Cruel World

Only one month after they entered the land of Nakanoi, the fruits of the plan finally played out. Yumi watched from the private room as there was a mixture of cheers and mourning across the town. Her place didn’t sit near the main road, so she lacked a good view. But it felt good to have everything wrapping up. ‘It’ll only be one more night now…’

Chapter 548 – Cruel World

Seiji marched at the head of the procession with the next three ranking men behind him. Further back out of sight were the dead along with the brothers. The town already knew everything that happened long before they returned, but they tried to keep the depressing aspects of their mission out of sight. And in a concealed carriage was the cousin that caused so much trouble.

Despite the loss of both heirs and war that took a noticeable toll on the citizens, they still looked quite happy. They cheered for the return of the men as well as him. This was a very different welcome than he was used to seeing before. In a way, he could get used to it if they were pleased with him. ‘They really set things up well. It’s a little weird… They don’t realize it, but they’re basically cheering a foreign invader on in subtly taking complete control of them. In the end, for the regular people things won’t change all that much. Since it’s not going to be a normal occupation they might even like it.’

It felt like a grim reminder that most of war was a handful of people at the top battling each other. If it never impacted the people below it’s almost invisible to them. If Seiji had his way, war wouldn’t touch this area, but he felt like that might be impossible. He didn’t know where Aya’s war would go next. The soldiers would have to fight, but if the citizens stayed safe then that was something.

Arriving at the main gate of the Nakanoi estate, the guards gladly opened the door to Seiji. All of the men inside the grounds all came to attention with his return. It felt like he had already claimed everything. The only thing that was missing at this point was the old man. ‘Maybe he’ll surprise us again and just hand it over without question. But that’d be too simple…’

Before he could even get off his horse, there were already minor Lords and others gathering around wanting to congratulate him on a success where the siblings failed. It was a little disgusting to see how little they cared about the brothers who died in their conquest. Though by the end, Yumi destroyed the reputation and trust of one and the other who could have succeeded only became a sad reminder of how cruel the world was. He never reached enough of a height to have any sort of genuine supporters.

The reality was Seiji knew if he died the next day they would move on. They only backed him because he was winning and had a strong standing. Everything that Nerine and Yumi built for him, they eagerly wanted a piece of until there was no longer value to be had in him. ‘I really hate politics…’

Once he could safely dismount, the mob swarmed him. A mixture of soldiers gathered wanting to thank him for saving them from Kichiro and greedy men trying to firm up relations. It was going to be a trying time for him.

It took more than an hour for him to be free of everyone enough to make it into the home of the elder, where he had been requested to report to immediately. The servant guided him through the halls, though he had been there before and left him waiting in a small room. ‘I wonder if he knows? Or if he’s just going to thank me.’

Seiji waited relieved to have some peace for once. Though the longer it went on the more it got a little awkward. He did make the old man wait a while, though there was nothing that he could do. And he was pretty certain Nakanoi knew that.

But he waited longer. It felt like it had been more time than the mob held him up, but time felt different inside. The wait ended though with the door opening sharply to the long face of the old man. Seiji quickly started to get up. “Lord Nakanoi, I’m—“

He lifted his hand to Seiji to stop him. Paused, the old man joined him at the table. Though Seiji hadn’t seen the look of a parent having lost his children, he imagined that was what he saw right now. This wasn’t the first time that he knew of their death, but seeing their bodies returned to him probably dug up new feelings.

It was difficult for him to tell if any of the emotions were directed at him. He did fail to keep them safe. In that respect, he could see there being a punishment. ‘Will things still play out according to Yumi’s plan? Can you predict a grieving parent?’ Seiji knew he shouldn’t have doubted Yumi at this point, since she got him this far, but she wasn’t seated across from him staring the man down. Being in the room was different.

“My Lord, I don’t…”

“It’s fine, Hajime.” He poured tea that the servant placed on the table and started to drink. “As a parent, you want to see them out live you and become better than yourself. But I know I failed them as a father.”

“But you can’t have—“

“No, I wasn’t there for them when they were children. I thought I could make up for lost time, but I can see I only drove a wedge between them.” He drank through most of the cup. “A lesson I pass to you, Hajime. When you have children don’t forget them.”

The longer the conversation went, the more difficult it became from Seiji. “I’ll remember it.” So far at least, he didn’t get the feeling that this was going to be a bad conversation. Though he could be waiting to take that swing later. Seiji remained on edge regardless.

“How did it happen?”

Seiji looked up into his eyes, seeing what the old man wanted. He heard messengers and rumors probably this whole time. There had been no witnesses to tell him. “Yes, my Lord.” Starting it seemed like it should be easy, but Seiji found it difficult to put into words.

“After several minor skirmishes with Lord Kichiro’s men, I met him out on the battlefield with most of his men having abandoned him. I sought a peaceful end to their conflict. But I sensed the anger in him still, so to keep Lord Masahiro safe, I asked that he remain in the rear guard where the men could protect him.

“I thought if they were apart it might keep tensions low. I spoke with Lord Kichiro asking him to see reason and end the fighting, but he was stubborn. It was about then that someone attacked Lord Masahiro from the tree line.

“At first, I wasn’t sure what happened, but knew something was wrong. When the message came to me, I confronted Lord Kichiro about it. He made no efforts to deny my accusations. He just laughed at me. I felt convinced that he had his brother killed and planned to avenge Lord Masahiro, but before I could do anything he was betrayed by his own men.

“Having killed their Lord, he committed suicide. After that I saw to uniting the men. All the fight had put a divide among them and it needed to be repaired. Once tensions calmed, I was able to make it back to Lord Masahiro. It had been an archer, they were skilled to make such a shot. I’m sorry, my Lord.” Seiji bowed his head before the man.

“I’m more to blame than you are, son. I wanted them to work together and get over this rivalry that they had. I thought this would be a good chance and I placed you in the middle of it to play mediator. You did the best of a terrible situation I placed you in.”

The old man stood up from the table and approached the window. “I’m more troubled by the fact that there’ll be a power grab for control of this after I die.” He then turned around to look at Seiji. “I would be, if it were not for the current situation.”

It was a pretty easy read for him even without having Yumi’s scripted plan setting it up. “I’m not that sort of person. I’m a soldier. I know how to lead men, not a whole clan.”

“You sell yourself short. Everyone likes you. You have a natural attraction that makes people gravitate towards you. That’s more important than anything. The rest comes with experience. You don’t think my father showed me how to lead did you? I had to learn on my own. Shows how that fared.”

“But still, I’m still mostly an outsider linked to a branch family.”

“No one at this point will question it. I have no heirs and the men love you. You’ll do fine.” He walked back to the table putting a hand on Seiji’s shoulder. “I’ll make the announcement tomorrow. They need stability. After that we can put everything behind us by ending this whole affair with Komagata.”

Yumi received the good news from Nerine. Seiji remained busy handling everything happening at the estate. They were finally at the final step. ‘This came together faster.’ It almost being over gave her some relief. It was a long con that she had played with the two of them. Though she felt that Nerine had her figured out. It at least worked on Seiji, who despite being better at picking up on things still couldn’t read through her mask.

Through the worry and doubt, she had made it. The first step she needed to take to bring herself to being an equal to Aya. It didn’t feel as far away as it was before. Though with the years she already had been through, she feared how long things would take.

But it was progress and Yumi accepted the victory. She began wrapping up things and packing up what little she had brought with her. Unless a curve ball came in the final hour, there was nothing left for her to do, but watch things play out as she arranged.

The final piece would be played at the execution of Komagata. Yumi attended in the shadows the conferring of authority to Seiji before the court. There were no objections thanks to the efforts that Takehiko made on their behalf. Once everything played out, the man would have his Lordship finally and secure his loyalty to Seiji.

With everything moving smoothly, the day of the execution came for Komagata. The man was a frail figure compared to what she had heard of him. Being on the run and prison didn’t treat him well. ‘Aya’s going to have to get over this one…plans change.’ She watched quietly with the safety of Seiji’s status now to protect her. No one questioned her and it wouldn’t be long before they came to understand.

Komagata was brought before the old man with two men guarding him and Seiji seated in the former heir spot. The old man stepped forward with a small distance between them. “I’ll give you one chance. Kill yourself and restore some shred of honor you might value or die at the hand of my blade.”

Everyone was a little surprised that he would still offer such a thing to someone that had been a coward. But it was the head of the clan’s decision to make. No one spoke out about the offer, but watched to see what he would do.

There was a long silence as Komagata said nothing. They weren’t sure if he was too scared to say anything, afraid of taking his own life or just stubborn. Yumi watched carefully already knowing what was happening and just wanted for the move.

“Well, answer me!”

A small voice came out of Komagata that no one could hear. The guards leaned in a little trying to know what he said. It was an instant and it was nearly all over. He fell against the guard and grabbed out the tanto from the man’s side. Now freed, he shouted at the old man as he charged, “Your land is mine! Die old man!”

A cough of blood came up as Komagata stared in shock as he quickly shook from the injury. Seiji and the guards all rushed at the moment he attacked, but didn’t make it in time. A second later Komagata collapsed to the ground in a pool of his own blood, a deep wound through his chest. Everyone stood up in shock at what they witnessed.

Seiji rushed over to the old man’s side to check on him. He was covered in blood, but it looked like it had been Komagata and not his own. The old man smiled to Seiji and patted him on the arm. “Serve them well, son.”

“Old man?”

Suddenly blood came out of his mouth, delayed from a wound that Komagata managed to get before being slain. His knees buckled as he dropped to the floor bracing himself with his hand keeping up a strong front the whole time.

Genuine pain came over Seiji’s face, having to watch the life fade away from the old man. “No, no! Old man! Don’t give up! Not now!” He looked over at the guards. “Get medicine, get the doctor, anyone now!” Chaos erupted quickly in the court. Even as he attempted to keep the man alive, he knew everything played out exactly how Yumi had planned. It was a futile effort, but he still tried. ‘Damn it…I thought I was prepared for this…I hate this world…’