The Evil in the Heart of this Empire

The fiefdoms of Kanae Estuary are places that are often described by outsiders and those who managed to escape from it as a "real life theatrical drama". Whatever you may have read or watched from a tragic romantic play, treacherous political play, or even a theatrical show about a class war, it would be found here where it all actually happens in real life.

"The nobles in Kanae Estuary are descended from the infamous Grand Prince Yamagata Genji who was known to have had 50 wives and 250 concubines. All of them, he impregnated. After they were born and taught to become political puppets, he used his children to help his brother, Emperor Yamagata Yasashiku, to solidify their control in the central plains."

Although all of it eventually fell apart after the war between the emperor and the Shogun, there was no doubting that Imperial blood still flows in the veins of most of the Daimyo families in the central plains. Because of this, most of them hold a sense of superiority over those who doesn't have such a lineage and still practices strategic political marriages to keep that lineage "pure".

"This might sound weird since I fought with the goddess herself… but since most of these arranged marriages for the sake of a "pure bloodline" are done between siblings or first-cousins… the bride and groom are often referred to as… "images of Izanagi and Izanami"."

Whatever it might be, it just means that dealing with these nobles will not be an easy thing to do… They live in lofty estates and palaces, only eat the best from the best produce, will not even let any commoner to see their faces and if possible, it was said that they don't even wish to breathe the same air as those below their social standing, and thus, would stay inside a sealed palanquin when travelling around.

(I'm dead… Author Chronia just described the Celestial Dragons in One Piece even though he hasn't seen them yet.)

"What's our plan, Iwasawa-sama? Even if you are a Daimyo yourself and the Kirin Lord no less, none of the nobles here will care about someone who came from so far away from the capital."

"O-Oi, Ayato! How dare you speak like that to Iwasawa-sama!"

"Calm down, Kotori. Ayasaki-kun is just saying the truth. I didn't even take it as an insult or something."

"A-As you wish, my lord…"

That's right. They won't bat an eye if it's just me who came from the boons. That's why we either have to work our way up the socialite stairs or come to them like swindlers.

"Kotori, does anyone in your subordinates have a good fashion sense?"

"Huh? Umm… As women, I believe that all of us have the know-how about clothes and accessories. Why ask this so suddenly though, Kou-sama?"

"I wanna try out something for you guys to do while we're doing our own stuff. I'm planning to wrap up our trip around here as quickly as possible, you see."

"Hmm… What do you want me and my retainers to do then, Iwasawa-sama?"

"I want you guys to be fashion designers and seamstresses. You'll catch the attention of Kanae's young, fashionable ladies and win them over. That would deal with our "flower path" objective. Next up, Ayato and Namikaze-jii…"

""Yes, Kou-sama?""

The young man and old man who has recently become student and master in terms of swordsmanship spoke in conjunction.

"I know that this might be risky, but I want you guys to form a gang in the city where we are headed. I won't intervene about whatever you guys would want to do once you form that gang, just that I want you to have a circle of influence there for all of us to stay in safely while we're this deep in the enemy's territory."

"Understood, Your Highness."

"Ohoho… I think I'll just be an advisor in this one."

"Lastly, Minori, Kotori and Reiha. You will accompany me as fellow businesspeople."

"H-huh?"

"Technically, I'm already dead in Hashidate province and much of the riches and properties that I have there has already been liquidated by Gin-kun to help our former employees out until they get employed again. But I did ask him to set aside a sizeable sum for me to use for later. This is that time."

"I-I see… Then how will we proceed in this, Hiroshi? As you may know, I and Reiha has just come out of Furuya. We don't know much about the outside world, trading with other people is also out of the picture."

"Don't worry. I only need you to pose and act as someone related to me. Leave everything else to me afterwards."

Hiroshi's team finally arrived at the border between Furuya and the province of Mikoto where the Imperial Capital of Hitachi is located. However, they took the route leading down the Houshou River where Kanae Estuary is located.

"State your identities and dismount from your steeds. We will conduct an inspection!"

"Everyone! Get off for a moment. There's a checkpoint."

The border of Kanae estuary is a heavily guarded area. Given that this is an enclave of the Imperial Capital's province land, the nobles here are known to be very wary about their safety.

The loud and annoyingly arrogant demeanor of their guards are not that helpful though. They might easily shout at others because they are serving people in high places, but you only need to show that you are not shaken to intimidate them back to being dogs of their masters.

"Hmph! Travelers or refugees? Out with it or we'll burn your belongings!"

"Hey, I've been very annoyed with your behavior, you donkey! We are representatives of the Kashima Merchant Alliance sent here by Consul Edogawa Gin to hawk our wares to the nobles of Kanae! Never mistake us for beggars just because I have been very polite to you, bastard!"

"-! I apologize for my rudeness, sir!"

"And you there! Stop rustling through my goods with those awfully filthy hands of yours! Do you know how sensitive those silk clothes are?! What would you do if your gunk stains them, haah?!"

"S-Sorry sir! But I need to inspect everything that-"

"Inspect my foot! You're just thinking of pocketing one or two rolls of them, don't you?!"

"I-I will never!"

"Then hands off and just let us through! Heavens, I can't believe that the people serving these exquisite nobles would be this disrespectful and stupid!"

My acting worked wonders. As soon as I shouted with confidence and acted like a higher-up, all of the checkpoint guards panicked and stepped aside as Minori and the others entered.

"Tch! Here's our toll! Thanks for wasting our time!"

"Y-Y-Yes! We are thankful for your understanding. Please enjoy your passage through-"

"Shut it!"

I rode Shinzuke again and noticed that all of my subordinates looked at me in a weird way.

"What's wrong?"

"Iwasawa-sama rarely acts like that…"

"Eh?"

"You're always so humble and easy-going that we rarely see you do something like that."

"Oi, oi… I was just acting, alright? Don't mistake it as-"

"A bad boy Hiroshi isn't half-bad, isn't it, Kotori-chan?"

"Yes. He'd have lines of women following him if he continues to do this. Please look after him since he's with you, Kurumi-san."

"Got you, girl."

"Argh… let's just move on. I don't know why you're making a fuss about this."

Once we passed through the outermost parts of the province, we noticed that unlike anywhere else, the roads of Kanae estuary are paved with stone bricks or has at least been flattened properly.

"So, this is the place, huh? The nest of the higher nobles…"

"Would you allow me to speak what I know, Iwasawa-kou-sama?"

"Sure. Do show me around, Kotori-chan."

While we are passing by the towns of the province, looking for a suitable place to become our headquarters, Kotori spoke about Kanae estuary and other things about this place that I didn't know about.

"There are 12 families in Kanae estuary who have directly descended from the imperial family. Of those 12, there are three most prominent houses that currently holds the most power and influence in here. Those are the Fukuhara, Araki and Handa noble houses."

"How did they rise higher than the others?"

"Strategic marriages, political agreements and connections with the Imperial throne. Although the imperial family has ceded their political power to the Shogunate, these three houses still hold enough influence in the central plains to become a de facto imperial council even without the presence of the emperor."

"I see… I guess we should pay them a visit if we want to have a fighting chance against the Shogun. If we get them to our side, we can sway the provinces nearby that are currently siding with the Shogunate and form an allied coalition against him."

"That's a good judgement, my lord."

"Thanks. But that is just the beginning. As Ayasaki-kun said earlier, most of the nobles here can dismiss someone's worth simply by not being of the same social standing as them. If we want to move higher in the socialite stairs, we have to find a way into the noble houses."

We arrived at the fiefdom of the Imai clan and settled at a trade town named Kawabata. It is a town split by a river which has been used by the traders as a way to ship their goods across the river delta easily.

"A large house and a warehouse, you say? Hrm…"

"One that can be lived at by about 80 people. If there's one with an attached bathhouse, it will be a pleasure for us as well."

"What's your budget per month then, sir?"

"My range is between 170 to 560 Kan per month. I can go as far as 700, but if there's an available one for until 560 Kan and below, I would prefer that more."

"Ah. We have three places that fit your specifications. I'll call for an estate agent to lead you there, sir."

"Thank you. That's good business."

Kawabata isn't as large as Naka or Kingo, but it is known to be a large town that acts both as a residential area for commoners and trading spot for local and outsider merchants. Thus, I was sure that the cost of living here would be similar to comparing a rural and urban area in the modern world.

"This is an old mansion recently sold by the Imai prince. You can pay for it upfront with 175,000 Kan or rent it with 300 Kan per month."

"Hmm… it looks luxurious. Can we tour it inside?"

"E-Eh?"

"What? Is something wrong?"

"U-Umm… I don't usually hear that from people new in here. D-do you have someone who has lived here before?"

People new in here, huh? Does that mean that the real estate agents here has been abusing the ignorance of people to sell houses that are good outside and ruined inside? If so, I wouldn't be surprised if his immediate response is to ask me if I knew someone from here beforehand.

"No. It's just my business common sense. This mansion may look good here, but we will be spending our time living inside of it. Can we go inside now?"

"I-I believe that we should just move to the next place, sir. I'll have to beg your pardon about this one."

I knew it. There's something wrong in this place so he's avoiding letting us inside this one.

"This is the former estate of the famous merchant alliance leader Ikeda Arakan. It was sold just last month after he moved to the Shogunate Capital. It can be bought with 150,000 Kan upfront or be rented for 225 Kan per month. Shall we go inside, sir?"

"Mm. Minori and Kotori, come with me."

We entered the estate and saw that everything was orderly. The place is made of sturdy oak wood and has a bathhouse at the back that are surrounded by tall bamboo fences. Although it was been rid with most of the furniture and belongings of the former owner, there are still some benches, tables and even pots that can be of use while we are making the place livable for all of us.

"What do you say, Minori? It's a "good little place" for all of us to stay, right?"

"Hmm…"

I gave a codeword to Minori who understood it as "it is suitable for everyone's safety".

"It does. I believe this is a good place, sir."

"How about you Kotori? Do you think "everyone at the cart" will like it?"

I gave a codeword to Kotori this time and she understood it quickly as "it is a place where they can do the work that I said earlier".

"Yes. It is spacious enough and I think we can do our chores at the yard if needed."

"I see…"

I approached the real estate agent and told him my decision.

"My companions liked it. I'll take it up front with cash."

"Mm! That's a good business, sir. Shall we sign the documents outside, then?"

"Sure."

I ordered some of my men to take a cask of gold Kan from our cart while I was signing the sales invoice. With that much money and the estate agent taking all of it back by himself, I thought about a better way to do it and thought of something that can kill two birds with one stone.

"Kotori and Ayato. Can you help the agent to transport the money and also look for furniture? We need to fill this place, or it would look like a haunted house at night."

""As you wish, master.""

"Minori, lead the moving of our belongings to the storehouse and have Kotori's subordinates prepare our lunch. Let's properly settle down here this time."

"As you wish, sir."

With everyone preoccupied with my orders, I decided to look for a quiet place to think about our way ahead. This was the moment when I noticed that Kurumi is nowhere to be found as Reiha pulled on my sleeve.

"What is it?"

"Kurumi-chan slipped away earlier and told me to lead you back to that mansion-mujina. She said that it's something that only you can go to-mujina."

"I see… Hmm. I'll inform the others that we will be away, so they won't be worried. Then let's head out and see why she wants us to go there."

We walked back to the old mansion and found Kurumi standing outside below a tree. She… seemed to be disturbed about something.

"Yo, Kurumi."

"Ah. You're finally here, you two."

"Reiha-chan led me here after saying that you slipped away earlier and went back to this place. Why? Is something wrong?"

"…"

"Wait… Kurumi, are you sensing a-"

"Yes, Reiha. There's something in the basement of this place."

She walked forward and entered the empty yard of the mansion.

"H-Hey, Kurumi. This is trespassing! We could've got caught there, y'know?"

"I do. But this is more important than anything else. If both I and Reiha sensed it, it means that I am not wrong with what I felt when we approached this place earlier."

She opened the main door of the mansion and inside of it, I smelled something strange that reminded me of something.

"Kumquat oranges? And… tea tree oil? What is-"

"This is a murder scene."

"-!"

"They used fruit juice to hide the smell of blood and tree oil to hide the stains on the wood floor. But my spiritual senses noticed that this place is strange."

"The smell leads to the basement-mujina. Come here."

Reiha found a small door at the kitchen area leading to a steep flight of stairs towards the cold storage basement where there are still wooden boxes and some huge clay pots containing spoiled soy sauce. But behind those is a tunnel that I assume would've made sense since the place used to be owned by the local noble family.

"Hiroshi-kun. Close your eyes for a moment."

"O-okay."

After I closed my eyes, I sensed a blast of heat from Kurumi's direction and guessed that she activated her powers and lit a fox fire to illuminate our surroundings.

"You can open it now-mujina… or… maybe you shouldn't."

"Huh?"

Reiha's strange statement made me open my eyes and only then did I understand why she told me that it would've been better if I did not do it.

"Urk-!"

"Reiha, lead him outside. This place is… miserable."

"Come on, Hiroshi. I'll help you get out-mujina."

"N-no… L-Let me stay… This… no ordinary human could've done this."

The reason for my repulsion was that we saw what Reiha and Kurumi has been sensing at this place. Attached using chains by the wall or lying on the stone floor were four skeletons of humans.

"Based on their bones, they are all women between the age of 15 and 23… There are no damage on the bones, but…"

"It would be better to ask them directly, Reiha. Help me out."

"Mm."

Reiha switched to her Tanuki half-human form as well and with both of their powers, conjured a spell that called the spirits of the dead women.

"<Ahhh… I can't believe that a Kitsune and Tanuki will be the ones to find us first.>"

"<I'm surprised too. Lord Imai sold the place and ordered for it to be resold quickly.>"

"<Yeah. He could've framed the man right there if he bought this place.>"

"<Ladies, ladies... Even though we are already deceased, have you forgotten your etiquette?>"

I thought it would be more dramatic, but the spirits spoke and acted as if nothing about all of this was strange at all as they bowed and greeted all of us.

""""Welcome, esteemed guests. How may we help you?""""

"U-umm…"

"Haah… Let me do it, Hiroshi."

"S-Sure."

Kurumi told me that she'll do the talking and turned to the spirits with questions.

"Who are you four? Why did you die here?"

"<We are servants of Prince Imai who has now risen to Lordship. We used to work here as his closest servants until our untimely death.>"

"Untimely? Anyone who can see your remains would immediately know that something of criminal nature happened here."

"<Please, esteemed guest. Your words are too harsh for Lord Imai.>"

"Don't protect that bastard! I already know what happened here and why your remains rotted in this place!"

"<…>"

It was the first time in a while that I saw Kurumi with an enraged expression. It seems like being raised and working as Inari's closest subordinate who also judged misdeeds back there was something that gave her a strong sense of justice.

"You… you have been "used", aren't you?"

"<…>"

"Speak to me!!!"

"<Our master has only done as he saw fit.>"

"<To those who came from the outside, it might be a cruelty…>"

"<But for us who pledged our loyalty to him eternally, it is something that we treat as his kindness.>"

"<The master can do no wrong. He does as he sees fit, and we only await upon what he wants us to do.>"

"…"

I was left speechless after what the spirits said.

"You four…"

Loyalty is something very commendable and beautiful… but this… this kind of loyalty with no regard for morality…

"ARE YOU FOUR INSANE?!?!?!"

"<…>"

"Loyalty? You call that loyalty?! You've been used and disposed by the person you serve and even until death, you still protect him like he did nothing wrong at all?!"

"<…>"

"You… you're no better than slaves!"

"Hiroshi…"

After I gave my enraged words and heaved there deeply, Reiha held my hand tightly to calm me down.

"<Yes. We are slaves.>"

"-!"

"<We willingly went under him and served him with no complaints.>"

"Why? Why would you do that?!"

"<Because what difference does it make if we don't?>"

"What…?"

One of the female spirits approached her skeleton and looked at it with a neutral expression.

"<Before I served Imai-kou-sama, I was the daughter of a man and woman who are addicted to Opium. After I turned 12, they sold me to a brothel just like they did to my elder sisters. There, I shared my bed with many men and before I turned 16, I began to have thoughts that this life of mine will never change and if so, I should just end it… But before I got my hands on a vial of poison, he bought me and brought me to this place.>"

"<I was the daughter of a bandit troop leader in the mountains. From an early age, I was taught how to scout out my father's target towns and villages and after telling them all about it, they would attack and raze the place to the ground. Once I had the moral conscience to know that all of this was wrong, I confessed to the local army and after slaughtering my father's bandits, I met Imai-sama who instead of punishing me as well, found better uses for someone like me.>"

The other two spirits had the same story. Being sold to brothels, having criminal backgrounds or a mix of both… At the end, all of them found a sliver of hope by serving this master of theirs.

"<We have no complaints about what happened that night. Imai-kou-sama surely had a reason to do it. Maybe we have crossed him at one time, or we have known too much that may harm him later in his reign. Nevertheless, we don't hold him responsible for it.>"

"B-But… t-that man… he sure is-"

"<Enough, outsider. We will not hearken to your words anymore.>"

"Tch!"

"<Maybe you are right. Maybe we really are slaves to Imai-sama… But how are we different to those who proclaim themselves as those who desire freedom or such?>"

As the female spirit spoke those words, I was reminded of that conversation that I had with the Shogun. A set of words that I have become wary of because it is something that I undoubtedly knew as truth.

"<Everyone is a slave to something. And the hypocrites who speak that they are free… are slaves to the freedom that they seek.>"

After saying that, the female spirits disappeared as Kurumi and Reiha looked at me with a worried expression.

"Hiroshi, come on-mujina."

"Let's… leave."

"…"

I had no words escaping my mouth while being led out by the two. There was just… too many things in my mind. I was trying to find a way to refute what they said but…

There was nothing that I can say.

"Iwasawa-sama. Are the furniture alright?"

"…"

"I-Iwasawa-sama?"

"I'm sorry Kotori. Hiroshi seems to be tired."

"Oh! I… I see."

"You can bring him dinner later. Just let him take a nap."

I went inside my room and sat at one corner. My entire body felt heavy, and my mind was exhausted.

"…Why?"

I looked out at the sunset by the west. For some reason, when I looked to that direction, my first thoughts were of Naka and the people I love that I left there.

Come to think of it… I haven't talked to anyone else in there except for Nobisuke. I haven't even talked to Chiyo since then because I didn't want my feelings to take over me. With that, I took out the radiophone at my closet and dialed the frequency of Chiyo's office.

"…"

"[Hello? Office of the Kiko Provincial Chamberlain.]"

As soon as the other side picked up, I heard the voice of the person that I love with all of its gentleness and refinement. It was already enough to calm me down but when I tried to speak, the words were stuck in my throat.

"…"

"[Sorry. Is the line alright? Are you speaking or not?]"

"…Sorry. Wrong frequency."

"[Ah! That's alright. Just make sure to not make this mistake again. This line is pretty important so clogging it may not be best.]"

"…Yes. I'm sorry for making this mistake."

After the radiophone gave a beep, which signified that the line was cut, I carefully put down the phone before letting my tears flow down my face.

"I'm sorry, Chiyo… I'm sorry…"

Even though she kept on telling me that she will listen to all of my worries…

"I can't… I don't want to show you that I am weak…"

Even though she promised to understand and help me resolve all of my worries…

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Chiyo…"

In the end, I ended up being too consumed by fear to tell her that I need her help.

I don't want to make her worry.

I don't want to seem like I am weak.

I don't want to feel like I was wrong in all of this.

"Iwasawa-sama…"

"Huh?"

"It's me, Kotori."

From the other side of the door, Kotori called to me as I hurriedly wiped my tears and recomposed myself, but before I even let her in, she entered the room and found me still with tears on my face.

"I knew it… Did you go somewhere that you don't want to speak about, Iwasawa-sama?"

"…"

"Or have you investigated ahead of the time and found out something that you felt angry about or disturbed?"

"Did Kurumi spoke about it?"

"No. I just sensed that the expression you had earlier is the same as the one you had when you came back from a trip back at Haguro."

"You…"

"Yes. I have been keeping my eye on you even before, my lord. I guess you can say that as your employer and acquaintance back then, it was my instinct to know as much as I can about you."

She entered the room with a tray of food and placed it in front of me before pouring tea on my cup.

"T-thank you for the food…"

"Go on, my lord. Eat your fill."

I gingerly took my chopsticks and ate the sukiyaki that she brought in along with some rice.

"How is it, my lord?"

"I-It's delicious. The miso soup is good too…"

"Thank you for the praise, my lord."

"P-praise? Why?"

"I cooked them. They are my recipe."

"Ah. I see…"

I continued eating for a while as she went down for a moment and brought a Koto zither which puzzled me for a while.

"Why did you bring a Koto? And where did you get that?"

"I bought it from the woodworker while Ayato was bringing the furniture to the cart. I may have not talked about this before, but I am actually proficient in the Koto and Biwa."

"Oh… Will you play me some music then, Kotori?"

"With pleasure, my lord."

She started to pluck the strings of the instrument that flowed elegantly along with the gentle howl of the wind outside.

"…"

As she carefully and gently played the instrument while the room was bathed in the light of the full moon, I was reminded of the nights that I spent with Chiyo where she will lull me into sleep and make me feel safe.

"Did my music entertain you, Iwasawa-sama?"

"…Yes. I feel a bit better now."

"Let me lay down a futon for you to sleep in then before I play you a song again."

"T-Thank you."

She spread the futon down which I laid on to sleep. It was slightly warm, probably from being aired out earlier by her since she proposed for it.

"I'll play a calmer song for you, my lord. May it bring you peace so you can sleep."

"Thank you, Kotori…"

As the zither's strings played a lullaby that I calmly listened to and gave me peace, I found the heaviness in my body and fatigue in my mind take over me and before long, I was already asleep.

"Good night and sweet dreams, Kou-sama."

As I closed my eyes and began to dream, my body remembered the warmth and the kiss that I shared with Chiyo the night before I left Kiko… perhaps because of how much my heart yearned for it, all of it… felt so real as if it happened again at this time.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"…"

"If we are in Haguro, you would've been stoned to death for serving an unmarried man as if he is your husband and even stealing a kiss from his lips and embracing him on his sleep."

"…Since when were you there, Ayato?"

"Since I saw you taking that Koto upstairs and playing it for Iwasawa-sama."

With gentle footsteps, my former superior and enemy in our homeland's civil dispute entered the room without a warning.

"…"

"Why did you do that, Kotori?"

"Don't ask something that is already obvious."

"That's exactly why I asked you. I believe that Minori-dono already warned you thrice about this… Back at the ship in Onnoki gulf, when you woke up after the party in Lady Inari's land where you drunkenly embraced him… and earlier when you aired out his futon… All three of those, Minori-dono told you that-"

"Iwasawa-sama has someone else that he loves, and I should just give up…"

"…"

I stood up from kneeling beside my lord and faced Ayato who had a serious expression on his face.

"I am aware of that, and how things between us may change if he learns about it… but this…"

"Kotori, this is-"

"This is the only thing I can do to express all of it…"

"Kotori…"

I sat behind the Koto again and tried to place my fingers on its strings, but my hands kept on shaking uncontrollably.

"I love Iwasawa-sama… not just as his retainer… but also as a woman."

"…"

"When I first met him, I was torn between the responsibility that I have been born into and my wish to escape from it. One is meaningless martyrdom and the other is pointless freedom… Bondage to duty or bondage to emptiness…"

"Was that really what you thought of about the war?"

"Yes. I knew from the very bottom of my heart that everything we were ordered to do has become meaningless… I… I hate that I am aware of it and yet, I cannot escape it."

I bit my lip in anguish while Ayato stood there with a worried expression on his face.

"So, the emotions that I felt for him when even after every sight of cowardice and weakness that I showed him, he still looked at me as someone dependable and trustworthy… I knew that it wasn't like any other feeling that I felt before."

"…"

"I love Iwasawa-sama… even if he doesn't feel the same for me."

"Kotori… Even if that is true, this is still not the right way to show it."

"…"

"You said it already earlier. If Iwasawa-sama learns of this, things will not be the same for both of you. He might even stop from seeing you. That's why I want to say this now rather than later when it's too late to do anything and Minori-dono does what he must do to stop you…"

Ayato held my hand and looked at me straight on the eyes to show that he is serious with what he is about to say.

"Express your love in a better way, or we will all be harmed by it… that is an order."

"…"

That night, the people and the city's sentries who were passing through the river heard the gentle music from a Koto. It was pleasant and beautiful… but somehow, it also sounds… heavy and lonely.

This is how Iwasawa Hiroshi's group slowly showed its cracks that later on, became a part of how their master realized the mistakes that he made along his way to lordship.