THE NIGHT PASSED AND ZERO ONCE MORE APPROACHED THE DOORS OF THE AKUNI PALACE. The last time the royal advisor was here, he had been told by the Emperor to attend, likely at the risk of his position, or perhaps even his life. His loyalty remains to Lanya and Musuko but revealing that at this time would be a naive decision. Instead, he stood at the gates of the palace, preparing to attend Satsujin’s banquet in celebration of conquering the two he sided with.

As he entered the palace, he was met with glares from the members of the Saisei Coalition. The room became dead silent, save the string quartet, carried over from Aotoshi and since expanded to a chamber orchestra, featuring two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, a bassoon, two horns, two trumpets, and now up to eight string players on each part. This pause was broken by Satsujin’s voice.

“Zero!” he called out to his childhood friend. “You actually decided to stop by!”

“That I did,” Zero answered, somewhat awkwardly. He had far too many questions to be at ease while in this room.

After remembering Satsujin’s request to Zero, the Coalition members returned to whatever conversations they were partaking in prior. Zero continued to approach the table, taking a seat on the left side while Satsujin sat at the head. The usual chair at the head was replaced with the throne of Akuni.

Upon the table were various meats and grains produced by the local industries. These food items were some of the best in the continent, brought to their premiere quality through the agricultural reforms of Maximus Okibo. Even the venison, once thought to be wild game, was held to the same quality requirements as beef and mutton. Bread had also improved greatly during that period due to innovations in the harvest of wheat, ensuring that there was enough to create proper loaves without as many risks for running out of grain. Truly, the culinary world thanked the late King Okibo IV for greatly improving conditions for cooking in any form.

Satsujin striking up a conversation cut Zero’s appreciation of these delicacies short.

“So, what do you think?” he began. “About the banquet, that is.”

“It’s great,” Zero answered, somewhat dryly. He was going to ask his old friend something but needed the chance to do so.

“Thank goodness!” Satsujin exclaimed, relieved. “I set up this entire banquet to help make amends for what had to be done.”

“Did it have to be done?” Zero retorted.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Did you really need to overthrow the Kenshis?”

“It didn’t have to be the Kenshis in particular, but I needed to take control of the nation somehow. Those two were in the way. It’s not like they could lead the country anyway. They’d probably drop dead before they could effectively change anything. That’s what humans are best at, anyway.”

“How can you be this oblivious to the accomplishments of humanity? These people have done more for Crenon than we have in the Unkempt, even when we had ten times as long to do it!”

“I’ve got a better question, Kantoku. Have you grown so attached to these mayflies that you have abandoned your own people?”

Before Zero could answer, a loud holler came from across the room. Satsujin and Zero turned to find where the sound came from and saw a member of the Saisei Coalition preparing to throw darts at a painting of Yukan.

“STOP!” Satsujin exclaimed, catching the member just before he could throw the dart and damage the priceless artwork. After a pause, Satsujin approached the man.

“What do you think you’re doing, throwing darts at a priceless work of art?”

“Why sir,” the man shakily replied, fearing the maila’s wrath. “Surely you know that Yukan was a tyrant! Would it not be best for me to destroy this painting, trying to show him as a hero when he only harmed Aotoshi?”

“That is not the point,” Satsujin continued. “Observe this craftsmanship. A great amount of effort was put into this painting. To destroy it may be seen as taking vengeance upon the subject, true, but it is also a disservice to the artist, who toiled over this canvas for long periods of time to get every aspect just right. You should know better.”

The man rolled his eyes before setting the darts down, somewhat frustrated. Everybody then continued what they were doing. Satsujin returned to Zero and continued what he was saying.

“Look, I know I flew off the handles a bit there. Yet, the truth is that Lanya and Musuko were holding the Joined Nations back. For the country to make any progress, we had to create a new administration. I hope that there are no hard feelings between the two of us.”

Zero turned his head.

“Sure thing.”

❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎❒︎

Zero returned to his house and sat once more in thought. His primary concern still lay in finding out what Satsujin was planning. If sabotage was necessary for the preservation of order, then he would gladly do it.

A knock came at the door a few minutes into this brainstorming. When Zero answered, he was once more greeted by Luciano.

“Any updates on the letter?” Zero asked.

“That’s what I came here for,” answered Luciano. “The letter arrived safely in the Banjar region of the Unkempt to the necessary address. Your father read the letter and agreed to your terms. Lanya and Musuko are expected to arrive in the Unkempt within 5 hours.”

“Wonderful news,” Zero responded, relieved that his daring maneuver was successful. “You are free to go.”

Luciano then exited the room and continued on his way back home. A few days later, Mr. Swift fled the Joined Nations for Medikai. He later said he had done so in fear of Satsujin’s retribution should news of his involvement in ensuring the safety of the exiled royals were to ever come to light. Sure enough, Satsujin would find out a week after the letter was delivered, but Zero’s involvement remained unconfirmed. An act that could’ve blown his cover managed to be a success without having his plan revealed to the maila who now sits on the throne of Akuni and Aotoshi.