Chapter 85.3

Chapter 85.3

'Hahaha!' A massive pheasant bird, occupying a seat in the assembly hall, bowed deeply and turned its gaze towards me. The voice belonged to Onitsuki Uemon, the leader of the Eastern Strike Force. The pheasant haughtily looked down at me once before surveying the room and beginning its speech as if singing.

It outlined many events of the recent tumult: the fact that I had released the Ezo, had gone to Hotoya village with the Ezo, and even invited the Ezo to come through Hina. Some were true while others were misunderstandings; and some contained information that I myself had been unaware of.

'...Ahem, these are the details of the recent tumult in Hotoya village,' Uemon concluded, ending his long explanation.

At the same time, the room became restless. Those around me whispered to each other, feigning indifference, while others stared at me with skepticism or hostility. Yuusei restrained them and spoke, slowly opening his mouth.

"Hina. Will you explain this recent tumult?"

"Of course. Everything that happened was due to my orders," Hina responded calmly and immediately.

Once again the assembly hall stirred at Hina's detached words. I too remained silent but was inwardly shocked at what she had just said.

"Actually, it all started with my thoughtless and rash actions," Hina says in a simple way as if she is reporting.

She told everyone that she had given orders to the servant regarding the punitive expeditions in all directions. For the sake of her own personal ambition, she had attempted to steal the prey.

Her subordinates had caught the wrong criminals, mistakenly capturing Ezo criminal in Hotoya village. To make matters worse, a merchant's daughter who was completely unrelated to the situation was caught as well. Furthermore, that Ezo had important information.

'But, Princess Hina. If what the Ezo said is true, wouldn't it be best to first report to the Head of the Hidden Group? And there is no need for violent action that would harm the Hidden Group by the servant, isn't there?' One of the attendees, or more precisely, the proxy, a sparrow's shikigami, interjected on Hina's explanation with a question.

(This voice... is it Yajima?)

Onitsuki Yajima, father of Onitsuki Ayaka, is one of the heads of the Onitsuki branch of the Onitsuki family, the Kinugasa Onitsuki family. He did not appear in the original game, but his existence was depicted in the novel and manga versions as one who became depressed after losing his daughter. By the way, in the novel version, he fought the youkai who invaded the mansion and was overwhelmed by their numbers, while in the manga version, he had his spiritual power abilities stolen and was cut down by Darth Tamaki along with several others. As I recall, he was appointed as the leader of the West Strike Force, which is probably the reason why he participated in the meeting using a simplified form of shikigami.

"Lord Yajima (-dono)'s doubt is reasonable, and it is also due to my instructions."

'What is the reason?'

"As for the neutralization of the Hidden Group, it's partly because I feared that I wouldn't be able to obtain the approval of the head of the hidden groups." The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

'What do you mean?'

The Pheasant Shikigami became obviously unhappy at Hina's words. However, Hina continued her statement calmly, ignoring her uncle's gaze like a gentle breeze.

"There was a risk that the captured Ezo might try to trick the merchant's daughter with eye techniques or word techniques, and I could not imagine allowing a blindfolded and gagged meeting with the daughter of the trading company. Furthermore, I had already conveyed the news of the criminal's arrest to the local governor... For these reasons, I judged that there was little likelihood that the head of the Hidden group would accept the proposal."

I never imagined that I would be asked a question and was momentarily slow to react, but I managed to respond dutifully as a servant. Yuusei nodded at the answer.

"Indeed. A servant is a tool. Who would punish a tool? Then it would be ridiculous to punish a servant. What does the head of the lower-ranking servants think?"

Yuusei's gaze shifted to the horned owl shikigami, Onitsuki Shisui's trusted sidekick.

The horned owl paused for a moment, considering his answer carefully. 'Indeed, that is quite a reasonable point,' he finally spoke up, the calmness in his voice belying the complicated politics at play.

Some people in the room nodded in agreement, while others groaned in dissatisfaction.

(Reasonable point, huh...)

As Shisui says, while Yuusei's remarks are logical, they are uncharacteristic of him. The man I know is a yandere who would not care how many others would be sacrificed for the sake of Hina.

"Does anyone have any objection? If so, let's hear them here," Yuusei asks to confirm. There are various expressions among the people present, some clearly dissatisfied, but no one speaks. After confirming the attendees for a moment, Yuusei nods.

"Very well. Let us conclude this matter. Both of you leave. ...Let us move on to the next topic."

The order was given for me and Hina to leave. Following the order, we leave the meeting room.

"......!"

In an instant, I make eye contact with Gorilla-sama. At the same time, she averts her gaze from me, looking uneasy.

(Hey, hey, is such a cute girl?...)

Wait, that's not the point. If she had been in her usual arrogant and insolent manner, she would have snickered at me for sure. So, if she had behaved like that, I would have been more worried about her. No, what did he actually do to her? Please stop, will he? Since we've transitioned to the original timeline, this could turn into something troublesome. I'm seriously puzzled as I walk down the hallway.

"Well then. Now for the next topic on the agenda, let's introduce our new family members..." said Yuusei with an air of seriousness.

Due to the closed sliding door as both Hina and I leave, I'm unable to hear the rest of the discussion by Onitsuki's attendees. It seems that soundproofing curse has been applied since this is a discussion room.

"......"

"......"

And at the same time, with no one watching, Hina and I silently stand alone in the residence's hallway.