Chapter 188
* * *
Shinohara Castle Annex
Within Shinohara Castle, there was a separate Annex. This Annex served as a place where Shinohara’s Vassals and the House Head gathered to discuss national policy and the affairs of Shinohara. Today, even Vassals from the provinces had assembled, creating a solemn atmosphere.
Shinohara Yuzuki surveyed the Vassals seated in two rows.
These Vassals were the House Heads or their representatives from Families loyal to Shinohara. These Families operated Hunter Guilds affiliated with Shinohara.
In other words, they were the Families responsible for maintaining public order in their respective regions.
Naturally, they would know more about the recent terror attacks than anyone else.
“Attacking the Baekhwa Cult, which came all the way from Korea, seems to be a ploy to drive a wedge between Japan and Korea. What are your thoughts?”
Shinohara Yuzuki questioned Shinohara’s Vassals.
“Your words are correct, House Head. Yu Eunha is a War Hero, and her abilities have already been proven worldwide. Given that, it doesn’t seem like they genuinely intended to kill Yu Eunha.”
Yes. That must be it.
The Vassals thought similarly. Ultimately, this was an attempt to weaken the relationship between Japan and Korea.
“Indeed, there are reports that Anti-Japanese Public Opinion is resurfacing in Korea. If Anti-Japanese Public Opinion expands in Korea…”
“…then anti-Korean and xenophobic sentiments will surely rise again in Japan.”
No matter where it starts, anti-Japanese or anti-Korean sentiment is bound to resurface in the opposing country.
Ha Jeongseok will probably exploit the anti-Japanese sentiment.
“Naturally, public sentiment towards Shinohara will also be shaken.”
Then the past relationship could repeat itself.
Even if the times have reverted to the past, how can a Regime that doesn’t hold the hearts of its Citizens be maintained?
Up until now, it’s been acceptable, and with the Hunters, who are the Nation’s strength, under Shinohara, it’s been fine. But if this continues, it will be problematic.
“If you know this, House Head, shouldn’t we devise some countermeasures?”
“You mentioned a symbol appearing on their foreheads.”
“Yes. Those with the symbol on their foreheads turn red and explode.”
Those with the symbol on their foreheads. They are Right-wingers, and they’ve been committing acts similar to Terrorist Organizations in the Middle East.
They are carrying out terror attacks against the Families under Shinohara.
“Is brainwashing a possibility?”
“Nothing has been revealed yet.”
No brainwashing? Then did the Right-wingers fanatically use Self-destruction abilities?
If so, someone must have given them that ability.
That symbol must be the proof.
“Hmm. Is there a possibility that Inosuke is involved?”
“Would Inosuke-nim do such a thing? Even if he harbors ill will towards you, House Head, surely not to this extent.”
“Hasn’t he always harbored resentment towards me? Even if he inherited our father’s blood, he is still a Child from a different mother. He’s the kind of man who would try to destroy Shinohara if he couldn’t have it himself.”
Shinohara Inosuke. He was Yuzuki’s rival for the position of House Head before she became one.
Ultimately, Yuzuki emerged victorious, and Inosuke, seething with resentment towards Yuzuki, left for Kumamoto alone.
Inosuke is certainly capable of it.
He showed petty behavior during the Succession Struggle. He also displayed an obsession with power, and would likely even grasp a Demon’s hand if given the chance.
“I will send an Inspection Team to investigate.”
“First, how do you all think we should resolve this matter? Please speak freely.”
The opinions of the Vassals in charge of the provinces are important.
As the areas where terror attacks are occurring expand, this requires the active cooperation of the Vassals.
“It might be disrespectful to say this to you, House Head, but…”
“Speak.”
“This is similar to the End of the Edo Shogunate.”
The End of the Edo Shogunate was a period when those seeking to overthrow the Shogunate began to actively fight it, coinciding with contact with the Western Powers.
Still, that time and now are different.
“We are neither the Shogunate nor do we have a Satcho Alliance. Yet you say it’s similar?”
“Isn’t there a saying that history repeats itself? Their brazen actions must be due to a Backer.”
A Backer, a Backer. Yes, there must be one.
“A Backer. Could it be Sin?”
“It’s possible.”
Sin, all of a sudden.
“Even if it’s not Sin, if terror attacks occur this frequently, Shinohara will surely be shaken.”
“In that case…”
“Behind the Terrorists, there must be the Royal Family and the Prime Minister. You must remove both of them.”
Remove the King and the Prime Minister.
A suitably young King could be installed, and this time, the Prime Minister could be a Pro-Shinohara Faction member.
The problem is, that might further agitate the Citizens.
That’s a bit of a difficult problem.
“It’s not the old days anymore.”
“Times have changed. After the Great Cataclysm, many Nations saw their Political Systems revert to the past.”
Many have completely reverted to the past.
“So, should we also revert to the Shogunate Period?”
“Don’t other Nations function perfectly fine even with an incompetent President governing them?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Even the neighboring Nation functions well regardless of an incompetent President.
Furthermore, the Shinohara Family receives education from a young age. They would be competent in politics.
No, come to think of it, the Prime Minister is merely a Figurehead anyway, so perhaps it’s time to remove him.
“You must make a decision.”
“That’s right, House Head. You must immediately disband the Self-Defense Forces and remove the Prime Minister!”
Shinohara Yuzuki tapped her fingers on the table, deep in thought.
Disbanding the Self-Defense Forces, removing the Prime Minister, and re-establishing the Shogunate.
In truth, it’s meaningless.
It’s merely a Nation with a Prime Ministerial System in name only. While the Political System has been adapted to modern times, internally, it’s already a Shogunate with Shinohara as the Shadow Ruler.
“Hmm. The Self-Defense Forces and the Prime Minister must be dealt with.”
The problem is that Yu Eunha and her party are currently at the Castle.
If we deal with the Self-Defense Forces and the Prime Minister, they will probably find out.
“Is something the matter?”
“As the House Heads of each Family know, Yu Eunha is currently at the Residence.”
Even as part of the Baekhwa Cult, Yu Eunha is also affiliated with the Association.
She has already officially entered through the Association.
“Yu Eunha. Hmm.”
“I heard you have a close relationship with her.”
Yu Eunha’s presence will be an important bridge in the Korea-Japan relationship.
We cannot appear incompetent like Zhang Xueti or Ha Jeongseok here.
Therefore, it is necessary to show a decisive act of punishment.
“Therefore, we cannot show her only the negative aspects of Japan. I will issue orders to each Family. Strengthen enforcement. Kill Terrorists on sight. Monitor the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, and if anything happens, eliminate it immediately.”
“Yes.”
The Self-Defense Forces must also be completely disbanded.
“We must disband the Self-Defense Forces. Haven’t Shinohara Hunters already secured the Maritime areas?”
“Kisaragi Corporation is also capturing Monsters at Sea.”
“Then let’s disband the Self-Defense Forces. If they don’t accept it, just eliminate them.”
This much mercy is enough.
We have endured enough until now. If we link the Terrorists with the Self-Defense Forces now, disbanding the Self-Defense Forces will be easy.
After all, the media has been completely suppressed. Dealing with the Self-Defense Forces won’t be difficult.
“Yes. We will mobilize the Kisaragi Hunters.”
“Let’s leave the King for now. It’s not the time to touch him. If we remove the King after the Prime Minister, even our Shinohara, who is trusted by foreign countries, could be shaken. Remember this: as long as Shinohara Yuzuki exists, not a single Right-winger will be left in Japan.”
In her father’s generation, they suffered considerably at the hands of Yu Jinseok of Korea, but during her reign, no major incidents, domestic or international, would ever occur in Japan.
“““Yes, House Head.”””
Shinohara Yuzuki nodded at the Vassals' reply.
She would no longer proceed with moderation.
She would absolutely make the Shinohara Regime the flawless Government of Japan.
* * *
Waking up in the morning, Yongyong-i stood with Magnute, hands raised.
The reason was simple: Reina had caught them.
Reina was furious. Even though she was an Elf without horns, it looked as if she had grown them.
If she tells Rachel about this, I’ll really be in trouble.
“You were caught red-handed. Did you do wrong or not?”
“I did wrong.”
It’s best to bow my head here.
“If Mom finds out, this won’t just end, you know?”
Is she going to tell Rachel? That won’t do.
“No, I mean, it’s something that can happen, right?”
“How many seconds has it been since you said you did wrong?”
“Well, that’s…”
Has it been about three seconds?
They say there’s only a paper-thin difference between wrongdoing and shamelessness.
“No, just think about it. How absurd would it be to wake up and find two Lizards hugging each other with their tails in each other’s Bottom Holes?”
Yeah. That would be pretty absurd.
If I woke up in the morning to find two dragons with their tails in each other’s pussies, that would be funny.
And if both were dripping with cum, the lie that their tails accidentally slipped in while sleeping naked wouldn’t work.
But I can make one excuse.
“That it’s a beautiful Mother and Daughter relationship.”
“I don’t do things like that with my Mom, you know?”
Why not? If she did, we could have a Mother-Daughter Threesome.
“How about trying it now?”
“I’m not doing anything like that!”
Damn it. Is a Mother-Daughter Threesome out of the question?
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked. When the door opened, a woman in a neat kimono bowed her head.
“Who are you?”
“We, the Shinohara, have come to serve breakfast to the Distinguished Guests from Korea.”
Her face looks familiar?
“Oh, Ms. Mariko?”
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Mariko.
I still remember. Katon Fireball, was it?
It was definitely some kind of Ninja Technique, but it had English mixed in.
That was quite strange.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Yu Eunha-nim.”
“Why so stiff? We had a good time back then, didn’t we?”
At my words, the Heroines perked up their ears.
Hehe, cute little things. But unfortunately, Mariko isn’t my territory.
Only Yuzuki is.
“Hehe. Now, as a Vassal of Shinohara, I am serving the Commander of the Baekhwa Cult, so I cannot treat you as casually as before.”
“Oh, really?”
That’s a bit disappointing.
But I can’t just rape Shinohara Mariko to get closer to her.
She’s not a Heroine, so I could ask her to show her previous self for a moment of pleasure, but that would be problematic.
I’m surprisingly a Gentleman, you know? A Gentleman Yongyong-i.
I came half for fun and half for political reasons, so what a disgrace it would be if I touched Mariko and other Vassals saw it.
“If we meet privately later, I’ll ask then.”
“Which one is the real Ms. Mariko?”
“Actually, this is the real me. But I was caught acting by Beubmi at first, so…”
Ah, I understand that feeling. It happens.
But it’s surprising that this is the real Ms. Mariko.
No, isn’t it a bit much for the woman who used Katon Fireball to be so serious?
“Ah, that person doesn’t seem to suit that kind of thing.”
She herself is under a curse to speak in Beubmi-speak right now, so who knows what negative effect Mariko’s serious mode will have on Beubmi.
“Yes. Well, should I prepare Japanese food? Or Korean food? You can also choose Chinese, but I assume you wouldn’t like it since it’s an Enemy Nation. Or perhaps Western food?”
“Hmm, since we’re in Japan, how about Japanese food?”
If it’s Japan, it has to be Japanese food, right?
Korean food gets boring since I eat it every day, and Western food is a bit… but if it’s Japan, it’s Japanese food.
“I’m fine with that.”
“I want Tuna Belly.”
“I’ll have Buckwheat Soba with Shrimp Tempura.”
“Then I’ll have ramen.”
“I’ll have the same as Mom!”
Mariko nodded at our party’s orders.
“Yes. We will prepare it with Shinohara’s finest chefs.”
Mariko bowed, closed the door, and quietly disappeared.
Before she closed the door, I caught a glimpse of Mariko’s body and got a little excited.
Mariko is quite hot too. Her body, and the lines of her kimono.
“Whoa. Mariko’s hot too.”
“Whenever you see a pretty Woman, you just… sigh.”
There’s a separate reason why I’m 'whoa-ing' at Mariko.
“That Woman isn’t wearing panties. Of course she’s hot because she’s not wearing panties.”
If you look behind the kimono, there’s absolutely no Panty Line visible.
No Bra Strap visible, and her cleavage too, that’s definitely no bra, no panties.
A Woman in a no-bra, no-panties kimono first thing in the morning!
Honestly, Mariko is a bit less attractive than the Heroines, but she’s prettier than average, so it’s possible.
Gulp.
Hold it in. Yongyong-i, I am a sentient being right now. A sentient being doesn’t just recklessly pounce on a no-panties, no-bra kimono Woman.
…Wouldn’t once be okay?