Any policy change can only be judged as good or bad after implementation. Before that, who can truly predict its effects?
Perhaps beings like the Integrated Data Sentient Entity could calculate all variables, but Li Mo couldn't, and neither could Raiden Ei.
The first reform was splitting the Tenryou Commission. Warriors led by Kujou Sara were separated from its structure and reorganized into a new unit directly under Ei's command.
Though nominally under Ei, she wouldn't personally oversee this army. They would swear loyalty to her in name. The Shogun's elite guard, the Ochimusha, were restructured with Kujou Sara as their new leader.
The Ochimusha were meant to protect the Shogun—yet when one considered the Shogun's might, such protection seemed unnecessary. In truth, they functioned more like an imperial guard, composed of elites selected through rigorous trials. As Ei explained, centuries ago, the Ochimusha had charged into battle alongside her.
Many among them possessed Visions, though few matched Kujou Sara's strength.
She was likely the last remaining heir of the tengu bloodline.
"You should assign Kujou Sara to the Grand Narukami Shrine for training," Li Mo advised Ei one early summer day. "With her foundation, proper training could make her a formidable general."
"Perhaps... But let me rest a few days first. I never imagined governance would be this exhausting," Ei admitted.
"Because we're reshaping the system itself. This isn't just policy—it's fighting against institutional inertia and people's ingrained habits," Li Mo said. "Honestly, I'm surprised we've implemented so much so quickly."
The rapid progress was unexpected yet logical.
After the Sakoku and Vision Hunt Decrees ended, both Kujou Takayuki of the Tenryou Commission and Hiiragi Shinsuke of the Kanjou Commission were punished for colluding with the Fatui. Their successors—Kujou Kamaji and Hiiragi Chisato—now led their respective commissions, determined to restore their families' honor.
Li Mo didn't know how events unfolded in the game's timeline, but here, both successors proved competent, diligently rooting out corruption within their organizations—even when it implicated their own relatives.
The Kujou and Hiiragi clans had declined significantly. Interestingly, the Tenryou Commission's second-most powerful family, the Takatsukasa, had their secrets exposed by the Grand Narukami Shrine—their covert base at the foot of Mt. Yougou now served as a playground for bake-danuki. With no opposition remaining, Kujou Kamaji consolidated control effortlessly.
Hiiragi Chisato similarly secured her position in the Kanjou Commission, overcoming attempts to marry her off to Kujou Kamaji—a scheme thwarted by Kamisato Ayato's mediation.
These events demonstrated that both commissions now lacked any meaningful resistance. As for the Yashiro Commission... Ayato had long since eliminated his opposition.
Moreover, these were the Shogun's direct orders.
"In your eyes, how incompetent would the Shogun have to be for her commands to be ignored?" Ei mused.
"Twice as much," Li Mo quipped.
Ei understood the implication. "They wouldn't dare."
Li Mo shrugged. "The Shogun is right."
Unlike Earth, this world had true gods. They weren't omnipotent or omniscient, but to humans, they were divine.
Faith remained the one concept Li Mo couldn't fully grasp.
Recently, all reform measures had been implemented smoothly. After discussing potential major issues, they'd stopped micromanaging—and to their surprise, Inazuma accepted the changes wholesale.
Even the Rōjū system was operational. Five Rōjū had been appointed, leaving only the so-called "prominent civilian" position vacant...
"Mo, what about Naganohara Fireworks' owner for the last seat?"
"Why not?" Li Mo rubbed his temples. "Since she won the popular vote, let it be her."
Most citizens didn't understand the Rōjū's role—only that it allowed someone to communicate directly with the Shogun. In the selection process, Yoimiya emerged as the top choice.
After all, the position required someone truly of the people—unaffiliated with the Tri-Commission or the shrine. Yoimiya's reputation was stellar: the Naganohara fireworks were famous across Inazuma, and her activism during the Vision Hunt Decree had earned widespread respect.
"Then the Rōjū appointments are settled," the Raiden Shogun declared.
As an advisory role, the Rōjū system's effectiveness would only become clear with time.
"Mo, have you seen Yae Miko recently? I haven't spotted her at the shrine."
Reforms brought busyness, and busyness meant less time for observation. Only now, with a rare moment of leisure, did Ei realize how long it had been since she'd last seen her familiar.
After a pause, Ei suddenly smiled. Though only weeks had passed since Li Mo's return and their collaborative reforms began, the period felt strangely prolonged—or perhaps, fulfilling?
"Miko? She's been busy at the Yae Publishing House."
"That light novel publisher? When she took me to Inazuma City last time, we visited. I even read a few books," Ei recalled.
Months earlier, Yae Miko had whisked Ei away, leaving Li Mo to handle documents alone at the shrine.
Li Mo asked, "What did you think?"
"I couldn't understand them. Do people actually enjoy those stories?"
Ei vividly remembered the plots—like a hilichurl growing powerful from eating sunsettias. Why would anyone find that compelling? How strong could a hilichurl possibly become?
"Let's return to Miko," Li Mo said. "Remember how I mentioned leaving after the Hyakki Yagyo?"
"Yes. But there's been no sign of it occurring."
"Miko's currently battling a book called True Tales of the Supernatural for the sales top spot," Li Mo explained. "If you read it, you'd understand its connection to the Hyakki Yagyo."
"Oh?"
Ei couldn't fathom how light novels related to the legendary demon parade. Later, she procured a copy—yet remained baffled after reading.
Li Mo had to clarify: True Tales of the Supernatural was written by none other than Ioroi.