A Step into the Past, Just Over a Year Ago
POV Suzuki Kyōi
After the Ryushin banquet had ended and Ryushin departed after swearing to provide all resources soon to Ryushin Tenkū, he, the third prince, was deeply discontented and filled with regret.
It was evident from his current expression.
His eyes, usually lively, were now shadows of melancholy. His lips, pressed into a thin line, betrayed the frustration he was trying to conceal.
As he returned to the castle, his steps were heavy, almost dragging.
Each step echoed like a sound of uncertainty in the surrounding landscape, and Kyōi's mind was a whirlwind of dark thoughts.
"How will my father and the ancestors react to this?" he wondered, his heart gripped by fear.
"I'll have to find a way to make up for these losses since I couldn't fully compensate, but how?"
Possible solutions flitted through his mind like fleeting shadows.
Perhaps he could forge new alliances, or discover hidden resources within his territory.
But every idea seemed fragile, insufficient in the face of such a vast problem.
Then, a dark thought crept into his mind.
"What if I acted like a bandit?" he wondered, almost incredulous.
"I could attack small merchant unions and organizations, take what we need without anyone knowing it was me."
But then, as if Lady Amari Yui could read his mind, she responded by saying:
"Suzuki Kyōi, I can imagine what you're thinking, but you must consider the consequences if you were discovered."
"In that case, not only would your reputation be damaged, but your family's as well."
"At that point, your situation would worsen further, and you could lose your status as a prince, and you might give the 4 Great Families a reason to attack the Imperial Family."
Kyōi lowered his gaze, feeling the weight of Lady Amari Yui's words.
"You're right," he admitted with a sigh. "I need to see the bigger picture. But I don't know what to do, and I can't see any solutions at the moment."
Lady Amari Yui looked at him with eyes full of understanding and determination.
"Kyōi, though you may not like it, the best thing to do right now is nothing. Return directly to the castle and see what the Emperor says."
Kyōi nodded, feeling the weight of Lady Amari Yui's words.
He was secretly impressed by her wisdom and determination.
"How did she swear loyalty to the fourth prince and not the first?" he wondered, admiring her ability to see the bigger picture.
As they continued their walk toward the castle, Kyōi couldn't help but voice his regret aloud.
"If only I hadn't been so impulsive… maybe, no, surely we wouldn't be in this situation."
As they continued their journey to the castle, Kyōi couldn't stop reflecting on his actions and the possible consequences.
The silence of the night was broken only by the sound of their steps, a steady rhythm that accompanied his tormented thoughts.
"What if I delay the payment?" he thought to himself, desperately searching for a way out.
But immediately after, he shook his head, dismissing the idea.
"No, even though I swore to send him the resources soon, even within one or two Origin Cycles, it wouldn't be wise to delay due to the possible rumors that would spread. Too many prominent figures witnessed the wager."
The Journey to Rigameta Lidavelle
After a long silence, Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui decided to quicken their pace.
The decision to return immediately to the castle weighed on them like a boulder.
However, they both knew there was no other choice.
The night sky grew darker as they ran toward Rigameta Lidavelle, one of the key cities within the "Imperial Wall."
The half-day journey, through forests and hills, seemed like a reflection of their troubled minds.
Each step marked the tension growing inside Kyōi.
Lady Amari Yui's words constantly echoed in his mind: "If you act recklessly, you could put not only yourself but the entire Imperial Family at risk."
Kyōi couldn't afford to make another mistake.
The run toward the castle proceeded in charged silence, interrupted only by the sound of their boots against the ground and the wind whistling through the trees.
Rigameta Lidavelle: The Key City
When they finally arrived at Rigameta Lidavelle, the first light of dawn peeked over the horizon.
The city, known for its splendor and strategic position, stood majestically among the hills, with its high walls gleaming under the rising sun.
Rigameta Lidavelle wasn't just one of the key cities of the Empire; it was a true sentinel at the heart of the "Imperial Wall."
The "Imperial Wall" was as much a political concept as it was a physical one, formed by the 4 Great Families who resided on the borders of the Imperial capital, defining its grandeur, with each one situated in one of the four cardinal directions, forming a square around the capital itself.
This symbolic square of power was originally designed as a form of defense, as it was meant to protect the Emperor and the Imperial Family, ensuring that no outside force could penetrate the heart of the Empire without first facing these influential families.
However, over time, the Imperial Wall, originally conceived as a protective barrier for the Empire, had transformed into a symbol of political tension and intrigue.
The 4 Great Families guarding the cardinal points were no longer simple defenders of the capital; their power had grown to the point of being almost equal to that of the Emperor himself.
Each family governed a quadrant of the Imperial territory, maintaining a delicate balance of power, but behind that façade of harmony was a silent war.
Allies of yesterday could become enemies tomorrow, and every political move, every commercial negotiation, was a calculated gamble.
The Great Families maintained a tight grip on the routes that crossed the Imperial Wall, fueling a network of constant tensions.
Rigameta Lidavelle, though located within the perimeter of this "Wall," had become a focal point of these tensions.
Its strategic position halfway between the Imperial Family and the 4 Great Families had transformed it into a kind of neutral ground, where secret negotiations, alliances, and betrayals took place.
Unlike cities subject to the direct control of the Great Families, Rigameta Lidavelle belonged to no one and everyone at the same time.
A Crossroads of Power
As a crossroads between the families' territories and the heart of the Empire, Rigameta Lidavelle had gained importance far beyond its geographical size.
In this city, delegations from the Great Families met for trade exchanges, diplomatic negotiations, and occasionally to settle disputes, which is why it is equipped with a teleportation system that provides a faster connection between the 4 Great Families and the Imperial Family.
This is why Suzuki Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui chose this city for both the journey to and from the banquet.
The Judgment of the Imperial Family
When Suzuki Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui passed through the gates of Rigameta Lidavelle, they immediately felt the tension in the air.
The city, with its imposing walls and crowded streets, was a living symbol of that delicate balance of power.
Kyōi knew that his fate would be decided at the Imperial Castle, but crossing through Rigameta Lidavelle made him reflect.
Every time he heard the city's name, his mind filled with thoughts about how this intricate web of relationships would impact him and his family.
The promise he had made to Ryushin Tenkū still weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he knew that if he didn't find a suitable solution, his position as third prince would be seriously jeopardized.
As Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui continued their journey to the capital, Kyōi's future remained uncertain.
But one thing was clear: his next meeting with the Emperor would be crucial, and every move he made could change the course of his life and the fate of the Imperial Family itself.