---

When the atmosphere in Korea was warming up pleasantly, there was a place engulfed in a heated frenzy more than warm.

That place was none other than Japan.

“Hohohoho. I humbly bow before His Majesty the Emperor, the great ruler of Japan.”

Japan was in turmoil.

There were quite a few people in Japan interested in Korea. Many had a positive interest in things like K-pop and dramas, while others, like the net right-wingers, had a negative interest.

Therefore, it didn’t take long for the special broadcast that aired in Korea to spread to Japan.

The video released online quickly circulated throughout the internet via video sites, and journalists out searching for something to write about pounced on the exclusive story, blaring it around town. The broadcasting station hastily made panels to use the special broadcast as material.

Thus, the news about the special broadcast spread rapidly.

Of course, it wasn’t a bad thing that it spread.

Given the content of the broadcast, if they just touched the public sentiment a little, it seemed they could gain more than they would lose.

If they just gave a bit of power to those expressing radical opinions, it could probably help in the movement to return to a normal state.

Radicals were shouting, “We must put pressure on the Korean government to retrieve that item.” and “That item is Japan’s pride, so we must reclaim it!” While ordinary people were saying, “Why not just slip them some money and get it back without any radical means?”

The crucial point here is that there was no opinion of “Let’s just leave that divine object there.”

Both radicals and non-radicals agreed that the item should be brought back.

Public will.

A will that stands above the emperor, the politicians, and the law.

The united opinion of the citizens.

If one could just ride that public will, and twist it a little in their desired direction, using means in the way they liked to achieve the desired outcome…

If that could be done, they would not only gain power and fame but could also etch their name in history once again.

How sweet would that fruit be!

What a happy future it would be!

A rainbow-colored, brilliantly shining future, a fragrant fruit that seemed just an arm’s reach away!

Politicians eagerly welcomed this flow and yearned to ride the tide.

And this was the case for the Prime Minister as well.

Indeed.

It was the case.

How unfortunate it was—

Truly, truly, painfully unfortunate.

“I’ve hastened my steps to this place upon hearing such heartrending and dreadful news.”

It was in past tense.

If only he hadn’t heard any stories regarding the emperor, he might have been dreaming happily like any other politician.

Had he not heard that one story, he would have been pondering joyfully how to utilize this public sentiment.

The Prime Minister spoke politely and maintained a courteous demeanor.

However, even though he appeared exceptionally courteous on the surface, an inexplicable anger and hatred seeped from his attitude, creating a subtle difference in posture that made the emperor uncomfortable.

“Though the news was so absurd and blasphemous that I would have wanted to wash my ears clean of it, I have come here since there was real evidence supporting this foolish tale and circumstances coinciding that brought me here. Your Majesty, I humbly ask for your grace.”

The Prime Minister spoke politely, but through various accents, he hinted to the emperor, “You’re not taking my words literally right now, are you? Since I’m currently uncomfortable, it would be better for you not to hide it and just say everything.”

It was truly a splendid technique for pricking one’s nerves, especially from someone who had a family from Kyoto.

“Prime Minister, how can you come rushing here without even sending a word, questioning me? I am the emperor, the symbol of this country, and the lawful ruler granted authority by the heavens to govern this land. How can even a mere subject dare to commit such rudeness against the supreme ruler of a nation? Searching the history of the world, it would be difficult to find such impolite behavior.”

With that, the emperor simply countered the Prime Minister’s attack using his position.

Even if the position of the emperor had lost all power and only retained value as a symbol, the emperor was still an emperor, and the Prime Minister was merely a nominal subject. Naturally, it is considered rude for a subject to question their monarch.

Thus, the emperor used his position to retort, “Ah, your words don’t really warrant an answer, and since I’ve become uncomfortable, you should just go away.”

However, unfortunately, the human known as the Prime Minister was not one to easily back down from such words.

“The history states that loyal subjects must risk their necks to speak the truth, so your Majesty, please do listen to my humble words. For the sake of the nation, you must make a divine judgment and reveal the truth you keep in your heart!”

The Prime Minister sought to wrap himself in the emperor’s scolding and framed his explanation as a loyal subject delivering necessary advice for a national decision. At the same time, he twisted silence into a portrayal of being “more concerned about his own safety than the nation,” thus pressuring the emperor to speak up without appearing overtly aggressive.

“Ahem.”

This refined method flustered the emperor, and the Prime Minister did not miss that opportunity.

He showcased his political skills honed in real battle, using various political rhetoric and the tongue of a demon to whisper persuasive intimidation. Naturally, while politics had become a way of life, the emperor, who had never stepped beyond the greenhouse, could not withstand the political skills of the Prime Minister trained in the wild, and ultimately had no choice but to speak.

“Ahem, since you’re pressing me like this, I suppose I cannot help but speak.”

Of course, embedded in that statement was the sentiment of “I’m not speaking because I want to; you’re putting pressure on me, you pestilence god,” showing that he was indeed uncomfortable, but the Prime Minister showed no sign of being disturbed by the emperor’s words.

If the Prime Minister feared someone who held no power at all, then he might as well be a council member new to politics.

“I recently received a letter through certain channels. The letter contained the incredibly absurd news that the aristocracy sent capable individuals to Korea to retrieve the divine object and ended up getting caught….”

The emperor expressed his discomfort as he slowly opened his mouth, staring intently at the Prime Minister who was gazing at him unblinkingly. He began to recount the events when the waves of anger and disbelief had washed over him.

In that moment, the emperor gradually described the situation to the Prime Minister in detail, and after finishing, slowly looked at the Prime Minister’s face.

“Hohohoho.”

The Prime Minister was laughing.

However, that laughter felt as sharp as if he was concealing a sword.

He opened his mouth, wearing a ferocious grin.

Mixing in the speech he learned from his father-in-law in Kyoto.

“I would never have imagined this could happen while I was focusing on my work. This is truly a bewildering affair.”

Should one take it at face value, it seemed to be no big deal.

Unexpected events had occurred, and expressing shock over such incidents seemed reasonable.

However, if one thought of the Kyoto-style rhetoric known for embedding malicious intent in words and speaking indirectly, those words took on a different meaning.

『 You went off and did that without my knowledge? Are you out of your mind? You’re so stupid, I can’t even figure out how to clean this up. 》

Blame.

It was a blatant accusation.

The emperor was aware of the Prime Minister’s background and knew well that he had family ties to a Kyotoite. He was also fully aware that the excessively polite demeanor masking discomfort was indeed Kyoto-style rhetoric.

Twisting.

And he understood that the Prime Minister was now directing blame towards him.

The emperor’s facial muscles twitched in displeasure.

‘This damn pestilence god…’

But even with his discomfort, he had no words to counter.

It was a fact that he was entangled in this mess and it also represented a political opportunity for the Prime Minister to attack him. Moreover, the Prime Minister held more real power and authority than he did.

Nothing about the situation favored the emperor.

So what could he do?

He had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.

“How could such a thing happen? I truly cannot conceal my sorrow.”

The Prime Minister knew this well.

He understood that the emperor could not say anything to him now and that he was merely in a position to be beaten.

『 No matter how I think about it, I cannot comprehend. How could this happen? I realized that if one is truly foolish, they can surpass common sense. 』

Thus, the Prime Minister began to unleash his words to torment the emperor without restraint.

“Moreover, the contents of the letter I received… I cannot even begin to imagine such a thing!”

『 And yes, I heard the letter’s content… but no matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense. Even the foolish cannot pull such things off at will. Are you trying to wash your hands of the matter after having given orders? It just doesn’t add up. 』

“Certainly, their actions were motivated by loyalty to the royal family, but they must face punishment for the means they employed.”

『 Well, I don’t exactly have anything to say. If you’re trying to escape, what can I do? After all, if you don’t, things will just get more complicated, so let’s just deal with those guys, trim their tails, and punish them. 』

“Furthermore, while they overstepped, those they sent were still subjects, so it’s necessary to show movement on their behalf as well. I will spare no effort under your Majesty’s benevolent intentions towards the people.”

『 And I would hate to just leave the missing guys who went to Korea as is, but with Korea holding leverage over us, we have to rescue them. However, don’t think about taking action yourself; I’ll handle it all, just watch from a distance. After all, just stay back while I wash my hands of this and trim the tails. 』

The Prime Minister, in this way, with a manner that was polite but insidiously disrespectful, upset the emperor’s mood. He then made an excuse that it was time to discuss this matter and promptly exited the palace.

And after the Prime Minister vanished…

Whoosh!

Crash!

The emperor hurled a cup against the wall.

 

---