Chapter 357: Nightmare (4)

Meeting your wife’s family is always incredibly uncomfortable.

In my case, even more so.

Abel is the rightful heir of the Nibelung, the most influential family in the nobility, second only to the imperial Victoria family.

Although she gave up the title of student at an early age, she still bears the radiance of the Nibelung lineage upon her head.

And that alone would be too much—if it were only about Abel. But my “luck” doesn’t end there.

The Saki family.

It’s said that in the western world the Nibelung reign, and in the east, Korea and the Saki family dominate with equal authority.

That’s a common belief among civilians.

But that’s only the popular version. If you look closely, there are clear differences between the two families in terms of their foundation.

The “prestige” of the Nibelung far exceeds that of the Saki family.

Everyone remembers the feats of the founder, the God of the Sword, and the dedication of the Heavenly Sword to modern humanity.

‘The position of the Summit family… is somewhat ambiguous.’

In terms of status, the Saki family is far below.

However, when it comes to actual power—practical power—the Saki family wins, hands down.

Everyone agrees on that.

Though Kojima was a detestable man in life, he had a brilliant mind. He understood the nature of power and knew how to use it.

‘In that regard, the Saki have always taken a very different path.’

As a father, he may have been the worst, but thanks to him, his two daughters—well, one now—enjoy certain privileges.

That’s undeniable.

I’m talking about Saki Hina, the current Prime Minister of Japan.

That woman who now smiles at me mischievously, resting her chin on her clasped hands.

“After all this time, you’ve only gotten more handsome.”

“…”

I’ll say it again meeting your wife’s family is a pressure-filled experience. Even more so if…

“Seriously, Ryozo is a lucky woman.”

…she throws a compliment at you that direct.

Episode: Sisters

I left the academy with Saki Hina.

We entered a café in the city of Wonju, exclusive to members. It’s a unique place where entry requires wearing masks.

Despite its discreet access system, the café is still just a café.

It was designed for nobles who detest even the slightest degree of exposure, which explains its suspicious appearance.

‘Even though everything looks dark…’

The Joaquin Academy is a dangerous place.

If Ryozo, with her sharp eyes, spotted me, it would be hard to escape her verdict, “I’ll hit you right in the forehead.”

Someone might ask, “Why not pretend you don’t know Saki Hina and just keep walking?”

And they’d be right. That’s what I planned to do until she said the last thing.

“What a warm and cozy room.”

“…Take a seat.”

“Expecting you to pull the chair for me would be too much, huh?”

“…”

I sat first. Saki Hina shrugged and leaned deep into the backrest.

The table was small.

We were so close our breaths nearly touched.

Even though we wore masks, our gazes locked on each other’s cheeks.

For several minutes, the room remained silent. Neither of us dared to speak.

Until—

‘Hmm.’

A sweet scent suddenly enveloped me. I wrinkled my nose.

Was that woman using the Blessing of Seduction again? Hadn’t she learned her lesson when I stabbed her during our first meeting?

But the moment I sensed movement behind the door, I understood the situation.

“This café is known for its good security.” I sighed and spoke.

“Do you really need to use the Blessing of Seduction just to make the staff uncomfortable?”

“It never hurts to be cautious. Besides, weren’t several customers caught here by Auditore’s information networks while chatting, just like you?”

Saki Hina deployed a barrier around us with her blessing. The Blessing of Seduction is as rare as the Healing Blessing owned by Speedweapon.

‘Makes sense. It’s a hypnosis-type technique.’

Surely, Kojima didn’t make her his secretary just because she was the eldest daughter.

I watched her, arms crossed.

‘She didn’t used to handle her blessing this well. She’s completely changed. Well, if she hadn’t changed in ten years, that would be a problem too.’

What bothered me was how much Saki Hina had changed. Like her father Kojima, she became a different person after a family member’s death.

‘Maybe it’s something genetic in the Kojima family.’

Saki Hina removed her mask and tossed her hair. I hesitated a moment, then removed mine and began to speak.

“The Auditore are clear allies.”

“More precisely, they’re the arms and legs of Heavenly Sword. The Saki family is an ally, yes, but if the opportunity arose, wouldn’t they stab us in the back?”

“Then I just need to make sure that opportunity never comes.”

“I know it sounds cynical, but no noble family is without sin. That’s why everyone fears the Auditore’s sword.”

“…So it’s true the Victoria imperial family is trying to get rid of them.”

That was the reason I decided to come, even knowing it was a trap. When I tried to walk away, she used the Auditore name to tie my hands and feet.

“Looks like the western nobles have reached their limit.”

Saki Hina nodded.

“They can’t stay trapped under the Auditore’s shadow anymore. Even in the East, where their influence is weaker, the rumors are spreading.”

As Prime Minister, she has access to the highest levels of information. Even unverified rumors matter to her.

Moreover, the Blessing of Seduction lets her glimpse into others’ hearts for a moment, so her intel is classified as SSS level.

I replied in a softer tone.

“Still, this all feels too sudden. And it lacks a solid cause. The imperial Victoria family rarely acts on its own.”

“The academy exchange was the direct trigger.”

“I was the one who tortured the nobles at the party.”

“…I wasn’t referring to that, but… You tortured nobles, Heavenly Sword?”

“…Looks like it hasn’t spread yet.”

‘And it was quite effective…’

I thought it would already be the talk of the town.

“Well, in politics you sometimes get your hands dirty.”

“And you tell me not to do shady things… how brazen.”

“Shall we go?”

I stood and slid my chair.

Swish!

Saki Hina took out her folding fan and covered her lips.

It was a gesture indicating everything said from that moment was off the record.

I slid my chair back to the table.

“There’s no need to explain that the one who handed over that list of nobles was Auditore. That’s their kind of work, after all.”

“And that’s what’s strange. Why are they doing this now, so suddenly, after being quiet for so long?”

“The Victoria imperial family invested a large amount of capital in Parsy Academy.”

“…?”

The word ‘imperial family’ didn’t appear anywhere on the list that Auditore handed over.

…Hmm.

In a fraction of a second, I reached the obvious conclusion.

“Naturally, the accounts were under other names. They used names of other nobles.”

“Exactly.”

Clack.

I instinctively flinched and looked down.

Her Japanese sandals dangled from her big toe, which she used to strike my shin.

“Why the hell are you doing this to me?”

“Hmm? Doing what?”

“Anyone else could, but not you. You, Prime Minister, shouldn’t treat me like this. Your sister is my wife.”

“She’s my stepsister, not blood-related. Though even if she were, we wouldn’t be violating any international laws, you know?” I say it bluntly—Japan’s awareness of gender and rights is among the world’s most advanced.

“Anyway, back to the topic. As you said, the imperial family tried to use nobles as a front to continuously support Parsy, no… rather, to turn it into a cradle of nobles that could face Joaquin. But alas, all that capital was snatched up by Auditore, right? Through that G.M. Foundation?”

“I insist, that was a legitimate action.”

“Yes, it was legitimate. Even the imperial family can’t easily criticize an Auditore operation. Especially now that everyone knows you, Heavenly Sword, are behind them. No one dares touch them.”

Saki Hina closed her fan. Her long brows furrowed slightly as she stared at me like she could pierce through.

“Heavenly Sword.”

“Yes.”

“Public opinion about you is shifting.”

“I suspected as much.”

“You, Heavenly Sword, are too powerful for the imperial family… no, for all of humanity to handle. This hypothesis is circulating among the people now.”

[If, by chance, the Heavenly Sword turned against humanity… who could stop him?]

“It’s not like with the Corps Commanders. And you know it. Because you were the one who eliminated them. When you were still just a cadet at the academy, ten years ago.”

“…”

“And in the recent Parsy tragedy, you showed it again. That you’ve… grown even more powerful. Far beyond when you defeated the Second Corps Commander, Kuarne. If this continues… you’re a risk.”

“…”

“Heavenly Sword, I believe in you. I know you won’t take the wrong path. On the contrary.”

The sweet floral scent began to fade.

Saki Hina deactivated the Blessing of Seduction on her own.

“You guided both me and my father, Saki Kojima, when we were about to go astray. Though your methods were violent, the path you forced upon us was the right one.”

And that’s true. Saki Hina wasn’t using her blessing at that moment.

“Not just me. Everyone around you believes in you, no matter the circumstances. But the rest of the world isn’t the same. I realized that when I became Prime Minister.”

“Thanks for your concern.”

“Have you already thought about how to solve it?”

I shook my head. Saki Hina smiled as if she had anticipated it.

“The Victoria imperial family should face it head-on. They tried to eliminate Auditore from the shadows, so you, Heavenly Sword, must deal with the imperial family in the opposite way.”

“True.”

“If you show your face, the imperial family will at least pretend to be open to dialogue. Use that opportunity to demonstrate your ability. I’ll help you however I can, within my means.”

“That kindness of yours is honestly a little scary.”

And I wasn’t joking.

“When I was first appointed Prime Minister, Ryozo helped me a lot. And I know very well that helping you, Heavenly Sword, is also helping her. Because her happiness is Ryozo’s happiness.”

“In that case…”

“And also, on a personal—”

I stood up immediately, as if cutting her words down with a sword.

I tied my mask back on and turned around.

I opened the door just a few centimeters.

From behind, Saki Hina threw one last question at me.

“And what do you plan to do with all those people who fear you, Heavenly Sword? Are you going to hold a public press conference or something?”

“I’m someone who acts before speaking. I’ve already fulfilled my quota of media appearances this year with the academy exchange.”

I scratched my chin slowly and said.

“The Prime Minister told me this that the reason people fear me is because there’s no force capable of holding me back.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Then we just need to create one.”

Saki Hina tilted her head, curious.

“The Prime Minister’s sister will turn the cadets of Joaquin Academy into heroes. Even if I one day become an enemy of humanity, they’ll be the heroes who reassure the world. I’ll support them closely as well.”

“I’m really jealous of Ryozo…”

“Nothing that was said today was heard. Including that last sentence.”

And with that, I left the tea room.

Next to the door frame, I found one of the staff members passed out.

I hesitated to call the manager, but decided not to—just in case they started questioning me—so I calmly walked away.

***

The audience with the emperor was scheduled faster than I expected. Much faster, actually.

“Mom, I’m going to England tomorrow.”

Ryozo had just finished interviews with the cadets who participated in the exchange.

“…What?”

“You remember we promised to grant a request to every cadet who attended the event.”

“Yes, we did.”

Ryozo pressed her temples with her thumbs, annoyed.

“Victoria wants me to go see the emperor with her.”