Kujou Sei's years on Ritou, training troops and crushing pirates, had dulled his nerve but honed his killing craft—especially against humanoid foes.
His strength wasn't top-tier among Hatamoto, but he outclassed regular soldiers and samurai. On any minor front at Kujou Encampment, he could shift the tide.
Even Vision bearers often fell to him. Ritou's Vision holders respected him for it.
So, despite trembling before the monster tide, the jittery Kujou Sei carved through foes—one slash per Hilichurl Shaman or Mitachurl.
He even traded blows with a Mitachurl Thunderhelm, stronger than Ritou's, and, with a Pyro Vision bearer's aid, felled it.
Had he fought like this on Ritou, that Thunderhelm would've dropped instantly, sparing him blame.
Tch—environment shapes the man.
Ritou's Kujou Sei and Kujou Encampment's felt like different people.
Yet, one man didn't change Kujou Encampment's grim reality: monster tides.
Even a high-tier Vision bearer couldn't stem the flood. A mortal like Kujou Sei? Less so.
Mortals lacked area-of-effect power, making them vulnerable to swarms, no matter their skill.
Vision bearers, with complex elemental reactions, cleared tides efficiently, making them the mainstay.
That didn't render soldiers useless. Vision bearers were scarce, and their elemental bursts drained fast. Without energy, they barely outshone skilled samurai.
In those gaps, mortals held the line.
Truth be told, elite mortals slew as many monsters as Vision bearers—numbers made up for speed. But their pace was slow, too slow to hold Kujou Encampment alone.
After a day-long assault, the tide receded.
At Kujou Encampment's command post, the General and Hatamoto analyzed recent monster attack patterns. A Thunder Vision at the General's waist gleamed.
In the land of Thunder and Eternity, Electro users were favored.
With the Raiden Shogun as mentor and abundant local Electro elements, they drew power easily, climbing Inazuma's ranks.
Many Electro Vision holders held high posts. The Shogun's Okuzume guard were all Vision bearers. Among Hatamoto, Electro users abounded. Of ten Generals, eight wielded Electro, two Pyro.
Only one Tri-Commissioner, the Tenryou Commissioner, used Electro. The others wielded Hydro and Geo—high ranks for non-Electro users.
Other Vision types weren't doomed to obscurity but faced stiffer climbs.
"Monster numbers have trended down these months, but their quality's up—more Mitachurls," a Hatamoto reported.
"Kujou Sei's been solid lately, nearly back to his old battlefield glory," another Hatamoto chuckled.
"Enough teasing," the General, a Kujou clansman, cut in. He'd have joined the ribbing but kept face for the clan. "He's got guts, just needs sharpening."
The Hatamoto was right: the timid Kujou Sei was fading, the fierce warrior returning—fast.
"Ahem, to business," the General coughed.
"Watatsumi Island's got a sudden rebel uprising. We need someone to aid the Coral Palace's forces in crushing it. The Shogun's sending us to cull Dark Sea beasts, so our monster tides should ease soon."
"Who'll volunteer for Watatsumi?"
Silence. No one fancied a stint on that barren, trouble-prone island.
Watatsumi offered little beyond pearls coveted by nobles and ladies—nothing for roughneck samurai.
"Fine, I'll name someone," the General said.
"Kujou Sei. Objections?"
"None."
Kujou Sei agreed. Monsters spooked him, but humans? He'd slain pirates for years. Rebels were no issue.
Reisen Riou was unaware of Kujou Encampment's events.
But they touched him indirectly.
This summer, his seasonal stipend lacked Watatsumi pearls.
These pearls, laced with inert Hydro elements, cooled sweltering days when activated, becoming consumables.
Despite high yields, Watatsumi pearls were scarce across Teyvat due to their disposable use.
The modest Ritou Shrine burned through seven top-grade pearls last summer.
Inquiries revealed Watatsumi's rebels had disrupted production and blocked trade routes.
Known as "Wave-Riders," Watatsumi's folk excelled in naval combat. The rebels, though short on ships, were adept at sabotage.
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