The silence in the room grew heavy. Everyone was waiting for Kokomi’s response. I felt the weight of every gaze, from Kujou Sara’s at my side to Lumine’s, who was carefully assessing me from the other end of the table. Even Paimon had stopped murmuring, floating in silence with her eyes wide open.

Kokomi, as serene as ever, closed her eyes for a moment, as if meditating on my words. After what felt like an eternity, she opened them and looked at me with a gentler expression, though still full of caution.

“Shogun Raiden,” she began, “it is a relief to hear that you are willing to bring the Vision Hunt Decree to an end. However, as I mentioned before, the wounds of this war run deep—not only among the troops, but also in the hearts of our people. There will be those who distrust this change, and others who will continue to harbor resentment.”

I nodded slowly, knowing she was right. I could not expect everyone to accept my decision immediately, especially those who had lost loved ones or their own freedom. The damage was done, and it would not be easy to repair.

“I understand,” I replied firmly. “But I am willing to do what is necessary to restore trust and bring stability back to Inazuma. I cannot change what has already happened, but I can ensure that something like this will never happen again.”

Kokomi looked at me for a long moment before offering a small, barely perceptible smile.

“If you are truly committed to ending this war and healing Inazuma, then we will agree to work with you to find a peaceful solution.” Her tone was gentle, but her words carried considerable weight.

Lumine, who had remained silent the entire time, finally spoke up.

“Shogun, why did you make that decision in the first place? What led you to believe that Visions needed to be confiscated?”

Her gaze was piercing, as if she were searching for the truth behind my words.

I fell silent, feeling Ei’s presence within me. I knew it was a difficult question, and the answer would not be simple.

“Eternity,” Ei began in my mind, her voice calm and steady. “My desire has always been to protect Inazuma from change, from decay. Visions, and the ambitions they represent, bring with them a chaos that threatens the stability I have tried to preserve.”

I repeated those words aloud, yet I could not help feeling that there was something more—something even Ei was not willing to admit. Kokomi and Lumine looked at me with interest, though there was still a hint of reserve in their eyes.

Paimon floated around Lumine, watching me with a mix of surprise and distrust.

“But if Visions give people power, how can it be bad for them to have them?”
she asked, her tone slightly childlike.

“Those things help people defend themselves, to fight for what they believe in!”

Her words, though simple, rang with truth. I couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt. Ei remained silent, which was unusual. There was something about this moment that made me doubt, even more than I already did.

“You’re right,”
I said softly, looking at Paimon, but also feeling as though I was speaking to myself.

“Visions represent people’s ambitions. And by taking them away, I stripped them not only of their power, but of their spirit.”

I paused, trying to find the right words.

“It wasn’t just a measure to protect eternity… it was also a decision born of fear. Fear of what I cannot control.”

Lumine nodded slowly, as if those words resonated with her. “The fear of losing control can lead to difficult decisions… but admitting it is the first step toward making amends.”

Ei remained silent in my mind, though I could sense a faint disturbance in her presence. Perhaps, for the first time in a long while, she was truly reconsidering her actions.

Kokomi spoke again, her voice calm but firm.

“If we truly agree to bring this conflict to an end, then we must coordinate a ceasefire and establish the terms for abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree. It will be necessary to bring both sides together and work jointly to restore peace.”

I nodded, knowing this was only the beginning.

“I agree. I will order all military actions to cease immediately, and I will ensure that the confiscated Visions are returned.”

Kujou Sara, at my side, looked at me with a mixture of astonishment and respect. Though she had said little during the meeting, her posture made it clear that she would support whatever decision I made. That gave me a bit more confidence to move forward.

“Lumine,” I said, turning to her. “I know you have been fighting in this war… and I understand if it is difficult to trust me after everything that has happened. But if we agree to work together, I promise I will do everything in my power to correct my mistakes.”

Lumine looked at me intently, as if weighing every word. At last, she nodded.

“It won’t be easy, but if you are truly willing to change, then I’m willing to try as well.”

Paimon, floating beside her, let out a relieved sigh.

“Phew, that’s a step in the right direction! But just so you know, Paimon will be keeping a close eye on you!”

I couldn’t help but smile slightly at her enthusiasm, and I realized that perhaps there was a small glimmer of hope for Inazuma’s future. “It’s only the first step,” I thought, as Ei remained silent in my mind.

“But at least, it is a step toward reconciliation.”