Fischl was the MVP for that mirror tower puzzle.
As for the story:
I like the references to feudal Japan within in the story (people getting their visions taken away = Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Sword Hunt, which meant that anyone not part of the army had to give away their swords, so nobody could start a rebellion or an uprising. The swords were then smelted down and used as rivets and bolts to create statues of Buddha. Sound familiar? Also, the land is isolating itself, I guess most people know that from japanese history.)
I also don't think the Fatui are behind this one. It seems the Shougun would be too paranoid or proud to trust fantasy Russia's secret agents. Perhaps the Abyss Order found a way to corrupt the archon? Or it could just be that she is simply following her own goals, but something must have happened recently that made her become an uncaring dictator. I am also wondering if she had a big role in the destruction of Khaenri'ah and if she could give us more information about that. Who knows, maybe an evil advisor or a Kitsune or whatever is manipulating her/has manipulated for some time, which, while relatively predictable, would humanise her. She might be the archon of lightning, but she still has her own insecurities or ambitions that are being twisted.