“At the very least, I must try. Otherwise, I’ll never know if there’s a chance of success. Tomorrow we’ll have a meeting with Sangonomiya Kokomi, the young Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, descendant of the Sangonomiya Clan. Lumine, the Traveler, will also be there… and that white floating thing… uh, Paimon. Be prepared.”

Ei’s voice echoed in my mind as she returned control of my body to me. I remained still for a moment, processing her words. Paimon, the “white floating thing,” was still a mystery to me, but it seemed I would soon have the chance to find out. I let out a long sigh, exhausted both physically and mentally, and headed back to the residence.

That night, I barely slept. The idea of the meeting with Kokomi and Lumine filled me with nerves. Even though I knew Ei was willing to atone for her mistake, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Everything seemed to depend on that encounter, and the tension gnawed at me from the inside.

When dawn finally came, I was too tired to feel any relief. Ei’s message had reached Watatsumi Island, and according to the reports, the tension between both sides had eased slightly. However, my anxiety only grew. I knew the situation was still far from resolved. “How am I supposed to handle all of this?” I wondered, feeling small beneath the enormous responsibility resting on my shoulders.

The meeting place was a spacious hall, with windows that let in natural light, creating an oddly peaceful atmosphere despite the tension in the air. I was seated beside Kujou Sara, who maintained her serious, professional expression, though I noticed she was more tense than usual as well.

At the front, two figures sat with elegance and composure. One of them, clearly Sangonomiya Kokomi, was young and serene, with an almost ethereal presence. Her pink hair fell softly over her shoulders, and her eyes shone with wisdom beyond her years. Beside her sat a blonde girl with a determined gaze, whom I quickly identified as Lumine, the Traveler Ei had spoken of. And floating next to her, to my surprise, was a small white creature with a lively smile and large, sparkling eyes. “Is that… Paimon?” I thought, trying to contain my astonishment.

The “white floating thing” was not what I had expected. “How is this creature supposed to be a traveling companion?” I wondered, still incredulous, as I watched her dart energetically around Lumine, seemingly oblivious to the tension of the meeting. Paimon shot curious glances at me as she moved about, as if she were also trying to figure me out.

The calm in the hall was palpable, but beneath the surface lay an unresolved conflict that everyone could feel. My gaze met Kokomi’s, who greeted me with a gentle gesture, her expression composed. Lumine, on the other hand, watched me with a mix of curiosity and caution.

Ei spoke in my mind. “Maintain your composure. Sangonomiya Kokomi is a formidable strategist. And Lumine… she is more than she appears. Do not underestimate her.”

I nodded slightly, more to myself than to anyone else, and took a breath to steady my breathing. This won’t be easy, but we came here to change things.

Kokomi was the first to break the silence.

“Shogun Raiden,”
she began in a soft yet firm voice.

“It is a surprise to see that you have finally agreed to a meeting. I hope this signifies a change in your stance regarding the Vision Hunt Decree.”

I felt the tension in the room rise a little more. Kokomi had gone straight to the point, without any detours. This meeting was no mere formality; every word, every gesture, carried significant weight. I swallowed, feeling everyone’s expectations resting on me.

“Respond as we planned,” Ei instructed in my mind, guiding me through the dialogue.

“Sangonomiya Kokomi, I have reflected deeply on the decisions I made in the past. Today, I am here to atone for my mistakes.”

I paused, noticing how everyone in the room seemed to be weighing each word.

“The Vision Hunt Decree was a mistake, and I am prepared to abolish it.”

Kokomi’s eyes gleamed with interest. Paimon, for her part, seemed shocked and began murmuring something to Lumine, who simply nodded silently. “This might work,” I thought, though there was still much left to say.

Kokomi remained calm, but in her gaze I could see that she was processing the new information. Finally, she spoke in a more conciliatory tone.

“That is a good first step, Shogun. However, the scars of this war will not fade so easily. The affected families, the fallen… How do you intend to make amends for those losses?”

The question was direct, and for a moment it felt as though all the air in the room had frozen.

“You must answer honestly,” Ei said in my mind.
“You can’t fix everything with words, but this is the first step toward reconciliation.”

I took a deep breath and, with a mix of determination and vulnerability, replied:

“I acknowledge that I have caused great suffering. I cannot bring back the lives that were lost, but I will do everything in my power to restore peace in Inazuma. I am willing to work alongside you to heal these wounds.”

The hall fell silent for a few moments as Kokomi and Lumine exchanged glances. It seemed that, at last, there was hope.