Adoration and Assassination

Later that evening, the four leaders and their retainers went out of the hall and a town crier shouted out the contents of the alliance to the people gathered in the plaza.

"The four leaders had settled their alliance! From today and henceforward, the provinces of Kiko, Shinka, Kise and Fuku will now be united under the flag of the Southern Alliance alongside the province of Yukonami that is now officially a part of Shinka!"

He opened another scroll and cleared his throat to speak out.

"A speech from Her Holiness, Daigo Reika. The time hath come for us to be united. This country has seen nothing but discord and bloodshed for centuries and each peacetime has become nothing more but a buffer period for every war. And so, I declare today. That if the heavens decide to abide upon our backs and support our noble cause, we will bring wellness and peace to the people, whether they be our allies or our enemies, we will spare no effort in ensuring that the things that causes this cycle of war and peace would finally be expunged and this country, remain in peace for a thousand years and forevermore."

"UWOOOOHHH!!!"

"Banzai! Daigo-sama! Banzai!"

The people's cheers for the head priestess were not something that came from her prestige alone. The carefully selected words were understandable by the people who saw it as the priestess' genuine desire to finally have a say in the current civil war.

"A speech from His Highness, Yamaguchi Koshiro. I cannot hide the fact that I am young, unexperienced and nervous to effectively lead my province and take an active part in the alliance. My province is a backwater place that requires me to spend my time in rebuilding it to the point that there would be times when I'll feel overwhelmed with it. So, I wish that everyone would find it in their hearts to support me and my reign. I cannot promise anything other than my loyalty and desire to take part in this movement towards a more peaceful country. So, I implore to everyone, may you be my people or the people that my ancestors has aggrieved… please guide me and help me create the future where such hostility will never find a reason to exist anymore."

"Kuku… Kahahaha! I like it! We should back this boy up!"

"We'll be supporting you, Lord Koshiro!"

"Don't mind the past! Build the future for us!"

As the townsfolk, citizens of their previous enemy of Shinka province, accepted his words and even cheered for him, the young boy who isn't used to such cheering twitched his cheeks and balled his hands into fists in order to stop his eyes from shedding tears of joy.

"A speech from Her Highness, Kusanagi Kyoko. I have grown up from being my father's interim ruler and became the official leader of Shinka. As your Daimyo, I expect nothing else but loyalty and dedication from you who also desire the peace that we, your leaders, envision for the future. I will accept your suggestions, I will accept your ailing when you are hurt, but I will not allow anyone to bring this movement down nor will I let anyone to betray his comrades and leaders for his or her own good. Let me say this once and only once, my people! Serve me and I will care for you! Disappoint me and I will do everything to correct your mistakes! Betray me and I will make sure that you will regret even being born! To that, I declare Shinka's purpose to become the beacon of hope for this country's peace!"

"As you command, Kusanagi-sama!!!"

"We will follow as you wish!"

As their leader's quite domineering words was something of a normal thing to them at this point, the townsfolk responded like soldiers before laughing among themselves.

Kyoko on the other hand, was holding her chin up high to seem more overbearing but Hiroshi knew that she was simply hiding her embarrassed face.

"Lastly, a speech from His Highness, Iwasawa Hiroshi. I believe that my fellow lords had already spoken the things that I would be saying. So, I want to take this opportunity to say this thing told to me by a dear friend. A king without his people is powerless, but a people that doesn't have a king would be aimless. Instead of blindly believing in each other, I want us to look at each other as integral parts of the safety and growth of the other. We cannot do all these magnificent things without your help, but in the same time, I don't believe that anyone would be able to plan such a thing without the help of us, your leaders. I am saying this not to brag or hold us nobles in a higher light, but instead, show that we are different and that is exactly the reason why we need each other. At this time when war is consuming the country, what we need isn't a greater military force alone but rather, unity and solidarity that no one else can break. I ask a question to all of you then, are you prepared to take hold of this dream with us who are leading you?"

"We will follow you till the end! Iwasawa-sama!!!"

"Hurray for the Southern Alliance!"

"Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!"

With their speeches finished and the people raring to go around the town already to celebrate, Kyoko took a sake cup from the tray presented by Mitsuhide and rose it high before shouting.

"Let the festivities begin!!!"

"UWOOOOHHH!!!"

The festival started by nightfall and the streets became lively. Food stalls and even simple games stands were found everywhere.

"Hiro-nii!!!"

"Hiro-sensei…"

"Mr. Hiro!"

"H-Hiro-san…"

Just after the crowd split apart to go their own ways, four children ran to the veranda of the hall building and jumped towards Hiroshi who lost his balance with the unexpected weight behind him.

"Geez… why are you guys always like this…?"

"Gehehe…"

"Don't 'Gehehe' me Rinne or else, you're not having sweets for a week."

"Eeeehhh?!?! No fair!"

"You four! Get off Iwasawa-sama right now!"

These kids are those who joined Hiroshi and his group to Shinka today. And the one who picked them off him by their collars was no one else but Sister Camilla who is dressed in a kimono unlike her usual nun attire.

"I was actually trying to find you five earlier. Did you stay inside the inn?"

"Yes, Iwasawa-sama. I… let's just say that my appearance has become the apple of the eye of some people since they caught a glimpse of us when we came to town."

"Well, the contrast of an oriental attire worn by a beautiful and graceful foreign woman like you would sure garner some attention. Hm, hm… it sure will..."

"Stop making me feel more anxious about it, Iwasawa-sama. I've just been forced to wear this since not many people are familiar with a nun's uniform."

Hiroshi just giggled as the foreign nun gathered the children around her and tried to look composed without the uniform that she feels more comfortable with.

"Anyway, make sure to enjoy the festival with the kids. I'll talk to Ishida to join your group to provide some protection, but don't worry, this is just for the sake of caution."

"I understand, Iwasawa-sama. This is… quite the place for things to just suddenly happen after all."

To call the streets as overcrowded would be an understatement. People are passing by each other to and fro to the point that no one can even discern their own faces.

"Stay safe, Sister."

"Same to you, Iwasawa-sama. May the Almighty God provide his protection and vigilance to you."

The nun clasped her hands for a moment and closed her eyes as Hiroshi did the same before he knelt to the level of the kids.

"Kaede-chan. Don't be shy to tell Sister Camilla if you feel something wrong, alright? And if you wanna go to your brother's inn to talk to him, just tell her and she'll lead you."

"Y-Yes… I'll keep it in mind, Hiro-san."

The shy little princess nodded, and he gave her a gentle smile. He then turned to the two children who were siblings but had different appearances.

"Now, now… Chito and Yukari. I know that you two are still learning Japanese, so I ask that you depend on Sister Camilla for hard words instead of confusing or scaring the vendors by speaking in English."

["Eh? Why do you say so, Teacher Iwasawa?"]

["Mm! I don't get it Mr. Iwasawa!"]

"This is the exact reason!"

""Gehe!""

When they replied in English, he lightly hit their heads with his palm which made the two giggle in joy.

"Just do as I say, alright? Don't cause too much trouble."

""Gotcha!""

"Speaking of trouble… Rinne, listen to me."

"Muu! Why is my name synonymous with trouble?!"

"Because you're the most notorious troublemaker here, you brat!"

"Oww!"

He flicked her forehead which made her wince in pain.

"Listen to me. If you make a problem here, I'll ground you inside your room for the next two weeks. Am I understood?"

"Mmm! I get it!"

With a rather displeased tone, the kid complied and looked away.

"If you don't make any trouble, I'll let you ride in the conductor's cab at the train once we go home."

"R-r-really?!"

"You have my word. Just don't make any trouble, alright?"

"Mm! You can trust me!"

The kid proudly spoke and seem to be looking forward to her reward. With that, the nun's group met with Commander Ishida who took the small Princess Kaede between his shoulders to let her relax in the walk and see more of the crowd.

"Now, now… to enjoy the festival with her…"

Hiroshi mumbled to himself and walked to the direction that he knew he should go to.

"Hey, Chi-chan. Did I make you wait?"

"Ah. Iwasawa-sama. No, not at all."

"Is that so? Let's go then. We still have a lot of places to try out."

Hiro gave her a smile and held her hand as they walked side by side.

"Wow. Is that Takoyaki stand? Hey pops."

"Ey! How many would ya want?"

"I think eight would be enough. We just want a light snack after all."

"Gotcha!"

"Would eight pieces be fine for both of us? Do you want anything else?"

Hiroshi turned to Chiyo to ask if she wants something else.

"Ah. Ehehe… Nothing else. Eight pieces would be fine."

"Is that so? Let's wait for it then."

They sat on a bench near the stall and talked about something.

"Hey Chiyo…"

"Y-yes?"

"What do you think about this alliance?"

Chiyo looked at him as she seem to have been surprised with the question.

"Why are you asking that from me, Iwasawa-sama?"

"Well… even if I made all of those deals and discussed everything with the others, I'm still personally worried, you know."

"As yourself, and not the lord of Kiko?"

"Yeah."

Chiyo was previously worried about something but now that he opened up to her, a small smile traced on her lips and she held his hand tightly.

"Why did you choose me to ask that to?"

"Because you're the only one that I can open up to?"

"Mm… Why do you sound so indecisive?"

"Am I? Sorry. I really just can't feel comfortable with this."

She giggled a little and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Well, I believe that you're doing the right thing. I have no doubt about our victory now that we've made friends with the other provinces."

"Thank you for believing in me, Chi-chan."

"Everything for you, Hiro-kun."

Hiroshi leaned his head on hers' which made Chiyo smile a bit.

"Oi! Yer order is up!"

"Ah. Thanks pops, here's my pay."

The Takoyaki was finally done, and Hiroshi stood up to take the food which they ate while walking around the town.

"Mm… This really is Shinka. Every food is so salty."

"Reminds you of your past?"

"Yeah. When I was still training here, every food is just laced with salt or fish sauce… It's honestly too hard to find any good food here with the exclusivity of salt as a seasoning."

"Ehehe… No wonder Lord Kenji had kidney stones. The old man has suffered because of this cuisine."

Regardless of the unsavory saltiness of the food, they finished it and went to a drink stall to wash off the taste.

""Apple tea?""

"Yep! Nice and refreshing with the sweet hint of apple juice!"

The couple was surprised with the drink they found in the stall. The vendor proudly presented a pot of dark red-violet juice that is slightly sweating due to it being cooled in a nearby well.

"Hmm… We'll take two."

"Got it! Hey! Is the other pot cold now?"

After giving their order, Hiroshi noticed something amiss is Chiyo's expression.

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh?"

"You looked uneasy earlier and smiled for a while but you're uneasy again. Are you feeling unwell?"

"Ah. No, no… I'm alright."

"Chiyo… I know your look when you're denying something that you actually feel. Come on, out with it."

Chiyo was taken aback with his answer. She tried to look away, but knowing that it wouldn't solve anything, she decided to speak straight about her concern.

"Why do we still have to keep our relationship a secret, Hiro-kun?"

"…"

Hiroshi didn't expect her to ask that. He has an answer for it, but with its suddenness, he wasn't able to speak for a moment.

"I mean, you've already been the daimyo for almost two years. It's true that some noble families are still trying their luck and sending their children to meet with you, but… wouldn't announcing our relationship be a better way to stop them now?"

"I… I'm sorry, Chiyo."

"…Why?"

"It's not yet the right time…"

Hiroshi has a reason to keep their closeness a secret. One that he can't even tell her because he knows that if he does, she'd try to challenge it.

"Hiro-kun… You've always told me that loyalty and honesty come hand-in-hand… So, I ask from you, can you please tell me the truth and nothing but the truth?"

"…"

He tried to swallow his words but as she touched his cheeks and stared softly towards his eyes, he sighed a little and spoke.

"I don't want you to be harmed, Chi-chan."

"Harmed?"

"It's something that Nobisuke told me about after he received the interrogation report about the people who attacked Naka harbor. He said that the prisoners almost behaved like stringless puppets. Unless commanded to, they will not eat. Some would even end up soiling themselves if the guards looking after them cannot guess if they are about to pee. It's… it's very unsettling."

"And how would that bring harm to me?"

"The prisoners seem to not be able to make their own decisions. As if their spirits were broken and what was left was nothing but a subservient puppet… They are always staring afar even when their cells are narrow and small… And they repeat one sentence again and again and would even sync with the other prisoners' mumblings when they are together…"

"What are they saying?"

"Kill the Kirin Lord."

"-!!!"

Hiroshi sighed deeply and covered his face to hide his anxious expression.

"Iwasawa-sama. This is-"

"This is the reason why I don't want to bring our relationship out yet. We might have caught those who attacked us, but none of the people that was manipulating them. If… If I can, I would definitely be showing you off right now as my fiancée, but… this is not yet the right time."

"I…"

Chiyo thought that Hiroshi was being worried about something insignificant. But as she heard his words, she too was worried now and tried to quell her feelings of dissatisfaction.

Unlike probably many women, Chiyo was understanding enough to know that her beloved is not naïve enough to be worried of something meaningless nor is he unfaithful to their relationship. She listened and set aside her own feelings as she knew that his concern was something far more important than what she feels.

"Chiyo."

"Yes?"

"I cannot show it yet to everyone else. But rest assured, this heart belongs to you and this shoulder will always welcome you if you need someone to lean on."

"Ah."

Hiroshi knelt in front of her and kissed the back of her right hand.

"Would that be enough to earn your trust?"

"Kuh! Ahahahaha!"

"H-hey…"

Even when he felt uneasy with her sudden joyful laugh, Hiroshi's lips curled to a smile as well as he admired his girlfriend's elegantly beautiful and mesmerizing face.

"Of course, Hiro-kun. There might be times when I feel a bit uneasy with things. But just like you, I don't want to give up on our love."

"Chiyo…"

"My heart is yours always and my lap will be waiting when you want some spoiling."

"That… you could've just omitted that, you know? It's embarrassing."

"No way~! After all, it's the only time when I get to see you acting like a child and I've never not loved it at all."

As they reaffirmed each other's feelings and dedication to each other, Hiroshi looked around the dense and packed crowd passing on the street and held Chiyo's hand.

"Ah…"

"Can we?"

"Mm… let's look for a right place?"

"Sure thing."

The two took their cups of apple tea from the stall, drank them and walked to a narrow alleyway where no one was passing by.

"Chiyo… Can I?"

"Feel free, Hiroshi."

He inched closer to her face and laid his lips on hers', smelling the sweet and fragrant tea that they just drank earlier.

Chiyo on the other hand, enjoyed the gentle strength that her boyfriend displayed as they embraced each other. He was not domineering nor submissive. He held her with gentleness that made her feel safe and well.

"We just did this last week and we're already experienced…"

"Would you call that "compatibility", Hiro-kun?"

"Maybe. Only one way to find out."

He went for another one and just like before, made sure to not be too aggressive to not pressure her.

"Hiroshi."

"Yes?"

"I'm happy that you're the one who saved me back at that day."

"…Would you call that fate?"

"I do. If not, what else could lead such a wonderful man like you to my life?"

"My, my… don't flatter me too much."

Stopping at the point before they might do something rash, the two went out of the alley while tightly holding each other's hands.

"Chiyo…"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

He spoke and beamed her a smile.

"Hehe… Me as well."

She replied back and embraced his arm, leaning on it while giggling.

However, this sweet and relaxing atmosphere would be short-lived.

"RAAAAAHHHH!!!"

"-?!!"

"Prepare yourself, Kirin Lord!!!"

From the crowd, a hooded man ran towards them with a knife on his hand. He was charging straight towards Hiroshi.

"Hiroshi! Get out of the way!"

"C-Chiyo-!"

Chiyo, with her sharpened reaction time as a warrior, let her instincts kick in as she drew Hiroshi's katana on his hip and pushed him away to cross blades with the man.

"Tch-!"

"How dare you attack us in public!"

Chiyo parried the stab attack as she swept the katana upwards, redirecting the attack away from her and quickly stepping forward to plunge the sword into the man's throat.

"GUACK-!"

"How did-"

"You're wide open!"

Chiyo tried to take off the dying man's hood, but from the crowd, another enemy emerged with a butcher's knife. He aimed for Chiyo who herself was surprised with his appearance.

"Chiyo! No!!!"

*Byak-! Byak-! Byak-!*

And fearing for her, Hiroshi's firearms training instincts kicked in and he drew his pistol out of his coat to fire three consecutive shots before the man can even swing the heavy blade.

"Ack! Kah! Huk!"

The first two shots hit him squarely on the chest just above the heart and the last one was a clean headshot that hit dead-center between his eyes. An impressive display of accuracy since he was on the ground, firing with a single hand and disoriented with being pushed away.

"I-Iwasawa-sama!"

"Chiyo! Thank goodness…"

The two embraced each other while holding their weapons. Relieved that the other side was safe and sound.

"Get out of the way!"

"We are Shinka soldiers! Get off the road!"

Soon, a squad of soldiers came to the area and found Hiroshi and Chiyo between two dead bodies.

"I-Iwasawa-kou-dono! What happened here?"

"Assassins… they came from the crowd and suddenly attacked us."

"What the… you and you, take off their hoods."

""Yes, sir!""

Two young soldiers took off the hoods of the dead men and spoke a response.

"Not a local, sir!"

"Same here!"

The officer looked baffled for a moment but acted on protocol.

"Iwasawa-sama. We'll assist you to your designated inn. I apologize, but this is the protocol we've been given."

"I understand. Chiyo, come on. Give that back to me."

"Y-yes…"

The still shocked Chiyo handed the bloodied sword back to Hiroshi who took a piece of cloth from his sleeve pocket and wiped off the blood carefully before sheathing it back.

"Let's go."

The soldiers gathered up to surround the two while the crowd made way for the group, but the enemies seem to not be giving up yet.

"Die!!!"

From the crowd yet again, a man pulled away his hood and charged to break the protective human shell around the two before placing his hand inside his cloak.

"How the-?!"

And the sight of the man's weapon shocked Hiroshi.

"You're coming with me! Kirin Lord!"

"Get away! It's a bomb!"

The man was a suicide bomber. The thing he is about to pull out was a detonating pin for his bomb vest.

"Get him away from the lord!"

"Take lady Chiyo!"

The soldiers went on panic mode as some pulled Hiroshi and Chiyo away and some ran to tackle the armed man, prepared to catch the explosion with their own bodies.

"Hyup!"

"Ack-!"

"Keep that in. You're not taking anyone else with that."

"Who are you?!"

From the rooftop, a masked man wearing ninja garbs hopped off with his ninjato sword in hand that he heavily plunged into the man's shoulder before swiping it away to disable his arm joints at the limb that was about to pull the pin off.

"Iwasawa-sama…"

"Wait. Put your weapons down. He's my soldier."

Hiroshi immediately recognized the plain mask that has a number on the forehead. It was one of his clandestine ninjas called the Crows.

"It's fortunate that I came just in the right time."

"Yeah. Thank you for saving us, Hachi. We all owe you one."

"I am honored…"

The ninja humbly bowed to accept his thanks before continuing.

"I have news that can only he told to the four leaders."

"From whom?"

"Captain Kuro and Lieutenant Ichi."

"Those two… they are not with you."

"I apologize, my lord. But this is not the right place. Please, I implore you. Call the other esteemed leaders so I can speak the message given to me."

"I understand. Shinka captain."

"A-Ah, yes sir!"

"Please go and tell the other leaders to gather back in the hall building, tell them that it is urgent."

"As you command! Lads! Protect the lord until he arrives in the hall building, the other half of you, clean up the place and carefully transfer the bomber's body away from the town."

"Yes, sir!"

A few minutes later, the other three arrived in the hall each wearing a coat over their night clothes as they took the urgency seriously.

"Why did you call us out from our rooms, Iwasawa-kun?"

"I-I don't really have complaints but… Fuwaah… I'm a bit sleepy already."

"Hey, idiot. Make sure that this is really urgent!"

The three had their own words about the matter but Hiroshi simply nodded to the masked ninja who spoke his report.

"I bring dire news from Crow commander Kuro and sub-commander Ichi. An army composed of 10,000 men are marching to the border of Shinka. They are estimated to arrive in the outskirts of Len Forest by this weekend."

"WHAT?!"

"H-how?! There should've at least some rumors, how did they moved out without us hearing anything?!"

The first to react was Reika and Kyoko. Both of them can't believe their ears as it was basically impossible for it to happen in their common sense."

"We have no reason to lie, Daigo-dono, Kusanagi-dono. We've sighted their army and plotted their course and estimated time to arrive at the border. We only have a week to prepare a defense."

"But… how…? How the hell can we scrounge up an army in such a short notice?!"

Kyoko was in an unnatural level of panic. The time was too short for her to manage everything to prepare their selves.

"Don't worry, they will be here after four days."

"What? What are you talking about?"

With Hiroshi's command, Chiyo brought in a box that has an antennae and a microphone and speaker.

"Remember the embassies and consulates that we established in your capitals? We're going to contact them right now."

"Huh? Is this something you made, Iwasawa-kun?"

Reika asked while Hiroshi dialed the frequency of Kise's embassy on the knob.

"It is. It's a radio and also a mobile telephone. Here, I believe they already called for your head general in advance."

Reika took the microphone and soon, she heard her general's raspy voice.

["Y-your Highness? Are you really there?"]

"Ah! General Asato! It's me, Daigo Reika."

["I-it really is your voice! I heard from the ambassador that you are ordering a military deployment, is that true?"]

"Yes. It's as you heard from him. I want you to send over our subjugation force and hand over the leadership to a temporary commandeer until they arrive here. I'll have Ichigo-kun handle them once they're here."

["As you wish, princess. For me… defend Kise's borders?"]

"That's right. Keep the navy ashore too. We can't have the enemies attacking our port."

["Got it, Hime-sama. I'll send them out before daybreak."]

With that, the line was cut and she handed the microphone to the young boy who looks anxious with what to say.

"There. Just say the words, Koshiro-kun. They'll understand it somehow."

"Y-Yeah… I'll try my best."

The frequency was finally found, and the other line started.

["Lord Koshiro. This is your general on the line."]

"A-Ah! Yes… good evening, General Inugami."

["Good evening too, Your Highness."]

"Ehehe… It really is a good night. The breeze is cold here, so I was staying in a heated room."

["Is that so? Do place a thick blanket over yourself too as you sleep, it would be bad if you caught a cold."]

"Ah yeah, I sure will-"

"What the hell, Kappa?! Quit that small talk and tell him your deployment command!"

"Eeeeekkk!!! S-S-Sorry! I'll do it now!"

Genuinely scared shitless with Kyoko's shout, Koshiro almost fell off of his chair and immediately apologized to her.

"G-General, we have a problem here. I want to request the army's deployment to Shinka as soon as possible."

["Military deployment? Are you under siege now by the Kusanagi army, lord Koshiro? Got it, we will march to their nearest village and-"]

"No, no, no!!! I am alright! The Kusanagi clan is not the enemy!"

["Huh? Then, who is it?"]

"Argh! I can't explain it for now! Just keep a quarter of our army to defend Fuku. The rest should immediately march here in Shinka to help out. Make sure that everyone is armed, and the supply line is stable."

["I got it, Your Highness. I'll work on it now."]

The line was cut, and an awkward air hanged in the room.

"Immediately march to the nearest village, huh?"

"P-please forget that it was said…"

It seemed like the bad blood between the two clans would persist for a while more.

"Ahem."

"…"

Hiroshi cleared his throat and spoke as everyone went silent.

"This is not just a war, everyone. I suspect that someone is doing all of this behind a thick veil."

"Like a puppeteer?"

"Yes."

He sighed and looked at Reika who was confused with his gaze.

"Lady Reika…"

"Yeah? Do you want to ask something?"

As she gave him that title, Hiroshi sensed that he is also the right person to ask her about it.

"You said that titles can be given by any of the four priestesses but once one was given to someone, no one else can give it?"

"That's right. Such is the thing with Kyoko-chan's Mountain Peacock title and your Eternal Kirin title."

"Then… is it possible for it to be taken when the one it was given to died?"

"Why, yes. Yes, it can be. Why do you ask?"

Hiro looked at Chiyo and she nodded lightly.

"Chiyo and I was almost murdered earlier."

"HAAH?!"

The surprised expressions were natural. It wasn't something easy to accept after all.

"And the men always said the same thing. 'Die, Kirin Lord!' they would shout it before charging to me."

When he said that, Reika's teacup fell from her hands and shattered into pieces.

"Lady Daigo. What happened?"

"W-What did you say?"

"Huh?"

"Iwasawa-kun! What did you say that they shouted before they attacked you?"

The priestess looked at him with a scared expression and he replied.

"Die, Kirin Lord!"

With that, Reika finally knew who was sending the assassins to Hiroshi.

"Damn it! Not that guy again!"

"Huh? Who is this guy?"

Reika held her head as if she was in pain and spoke slowly.

"Nine years ago, Kyoga Sanctum performed a summoning ceremony that I oversaw myself. The young man that came out had a robust body and sharp mind… but I quickly saw his personal shortcomings and disavowed him from my care…"

"Why?"

"He's insane. A believer of something called Eugenics. He believed in superiority of a select few groups of people and hearing that, I knew that I cannot let him have greater prestige than he can acquire. I disavowed his status as a summoned otherworlder and banished him into Kurumi Sanctum so he cannot encroach into the capital… but if he already had the power and resources to send assassin after assassin just to get you, I doubt that my first plan even worked."

"Otherworlder? This is… are you saying that-"

"Yeah. That man is after your title. That thing which I will never give to him, he will again take for himself!"

With that revelation, destiny has moved towards another route again. One that Hiroshi and the others has never prepared their selves for.