Chapter 188: Taking the Shogunate Too Seriously!
"Do you care about him a lot?"
Inside the Prison Cell, Mima Amatori watched Mumei, dressed in a beautiful red outfit, pacing back and forth anxiously. A subtle change occurred in his mood.
In the past, the worship and concern in the eyes of this nominal younger sister were only directed at him, but at that time, he didn't care about these things because such gazes were commonplace around him.
But now, he inexplicably felt a hint of loss.
It was like the feeling when a younger sister, whom you watched grow up, suddenly finds a boy she likes and no longer acts spoiled around you.
"Although Ikoma is a big idiot, clearly very weak, he always looks full of Courage. But he is indeed a very special person. He even said he would turn me back into a Human, so I could eat my fill of Rice every day..."
Mumei stopped pacing and leaned against the Ice-cold wall, looking down at her shoes and speaking softly.
"Elder Brother, you lied to me. At first, I was very angry, but I thought about it. Except for not being clear about the purpose of going to Kongokaku, everything else you said was indeed the truth."
"You said that only the Expert can survive, and I still think that's correct. Although Ikoma never agreed with that, it's because he's too naive."
"Becoming a Kabaneri was also something I actively requested. Ultimately, I am very grateful for Elder Brother's upbringing. It's just that from now on..."
"I don't want to be 'Mumei' anymore. I want my original Name, 'Hozumi', back!"
In the Darkness of the Prison Cell, the little Girl poured out her innermost thoughts. However, the way she kept her Head lowered didn't match the firmness and confidence of her Words.
After all, Elder Brother's Prestige in her Heart still remained.
"Is that so? That's good."
"Elder Brother?"
Mumei looked up in surprise at Mima Amatori, who was Smiling at her. His Attitude didn't seem as angry as she had imagined.
"'Hozumi' is a Name full of beautiful expectations for the future, but for the past you, it was too weak. That's why I gave you the Name 'Mumei'. But now, whether it's your Strength or your Heart, you are Strong enough. It's time to have expectations."
Mima Amatori looked gently at the short red-clothed Girl before him.
Humans are not plants or trees; how can they be without feelings? Over the years, with those repeated calls of "Elder Brother," the other party was not just a tool in his Heart.
Although, given his Disposition, if he truly needed to sacrifice Mumei, he would most likely still sacrifice her.
His Heart had long been tempered into Iron and Stone by the Fire of Revenge over these ten years. Mumei was merely that slight warmth of Sunlight shining on the Iron and Stone.
"If you are no longer 'Mumei', will you still be willing to call me Elder Brother?"
Mumei, no, the red-clothed Girl who was now Hozumi, was stunned for a few seconds. Then, a brilliant Smile appeared on her Face. She straightened up, putting her hands behind her back.
"Of course, you will always be my Elder Brother!"
"Is that so..."
[Footsteps]
Just then, Footsteps came from outside, approaching from a distance. Hozumi quickly turned around. Mima Amatori also raised his Head, his previously Gentle Expression returning to a calm State.
"Ikoma!"
Hozumi looked in surprise as Ikoma, with a gloomy Face, stepped through the Cell Door opened by the Man in Black. He then walked to a corner and squatted down, remaining silent.
"What's wrong?"
Just as Hozumi was about to go over and ask, the Man in Black didn't immediately close the Cell Door but said, "Mima Amatori, come out."
"Finally, it's my turn." Mima Amatori wasn't surprised; on the contrary, he had been waiting for a long time.
Hozumi gritted her teeth and asked, "Where are you taking Elder Brother!"
"To the place that kid just went."
While the Man in Black was Speaking, Mima Amatori had already walked out of the Cell Door. Soon, the two disappeared from Hozumi's sight, one after the other.
This left her with no choice but to turn her attention back to Ikoma. She quickly walked over and squatted down, asking nervously, "What's wrong? Did they hurt you?"
"They... want me to kill someone. They want me to use my things to kill someone. Only then are they willing to help us turn back into Humans..."
Ikoma raised his Head, looking at the Girl's delicate Face. His Gaze was full of struggle. He asked in a low, pained voice, "Mumei, what should I do?"
Hozumi squatted there, unsure of what to say. She knew all too well how difficult it was for the boy in front of her to accept killing.
The Girl cupped his Face, revealing a lovely Smile with dimples.
"Who do they want you to kill? I'll kill them for you!"
[Knock knock knock]
The Base Chief's Office door was knocked on again. Senior Director Addison leaned back in his chair and casually said, "Please come in." Mima Amatori's handsome figure slowly walked into the room.
"Please sit, Leader of the Hunters."
"I think the Identity of the Son of the Shogun is more valuable to you, isn't it?" Mima Amatori sat in the chair Ikoma had previously occupied and said calmly, meeting his Gaze.
"No."
Senior Director Addison shook his Head. "Up until now, the Hunter Guard you lead has brought more Value. As for the Son of the Shogun, what use is an Identity that is about to cease being the Son of the Shogun?"
"You underestimate yourself, and you underestimate the World Government!"
"You plan to overthrow the Shogunate Rule?" Mima Amatori was quite surprised by this.
"Not exactly. The Shogunate is still the Shogunate, it's just that the people above have decided to replace the ruler." After saying this, Senior Director Addison picked up his cup and took a sip of Coffee. Immediately, a fragrance filled his nostrils.
"Why?"
"Koukyuu Amatori is a person with a Strong exterior but a weak Heart. You should have already learned that he is an extreme Conservative Faction. As long as his Rule is guaranteed, he will obediently follow all your Orders."
After listening to Mima Amatori's Words, Senior Director Addison Smiled, put the Coffee cup back, and said, "Perhaps that's the case, but the people above still feel it's more comfortable to replace him with a newcomer."
"This isn't the best choice. The Amatori Family has ruled the Shogunate for over two hundred years. Doing this will definitely provoke the Chief Stewards from Various Places to rebel," Mima Amatori said expressionlessly.
"Oh~ I thought you would be very happy to see Koukyuu Amatori suffer misfortune. It seems there's still deep father-son affection?"
"No, this is just looking at the Matter from a realistic standpoint."
"My previous goal was to first destroy Kongokaku, and then continue to destroy those despicable individuals who participated in causing the deaths of forty thousand troops ten years ago. This would require destroying eighty percent of the 'Stations'. And the purpose of your Tissue is to Rule Hinamoto, right? Then there's no need to make enemies of everyone."
Mima Amatori very naturally spoke of the most terrifying Matter in an extremely brief manner. But if he were to succeed, one can imagine how many people would die under the flames of war and the Kabane.
Senior Director Addison also witnessed this kid's ruthlessness and Cold and Ruthless nature. He somewhat understood why the important figures above appreciated him.
"Heh heh, do you know? For a person, whether to eat the Chicken in front of them or switch to the Chicken next to them, the only difference lies in their mood and whether they want to move their hand a bit more."
He took out a Document recording the basic Situation of the World Government from his drawer and placed it in front of Mima Amatori.
"Take a look. Once you realize the meaning represented by the four words 'World Government', you will understand how small your current Perspective and Scope are. You are taking the Shogunate too seriously!"
(End of Chapter)