The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 357: Nightmare (4)

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.”