kscans

Chapter 20 - At Kyo-Yojo Palace

The rooms—or rather, the mansion—where Sanetsugu and his party were staying was located ten cho (about one kilometer) west of the palace where they’d had their audience with the Emperor. Being for guests, its interior was built like any other inn. It had twenty rooms in total: two Pine Rooms, eight Bamboo Rooms, and ten Plum Rooms. It was customary for the Tower Masters to stay in the Pine Rooms, their families in the Bamboo Rooms, and their retainers in the Plum Rooms. The Emperor, on the other hand, lived in the Kyo-Yojo Palace, a residence in the shinden-zukuri style, located on the complete opposite, eastern side of the grounds. The dinner on the eve of their departure would be held in this main hall. They had four days until then. The Tower Masters, Sanetsugu and Razan, would spend these four days making their rounds to greet court officials. Although the Tower Masters were of higher rank, it was no exaggeration to say that real power was held by those who served closely by the Emperor’s side. Their families and retainers were free during this time. They were allowed to accompany their masters, but the long-standing tradition of both Towers was to give them a holiday for the New Year, a custom not about to be overturned. The court officials, in turn, never commented on this, as the Tower Masters were, after all, of higher rank.

However, it was a different story for the next in line to be Tower Master. If one visited Kyo, it was always best to pay one’s respects. Perhaps for that reason, Sanetsugu never brought Saneyuki with him.

"He’ll have to do it every year once he takes over. There’s no need for him to start now," he’d say, turning away. It was a protective sentiment born of affection. In a world that preaches the value of buying hardship even when one is young, Sanetsugu’s philosophy was that there was no need to suffer from a young age. Sahei never admonished him for this. Saneyuki wouldn’t become soft even if pampered. It might be his innate personality, but by growing up interacting with the townspeople like family from a young age, he naturally learned the appropriate measure of things. If his father’s indulgence went too far, he had the wisdom to step back and let it pass.

Now then. Both the East and West began their rounds at roughly the same time, but as they naturally went from highest rank to lowest, they would first visit the Imperial Military Advisor and the Imperial Court Chief. However, neither wished to run into the other, so by a tacit agreement, it was customary for the East to visit the advisor first, and the West to visit the chief. Following this tradition, Sanetsugu made his way to the residence of the chief, Miyake Kanzo. Miyake was in the samurai-dokoro, the samurai quarters, of Kyo-Yojo Palace.

"Miyake-sama, Happy New Year." Sanetsugu knelt on the ground before the veranda of the samurai-dokoro and offered his greeting. In response, Miyake showed his face and beckoned him over.

"Come now, no need for greetings from down there. Come up here and let’s talk for a bit." Sanetsugu tilted his head. Usually, their exchange was a simple greeting and response, but this time he was being told to come up. Moreover, his tone was slightly rushed. Though perplexed, Sanetsugu rose from his knees and stepped up onto the veranda.

"Excuse me."

"No, no, just sit there."

"Y-yes, sir." No sooner had Sanetsugu bent his knees as prompted than Miyake began speaking rapidly.

"I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival this year. So, how is he? That swordsman of yours."

"...That swordsman, you say?" Understanding Miyake’s intention, Sanetsugu mentally began preparing his exit.

"I apologize for disappointing you when you are so expectant, but my retainer, Sahei, is more knowledgeable on that matter. If you wish, I can have him visit you later."

"Oh, I see, I see. My apologies, you must be busy with your own rounds."

"Not at all. Thank you for your consideration. Well then, if you’ll excuse me." Sanetsugu bowed once and began to rise, but then remembered something important and paused.

"Ah, by the way. It seems you did not visit last year. Were you perhaps feeling unwell?"

"Haha, nothing of the sort. I’ll go eventually."

"Is that so?"

And with that, Sanetsugu took his leave from Miyake without incident. Next was his greeting to the military advisor, Nanafushi Ryoji. Here too, it would normally be just a greeting and nothing more, but something felt different, and Sanetsugu’s steps were heavy. It was true that things in the West were not the same as the previous year. It was only natural that Miyake and Nanafushi would react to that, but being given a vague reason for their lack of inspection was concerning. It was certain that Miyake and Nanafushi had coordinated their stories. If the reason was Shion’s presence, they could have just said so plainly. But the fact that they hadn't suggested there was something else. In cases like this, it usually meant a lecture was coming, and it was often delivered by the military advisor, Nanafushi. Don’t tell me he’s going to say he can’t bend the rules any further unless we finally abolish the one-tenth tax. Sanetsugu worried. He had been told time and again to secure at least two-tenths. He had pleaded with them to somehow maintain the status quo, knowing it was an impossible request, and had them put in a good word with the Emperor. But it wouldn’t be surprising if they had finally lost their patience.

"It would be no problem if the population increased, but I suppose it’s not happening fast enough." Sanetsugu’s shoulders slumped in partial resignation as he searched for Nanafushi. Normally, Nanafushi should have been in his post at the samurai-dokoro as well, but perhaps out of consideration for the two Tower Masters, he was always in a different location on this day of the year.

"Nanafushi-sama. Happy New Year." After searching for a bit, Sanetsugu spotted Nanafushi at the end of a fishing pavilion. He approached, knelt, and offered his greeting. Nanafushi, who was warming his hands over a small charcoal grill and roasting rice cakes, looked up and smiled.

"Happy New Year. Is the West well?" Sanetsugu gave a wry smile.

"We are finally seeing signs of it."

"Hoh. That is good. It gives me a stomachache every time you barely meet your quota."

"My sincerest apologies."

"No, not at all. By the way, is Shion-sama in good health?"

"Yes, of course."

"And the swordsman in question?"

"My retainer, Sahei, is more knowledgeable on that subject." When he repeated the same line he had used earlier, Nanafushi’s lip curled into a sly grin.

"The Tower Master has no interest?"

"No, that’s not it at all."

"Then wouldn’t it be better to speak of him without hesitation?"

"I’m not avoiding the subject." Sanetsugu hastily denied it, breaking into a sweat despite the winter chill. He was reminded that the trick he had used on Miyake wouldn’t work on Nanafushi. And in his haste, he let slip, "—More than I expected." Nanafushi frowned.

"More than you expected, he’s not so great?"

"N-no. More than expected, Shion-sama is quite taken with him." This was so unexpected that Nanafushi’s eyes went wide.

"Hoh? Is this swordsman that great of a man?"

"If what Saneyuki and Sahei say is true… he may be a Divine Possession."

"What?" Nanafushi involuntarily leaned forward.

"I’ve heard the contents of the letter Juzaemon received via Miyake-dono, but for so many people to say it, it must be true." Hearing the name Juzaemon, Sanetsugu pictured Yagami Senkichi’s face.

"Yes. I do not know the details, but I believe so."

"...What a simple answer. Very well. I shall go and see for myself soon." Sanetsugu was surprised by those words.

"Directly!?"

"Why the surprise? If Shion-sama is so taken with him and the reactions of those around him are good, is it not our duty to make the final judgment?"

"W-well, yes, but that swordsman is still…"

"Still?"

"Still… as for Shion-sama, well…" His words trailed off, but the meaning was easy enough to guess. For a moment, Nanafushi was at a loss for words.

"He feels nothing for such a beautiful young girl who adores him?"

"W-well. It seems he may or may not still have feelings for a woman from his past."

"What?" Nanafushi, who had been leaning forward, now leaned back. He fell silent for a moment, as if in thought, and then finally spoke.

"In any case, I must see him for myself. If his skill is so great that it justifies setting all else aside, then he is worth welcoming to the court."

"So you will be visiting in the near future? Or shall we…" Sanetsugu asked, also seeking to press him on why he hadn’t come last year. Nanafushi seemed to understand and smiled that sly smile again. The gesture was likely picked up from the Emperor, but it felt a degree more wicked coming from Nanafushi—a preconception, no doubt, due to his position as a strategist.

"Do you have any idea how much work it is to draft a report that will satisfy the Emperor while respecting your policy of being kind to the people? Your trouble was specially waived last year for the reason that Shion-sama was in your care. Even if I were to visit, I’d appreciate it if you’d spare me the inspection." It was good to finally hear the reason, but having received a sharp jab at the same time, Sanetsugu simply bowed deeply and took his leave.