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Chapter 10: Stepping Up

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The passing of Lady Kiku was a tragedy in the eyes of many generations that lived under her guidance.

A venerable entity that broke the mold of merely leading by divine lectures, Lady Kiku lived and died by the rule of pragmatism while still preserving the traditional mindset of Watatsumi Island against the shogunate.

When she fell ill, many were already eyeing little Kokomi with a degree of unease. While she had matured a lot in the two years I had been in Watatsumi, she had been hardly seen around speaking to the people.

An enigma to the masses, but still someone that had been praised constantly by Lady Kiku as her last day approached. With the old priestess' death, Kokomi had to deliver a speech and, I have to say, she delivered a powerful proclamation.

To thread the fine line between change and tradition was tough as one tiny tilt into either direction against the other can truly destabilize the society within Watatsumi. But Kokomi pressed on with a rather simple point:

"Watatsumi's need for change shall not move us out of our true path. The Shogunate, which stills tries to deny the fallacy of Raiden's policy, has done much harm to the common Inazuman. We shall see for the will of Orobashi, the will of a benevolent god that died for our sins and mistakes, shall be implemented. No more pain, no more corruption, no more humiliation."

Kokomi hit the anvil as harshly as possible through her words, gaining a standing ovation as she proclaimed the formation of a government and the codification of a 'new and proper constitution'.

No democratic institution, obviously, as illiteracy and a general lack of a proper electorate meant that elections would just give more headaches than not.

Instead, the mayor of Watatsumi was elevated as Prime Minister and several other figures were granted important chairs and ministries to 'expand and develop Watatsumi to its full potential'.

Little Komi-chan had to listen much to what I knew about public works, intrigued by the notion of redefining the manners which allowed Watatsumi to exist and grow.

Kiku had tentatively invested in boats akin to the one I used to get to Inazuma, but her goal with those was to just make the military deployment far cheaper and faster to enforce.

When Kokomi took over, the investment doubled and the fleet of electro-resilient ships was expanded to make a first daring crossing.

It became a massive success. Liyue loved the Sango Pearls and the large storehouse containing numerous of those depleted by a fourth within just a month.

Mora was flowing in, but so were architects and businessmen looking to make a fortune in what advertised as the 'Land of the Free'.

The little letter I wrote to Ning Ning did help in the first major push. I had heard at an earlier point that year that she had indeed expanded her business to the point where she was expected to rise to the Qixing quite soon, so her influence was considerable enough.

That being said, I was not a fool (well, not a failing one at least) as I knew that asking her help without paying a price felt less like something a friend would do and something only a leech could.

So, I offered to pay back in installations.

Ah yes, nothing can truly surmise the bountiful friendship of a man paying back a rich girl-homie for a small loan of a questionable amount of Mora for a silly investment.

Nonetheless, the plan worked. Lots of merchants came to check Watatsumi, but there were laws implemented to avoid exploitation of the island's untapped resources.

There was also the finding of some unused iron mines partly given up to mining companies allowed for blacksmiths to produce quality tools for the Watatsumi Army.

In regard to this last aspect, there were some 'shady organizations' at work.

One of which was the 'mysterious' and 'suspicious' Department of Explosives. No one knew who the real director was and what they were up to but-

Nah, it's Sparkle.

I am not sure what lack of common sense had driven Kokomi to actually give a role of responsibility to Sparkle, but she did.

Hell, I hardly gave any major role to Sparkle because attempts usually end up in flames - most of the times literally.

Yet, it was true that she had a knack for bombs and fire-causing tools. It was her, her notes, and a little space away from the people of the island where she could test out all those items that could facilitate the creation of a Geneva Convention in due time.

The first and most produced item was the 'Sparkle Gun', which was literally one of those Electro-powered cannons but, instead of Electro Elemental power, it relied on actual gunpowder. And it was a devastating tool as proved in testing grounds.

I was well-aware that Kokomi had long-yearned to drop the defensive stance and get Watatsumi to make a solid gain in this eternal war: and she eyed Tatarasuna as the one major goal that all her ancestors had wished to claim in the past but couldn't due to the well-fortified Kujou Encampment.

Cannons were going to work with that, but war was not in her mind as there wasn't a solid army to complete the rest of the chores of a proper conflict to begin with.

The reorganization of the army to field a smaller army led by quality and merit than numbers also aided the process of expanding the economy. Less men in the field, meant more men in the growing workforce.

Industrially-speaking, this allowed for a few proto-factories to be born to create more elaborate products. Of course, these were all state-owned. No way Komi-hime was dumb enough to sell the island's economy away from foreign businessmen.

The agriculture was expanded too as some elevated green houses were built and new tools were employed to expand the monthly yield.

More mouths meant a greater relevance in expanding the food production without sacrificing its quality. But with economy and military affairs tackled, there was also some care for education.

The House of the Hearth had developed out of its original composition.

Since all orphans had been taken and there wasn't exactly a 'steady process' to acquire new ones here in Inazuma, I had seen fit to reform it into something a bit less crude and more... 'interesting'.

The House of the Hearth in Watatsumi was thus a form of no-profit school. Kids of all sorts could enroll and they could be taught all they needed to live and survive in Watatsumi.

From school subjects such as Grammar, Math, Literature, History, to actually unusual ones such as Combat Training or War History.

Hiring some of the former Millelith and Watatsumi veterans helped with those two subjects as parents actually found the idea of having their kids taught on how to defend themselves if shit hits the fan 'kind of good'.

There is no fee, really, especially since my cabbage business and my other assignment rack up money for the school's expenses.

Some veterans even do this for free since they already have a pension and don't see this as a job.

Kokomi actually loves the little building used for the House, having been there many times before her grandma passed away. She is now overburdened from time to time, but she tries to visit- even sitting to listen to some classes.

She is such a child~.

That being said, peace and all in Watatsumi was temporary - a war was brewing as the Shogunate noticed that Watatsumi was 'getting gooder'. It was inevitable for this to be noticed, so we were all prepared when a harsh letter penned by the Tenryou Commission demanding for Watatsumi to 'lessen the military buildup or face retaliation'.

Considering the logistical nightmare that the Shogunate had going on, that wasn't truly a worry. And there was no hesitation in Kokomi to pen a very elegant letter in return.

To the Tenyou Commission,

No.

Sangonomiya Kokomi, Lady Priestess of Watatsumi Island.

Another letter came, this one announcing an embargo against Watatsumi Island...

As if it already didn't exist.

In fact, it was such a flimsy threat that I had no issue in slipping back in Narukami and check if there had been changes to the security system there. And I had a very reliable bunch of folks that were very fine in having me visit so suddenly.

"Thoma! How are you doing, my lovely fellow from Mondstadt?"

Thoma was tiny... well, not really. He was around young Ayato's age- so roughly 16. The blonde grumbled something as I patted his upper back while he took me inside the Kamisato Compound.

At this point, one would reasonably ask- Sampo, did you perhaps got yourself in little Ayato's graces in preparation for what is to come?

The answer is... nope. And yep.

Actually, it should be no, but some of it is 'aye'.

Now, the truth is... after what happened with the first stroll in Narukami, I was allowed to go through more trips there. Mostly alone but-

"Sir, you should not be too cozy with those people here."

And at times with my most reliable second-in-command... Kuki Shinobu!

What a surprise! Who would have thought this was what her fate would now be!

Still, I was genuinely baffled by the fact she ended up finding a job under me and not under a certain gang leader.

And yes, Itto and I are familiar with each other at this point but... it's irrelevant right now!

After all, we were getting received by the full Kamisato family.

"Sampo-san, I would say this is a pleasure, but recent events tell me you are not here out of courtesy."

Kamisato Takeshi was Ayato, but older, wiser, and married. The patriarch of the Kamisato Family was the first one to greet me before I noticed Ayato grumbling over some papers while little Ayaka played with some paper dolls on her mother's lap.

"Sampo-nii!" Ayaka squeaked happily, the twelve years-old giggling as I waved at her.

"Oh, Ayaka-chan! Good day and... I suppose you want something?"

"Present!"

"A-Ayaka-chan," her mother, Kayo, muttered with a hint of embarrassment before turning to me with a radiant smile. "Sampo-san, good day."

"Good day, and I have some presents."

Most of which were Inazuma-based. I thought of giving the Kamisato some Liyue goods, but the only thing I can smuggle to them without endangering their situation as no one in Inazuma should have foreign goods of any kind, was tea that could be easily disposable.

Something which Ayato loved as he was eagernly catching the box with the Chenyun Leaves inside.

I had bought a nice drawing canvas for Lady Kayo, a nice safe for Lord Takeshi, and a pretty kimono that had been tailored by some priestesses from Watatsumi. And yes, I had to look into the material and make sure that no one would suspect of its origin before picking it.

All in all, the bribe had worked, and Takeshi was relaying to me, a mere guest, what had occurred with the Tenryou Commission. I half-listened to this, looking at Ayaka as she gushed over the outfit while also thinking of how it came to this situation.

Saving Takeshi was the simplest bit as he had been in trouble due to some 'ancestor-related action' which led great shame to the house. Seppuku sounded nasty, so I had investigated the matter and found out that the accusation was built on falsehoods and fake paperwork.

So, first step was preventing the patriarch's death. Then it was his wife's turn.

Kamisato Kayo was not sick- she was poisoned.

Her body had always been frail, and she almost died twice while giving birth. So yes, a poison could move so unpredictably that she would die as if she caught a strong-enough illness.

Thankfully for her, I had some of my reliable contacts on keeping an eye out and found out of the attempt fast enough to warn the Kamisato family.

That's how I ended up becoming something of a 'cool uncle' here, but also someone that worked with Takeshi against the Shogunate. Similarly to his children, Takeshi was wary of the Shogun's behavior over policies and saw her limited intervention as 'tacit consent' for some of the more worrisome new laws that had come up in recent years.

The Yashiro Commission may be seen equally to the other three commissions by law, but their competence wasn't tied to the handling of laws or of security. So... there wasn't much that could be done through legal means.

This is where I come in.

I am that element that can help where it is possible and take care of businesses that were impossible to handle the legit way.

Getting proof of bad behavior, thefts, bad smuggling, and far more.

In return, I expected info on what was up with Narukami and, considering recent events, it felt fair to say that Takeshi had a lot to say and for Shinobu to take notes from.

"They are going to make an effort to 'slap' Watatsumi by attacking the new port," Shinobu surmised, a scowl manifesting behind her face mask. "Sir, I believe we should warn Lady Kokomi-"

"You do that. Now," I hummed, looking at the lovely sunset as we approached the nearest beach. "And be hasty about it, Nobu-chan."

The young woman paused. "S-sir, I think you should-"

"No."

"...What?"

"I wish to go for a walk. And I doubt this matter can be left to stay. I am ordering you to go back and relay the news."

The greenette gave me a flat look, rolled her eyes and then left.

"You are so frustrating, Sampo!"

I smiled a bit more... forcefully at this.

"I sure am," I mumbled, going quiet as Shinobu left

Then I allowed myself a tired sigh once I was sure it was just me... and my little stalker.

"So, I have to admit I didn't expect a visit from someone like you," I hummed, the wind singing to me as I turned to the source of this disturbance. "How may I help you, Fatuus?"

"Help?" A suave feminine voice spoke and the girl approached. "I don't need any help, Sampo. But, you see, you..."

Damselette smiled. "You look just befriendable right now~."

AN

Next time, a much-awaited fight! The Fool of Teyvat vs the Eldricht Entity of Teyvat!