-75- [ Izanagi-ryu ]

"Marriage?"

The words spoken by Akabane Kuukan left both Rozen and Raishin stunned.

Especially Rozen, whose expression showed an indescribable strangeness.

Marriage?

In other words, Akabane Kuukan was planning to arrange a marriage for him?

This must be a joke.

Even Raishin thought so.

"What do you mean marriage? Are you deliberately joking with me?" Raishin spoke his mind, and Akabane Kuukan shook his head in response.

Then, Akabane Kuukan continued, "Do you know about the Domon Clan?"

Hearing this, Rozen and Raishin exchanged puzzled glances because everyone in the Akabane family knew this name.

Rozen answered, "You mean the Izanagi-ryu?"

Izanagi-ryu.

That was a prestigious clan in this Far East island country, similar to imperial relatives, holding a significant position in the nation.

However, beneath the surface, the Akabane clan knew them as something else - archenemies.

Once upon a time, Izanagi-ryu defeated and expelled the Akabane clan from the center of this country.

Unlike the Akabane clan, who abandoned Onmyojutsu, Izanagi-ryu still practiced this ancient art and remained conservative in an era dominated by Machine Magic.

While the Akabane clan uses puppets, Izanagi-ryu summoned Shikigami using Onmyojutsu.

"A bunch of old fogies who can't see the trend of the times; they will be finished sooner or later," Akabane Kuukan said with a disdainful tone, revealing the deep-seated animosity between the Akabane Clan and the Domon Clan.

However, Rozen also grasped what Akabane Kuukan intended to do from his words.

"Could it be..."

Rozen seemed to have an epiphany.

"You are still as clever as before, your intelligence surpasses even that of Tenzen," Akabane Kuukan said with a faint smile upon seeing Rozen's realization.

This, however, made Raishin feel displeased.

"What are you two talking about? Can you please explain it in a way that I can understand?" Raishin protested.

"We have already come this far, and you still don't understand?" Akabane Kuukan addressed Raishin with a different tone than he used with Rozen, urging him, "It's the Domon Clan, the main branch, who proposed a marriage alliance with our Akabane Clan."

This was the reason why Akabane Kuukan mentioned the Domon Clan.

"The granddaughter from the main branch of the Domon Clan will be betrothed to someone in our Akabane Clan," he continued.

"And the groom will be chosen between you two."

That was the purpose of Akabane Kuukan bringing Rozen and Raishin here.

"Marriage with a princess from the prestigious clan?" Raishin's mind struggled to process this.

Not only Raishin but also Rozen was equally astonished.

The granddaughter of the main branch of the Izanagi Clan, a legitimate descendant of the prestigious Huazu, her status could be considered equivalent to that of a princess in this country.

Marriage to a princess?

Anyone would be astonished by this prospect.

However, Rozen was also surprised that such a marriage alliance could happen.

After all...

"Why would the Izanagi Clan want to form an alliance with the Akabane Clan?" Rozen asked in great confusion. "Even if they want to form an alliance, it's unlikely they would choose us, right?"

Isn't that just common sense?

Ignoring the fact that the Akabane Clan and the Izanagi Clan have a history of conflict, just considering their identities, the Izanagi Clan is a prestigious clan in the country, while the Akabane Clan is merely a lowly mercenary clan. No matter how one looks at it, the Izanagi Clan should not choose to form an alliance with them.

Rozen expressed his doubts about this matter.

However, Akabane Kuukan did not provide an answer to his question.

"In any case, our Akabane Clan has decided to form an alliance with the Izanagi Clan," Akabane Kuukan stated, conveying the decision.

This made Rozen realize that this marriage proposal might not be as simple as it seemed on the surface.

As Rozen was pondering this, Akabane Kuukan's son, Raishin, finally spoke up.

"Why didn't they choose Ten-nii?" Raishin asked. "If the bride is a princess from the prestigious clan, shouldn't my brother be the one to marry her?"

Akabane Tenzen, known as "Heaven Child," was considered a genius among the clan and was even regarded as someone capable of surpassing the legends left by their ancestors, becoming the future pillar of the Akabane Clan.

Compared to Tenzen, Rozen, despite his remarkable talents, was still an adopted child and could neither learn the clan's secret technique, the "Crimson Wing Formation," nor become the future head of the clan. In terms of status alone, he was not worthy of marrying a princess from the prestigious Clan.

As for Akabane Raishin, there was no need to say anything further. He was infamous within the clan as a useless individual, and most likely, the other party wouldn't consider him.

In that case, isn't it the best choice to let Akabane Tenzen become the bridegroom?

"In theory, that's correct," Akabane Kuukan replied, somewhat perfunctorily.

This puzzled Akabane Raishin.

On the other hand, Rozen immediately understood the situation.

(It seems the Akabane Clan doesn't want Ten-nii to become solely the son-in-law of the Izanagi Clan.)

Given the longstanding animosity between the Akabane Clan and the Izanagi Clan, even if they form an alliance, the relationship won't be so amicable. The Akabane Clan probably wants to use Akabane Tenzen as an ace within the clan, allowing him to enter the center of the country and restore the Akabane Clan to its former glory. This process will inevitably involve confrontations with the Izanagi Clan.

In that case, it wouldn't be appropriate for Akabane Tenzen to marry the princess of the Izanagi Clan.

"After internal deliberation within the clan's high-ranking members, the person who will marry the princess of the Izanagi Clan will be chosen from the two of you," Akabane Kuukan said, focusing his gaze on Rozen and Akabane Raishin, seeking their answers.

"I don't want to!" Rozen and Akabane Raishin simultaneously declared.

"I am just an adopted child, not a blood member of the Akabane Clan. The other party wouldn't want someone like me as a son-in-law," Rozen explained.

"I'm just an insignificant minor character, not a talented genius. How can I be worthy of the princess of the prestigious Clan?" Akabane Raishin expressed his reasons.

Of course, both were putting on a good show.

In reality, they simply didn't want their lifelong decisions to be unilaterally decided by the clan, which led them to voice their objections.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Akabane Kuukan had seen through their intentions.

"You don't have a say in this matter," Akabane Kuukan said calmly. "Since you cannot decide for yourselves, three days later, you will accompany me to the residence of the Izanagi Clan. At that time, the esteemed members of the Izanagi Clan will evaluate and select one of you for marriage."

The matter was settled in this way.