"It's alright, it's alright. This isn't entirely your fault."
Lumine sat down beside Ei, gently putting an arm around his trembling shoulders and comforting him in a gentle voice: "Take your time, there's no rush."
The main hall was in a state of chaos.
And in the midst of this chaos, King's [Love Game Master (Rank D)] was triggered once again after many days.
At the edge of his vision, a translucent option box with a strange pink filter emerged:
Punch this weeping village girl to death and tell her that tears solve nothing. Hand over your cherished collector's edition disc of "sweet girlfriend 5" and state solemnly: "Study this; perhaps it will inspire you." Say in a deep, domineering tone: "Shut up, no crying. Your tears can only flow for me." Make the village girl publicly apologize to Fontaine, then personally plan Inazuma's five-year development plan and become the Regentof Inazuma.
King's mouth twitched violently.
This crappy skill... every time it triggers, it gives me a near heart attack.
Option A is too violent; I can't choose that.
Option B is too ridiculous, and besides, why should I hand over my game disc?
Option C... just thinking about the scene and the lines made King feel like he was breaking out in goosebumps.
By process of elimination, only D is left.
Although it's also a hassle, at least it seems relatively normal?
Sometimes I really want to throw away this shitty skill.
King sighed powerlessly in his heart and resignedly chose D.
Looking at the country girl before him, who was weeping piteously, he took a deep breath and jerked his chin toward the Okurahoushuu guards waiting at the door.
"Summon that pink-haired fox and the head of the Kamisato Clan."
"Also, have Lynette and Clorinde come over as well."
The guard took the order and left. Before long, a set of somewhat hurried footsteps could be heard.
Yae Miko stepped into the hall. Seeing Ei weeping silently in the center, her heart tightened, but she quickly suppressed her emotions and bowed elegantly to King: "Mr. King."
Kamisato Ayato followed closely behind. He had changed into a more solemn, dark clan head outfit, wearing that gentle smile that felt like a spring breeze, though a trace of imperceptible unease lingered deep in his eyes.
He also bowed to King: "My Lord, may I ask what instructions you have for summoning us?"
Lynette and Clorinde entered quietly and stood behind King.
Just as the atmosphere turned slightly serious, a steady voice carrying a hint of a smile came from outside the hall: "For such a major matter concerning Inazuma's future, I wonder if this Zhong might be so bold as to request a seat as an observer?"
Everyone turned to see Zhongli holding a cup of hot tea he had conjured from who-knows-where, walking in with composed steps. His amber eyes held a gentle smile and an unconcealed interest in the current situation.
He nodded slightly to King: "Rest assured, this time I have only brought my eyes and ears; I shall not bring my mouth."
King glanced at him and said nothing, which was a tacit approval of this retired Geo Archon's act of "crashing the meeting."
With everyone present, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat heavy.
King leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest as his gaze swept across the several people before him, each with a different expression.
"Inazuma is currently short on supplies."
His directness made both Yae Miko's and Kamisato Ayato's hearts leap into their throats.
"Fontaine can restore trade with Inazuma and provide assistance."
He paused, and seeing their eyes light up, he changed the subject.
"So, what can Inazuma offer in return?"
The question was thrown out, landing heavily in the quiet hall.
Yae Miko spoke almost immediately, taking a half-step forward, her beautiful face filled with urgency:
"Inazuma has high-quality minerals, timber, seafood, and unique handicrafts!"
"We can also offer preferential tariffs, even..."
"Lady Yae,"
Kamisato Ayato interrupted her, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"What you've mentioned, Inazuma has, but other nations have them as well."
"Liyue has more abundant mineral reserves, Sumeru has better quality timber, and Snezhnaya's seafood trade routes are already well-established."
He turned to King and bowed slightly, his tone becoming more earnest and pragmatic:
"Lord King, the current Inazuma has undergone an internal purge; the official system is paralyzed, the people are anxious, production is at a standstill, and trade is desolate."
"It would not be an exaggeration to say it is 'on the brink of collapse.'"
"We truly... need Fontaine's assistance to'save our lives.'"
He paused, every word squeezed from his very soul, incredibly heavy:
"For this, Inazuma is willing to pay any price."
King nodded slightly, his fingertips tapping on the armrest. "Be specific."
The moment the words fell.
*Thud!*
A dull sound echoed.
Under the gaze of everyone—some surprised, some blank, some nervous.
Kamisato Ayato actually prostrated himself toward King without hesitation, performing a standard Dogeza.
"Inazuma is willing to temporarily cede territory, offering 'Ritou' to Fontaine for five hundred years!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a dead silence filled the hall.
Immediately after, a cracked scream erupted:
"Kamisato Ayato!!!"
Yae Miko jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her usual elegance and charm vanishing completely.
Her face was deathly pale, her pale purple eyes instantly bloodshot, and her finger trembled as she pointed at Kamisato Ayato:
"Are you insane? Do you know what you're saying?!"
"Ceding territory? Offering Ritou?!"
"That is Inazuma's gateway! How dare you..."
"It is precisely because Ritou is a gateway and a bridge that it is most valuable!"
Maintaining his Dogeza position, Kamisato Ayato's voice came from below, muffled yet exceptionally clear and firm. He interrupted Yae Miko's roar with logic so cold it was almost cruel: "Yae Miko, please wake up! What 'good things' does Inazuma have left to trade for Fontaine's aid?"
"Minerals? During the Sakoku Decree, mining was in chaos, and high-quality veins have long been squandered by those parasites!"
"Timber? Forestry management has been neglected, and transportation costs are exorbitant!"
"Seafood? The fishing industry has decayed, and the fleet is ancient!"
"As for so-called handicrafts and cultural specialties, these soft powers, what are they worth in terms of Mora at a time when we desperately need 'life-saving grain'?"
He suddenly looked up, his eyes that were usually warm and smiling now sharp as blades, piercing straight at Yae Miko: "The most critical thing is reputation! Our reputation as Inazumans has been completely ruined by those scum who smuggled God's filth! Now, when the nations of Teyvat mention Inazuman goods, the first things they think of are 'pollution' and 'danger'! Trade volume has already plummeted!"
"Inazuma is lacking in supplies. Without trade, what will the people of Inazuma eat? What will they wear? What medicine will they use? How will factories start up? How will fields be replanted?!"
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