34 I tried negotiating without dogeza

Mike failed in convincing Yasaka. So, he said. "I see... Well, I understand. I would be glad if you could keep our meeting a secret."

He stood up and bowed in front of Yasaka. He was about to go but was stopped by Yasaka. She said, "Don't misunderstand, Mike-chan. You are a kind person to go that far for some Nekoshou. I am really touched by your kindness. If you came in a normal situation, I would have accepted it but currently, the situation is not so good in my territory."

And Mike asked. "If you don't mind, can I know about the situation? I might be able to do something about it."

Yasaka looked at him and sighed. Her expression turned sad. "My husband was recently found dead. He was killed by some unknown people. We still didn't catch them. So, suspicious people can not be allowed in the territory when the culprits are still not found."

Mike bowed again. "First of all, my deep condolences for your loss. I am sorry. I didn't know."

"It's okay," Yasaka gave a sad smile.

"So, a murder case huh... Can I know the details?" Mike questioned and Yasaka told him more about the murder.

"So, by the time murder happened, it was already announced that you were pregnant. Evidence collected is meager even though it's the death of the leader's husband. There are no personal enemies for your husband. By the wounds on your husband's body and the broken things in the surroundings, it seems that your husband tried to run away from the killers but failed. There were no marks of tying him up and rough handling. The place, where he was killed, is isolated, and nobody usually goes in there. Your husband was acting normal on that day and is a cautious person. But he didn't take security with him and went with a happy mood." Mike said all the details which he found important.

"In other words, your husband is killed because the killers didn't want your husband to tell you something and the killers are people that your husband knew." Mike finally gave his conclusion after looking over the details.

"How can you say that?" Yasaka asked.

"Your husband doesn't seem to have personal enemies, so the reason for killing must be you. But the murder happened after it was announced that you were pregnant. It would make sense for your enemies to kill him before you were pregnant so that you won't have an heir. But killing him now will be just more trouble for them.

Moreover, he was killed in a place where no one usually goes. There were no marks of rough handling. So, he wasn't taken to that place but he intentionally went there. Your husband is a cautious one. So, he normally wouldn't go in there. That means he was taken there by someone your husband trusts or he followed someone he knew.

The case is most likely the latter one. At the first glance, since he went without any security, one would think that he was taken to that place by someone he trusted. But he is the husband of the leader of the Yokai faction in Kyoto. So, if someone he trusted took him there, the killers who planned the murder won't be so foolish to give your husband a chance to run away. But it indicates that your husband tried to run away. So, this was most likely an unplanned murder. And also, the evidence is so less that it was probably covered up by someone from the inside.

So, I think what happened is that your husband was secretly trying to do some other work. But he came across someone he knew. Your husband must have found it suspicious, so he followed that person but got caught. Your husband tried to run away but was chased and killed." Mike clearly explained his deductions.

And Mike finally looked into Yasaka's eyes which have an unsurprising sad expression and said, "Do I pass your test now, Yasaka-san? Or should I completely find out who killed your husband too?"

And only now did her expression turned into that of a surprise. "Since when?" she asked.

"I started doubting you when you asked me to come to your room if I want to speak with you. Getting here is really tough with all the security. We were already alone in the hot springs, you could have just talked to me there if you want. There is a high chance of me failing. But still, you asked me to come here which means either you weren't interested in what I am about to say or you were testing my skills. And after you gave me a case to solve, I was sure that you are testing me. Foxes are cunning after all. So, can you explain the situation clearly and tell me what you want me to do, Yasaka-san?" Mike asked.

Yasaka sighed and smiled. "Yes, you passed. As you expected, my husband was killed by someone on the inside and I know who they are but I don't have enough proof. And the reason my husband was killed is that I think my husband found them meeting with my enemies. I got information that there is a rebellion coming. So, it must be related to that."

"So, you don't have evidence to prove your husband's death or the rebellion. So, all you can do is get ready for them to make the move while you make the preparations from your side." Mike understood the situation.

"I was already prepared for the rebellion. As you said, they should make the first move. They are probably planning to attack when I go into labor. So, I plan to make them believe that I am in labor so that they could make their move. But if a rebellion really did happen, it will endanger the lives of people on my side too. But if it didn't happen, the traitors on my side and the ones who are the reason for my husband's death won't come out. So, I was conflicted. So, I went into the hot springs to relax a little. And you came out of nowhere advising me to not use hot springs. I couldn't help but laugh at that moment."

Mike now understood why Yasaka laughed even though she should be serious when someone infiltrated her territory.

"So, I guess you want me to collect the evidence that I can by sneaking into the enemy's territory, am I right?"

"Yes. You can't directly fight since you work secretly. It would be good if you found some strong evidence against the traitors in my territory. I will give you their details."

"Aren't you afraid that I might betray you too?"

"You already told me who you are, Mike-chan. If you betrayed me, you know that it will be problematic for you. And also, you are too kind to betray me, Mike-chan." Yasaka said with a smile.

Mike smiled back. "Well, I will try my best but I don't know if I will be able to collect any 'strong' evidence. So, I would like to suggest another plan."

"Let me hear it."

"Spread rumors about these traitors and the rebellion," Mike told his plan.

"Huh?" Yasaka didn't understand if she heard it correctly.

"Use your trusted subordinates to spread the rumors about this rebellion and the traitors throughout your territory," Mike said again.

"But if those rumors are spread, won't they get alert?" Yasaka asked.

"Not if I act before the rumor is completely spread. As you said, you can't execute someone without strong evidence, Yasaka-san. And I don't know if the evidence I collect will be strong enough even if I try. So, we have to make a situation that even if the evidence collected by me is weak, you should be able to execute them. The answer is spreading rumors.

People are simple, Yasaka-san. If they know a piece of information before it even came out, they would feel it like an achievement. So, if they heard the rumor before you show some evidence, they will simply believe it even though the evidence you showed isn't that strong. Because their evidence is the rumor they heard and their own achievement for knowing it beforehand.

Don't worry, this method will definitely work. Because people don't believe in truth. They just believe what they want to believe." Mike completely explained his plan with a smile.

Yasaka couldn't say anything for a while. "What if you failed to collect any evidence?" Yasaka finally asked.

"If that situation came, then they would have only two choices. Attack or stay silent for the moment. If they planned to attack, you are already prepared for it. If they decided to stay silent, once you gave birth, they can't do a thing since you will be back to your power, Yasaka-san. As for the traitors, we will have more time to collect evidence" Mike told her the worst-case scenario.

She finally said with a smile, "You are more cunning than a fox can ever be, Mike-chan."

Mike didn't deny it and just smiled back at her.