The Consequences of Treachery.

"W-what the…!"

At Yamagata castle, the Prime Minister of Fuku stood with his mouth ajar from the sight he is seeing.

"M-Master!"

"You! What the hell is going on at the city center?!"

"T-The Kurayama and Shigure clans are currently in a turf war!"

"Say what?!"

The Prime minister who thought that everything is currently under his control fell into a frenzied panic once he saw several buildings at the town being eaten by flames.

"Get my horse and gather the soldiers! We're going down to the city to pacify this fight!"

"A-As you command!"

"Grrr!!! Those two…!"

The Prime minister of Fuku came from the grandfather of the now-deceased Yamaguchi daimyo.

They were childhood friends and thus, he was greatly favored by the then current leader of the province. And one thing they shared is a war-like personality who cannot be contented unless everything is in their control. Thus, since the previous lord was crowned, Fuku has slowly been conquered by the Yamaguchi clan until all of the province, from the mountains to the seaside, was gathered into their borders.

"AAAAAHHH!!! DIE!!!"

"That's my line!!!"

"Stop! In the name of Lord Yamaguchi, all of you, stop fighting!!!"

However, when his friend died and the leadership was transferred to his eldest son, the prime minister felt a different air in the new lord's personality. Unlike his father who believes that all of Fuku should bow down to one leader to the point of viewing him as almost like a god, the new lord's first words to his people was filled with compassion, camaraderie and empathy.

"Where are your leaders?! Who started this?!!"

This convinced him that the prince is not worthy of being the ferocious and domineering leader that Fuku needs to conquer more lands. Along with a few people on the court that the prince inherited from his deceased father, they slowly made him consume poisoned wine and after many years, its effect came to the surface in the form of mental deterioration.

"Minister Kurayama and Shigure! The Prime minister is commanding you two to stand down!"

"Shaddup! I'm not done with this bastard yet!"

"How dare you…! How dare you give me rotten products!!!"

At that point, they ran the country in the stead of their lord, reasoning that the young man had fallen ill of the same disease that done in the previous lord. They claimed that the young lord wants Fuku to focus on military endeavors and to conquer a piece of land in the neighboring province of Shinka before his eventual death.

Although unconvinced that their lord who promised to focus more on the welfare of the public would suddenly want to send his soldiers to invade a strong neighboring noble clan, the mention that this might be the lord's last wish made the people comply and wish for the best for their lord.

This act happened again and again for the late daimyo's uncle and father until the same almost happened to the last living Yamaguchi lord.

However, he was quick-witted and of great theatrical ability, he managed to convince his captors that he has been weakening mentally and has fallen unfit to rule the province. That was the exact time when he learned about the existence of the Women of the Night and contracted them for a plan that will be beneficial to them. He will lay with their members and conceive as many heirs as he can and these children will be left to the group to both be the insurance that the Yamaguchi clan will survive and a way for the group to legitimize themselves rather than leaving the definition of their group as hidden outlaws.

"M-Master!"

"What is it?! Where are those two fools?!"

"They… They're dead! Minister Kurayama has died with Minister Shigure's sword and the latter died of his wounds while escaping his flaming villa."

"What?! Tch! Damn it!"

The ministers learned later that the young lord caught a venereal disease and the thought of him engaging on that kind of act shook the cooperation of the treacherous officers. If he would accidentally give birth to a heir, it would mean that the Yamaguchi clan will continue and they will have to wait for an opportune moment again to wipe it out. As such, they one day came to visit the ill young lord under the guise of bringing him some companionship. When they were sure that the lord was sound asleep, they took out their daggers and stabbed him repeatedly until he died.

But the plan was already underway. There are now two children carrying his blood and the hope for a better Fuku is still possible.

Or at least… once these traitors are no longer here.

"Prime Minister Okuma… how would you explain this…?"

"Aa…ahh… This is…"

"Lord Iwasawa came to Fuku to engage talks regarding alliances and trade since he deemed this land as a safe place to invest in. But…"

"-!!!"

"Why the hell are you showing us this bloody and uncouth scene?"

Immediately after the battle has ceased in the city, the Prime Minister was invited to the Embassy of Kiko. This made him panic as the guest that they had to impress has already seen how chaotic this place is.

"W-we apologize, Your Honor… This is an isolated case of a turf war between two rival gangs. This ruckus is in no way representative of Fuku's governmental status."

"Are you sure about that, Prime Minister Soen? I'm pretty sure that the people outside know that this is a battle stemming from Minster Kurayama and Minister Shigure who both died just earlier. Is this really not a symbol of Fuku's governmental capability?"

"That-"

"Choose your words wisely, Prime Minister… One word from me, and you and your cronies won't have what you want from Iwasawa-kou-sama."

"U-understood…"

Even though he is the guest, Ambassador Kaminari is being held in a high importance right now due to how important his position is to the ministers who will be ridding the land of their enemies using the weapons of Kiko.

As such, even the current despot of Fuku cannot act all highly with him. That is just how strategic he is for their future plans.

"Kaminari Tatsu… that man…"

"Soen-sama? What's bothering you?"

Later that night, the remaining 6 ministers met inside Yamagata castle to discuss the situation right now after two of their fellow officers killed each other earlier and the new ambassador's bad impression of their leadership that might affect their future negotiations.

"The ambassador sent here by the lord of Kiko… I'm sensing something suspicious with that man."

"And that would be?"

"When I talked to him, it's as if he already knew that he would be in an advantageous position and spoke without letting me make up some reasons."

"What are you talking about, Soen? Of course, he'd act like that. He's here to observe for his lord if we are worth allying with or if they are better off not aligning their efforts with us. And Kurayama and Shigure's battle happened in the exact same district where he is staying."

"I know… it's just…"

"Here's something. Don't expect your guest to be amused when you allow your brats to splatter water on the path he is treading on."

"Are you saying that Kurayama-sama is a tactless wretch?!"

"You're disrespecting Shigure-sama's honor!"

"Go die, old man!"

The problem in the current assembly of ministers is how it has been split up. The two ministers that died today was very influential in both the economic and military affairs of Fuku. In truth, only the two are the source of most laws and decisions in the court and the other ministers are left to support their suggestions.

As such, it became a huge issue when the Minister of Economy and Trade, Minister Masato, brought up a local idiom describing the mess today and it was taken in an exaggerated degree by the others.

"Everybody, silence!"

"Tch!"

"How dare that geezer…"

At this point, rather than seeing improvements, Prime Minister Soen felt like the court is just breaking up more and more.

"We cannot continue like this. While we're calling out each other and disgracing ourselves in front of our future allies, the rebellion is just making more and more progress in hiding the heirs and amassing power and influence to topple us."

"Well said, well said."

"That's right… This cannot continue."

"As such, I ask to all six of us who are in here, watch out for harm and traps by the rebels and never let the mistake that happen today to happen again. I promise you, once we have obtained the trust of the lord of Kiko, we will be able to overpower the rebelling nobles and claim Fuku for ourselves. After that, we will advance to Shinka and avenge those that has fallen in the past defeats we had against the Kusanagi clan."

"Long live the Fuku-no-Renmei!"

TN: *(Fuku Coalition)

"Banzai! Banzai!! Banzai!!!"

Unbeknownst to them, the sly fox ambassador and his rebelling female allies is yet to start their real sabotage operations.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"There are many ways to get our enemies to fight each other… One of which is the trade that you girls are currently affiliated with."

A few days after his debut scheme in Fuku, the ambassador spoke to his allies about their next steps in toppling the coalition that currently leads Fuku.

"My name is Kazami. I will be your companion for tonight, Esteemed Guest…"

"Ohoho~ What a treat you are, young lady…"

This is Minister Furuta, an old man who leads the Ministry of Agriculture. Although kind and gentle at the surface, one should know that this man is not someone clean.

"Haah… haah…"

"Did you enjoy it, young lady?"

"I do, sir."

"Ohoho… I haven't lost my touch yet, huh?"

This man is known to frequent courtesan houses every night. Sometimes hiring the service of a multitude of women using the money that he illegally wrings out from the poor farmers in the southern plains of Fuku.

"Sir… if I may interest you with a few words…"

Of course, this is something that the other ministers know about. But they tolerate it since this vulgar hobby of the old man helps in keeping the rebelling people of the south poor enough to not raise up in arms against them.

"And that would be?"

"I've had a client last night who told me about his affiliation with a minister who are working with the rebelling nobles."

"-?!"

And because of said hobby, he falls too easily to the words of a courtesan who just gave him a good time…

"I see… I see now… that man, I knew he was with them!"

"Now, now, master… Don't be too hasty. Right now, you only have my word to tell the other esteemed leaders about his treachery. I believe it would be beneficial for you and the safety of the other leaders to bid your time for now and find more evidence against him."

"That's right! I should calm down for now and keep my eye on him… that wretch, he'll get what he deserves one day!"

"That's right, master… that's right…"

The first step of the Fall of Fuku nobility has been taken now.

"Next, we have to create a way to incriminate our sacrifice. For this, let me personally create the opportunity…"

The ambassador spoke from behind a changing pane and when he came out, Nayoko and the other group members marveled on his new appearance.

"When it comes to temptation, greed is second only to lust… such are the words spoken by Iwasawa-sama."

His appearance was that of a foreign merchant. Dressed in a Chinese merchant garb and an accompanying straw hat and round sunglasses, one would find it hard to recognize that he is the new ambassador from Kiko.

"Oh! Here he comes!"

When he heard that the ministers are having a meeting today, Tatsu went to the front of the castle and patiently waited for his target for today. When the stern-looking old man went out of the castle gates, he immediately rushed to him and spoke.

"Sir, sir! Are you open-minded?"

(TN: I swear, if the author did this intentionally and knows how those words started to cause me trauma, I wish he didn't invest his college savings to those networking scams. I learned it the hard way and now, I'm stuck editing the novel of a guy with a better life than me.)

"Huh… Interesting."

"Right, right? You see, I have contacts from across the sea, sir. And I guarantee you, Fuku will surely overpower Kiko or even Kise once we make this contract."

The victim they have chosen is nothing more but the outspoken Minister of Economics and Trade, Minister Masato. With him knowing that he old man is one easily tricked by a ludicrous amount of money by trade, he knew that he is perfect to be the scapegoat and core of the plan.

"Hmm… I like it! We have a deal!"

"Amazing, sir! But first, I wish that you are willing to talk with a few of my colleagues who are more influential than me. You see, we are a group in here and when I told them that we should give Fuku a chance, they just turned me away and told me that they aren't interested with money."

"Hah! Only those warlike idiots, I say! The lot of them, always spouting military endeavors but not thinking of how to support those wars!"

"Right, sir? Ain't that their problems?"

A few days later, the other ministers have also been baited to take the seed of doubt.

"Good… Seems like my time here has been well spent."

"It is, master… it is."

Some got it through their time in various courtesan houses with the sweet words of the women of the night.

"We'll soon get the men ready, sir. We just need more money to convince them. You see, it's quite hard to promise something when we don't have it upfront."

"Tell them that we can guarantee the rewards once they have done their jobs."

"Yes, sir!"

As for the mercenaries that have offered their services to the ministers who are starting to get concerned with their own safety, they are disguised Crows sent over by Captain Kuro at the request of Tatsu.

"…"

"Well, you see sir. My lady right here isn't used to speaking Japanese. So, I'm here to translate for this negotiation."

"No problem! I look forward to this negotiation, my lady."

While the Economics minister has been roped in for secret meetings that is purposely trailed by the officers who are suspecting him of working with the rebelling nobles.

"Shall we start the party… Fools of Fuku?"

With those words spoken by him, the discord of the coalition has slowly begun to take shape…

"This is ridiculous! We can't let him get more and more acquainted with the enemy! We must strike now!"

"This isn't the right time yet! We need to catch him in it!"

The scheming traitors who once toppled their master for their own desires and selfishness…

"Would these be good for you, Minister Masato?"

"Mm! This is well for me. The Prime Minister will be pleased with this!"

The greedy man who will has to accept the retribution of his own shady nature in business…

"Master… the other ministers aren't responding anymore. They said that they can't work with the others anymore unless they clear their own names."

"AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!! DAMN IT ALL!!!!"

And the person who started it all… the one who is the most responsible of everything that happened here.

"Nayoko-san… Let us begin."

"As you command, Tatsu-sama."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Minister Masato, we are arresting you at the behest of Prime Minister Soen. Please come with us with peacefully."

"W-What?! This is ridiculous! Why am I being taken by the Caste guards?!"

At his own home, the old man was visited by the castle guards with the command of the Prime Minister to arrest him.

"Please, Minister! This is just a forced meeting, we assure you that you will only have to answer to the Prime Minister!"

"Guards! Guards! Get these peons away from me!!!"

"This is an order! Tie him up and bring him forcefully if needed!"

At the meeting chamber, the circle of officials are seated as the Economics minister was brought in at their midst.

"Soen! What the hell are you doing?! What is this for?!"

"Silence, traitor!"

One of them shouted and this cascaded to the others, causing the chamber to be filled with accusations that should have been reserved later.

"You traitor! We know you're negotiating to side with the rebels!"

"Did you think that we didn't know? We know it well!"

"Not so high-strung now, huh?!"

"Gentlemen! I request your silence…"

The Prime Minister held his head and hit his table loudly to silence the others.

"…Masato… I have one question for you…"

"What is it?"

The Prime minister heaved a sigh and stated his question.

"Are you our enemy?"

"No. I am not."

"…"

"…"

The stare down between the two made the entire assembly quiet. After a few moments, the tied-up old man asked a question.

"What made you believe this stupid accusation that I am working with the rebels?"

"The others in here has gathered evidence about your talks with some questionable people… For the past few weeks, you've been sneaking under our eyes to meet with these foreign merchants."

"I am. They came from the mainland and are requesting my cooperation to open up trade in here."

"Then did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That those people are gathering information about our trade needs in order to report it to our enemies?"

"-!!!"

Hearing that, the old man froze up on the spot in realization of what that kind of information can endanger them.

"Right now, those people may already have prepared an illegal way to fulfill your contract with them. With that illegal trade, you could've destroyed our credibility with the local and foreign merchant alliances and cripple our economy."

"B-but-! They are surely-"

"We don't know their names. The ones they gave you are stupid aliases placed on fake passports and documents."

However, the doubts didn't stop with him.

"How about you, Minister Furuta? Do you have anything to speak about yourself?"

"Huh?"

"I apologize if you haven't done anything wrong, but I sent some people to follow you around for the last few weeks and they found out that you've been frequenting a few courtesan houses."

"And what if I am…? What are you trying to say?"

The Minister of Public works and Minister of Agriculture stared at each other for a moment.

"Are you also meeting with the rebels?"

"That's enough outta you!"

"That's my line!"

With the public works minister breaking the pot of secrets on the other person, the chamber erupted again with accusations that they've held back since they didn't want to be the one to break it and suffer the shame if they are wrong.

"This is madness! I am not a rebel!"

"Your words mean nothing! Reason your way out of these evidences if you can!"

This time, it wasn't another accusation that plunged them into chaos but a lone messenger who barged into the chamber to report an important news.

"Your Excellencies! I bring dire news!"

"What is it? Speak up!"

"The soldiers in the city of Kurobe and Atago has broken into their own groups! Our forces stationed there are fighting amongst themselves!"

"What?!?!"

"How did this happen?!"

Before the messenger can answer it, another soldier came in and reported.

"The Yataga and Senzu clan has rebelled! They have raised their own leaders and are marching here to dispose off Minister Yataga and Senzu!"

"W-what… my own son-?!"

"This can't be-! I am their leader!"

At this point, Fuku has already been swallowed by chaos. And in the following minutes, the entire province has broken up to fight a war amongst themselves.

"Let's go! I don't want to die here in the capital!"

"Yes, master!"

Each man for himself. Each wanting to save their own skins in this descent of the land into anarchy.

"Take it all! I don't want a single coin to be left in here!"

"The horses can't take anymore, master!"

"Then put it on your own backs!"

Or at least, that would happen if the people responsible for this will allow it.

"Yataga assassins! Protect the master!"

"Die! Furuta!"

At the roads, at the secret paths amongst the forests…

"Your life is mine!"

"Argh!!!"

Even in their own homes and in front of their own families…

"Papa!!!"

"Iyargh!!!"

The traitors have finally shown their own colors and turned against each other, one wanting to survive or secure a future where they will still be in power.

"What is the meaning of this, Prime Minister Soen?"

Only one man remains that still hopes that Fuku will stand after this.

"Please… please Ambassador… please tell Lord Iwasawa to help us."

Kneeling on all fours, wearing his most pitiful-looking attire and begging with a voice that is half-crying and half-groaning. The prideful Prime Minister was reduced to a powerless beggar in just a single night.

"No."

"Please! Pleeeeaaaassssseeee!!!"

"Tch!"

The face of the young ambassador was almost that of disgust.

"…Head maid, please come in."

"What is your command, Tatsu-sama?"

"…Say, Nayoko-san. Should I entertain the request of His Excellency, Prime Minister Soen?"

The Prime Minister looked up to the woman and bowed towards her to gain her pity and answer positively.

"I say No, master Tatsu."

"-!!!"

"The lady of the house has spoken her verdict… I'm sorry, Prime Minister."

"This can't be… THIS CAN'T BE!!!"

*BYAK-!*

When he stood up to charge at him, Tatsu drew his pistol and squarely shot his foreleg.

"AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!"

"Wrong move, minister… wrong move."

"I'll take the medicine box."

"Thank you, Nayoko-san."

Once the servant left the room, Tatsu sat down on the floor beside the wounded man and took a sip of the Sake that the ministers gave him last time when they were not busy finishing off each other yet.

"You see, Minister Soen, there are things that one can do and get away with because it's either an accident or the victim isn't one to keep offenses near to his heart… however, you have to make sure that it isn't the case when you did have to do something that would harm others…"

"What are you-"

"Kurobe Sake… The esteemed women who brew them from the fields that their own husbands farmed grains on… does this ring a bell, huh?"

"No!!!"

"Hah… I suppose not all villains care enough for their victims to even remember their crimes."

The door opened and from there, a woman dressed in a kimono came in. She placed a box on the table and sat on a Seiza position in front of the two men.

"You…"

The old man looked up and he saw that her face was painted with white rice powder to lighten it and red dyes to form artificial blushes and eyebrows. Something that only Geishas on display would wear.

"Do you remember me, War Minister Soen?"

"You-!!!"

"Good… it seems like my face and my voice together has rekindled some of your past memories."

Nayoko and her group used to be enslaved courtesans here. Taken from their homes with their mothers and serving here as entertainers and prostitutes, they are frequently taken by high-ranking officials.

Of course, the then War Minister and Current Prime Minister is no exception. And he was unknowingly doing it with the same women whose life he destroyed.

"How… how?!!! I was sure that you died!"

"Are you sure that I was among those who died on the fire?"

"No… NOOOO!!!"

"Augh! Shut up!"

Tatsu was annoyed with the noises of the old minister that he shoved the gun barrel down his shouting mouth.

"Shout again and I'll shoot a bullet down to your ass!"

"Aurgh! Glack!"

He took it out and let Nayoko speak again.

"I suppose that you don't have the conscience to even think of us after you destroyed our homes and families… slaughtered our fathers and brothers… sold us into slavery only to return to us when you are in need of relief…"

"How… how can this happen…?"

"Tell me, Soen… how does it feel like to be swallowed by the consequences of your own crimes?"

After that question, the door opened and one by one, women dressed in Geisha clothes and make up came in and opened the box to take a knife whose handles has a paper attached where names are written in red ink.

"We never liked Master Yamaguchi… but because of him, we obtained a way and a purpose to exact our revenge…

Lastly, a 12-year-old boy came in with a Katana whose handle has the same paper attached. But on it is a name that shook the Prime Minister to the core.

"You have come after us to destroy our lives."

"You have caused our mothers to kill their selves after cursing their lives. Away from their beloved husbands whom you slaughtered."

"You have killed my father in cold blood. All in order to claim this land for yourself."

Hearing their judgements, the Minister slowly sank into himself, wanting to apologize but also knowing that it is pointless now.

"Can you feel it now, Minister? The weight of your sins after everything that you have done?"

Tatsu whispered that question before standing up and taking the rice wine bottle with him as he walked out of the office's door.

"Minister Soen. As for the alliance of Kiko to Fuku, rest assured that it will happen."

"-!"

"However, you will no longer be alive to see it."

"Ah…!"

"Goodbye, Prime Minister…"

At the exact moment that he closed the door, the room was bathed in blood as all of the people left in there with him pounced at him and stabbed him to death.

That night, the Fuku-no-Renmei alliance was dissolved after all of its members has died either with their own former comrade's hands or the clean-up operation done by the Crows. This day will later be called as Fuku's "Insurrection day", the day when the rebellion won against the officials and finally gained independence from the warlike leaders.

"With the authority vested upon me as the lord of Kiko, I formally acknowledge you as my ally in arms and peace. People of Fuku! I present to you, Lord Yamaguhi Koshiro! Lord of Fuku and leader of its people!"

"Koshiro-sama! Banzai!"

"Banzai!"

Iwasawa Hiroshi later came to help legitimize the crowning of the young prince into lordship and also officially announce that they are now allied with Fuku along with Shinka. As for the representative of the Kusanagi clan, Ayanami Mitsuhide came and sent her regards and message as well, breaking the bad blood of the Yamaguchi clan and Kusanagi clan to create a better future together.

"Kaminari Tatsu…"

"My lord…"

"You've done well. I heard some questionable methods but… I'm gonna be honest, I'm impressed of your performance."

"Such words are wasted on me, my lord. I have just done as you asked of me."

The lord of Kiko and his retainer talked to each other but sooner than expected, the master-servant tone was gone and they began to talk like old friends.

"Since you're coming back to Naka soon, I have something to ask of you."

"Shoot away, I'm all ears."

"I heard that you've been chasing after a very important person in Naka castle… sending boxed nuts, am I right?"

"Ah-!"

"Kaminari-san…"

"Y-yes, sir?"

He shakingly asked as Hiroshi held him firmly by the shoulder with an unpleased looking smile.

"I know about your night crawling record before you worked for me… Lay a finger on her in that kind of way and I'll force you to be my eunuch for life… Am I clear?"

"EEEEKKK-!!!"

Somewhere in the midst of the party, three fair maidens seated on their own table are being flocked by other women, asking about their beautifully designed clothes and light yet captivating make ups that looked like they didn't even have any on their face.

"Ehehe… these are made in my hometown in Aoya. These were sent by the local tailors and dressmakers last week. I wore it to represent their craftsmanship."

There was Chiyo who are showing her beautiful kimono with bright flower motifs and excellent and equal stitches that no hand sewing can do.

"This make up is created by a beautification artist in Naka Harbor. Her dyes and powders that came from abroad are highly sought after. She asked me to wear her design to this gathering. She's my cousin, actually."

Minister Nagisa Masami showed her face make up and this made the other women melt in envy of how well it blends with her face that it looks almost unnoticeable.

"So cute!!!"

"Ehh? EEEHHH?!!"

"Uwaa! She looks so cute!"

"Her reactions are so cute!"

"C-Chiyo-nee! Heeelllppp!!!"

As for the still crowd anxious Akizuki Hisako, her cute kimono accentuated her cute reactions to praises, causing the other guest, may they be men or women, to melt while adoring her.

The day after, Iwasawa Hiroshi and the other delegates has gone home and the Yamaguchi clan is now in their first day of leading their province.

"As for Princess Kaede, we are still leaving her to Iwasawa-sama's care. She'll be studying there and come here after her 12th birthday to bring that knowledge to us."

"Umm…"

"Say it, Koshiro-sama."

"U-understood… Thank you for the report."

The 12-year-old young lord is still new to this. As such his guardian and instructor, Nayoko-san, has presented herself to be the young lord's guide and assistant until he can finally stand on his own feet and lead.

"Koshiro-sama… I have brought your tea."

"T-thank you, Nayoko-san."

As he gingerly took the cup, the woman stood behind his seat and watched him carefully as he emptied the drink into his mouth.

"This tea is…"

"A specialty of Kurobe, my lord. My countrymen have sent some to thank your immediate support in rebuilding our town."

"I-is that so? Ehehe… Send my regards to them."

"I will, my lord."

Even after confirming that he has drank all of it, the eye of the woman is still set on the cup… as if… she's thinking deeply about something…

"All according to plan…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

At their carriage to the way home, Shimura Nobisuke gave a scroll to his master.

"My lord, Lady Ayanami gave a letter to me last night that she wanted to give to you."

"Really? Why did she give it to you then?"

"I… Umm…"

"What?"

"When I asked her the same thing, her face became red, and she ran away at full speed as if embarrassed about something."

"What? Ugh… whatever…"

He opened the scroll and read it carefully before opening the small window behind his head to speak to the carriage driver.

"There has been change of plans. Reroute to Fumetsu city of Shinka."

"As you wish, my lord!"

"We're going to Shinka? Why?"

"This is a letter from Kyoko herself. I know because of the messy handwriting."

"Wow… I mean no disrespect but…"

"I know."

Both of them stopped before saying something awful in fear of the warrior princess probably hearing them.

"It says that the Lady Lord of Kise wants to meet me soon. She said that she'll be waiting in Fumetsu to meet me and go with us."

"That's some good news."

"It is."

Now… how shall things go for Iwasawa Hiroshi now? After all, the Daigo clan's head herself has called for him.

"Whatever it is, I'll do my all to win her allegiance."