Chapter 119 - A Troublesome Reality Check
On our way back from the Royal Capital to Exembra, our group from the Kikyo Society pushes forward, trying to ignore the ominous signs of trouble. Someone is definitely attracting trouble like a magnet. I wonder who that could be. Really, who is it?
As we drive the eye-catching Bloomstar Galaxy and Delta, along with our other flashy vehicles, we finally arrive. Even from a distance, the long walls and the long line at the gate are clearly visible. It seems we've hit the peak time for entering the city.
Since we're residents and the guards know us, we only need a quick baggage check. Still, we have to wait in line... But in high spirits from our triumphant return, we wait patiently and finally enter the city.
Exembra is as lively as ever. There are no piles of rubble, and the streets are clean. Our grand return with our flashy vehicles will be known soon enough.
After we park our vehicles in various spots, we gather at the Headquarters. Valeria and I head straight to the headquarters, while Delta parks at the outer warehouse, and the others park at the Sixth Avenue parking lot. It's a bit envious that the Five Great Families have such large compounds.
There are few people left at the Kikyo Society Headquarters during regular business hours. Depending on the timing, only the Secretariat Unit might be around at this hour.
Exchanging pleasantries with the neighbors, we finally return to the headquarters. As soon as I step inside, Frederica, who must have heard the engines, rushes over.
"Yukari!"
The feeling of her body against mine is indescribable. Ah, it's been a while.
Frederica and I have known each other the longest. This blonde, bespectacled beauty, with her slightly unfortunate traits, seems different after a while apart.
"Quite the enthusiastic welcome. Were you lonely?"
I hug her back, even though her emotional reaction is a bit much. The other girls from the Secretariat Unit also welcome us joyfully, and our return is complete.
Other members, hearing about our return, start gathering at the headquarters. After exchanging exaggerated greetings, they all react with surprise and joy at the sight of Zenobia.
"Tonight, we're having a victory celebration in the Royal Capital and a welcome party for Zenobia! Everyone, meet at The Princess's Shelter Inn!"
The festivities are quickly organized by Ophelia. It might be a bit sudden for the manager Sophie, but it's perfect. We can introduce Zenobia to everyone and have a meal at a familiar place.
As the evening approaches, we arrive at The Princess's Shelter Inn, as beautiful as ever. Large windows, white walls, green vines, and red roses—everything is well-maintained and spotless.
Sophie's beauty is mesmerizing, no wonder she has many regular customers.
"Yukari-san, everyone, thank you for your hard work. The staff will do their best today."
"Thank you, but Sophie, you're a member of the Kikyo Society and a senior officer. You shouldn't be working right now."
Sophie, with her ponytail and apron, is very popular with the men, and even I can't help but admire her, but she can't work today.
"Big sister, welcome back! Mom is taking the day off too!"
Sarah-chan has grown so much since the last time I saw her. The senior officers, the young men, and the apprentices—there are so many of us that we had to set up tables outside. I'll make sure Zenobia greets everyone at all the tables. Greetings are important.
After the staff finishes serving the drinks and dishes, Siegrune, the Acting Vice-Commander, starts the speeches.
"First, I'd like to thank the President and everyone who worked hard in the Royal Capital. I've heard the general story from letters, but I'd love to hear your heroic tales. And Zenobia, I haven't met you before, but I've heard you know many of our senior officers. The Kikyo Society welcomes you!"
Zenobia stands up to respond.
"Thank you. I'm Zenobia. I used to work as a mercenary in the Royal Capital, but I'm a new member here. I'll introduce myself to everyone in turn."
There's a bit of laughter, but I need to set the record straight.
"Everyone, Zenobia is my first training partner. I vouch for her skills, and she's a candidate for a senior officer. Test her out during tomorrow's training."
Ignoring the restless combat enthusiasts, we start the party. Tonight is going to be a long night.
I wake up suddenly, my head on the table. I must have fallen asleep at some point.
"Ugh... Ah..."
Relaxing in the familiar atmosphere of Exembra and among my friends, I can't help but yawn. No one's looking, so it's fine.
My joints ache, and I really need a shower and some water. Waking up at this odd hour in the middle of the night, I feel a bit dazed.
Looking around the messy room, I see several people passed out from drinking. The usual suspects, I guess. I can't really talk, though; I fell asleep too.
The staff must have cleaned up most of the tables and floor, but there are still a few stragglers. The place would be spotless if it weren't for the passed-out fools.
As I look around the dimly lit room, I sense someone approaching.
"Ah, Yukari-san, you're awake?"
"Sophie, you're up early. Did you stay up all night?"
"No, I just woke up. I was resting upstairs with Sarah."
Right, there are several rooms upstairs for the staff.
Hmm, it's still early, but they probably need to start preparing for the day. I should wake everyone up. We have regular business to attend to, and they need time to freshen up.
"Will you go back to the headquarters? I'll wake everyone up in a bit."
Being gently woken up by Sophie sounds luxurious, but it might be nice to have a change. She must be a much better wake-up call than I am.
"Sure, thanks. Oh, and as a special service today, I'll have the hangover recovery potion ready for everyone when they wake up."
I generate the potion and pour it into a water pitcher. Then, I head back to the headquarters.
The early morning air is refreshing, despite the summer heat. I jog back to the headquarters, strip down in the changing room, and sink into the bathtub filled with hot water.
"Ahhh, this feels so good..."
In the privacy of my own space, I can completely relax.
Before I get too warm, I rinse off with a cold shower to clear my head. Then, I head to the basement for my usual training session.
This routine helps me feel like I'm back to normal.
As the members gradually return to the headquarters and start their work, we discuss Zenobia's future.
Present are Zenobia, Siegrune, and Gradena.
"First, it would be best for Zenobia to experience what the Kikyo Society does. We can't treat her like a new recruit."
"I don't mind being treated like a new recruit."
That won't work. Zenobia's skills are far beyond those of a new recruit, and it wouldn't be good for either of us.
"Perhaps she should be assigned to the Acting Vice-Commander or the Vice-Commander for a while."
Siegrune and Gradena have a lot of freedom in their roles, allowing them to visit various places.
They can go on patrols with the Combat Unit, join hunts or training sessions, and even negotiate with criminals or help with collections.
"I plan to join the second Combat Unit's training today. How about you, Siegrune?"
"Jallens from the Commerce Guild was supposed to visit, but since you're back, I'll join you. This is a good opportunity to show Zenobia's strength. Mary and Brittany will be thrilled to have a new strong opponent. You'll enjoy it, too, right, Siegrune?"
"Of course. Zenobia, how about you? Are you okay with accompanying Siegrune or Gradena for a while?"
"I have no objections. Looking forward to it."
I've been thinking about reorganizing the Kikyo Society. Our growing numbers and expanding territory need better management. There's the new arena, the expansion of our existing businesses, and the potential for new ventures.
We have many talented members, and we should support new business ideas. With so much to do, it's becoming difficult for me and the current Secretariat Unit to manage everything.
While it's still in the planning stages, the Kikyo Society will need to reorganize. We need to give more authority to the senior officers and increase their numbers and support staff.
When the time comes, I'll need Zenobia's help.
For now, I'll handle tasks like greeting Jallens and reviewing reports from the Secretariat and Intelligence Units. We'll have another meeting with the senior officers tonight.
The time flies, and it's already evening. It's time for our first senior officers' meeting in a while.
"We need to share the changing situation. Many of you already know the details, but let Josephine give a full report."
The reports begin, starting with the Intelligence Unit.
"From the Intelligence Unit. A significant change is the absence of the Grand Master and senior officers of the Anastasia Union. This is confirmed information from the Grand Master's sister."
The Anastasia Union is experiencing internal strife, and the Grand Master and his subordinates have been called back to the headquarters to quell the unrest. Their absence will disrupt the balance of power among the Five Great Families. We should closely monitor when they will return.
"Next, the weakening of the Snake Head Society. Their numbers have drastically decreased, and there's constant chaos in their territory. This is likely due to the Royal Capital campaign."
Many members of the Snake Head Society who were in the Royal Capital were actually from Exembra. With most of them defeated, the Snake Head Society in Exembra is severely weakened, losing many of its senior officers. They brought this upon themselves.
"Regardless of the Anastasia Union, the fate of the Snake Head Society's territory is uncertain."
Exembra's mutual non-aggression pact among the Five Great Families is in place, but it has a limited duration and is reviewed every six months. The future is uncertain.
"The outcome of the upcoming summer summit will determine if the mutual non-aggression pact continues or is abandoned. If it's abandoned, a large-scale war is inevitable."
This is a dog-eat-dog world, and many organizations see us as a threat.
Moreover, outsiders have been flooding into Exembra.
"This ties into the situation in Retnark. If Retnark's threat were still significant, Exembra's underground would have remained somewhat united."
"True. Retnark is breaking apart. The military government is exhausted and fragmented into numerous small factions, each claiming to be the 'king.'"
This fragmentation means Retnark is no longer a threat to Exembra.
"The wartime boom is winding down. If Retnark is no longer a threat, the mutual non-aggression pact may become unnecessary."
However, things are not that simple. Exembra's rapid growth has made it a major economic hub, and the Five Great Families, who manage the underground, cannot afford to disrupt the good economy.
Continuing the mutual non-aggression pact or starting a war to eliminate weaker organizations—each has its own benefits. The decision will depend on their judgment.
There are also other factors, such as the Oversta family's expansion in the old capital and the new arena. The political landscape is complex, and no one can predict the outcome.
"Ultimately, the Five Great Families will decide the future. We have no say in it. We can only observe and adapt."
"True. We don't know who will lead the next summit, and we have no guarantee of being invited."
Sadly, that's the reality. The Kikyo Society has strength but lacks influence in the underground.
I need to think about how to change this. It's not a comfortable position, but we'll figure it out.
"If we're not invited, we can ask the Anastasia Union for information. That's the situation for now. Let's move on to more positive topics."
Enough of the gloomy talk. I prefer to focus on the bright side.
Sigh. I'm not good at dealing with complicated issues.