Extra Chapter: A Golden Wreath, Kurogawa Family

In Kiko, there is only one name that is both admired and cursed by the common people and the elite few. They are simply called as The Auditor.

"Here is your Tax Returns license. We are happy to have your establishment in our land and wish you good business!"

"T-thank you… I wish this pawn shop will have a better chance here than in Kise."

This mysterious individual is never stated as either a man or a woman. There are even some rumors that it is some supernatural being like a Tengu or a Kitsune. But one thing is for sure…

"This is the Ministry of Finance! Open this storehouse immediately!"

"Over my dead body!"

"You heard them. Shoot the gate off!"

The Office of the Provincial Auditor is a governmental position that is seemingly low. A place where newly-graduated Land Guards are sent to acquire experience or those who did minor offenses in the line of duty would find themselves demoted to.

However, instead of being glad that they are given a simple position with almost no cases of firefights or lengthy patrols, these public servants would gulp down their saliva as soon as they step into the 13th out of the 15 floors in Naka castle where the Office of Auditor is located.

"Are you the Land Guards who were in that fistfight at the tavern?"

"Y-Yes, sir…"

"W-We were transferred here for the duration of our punishment… Please take care of us!"

The adjutant of the Auditor spoke to the two Land Guards who just arrived inside the office. The man isn't well-known by himself, but as someone who mostly speaks on behalf of the Provincial Auditor, he is someone who cannot be mistaken for someone else.

"Since you have the gall to start a fight in a public area, I suppose you have enough energy to make up for your mischief… See that pile of letters in the Chief Clerk's table?"

""Y-Yes, sir…""

"Good. Because before lunchtime comes, I want that sent to all of their respective addresses…"

"W-Wait… what?"

"S-Sir… you can't possibly be-"

"What can I possibly not be, Officer?"

"N-N-Nothing, sir!"

"Well then. Get to work! Or you'll have to stay for unpaid overtime!"

""Y-Y-Yes, sir!""

As the two ran off with piles of letters on their backs, a voice came from the table at the rearmost center end of the room that was addressed to the adjutant.

"That's quite the harsh thing to show to those rascals, Adjutant."

"Please pardon me, Auditor. I am simply showing them to take this task seriously even though this is just a punishment and not their real job."

"I understand. Let's handle them properly, then."

"As you wish."

This is the Auditor of Kiko. Hiding behind a thick blind made of silk cloth where only their sitting silhouette can be seen, they oversee the flow of taxes from the pockets of each citizen and trader in Kiko and onto the coffers of the provincial government.

From here, they hand it to the Ministry of Finance, their sibling department, where it would be disseminated amongst all other ministries of Kiko. The list of these ministries in accordance to the budget that they receive are quite lengthy, but the top 10 of these from the one with the least budget to the one with the highest are as follows.

10th is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that receives 40 million Kan per quarter.

9th is the Ministry of Culture & Literature that receives 70 million Kan per quarter.

8th is the Ministry of Social Services that receives 100 million Kan per quarter.

7th is the Ministry of Internal Government that receives 135 million Kan per quarter.

6th is the Ministry of Public Works & Roads that receive 140 million Kan per quarter.

5th is the Ministry of Health that receives 215 million Kan per quarter.

4th is the Ministry of Trade and Industry that receives 250 million Kan per quarter.

3rd is the Ministry of Agriculture that receives 270 million Kan per quarter.

2nd is the Ministry of Education that receives 350 million Kan per quarter.

1st is the Ministry of War and Civil Defense that receives 430 million Kan per quarter.

"Auditor-sama. This is the tax return report for this quarter."

"Good. Leave it there. I'll read it later."

"As you wish."

All of these mind-boggling numbers of national spending per ministry is not unfair though. Because when it comes to the economic power of Kiko as a spot where the provinces of Japan meets the mainland continent, these expenditures can sometimes be nothing but a small number in front of its people's profits.

"Our national economic worth is now over 10 Billion?"

"Yeah. The stock exchange just stated it earlier. And we're not slowing down either. With more provinces negotiating to have us as trade partners, security between borders are becoming safer and more people are getting employed. At this point, I don't think Kiko will ever come back to its backwater past that is quite hard to think about was still prevalent only three years before."

After sending half of the letters in the Chief Clerk's table, the two Land Guards was allowed to take a lunch break. After having a meal in the castle's cafeteria, they went to the area behind the stables that became the unofficial smoking area for the workers. Although smoking has been under serious regulation because of its health risks, some workers do smoke a stick or two to keep themselves warm in winter or awake during long nights.

"If we're growing as an economy, why is the national spending still in 2 Billion Kan? Shouldn't we get more as the government?"

"Did you skip economics class, you dumdum? If we get past the 20% mark, it will upset the market. Merchants will stop coming over because of the high taxes, prices of consumer needs like food and cloth will inflate, factories will have to lay off workers and the country will be paralyzed. It's exactly because we are staying at or below that 20% that Kiko functions properly as a state. We have to be fair to the people or we're all toasted."

"A-Ah… I didn't think of that."

Only the two of them were at the wooden bench in the smoking area so they decided to have such a conversation out in the open. Huffing and puffing smoke that wasn't as pungent since they are around the stables, no one but the passing servants and guards noticed them there.

"Besides, given last month's Noble chamber purging, the public's eyes are on the politicians who might make another mischief. Who knows who might tuck a sack of gold or two under their table while they're sitting in power? Only the Auditor knows and will act on it."

"…"

"Now that I think about it… just who is the Auditor really? Every other Minister or department head is enumerated in the books and newspapers, but only the Auditor is called the Auditor and nothing else."

"From how I see it, maybe they are keeping the Auditor's name a secret, so they won't be harmed?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I read it in the Silver Blade manga that my little brother have. Someone who is holding great power sometimes have to hide their identity, so they won't be harmed."

Wait… now that he mentioned that…

"Is it possible that Iwasawa-sama saw ahead of the recent corruption of the Nobles and made sure to make the Auditor's name anonymous?"

"Maybe he does. He's the Kirin Lord after all. The Lord doesn't seem to be one to not take precautions if he can."

After singeing his cigarette, one of the Land Guards faced his partner and spoke some ominous words.

"Well… Considering that we are in the Auditor's office now…"

"Woah… no, no, no! I am not riding on one of your schemes again!"

"Hey, c'mon! Don't tell me that you're not just as curious as I am!"

"I am! But I don't want to stick my neck further than I can take it back. We are already being punished after drinking in a pub and getting into a fight which is just a minor offense. But digging into state secrets is something that would, in the best case scenario, end up having us sent to Kaji province and dying in only two days there!"

"…Tch. Yeah, yeah… I get it now. Forget that I even mentioned it."

"Haah… It's good that you're thinking like a proper person now."

The two returned to their work of sending letters to Merchant Alliance halls, Trade Guilds and Naka city's Stock Exchange building until the late afternoon where they were allowed to clock out for the day.

"Haah… Though it is hectic, this is also quite the mild punishment. I guess this is better than being sent to Tohou city as border guards or the Land Guard academy where we'll be gofers for the commissioners."

"It is. We only have to do this for two weeks and we're back to our work as Land Guards."

"Should we eat at the cafeteria first or you wanna get back to the dorm already?"

"Meh. I can eat. Let's go down and-"

As they are making plans for their early evening, the elevator bell lightly rang as the doors opened to show someone that they didn't expect to come here at such a time.

"Hide behind the desk."

"W-What?"

"Just do it!"

The duo hid behind the empty information desk of the hallway as the individual passed by without noticing them. After making sure that the person passed, they took their heads out of the desk to confirm that it was indeed the one that they suspected.

"Is that Minister Kurogawa of Trade and Industries?"

"Yeah. Why is he here in the Auditor's office?"

"Good afternoon, Auditor."

The elderly man gave a greeting to the official behind the blinds while the two are curiously watching the scene. Seemingly confused why the important minister went here personally to meet with the Auditor.

"Good afternoon too, Minister Kurogawa."

"My, my… Is that really how you should address me?"

"Hey man, what the heck is happening right now?"

"I don't know. Let's just sit back and… oh no…"

The reason why one of the Land Guards mumbled those words is because he noticed that the blinds are being raised and finally saw the person that they kept on calling as The Auditor.

"Muu… Papa knows that Aki won't ever be rude to Papa."

"Ahaha! I was just teasing you, darling. Of course, I know that you won't do something like that."

""The Auditor is just a child?!?!?!""

Out of pure shock, the two Land Guards stood up from behind their table and shouted the same words together which garnered the attention of the father and daughter in the office.

"W-What? How did you two-?"

"Ah, crap."

"We blew it, didn't we?"

After a moment, we walked out from behind the table and bowed to the ground in front of the two high-ranking officers.

"Please spare us, Minister Kurogawa!"

"We didn't mean to see the Auditor's face!"

""Please don't kill us!!!""

We begged for our lives. After all, even if we are half-responsible for staying here, we really didn't expect for things to turn out this way.

"Ahahahaha!!! You two youngsters sure know how to make me laugh, don't you? There's no way I'd have you die just because you saw my daughter's face."

"Yup, yup! Papa isn't such a baddie!"

"E-Ehh?"

"What? Is something wrong with what I just said?"

Minister Kurogawa… is he being serious right now? Is he really letting us go after we learned about a state secret?

"Ah! Are you worried about knowing the Auditor's real identity and being silenced for it? Nah, I don't mind that at all."

"Yep, yep! That's alright for Aki too!"

""…""

Me and my buddy can't help but stare off at the two, dumbfounded at how easily they are handling this thing.

"B-But… how can you be sure that we won't harm Lady Aki's position as the Auditor?"

"Y-Yeah! We might even end up leaking it for our own gain!"

"I-Isn't it more reassuring if you at least threatened us? Like harming our job or holding our families as hostages of the state or something?"

"Well, I am not sure if you can keep your mouth shut about it. But remember, there are always two sides in a conversation. You may not be able to stop on mentioning it, but I believe anyone interested with the Auditor won't be taking your word that my daughter is holding such a position."

"T-that…"

"It is indeed something strange to say."

Lady Kurogawa Aki is just 10. She's hardly any in age to hold such a demanding job. No one would really take our word seriously if we said that she is the Auditor.

"Besides, Aki is only holding about a quarter of the Auditor's work. And most of that is just to sit there all day behind the blinds and stamp already sorted out documents."

"Huh? You mean that-"

"Yep. Aki is the Auditor, but she isn't the one who is really doing the grunt work of being the Auditor. That belongs to someone else in this castle that would never be uncovered."

"Wow…"

"This kind of fooling the public is too effective."

Today, me and my partner knew a bit more about how Iwasawa-kou-sama handles his land and how he makes all of it to function properly.

"A young child is sitting at the seat of the Auditor. But someone else is the one who actually does the work of the Auditor… who could it possibly be?"

"Stop it… I already had my fill of surprises today."

As we are heading back to our Dormitory, we talked about the things that happened today.

"Well…There's really no sense about thinking about this more than needed. Let's just forget that happened and go with our lives."

Meanwhile in the small estate of the Kurogawa family outside of Naka city, the old man was tucking his daughter into her bed for the night.

"Dad…"

"Yes, Aki?"

"When are we going to Kise and meet with mom again?"

For a moment, the old man's cheerful expression faltered before he forced it back on again to answer his daughter's question.

"Sorry, Aki. As you may notice right now, both of us are needed here in Kiko. I'll try my best to look for a proper time, so just hold on, okay?"

"Okay. Aki understands…"

He planted a kiss on his daughter's forehead and turned down the night light of the room as the child began to drift to sleep.

"…Is that the best excuse that you have for her, Toshinori-dono?"

"Haah… both of us know that things aren't as simple as that, Nagisa-chan…"

At the receiving area of the mansion was a refined young lady sitting elegantly while her eyeglasses are fogged up by the tea she just sipped. This is Nagisa Masami, the Minister of Internal Government who entered the house while the old man was still with his child.

"What Iwasawa-sama told me about that he knew from the very first day that we met when he saved my child was something that weighed greatly on my mind. To think that my very own wife wanted to take our daughter forcefully… Something very wrong is happening here."

"Look at the bright side though. After Kou-sama was recognized by the Daigo Reika-sama, it expunged the Amagi clan's power and they were severely punished for massacring your clan. Now, you don't have to worry about visiting Kise where your wife is being held under house arrest for collaborating with the Amagi clan."

"…That's exactly the reason why I am scared of going there. How on earth am I supposed to explain to my daughter that her very own mother was the one who ordered for her kidnapping and caused her trauma?"

"I really shouldn't be sticking my nose into this as this is a family matter. But out of my worry for Aki-chan, I say that you two talk about this ahead of the time and come to an agreement about how things devolved to that point."

"…"

"You two are husband and wife. You are supposed to at least understand how each other thinks or a desire to listen to each other."

"I get it… I'll work on it once I am free. How did you get so good about marital affairs though, Nagisa-chan? I didn't hear about you marrying or going out with someone… oh… Ohh!"

The old man seemed to have pondered about it while he was talking and ended up understanding what was happening as the young woman gave a smug smirk and softly caressed her tummy.

"Shh! No words about this with other people, okay? Only my family and his' has known about it."

"I… I can't believe that you actually made a man out of that boy, Nagisa-chan… You're a wild woman…"

"Oi! Who are you calling a wild woman, Old man? It was agreed by both sides, okay? There was no forcefulness from each party."

"Still, how would you deal with your work while you're… carrying that gift?"

"Paid maternal leaves are applicable for even us higher-ups. After the wedding and half a year of recovery, I'll be back to being the Minister of the Internal Government."

"I wouldn't suggest you going back immediately to your work, Nagisa-chan."

"Huh?"

"Children are… chicks that constantly runs after the backs of their mother hens. Once they lose sight of their mother or they can't hear her call, some of them end up losing their way and being preyed upon by all kinds of predators."

"Are you saying that…"

"Take this as an advice of someone who is already a parent… There are things in our lives that we have to sacrifice for the sake of this gift that we decided to receive. May it be some hobby, some precious object or even time itself that we wish to spend on ourselves."

"…"

"I suggest that you look for someone who can take after you position while you still can. And after that, live in peace with the new family that you and Shinju-kun are making. In that way, you may not become the excellent minister that you wish to be, but you can at least be the best mother to that child."

Nagisa looked down and held her still flat abdomen. It was only recently confirmed that she is indeed carrying a child and her wedding with the young clan head of the Shinju clan is being prepared by the year's end, and because of that, she hasn't come up with a proper and comprehensive plan for her work yet.

"For you to say something like that… what did you give up when you became a parent, Toshinori-dono?"

"Hrmm… I think there would be a few of those… There is the fact that I could've moved to Yamato province and rode the economic boom there a decade ago, secured a vital political position in the Amanogawa shogun's court, and lived my days in relative peace and quiet… Just a single man with chests full of money and tables of the finest food."

"Do you regret it then? Being a parent, that is?"

"I never did."

"…"

The old man took the teacup that his servant placed on the table between him and Nagisa and sipped it lightly.

"What's the point of all those kinds of material gains or peacefulness of being a man without a family if in the end of my life, the only words I can tell is "take whatever you want in this mansion and treat it as my thanks for your service"?"

"You mean…"

"Yes. I don't want to die like that. I don't want to lay there in my death bed or commit hara-kiri without anyone missing me or wishing me well unto the next life… I have met a lot of people in my life, most of them are young merchants who think that money is everything when it comes to being a trader, who ended up taking their lives regardless of whether they lost their goods and lived in poverty or reached the highest points of material wealth and lived lavishly… all of them carried the disease called "loneliness"."

"Loneliness… huh?"

"Everyone in this world will one day face such a fate. It is one of the integral things of being a human. All of us will one day find ourselves in the middle of nowhere, with no one to turn to and no one to depend on. Most people would take this as their cue to just give up… but from how I learned it all from others, this is the point where you have to take a leap of faith. Will you continue in the long, arduous journey alone, depending only on yourself and falling down with no one to bring you back to your feet… or will you accept that this journey shouldn't be travelled by someone alone and rather, you should extend your hand to those who need it and reach out to those who gave theirs' to you? That… I learned, is something that can spell someone's recovery from loneliness or their continued drowning in it."

"So that's why you decided to stay in Kise and make a family?"

"Ahaha! I do, that is exactly what I did. I married my childhood sweetheart, rebuilt the old trading post of my father who gave me a small loan of a million Kan and lived a simple yet fulfilling life."

The young woman now fully understood the words that the old man gave him earlier. Indeed, there are things in life which she has to decide on now that she will soon become a mother and a married woman.

"I still have to discuss it with Chiyo-san who is handling our policies, but I have come to a decision."

"…"

"I know that it would be hard for me to become a good mother who can take care of my child and help run our province's government… but I am not the interim Household leader of the Nagisa clan for nothing. I am not just any kind of woman…"

"So, what have to decided, Nagisa-chan?"

"I will take on a protégé whom I will personally train to take on my job. And after they replace me, I will take on the job of the minister's counsel officer."

"Counsel officer… a consultant, huh?"

"Yes. It is not that demanding since I will only be asked to look into policies and the ministry's course of action and rewrite them before being passed to the congress, so I don't think it will interfere much with my new duties as a parent."

"…Good. That's really good, Nagisa-chan."

"I should be thanking you for giving me that great advice though, Toshinori-dono. If not, I could've neglected one or both sides while believing that I can do both of it."

"Your thanks has been received."

Two weeks after this, Kiko's congress are discussing the national budget for the next year. Because of this, most of the offices in Naka castle was empty and both Minister Toshinori and her daughter Auditor Aki took a three-day vacation which they immediately spent to go to Kise and fulfill their agreement of meeting the other person in their family.

"Coooollll~!!! The train is so fast!!!"

"Oh my, Aki. Don't place your head too far from the window, okay? You might get hit by the train on the other track."

"Yes, Papa! Weeee!!!"

Because of the expansion in the railways that has now connected not only the borders of Kiko and Shinka but also Kise and Fuku, about half a day after they left Naka city's station, they arrived at the city of Kingo that used to be their home just three years ago.

"Minister Kurogawa… It is a pleasure to meet you here again."

"Please, I am on vacation. Even Mr. Kurogawa is enough."

"Well then, Kurogawa-dono. Let us lead you to the place where she is staying at."

"Do lead the way."

At the eastern outskirts of the city, where the Kurogawa clan used to have an estate before they were attacked or assassinated by a rival clan, stands the only remaining estate building which is now the holding place of a single individual left after the purging of the Amagi clan.

"Aki, once we get inside, you have to listen carefully to me, okay?"

"Mm? Aren't we visiting mama?"

"Yes. But mama has a tight schedule, so she can only meet us for a while. You can cuddle and talk to her as much as you want, but me and mama has to talk for a while first, okay?"

"Mmm… Okay. Aki understands…"

"Thank you, child…"

After their carriage entered the estate, the two and their bodyguard went down from their vehicle and entered the building where a woman with a pale complexion is sitting peacefully in the middle of the living room separated from the hallway by a silk screen.

"You have until sunset to talk for today, Kurogawa-dono. Since we are changing the guards, you have to leave before dinnertime."

"I understand."

"Another thing… please don't tell her that her release is being negotiated by Kiko and Kise. She has been giving us the intel that she knows as we keep on reminding her about her impending execution date. If she learns about the Kirin Lord's pardoning of her involvements, she might shut her mouth again."

"I know… Thank you for telling me that."

After their guard left the room and closed the door behind him shut, the father and daughter entered the living room and finally met with her.

"Mama!"

"A-Aki?"

"I missed you, mama!"

"Aki… AKI!!!"

The woman quickly wept as her daughter embraced her tightly and she did the same while planting kisses on her forehead and cheeks. It seems like she really missed her child during their separation.

"Aki… Remember what I said earlier?"

"Ah! Sorry, papa… I just missed mama too much…"

"It's alright. We won't take too long, so why don't you go to your room first? I think mama kept it clean and orderly since we left. Maybe your toys are still in there, especially your favorite doll."

"Ah! I remember her!"

As their daughter climbed the stairs to enter her room, the estranged husband and wife sat calmly in front of each other with a hint of indifference on their expressions.

"Did you and Aki found a good life in that other province?"

"Yes. I gained the trust of the local daimyo and became a minister of trade. You should've heard about some of it, right?"

"Yes. Lord Iwasawa Hiroshi of Kiko who was recently declared as the Kirin Lord by Lady Daigo Reika…"

Her mention of "recent" in the event gave the old man a clue that even rumors reaches her too slowly for her to know anything in such a heavily guarded home prison.

"I won't dilly-dally anymore, Asuka. I want to know why you worked with the Amagi clan to kill our family…"

"…"

"Are you really keeping your lips shut when you're about to be executed?"

"I'm sorry, Toshi-kun… I love you, I love Aki and I love this family that we have… but I still can't say all of it. I do regret that all of these deaths has to happen and I once planned to forcefully take our daughter from you."

"Are you serious?"

"H-huh?"

In a rage that rarely show to others, I flipped the table away and looked at her with eyes that carried my anger.

"I've seen thousands of people dying because of your stubbornness! Do you know that the person you're keeping your mouth shut for already harmed all kinds of people?!"

"Toshinori… what are you-"

"I've seen all of it, Asuka! I've seen those people die and even until now, I regret not being able to stop it just because I don't want to come here and force it out of your mouth!"

"…Sorry… I'm sorry…"

As his wife came to understand what his husband has just said, she too, finally learned that the silence she was keeping in accordance to the agreement that he had with a certain somebody in their enemy's side was for naught.

"…So please, Asuka… your silence means nothing anymore. You're keeping your side of the deal here while the person you're conspiring with has already broke his side of it. I want to save the people of my master… I don't want them to lose their lives at the hands of such a deplorable person. So please tell me… I beg you…"

As his wife began to weep after learning how she was fooled and her sacrifice was meant nothing as those deaths still happened, he embraced her and comforted her until she was able to speak it all.

"I… I was approached by the Amagi clan that day and they offered me something that I found hard not to accept."

"…"

"Living here in Kise, I know that you are contented with just earning enough for us to live day-by-day, but as the civil war in the other provinces will grow, I knew that we should look for better places to stay at if we want to raise Aki properly… That's why I gave them the schedules of the other Kurogawa families which they used to assassinate them through the Daigo clan's ninjas."

"And what was our gain from it?"

"They said that we will be spared and we can move out of Kise as soon as we wish. But as the assassinations went on, the Amagi clan began to ask more from my side. They told me to look into the recent rebellion in Kiko and see if we can send some men there to gather information about the new daimyo. I did as they said and they asked for one last thing…"

"Which is?"

"Send the two of you there and make myself a bargaining chip for the daimyo who would surely listen to your request."

The old man's eyebrows became knit as he sensed something amiss in his wife's words. He began to recollect some things that he heard from the intelligence office and his personal contacts in the black market.

"What importance would you have to be a bargaining chip? No one could've ever known that I will become a retainer of Iwasawa-sama."

"I do not know. But what I am sure of is that are certain that the Kiko's Lord will one day be a harm to their plans and…"

"And?"

"It will not please the leaders in the Northern Provinces."

"-!"

After hearing that thing, the old man finally located the information in his head that connects what she just said.

"I see… I finally got it…"

"W-What?"

"Asuka. Get Aki."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"The Amagi clan has connections with the enemy. You were made to keep quiet about this because we too already know of their involvement with the recent attack in Kiko. They can easily order your execution, but they are keeping you as a fail-safe if they lose Mizuki province…"

The old man looked at the bronze mirror at the behind his wife's back and saw two men entering the house with familiar hoods and swords on their hands.

"Get going! Get our daughter!"

"Y-yes!"

*Byak! Byak!*

The old man tore open his haori coat and from his right side, took out a pistol that he immediately fired on the figures behind the silk screen.

"W-what's that?!"

"Gunfire inside the house! It must be the minister!"

From outside the house, the guards in the perimeter heard his shooting and came to investigate quickly.

"Close the door and kill the woman! Don't let them escape!"

"There's only one guy inside! Don't be afraid of him!"

As his wife climbed to the upper floor, the old man kept on shooting towards the hallway while steadily retreating to the stairs.

"Papa! What is happening?!"

"Don't panic, Aki! Just stay in your room with mama and don't leave!"

"Gyah-!"

"Shit!"

The old man wasn't the best shooter, but he had enough experience and training to at least defend himself. After shooting down someone who was about to cross the room and head to the stairs, he saw one of the hooded men taking out a bow and arrow and he was hit by an arrow on the right shoulder.

"Give it up, Minister! We're only here for the woman!"

"You and your daughter that walk right away of here so long as you leave her behind!"

"Do you think I would trust people like you who just kill anyone?!"

He kept on shooting towards them and injured some that he caught in the open.

"Open the door, you traitors!"

"You'll burn in hell for betraying Daigo-sama's trust!"

The Daigo soldiers outside of the door shouted towards the hooded men that before, used to be their comrades before they showed their true colors.

"Tch! Boys! Let's charge ahead! He's alone!"

"For the True Kirin Lord!"

"For the True Kirin Lord!!!"

"Damn it!"

About 15 men came out from their hiding spots which took the old man by surprise. Even if he has a gun, he can't shoot down that many people quickly.

But in the nick of time, a shadow formed at the window by the staircase, and it was soon followed by the sound of broken glass as someone kicked his way into the room.

"Fire in the hole!"

"""BYAAAA!!!"""

A lone man dressed in a ninja's garb entered the fray and threw a concussive grenade towards the charging assassins. He then turned to the wounded old man and helped him to his feet.

"Took you long enough…"

"Sorry sir. Unlike an official like you, Crows like me aren't easily allowed over the border."

"Well then…"

"Clean up time?"

"Yes… clean up time."

"Then please stay in the room with your family. I wouldn't want to let Lady Aki to see what I am about to do.

After he entered the room, the only thing he heard from behind the door was the dying throes of the enemies who faced their lone bodyguard.

"Toshi-kun!"

"Papa!"

"Argh… can you get a bandage and keep this in?"

"Y-yes! Aki, take your bed sheets and give it to me!"

"Y-yes, mom!"

After about a few minutes, the commotion downstairs stopped, and the loud footsteps of soldiers came to their room's door.

"Minister! Minister Kurogawa! Are you safe?!"

"Yes… Are they all dead down there?"

"Y-Yes, sir! We're in the clear!"

After they opened the door, the Daigo soldiers looked at the arrow lodged in the old man's shoulder and called for a doctor to tend on it. The family of three will later be called to the court of the Daigo priestess and after telling all that she knows to her and the other leaders that are listening through a telephone call, Kurogawa Asuka will later be absolved of her crime of collaborating with the enemy by going through a state of parole inside her family's new estate in Kiko.

"After three years, huh?"

"Yes. I… I quite regret not being able to have the right sight of seeing that I was just being used. I wish I spilled all of it earlier so I wouldn't have to be separated from the two of you for too long."

"Well, what's important now is that you are here, and we can continue on being a family again… You being a mother to Aki and being a wife to me."

At the carriage that is heading towards the train station of Kise, the small family took all of their belongings in their old home and decided to fully leave everything behind them and start anew together in Kiko.

"She's sleeping so soundly, huh?"

"Believe it or not, she had trouble sleeping ever since she was kidnapped."

"Argh… Are you saying that on purpose because you're still angry about it?"

"Haha… not at all. She's alright now and that's what is important."

"Muu… You're such a bully."

It has been a long while since the two was reunited like this and for some moments, they seem to have been reluctant to show the same affection they used to show to each other either due to shame or grudge.

"Asuka… no, honey."

"Yes?"

"Let's make up for the three years that we didn't get to be together."

"Are you talking about going out someday or doing chores together?"

"…"

Instead of answering her though, the old man looked at his wife on the eyes with a gentle expression that communicated his answer to her without any words.

"…You-!"

"Ahaha! Did I demand something too much?"

"You-! Argh…"

His answer was something that can simply be stated as "married couple things". This made his wife to blush deeply while hiding her face in embarrassment.

"Well, I know that you still have things to process right now. Even I doubt that I won't be busy after our congress passes the national budget. I think we should postpone that for later-"

"Chu-!"

However, it isn't like she was against it. As while he was speaking, his wife stole his lips which surprised even him.

"…"

"…Are you… satisfied with that answer?"

"Y-Yeah… Let's… continue once we're home."

"Y-yeah… that's something I can get behind."