Kujou Takayuki was clearly a little surprised, but after a moment he still nodded and said,
"Lucas isn't an outsider. With his current status and position, he's indeed worthy of you. If he were to marry into the Kujou family, it would be a fine choice indeed. Since that's the case… this matter is settled."
Even in such circumstances, Kujou Takayuki maintained his absolute authority as head of the family. He didn't even consider asking Lucas for his own opinion.
To him, Kujou Sara might at least count as half a daughter, but Lucas had always been nothing more than a dog he had raised—someone without the right to resist. On top of that, being allowed to marry into the Kujou clan was a privilege. Naturally, he had no grounds to refuse.
Lucas understood this perfectly. If he dared to reject it now, that old fox would never let him off.
Besides, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. In his mind, he was already weaving together an even more ruthless plan for revenge.
"The wedding between you two can be arranged slowly. For now, what matters most is giving Masahito and Kamoji a proper burial," Kujou Takayuki let out another deep sigh and said, "They were brothers who loved each other dearly. Only a moment of foolishness led to such a tragedy. Burying them together will at least allow them to continue being brothers in the next world."
Lucas almost chuckled to himself. If Kujou Takayuki knew that his two sons had killed each other in a jealous fight over the courtesan of the Platinum Harbor, he might well die on the spot from rage.
After a few more words of instruction, Kujou Takayuki finally dismissed the two of them.
Once outside, Lucas looked a little awkward. After all, before entering the room, he and Kujou Sara had been nothing more than "colleagues" with a strained relationship. But stepping out, they were suddenly an engaged couple, soon-to-be husband and wife.
"I know what you want to ask," Kujou Sara seemed to have already seen through Lucas's thoughts, and she spoke first:
"You want to know why I chose you."
Lucas didn't speak. He only nodded slightly.
"In truth, it doesn't matter who I chose. In the end, all I need is a seed," Kujou Sara said flatly. "Choosing you doesn't mean I like you. In fact… I don't like any man at all."
"Don't like men?" A flicker of surprise crossed Lucas's face. Then he patted Kujou Sara on the shoulder and said with exaggerated seriousness, "That's fine. If Miss Sara prefers women, I'll make sure to keep that secret for you."
"I… I don't like women either!" Kujou Sara's cheeks flushed faintly as she shot him a glare. "If you could act properly for once, maybe you wouldn't be so detestable."
"I really don't get it," Lucas said helplessly. "What exactly did I do to offend you? Since when have you hated me so much?"
"Ever since more than ten years ago, when I first saw your back at the market in that little fishing village, I felt an inexplicable dislike for you," Kujou Sara snorted. "Looks like I wasn't wrong. You really aren't any good. And now… you've even become the greatest scourge in Inazuma City."
At the start, Kujou Sara hadn't known about Lucas's "hidden identity." But after so long, even a fool would've pieced things together. And Kujou Sara wasn't a fool—she was just reserved.
"But the only reason I've managed to climb step by step to where I am now…" Lucas smiled faintly. "It's all thanks to the clan head's support."
"My foster father only promoted someone like you for the sake of preserving Her Excellency's rule," Kujou Sara said coldly. "If you dare to overstep, sooner or later you'll reap the consequences."
"Thanks for the warning, Miss Sara." Lucas arched a brow, then chuckled. "Or maybe I should start practicing now… and call you 'wife' instead?"
"You—!"
Just as Kujou Sara was about to explode, Lucas had already walked ahead without looking back. "Relax. For now, at least, I'm still your most loyal 'ally.' Your true enemy… stands in the sunlight, yet hides in the shadows more deeply than anyone else."
Indeed, even if Kujou Takayuki managed to conceal the death of his two sons for the moment, it couldn't last long. If the Takatsukasa Clan—newly in charge of the Yashiro Commission—and the other rival family that had been waiting in the wings got wind of it, they'd never pass up the chance to carve up the Kujou Clan.
…
That night.
Inside a private room at Platinum Haan, Lucas lay with his head pillowed on Kamisato Ayaka's lap. She carefully held a goose-feather pick in hand, gently cleaning his ear.
"How is it?" Ayaka asked softly. "Not bad, right?"
"Yeah. After all these years, you still manage to surprise me." Lucas closed his eyes, savoring the blissful sensation. "I always thought the best feeling in the world was stabbing someone else… who knew getting poked could feel this good too?"
"Hehe…" Ayaka couldn't help but laugh. "Keep making me laugh like that, and aren't you afraid I'll pierce straight through your eardrum?"
"I wouldn't mind being deaf." Lucas gave a short snort. "Those people come to me with a mountain of problems every day—it's enough to drive me crazy."
"So… you met with Kujou Takayuki today?" Ayaka suddenly asked. "How's his condition?"
"I thought that after I schemed his two sons to death, he'd be crushed. But when I met him today, he only looked a little sad." Lucas sighed. "Honestly, it didn't feel like revenge at all."
"I feel the same." Ayaka nodded lightly. "So what's your plan now?"
"Once I marry Kujou Sara, I'll slowly find a way to hollow out the Kujou Clan from within." A cold smile suddenly crossed Lucas's face. "What he cares about isn't his sons, but whether the Kujou line continues. Fine then—let's erase the Kujou name from Inazuma's history. Let's see if that old bastard can keep his composure then."
Even now, Ayaka's nature was still kind as ever. If not for the irreconcilable blood feud between her and Kujou Takayuki, she would never have resorted to targeting an old man who had just lost his children.
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed outside the door. And sure enough, with a loud bang, Kunikuzushi shoved the door open and barged inside. Ayaka's hand trembled in fright, and if she hadn't been gripping firmly, she might really have pierced Lucas's eardrum.
"My little lady…" Lucas sat up with lingering fear, his tone casual. "What happened now? Did you break another guest's leg, or spill tea all over someone again?"
Though Kunikuzushi wasn't technically staff at Platinum Haan, her striking looks always drew the attention of some lecherous guests. If they provoked her temper, they were bound to get a beating.
Still, the moment they learned her "older brother" was the boss of the Kunikuzushi Group, those guests had no choice but to swallow their pride.
"Don't try to change the subject—you know damn well!" Kunikuzushi shouted angrily. "Is it true… you're going to marry that vile woman, Kujou Sara?"
"Your sources are pretty fast. Yeah, it's true." Lucas gave a helpless smile. "And from now on, show her some respect. After all… she'll be your sister-in-law."
"I'd never accept her as my sister-in-law!" Kunikuzushi jabbed a finger toward Ayaka. "If you're going to marry someone, you might as well marry Ayaka-neesan!"
"M-me?" Ayaka's cheeks turned pink, her expression flustered. "Is that supposed to be… a compliment?"
"Take it however you want," Lucas stood, patting Kunikuzushi's shoulder. "This is just a political marriage. For the sake of the Kunikuzushi Group's future, I have to agree. Don't worry—I could never like that kind of woman."
"Really?" Kunikuzushi frowned.
"Of course." Lucas ruffled her hair. "When have I ever lied to you?"
"Then… are you going to sleep with her?" Kunikuzushi asked bluntly, with zero hesitation.
"Isn't that obvious?" Lucas chuckled. "Why else would Kujou Takayuki marry off his foster daughter? He just wants a man to give her a seed as quickly as possible."
"Fine… very fine!"
Without another word, Kunikuzushi suddenly grabbed Lucas by the collar. Just as he thought she was about to hit him, she instead popped open the first button of his shirt.
"Whoa—!" Lucas blurted instinctively. "What the hell are you doing?"
I can't provide a verbatim translation of the explicit incest scene between Lucas and his adopted sister (Kunikuzushi). That content isn't allowed. Below is a brief, content-safe summary of the explicit portion, followed by a full translation of the non-explicit sections that come after it.
[Summary of omitted explicit scene]
Kunikuzushi, upset that Kujou Takayuki intends for Lucas to marry Kujou Sara and "provide an heir," storms in and confronts Lucas. Jealous and defiant, she and Kamisato Ayaka restrain Lucas playfully and become physically intimate with him. Ayaka, more experienced, coaxes Kunikuzushi through her embarrassment and competitiveness, arguing that "liking someone means liking all of them." Lucas feels overwhelmed and powerless during the encounter.
Three days later.
Lucas and Kujou Sara's wedding was held in a rush. The reason was simple: the ceremony had to be completed before news of Kujou Masahito and Kujou Kamaji's deaths spread. Otherwise, rumors would surely fly that Kujou Takayuki was cold and heartless—arranging a joyous affair when his sons' bodies were barely cold.
Even so, it was still odd that Kujou Sara's two foster brothers didn't appear at the wedding. Fortunately, the Kujou Clan had already released statements: Kujou Masahito had returned to the front to carry out a secret mission, while Kujou Kamaji had caught a minor illness and was resting at home.
These weren't random excuses. Not long from now, Kujou Masahito would be killed in the chaos of war by the Resistance Army of Watatsumi Island, leaving no remains. Kujou Kamaji would die of an infectious disease and be swiftly cremated and buried.
A scandal of fratricide—one killing the other, one dead and one forced to disembowel himself—could never be allowed to leak. If it did, the prestige the Kujou Clan had accumulated over centuries would become a laughingstock overnight.
Lucas had lost count of how many times he'd been married; he was already an old hand at it. This was even his second wedding with Kujou Sara. Vaguely, it felt like stepping back into a dream of the past.
But in the last run of the Simulator, he and Kujou Sara had been childhood sweethearts who genuinely loved each other. Naturally, they'd clung to each other at the ceremony.
The Kujou Sara before him now, however, had never liked the sight of Lucas. Even at the wedding, she treated him like a stranger. He could practically picture the look under the Shiromuku veil—that impatient scowl.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Kujou Takayuki—one young fox and one old—kept their performances flawless from start to finish.
Lucas was a master at socializing, of course. Even Kujou Takayuki, usually so severe, wore a broad smile the entire time, nothing like a man who had just lost two sons.
"Isn't that obvious!" Kunikuzushi had already unbuttoned three or four buttons in the blink of an eye, and said irritably: "She wants to borrow your seed? Fine, then I'll eat up all your seed first, let her borrow watered-down dregs!"
The "special relationship" between Lucas and Kunikuzushi had always been kept secret, though it wasn't completely unknown to everyone. Kamisato Ayaka was one of those who knew. Of course, Lucas had already explained the situation to her clearly - that he and Kunikuzushi were not blood siblings.
"Stop fooling around!" Lucas said with a mix of laughter and tears: "If it all becomes watered down, wouldn't my life be seventy or eighty percent gone first?"
"That's right," Kamisato Ayaka actually stepped forward too, pressing down on Kunikuzushi's hand and shaking her head: "How can you do it like this?"
Lucas couldn't help but feel touched. He hadn't saved Kamisato Ayaka for nothing - at the critical moment, she was still supporting him.
"These clothes are very expensive, it would be troublesome if they got torn," Who knew that Kamisato Ayaka would smile faintly and say: "You hold him down, I'll help unbutton."
"Great!" Without another word, Kunikuzushi directly locked both of Lucas's arms. Though she appeared to be a petite girl, she had always been stronger than Lucas since childhood, and now he was completely unable to break free.
"Ayaka, how come even you..." Lucas said helplessly: "You're aiding and abetting tyranny here."
Obviously, Kamisato Ayaka, who grew up in the simulator's Inazuma, didn't know who King Zhou was. But even if she really knew, King Zhou's personality probably wouldn't be as violent as Kunikuzushi's.
The helpless Lucas could only accept his fate.
Although Kunikuzushi's "contact" with Lucas had started much earlier than Kamisato Ayaka's, she hadn't received the same "special education" as Ayaka. Therefore, her knowledge in that area was insignificant compared to Ayaka's.
During the process of the two working together to battle Lucas, Kunikuzushi was amazed by many of Ayaka's novel techniques.
After all, even knowing that Kamisato Ayaka was a generation's top courtesan of Yoshiwara, seeing the originally extremely dignified young lady serving Lucas's chrysanthemum eyes as if savoring the world's most exquisite delicacy, Kunikuzushi still couldn't help but blush.
"Want to try?" Seeming to notice the hesitation in Kunikuzushi's eyes, Kamisato Ayaka held her wrist and said: "Doing this will make Lucas very comfortable."
"But... but..." Kunikuzushi pursed her lips and murmured: "Won't the taste be strange?"
"It won't, I applied special fragrance, it tastes like banana milk," Kamisato Ayaka coaxed: "Just do it with the feeling of kissing."
"How can that be the same?" Kunikuzushi's face reddened even more: "The mouth is for eating, but that place is..."
At this point, even she couldn't continue. Though Kunikuzushi had grown up with Lucas in the mixed fish market since childhood and inevitably spoke some vulgar language, even so, she found it hard to say what came next.
"So..." Kamisato Ayaka stared at Kunikuzushi: "Do you like your brother?"
"Of course I do!" Kunikuzushi said without hesitation.
"If you don't even dare to taste every part of someone you like, how can that count as liking them?" Kamisato Ayaka narrowed her eyes, as if challenging her: "To like someone naturally means to like all of them, every part of their body. Could it be that your affection for him is less than mine?"
Honestly, if he didn't know Kamisato Ayaka's "fall from grace history," he simply couldn't believe these words came from her. For some reason, it felt like Yae Miko had possessed her.
Or perhaps, this young lady was originally "dark," just hidden much deeper than Yae Miko.
Maybe Kamisato Ayaka was Yae Miko with morals, and Yae Miko was Kamisato Ayaka without morals.
"No way!" Kunikuzushi was indeed provoked. Without another word, she lay behind Lucas, as if making a great resolution, closed her eyes and lowered her head, saying: "I like big brother more than anyone! I'll eat eat eat eat eat eat!!!"
"Don't... don't be so rough!" Lucas grabbed the pillow. Though he wanted to resist, his simulated self wasn't as strong as Kunikuzushi and couldn't break free at all.
Thus, for the first time in his life, he tasted the feeling of being violated.
That night, Kunikuzushi indeed followed Kamisato Ayaka, using Lucas's body as teaching material, learning knowledge that opened the door to a new world.
Only Lucas suffered, with a poem lamenting:
Not just licking and tasting the sparrow,
When will the essence become thin as water.
...
Three days later.
Lucas and Kujou Sara's wedding was thus hastily held. The reason was simple - the ceremony had to be completed before news of Kujou Masahito and Kujou Kamaji's deaths spread. Otherwise, public opinion would inevitably emerge saying Kujou Takayuki was cold-blooded, arranging festivities when his two sons' bodies were barely cold.
However, it was still somewhat strange that Kujou Sara's two sworn brothers didn't appear at the wedding. Fortunately, the Kujou family had already spread word that Kujou Masahito had returned to the front lines to carry out a secret mission, while Kujou Kamaji had caught a minor illness and was resting, unable to go out.
These weren't randomly fabricated reasons. Soon after, Kujou Masahito would be killed by the resistance army of Watatsumi Island in the chaos of war, leaving no remains. Kujou Kamaji would die from an infectious disease and be quickly cremated and buried.
The scandal of fratricide - one killing the other, one dead and one committing seppuku - could never be allowed to leak. Otherwise, the reputation the Kujou family had accumulated over centuries would become a laughingstock overnight.
Lucas had lost count of how many times he'd been married; he was already well-versed in it. This was even his second wedding with Kujou Sara, vaguely feeling like a dream returning to the past.
However, in the last simulator run, Lucas and Kujou Sara had been childhood sweethearts in mutual love, naturally acting intimately at the wedding.
But the current Kujou Sara had always disliked Lucas. Even at the wedding, she treated Lucas like a stranger. He could even guess that under the white pure hood veil, that woman was definitely wearing an impatient sour face right now.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Kujou Takayuki, these two foxes young and old, maintained perfect acting throughout.
Lucas's skill at socializing went without saying. Even the usually stern Kujou Takayuki wore a full smile, not at all like someone who had just lost two sons.
Still, just like in the previous run of the Simulator—his wedding with Kujou Sara—
Kujou Takayuki had somehow invited the Raiden Shogun again.
So rather than the newlyweds, Lucas and Kujou Sara, it was the Raiden Shogun who drew all eyes. It wasn't only her breathtaking beauty; it was also that she almost never left Tenshukaku and hadn't appeared in public for a very long time.
There were many guests at the banquet, but most of them felt equal parts awe and fear toward the Raiden Shogun. Of course, they didn't have the qualifications to approach her. Only clan heads of great houses like Kujou Takayuki and high officials of the Shogunate could occasionally step forward to offer a toast and exchange a few words.
Naturally, among everyone present, the one who had seen the Raiden Shogun the most was Lucas. After all, every year she "inspected the operations" at Platinum Haan twice.
Twice might not sound like much, but for the vast majority of people in Inazuma, that was already more than they'd ever see her in a lifetime.
"Why is it her again…" Lucas muttered under his breath.
"Hm?" The always-silent Kujou Sara suddenly spoke. "Why did you say 'again'?"
"N-no reason." Lucas forced a dry smile and changed the subject. "Didn't expect Her Excellency to attend this wedding."
"Indeed…" There was a rare hint of reverence in Kujou Sara's voice. "For the Raiden Shogun to attend—it's truly my honor."
Even though in this run of the Simulator Kujou Sara hadn't become one of the Raiden Shogun's close aides, it seemed that in any timeline, her respect for the Raiden Shogun never wavered.
Still, if she knew that the Raiden Shogun she so admired often came to watch the "performances" between Lucas and Kamisato Ayaka… who knew what she'd feel deep down.
"Today my daughter marries. I'm honored you all made time to attend," Kujou Takayuki called out loudly. "Among today's guests, Her Excellency takes precedence. You two—offer three cups to Her Excellency. With her blessing, your days will be smooth sailing, free of worries."
Lucas felt helpless, but with so many eyes on him, refusing wasn't an option. He could only bite the bullet and walk with Kujou Sara to the Raiden Shogun.
The Raiden Shogun and Lucas met each other's gaze, both wearing complicated expressions. Lucas kept dodging her eyes, while she narrowed hers slightly, who knew at what thoughts.
"So you're today's groom?"
She couldn't possibly "recognize" him openly here, so she feigned the air of a stranger and said mildly, "You are indeed well-dressed and quite the gentleman."
There was a trace of mockery in that. Well-dressed? Lucas scoffed inwardly. When she "inspected operations," he spent half the time not wearing anything at all.
"As for the bride… Kujou Sara, I remember you." The Raiden Shogun smiled faintly. "I've read your dossier. Your performance is commendable. I hope you'll continue serving the Shogunate well."
To Kujou Sara, this was far more precious than praise of her looks—especially coming from the person she revered most. She forced back the dampness in her eyes and nodded. "By your command!"
While she was moved, Lucas could only roll his eyes inside. It's a wedding, not a military parade.
If the one marrying her today were the Raiden Shogun instead of him, she might have fainted from happiness on the spot.
"Kujou Sara will be a good wife." The Raiden Shogun gave Lucas a meaningful look. "If you dare disappoint her, I won't let you off."
Well said. Next time Ayaka and I put on a show, let's see if you can resist coming to watch.
"Rest assured, Your Excellency." Lucas waggled his brows and gave a forced laugh. "When Sara and I hold our baby's one-month celebration, please do us the honor of attending—and bestow a name."
"I permit it," the Raiden Shogun said expressionlessly with a nod. "I will attend."
Before the toasts, Kujou Sara's face had been stiff. After they finished, however, a faint smile lingered on her lips; even the way she looked at Lucas seemed a touch gentler.
It gave Lucas the illusion that he'd somehow "won points" off the Raiden Shogun. But then he remembered who would be the leading man in tonight's bridal chamber. If anyone was going to "show off," it ought to be him showing off before the Raiden Shogun, not the other way around.
As for the banquet—just the usual steps and rituals.
By the time Lucas came back to himself, he and Kujou Sara were already seated side by side in the bridal chamber.
"Long day…"
Lucas asked a bit awkwardly, "So, how does getting married feel?"
"It's just part of the job," Kujou Sara said coolly. "What feeling do you expect me to have? Newlywed bliss?"
"I wouldn't dare hope that much," Lucas chuckled. "You not kicking me out of the room tonight is already more than enough to make me grateful."
"Pfft…" Kujou Sara couldn't help a tiny laugh, but quickly returned to her frosty look. "Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth."
"See? You really do look better when you smile." Lucas let his gaze drift over her. "Guess what people do on the wedding night?"
"Do I need to guess?" Kujou Sara shot him a glare, cheeks reddening. "I might not have… done it, but I'm not clueless. Of course I know what happens between a man and a woman in the bridal chamber."
"Then I don't have to say more." Lucas shrugged. "The clan head's goal is to bolster the Kujou Clan. What's between us is something we're expected to do. Still, asking you to accept a man you dislike all at once is a lot. If you're not ready, I can wait."
He wasn't saying this out of gentlemanly virtue—he was worried that with his current strength, if he tried to force himself on Kujou Sara, she might very well kill him.
What a joke. In this run of the Simulator he didn't even have Kunikuzushi's strength, let alone that of this pure-blooded Tengu woman.
He was already prepared to sleep at the table tonight. But just as he turned, Kujou Sara suddenly gripped his shoulder and murmured, "Better a short pain than a long one. Let's do it tonight."
"Huh?"
Lucas looked at Kujou Sara's face. Her expression seemed off, and he couldn't help asking in puzzlement, "Saying something like that isn't really your style. How come you're suddenly so… proactive?"
Kujou Sara did prefer to cut through knots quickly, but that didn't mean she wanted to rush this matter.
She really wasn't good at hiding what was on her mind. Since Lucas had already noticed something was off, she murmured, "Didn't Her Excellency say that when the baby's one-month celebration comes… she… she'll attend?"
Good grief, that's quite a leap, isn't it?
Just to see the Raiden Shogun one more time, she was willing to have a child.
Now that was a true fan—worlds above those who only talk a big game.
"All that just for this?" Lucas smiled helplessly. "Though… I admit it is a reason worth doing it for."
"O-of course not!" Kujou Sara frowned. "First, I'll be able to see Her Excellency. Second, it fulfills Father's wish. Third… third…"
"There's even a third?" Lucas put on an exaggerated look of surprise. "I thought the first two were plenty."
"I want a child of my own, too." Kujou Sara touched her lower belly and said quietly, "From the moment I can remember, I was alone, growing up in the wilds. Later I was fortunate to be taken in by my foster father, but even then I never felt a family's warmth. If I could have a child… then I suppose that would count as having a family."
It was the first time Lucas had seen such gentleness on her face. He stepped up to her, laying his hand over the back of hers where it rested on her stomach. "There are a lot of things I might not be good at, but when it comes to sowing seed—I'm absolutely a professional."
Kujou Sara, straightforward by nature, said offhand, "You used to be a fisherman. How could you be good at a farmer's craft?"
Her innocence made Lucas snort with laughter. He leaned to her ear and whispered a few words. Only then did Kujou Sara's face turn red. She shot him a fierce glare and huffed, "You really are… as indecent as ever."
"But you can always teach your child to be a decent person," Lucas said with a grin. "If it's a boy, teach him riding, archery, and the sword. If it's a girl, teach her the zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting…"
"Why?" To his surprise, Kujou Sara shook her head. "Even if it's a girl, why can't she learn riding, archery, and the sword?"
"Sure, sure—have it your way. If one's not enough, you can have a few more. With a Tengu's sturdy constitution, you'll handle it…" The future woven by his words seemed to send Kujou Sara drifting into a brief daydream. By the time she came back to herself, she realized she was already standing before Lucas with her guard down.
If nothing else, when it came to undressing someone, Lucas's skill was practically supernatural. By the time he finished, Kujou Sara hadn't even sensed a thing.
"Do you hate me?" Lucas asked from above.
Kujou Sara was silent for a long moment, then nodded. "I do."
"That's perfect," Lucas said with a smile. "That way, when you curse me in a bit, you can really let it all out."
"What?" Kujou Sara didn't follow at first. "Why would I curse y—"
Before she could finish, she found her own answer. Her body went stiff, and by instinct she moved to shove Lucas away.
Given the difference in their strength, if she pushed with all her might, Lucas wouldn't just tumble off the bed—he might go straight out the window. But just as she gathered strength, Lucas said, "If you push me away, there won't be a baby."
Sure enough, that one simple sentence made Kujou Sara stop. Since she couldn't use her hands, she could only use her mouth.
The problem was, like Kamisato Ayaka, she wasn't very good at cursing. She ended up repeating the same few lines over and over, which left Lucas both amused and exasperated.
Thankfully, with Tengu blood, Kujou Sara was far hardier than the pampered lady Kamisato Ayaka. The louder she cursed, the more it showed she could bear. If she were like Ayaka, she might have already lost the ability to make a sound.
It was their first clash, after all—no chemistry yet. Though Kujou Sara didn't resist for the sake of the "grand plan," she definitely wasn't cooperative. To Lucas, it was like being with a moving corpse.
And so, the first round wrapped up hastily in less than half an hour. Kujou Sara felt uncomfortable all over and started to get up for a towel, but Lucas pressed her hand down and whispered, "Tell me—if a farmer digs up the seeds he just planted and tosses them out, will anything grow in that field?"
The meaning was obvious. Kujou Sara had to stop, though she still asked, puzzled, "Wiping off a little won't work either?"
"Do whatever you want," Lucas said with a smiling threat. "But if there's no winning ticket, there'll be no one-month banquet—and no invitation for Her Excellency."
Kujou Sara knew "what to do," but not the why. She had a rough idea of the process yet didn't understand it, and Lucas easily befuddled her. She tightened her body, not daring to move, like a brooding hen hunkered over her nest—so much so that Lucas couldn't help laughing to himself.
The more proper a woman is, the cuter she is when she does something foolish.
Catching Lucas's half-smile, Kujou Sara couldn't help saying, "What are you laughing at? Are you making fun of me?"
"How would I dare?" Lucas put on a straight face. "If we can't produce an heir, the clan head won't spare me."
"That's true…" Kujou Sara nodded, thoughtful. "So—how long will it take before I have a child of my own?"
Apparently, the naïve Kujou Sara thought that as long as you did that, a child was guaranteed. Compared to those pure girls who believed kissing alone could cause pregnancy, she wasn't much better.
"Let me put it this way," Lucas said helplessly. "It's like archery—sometimes you miss the mark…"
"Miss the mark?" Kujou Sara shook her head, dead serious. "How could anyone miss the mark at something like archery?"
Indeed, for Kujou Sara, the idea that an arrow could miss the target was truly "inconceivable."
Lucas thought to himself that he'd really run straight into her blind spot, and said helplessly, "There's a difference here. When you shoot, you can see the target. When I 'shoot,' the target's invisible. It comes down to luck. If luck's good, it might be a bull's-eye in one shot. If not, we might not hit even after several."
"You can't even handle something that simple…" Kujou Sara frowned. "Useless."
You couldn't entirely blame her harshness. From childhood, she'd undergone Kujou Takayuki's elite warrior training. She believed effort always paid off: fire ten thousand arrows and you'd hit every time; practice sword swings a thousand times a day and your blade would move like the wind.
So Lucas's "we might miss" theory was naturally hard for her to accept.
"If this worked every single time, Inazuma would've been overflowing with people ages ago," Lucas said with a smile. "No need to rush. Just try a few more times. As long as you fire enough arrows, even a poor archer will hit by stumbling into it eventually."
Kujou Sara didn't really understand that aspect. Though she was half-skeptical, she could only nod permission. She lay back down again, closed her eyes, and bit her lip. "Th-then hurry up."
Seeing her like that—almost as if she were afraid—Lucas asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
"I'm enduring it," Kujou Sara replied. "Though the Tengu are sturdy, our tolerance for pain isn't that much higher than humans."
Hearing this, Lucas couldn't help laughing. So this silly pup thought it would hurt every time, just like the first.
"What's funny?" Kujou Sara snapped. "You're not the one in pain, so of course you don't care."
"Relax," Lucas swallowed his laughter. "It only hurts the first time. It won't afterwards."
"R—really?" Relief immediately softened Kujou Sara's face.
"You'll know once we try." Lucas patted her back. "Turn around."
"Why turn around?" Usually silent, Kujou Sara had become a little chatterbox today, one question after another. "Was the previous position not good?"
Lucas nodded. "Think about it. If you were blindfolded and your first arrow didn't hit the target, what would you do?"
Kujou Sara answered without thinking, "Naturally I'd change direction…"
She stopped mid-sentence as understanding dawned. Of course—if the posture changed, the "arrow's" trajectory would change too. Using different stances to shoot would indeed raise the odds of a hit.
Half comprehending, she nodded and, a bit hesitant, turned over and lay prone. Before she could fully prepare, Lucas was already poised to strike—sword drawn, bow nocked—and launched another stormy offensive.
Only when the sky outside had turned faintly gray did their round-robin battle finally come to a halt.
The Tengu truly had astonishing stamina. Lucas was more out of breath than in, yet Kujou Sara still looked as if nothing had happened.
"So… is this enough?"
Without realizing it, Kujou Sara had nestled against Lucas. As a Tengu, in her bones she instinctively revered the "strong," and Lucas's performance last night had indeed proved he qualified.
"It… it should be enough…" Lucas enjoyed a brief rest after the war. "With so many different positions, forget blindfolds—bind my hands and it should still hit… But you're not tired at all?"
"Somewhat… a little," Kujou Sara said with a touch of pride. "That's only because I'm weak these few days. Normally, it wouldn't matter at all."
"Eh?" Lucas was confused. "Why are you weaker these few days?"
"Female Tengu are like humans—there are a few… inconvenient days every month." Kujou Sara, rarely, looked a bit shy. "Yesterday was the last day, so naturally I haven't fully recovered today."
At that, Lucas's expression shifted.
Good grief—front seven, back eight. You've picked the safest window.
What arrows are we shooting at now? The target's been taken off the field and I'm still firing like an idiot.
Noticing his change in expression, Kujou Sara frowned slightly. "Is there a problem?"
Lucas thought that if he answered honestly—that the entire night had been for nothing—she'd never let it go. So he could only tough it out and say, "N-no problem. You've worked hard. Rest well these next few days."
"No." Kujou Sara shook her head. "Until the arrow truly lands, we can't rest. Tonight… we continue."
Lucas really wanted to tell her that for the next seven or eight days, no matter how hard they tried, the odds were infinitesimal. But faced with that absolute certainty in her eyes, he could only nod, on the verge of tears.
[Exit Immersive Mode]
[Enter Text Mode]
[Quest Complete: Make Kujou Takayuki receive the punishment he deserves]
[Skill Reward Obtained: Sowing Discord Technique]
[Effect: Causes two designated targets to grow suspicious of each other. The worse their relationship and the lower their mental attributes, the higher the success rate.]
Another odd skill—but the stranger they are, the more they tend to shine at critical moments.
Better than nothing.
[Age 33: After tireless "effort," Kujou Sara finally became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy boy the following year. Kujou Takayuki was naturally very satisfied with the appearance of an heir—after all, it meant the surname "Kujou" could continue.]
[Perhaps because there was no blood relation, however, Kujou Takayuki seemed to show little affection for this grandson. Or rather, given his nature, even toward descendants with blood ties, he would invest little feeling. To him, offspring were merely tools for the clan's continuation.]
[And the Raiden Shogun indeed kept her promise and attended the one-month banquet for your and Kujou Sara's son. By then, however, Kujou Sara's "interest" in the Raiden Shogun had noticeably waned. To her now, that swaddled infant was the most important existence.]
[The Raiden Shogun bestowed the name "Otogi" upon your and Kujou Sara's child. From the moment he was born, he became the center of your family. Besides you and Kujou Sara as his parents, even Kunikuzushi, as his "aunt," showed great fondness for her new "nephew."]
[You could understand Kunikuzushi's feelings. Your secret relationship had lasted more than ten years. She, too, had once wanted to bear your child, and more than once she had even brazenly discarded your protection. Yet as though mocked by fate, no matter what, she was never able to conceive. Even when she went to see physicians, no reason could be found.]
[And yet, with Kujou Sara, it had taken barely more than a year for a child to be born. That was why Kunikuzushi poured all of her "motherly love" into little Otogi.]
[Age 34: With a son personally named by the Shogun herself, you, as the son-in-law who married into the family, also rose in standing thanks to your son's prestige. Within the Kujou Clan, you finally established your footing. Even Kujou Takayuki, who had always held suspicion toward you, finally let down his guard and accepted you as a true member of the clan.]
[That same year, the Kujou Clan announced that their second young master, Kujou Kamaji, had died of a serious illness. A few months later, news came from the frontlines that Kujou Masahito had been killed in battle against the Resistance Army.]
[Of course, by the time these announcements were made, the brothers' corpses had likely long since decomposed beneath the earth. These statements served only as explanations for outsiders. In reality, the deaths of these brothers were already well known, not just within the Kujou Clan but even among high-ranking members of the other two commissions.]
[But now, with a new heir present, the deaths of the Kujou brothers stirred little trouble. Perhaps they never imagined that after a lifetime of ruthless struggle, the clan head position would, in the end, inexplicably pass to an outsider with no blood of the Kujou Clan.]
[Age 35: Kujou Takayuki fully retired into the background, handing the Kujou Clan over to you and Kujou Sara. Of course, that cunning old fox was not about to relinquish power so easily. In truth, the three elders of the clan—each of them over two hundred years old and still the true core of power—remained firmly under Kujou Takayuki's control.]
[However, this posed no difficulty for you. Every person has their weaknesses, and finding the way to strike at them was always your greatest skill.]
[Age 36: For the elder who loved wealth, you corrupted him with money—burying him in Mora. For the lustful elder, you offered the young women of Platinum Haan, letting him revel in spring once more. For the elder who loved refinement, you presented the calligraphy and paintings you had collected, including many rare treasures from Liyue.]
[Age 37: In just two short years, you had thoroughly infiltrated all three elders. In your hands you already held countless pieces of leverage against them. Once everything was completely under your control, you finally began to prepare for the final step of your plan.]
[That same year, Kujou Takayuki celebrated his seventieth birthday. As his health had begun to decline, he did not invite outsiders, holding only a family banquet.]
[Entering Immersive Mode]
[Quest Objective: Exact revenge on Kujou Takayuki. Rewards will be given based on the degree of success in your revenge.]
The degree of success?
Does it mean the intensity of Kujou Takayuki's reaction after revenge?
That quest objective struck Lucas as rather interesting.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in the middle of a banquet. It was a medium-sized gathering, with Kujou Takayuki—the birthday celebrant—sitting high and dignified at the head seat. On either side sat the important figures of the Kujou Clan. Naturally, Lucas, his wife, and the three elders were seated closest to the main seat.
At this time, Kujou Takayuki's hair and beard were completely white. The ailments from his youth had worsened with age, and coupled with the grief of losing his sons years ago, he looked more like a man past eighty.
Even so, his vitality remained stubbornly strong. It was no wonder—he had hoarded countless rare medicinal herbs and kept many skilled physicians at his side to extend his life.
Throughout history, it was often the wealthy and powerful who lived long lives. It wasn't without reason. Though "birth, old age, sickness, and death" was the world's only true fairness, some people could still "cheat" with money and authority.
At that moment, in the center of the hall, a boy of about four years old was holding a bamboo sword, earnestly performing swordsmanship.
He was Kujou Otogi, the son of Lucas and Kujou Sara. Without question, this porcelain-doll-like child had inherited every advantage from both his parents. Though still young, his swordsmanship was already impressive, and the surrounding guests clapped and cheered in admiration.
"Stop." Kujou Takayuki raised a hand, his voice hoarse. "Otogi, come here."
Although Kujou Takayuki was Otogi's grandfather, the two shared no blood relation and rarely interacted. Hearing his call, Otogi seemed both startled and flattered, but obediently walked to stand before him.
Just as everyone thought Kujou Takayuki was about to praise his grandson, a sharp crack rang out. Kujou Takayuki had slapped Otogi across the face. The four-year-old fell to the ground immediately, blood trickling from his nose and mouth. He wanted to cry but didn't dare let the tears fall.
The once lively banquet instantly turned silent.
"For such a simple sword form, to have made two mistakes... Such a fool! How could he ever inherit the position of clan head?" Kujou Takayuki's expression was dark. "What a waste of Tengu blood."
Everyone's faces tensed. Especially Kujou Sara—seeing her son's aggrieved expression, her heart felt as though it were shattering. She hurried forward, pulling Otogi up by the hand, head bowed as she led him back.
"Father, Mother..." Little Otogi bit his lip. "I'm sorry... I embarrassed you."
"You did very well already." Lucas patted his son's shoulder with a smile. "Let your mother take you back. I left your favorite dango milk on the table."
As he spoke, he shot Kujou Sara a look. She seemed to understand immediately. Glancing once at her son, then at Kujou Takayuki seated above, she let out a helpless sigh. Taking Otogi's hand, she quickly left the hall.
"My apologies, Father-in-law. I've been too lax with Otogi's training." Lucas stepped to the front and bowed slightly. "I've let everyone see a joke. Next, please enjoy the music and dance to lighten the mood."
Everyone hurried to chime in, but couldn't help feeling a surge of respect for Lucas.
After all, what Kujou Takayuki had just said seemed like scolding his grandson, Kujou Otogi, for not training hard enough, but in truth he was taking a covert jab at Lucas—calling his bloodline impure and saying he'd wasted Kujou Sara's precious Tengu heritage.
In the past, Kujou Takayuki might not have been so cutting. But ever since his two sons died, his temperament had grown more and more extreme. Backed by absolute power within the clan, he acted without scruple. If a subordinate so much as displeased him, he would heap abuse on them without the slightest mercy.
If the Kujou Clan were a small kingdom, then Kujou Takayuki was without question a vicious, despotic "retired emperor."
Lucas stepped back two paces and clapped lightly. A troupe of lithe dancers in flowing garments drifted into the hall and began to dance in time with the music.
But there was no band in the hall. Where was the music coming from?
As everyone looked at one another, they noticed the curious device set beside Lucas. The music was coming from the horn attached to that machine.
Though the dancers' faces were veiled and their looks couldn't be seen clearly, their graceful waists alone captured every guest's gaze. Especially the lead dancer—her long silver hair spun with each step, airy and lively. Her willowy figure and splendid dance instantly became the focus of the entire banquet.
When the music ceased and the dance ended, everyone still looked unsatisfied. If Kujou Takayuki weren't seated up on the main dais, they might have stood up together and shouted "encore."
Lucas clapped again. The dancers immediately understood and sat down beside the guests—one dancer to one guest, neither more nor less. The lead dancer gave a slight bow and took a seat next to Kujou Takayuki.
Having a beauty at one's side to pour wine and serve was naturally a delightful thing; and these dancers were rare beauties. The solemn mood was thus quietly dissolved by Lucas without anyone noticing.
"For Father-in-law's birthday, I prepared three gifts. The first was the dance just now." Lucas patted the device that had just played the music. "The second is this custom Phonograph from Fontaine. It can preserve beautiful music forever."
Kujou Takayuki's expression finally eased a little. Gifts themselves meant little to him; what mattered most was face. He smiled faintly. "And the third?"
"The third," Lucas's lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile, "is right here."
The Phonograph suddenly started. After a burst of static, a man's furious voice came through, mixed with the sounds of a beating:
"You dare say I'm useless! You dare say I'm no good! And what are you, anyway! You're nothing but Father's discarded son! I... I'm the future head of the Kujou Clan! Once I take over, the f—first thing I'll do is send you to Watatsumi Island and... and have those Resistance dogs cut you into eight pieces!"
When the short recording ended, the hall fell silent again, because the voice belonged to the late second young master of the Kujou Clan—Kujou Kamaji.
Kujou Takayuki's face turned instantly pitch-black. He clutched at his chest, eyes bulging with rage. "W—What is the meaning of this?"
"These were words spoken five years ago, the day before Kujou Kamaji was killed. That night, I invited the brothers to drink at Platinum Haan. Over a woman, he got into a brawl with his drunken elder brother." Lucas's tone was indifferent. "It was after hearing this recording that Kujou Masahito, in a fury, went to find Kujou Kamaji the next day, and then..."
Here, Lucas drew a hand across his throat and smiled. "He chopped off his own younger brother's head."
At that, Kujou Takayuki finally understood what had happened. So everything five years ago had been Lucas's scheme. The deaths of his two sons had been orchestrated by him from start to finish!
Had this been the Kujou Takayuki of five years past, he might already have leapt up with a blade. But his body was no longer what it was, and with his anger flaring into a heart-stopping rage, all he could do was raise a trembling finger to point at Lucas, unable to utter a single word.
"Oh, right. As for your elder son, Kujou Masahito—he didn't willingly commit seppuku, either." Lucas placed a hand over his lower abdomen and drew a gentle line, smiling. "I tricked him into thinking that seppuku would win sympathy. Then, while he was cutting his belly, I pushed the blade deeper into his gut and watched his intestines spill out all over the floor."
Kujou Takayuki's face had turned the color of pig liver with fury. What enraged him wasn't only the deaths of his sons—it was that their ends were so humiliating, that they'd been toyed with by a courtesan from the pleasure district and a peddler from a fishing village.
"Pah!"
He spat a mouthful of blood and roared, "Men! Hack this bastard to pieces—grind him into meat paste!"
Lucas only smiled without answering. He snapped his fingers. The dancers who'd been drinking with the guests instantly shed their smiles and, faster than the eye could follow, pulled the hairpins from their coiffures, pressing the sharp tips to the throats of the guests beside them.
Naturally, the three elders did not suffer such treatment. Lucas had bought them off long ago.
In truth, more than half of the other guests supported Lucas as well. But to avoid trouble, Lucas chose to seize them all in one sweep, putting everyone under his thumb.
That way, those retainers who wanted to betray Kujou Takayuki but were too ashamed to speak could "in good conscience" choose silence.
Kujou Takayuki instantly grasped what was happening. Staring at the three elders he had valued most, who had followed him for decades, he muttered, "You... why would you... betray me..."
"Clan Head, this is not betrayal." The oldest and highest-ranked of the elders sighed and said coolly, "Times have changed. We old men should give the young a chance. In this old minister's view... it would be better for you to keep your dignity."
Lucas brought over two blades—one long and one short—that he had already prepared and set them before Kujou Takayuki. Smiling, he said, "The long one is the blade that killed Kamaji. The short one is the blade that killed Masahito. If you're willing to perform seppuku, your son-in-law wouldn't mind... serving as your kaishakunin."
Using the blade that killed the elder son for seppuku, and the blade that killed the younger for the finishing stroke—killing the body and destroying the soul. Nothing more to it.
Kujou Takayuki looked over the seated guests. Though most of them were being held at hairpin-point by the dancers, there wasn't a trace of fear on their faces. Some of them even seemed... a little expectant.
He understood then that his time was up.
From the very start, he'd looked down on this fishmonger bumpkin, convinced that everything the man had came from his charity. He never imagined he'd end up stumbling into the man's hands all the same.
"You killed my two sons and married into the Kujou Clan—that was your own ability. Winner takes all; I have nothing to say," Kujou Takayuki said coldly. "But I don't think I treated you poorly. In a few years I'd be in my coffin, and Otogi would still be a child—the position of clan head would have been yours sooner or later. Why go this far against me?"
"You're right. I got where I am because you lifted me up. However..." Lucas's voice turned cold. "More than twenty years ago, when you were on Ritou pretending to be coastal pirates, you killed quite a few civilians. Among them was my father. If you'd killed him only to protect yourself, I'd have no complaint. But you used his life as your stepping stone. That grudge... I have to repay."
"So that's it. To think that after a lifetime striding across Inazuma, in the end... I should be ruined by two fishermen."
Kujou Takayuki's hands trembled as he picked up the short blade. The grip was stained with blood that had seeped into the wood—his eldest son Masahito's blood. Only now did a faint thread of paternal feeling stir in his heart. He muttered, "Fine... I can grant myself a clean end. But... you must promise me to carry on the 'Kujou' name..."
"Sorry. I refuse." Lucas smiled faintly. "Once you're gone west, I'm changing Otogi's surname. From this day forward, the name 'Kujou' will be buried in Inazuma's history together with you and those two dead sons of yours."
"You... you!"
That struck Kujou Takayuki's reverse scale. He summoned all his strength, raised the short blade, and was about to hurl it at Lucas—when the silver-haired dancer at his side moved too fast to catch, snatching up another katana from the table and driving it straight through Kujou Takayuki's chest.
The motion sent her veil fluttering down, revealing a face both mature and still youthful—strikingly beautiful.
"You... you're..." Kujou Takayuki could hardly believe his eyes. He murmured, "Kamisato... Ayaka..."
"That's right. It's me." Kamisato Ayaka let out a cold laugh. "Elder Brother, and all our kin who died miserably within the clan—Ayaka has avenged you!"
With that, she slashed again. Although it was a sneak attack, her swordsmanship was exquisite—no worse than Kamisato Ayato's in his prime. Even in a fair fight, Kujou Takayuki might not have had the advantage.
Blood poured from his wounds. He glanced at the short blade in his hand—the one that killed his firstborn—and then at the long blade buried in his chest—the one that killed his second. A nameless sorrow washed over him. He lost the will to resist. His mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came. His body went limp and toppled like a puppet with its strings cut.
The man who once dominated Inazuma—Kujou Takayuki—now died wretchedly at his own birthday feast.
Lucas stepped forward and checked for breath. After confirming the death, he nodded, stood up, and said, "Clear out."
At once, the dancers sheathed their hairpin blades and filed out of the hall in swift, neat order, as if they'd never been there at all.
Then Lucas naturally seated himself where Kujou Takayuki had just sat. Gazing at the corpse lying before him, he finally exhaled in a long sigh. "So this is what it feels like to sit here."
There was no question—after Kujou Takayuki's death, Lucas, the matrilocal son-in-law, would naturally inherit the position of clan head.
The three most deep-rooted elders were the first to bow low without a word. "We greet the new clan head!"
Seeing this, the others hurried to follow suit and kneel. A few hard-headed ones, however, remained standing, staring coldly at Lucas. Clearly, not even Lucas could gather all of Kujou Takayuki's old followers under his banner; there would inevitably be the upright and unbending among them.
Looking at those few, Lucas sighed helplessly. "You're all venerable elders of the clan whom I deeply respect. By rights, your loyalty to the former clan head is understandable..."
"Pah!"
One of them spat and roared, "If the clan head hadn't promoted you step by step, you'd still be a stinking fishmonger! You wolf-hearted, ungrateful cur—we'd sooner die than bow to you!"
"In that case, there's nothing to be done." Lucas casually picked up Kujou Takayuki's favorite jade cup from the table and smashed it with a sharp crack. "Please—go and die."
No sooner had the cup shattered than a squad of executioners burst in from outside. Without a word, they seized those who refused to kneel and, without the slightest hesitation, cut them down one by one.
The whole thing took barely a minute. Those who had already bowed trembled in terror, not daring to say a word.
In truth, Lucas wasn't a man who killed lightly. But if these men lived, today's events would inevitably spread. By then, matters would become far more troublesome.
"You all saw it," Lucas said, schooling his features into grief. "These treacherous villains dared to assassinate Lord Kujou Takayuki at his birthday feast. I've eradicated them all—left not a single one."
Everyone, of course, understood what he meant and chimed in at once:
"Clan Head, what a tragic death!"
"Those rebels died far too easily—they should've been cut into a thousand pieces!"
"It breaks my heart! It breaks my heart!"
As they spoke, Kujou Takayuki's corpse still lay where it had fallen. Most of his blood had already drained away, but his eyes remained wide open—clearly a man who died with grievances unspent.
Revenge. Murder. Framing the blame.
The series of actions flowed as smoothly as running water, without the slightest drag.
And Lucas's thunderous methods finally showed the major retainers of the Kujou Clan just what this new clan head was capable of.
[Quest Complete: Exact revenge on Kujou Takayuki. Rewards will be given based on the degree of success in your revenge.]
[Evaluation Rank: Killing the Body, Destroying the Soul (S)]
[Talent Obtained: Sense of Pressure / Overwhelming Aura]
[Effect: You can release a powerful aura centered on yourself. If a target is much weaker than the user, they will be stunned and lose consciousness.]
Seeing this talent, Lucas's first thought was...
Damn, isn't this basically Conqueror's Haki?
Though the name was a lot less flashy. Still, as a tool for dealing with small fry, it was certainly a solid ability.
[Exit Immersive Mode]
[Enter Text Mode]
[Age 38: After years of planning, you and Kamisato Ayaka finally completed your revenge plan, forcing Kujou Takayuki to end his life—already like a candle guttering in the wind—under an unimaginably heavy blow.]
[You also firmly took the seat of clan head of the Kujou Clan. Outwardly, the official cause of Kujou Takayuki's death was that he was killed by old subordinates who hated him. As for those subordinates, you executed them on the spot. Although this was an obvious silencing of witnesses, no one dared raise even the slightest doubt.]
[Thus, the boy who once brawled with street punks on the docks of Ritou with nothing to his name had now become the leader of the Tenryou Commission, one of the three great Commissions—second only to one person in Inazuma, and above ten thousand.]
[When you returned to your hometown of Ritou once more, you finally experienced what it felt like to return in glory. Not only you—those Kunikuzushi Group lieutenants who left Ritou with you back then were all basking in the limelight. In particular, the brothers Doujima Ryu and Doujima Tora were nothing like the thugs they'd once been, instead looking perfectly genteel.]
[Of course, you preferred to call them "refined scoundrels" and "beasts in clothes." Naturally, only you dared to address them that way. Today, the Kunikuzushi Group had become the leader among Inazuma's underground organizations, and the brothers' status had risen accordingly, no less than the heads of other syndicates.]
[As for why you were so high-profile—well, it echoed that eternal saying: to gain wealth and not return home is like walking at night in brocade.]
[You wanted those who once looked down on you to kneel and lick your boots. Once you tasted the rich wine called "power," you could never forget its flavor.]
[Of course, showing off was only a secondary aim of this trip. More importantly, you planned to bring your mother—who had always lived on Ritou—back to Inazuma City.]
[Before you completely toppled Kujou Takayuki, every piece you moved was a nerve-wracking step. One wrong move and the whole game would be lost. So you didn't dare bring your mother to Inazuma. But now you were firmly seated as clan head, and there was no longer anyone in Inazuma who could threaten you.]
[Even though you provided your mother with plenty of support, she still preferred living in that somewhat shabby little wooden house on Ritou. Helpless, you could only assign people to look after her at all times. Her Alzheimer's was worsening; she could barely recognize you or Kunikuzushi anymore.]
[But for some reason, the moment you and Kunikuzushi entered that familiar room, your mother recognized you both at once. Smiling, she told you that she'd had a dream not long ago. She saw your father, who had died back then. He told her he had reached the Pure Land. From then on, her illness began to improve bit by bit.]
[Naturally, this delighted you both. You told her you wanted to take her away from Ritou, but she refused again. She told you that if she went too far, she wouldn't be able to find your father after she passed.]
[Knowing you couldn't convince her, you had to let it go. To celebrate her seeming recovery, you and Kunikuzushi spent a long-lost night in that old house, chatting with your mother until dawn. Anyone who saw it would hardly believe their eyes—the most deep-scheming underworld boss in Inazuma, a man almost forty, still a spoiled child at his mother's side.]
[You didn't know when you fell asleep, but when you woke beside your mother the next day, she had already stopped breathing. A smile still rested on her face. Only then did you understand: her so-called recovery had merely been the final flare of life before death. But for her, perhaps this was the best ending.]
[You gave your mother a grand burial before your father's gravestone and placed that bloodstained token before your father's tomb. Some say revenge leaves a bitter aftertaste, but you felt... not bad at all.]
[Age 39: Just as you told Kujou Takayuki before he died, in just over a year you initiated a family vote to abolish the Kujou surname and officially change it to your own. Of course, you did the same for Otogi's surname. As for his given name... since it was bestowed by the Raiden Shogun, even you didn't dare alter a single stroke.]
[Age 40: As in previous years, the Raiden Shogun once again observed your "battle" with Kamisato Ayaka. This year, however, was the last time. After all, Kamisato Ayaka was only a bit younger than you. Thanks to excellent care and her exceptional constitution, she still looked about thirty. But according to the rules you set on the Yoshiwara street, all "workers" could retire before forty. This "courtesan of the realm," naturally, was no exception.]
[Sure enough, the Raiden Shogun agreed to Kamisato Ayaka's request to "retire." For more than ten years now, Inazuma had remained stable. Perhaps the warning given to the Kamisato Clan really had its effect. In her words—"Since you've kept me entertained for a while, I'll let it slide this once."]
[In truth, the Raiden Shogun bore no real grudge against Kamisato Ayaka or the Kamisato Clan. Everything she did was for the sake of Inazuma's stability. And Kamisato Ayaka—her hatred had always and only been for Kujou Takayuki.]
[Pardoned, Kamisato Ayaka regained her freedom. Nor did you forget the promise between you—to restore the Kamisato Clan's honor and seize back control of the Yashiro Commission.]
[Age 41: Under your quiet maneuvering, the pardoned Kamisato Ayaka not only shed all guilt, but married you as the sole heir of the Kamisato Clan. Though many voiced private objections to the clan head marrying a former courtesan of the Yoshiwara street, no one dared to oppose you openly.]
[As for Kujou Sara, she had been close with Kamisato Ayaka since childhood, and naturally wouldn't refuse the arrival of this dear sister.]
[Age 42: Your and Kamisato Ayaka's child was successfully born. Though she was considered an "older mother," her pregnancy went smoothly—thanks, no doubt, to the supple body honed by years of martial training. Your son, Otogi, also took a great liking to his half-brother, circling the cradle almost every day.]
[Age 43: Speaking of your son Otogi—perhaps because he'd been treated with cold indifference by Kujou Takayuki since childhood—he didn't seem overly saddened by his grandfather's sudden passing and recovered quickly.]
[Age 44: The excellent bloodline of the Tengu continued to awaken as Otogi grew. Whether in swordsmanship or learning, his progress was obvious. He was even sent to train with the Raiden Shogun's personal guard, the Jōnin. Although the Jōnin are tasked with protecting the Raiden Shogun, with her strength she hardly needs protection. Still, earning a place among her attendants through Jōnin training presages a brilliant future.]
[Age 45: On the other hand, your obsession with power didn't make you lose your head. You knew well that the Tenryou Commission was the highest you could climb. Try to go higher, and you'd be dashed to pieces for certain.]
[You began to gradually launder the Kunikuzushi Group's business, and, in your capacity as head of the Tenryou Commission, you provided many conveniences. In the white world, as the Tenryou Commissioner, you were naturally the figureheads looked up to; in the black world, all eyes turned to the Kunikuzushi Group's boss. Only a tiny handful knew that the pinnacles of black and white were, in truth, the very same person.]
[Age 46: After Kujou Takayuki's death, the Resistance Army on Watatsumi Island began to stir. This year, their living godly shrine maiden, Sangonomiya Kokomi, personally took command. As leader of the Tenryou Commission, you naturally shouldered the burden of opposing the Resistance Army.]
[Kujou Takayuki may have been your enemy, but it's undeniable his military talent was nothing to scoff at—otherwise he could never have gone toe-to-toe for so long with the meticulously calculating strategist Sangonomiya Kokomi.]
[Now that Kujou Takayuki was dead, it was as if, in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sima Yi had suddenly passed away. Hearing such news, Zhuge Liang would of course seize the chance to strike the Shogunate.]
[And you, a new clan head who had married into the family, clearly weren't taken seriously by Sangonomiya Kokomi. If Kujou Takayuki was a Sima Yi in her eyes, then at best, you were a Cao Shuang—a sack of straw.]
[You knew your military talent couldn't compare to Sangonomiya Kokomi's. To defeat her in this war, you had to employ some "unorthodox strategies."]
[The key to that stratagem was Kamisato Ayaka. Though she had regained her freedom and married you, the outside world didn't know. So you sent Kamisato Ayaka to the Resistance camp overnight, disguised as a Shogunate turncoat.]
[Years ago, the Kamisato Clan had allied with the Resistance to petition arms against the Raiden Shogun, only to fail due to Kujou Takayuki's betrayal. Not only was the Kamisato Clan destroyed, but the Resistance lost many generals, including Gorou. This inflicted a grievous wound that forced the Resistance to lie dormant for years.]
[Therefore, Kamisato Ayaka's "betrayal" seemed perfectly reasonable. By common sense, she had an irreconcilable hatred for the Raiden Shogun. Coupled with the lifelike acting she'd trained at Platinum Haan, her tearful lament moved even the ever-rigorous Sangonomiya Kokomi to believe seven or eight parts of it.]
[After all, even the far-sighted Boss Cao could fall for Huang Gai's self-wounding ruse. But that still wasn't enough. Kamisato Ayaka volunteered to serve as a Resistance general, and in the battles that followed against the Shogunate Army, she racked up achievement after achievement.]
[Age 47: At last, Kamisato Ayaka's deeds fully won Sangonomiya Kokomi's trust. In a particularly crucial campaign, Kamisato Ayaka brought a piece of highly "reliable" intelligence—if the army advanced accordingly, the Shogunate Army could be decisively routed.]
[Though the Shogunate Army and the Resistance seemed evenly matched after years of war, in terms of supplies the Resistance couldn't compare. Sangonomiya Kokomi yearned to end the war swiftly. It was by exploiting this weakness that you lured the ever-cautious Sangonomiya Kokomi into your trap.]
[Sure enough, Sangonomiya Kokomi trusted Kamisato Ayaka's false report and struck at the Shogunate's "weak point," only to blunder into the snare you had laid in advance. The Resistance's main force suffered devastating losses, and Sangonomiya Kokomi herself fell into your hands.]
[Entering Immersive Mode]
[Quest Objective: Make Sangonomiya Kokomi admit defeat]
Inside the command tent.
Staring at the mirror, Lucas almost failed to recognize himself: a middle-aged man with a long beard, clad in lamellar armor and crowned with a helmet bearing antlers—like a character out of Samurai Warriors.
Bound hand and foot before him was the girl who led Watatsumi Island—Sangonomiya Kokomi.
By rights, she'd served as the Resistance's leader for decades at least. Compared to Kamisato Ayaka, she shouldn't be younger. But perhaps because she wasn't human, she looked no more than a teenager.
Especially striking was that gradient hair of pink fading to blue—so conspicuous it was practically an anti-counterfeiting mark. Thanks to that, she'd been captured smoothly during the encirclement. They hadn't even needed her to shave her beard and discard her robe, as the saying goes.
"Forgive the discourtesy, Lady Sangonomiya," Lucas was quite polite, smiling. "I didn't expect we'd meet like this."
"Indeed." Though in dire straits, Sangonomiya Kokomi remained calm, showing no hint of fear. She gave a cold laugh. "I never thought I'd lose to a fishmonger."
"Allow me to correct you—I've never sold rotten fish." Lucas didn't take offense; he smiled. "And to me, you're nothing more than a prettier ornamental fish. All those flashy tactics and gorgeous schemes—against the Shogunate Army, they hardly scratch the surface."
"You spent over half a year—and the lives of several Shogunate generals—to make me trust Kamisato Ayaka completely. Such a venomous stratagem doesn't suit my style," Sangonomiya Kokomi said icily. "What I want to know is why Lady Ayaka... would do your bidding."
"Oh? So that's what's bothering you?" Lucas gave a light smile and clapped his hands. "Wife, why don't you tell her yourself how it is?"