It seems that Goryu Mikado, the de facto ruler of Terukyo, and Iska are not on good terms.
Goryu Mikado, accompanied by a young woman, walks towards us, parting the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea.
Could this young woman, judging by her attire, be his daughter rather than a subordinate?
Upon reaching the Commander, Goryu Mikado seems to look down on him.
“It’s been a while, Mido-kun. I came to attend as I was invited, but it appears the award ceremony has already concluded. What a shame.”
“We could not obtain a response regarding your attendance, so we proceeded with the award ceremony out of necessity. Is there something you are dissatisfied with?”
“I too am a busy person and was unsure if I could attend. Please do not take it ill.”
The Commander smiles charmingly and orders a boy in a black suit to bring Champagne.
“Now that you have come, it might be too much to ask you to stay until the end of the banquet given your busy schedule, but perhaps you would partake in a drink?”
“I shall. As the Colonel said, I will have to leave midway.”
Good grief, the atmosphere is hardly friendly. Huh? Am I receiving a telepathic communication from the Commander?
(Kanata, I’m going to talk to Garyu about your matter. Play along.)
(Mine? Ah, I see. If I use Wolf Eye, they’ll think I’m from the Hachioki Soke, won’t they?)
(Yes, the Yashi clan rebelled against Garyu, and their entire clan was expelled from Terukyo.)
(This man certainly looks like he’s about to rebel. But to speak to the Commander so condescendingly, isn’t that a bit too arrogant, even for the leader of an influential city in the Alliance Army?)
(My grandmother was from the Mikagami family, so Garyu seems to regard me as a branch family vassal.)
Ugh, these noble people are always so fixated on family status and lineage.
“By the way, Governor Garyu, this Sergeant Amakake here possesses the Wolf Eye.”
Garyu’s eyes turn visibly grim as he glares at me.
“This little… man has the Wolf Eye? The Wolf Eye is an Evil Eye that only manifests in the head of the Yashi clan. Does this mean this man is from the Yashi clan?”
Hey, old man, did you just call me a brat? I should add you to my list of disliked people.
“It would seem so. It was only recently discovered that he possesses the Wolf Eye, but I thought I should at least inform you.”
Before Garyu can speak, the Commander cuts him off.
“Let me be clear, I have no intention of handing over Sergeant Amakake. He is my subordinate, a soldier with a promising future.”
Garyu freezes like a statue at the Commander’s irrefutable tone.
The title of the sculpture could be “Displeased.”
After a moment of rigidity, the sculpture returns to human form and protests.
“Are you harboring a traitor who has drawn a bow against me, or rather, against Terukyo? As the leader of Terukyo, I cannot overlook this.”
I see, so that’s why Agito kept his Wolf Eye a secret. It was likely for his own protection, a form of insurance.
But to speak of harboring him right in front of him, what a way to make enemies unnecessarily.
You’ll get stabbed in the back someday, you know.
Garyu radiates anger and displeasure, while the Commander remains unfazed.
“My, my, that’s not what I’d expect from the Governor. When did Sergeant Amakake draw a bow against Terukyo? The previous Governor executed the Hachioki Soke and expelled his entire clan over forty years ago. What crime do you accuse Sergeant Amakake of, when he wasn’t even born then?”
“…How can we know when he might draw a bow out of hatred for the annihilation of his clan?”
The Commander takes a cigarette and has Lieutenant Colonel Kurando light it for him. Maybe I should have brought a lighter to score some points.
“Future potential dangers cannot be used as a reason. By that logic, the children and grandchildren of political criminals would all have to be executed. That would be an act that violates the spirit of the Alliance Army Charter. Or is Terukyo still a feudal state?”
“Terukyo is a modern, democratic nation. I will not tolerate insults.”
What? If the Mikado family has maintained power through inheritance, isn’t it closer to a feudal state than a democratic one?
“Then there should be no problem. Furthermore, there is no danger. Kanata, do you have any grievances against Terukyo?”
I put on my most respectful expression and replied:
“None. I have no interest in the grudges of a clan I’ve never met or a city I’ve never visited.”
“However…”
Such a persistent old man. It seems dictators fear the remnants of those purged by their parents or themselves.
Not only his father, the previous Governor, but this man also purged the Murakumo clan, one of the three major families, thirteen years ago, wasn’t it?
Moreover, while the previous Governor merely executed the head of the clan and exiled the rest, this man executed them all. He’s a greater tyrant than his predecessor, isn’t he? Though he pushed the responsibility for violating the charter onto his subordinates.
Governor-sama, read the Alliance Army Charter, which enshrines the fundamental principles of cities affiliated with the Alliance Army. It states that the crimes of any political criminal or offender shall not extend to their family or relatives. Even a human like me knows that.
…The problem is that the Alliance Army Charter, established by Marshal Asura, has become effectively useless.
Still, both father and son purging their vassals… like a squid eating its own legs.
With two of the three major families dismantled, only the Mikagami family remains. They’re not major families anymore, more like branch families.
I wonder if this man killed his twin brother, the previous Governor, who died suddenly just over a year after succeeding as head of the family.
Garyu continues to press the Commander, but the Commander remains indifferent, citing the Alliance Army Charter.
“Father, Commander Mido is correct. Sergeant Amakake has committed no crime.”
“Mikoto, you should remain silent. It is too early for you to be involved in politics.”
Mikoto. This appears to be Garyu’s daughter.
“Father, I am twenty-two years old. I am no longer a child. Terukyo is a core city of the Alliance, and we must adhere to the Alliance Army Charter.”
This princess, just like her appearance, has a beautiful spirit.
Her Japanese attire somewhat conceals her Breast Scouter’s effectiveness, but there’s no doubt she has a great bust.
Lovely, a kind and sheltered princess. She’s full of romantic appeal for a man.
“Hmm, but for your own safety…”
“Even if Sergeant Amakake is a member of the elite Asura Unit, what can he accomplish alone? Commander Mido will surely manage him properly to prevent any incidents. Father, your worries are unfounded.”
She’s quite eloquent, isn’t she? Why don’t you become the supreme authority of Terukyo in your father’s stead?
The Commander, having gained an unexpected ally, presses on.
“Governor, I give you my word. Sergeant Amakake will fight for the Alliance, and I will not allow him to draw a bow against Terukyo. Please be convinced.”
At this point, the princess turns to look at me. This princess… her eyes hold power.
Not metaphorically, I feel power. Since manifesting Wolf Eye, I’ve been able to sense the activation of other Evil Eye abilities.
…Marika-san did mention that the Mikado clan has members with Dragon Eyes.
Princess Mikoto closes her eyes and slowly opens them again.
Her eyes undergo a visible transformation.
Her pupils, clear and shifting color depending on the viewing angle.
She meets my gaze directly, her eyes seeming to penetrate the depths of my soul.
We must have stared at each other for a full minute. Princess Mikoto then closes her eyes again, sealing her Dragon Eyes.
“Father, this person harbors no ill intentions. My Dragon Eyes tell me so.”
“Princess Mikoto’s Heart Dragon Eye, said to see into one’s very soul, declares that Sergeant Amakake has no rebellious intent. Governor, why not show some magnanimity?”
The Lieutenant General, who had been waiting for an opportunity to assist, also chimed in. I must thank him later.
“Mikoto’s Heart Dragon Eye can only read a portion of surface consciousness. It’s not conclusive proof.”
Ugh! Can she really read minds? I-I wasn’t thinking about her chest just now, was I?
If she can only read surface consciousness, she probably can’t figure out that my body is a clone and my soul is a wanderer from Japan.
Still, what a careless old man, discussing the abilities of an Evil Eye so casually.
“Then what do you propose to do with Sergeant Amakake? Are you going to arrest and imprison him? As a Lieutenant General of the Alliance Army, I cannot permit such an outrage against a soldier fighting valiantly for our army!”
Lieutenant General Shinonome, known for his mild temperament, raises his voice.
Unbeknownst to us, a crowd has gathered around us. The gazes directed at the Governor from the onlookers are stern.
They seem to be decent people, loyal to the Commander.
“…Very well. If this Sergeant Amakake ever acts against the Mikado family, the Lieutenant General will be held responsible.”
Finally sensing the unfavorable turn of events, Governor Garyu grudgingly accepts with a petulant remark.
I’m saved. I have no connection to the Yashi clan.
The displeased Governor then turns and heads for the exit, the princess with Dragon Eyes rushing to follow her father’s back.
You just arrived, and you’re already leaving? You’re not welcome here ever again.
Princess Mikoto glances back once and bows her head slightly towards me. I return the gesture with a slight nod.
…That princess seems to be going through a lot as well.
The Commander, fighting on after losing his great father; Lilith, sold out by a parent blinded by ambition; Natsume, exposed to the weak and ugly side of humanity; Hotaru, who suffered greatly trying to quell a dispute… and Princess Mikoto, with a tyrannical father.
…Hey God, enough is enough. This isn’t a beauty pageant for unlucky women!
I really don’t want to get out of bed in winter. Good night. (-_-)zzz
