Chapter 81:A Sense of Unease
As Ryu’s party departed Edo Castle, another figure arrived at its gates.
“Princess, it has been some time. I am relieved to see you in good health.”
“It has indeed been a while, Togo.”
Admiral of the Navy—Togo Heihachiro.
A samurai of the Satsuma domain, he enjoyed overwhelming trust from the Tokugawa. Not only was he a master of grand strategy, he possessed such formidable combat prowess that even Ryu had been forced to acknowledge it. In every sense of the word, he was Tokugawa’s hidden blade—unsheathed whenever the nation faced peril.
He had repelled invasions from foreign shores, reduced enemy fleets to drifting wreckage, and ensured that not a single hostile vessel drew near the homeland of Hinomaru.
Among the people, he was whispered of as a war god.
“How fares The Principality of late?” Kagura asked.
“That is precisely the matter… It seems that not a single one of The Principality’s vessels that departed Edo has reached its homeland.”
“Not a single one…?”
“Not one. You recall the incident where an Imperial ship was attacked by a red dragon?”
“Of course.”
“The captain reported that during their voyage, numerous fragments of timber drifted from the northern seas. Judging by the timing, it is highly likely that the same dragon attacked the The Principality’s ships.”
“I share that conclusion.”
Princess Kagura lowered her gaze slightly, deep in thought.
“…I see.”
“Is something amiss?”
“In the report, it was written that the dragon halted its movements just before destroying the Imperial vessel—and then flew away. Ever since I read that, I have wondered. Why did the dragon cease its assault?”
“…There is one possibility that comes to mind.”
“Please.”
“It may have something to do with the Imperial Ambassador who was aboard that ship.”
“The Ambassador…? I consider him an exceptional diplomat, and no doubt he possesses a measure of combat ability. But surely not enough to repel a dragon?”
At that moment, Sakai spoke.
“Princess. I am inclined to agree with Lord Togo.”
“I see… If warriors of your caliber both say so, I cannot dismiss it lightly. You believe he possesses power worthy of wielding Kurikara… Tell me—how strong do you think he truly is?”
The question drew silence.
“…………”
“What is it?”
After a long pause, Togo finally answered.
“…I do not know.”
“You… do not know? Sakai?”
“I regret to say, I also cannot discern it.”
“Even you, Sakai…”
(If even these two—who have observed countless powerful warriors—cannot read him, then perhaps he is simply beyond their measure. Appointed Imperial Ambassador by the Empress herself. Named chief strategist by Marquis Grace. Head of House Ardren, yet traveling without a single guard. A dragon attacks his ship—and inexplicably withdraws. Coincidence feels… insufficient. The possibility that he intervened is far from negligible.)
At the same time, Kagura became aware of something else.
(And yet… there is something more. I cannot put it into words. Something profoundly abnormal. His history. The circumstances that surround him.)
He served as strategist in a war against a Hero. Then was appointed Ambassador. Attacked by a dragon at sea. Manipulated Tokugawa with deft rhetoric. And now, on his way to Tosa—where Hinomaru’s strongest samurai resides.
Listed plainly, it sounded straightforward.
But examined closely… it was anything but.
“What is he, truly? The more I ponder it, the more I feel as though I am imprisoned within a cage of mystery.”
The Princess pressed a hand to her brow.
“So this… is the sense of unease you both felt?”
Togo and Sakai nodded.
This indefinable discomfort.
Irrational. Incongruous. Inexplicable. Obscure.
In a single word—mysterious.
It was a sensation not limited to them. The Empress felt it. The Marquis Grace felt it. Even his own family did.
And yet—
Why was he loved?
Because beyond the mystery lay overwhelming trust.
Ryu would handle it. Ryu-kun would fix it. Lord Ryu would find a way. Big Brother surely would…
A near-blind faith. In some, even love.
That faith was both his greatest strength—and the chain that bound him to humanity.
Though their perspective differed, that Kagura, Togo, and Sakai had reached this same uneasy awareness spoke volumes of their caliber. Whether it would prove blessing or calamity remained to be seen.
“For now,” Kagura said at last, “we should be grateful that he declared himself our ally.”
“The Ambassador said that?”
“In fact, I met with him just before your arrival.”
She recounted the substance of the earlier meeting.
“He intends to draw Tosa to our side… Remarkable decisiveness,” Togo murmured. “Such resolve belongs either to a man supremely confident in his own abilities—or to a fool. In his case, undoubtedly the former.”
“If matters proceed smoothly, we shall gain both the Empire and Tosa as allies. Tokugawa’s position would become unassailable.”
With a continental superpower and the Tosa faction at their side, even Choshu and Hizen would be hard-pressed to resist. They might even sue for peace.
(If everything proceeds smoothly…)
But Kagura knew all too well—
Once a flame had taken hold, it was not easily extinguished.
And oftentimes, the smallest sparks lay hidden in the most unexpected places.
“Returning to the matter at hand,” she said, “with multiple Principality ships sunk, suspicion will first fall upon Hinomaru. Perhaps this is an opportunity to sever all trade entirely.”
“Princess, I would advise caution,” Togo replied.
“And why is that?”
“If The Principality responds in fury and dispatches a Hero, the damage would be catastrophic. If we intend to cut ties completely, it would be wiser to wait until the Empire and Tosa are firmly aligned with us.”
“I see.”
Sakai, however, interjected calmly.
“Yet, Lord Togo—if we were to eliminate all The Principality agents currently within Hinomaru and sink every Principality vessel henceforth, we could sever information flow entirely and buy ourselves considerable time. It was they who first stirred rebellion. A forceful break is not without merit.”
“…There is logic in that as well,” Togo admitted. “What is your decision, Princess?”
“If we sever ties now, Choshu and Hizen may act immediately upon learning of it. That would complicate matters unnecessarily. We shall adopt Togo’s proposal for now.”
“As you command. When The Principality’s envoys demand an explanation, leave it to me. I will bear responsibility for the course we have chosen.”
“I entrust it to you.”
A quiet aside—
Had Ryu been present at this council, he would almost certainly have supported Sakai’s plan.
Meanwhile—
“Esther, dip it in the beaten egg first. Trust me, it’s better that way.”
“R-raw egg?! I have no desire to eat such a thing!”
“Just try it.”
“Nuaaah! Don’t bring it closer!”
Plop.
“NUOOOOOOO!!! IT IS DELICIOUSSSSSS!!!”
“Told you.”
“Gyau! Gyau!”
(This sauce-soaked beef is outrageously good!!!)
They were, quite simply, enjoying sukiyaki.
Just then—
“Oh? What a delightful aroma, indeed…”
“Oh, it smells good ～”