expression, but only a slight one.
"This has nothing to do with your Watatsumi Island, does it? Or are you saying that your Watatsumi Island wants to meddle in the internal affairs of the Shogunate?"
"Don't misunderstand, I don't mean that. I just think that since your Shogunate doesn't have enough people to govern Yashiori Island anyway, why not let our Watatsumi Island manage it?"
"...Your words are truly interesting. I see your Watatsumi Island has a lot of spare money, so why can't it be given to me to build Inazuma?"
"If this can exchange for the governance rights of Yashiori Island, then of course."
"Clearly not. Yashiori Island is the bottom line. Don't waste your efforts on this," Shiki shook her head.
She couldn't possibly hand over the territory that Raiden Ei had painstakingly conquered during the Archon War to others, especially to the enemy.
"Alright then… I agree to the initial terms, but regarding the price, we still need to discuss it…"
Next was the boring haggling session. After all, Shiki only said the price would be lower than the market price, but didn't specify by how much. And this was the part Sangonomiya Kokomi needed to fight for.
After multiple rounds of discussion, the price was finally set at 70% of the market price, meaning that Watatsumi Island could purchase 100 Mora worth of grain for 70 Mora.
It doesn't seem like much of a discount, but don't forget that it needs to supply an entire island. The massive quantity means daily transaction amounts are in the tens of millions.
Under such an amount, isn't the money saved a lot?
As for why Watatsumi Island has so much money, it's because of their local specialty, the Coral Pearl.
This coral was brought in by Orobas from the Dark Sea and does not belong to the continent of Teyvat. In other words, Watatsumi Island is the only place in all of Teyvat that has it.
As the saying goes, rarity makes things valuable. These Coral Pearls from Watatsumi Island were naturally speculated to sky-high prices. Luxury goods, after all, are all about exorbitant profits.
With such a cash cow, would Watatsumi Island ever lack money?
"If there are no problems, then let's sign the armistice contract," Shiki said, taking out the already prepared agreement.
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