Tap tap! ×2
The sound of two pairs of footsteps echoed clearly through the room, producing a faint, eerie resonance. Ei walked in front, with the Shogun following closely behind. As for Ei, she paid no heed to the fallen samurai guards on either side—walking as if across level ground.
"Stop—!!" ×N
The remaining guards on both sides caught sight of the intruders in their peripheral vision and instinctively raised their weapons to block the way. But when they recognized Ei's face, their movements froze, their expressions draining of color.
Sh-Shogun-sama?!
In an instant, all the fight left them. They stepped aside silently, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. Would the Shogun punish them afterward? If so, their lives were as good as over!
Regret filled their hearts. As Ei passed by, they could feel their hearts pounding harder and harder—like the footsteps of death itself passing them by.
"..."
Yet Ei didn't even glance their way, walking past without a word. The guards exhaled shakily, grateful to still be standing.
"Shogun-sama!!"
Inside the chamber, the head of the Takatsukasa Clan—Takatsukasa Susumu—who had been facing off with Kujou Kamaji, visibly paled at the sight of Ei's sudden arrival. His heartbeat skipped, his composure evaporated, and even his words trembled faintly. Yes—he was hiding something.
Why is the Shogun here... and at this moment?! Did someone leak information?!
"..."
Ei stopped before the two men, her cold gaze sweeping silently between them.
"Shogun-sama... why are you—"
"Explain to me the situation here, descendant of the Takatsukasa Clan."
Before Kamaji could finish, Ei cut him off, her voice calm yet commanding. The weight of authority in her tone was suffocating. Her violet eyes turned slowly toward Takatsukasa Susumu, making his body flinch involuntarily.
She hadn't called him by name—she didn't need to. All that mattered was that he was of the Takatsukasa Clan. That was enough.
The atmosphere dropped instantly to freezing point. No one dared to speak—only the sound of nervous breathing filled the heavy silence.
"W-We were merely discussing some recent... minor issues within the Tenryou Commission. Hardly worth troubling you, Shogun-sama."
Takatsukasa Susumu forced a weak smile, but his voice lacked conviction. Ei, of course, noticed immediately.
"For such 'minor issues,' you chose such a secret location—and even stationed ronin and Fatui mercenaries outside as guards?"
Ei crossed her arms, her gaze sharp enough to pierce through him, her tone growing colder with every word.
"T-That's because... uh... there has been some unrest lately, so we had to consider—"
"Silence."
Her cutting voice shattered his excuse before he could finish. The violet light in her eyes burned with deadly intensity, her gaze as chilling as death itself.
!!
That single, commanding "Silence" made everyone in the room—Kamaji, Susumu, and even the guards—tremble violently, instinctively stepping back a pace.
Clatter...
A soldier standing behind them, startled by her tone, lost his grip—his weapon clattered to the floor. No one dared to turn or move; even their breathing became shallow.
"..."
The Shogun herself didn't speak either. No—she couldn't. In that moment, her mother's aura was overwhelming—far beyond her own. Truly... this was the woman she'd heard about. The reason she never wanted to see Ei angry in the first place. Even the Guuji had once warned her—Ei's fury was something to be feared.
"Descendant of the Kujou Clan. Speak."
Ignoring everyone else's terrified expressions, Ei turned away from the Takatsukasa head and looked instead to Kujou Kamaji. She'd lived for thousands of years—did they really think she couldn't read people? She could see their guilt and deceit as clearly as the lightning she wielded.
"Y-Yes... haah... I came here with the intent to negotiate. But what they wanted... was merely a confession of guilt from the Kujou Clan."
Kamaji exhaled slowly, steadying himself before speaking with clear thought.
"...A confession?" Ei repeated in a low voice.
"Yes... a written statement admitting to all of the Kujou Clan's wrongdoings since the Vision Hunt Decree—including all recent failures in duty."
Kamaji lowered his head slightly, guilt flickering in his eyes like that of a sinner awaiting judgment.
"Hmph... everything stated was factual—there were no fabrications or falsehoods."
Takatsukasa Susumu, however, showed no remorse. He refused to back down, clinging stubbornly to his defense.
"True, perhaps. But in that so-called confession, you repeatedly emphasized the Takatsukasa Clan's 'heroic contributions,' claiming that your house remained calm in crisis and tried to 'turn the tide.' What utter nonsense. Back then, your clan cowered like ostriches, hiding their heads while chaos reigned. 'Turning the tide'? A laughable fiction."
Kamaji's rebuttal was sharp and unwavering.
"Who dares say that?! How could you suddenly twist your words and betray our agreement?!"
Takatsukasa Susumu's composure faltered.
"I'm only stating the truth. Shogun-sama will judge clearly for herself. The Takatsukasa Clan merely wishes to seize this chance to paint themselves in a favorable light—seeking to replace the Kujou Clan entirely."
"You—!"
"Otherwise... why would you insist on inserting such fabrications into a confession meant for the Kujou Clan? And even go as far as to imprison me, forcing me to sign?!"
He gave the other man no chance to respond, controlling the conversation completely. Sweat poured down Susumu's temples.
"Y-You... what are you talking about?! Who imprisoned you?! This was a negotiation! Don't you dare slander me—!"
The Shogun glanced toward Ei, curious. Her mother stood with eyes closed, silent and unreadable, as if deep in thought.
"I understand the situation now."
Ei finally opened her eyes and spoke.
"Shogun-sama... don't listen to this man's lies! He's trying to deceive you! Surely you know how grave the Kujou Clan's crimes were?! You can't believe a single word he says!"
Takatsukasa Susumu's tone grew desperate—his voice rising in panic.
And yet... you are the one not to be believed.
The Shogun thought silently to herself, though she couldn't tell what Ei was thinking.
"Hmph. Your petty disputes don't concern me. But, descendant of the Takatsukasa Clan... you seek the position of head of the Tenryou Commission, do you not?"
Ei's tone shifted to one of calm indifference, ignoring their bickering entirely. Her focus cut straight to the heart of his ambition.
"?"
The Shogun turned slightly toward her, puzzled by her sudden change in tone, trying to guess what her mother was planning.
"Uh! Y-Yes! To dedicate my life to Shogun-sama—that is the eternal pursuit of every servant of the Tenryou Commission!"
Takatsukasa Susumu stumbled at first but quickly realized—was this his chance? If the Shogun acknowledged him, all his scheming would pay off. Seizing the opportunity, he began flattery with eager fervor.
Ei, however, lowered her crossed arms, her slender hands—adorned with faint lavender polish—resting gracefully at her sides. Her tone softened ever so slightly, yet carried a different kind of weight.
"There's no need for such trouble. After all, I am the one who appoints the head of the Tenryou Commission."
The Shogun sighed inwardly, already anticipating what was coming next. A trace of helpless resignation crossed her features. As expected.
Ei raised her gaze, locking eyes with Takatsukasa Susumu.
"If someone can defeat me in a duel, he shall become the next head of the Tenryou Commission."
Her arms folded once more, violet eyes flashing with disdain.
So you want to be Tenryou Commissioner? You wish to dedicate your life to me?
Then fight me—and let's see if you can truly give your life for it.
Ei's expression turned coldly amused as she issued her challenge.
"W-What... duel with Shogun-sama?!"
Upon hearing those words, Takatsukasa Susumu's face went pale. Duel... with her? Impossible! Wouldn't that be suicide?!
He couldn't understand why such a duel was even necessary. The very thought filled him with confusion and dread.
"The very first head of the Tenryou Commission proved his will to me through the blade in his hand. That is how the Kujou Clan earned its legacy."
Ei folded her arms, speaking slowly as she recounted the origins of the Kujou family's founder—the one who first stood before her and earned her recognition through sheer resolve.
"..."
Kujou Kamaji lifted his gaze, his expression firming as something within him stirred—a growing conviction, as if a long-buried resolve had just awoken.
"If you wish me to acknowledge a new name, then naturally, you must undergo my trial once more."
Her violet eyes shifted toward Takatsukasa Susumu, the cold focus of her gaze landing upon him. That look alone made his scalp prickle and a chill run down his spine.
"T-This..."
He hesitated, his courage faltering. His head lowered slightly as his trembling hand gripped the hilt of his sword.
At that moment, even drawing his blade felt impossible—as if the hilt weighed a thousand pounds. No matter how he tried, it would not move. The grand promises he had just made—all forgotten. Only fear remained. The fear of death. The fear of pain.
"Do you not know swordsmanship? Or have you simply grown too old and frail to believe in yourself anymore?"
Ei's voice was calm but cutting, her words echoing through the tense air. Weren't you the one who vowed to dedicate your life to me? Where is that conviction now?
"I... I—"
His hands trembled violently, his voice failing him completely.
"..."
Ei looked at those shaking hands and sighed softly, disappointment flickering in her eyes.
"All that talk about devoting your life to me... yet you can't even face my blade?"
"Ugh... I... I—"
Cold sweat poured down Susumu's face. His body shook uncontrollably, no matter how desperately he tried to calm himself. His fear had already overridden his will.
"Haa... very well, then. What about the rest of you?"
Ei's gaze swept away from him, landing on everyone present. Aside from the Shogun herself, everyone in the room was now the subject of her challenge.
Yes—she was asking all of them.
"Regardless of family or allegiance—be it Takatsukasa or anyone else—if one of you can defeat me, that person shall become the next head of the Tenryou Commission."
Her clear, cold voice filled the chamber, echoing off the walls. It was melodic and beautiful, yet in their ears it sounded like a death sentence. The response was exactly as expected—silence. Every man lowered his head, not one daring to speak or even breathe loudly.
"..."
The Shogun glanced toward Ei, her expression complicated.
"Ei—"
But just as she was about to speak—someone else's voice cut through the silence.
"I wish to challenge you, Shogun-sama!"
Kujou Kamaji's voice rang out, clear and resolute.
"!" ×N
All eyes turned toward him at once, their faces frozen in shock. Even the Shogun blinked in surprise, staring at the bespectacled young man before her who appeared anything but formidable.
She hadn't expected him to be the one to accept Ei's challenge.
Kujou Kamaji... of all people.
"W-What—?!"
Takatsukasa Susumu's eyes went wide in disbelief as he turned to Kamaji. Was this man insane?! Did he have a death wish?! That was the Shogun herself—how could he possibly stand against her?!
"Descendant of the Kujou Clan, even if you were to defeat me, it would not erase your family's past crimes."
Ei's gaze rested on Kamaji, her tone solemn. In her eyes, this was merely his attempt at redemption—but sin was not something that could be so easily washed away.
"No, I don't believe I have any chance of victory. I know well that our clan head's crimes cannot be forgiven. The Kujou Clan's legacy within the Tenryou Commission... has rightfully come to an end."
Kamaji's words were calm and sincere—his understanding of their situation painfully clear. The weight of his family's sins was not something that could be undone in a single lifetime. And besides... how could someone like him ever hope to defeat the Shogun herself?
"..."
Ei said nothing at first. Her amethyst eyes narrowed slightly, signaling for him to continue.
"When the Vision Hunt Decree was being enforced, I always doubted my father's intentions. I felt that... we, the Kujou Clan, were doing something terribly wrong."
"But I only ever doubted. Even though I understood everything... I did nothing. I saved no one."
Kujou Kamaji looked down at his hands. They trembled—not from fear, but from frustration, sorrow, and pain.
"The downfall of the Kujou Clan as it stands now... is my punishment. It's not that I failed to achieve anything—it's that I never even tried!"
His voice rose sharply, his words filled with self-loathing.
"To put it harshly, with your strength... you couldn't have done much anyway."
Ei's words struck him coldly—merciless but honest.
Yet Kamaji didn't falter. Instead, he smiled bitterly, recognizing the truth in her words.
"Yes... within the clan, my power was insignificant. My father never listened to me, my elder brother couldn't help, and even Sara far surpasses me. Sigh... sometimes even Ittetsu scolds me. It's always been that way!"
His teeth clenched tightly. His trembling hands slowly curled into fists—a sign of newfound resolve.
"But at least now! In these final moments of the Kujou Clan, I am its acting head!! I bear the same duties my father once did!!"
He struck his chest with his fist, his expression firm, his eyes shining with steel-like determination. Both Ei and the Shogun behind her noticed that light.
"As you said, Shogun-sama... my ancestor proved his will through the sword."
Step... step...
The brave young man took a step forward, facing Ei directly.
"Then please—allow me, Kujou Kamaji, to end it the same way!"
His hands tightened once more into fists.
"This is my last... chance to actually do something!"
"..." ×N
When he finished speaking, the room fell utterly silent. No one dared to move or even breathe. Takatsukasa Susumu stood frozen in disbelief.
"..."
Ei remained quiet, as though lost in thought.
"Ei..."
"?"
Hearing the soft, familiar voice beside her, Ei tilted her head slightly.
"Why not let him try?"
The Shogun's tone was gentle, yet firm. Her eyes met Kamaji's—filled with subtle approval.
Kamaji, hearing her words, looked visibly moved. He turned back to Ei, determination unwavering.
Ei's gaze returned to him, steady and unflinching.
"Even though... it may be meaningless?"
She asked quietly.
"Even so... please, grant me this chance!"
As expected, his resolve didn't waver. His eyes burned with conviction.
...Very well.
"Haa... I accept. Step forward."