Chapter 140: Chapter 140: Watatsumi Island

“Watatsumi”—the name signifies the God of the Sea.

Watatsumi Island is situated west of Yashiori Island, boasting unique flora, towering landscapes, and cascading waterfalls. According to legend, it was created by Orobashi himself.

At the very heart of Watatsumi Island lies Sangonomiya, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. It serves as the main stronghold of the Resistance, standing against the Shogunate’s Vision Hunt Decree—resembling the fabled Dragon Palace of myth.

It is also the political and spiritual center of Watatsumi Island’s people. Within its palace, guarded by coral reefs and giant shells, dwells the last remnant of the Serpent God’s will.

And this so-called Serpent God—was none other than Orobashi.

In the past, the people of Watatsumi lived deep beneath the ocean, in Enkanomiya.

It was only under Orobashi’s guidance that they emerged from the depths, settling on land and building the civilization of Watatsumi Island.

After Orobashi was slain by the Raiden Shogun, his body decayed into lifeless bones, while his resentment condensed into the Tatarigami’s curse.

And yet—his desire to protect Watatsumi Island never faded.

This will was passed down through the bloodline of the Sangonomiya Clan, generation after generation.

The one who inherits this legacy is known as the “Divine Priestess” of Watatsumi Island.

This title signifies: A mortal vessel bearing the will of a god, standing in its place to protect the land.

The current Divine Priestess is none other than Sangonomiya Kokomi.

Kokomi, however, rarely appeared before ordinary people.

Regardless of how others viewed her, she was someone who truly struggled with social interactions.

In the past… she could at least manage polite conversation.

But at some point, even talking to unfamiliar people became an exhausting burden.

“A ruler’s conduct influences their people.”

As the Divine Priestess, Kokomi’s actions carried immense weight.

Countless eyes were constantly watching her every move, so she had to force herself to face the things she wasn’t good at.

Like interacting with strangers.

Or handling tedious matters she had no interest in.

Until that person appeared.

“His speed surpassed even the flash of lightning!”

“Even the exalted Shogun herself couldn’t match him—and her godly form was broken by the blade in his hands!”

“Think about it! That was the Reverse Blade Sword—a weapon whose edge faces inward! And it still wounded the Shogun! If it had been a normal sword… wouldn’t that mean he could slay a god?!”

A group of new recruits crowded around a wounded veteran, eagerly listening to his tale about Battousai.

So engrossed were they that they had completely forgotten their work.

“Battousai must have been chosen by the gods!”

“What kind of Vision does he wield? If he’s faster than lightning, could it be… Anemo?”

To these young soldiers, only Vision wielders could possibly stand against a god.

And when it came to speed, the only element that came to mind—besides Electro—was Anemo.

“Hmph! Lord Battousai doesn’t have a Vision!”

“He wounded the Shogun with nothing but a Reverse Blade Sword—without using any elemental power!”

“He is the true embodiment of a mortal standing on equal footing with the gods!”

This was why Battousai’s name had spread like wildfire across Watatsumi Island.

Before he appeared, everyone believed that true strength required a Vision.

Even Vision holders themselves thought so—because they understood how vast the gap was between those who could wield the elements and those who could not.

It wasn’t a gap that could simply be bridged with skill.

To put it bluntly, a Vision wielder could easily take on ten or more ordinary warriors without breaking a sweat.

And yet Bai Luo was the only one who had ever shattered that rule.

“Does Battousai… truly not have a Vision?”

A young recruit, sweeping the ground nearby, couldn’t help but ask.

For as long as he could remember, a Vision had been his greatest pursuit.

But no matter how hard he tried, the gods never seemed to favor him.

“Of course, he doesn’t have one! Haven’t you all noticed something?”

“The warriors who resist the Vision Hunt Decree are usually forcibly conscripted by the Shogunate.”

“But Battousai? He wasn’t conscripted—he was wanted.”

The veteran smirked with a sense of pride, as if he were the one being hunted instead.

And yet, at that very moment, that annoyingly inconvenient voice rang out again.

“But… didn’t you say before that Battousai and Lord Kaedehara Kazuha were both on the Vision Hunt list?”

“Teppei! Mind your own business and focus on sweeping!”

Having been contradicted yet again, the veteran’s face darkened.

But facing these young, hopeful recruits—the future of the Resistance—he couldn’t lash out.

Instead, he redirected his frustration through scolding.

The recruit named Teppei wasn’t bothered.

He merely smiled good-naturedly and continued sweeping.

But deep down…

He still longed to fight on the frontlines.

Of course, Teppei was an exception.

Most soldiers idolized Battousai in the same way as the wounded veteran—with awe and reverence.

In fact—his reputation had begun to overshadow even that of the Divine Priestess herself.

The Sangonomiya faction was far from pleased with this.

And yet—Sangonomiya Kokomi herself never interfered with the soldiers’ blind worship of Battousai.

Everyone assumed it was out of respect for his strength, or perhaps an attempt to recruit him into the Resistance.

But in truth…

Her greatest dream was simply to fade into the background, to be a strategist who worked behind the scenes without attracting attention.

Because of Battousai’s presence, she had finally experienced a rare sense of relief.

Even among the endless piles of military documents on her desk—a few more strategy books and light novels had appeared.

Far from being troubled—she was grateful.

Reaching the top at a young age is seen by many as a great fortune.

But for her…

The higher she climbed, the more she walked on thin ice.

A single misstep, and she would fall into a bottomless abyss.

“Lady Sangonomiya, Captain Beidou’s fleet will arrive soon. There is an important guest aboard—you should personally greet them.”

A shrine maiden standing beside Kokomi spoke.

Unlike the native shrine maidens of Watatsumi Island, this one was an outsider.

However—because of her outstanding competence and warm personality, she had earned a promotion.

But even so…

Her status would never go beyond this point.

Because in the end—she was an outsider.

“I understand.”

Kokomi closed the strategy book in her hands.

She adjusted her clothing—though it was already neat enough, then followed the shrine maiden out of the room.

By the time she reached Sangonomiya Shrine, many people had already gathered, including General Gorou, who had just returned from the front lines.

Unlike most, Gorou wasn’t focused on Battousai.

Instead, he was more concerned about the arrival of Kaedehara Kazuha.

The Resistance army was composed of many kinds of warriors, including ronin, but Kazuha was special.

That wind-like presence about him set him apart from any other drifter.

In a way, Gorou felt a deep connection with him.

“Soldiers! Let’s go welcome our heroes!”

As Kokomi stepped outside, something about her presence changed.

Because more than anyone, she understood what it meant to be a true leader.

. . . . .

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