Volume 4
Chapter 8 Part
1
Preaching with
Pity, Knowing no Parting 1
Translator : PolterGlast
"So? Is the farce
over, Ugetsu Tenzan?"
The bustling, lively
great hall froze at Akira's words.
Even the golden glow
only served to highlight the boy's cold expression.
Clatter, Clatter...
The shoji screens cried out as the wind blew across Mount Renkyo.
A gust of cold wind
blew through the gaps, and the snow fleas that had wandered in with it turned
into droplets on the tatami mat.
Tension rumbled, and
everyone's gazes crossed each other's.
Their wandering gazes
eventually settled only on Yotsurugi Akira and Ugetsu Tenzan.
Without even glancing
at the withered tree for decoration, Akira poured a drop from the bamboo tube.
The sweet, rich
fragrance once again dominated the hall with a vivid intensity.
"—Farce. Did you
say farce?"
"What else would
it be?"
The tone of his reply
was as light as a greeting.
The emotions squeezed
out of his lungs made the sake tremble in Tenzan's hand.
From the moment they
reunited at the front gate of the mansion, Tenzan had had a bad feeling.
Incompetent, foolish.
His thoughts spun in vain, searching for the right words.
Normally, Yotsurugi
Akira should have flattered the Ugetsu family, who were his superiors.
After the banquet,
Akira would apologize to the Ugetsu family for his incompetence, and Tenzan
would accept it magnanimously.
They would explain
that his slightly inadequate attitude was a misunderstanding, and they would
laugh it off together.
They had forgotten
about Akira's incompetence, which they had lamented so much three years ago.
The relief that the
Three Imperial Families had shown towards the Ugetsu family had been for naught
because of the very person who was incompetent.
—No. It wouldn't end beautifully, but perhaps a careful
explanation of every word would be enough.
After venting his
frustration, Tenzan turned his glaring eyes to Akira.
"In the Imperial
Match that determined the Eight Families, you merely won a narrow victory over
Souma. You should remember that."
"As you saw,
Tenzan."
"Very well. As
you requested, the Three Imperial Families have made a decision.
The Ugetsu family will
be given a reprieve until spring, after which the decision on your deficiency
will be made based on your judgment."
"So?"
A blue vein popped up
on Tenzan's forehead at Akira's impudent tone.
He ground his teeth in
anger and returned the sake cup to the side table.
"...In other
words, the Ugetsu family is still ranked first among the Eight Families. Since
you have shown your ability, the Ugetsu family must admit that you have at
least met a certain standard."
"Indeed, I have
shown my ability. At that point, your family should have transferred your seat
to the Yotsurugi family."
"Indeed.
—In addition, the intention of the order given by the Three
Imperial Families, combined with the fact that the Ishibuki family has been
immediately abolished, suggests that the Ugetsu family's mistakes will be
overlooked on the condition of your return to your home."
Akira finally looked
at the reasons Tenzan had explained so carefully.
With a feeling that
was far from agreement or understanding, Tenzan nodded in return.
"The Three
Imperial Families and the Four Sovereigns have this to say.
—We will employ you, but you will not be among the
Eight Families. You must be loyal to the Ugetsu and stand behind them."
"I see..."
"Have you finally
come to understand?
This banquet is our
heartfelt effort for you to seek forgiveness for your return.
If you express your
gratitude, we will acknowledge you as the head of the Ugetsu family."
Tenzan's voice flowed
on, and the bamboo cup in Akira's hand trembled.
Keeping the cup in his
sight, Tenzan exchanged a nod of relief with his retainer, Sakou Jinbei.
For Tenzan, the most
frightening thing was the possibility that Akira would wield his title as
Kanna-no-Mikura.
If he could silence
him even with the situation as a shield, all that would remain was an immature
and inexperienced individual who was easy to manipulate.
What lay before Tenzan
was nothing more than an easy negotiation.
"Ha-ha. That's
enough, Lord Head. As long as he understands, even all of us retainers will not
hesitate to acknowledge Master Akira."
"Sorry, Jinbei,
but I'll have to trouble you from tomorrow.
—Oh, remember, this is Sakou Jinbei, the head steward.
From tomorrow until
spring, Sakou will assist you as your mentor, so do your duty without
fail."
"I ask for your
kind cooperation.
Since the schedule is
tight, I may be a bit strict. I hope you will humbly accept the consequences of
your past indulgences.
—What? If you are said to have abilities comparable to
Souma's, this should be an easy task."
With a friendly
introduction, Sakou Jinbei bowed deeply to the tatami mat.
Seeing that the
negotiation, or rather, the unpleasant meal was over, the retainers exchanged
smiles.
—Saki's cheeks twitched as she watched this reunion,
which was nothing but ugly.
The course of events
up to this point was exactly as Akira had expected.
If they couldn't
defeat him in battle, they would crush him with wisdom.
To take away the
powerful weapon of his title as the Kanna-no-Mikura, they prepared a banquet
and surrounded Akira with a crowd of retainers.
There were not many
choices left for Tenzan, who couldn't understand.
Akira lowered his gaze
to the bamboo cup.
The clear sweet nectar
simply swayed without any response.
The emotions that
crossed his mind felt like those of a distant stranger.
—He had thought he would be elated if his prediction
was correct, but now that it had come true, he felt more disappointed.
His flat breath
carried no emotion as he toyed with the cup in his palm.
The only thing that he
failed to predict was...
Their arrogant
attitude towards the Yotsurugi family, which was already one of the Eight
Families.
"Hurry up and
throw away that unsightly cup. How dare a noble be so rude to a host!"
"—Is that
so?"
They don't understand
the value. The value of that supreme drop in Akira's hand.
With the surface noise
of trying to maintain a superior position, Akira completely abandoned Tenzan.
All hesitation
vanished from Akira's hand.
—Without hesitation, Akira drank the rejuvenating
water.
"Y-!" Tenzan
involuntarily stood up from his knees at Akira's act of trampling on the
Ugetsu's goodwill twice.
"You bastard!!
Despite explaining it so that even a roadside beggar could understand!"
"Lord Head, we
are at a banquet!"
With foam at the
corner of his mouth from his rage, he shouted, shaking off Sakou.
Ignoring Tenzan's
disgrace, Akira tilted the bamboo tube.
The last remaining
drop of liquid reluctantly moved to the edge of the cup.
Licking the drop on
the rim and waiting for the commotion to subside, Akira finally opened his
mouth.
"Ugetsu Tenzan. I
understand your point, but I have a question."
"…………What?"
Breathing heavily,
Tenzan managed to regain his composure and sat back in his honored seat.
With a wry smile that
seemed out of place, Akira tilted his head.
"What you're
saying is that I should use my authority to forgive the Ugetsu, right?
—In exchange for settling everything peacefully, you're
giving me the right to follow the Ugetsu."
"So you do
understand."
"I have one
question. Where is the benefit for me returning to Ugetsu?"
"……What?"
Tenzan's thoughts involuntarily stopped at Akira's question.
"Don't you
understand the extraordinary honor of having the Ugetsu as your patron?
You..."
"But that's the
benefit of the Ugetsu, not mine (the Yotsurugi family).
—Where have the profits for the Yotsurugi family
gone?"
"Yotsurugi is
nothing but weeds that sprung from nowhere. It's foolish to compare it to the
value of the Ugetsu!"
Akira asked, sounding
genuinely puzzled.
With a sigh, Tenzan
looked at him with pity.
"For the
nobility, history is proof of their strength. You understand that much, don't
you?"
"And?"
He doesn't even
understand that this one point is more important than anything else.
Thinking simply to
make it easy for even a fool to understand, Tenzan opened his mouth.
"Do you know the
family crest of the Kuga family (the second of the Eight Families)?"
—A double circle with two pampas grasses.
Akira shrugged in
silent affirmation, and Tenzan continued, sounding condescending.
"The double
circle in a family crest means a branch family.
The Kuga family was a
branch family of the former Eight Families, the Shuujuki. That circle means
that the Kuga family, which was a branch family, took over the main
family."
"Hee."
Akira's reply was
indifferent. Nevertheless, Tenzan patiently continued to speak.
"They stained the
family crest of the Eight Families with a branch family crest. The reason why
the successive generations of the Kuga family have not established a new family
crest despite their dissatisfaction is the answer to your question."
"A family crest
is just a crest."
"That's why
you're so foolish.
—A family crest is a tangible proof of history. No
matter how much the Kuga family complains, their history is far from that of
the Shuujuki family, which was the second of the Eight Families. The Kuga
family publicized the fact that they were a branch family of the Shuujuki in
order to suppress the other noble families."
Given the fact that
Akira had been presented to be the first of the Eight Families, the situations
of the Kuga family and Akira had many similarities.
Especially when
considering the future, it would be appropriate for the Yotsurugi family crest
to be surrounded by a double circle, indicating a branch family.
Tenzan spat out in
disgust at the horrifying idea of allowing a branch family crest for the first
of the Eight Families.
"Since the Gioin
family has requested it, I will make you the head of the Ugetsu family. But to
stain the Ugetsu as a branch family is the height of folly.
Even with your talent,
you must understand that it would be best to entrust the governance of the Ugetsu
to Souma."
Having spoken in one
breath, Tenzan glared at Akira.
Akira, with a cool
expression, looked at the empty cup.
After a long silence,
"So-"
"Let me correct that."
Akira spoke, slightly
ahead of Tenzan's impatient rage.
"First. The Kuga
family established their family crest after separating from the Shuujuki. There
was no takeover."
He tucked the bamboo
tube into his sleeve and shrugged.
"Second. The
Yotsurugi family crest is none of your concern, but I'll also tell you that
it's not the Ugetsu family crest either."
—With a sharp gaze, Akira stood up.
"Third. ...To
begin with, do you think the Ugetsu still has any value?"
Looking down
arrogantly at the surrounding retainers, Akira spat out with heartfelt pity.
"If so, you are
all very foolish. At the moment when the head of the Ugetsu family was defeated
and lost the Eight Families' artifact, you have no value left."
Leaving those words in
the hall, Akira turned to leave.
"Wait!!"
Tenzan's angry shout
was in vain. Akira had spent too much time putting up with this farce.
—There was only one question left that concerned Akira.
"I've put up with
this farce for too long.
—You can shout all you want, but you've fully paid the
price for my kindness, haven't you?"
The entire mansion was
swept.
Akira's accusation,
which he made no attempt to hide, was met only with silence from Ugetsu Tenzan.
It was the most
eloquent answer of all.
"Useless,
totally."
"...I won't let
you get away with that, Akira-dono."
He snorted at the fact
that his expectations, which were only a preconceived notion, had been long
forgotten.
Just as Akira was
about to leave the hall,
—he turned his gaze towards the voice calling out to
him.
Sakou Jinbei, who was
standing beside Ugetsu Tenzan, glared directly at Akira.
"You said you
won't let me get away? If you're so engrossed in your political games that
you've forgotten the kindness we've shown you, then you deserve to be
criticized."
"—That's right.
As a noble, one must be responsible for the words one utters.
Since you stand as a
noble, Akira-dono, you should stop behaving so stubbornly."
The Sakou family had
been the first seat of the Ugetsu retainers for a long time.
As a model for the
retainers who were deeply trusted by the Ugetsu family, Sakou Jinbei raised his
voice out of righteous indignation at Akira's disgraceful behavior.
"Your disgrace,
Akira-dono, is probably because you misunderstood our rigorous education.
Now that you stand
here, it is only natural that past trifles should be forgotten."
With sharp eyes,
Sakao's aged body trembled as he spoke with authority.
Believing that his
words were spoken in sincere and respectful admonition, he raised his voice.
"Instead of
lamenting your own incompetence, you should be grateful that you have been
allowed to return to the Ugetsu.
—Please understand that you should serve your family
with gratitude and fulfill your duty!"
The other retainers
nodded in agreement with his loud and clear voice.
"Family,
huh?"
While everyone in the
room felt the same way, Akira coldly dismissed that misconception.
"—Where is such a
thing, anyway?"
"Wh-what did you
say..."
"All you've been
doing in front of me is talking about some remnants called the Ugetsu.
Or was there really a
time when I was part of your family? Ugetsu Tenzan?"
"You bastard...
how dare you speak to your parents like that."
Forgetting about
Sakou, who was at a loss for words, Akira tilted his head in boredom.
Akira had given up on
the Ugetsu three years ago.
It was a topic that
had already been settled. To Akira, even if it was brought up, it was just a
hilarious rehashing of the issue.
—Oh, but that old fool Sakou did leave a truly
respectful admonition.
As a noble, one must
be responsible for one's words.
Ugetsu Tenzan must
have forgotten the fatal flaw he had buried himself.
"Speaking of
which..." "...What?"
Tenzan's bitter gaze
returned, interested in Akira's voice.
Could he see a
possibility of turning the situation around at this point? He smiled wryly,
knowing that there was no way he would forgive him.
"Why are you
still alive, Ugetsu Tenzan?"
Everyone in the room
froze at the obvious question.
Unable to understand
what he was saying, they stared at Akira as if he were a monster.
"Y-Y-You..."
"That's a line
you said to me when I was banished three years ago."
Akira simply watched
Tenzan, who was gasping for breath in a comical way, with cold eyes.
Everyone was
speechless at his next words.
"'I wish you
would choose to commit suicide before you caused any more trouble for the Gioin
family'―was it? And now, you seem to have caused quite a bit of trouble, but
you don't seem to have any intention of taking responsibility."
Tenzan and the others
had probably forgotten the sharp words they had spoken in the past.
Yet, Akira hadn't
forgotten a single word from three years ago.
"Well,
that's..."
—I guess that's the limit of Ugetsu Tenzan.
With a sneer, Akira
turned his back on the Ugetsu, deciding to leave.
Akira turned his toes
towards the corridor leading to the courtyard.
"Y-Y, You, Y-..."
A comically loud voice pierced the hall.
"——You ungrateful
wretch!!!"
A spiritual light
accompanied by the glow of a raven's feather burst from Tenzan's rising body.
Unable to contain his
emotions, he drew out his hidden dagger (spirit weapon).
An enormous mass of
water accelerated instantaneously with a brilliant moonlight glow.
—Without the slightest delay, a spear of waves,
swirling with shockwaves, attacked Akira.
Even for the
Kanna-no-Mikura, it was customary etiquette to leave one's weapons before a
banquet.
The only exception to
this rule would be the host of the banquet, Ugetsu Tenzan, who would be allowed
to carry a weapon at the banquet.
Tenzan couldn't
imagine how Akira could resist without his spirit weapon.
The possibility of the
negotiations at the banquet breaking down. While it might have been so for
others, for Tenzan, this banquet was his final ultimatum to Akira.
The vortex of spirit
power accelerated. With further acceleration, it converged into a single point.
The freezing muddy
current rushed out and blew away everything in its path leading to the
courtyard.
Boom. The pillars and
beams were torn apart, and the shoji screens were blown away.
In an instant, the
entire roof behind where Akira was standing was pierced through by the force of
the mass.
For Tenzan, this was
not even a banquet.
His fear of Akira had
become a reality and had been realized.
The night sky peered
through the hole.
Was it the snow fleas
that had called forth the blizzard? The white danced so violently that it
painted the sky black.
Dry powder snow blew
into the hall and danced merrily with the black obsidian glow.
A transparent and
clear spiritual power stroked Saki's cheek affectionately.
Tenzan's determination
was certain. But there was also a miscalculation.
—Akira, too, had not trusted the banquet at the mansion
at all.
"Compared to what
I expected,"
The power of Kugai
Bakufu, which had already been unleashed even before he arrived at the mansion,
scattered a spiritual light in front of Akira's eyes.
"...You were a
much shallower well than I thought, Ugetsu."
A murmur of
disappointment, devoid of interest, echoed through the hall.
Without expecting a
reply, and without saying another word, Akira turned and left the hall.
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