Hearing her sister's blatant attempt to dump responsibilities on her, Makoto couldn't help but feel exasperated.
Seriously? You're just going to wash your hands of this mess and leave it all to me?
She sighed deeply.
"You're the Electro Archon now."
"I'm no longer the Archon. I'll be going to Liyue with Jiang Chen."
Though Jiang Chen hadn't explicitly said anything, she instinctively understood—her existence was now tied to him.
As his summoned Heroic Spirit, there were conditions.
While she could return to the mortal world, she would have to follow Jiang Chen's commands.
This was an unspoken rule embedded in her very being.
"Huh?"
Ei's brows furrowed sharply.
Her gaze locked onto Jiang Chen like a blade.
Her sister... was leaving with him?
"No!"
"Sister, how can you leave?"
Ei immediately panicked.
Her sister had just returned, and now she was going away again?
Unacceptable.
"Sigh."
"Ei, you need to grow up."
"Don't be stubborn."
"You're Inazuma's Archon now."
Makoto shook her head.
She was already a departed soul, resurrected by Jiang Chen.
From now on, her allegiance lay with him.
Inazuma's affairs... she no longer wished to meddle in them.
...
"How am I being stubborn?!"
"You just came back—why go to Liyue?"
Ei stared at Makoto in disbelief.
Leaving so soon after returning? She couldn't accept this.
Only Yae Miko seemed thoughtful.
So, after resurrection, they have to follow the summoner?
I see.
But if Jiang Chen didn't interfere, it should be fine, right?
As the one who revived them, Jiang Chen must have some degree of control over Makoto and the others.
Yae Miko didn't mind this arrangement.
As long as they're alive, that's what matters.
With this in mind, she turned to Jiang Chen.
"Mr. Jiang Chen, could you let them stay in Inazuma for a while?"
"Inazuma needs Makoto right now."
Her tone was sincere.
Even if Makoto had to go to Liyue eventually, couldn't she help stabilize Inazuma first?
There was no need to rush.
Hearing this, Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh.
Feeling Ei's increasingly hostile glare, he raised his hands placatingly.
"I never said they had to leave immediately."
"For now, they can stay in Inazuma."
"Focus on stabilizing the country first."
"End the Sakoku Decree, reopen the borders, and send envoys to Liyue to negotiate with Ningguang."
"Liyue can provide a lot of assistance."
He smiled amiably.
Rushing Makoto to Liyue? There was no need.
Inazuma's current state was far from ideal.
If the nation reopened, Liyue stood to profit immensely from trade.
With Inazuma in dire need of reconstruction, they'd be importing goods on a massive scale.
As the most commercially developed nation, Liyue would benefit enormously.
Why hurry?
Let Makoto stay and rebuild Inazuma first.
Once things stabilized, she could go to Liyue later.
Besides, what use was Makoto in Liyue right now?
Her presence in Inazuma would be far more impactful.
Who knows? Maybe Inazuma would eventually become Liyue's... close ally.
Yae Miko's eyes lit up at Jiang Chen's words.
"That works!"
She fully supported this plan.
With Makoto in Inazuma, recovery was guaranteed.
As for the future?
Once the nation was back on its feet, they could figure things out then.
There would be no more reckless policies from Ei—not with her sister watching over her.
After listening to Jiang Chen's explanation, Makoto nodded.
"That does sound better."
"Thank you."
Jiang Chen could have forced her to leave immediately.
Yet he chose to let her stay—this kindness wasn't lost on her.
Having settled this, Jiang Chen grinned and turned to Makoto.
"By the way, your Inazuman nobility is filthy rich."
"The Kujou Clan, for instance—I suggest investigating them thoroughly."
"Inazuma is broke right now. It's time for them to contribute."
"Since they've committed so many crimes, you can't just let them off."
"Their accumulated wealth will be the perfect fuel for Inazuma's recovery."
"As we say back home: Confiscation is the fastest way to get rich."
"You might want to consider that."
"No point punishing only the ringleaders while their descendants continue living lavishly."
"Where's the justice in that?"
His smile turned sly.
In Inazuma, the Shogun's word was absolute.
Whatever ill-gotten gains these families had hoarded—they'd cough it all up now.
Or die.
With the nation in dire financial straits, Jiang Chen had just handed them the perfect solution.
How to proceed? Well, Makoto would figure that out.
Once Inazuma had money, they could discuss business with Liyue.
After all, how much could you squeeze from a broke Inazuma?
To exploit someone, they first needed assets.
The others listened to Jiang Chen's words with varying degrees of surprise.
Lumine's expression was particularly amusing.
Damn, he's bringing out the confiscation playbook?
Some people are about to have a very bad day.
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka blinked.
A hint of schadenfreude flickered in her eyes.
She knew exactly who Jiang Chen was referring to.
Seems Mr. Jiang is well-informed about Inazuma's situation.
If the Shogun really investigated, certain clans were in for a world of pain.
But this didn't concern the Kamisato Clan.
They had remained loyal and uncorrupted, their wealth entirely legitimate.
Perks of generational prosperity—no need to embezzle.
Their integrity had made them targets of the other clans' hostility.
Well, karma's a bitch.
Now, the show was about to begin.
Ei's eyes gleamed with murderous intent upon hearing Jiang Chen's suggestion.
"Who?"
"I'll go cut them down!!"
Corrupt officials?
Oh, they're dead.
Ei's solution was simple: Kill them all.
How dare they steal from Inazuma?
Did they think her blade had dulled since she slew Orobashi?
"Calm down!"
"Killing them solves nothing."
"I think Mr. Jiang's idea is excellent."
"Miko, brief me on the situation."
Makoto shot her impulsive sister a look but didn't scold her.
This was just how Ei was.
While her method was satisfying, it was too lenient.
Jiang Chen's approach was far more fitting.
Inazuma desperately needed funds.
And Yae Miko, with her network of intelligence, would know exactly where to strike.
Time for a purge.