Chapter 93: Itagaki Taisuke

The following day, Ryu and Ryoma made their way to Tosa Castle.

“This,” Ryoma declared with unmistakable pride, “is our honmaru—the main citadel.”

“I’ve admired it from afar every day,” Ryu said, tilting his head back to take in the towering structure once more. “But seeing it up close… this isn’t something a single domain should be capable of building. Just what in the world is going on with Hinomaru’s architectural technology?”

“Hahaha! You flatter us,” Ryoma replied, though his grin betrayed genuine delight.

Esther and the others were staying behind today.

After fighting through nearly two months of relentless pharmaceutical warfare, she more than deserved a week of rest. At this very moment, she was likely cocooned in blankets like a silkworm, blissfully unaware of the world beyond her futon.

Meanwhile, the two men strolled lazily along the path leading to the inner keep.

“On the continent,” Ryu mused, “when constructing massive buildings, the focus tends to be less on craftsmanship and more on earth-attribute magic. They say what matters most is advanced reinforcement spells—magic that makes structures harder and more durable. But looking at Hinomaru… prioritizing architectural technique seems to result in buildings that last far longer.”

“The artisans say the foundation lies first in technique,” Ryoma explained. “Next comes selecting the proper materials for each purpose. Only at the very end does magic serve as the finishing touch. That is the basic order of thought.”

“Heh. I’m learning something new today.”

Watching the two converse so casually and cheerfully caused quite a stir among the retainers of the Itagaki household.

“I’ve never seen Lord Ryoma speak so happily with someone…”

“I want to grow closer to Lord Ryoma too…!”

“Who is that man?”

“I heard he’s an ambassador from the Empire.”

“What? He’s not from Hinomaru?”

It was widely known that Ryoma kept a consistent distance from everyone except Itagaki Taisuke. Seeing him engaged in such friendly conversation clearly sparked a hint of envy.

As for Ryu’s appearance—black hair, traditional kimono, sword at his waist—he looked every bit the samurai. Their confusion was only natural.

Soon, they arrived beneath the towering gates of the honmaru.

“Ryoma-dono, is that the ambassador in question?” a guard asked.

“Indeed. This is Ryu Arden, ambassador of the Empire.”

“Understood. Open the gate!”

With a deep, rumbling groan, the massive gates slowly parted.

Guided by Ryoma, Ryu stepped into the castle.

In the audience chamber.

“…I am Itagaki Taisuke, lord of Tosa Domain and master of Tosa Castle.”

At last, Ryu stood face-to-face with the man himself.

Lined along both sides of the chamber stood Tosa’s retainers, Ryoma among them. The atmosphere was heavy, solemn—almost oppressive.

“I am Ryu Arden, ambassador of the Astoria Empire. I thank you for granting me this valuable audience.”

The Itagaki house was, in essence, one noble family of a mid-sized nation known as Hinomaru.

Ryu, on the other hand, represented the Astoria Empire—the superpower that dominated the continent.

In terms of status alone, Ryu outranked them. There was no obligation for him to use honorific speech. Yet this man was the lord Ryoma deeply respected.

Showing sincerity here was only proper.

“First, allow me to thank you regarding Goroemon.”

“Please, think nothing of it.”

(Though I’ll keep that card in my hand for later.）

Ryu had no intention of casually discarding the powerful leverage of having been threatened by a murderous former Tosa retainer. He simply chose not to waste time discussing it now.

“Let us proceed to the main topic,” Ryu said calmly. “What are your thoughts on the current state of Hinomaru?”

“Hm… That is rather abstract.”

“Then I shall be more direct. Between the Tokugawa shogunate and the Choshu-Hizen alliance—which do you believe will prevail?”

The room froze.

“…………”

Without even pretending to deliberate, Itagaki answered,

“…Much depends on how the Principality moves from here. But as things stand, the shogunate’s odds are perhaps thirty percent.”

“So you were aware that the Principality is pulling strings from behind the scenes.”

“Observing their recent actions makes it obvious.”

（The Empire, long at odds with the Principality, would naturally aid Tokugawa in such a situation. And if this ambassador has come all the way here…）

Itagaki narrowed his eyes.

“You have come to persuade us… to side with the shogunate, have you not?”

“That is correct.”

（Troublesome. He’s sharper than anyone on the shogunate’s side. But if I can move a man like this… their odds would skyrocket.）

“…Did Ryoma not tell you? Tosa respects the will of Hinomaru.”

“If that will is being incited by the Principality, can it truly be called the nation’s own?”

“…You would do well not to underestimate the people of Hinomaru.”

“?”

“It is possible the Principality provided the spark of rebellion. But Choshu and Hizen—no, the people of Hinomaru as a whole—are not so weak as to be swept away according to another nation’s design. Somewhere in their hearts, they have long desired change. That is why they now resist the shogunate so desperately. Ultimately, this movement is rooted in Hinomaru’s own will. It would have occurred sooner or later. The Principality merely shifted the timing.”

“…………”

（I see… Timing. That perspective hadn’t occurred to me.）

It was a viewpoint only someone who had long observed Hinomaru could possess.

The retainers nodded in firm agreement.

Only Ryoma frowned slightly.

（Ryu… how will you recover from this…?）

Yet Ryu’s expression remained as unreadable as ever—neither particularly motivated nor discouraged.

The pace was entirely Itagaki’s.

“And still,” Itagaki pressed, “you intend to move Tosa?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Then you must have brought a reason worthy of it… A reason powerful enough to make every retainer here nod in agreement.”

In the heavy silence, Ryu spoke.

“If Tosa maintains neutrality, and the shogunate is defeated—what do you believe will become of Hinomaru?”

“The shogunate would relocate to Choshu. A new era would begin.”

“No,” Ryu said evenly. “That is incorrect.”

“Hm. Then what?”

“Hinomaru will fall—”

He paused, his gaze sweeping the chamber.

“—No. The Empire will destroy it.”

“！？！？！？”

The retainers leapt to their feet.

“You dare insult Hinomaru?!”

“Even as an ambassador, there are limits!”

“Have you prepared yourself to be cut down?!”

“…Silence. I am still speaking.”

At Itagaki’s command, they reluctantly sat.

“Explain the meaning behind those words.”

“Earlier, you spoke from a perspective only someone who has long observed Hinomaru could understand. This is the opposite. You do not know the persistence—the greed—of the Principality.”

“Go on.”

“The Empire has clashed with them for centuries. There are things only we can see. Allow me to share them.”

Ryu continued steadily.

“You suggested the Principality merely provided the spark and would interfere minimally thereafter. You also expressed confidence that Hinomaru’s people would not be swayed.”

“……”

“However, once the Principality begins a plan, it will see it through at any cost. It has harassed even the Empire for hundreds of years with constant skirmishes. Before coming here, I passed through the Mond Duchy. Tens of thousands of troops from the Principality had once again advanced upon it.”

Itagaki stroked his beard.

“Yet here is the crucial point,” Ryu said. “Those forces were hardly composed of Principality soldiers. Almost all were troops from its vassal states.”

“……What are you implying?”

“You understand. Does it not resemble Hinomaru’s current situation?”

Using Choshu-Hizen as pawns. Letting others bleed while they remain behind the curtain.

“Yes,” Ryu affirmed. “The Principality will wait as king of the hill, allow Hinomaru to exhaust itself in prolonged conflict, then seize control. Whether they aim to reap the spoils or manipulate the shogunate from the shadows, it matters little. To a continental great power like them, Hinomaru is merely a somewhat strong mid-sized nation. If they wish to take it, they can. It would even serve well as a training ground for their Hero.”

Silence thickened.

“And when that happens,” Ryu pressed, “how do you think the Empire will respond?”

“…It would declare Hinomaru an enemy state.”

“Half correct. The Empire has vital ports along its eastern coast. We cannot allow them to be endangered. The moment Hinomaru falls under the Principality’s control, there will be no time for formal declarations. We will strike immediately.”

He took a breath.

“Let me repeat: the Astoria Empire—a superpower that dominates the continent—will wage war in earnest. How many days do you believe Hinomaru would endure? And yet, Tosa would remain unmoved.”

“…………”

“You possess the power to change Hinomaru, yet choose to watch from the sidelines. The Principality seizes your nation. And in the end, the Empire crushes it. How laughable.”

His final words fell like a blade.

“Before speaking of Hinomaru’s will, look at the world from above. Is there not a saying here? ‘A frog in a well knows nothing of the great ocean.’ At present, Hinomaru’s people are that frog. At the very least, I strongly advise that you—if no one else—step out of the well.”

“…………”

After the long speech, Itagaki’s expression had changed.

“…Why go this far for Hinomaru?”

Ryu exhaled softly.

“To be honest, I came to establish trade. There are many nations suitable for that purpose. At first, I thought I could gather some information and leave if necessary. But… along the way, various things happened. I found myself wanting to truly save this country.”

“What various things?”

“I made a friend.”

His eyes shifted briefly to Ryoma.

“…That’s all?”

“Yes. That alone… is enough.”

When a dragon speaks of a friend, the word carries weight.

Itagaki lowered his gaze.

“Ku… hahahaha!!!!!!”

The lord who rarely laughed burst into booming laughter, stunning the chamber.

“Excellent… I do love such fools…”

（How long has it been since I’ve felt this stirred?）

And then—

“From this moment, Tosa shall side with the shogunate. Men—take up your swords.”

“““““Yes, sir!!”””””