Chapter 44 — The First Night

​Jay was alone in his room, reflecting on the day's diplomatic traps.

​「This just got difficult.」

​A gentle knock came from the door.

​「Um... Are you awake, Jay?」 Rina asked.

​「Yah.」

​「May... May I enter?」

​「Sure. If you keep standin' there, people will think the worst.」

​「Oh, you're right. ...Then she went into the room...」

​Jay noticed her attire immediately.

​【She's wearing all white, so what I found out earlier must be related to this.】 「You OK?」

​「Yah. ...Sits next to him... I'm OK... Um, I have a question.」

​「Yah, sure. What is it?」

​「Wha-what am I to you?」

​Jay abruptly shifted, laying her down gently on the bed, his demeanor instantly serious.

​「Whaaa...」

​「...Serious... What do you want to be?」

​「...Blushes... I want to be your lover.」

​「You know that I found out if I say no, you'll have to marry the other guy?」

​「...A little sad... Yah, I know.」

​「And you don't want that, right?」

​「Y-yah. I don't want to marry into that family, so please, Jay... Save me!」

​「You know if I...」

​Rina cut him off, making the final, desperate move.

​「Just shut up and f*ck me, Jay!」

​Jay chuckled, his demeanor warming with approval for her boldness.

​「That's the type of woman I want you to be from now. After this, be bold, confident, and be mine. Got that?」

​「OK, I will. ...Jay kisses her...」

​「Strip. And from there on, you follow my instructions. No complaints. Got it?」

​「【Seems like he'll turn me and my body to his liking. I'm truly happy.】 OK.」

​30 Minutes Later...

​Rina snuggled close to Jay.

​「【I did it! I finally belong to Jay!】 You know, we could've gone for much longer.」

​「I know, buh that was enough of a show for the spy that was watching us.」

​「...Shocked... So you sensed him, too, huh?」

​「Yah, I did. ...Laughs... Seems like tomorrow will be lively.」

​「...Giggles... Yah, it will.」

​The Next Day...

​Shogun Sazuki faced Jay, his expression stern.

​「You must know why I summoned you here, right?」

​「100%.」

​Iris groaned, leaning against the wall.

​「...Yawns... Can you two get it over with? Some of us still need to sleep.」

​「What's wrong with you?」 Jay asked.

​Lisa explained their sleepless night.

​「Lena and Cara woke us up sayin' we were going to be attacked by a group of ninjas, so we fought them.」

​「I see. So Iris and Saalin decided to sleep in shifts with Lena and Cara.」

​「Yah, they did.」

​Jay smiled, looking at his daughters, who were already sleepy.

​「You two did good. We'll be shoppin' a lot later, OK?」

​「OK. ...Yawns...」Cara replied.

​「Maybe after our nap.」 Lena mumbled.

​「Yah, sleep up. ...Then Lena and Cara fell asleep... OK, Mr. Sazuki, why did you call me here?」

​Sazuki got straight to the point, his voice tight with controlled anger.

​「What's this I hear about you and Rina sleepin' together? ...Then everyone was shocked...」

​「I told you yesterday, didn't I? She's fit to carry a baby.」

​Kentarou, Rina's brother, exploded.

​「You dog!」

​Kentarou lunged, attacking Jay, but Rina moved faster, intercepting the blow and cutting Kentarou's katana clean in half.

​「Calm yourself!」

​「...Shocked... How, how did you get so strong?!」

​Jay leaned back casually.

​「Oh, trust me, that month we spent gettin' here wasn't just for sight-seeing.」

​Rina held up her own new blade proudly.

​「And Jay is an excellent blacksmith who can work with Mythril and Wyvern scales without destroying it in the process! ...Then everyone gasped...」

​「And that's Rina's new blade. I call it Crimson Sakura.」

​Kentarou’s rage twisted into greedy calculation.

​【I need to get such a blade for myself.】 「I see, Jay-dono—」

​Jay cut him off instantly.

​「Not happening. Rina told me about the faction you support that's tryna overthrow the current Shogun. My blades are made for those who'd do anything to protect their family. ...Glares at Kentarou... No way in hell I'm givin' one to scum who plans on killin' his father! Leave my sight, you disgust me!」

​Kentarou’s mother, Ruka, looked devastated.

​「Kentarou, no!」

​「Kentarou, tell me, does he speak the truth?」 Sazuki demanded.

​「I-it's clearly a blatant lie he's telling!」 Kentarou stammered.

​「You are married to Orochi's daughter and wanted to marry your sister off to his son, but due to the tradition, you would've paid her suitors to act weaker than her. Buh, your father heard of the man who killed the Tyrant Wyvern with one strike and told her to find me so I can prove if the rumors are true. After she saw me fight in Lakers and that mountain I destroyed yesterday, she took it upon herself to do what has to be done, which is why we're here today!」 Jay exposed the entire plot.

​Orochi thrashed, enraged.

​「Tsh! Why you do involve me in this foreigner?!」

​「...Grins... It's simple, you old bastard! You're the one spearheading this other faction, hopin' to gain control of this country's secret weapon. Buh it states only those of royal blood can use the weapon your country has been hidin'. Too bad for you, it's gone! ...Then everyone was shocked...」

​「TRAITOR!!!」 Orochi screamed at Rina.

​「Says the one who's trying to take my descendants' birthright away from them!」 Rina retorted.

​「Jay, is what you say true?」 Sazuki asked, his voice shaking.

​「Yes. Now, I can fix it. Heck, if I wanted to, I can make that piece of junk a real danger to sorcerers and mages everywhere. But ...Looks at Orochi and Kentarou... you know what you have to do if you want me to fix it.」

​Sazuki's eyes were cold and decisive.

​「I see. Guards! This is a Royal Decree! Capture General Orochi, Kentarou, and all their followers! They are to be executed!」

​「Yes, Shogun! ...Then they caught Orochi and Kentarou...」

​「Father, please! This is nonsense!」 Kentarou pleaded.

​「SILENCE! I've been too lenient on you for being my son, but I'll have to make an example of you to show Iishin not even the Shogun's family is safe from judgement. ...Looks at Jay... Thank you for opening my eyes, Jay.」

​「Don't worry about it. I start workin' on it tomorrow.」

​「Thank you. And can I ask for another favor?」

​Jay gave a sinister grin.

​「Don't worry about it. I'll round up those scum for you. ...Stands up... Give me four hours. ...Then he disappeared...」

​「Err... So he can use Ninjutsu too?」 Sazuki asked, stunned.

​「Yah, he's a man of many talents.」 Rina confirmed, utterly content.