The Helipad within the Mori castle was a flurry of activity as Daniel's VTOL descended with a powerful roar, its jet engines whirring to a halt above the designated landing area. The sleek metallic structure of the VTOL glinted in the sunlight as it gently touched down on the landing pad, sending a rush of wind across the area.
As the engines powered down, the side door of the VTOL slid open, revealing Daniel, Koyuki, and Tomoe stepping out onto the helipad. Daniel, clad in a traditional black formal kimono, exuded an air of confidence as he led the way, followed closely by Koyuki, who wore a serene expression, and Tomoe, who looked around with Vigilance.
The surrounding castle walls loomed tall, casting shadows across the helipad, while the distant sound of samurai training echoed in the air. Servants and guards bustled about, ensuring everything was in order for the arrival of their esteemed guests.
Despite the bustling activity, there was a sense of tranquility in the air, as if the castle itself acknowledged the significance of this moment. Daniel glanced around, taking in the sight of the castle grounds, while Koyuki smiled softly, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of belonging.
In front of the trio, a stern-looking old man in a black suit approached, accompanied by a gorgeous, mature woman who followed him with a warm smile, eagerly rushing over to embrace Koyuki.
"Mom!" Koyuki exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.
"Koyuki-chan!" her mother replied, their embrace a testament to their deep bond, while Daniel observed with a gentle smile.
The old man turned his stern gaze towards Daniel. "You must be the blasted foreigner who successfully courted my great-granddaughter," he said, his tone carrying a hint of haughtiness.
"I am Daniel Emberweave," Daniel replied respectfully, bowing towards the old man. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Mori," he added, unfazed by the old man's demeanor.
The old man scrutinized Daniel from head to toe before nodding in satisfaction, noting Daniel's attire of traditional kimono, a gesture that seemed to earn him approval in the old man's eyes.
"Very good! You've just arrived! Why don't you come with us to the guest room and rest first? We can discuss matters there," the old man suggested, leading the way alongside Koyuki's mother and the trio towards the guest room, situated near the Zen garden within the castle.
As they entered the serene Zen garden, the atmosphere shifted from the bustling activity of the castle to a tranquil oasis of calm. Delicate cherry blossom trees swayed gently in the breeze, their blossoms scattering petals like confetti upon the meticulously raked gravel pathways. Stone lanterns dotted the landscape, casting a soft, ethereal glow as evening descended upon the castle.
The guest room, nestled amidst the verdant greenery of the garden, exuded an air of understated elegance. Sliding shoji screens adorned with intricate patterns allowed dappled sunlight to filter into the room, creating a serene ambiance. Tatami mats lined the floor, offering a traditional touch to the otherwise modern furnishings.
Seichuro Mori, the old man, gestured towards the seating area, where plush cushions adorned with embroidered cherry blossoms awaited their guests. A low table, intricately carved with motifs of nature, stood at the center, upon which a pot of steaming green tea awaited them.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Seichuro said graciously, but his haughty tone was still there, his stern demeanor softening slightly in the tranquil surroundings. "I've had the room prepared for your rest. Koyuki-chan, my dear, you must be tired from your journey. Blasted foreigners!, I trust you will find everything to your liking."
"Grandfather, his name is Daniel... Please address him properly, don't make a scene," Mayumi, Koyuki's mother, admonished the old man as she sighed tiredly.
"I'll call him whatever I want! Even if I want to call him a dog foreigner, he still needs to accept it! Who told him to snatch my precious great granddaughter!" The old man exploded with unreasonable logic.
Inside the box was a fiercely red samurai armor with a mask, its steel shining even brighter than the best armor in Seichuro's possession. Next to it stood a katana, equally magnificent. The set was clearly precious.
"Both the armor and katana were forged and designed by me," Daniel explained. "They were created from adamantine, making them nearly indestructible, with the power to absorb kinetic energy only slightly lower than that of power armor, since this set has no machine parts. It can even repair itself if damaged."
"This is my gift to you, Great grandfather-in-law. And this..." Daniel produced a small dagger with clockwork on its handle guard and placed it in front of Mayumi. "This dagger holds power over time. It can't stop time, but it can provide you with an experience akin to time stopping."
Card: Clockwork Stiletto
Picture: The dagger was crafted from a rare blue steel, emitting a faint blue aura that surrounded it. Its handle was adorned with intricate details and embedded with a small, vintage clockwork mechanism that appeared to be ticking away, imbuing the blade with a mysterious and powerful energy.
Rarity: Epic Rare
Type: Artifact - Equipment
Mana Cost: 4 Non-Element
Description:
Equip Creature Get +1/+0
[First Strike]
When Attack, Can Distribute attack power to any target.
When Block, Can choose to block more than 1 target.
Flavor text: This dagger may not be powerful enough to stop time altogether, but it does possess the ability to control the flow of time in a way that suits the wielder's desires.
"I wasn't sure what you might like, and as a woman, I wasn't sure if an armor and katana set would be appropriate, so I thought this dagger would be more suitable in terms of usability.
Even though its power may not be as formidable as the katana gift I just presented to Great grandfather-in-law, its ability to manipulate time could potentially save your life in many dangerous situations," Daniel explained.
"And, I've come here today to formally ask for Koyuki's hand in marriage. I seek both of your blessings for our union. Please grant me this," Daniel said with a warm smile as he held Koyuki's hand, causing her to blush beside him.