Chapter 7: Stirrings
1
“I’m utterly speechless, Goz-Shima! It’s beyond belief!”
The one who slammed his fist on the tatami mat while saying this was Gilmore Beruhi, one of the four ministers supporting the Misturugi family in administrative matters.
As the head of the Beruhi family, which has been flourishing remarkably on Onigashima in recent years, Gilmore oversees personnel and finances for the Misturugi family as the Minister of Civil Affairs. He was also the adoptive father of Klimt, who was prostrating behind Goz.
However, Gilmore’s gaze was fixed solely on Goz, not sparing even a glance for Klimt behind him.
Gilmore continued speaking.
“Since this is a public forum, let’s set aside the matter of my daughter Kuraia for now. But what’s the meaning of this? A warrior of the Blue Forest, no less one holding the position of Military Affairs Minister, being defeated by an outsider and fleeing back home! Moreover, to cover up this blunder by telling lies to Lord Misturugi is absolutely unacceptable!”
“Well, now.”
Goz calmly responded to Gilmore’s angry outburst.
“It’s true that I was defeated and fled. I make no excuses for that. However, I have no recollection of telling lies to Lord Misturugi.”
“Be silent. It’s hard enough to believe that an incompetent who was exiled from the island five years ago for failing the trial ceremony could defeat three Blue Forest warriors simultaneously. And on top of that, you claim he single-handedly slayed a Mythical species? If this isn’t a lie, then what is it?!”
“It is not a lie, but the truth.”
Goz’s words and attitude remained calm as he responded. However, in reality, his inner state was not as composed as his outward appearance.
After being defeated by Sora in the Canaria Kingdom, he had rushed back, sparing no time for treatment, riding day and night to report to the clan head as quickly as possible. That’s how he came to be in this situation. To be honest, he felt like he could fall asleep spread-eagled right now.
But he couldn’t afford to show such an unsightly appearance in front of someone who was trying to run the Misturugi family like a self-styled prime minister. He was secretly gritting his teeth and feigning composure.
Though Goz’s thoughts weren’t transmitted, Gilmore’s eyes took on a glinting light.
“Goz-Shima, I suspect you intend to use these false achievements to lift that incompetent one’s banishment. Then, you plan to restore him to his position as heir, while you yourself wield power as his unrivaled retainer. Thinking of it this way, your current absurd claims make sense!”
Hearing this, Goz finally furrowed his brow and objected.
“Wait, Minister. That’s slander. Even if I were to use petty tricks to bring back the immature Lord Sora, everything would be for naught once the trial ceremony is held. There’s no way I would engage in such an obvious deception.”
“Indeed, no sane person would attempt such a transparent ploy. But are you truly in your right mind now? You claim that someone who couldn’t last even a moment against the Dragon Fang soldiers has, in just five years, gained enough strength to defeat you, the third-ranked warrior of the First Banner, and two other Blue Forest warriors. Moreover, you say this happened after he unleashed his inner existence. And if that weren’t enough, you claim he slayed a dragon, the king of Mythical beings. This is worse than a child’s made-up story. It’s hardly the words of a sane person.”
Gilmore boasted, suggesting they put it to a vote right then and there.
Present at this gathering were the clan head, Misturugi Shikibu, along with the four ministers – Minister of Civil Affairs, Minister of Works, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Military Affairs – as well as the eight banner chiefs and eight vice-chiefs who lead the Eight Banners of the Blue Forest.
Gilmore was proposing to ask these individuals, who represent the essence of the Misturugi family’s civil and military affairs, whether Goz-Shima was of sound mind or not. He could make such a confident proposal because Goz’s report was so unbelievable and unacceptable.
For Gilmore, this was an excellent opportunity to strip Goz of his position as Minister of Military Affairs and insert one of his own clan members into the vacant seat. The Beruhi family already held two of the four minister positions – Civil Affairs and Justice. If they could secure the Military Affairs position as well, the Beruhi family’s power in Onigashima would become unshakeable. Naturally, his tongue moved even faster in an attempt to discredit Goz.
While Goz and Gilmore were engaged in this verbal exchange, those around them remained neutral observers, siding with neither.
Although many harbored resentment towards Gilmore for his strong desire for power and his attempts to control family affairs by borrowing the authority of the clan head, they were also hesitant to support Goz’s seemingly far-fetched report. This sentiment was written on the faces of all those gathered.
Naturally, all eyes turned to the clan head, Shikibu, seated at the place of honor.
Only someone of equal rank to the four ministers or the lord himself could arbitrate this dispute between the Ministers of Civil Affairs and Military Affairs.
Perhaps sensing the gazes of his retainers, or perhaps having intended all along to let the two have their say before taking control of the conversation, the current Sword Saint quietly opened his mouth.
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“Goz, I have one question for you.”
As Shikibu began to speak, both Goz and Gilmore straightened their postures and bowed their heads where they sat.
“Yes, anything you wish to ask.”
“In your battle in Canaria, were you fighting seriously?”
Of course, I fought with all my might – Goz was about to answer this way but hesitated.
After a moment’s pause, Goz formed his words while recalling that battle in his mind.
“I fought intending to bring Lord Sora before you, my lord. Therefore, I cannot say that I fought him as I would fight a demon from the Demon Gate.”
He hadn’t intended to take Sora’s life. He couldn’t even bring himself to view Sora as an enemy in his heart.
As Sora’s tutor, he had looked after him since infancy. There was no way he could direct genuine hostility or killing intent towards him.
However, even so, he certainly hadn’t held back.
“With that said, I must report: I fought Lord Sora seriously and was defeated, my lord.”
“…I see.”
Shikibu nodded once at Goz’s reply and then closed his eyes.
Sora had made a demand to the Misturugi family – to never again lay hands on the Oni people. Shikibu was likely contemplating how to respond to this demand.
Goz waited respectfully for his lord’s answer.
He didn’t know what answer Shikibu would give. Since the matter involved the Oni people, he wouldn’t simply accept Sora’s demand without question. However, if he wanted to eliminate Suzume, he would have to fight Sora.
To defeat the current Sora would require allocating a significant portion of the island’s forces. For the Misturugi family, which continues to face the threat of the Demon Gate, this was a situation they wanted to avoid if at all possible. Moreover, even if they defeated Sora, the only gain would be Suzume alone.
There was no need to hunt Suzume at the risk of endangering Onigashima’s defenses. Goz hoped that Shikibu would make this judgment.
Although his reunion with Sora in the Canaria Kingdom had only left behind bitter consequences, he felt that with time, they might be able to have a different conversation.
Even if Suzume had been possessed by an Oni god, he was confident that the current Sora could handle it without issue.
However, Goz had one concern. There was a way to minimize the forces needed to defeat Sora.
Namely, a solo subjugation mission.
In the current Misturugi family, there were at least three individuals capable of such a feat.
Goz glanced at the front. In his field of vision were the clan head, Misturugi Shikibu, and the two swordsmen seated to his left and right, as if protecting him.
Seated on the right was Diart Beruhi, the chief of the First Banner, with skin as white as snow and long black hair that could be mistaken for a woman’s.
Seated on the left was Shukuya Kumon, the vice-chief of the First Banner, with dark brown skin and dull-colored hair reminiscent of iron.
Despite their contrasting appearances, both were swordsmen of unparalleled skill. Even in this gathering of the Blue Forest’s elite Eight Banners, this description remained undisputed.
It was said that if they hadn’t been born in the same era as the rare genius Misturugi Shikibu, either of them would have certainly reached the position of Sword Saint.
The clan head Shikibu, and the two under his command hailed as unrivaled – these three could potentially defeat Sora single-handedly. This was the source of Goz’s anxiety.
Goz, Gilmore, and the other retainers held their breath, waiting for Shikibu’s instructions.
At this moment, there was one person who moved without waiting for the clan head’s instructions. It was Klimt, who had been standing behind Goz.
In this setting, only the clan head, the four ministers, and the chiefs and vice-chiefs of the Blue Forest Eight Banners had the right to speak. Others were allowed to observe but not to voice their own opinions.
This rule applied even to the heir of the main family. Misturugi Raguna had been gritting his teeth and tightly gripping his hakama, restraining himself from speaking.
In such a meeting, Klimt raised his voice desperately towards the clan head.
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