Chapter 57: Sisters
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: Sisters
Meeting your in-laws is immensely stressful.
In my case, even more so.
Abel is the direct bloodline of the Nibelung family, which holds the greatest influence in noble society barring the Victoria Imperial Family. Though she stepped out from under the giant shadow of the Sword Emperor long ago, the halo of the Nibelung name still rested firmly on her head.
Having just Abel as a wife would already be overwhelming, but my good fortune didn't end there.
Then there's the Saki family. It's widely accepted as gospel that while Nibelung rules the Western world, South Korea and the Saki family dominate the East.
However, that's merely a rumor circulating among civilians. A closer look reveals a stark difference in the core stance of the two families.
The Nibelung family's 'prestige' far surpasses that of the Saki family. The First Sword Saint, founder of the house, left behind legendary deeds, and the entire world remembers the Sword Emperor's sacrifices for modern humanity.
'The Archery Saint's standing... is a bit ambiguous.'
In terms of prestige, the Saki family falls far behind Nibelung. But when it comes to actual, practical power—real influence—those in the know unanimously agree that the Saki family wins by decision.
Though the Archery Saint was an unbearable bastard in life, he was exceptionally sharp. He understood the nature of power and exploited it to its fullest.
'He walked a path completely opposite to the Sword Emperor, who spent his life detached from such matters.'
He may have been a terrible father, but it was beyond dispute that his two daughters—or more accurately now, one of them—benefited greatly from his legacy.
I was referring to the current Prime Minister of Japan, Saki Hina. The woman sitting across from me, resting her chin on her interlaced hands with a sly smile.
"It's been a while. You've grown even handsomer."
"……."
I repeat, meeting your in-laws is extremely nerve-wracking. Especially when...
"I really envy Ryozo, you know?"
...she's actively flirting with me.
Episode. Sisters
I led Saki Hina out of the academy.
We entered a members-only cafe located in Wonju, Gangwon Province. The establishment featured a unique security protocol where patrons entered wearing masks.
Despite the cloak-and-dagger entrance, it was ultimately just a cafe. It was suspiciously designed that way to cater to nobles who despised even the slightest public exposure.
'They say it's darkest under the lamp, but still.'
Joaquin Academy was too risky. If I got caught on Ryozo's razor-sharp radar, I wouldn't be able to avoid her ultimatum: "I'll shoot you right between the eyes."
Some might wonder: couldn't I have just pretended not to know Saki Hina and gone on my way?
A perfectly valid point.
I intended to do just that. Until she dropped her final remark.
"This room is quite cozy."
"...Just sit over there."
"Expecting you to pull out a chair for me would be asking too much, wouldn't it?"
"……."
I took my seat first. Saki Hina shrugged and leaned back deeply into her chair.
The round tea table was small. We stared at each other from a distance where our breaths practically mingled. Even behind her mask, her persistent gaze brushed against my cheek.
The tea room remained silent for several minutes. Neither of us opened our mouths right away.
Then, suddenly—
'Hmm.'
A sweet scent rushed over me.
I wrinkled my nose. Was this woman using her Blessing of Temptation again? Didn't she nearly get stabbed by me the first time we met doing that?
However, the moment I felt a presence beyond the door, I understood the situation.
"This cafe is famous for its top-tier security."
I let out a sigh and spoke up.
"Is it really necessary to harass the staff with your Blessing of Temptation?"
"One can never be too careful. Besides, haven't all the patrons here caught in Auditore's intelligence network been talking under the assumption that it's safe, just like you?"
Saki Hina erected a barrier around the tea room using her Blessing. The Blessing of Temptation was just as rare as Speed Weapon's Blessing of Healing.
'Since it falls under hypnosis, it's natural in a way.'
The Archery Saint, notoriously picky as he was, didn't choose her as his secretary out of his many children simply because she was his eldest daughter.
I crossed my arms and looked at Saki Hina.
'She used to be inexperienced in wielding her Blessing, but she's completely changed. Though, if she hadn't changed at all in ten years, that would be a problem in itself.'
What bugged me was that Saki Hina had changed too much. Just as Archery Saint Saki Kojima had, his daughter's personality had transformed through the death of family.
'Maybe it's a family trait of the Saki lineage.'
Saki Hina untied her mask strap and shook out her hair. Hesitating briefly, I removed my mask as well and continued the conversation.
"Auditore is an unequivocal ally."
"To be exact, they are your hands and feet, Heavenly Sword. As for the Saki family, while they are allies, wouldn't they turn their blades on you the moment an opportunity arises?"
"I just have to make sure no such opportunity arises."
"It pains me to say it myself, but no noble family is entirely free of dirt. That's precisely why everyone fears Auditore's blade."
"...Which is why 'the Victoria Imperial Family is trying to oust Auditore,' is that it?"
This was the reason I knowingly let myself be drawn into Saki Hina's bait. When I turned to walk away, she bound my feet right there using the name of Auditore.
"It seems the Western nobles are reaching their breaking point at last."
Saki Hina nodded.
"'We cannot squirm beneath Auditore's shadow forever.' Such talk is spreading not only among Western nobles, but even among Eastern nobles where Auditore's influence is relatively weaker."
The Prime Minister is the pinnacle of a nation. She would naturally be privy to rumors that even Abel couldn't find hard evidence for.
Moreover, with her Blessing of Temptation allowing her to briefly pry into people's minds, Saki Hina's intelligence was SSS-rank classified information.
I replied in a noticeably softened tone.
"Even so, it feels sudden. Furthermore, their justification is weak. The Victoria Imperial Family rarely makes a move unless pushed to the absolute extreme, don't they?"
"This Exchange Meet was the direct catalyst."
"I was the one who tortured the nobles at the party."
"...I wasn't referring to that. Goodness. Heavenly Sword, you actually tortured nobles?"
"Ah..."
So the word hadn't spread yet.
'Torture really does work wonders.'
I had assumed they would shout it from the rooftops.
"Well, when handling state affairs, you're bound to get your hands a little dirty."
"And here you were telling me not to do anything dusty... talk about double standards."
"Shall we leave then?"
I pushed back my chair.
Thwip—
Saki Hina snapped open a folding fan and covered her mouth. A gesture meaning "off the record" from here on out. I pulled my chair back in.
"There's no need to explain that Auditore was the faction that handed over the list of those nobles. That's just what Auditore does."
"That's why I find it strange. Why act up out of the blue when they've been quiet all this time?"
"A massive amount of the Victoria Imperial Family's capital was poured into Parsi Academy."
"...?"
The words 'Imperial Family' hadn't appeared anywhere on the list Auditore gave me.
...Hmm.
After a split-second of thought, I arrived at a conclusion.
"Naturally, under borrowed names. Using other nobles' names as fronts."
"As expected."
Chills.
Reflexively, I dropped my hips low. A geta wooden clog dangled casually from her big toe. She had just used it to lightly nudge my shin.
"Seriously, what is wrong with you?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Anyone else aside, you shouldn't be acting like this with me, Prime Minister. Your sister is my wife."
"She's a half-sister, not a full sister, isn't she? Though, even if she were a full sister, none of this violates international law, does it?"
I dare say the island nation's gender sensitivity is truly world-class.
"Anyway, back to the main point. As you surmised, Heavenly Sword, the Imperial Family used those nobles to continuously fund Parsi—no, to turn it into a cradle for nobility capable of rivaling Joaquin. But oops! All those funds were seized by Auditore, right into a place called the GM Foundation, wasn't it?"
"As I keep telling you, that was a lawful act."
"Correct. A lawful act. Even the Imperial Family couldn't easily dispute Auditore's actions. Especially now, when it's public knowledge that you, the Heavenly Sword, are backing Auditore. No one anywhere could dare touch Auditore."
Saki Hina snapped her fan shut. Her long eyelashes narrowed as she stared through me.
"Heavenly Sword."
"Yes?"
"Public opinion regarding you is shifting."
"I'm roughly aware."
"You are far too powerful for the Imperial Family—no, for all of humanity—to control. There's even a hypothesis circulating among the populace."
What if my sashimi knife were to turn against humanity?
"'Could anyone actually stop him?' it asks. This isn't like the time of the Corps Commanders. You know why better than anyone. Because the one who slayed those Corps Commanders was you, the Heavenly Sword. And that was ten years ago, when you were merely an academy cadet."
"……."
"And you proved it once again during the baffling Parsi Massacre. You have... grown stronger. Far stronger than when you slew Kuarne, the 2nd Corps Commander. If left unchecked, it's dangerous."
"……."
"Heavenly Sword. I believe in you. You are not someone who would stray onto the wrong path. Quite the opposite, in fact."
The sweet floral fragrance faded. Saki Hina had voluntarily deactivated her Blessing of Temptation.
"You guided me and my father, Saki Kojima, back to the right path when we were on the verge of straying. Even if your methods were violent, your direction itself was correct."
That was the truth.
Saki Hina was not relying on the power of her Blessing now.
"Not just me, but everyone close to you will trust you no matter what the situation. But the general public isn't like that. I came to realize that once I became Prime Minister."
"Thank you for your concern."
"Have you thought of a way to break through this situation?"
I shook my head. Saki Hina smiled as if expecting as much.
"It would be best to confront the Victoria Imperial Family head-on. Since they tried to oust Auditore from the shadows, you should deal with the Imperial Family in the exact opposite manner."
"I suppose so."
"If you personally step forward, the Imperial Family will at least pretend to negotiate. Use that opportunity to display your capabilities to the fullest. I'll assist wherever I can within my power."
"Excessive kindness makes me a bit nervous."
Seriously.
"When I first became Prime Minister, Ryozo helped me immensely. And I know full well that helping you, Heavenly Sword, means helping Ryozo. Because your happiness is her happiness."
"If you put it that way."
"Of course, on a personal level as well—"
I stood up immediately, shutting her down. I tightened my mask strap again and turned around.
I opened the door a couple of inches. Saki Hina called out to my back.
"What do you plan to do about the public fearing you? Will you hold a press conference for the nation or something?"
"I'm someone whose sashimi knife moves faster than words. I've already filled my quota for calling reporters and putting on airs for the rest of the year with just that Exchange Meet."
I scratched my chin gently and continued.
"Prime Minister, you told me earlier that people fear me because there's no faction capable of keeping me in check."
"Yes, indeed."
"Then I just have to create one."
Saki Hina tilted her head.
"Your sister will turn the Joaquin Academy cadets into heroes. Heroes who can make people feel safe, even if I should ever become an enemy of humanity. She will raise them into such heroes, and I will support her by her side."
"I really do envy Ryozo..."
"I will pretend I didn't hear anything discussed today. Including your last comment."
With that, I left the tea room. I found a staff member collapsed against the doorframe. I considered calling the manager, but feared getting interrogated, so I quietly walked away.
—Sisters. End.
The schedule for an audience with the Emperor was set sooner than expected—quite a bit sooner.
"Geomma, go to Britain tomorrow."
Ryozo had just finished her interviews with the cadets who participated in the Exchange Meet.
"...What?"
"We agreed to grant one wish for each cadet who participated in the Exchange Meet."
"We did."
Ryozo pressed her thumbs against her temples.
"Victoria says she wants to see you and the Emperor."