Chapter 80: The Tokugawa Kagura
“Sakai. You may enter.”
“Princess. I have brought the Imperial Ambassador and his party.”
“Imperial Ambassador, you have traveled far. We are grateful for your efforts.”
Tokugawa Kagura—the eldest daughter of the shogunal house.
A princess spoken of in hushed admiration as the next shogun, she possessed beauty, intellect, and charisma in equal measure. It was said that wherever she stood, loyalty naturally followed.
“The honor is ours. We are deeply grateful that you have granted us this audience. I am Ryu, Imperial Ambassador of Astoria. This is my aide, Esther.”
The two bowed in unison.
Kagura lifted her sleeve lightly to her lips and smiled with refined elegance.
“My, how very courteous. There is no need to be so formal. After all, we have already caused you trouble regarding the matter of the fugitive.”
“I could hardly afford discourtesy before the princess of a sovereign nation. Let us proceed directly to the matter at hand.”
(Trying to lessen responsibility for Goroemon with a polite smile? I won’t be taken in so easily.)
“…Very well. Time is, after all, a finite resource.”
(As sharp as ever, the Empire.)
“First, allow me to apologize for the fact that Goroemon—who was wanted within our country—attacked your aide. I am truly sorry. And I must also express our gratitude for subduing him.”
“We accept your apology and your thanks… or rather, we would like to. However, this was an assault severe enough to threaten our lives. Moreover, the fault lies entirely on your side. Words and bounty alone cannot settle this matter. We shall revisit it later.”
(Do not imagine that a bow from a princess is enough to close this ledger.)
“I understand.”
(My head is not so light that it can be traded away cheaply… but very well.)
“Incidentally, during the incident, your officers responded swiftly and admirably. I see no need for them to be punished.”
“I shall pass that down accordingly.”
While the two exchanged verbal jabs, Esther—
(Oh my… Ryu is actually using proper honorific speech. How unexpected…)
—was staring vaguely, half-distracted by this rare spectacle.
At last, it was Ryu’s turn to press forward.
“I would now like to ask several questions.”
“Yes. I will answer as best I can, though some matters are bound by confidentiality. I ask your understanding in advance.”
“Of course.”
Ryu paused for a breath.
“Then let us begin. Why is it that this meeting is presided over by the Princess rather than the Shogun? Allow me to clarify: we are not envoys from some minor state. We represent the Astoria Empire—a superpower that dominates the continent. Or does Hinomaru consider the Empire too insignificant to warrant the Shogun’s presence?”
“…………”
(As expected, he strikes there.)
(Nuooh… Ryu shows no mercy…)
Esther watched him, face utterly composed, and felt a mixture of awe and reassurance. Having such a man as an ally was profoundly comforting.
“I have already secured from Lady Sakai the statement that ‘the Princess will provide an explanation.’ I trust there is a reason sufficient to satisfy us. We would be most grateful to hear it.”
The Princess briefly met Sakai’s eyes.
(Princess… forgive me. Though I bear the name of retainer, I have allowed this misstep…)
(Sakai, do not trouble yourself. This is Tokugawa’s burden. And of course… I have prepared a reason.)
“In truth, the Shogun is currently outside Edo, attending a council with a certain domain…”
“I see. Given the present domestic climate, that is understandable.”
“Yes… my apologies.”
“And when will the Shogun return? We are scheduled to depart in two weeks. If he is to return within that time, we may arrange another audience.”
“It is unclear… but likely he will be absent for over a month…”
(Surely this will make him relent…)
Ryu sighed heavily.
“…Very well. Then we shall postpone our return by two months.”
“…What?”
(To fall for such a simple bluff… She truly was forced to appear today. Unfortunate—but I must press further. No more wasted time.)
“My next question. With Tokugawa’s position reportedly under threat, is it wise for the Shogun—holder of ultimate authority—to leave the castle for over a month? Who, then, wields decision-making power in his absence?”
“W-well… I do not yet possess discretionary authority, so matters are sent directly to the Shogun…”
“In this tense climate, you would spend over a week awaiting a single decision? Would it not have been simpler for that ‘certain domain’ to come to Edo? …And furthermore, was it wise to inform the Imperial Ambassador that the Shogun would be gone for over a month?”
“Ah… um…”
Kagura’s eyes began to spin faintly, like a compass losing its north.
No matter how gifted she was, it was too soon for her to spar head-on with Ryu.
He had traded blows with the Empire’s own “monsters of intellect”—Empress Iris and the Marquis Grace—without flinching. The slightest opening was enough for him to pry deeper, unearthing contradiction after contradiction. In truth, he had many more points he could press.
But this was not an inquisition.
“Princess Kagura. Shall we speak frankly?”
“Frankly…?”
“You would not believe us if we simply asked. So allow us to lay our cards upon the table first.”
Ryu’s voice sharpened.
“The Empire has sent us to stand with the Tokugawa.”
“The Astoria Empire… to aid us?”
It was a fabrication—conjured on the spot.
Whether it would become truth depended entirely on what followed.
“Yes. Rumors that certain domain lords are plotting to usurp the shogunate have stirred political circles across many nations—including our own. You are aware of this, I trust?”
“…Yes.”
“We believe The Principality may be pulling strings behind the scenes. Does Tokugawa share this assessment?”
“…We do.”
Naturally, they must maintain minimal trade with The Principality to avoid revealing that awareness.
“If this rebellion succeeds, The Principality will surely bind itself tightly to a new shogunate. That would be a severe blow to the Empire.”
“I have heard the Empire and Duchy have crossed blades for many years. Your concern is understandable.”
“Now the critical point. Should The Principality dispatch a Hero, Tokugawa alone will not withstand him.”
“That remains to be seen. Our samurai are exceptional.”
“No. It would be impossible.”
A faint edge entered Kagura’s voice.
“…On what basis do you make that claim?”
“Because I faced a Hero in the recent war between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.”
““!?””
Kagura and Sakai’s eyes widened.
“You truly fought a Hero?”
“I did not cross swords directly, but as chief strategist I commanded the army. I know well the absurdity of their strength.”
“C-chief strategist… at your age?”
“I was appointed personally by the Marquis Grace.”
“The Empire’s breadbasket…”
(Another great name appears…)
The Marquis Grace was renowned even in Hinomaru—a titan among men.
And to appoint one so young as chief strategist… such was the Empire’s ruthless meritocracy.
“Returning to the matter. Are there domains presently aligned with Tokugawa?”
“…That cannot be disclosed.”
“Understandable. Then which domains remain neutral?”
Kagura glanced again at Sakai.
(Is it safe to share?)
(This much should be fine.)
“Tosa remains neutral.”
“I see. Tosa…”
(Given all information, only Satsuma appears supportive. If Tosa is neutral, then the likely opposition is Choshu and Hizen. Neither alone could rebel successfully. Therefore, an alliance between them is probable… for now.)
Tokugawa & Satsuma versus Choshu & Hizen.
(If Tosa can be drawn to our side, victory may be possible without my direct involvement.)
For despite his bold claim, Ryu had received no directive from the Empress. This was entirely his own initiative.
He, Esther, Homura, and Axel—four alone.
They would have to manage it themselves.
“Princess Kagura.”
“Yes?”
“When this conflict is won, we would ask that Tokugawa consider an alliance with the Empire. As a beginning, a trade agreement with the port town jointly managed by my Viscounty of Ardren and the Marquis Grace.”
“That cannot yet be decided. There is no proof you are not our enemy.”
“A fair point.”
Ryu rose.
“Then we shall personally travel to Tosa and persuade them to stand with you. In the meantime, Princess, please continue to govern Edo as you always have—taking utmost care that Tokugawa’s ‘secret’ remains undiscovered.”
“…Understood. Sakai, escort them once more.”
“Yes!”
Ryu and Esther bowed and withdrew.
Minutes later, Sakai returned.
“…Princess.”
“Yes. It seems he has already discerned Tokugawa’s secret.”
“Past ambassadors were troublesome. But this one… he is in a class of his own.”
“…Indeed.”
Outside the gates, Ryu and Esther walked along the main avenue.
“Ryu.”
“Hm?”
“What was that ‘secret’ you mentioned?”
“Oh. Most likely, the Tokugawa Shogun is no longer among the living.”
“…You mean… deceased?”
“If my read is correct.”
“When she claimed to lack authority, yet spoke freely of critical matters and conducted the discussion as though she held supreme power—that was telling.”
“…True.”
“And illness is impossible.”
“Because of the elixir.”
“Exactly. In short, the only one capable of steering this massive apparatus—the Edo Bakufu—is the Princess herself.”
They returned to the inn to plan their next move.
An hour after the meeting—
At the very peak of Edo Castle, upon the golden shachihoko ornament, a lone samurai stood.
“It has been some time… since I beheld Edo’s view.”
He surveyed the sprawling city below.
“Now then… where might that individual be?”
But tens of thousands dwelled within the city.
He would not find his quarry so easily.
“…Very well. I shall search at leisure.”
Folding his arms, he closed his eyes.
The wind stirred his hair.
“Today as well… I shall go wherever the wind leads.”
And with that—
He stepped forward and fell toward the city of Edo below.