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“Yeah. Is there something suspicious?”

The man receiving the report had an appearance that could only be described as bizarre. With a face painted white, eyebrows like dark spots, and lips that gleamed a vivid red as if he had applied lipstick, he looked quite peculiar.

Dressed in a well-fitted suit, the man gazed solemnly at the person reporting to him. The middle-aged man delivering the report slightly bowed and extended a document towards him, which the man arrogantly snatched up and began to read slowly.

“Hmm. Uchikawa Ryosuke.”

Uchikawa Ryosuke. 41 years old. Man. Politician.

The bizarrely made-up man started reading the document. The first page contained only a photo and a brief profile, but flipping to the second page revealed details about his lineage and clan, along with a fairly detailed account of his connections and political inclinations. However, as the pages turned, the detailed information gradually diminished, replaced by vague phrases like ‘~ presumed’ or ‘~ is thought to be.’

“Looks like the latter parts are lacking.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no. I’m not blaming you. Once you start climbing the center of power, how can you investigate thoroughly and gather detailed information? It’s natural for the intel to be like this. What I’m saying is, it’s just a bit disappointing.”

The man skimmed through the document before closing it and placing it on the desk. He then looked at the subordinate who reported to him and remarked.

“It’s suspicious, but with documents like this, I can’t gather much information. That’s what’s unfortunate.”

He let out a slight sigh while looking at his subordinate.

“Alright. The documents are like this. Now, what are your thoughts?”

“How can I… I worry that my limited insight may tarnish Professor Sanjiro’s reputation.”

“Hahaha. Such modesty from you! You’ve learned enough, and you’re proficient in your work, aren’t you? I don’t usually give much ear to others, but I listen to you because I trust you. Are you telling me that a top talent like you, a Harvard graduate, is comparable to those rascals from Tokyo University or Keio University who flaunt their connections? So, speak freely. I won’t kick you out just because you think your opinion is ridiculous.”

“Then I shall express the thoughts I’ve mulled over, no matter how foolish they may be. Please consider any shortcomings as merely the result of my own inadequacies and forgive me.”

The subordinate humbly expressed himself and began speaking to Professor Sanjiro.

“Recently, Elder Murata Ryuunosuke has started to display strange behaviors. Not alone, but alongside all the members of the swingers club he leads. The frequency of the club’s gatherings has significantly increased, and they aren’t inviting even general women, let alone celebrities. They have rented a villa in a secluded area and conduct their activities only with club members.”

“I see. That is strange. It’s not like he’s suddenly become a eunuch or joined some cult. People overflowing with lust don’t suddenly gather to engage in wholesome activities, right? That doesn’t add up. Besides, those people aren’t even known for having homosexual tendencies. Truly odd.”

“However, it’s been thoroughly kept under wraps what exactly they are doing. With measures against eavesdropping, spirit vision prevention, surveillance bans, and food spirits bans… It was so stringent that we could barely catch a glimpse inside using our onmyoji abilities. Even if the Public Security Investigation Agency stepped in, it would be challenging to gather information easily.”

“Yeah. It looks suspicious to anyone. Doesn’t it seem like they might be plotting some sort of treason? So I told you back then to look for anyone who might be a leak.”

“Indeed. So we began monitoring the club members and scrutinizing their every move without raising suspicion. Most of them move around with strong warriors as escorts, making it tough to keep tabs on them. Thus, the information we gathered was lacking… Nevertheless, we did find someone who could be a potential leak. That person is Uchikawa Ryosuke.”

“Yes, yes. I praised you greatly back then. So, enough of that praise, have you grown to a point where you won’t feel embarrassed?”

The subordinate, while remaining humble, confidently replied, “Indeed.”

“Alright. I’m listening.”

“Uchikawa Ryosuke is a person with a strong desire for power. He often makes related statements both in public and private. The president of a construction company, Agehta, said, ‘Unlike other politicians who show great interest in luxury and indulgence, if he feels that his treatment is inferior to those he considers below him, he erupts with rage.’ Furthermore, in public he has made several controversial remarks such as ‘The great people of Japan should move according to the will of their rulers,’ ‘Rulers are intelligent, and the majority of the populace is incompetent, so the words of the ruler are correct,’ and ‘The people are ignorant and must be led.'”

“Yes, it was written in the document.”

“Considering his other actions and words, Uchikawa Ryosuke exhibits a strong thirst for power and a fixation on his position. He yearns for a high rank and desires commensurate treatment, ready to soar high if luck favors him, but could fall endlessly if he grabs the wrong rope. Such individuals cannot endure the disgrace that comes from falling to the bottom. They lack the patience to endure and wait for their time.”

Professor Sanjiro nodded, as if agreeing with his subordinate’s words.

“Yet, Uchikawa Ryosuke was fortunate. He has established a connection to Elder Murata Ryuunosuke, who still wields significant influence in the political world.”

“Exactly.”

“However… it seems the slender thread he barely managed to grasp isn’t to his liking.”

“Not to his liking? Hmm, Elder Murata Ryuunosuke possesses no trivial connections.”

“Of course, in terms of power, it’s an unrivaled lifeline. As long as he holds on, he won’t fall—an absolutely golden opportunity. But once it shifts into the realm of personal life, the story changes a bit.”

“Personal life, huh? Surely a man wouldn’t abhor having many women, could it be that Elder Murata Ryuunosuke has developed a taste for homosexuality?”

The subordinate slightly bowed his head at Professor Sanjiro’s words and replied.

“That possibility could very well exist, but regrettably, it seems that isn’t the case. It appears that he engages in something… even more abnormal.”

“Abnormal, you say? Could it be drugs? Not too long ago, while sifting through the discarded documents of the Metropolitan Police Department, I confirmed that some drugs have filtered through to Elder Murata Ryuunosuke.”

“That is indeed one possibility…”

The subordinate paused for a moment. Seeing this, Professor Sanjiro chuckled.

“Don’t leave me hanging like that on important matters! Speak up! This isn’t the time to be coy like when you’re trying to woo women. Speak clearly, man!”

Encouraged by Professor Sanjiro, the subordinate finally opened his mouth.

“I apologize. It’s just… it’s so outrageous that I find it hard to say.”

“Outrageous, you say? Spill it! Didn’t I just say I’d trust the mind of a talent from Harvard? Unlike those Tokyo University or Keio fools, I will take your words seriously, no matter how absurd they sound. So go on and tell me.”

Professor Sanjiro earnestly urged him on.

However, upon hearing the subordinate’s words, he felt his mind go blank.

“It appears that Elder Murata Ryuunosuke has fallen into a ghost contact.”

“What did you say?”

Ghost contact.

Stated in full, it means contacting a ghost.

However, in reality, it referred to the act of engaging in sexual relations with a ghost.

“Ghost contact? Elder Murata Ryuunosuke knows full well how bad that is. Has he actually done it?”

Japan is a land rife with evil spirits and malevolent entities. Unlike evil spirits that can exert physical force, these malevolent entities revel in luring people to their deaths using their charms, one of which is precisely ghost contact. The evil spirit transforms into the shape of whatever the person desires, approaches them, drains their essence and vitality, weakening them until they perish. This hedonistic but deadly trap is so deep and slimy that even the strongest warrior can find themselves falling prey to its allure. Historical records abound of mighty warriors from the Warring States period who were seduced and killed by evil spirits, and even the legendary “Jangsa” fell victim to ghost contact.

Naturally, avoiding this deadly temptation was fundamental for all power holders…

Could it be that Elder Murata Ryuunosuke was drawn into ghost contact? A warrior known for his meticulous self-control, except when it comes to women?

Professor Sanjiro’s expression went blank. With his bizarre makeup and unfocused gaze, combined with his lips shaped like diamonds slightly parting, he looked even more peculiar. However, his lips soon closed tight, and the dot-like eyebrows began to twitch.

“You have proof, right?”

“Yes.”

Proof.

Not certain, but pieces of evidence fitting together like a puzzle.

“Uchikawa Ryosuke, and the next Shinto priest.”

 

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