I watched helplessly, like nothing more than a mere spectator, as Ei walked across the training field, occupying my body. My thoughts were a mess. The sensation of having no control was disorienting. I wanted to speak, I wanted to ask what she was doing, but I couldn’t move.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”
I shouted mentally, hoping that somehow she could hear me. But there was no immediate response. My voice only echoed in that empty space where I existed, unable to control my own body.

Finally, Ei replied calmly, her tone as neutral as ever.

“I already told you. I’ll borrow the marionette’s body for a while.”

The coldness in her voice irritated me. I felt lost, not knowing what she intended to do. All I could do was watch as she moved forward with confidence, weaving through the soldiers who were training, unaware of the tension inside me.

Suddenly, Ei stopped.

“Kujou Sara,”
she said in a firm voice.

The general, who had been busy inspecting the troops’ drills, turned around quickly and responded with respect and discipline.

“Yes, Shogun?”

Her tone was steady, but there was a trace of curiosity, as if she sensed that something wasn’t quite right.

Ei took a breath before speaking again. This time, her voice sounded more resolute.

“Cancel the troops’ preparations and send a messenger to Watatsumi Island… This war must not continue.”

Silence fell like a heavy blanket. Kujou Sara froze for a few seconds, clearly stunned by Ei’s words. Her confusion was reflected in her eyes, but her loyalty to the Shogun was unwavering.

“Shogun…”
she began, trying to maintain her composure.

“May I ask the reason for this order?”
The question came out more hesitant than usual. It wasn’t common for someone like Sara to question the Shogun’s decisions, but the drastic turn of events had thrown her off balance.

Ei answered without hesitation, her tone relentless yet carrying an undercurrent of emotion that I could barely detect.

“After deep meditation… I have realized that confiscating Visions was not a good idea. I acted out of selfishness.”

I could feel the impact of her words ripple through the air. The soldiers nearby began to glance at one another, whispering, unsure how to process what they were hearing. Ei continued, her voice heavier, burdened with a weight she had never shown before.

“Many lives were lost on the battlefield because of me…”
She paused, as if reflecting on the magnitude of her words. Trapped within my own mind, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of astonishment and relief. Was Ei finally accepting her responsibility?

“I will abolish the decree and put an end to this senseless war.”
The words fell like a sentence—but this time, not one of death, but of hope. A hope that things would change for the better.

Kujou Sara remained silent for what felt like endless minutes. Finally, she nodded, her expression serious yet full of respect.

“I will do as you command, Shogun.”
Sara made a deep bow before turning around, showing no further signs of doubt, and began issuing orders to her officers.

As I watched her leave, I felt increasingly lost in my thoughts. Ei, who had always been so inflexible, was now making decisions I would never have imagined possible. And the most unsettling part of all was that she was doing so with my body, while I could only observe from within.

“Do you really believe it, Ei?”
I asked in my mind, hoping she would hear me.

“Do you truly think you can change what you’ve done?”

But this time, there was no answer.