After losing in the semifinals, Kirin had been in low spirits for a while.
Determined to rescue her imprisoned father, she had entered the Festa with the firm resolve to win—only to suffer a bitter defeat in the semifinals. It was impossible not to feel heartbroken.
But Kirin was far more resilient than Roy had imagined. In less than three days, she had bounced back on her own, throwing herself into new training with undiminished vigor.
"I still have two more chances to compete in the Festa. Next time, I'll definitely win!"
Kirin was only thirteen, yet her maturity was heartbreaking.
On the other hand, if she was already this strong at thirteen, she would undoubtedly grow even stronger in the future. It probably wouldn't take more than two years for her to become someone worthy of the title of the academy's number one. By then, she would surely win the Festa and rescue her father.
That was what Kirin had believed—until three days ago.
Then, three days prior, Roy had found her and told her to prepare the paperwork to go home.
Only then did she learn that Roy had become the governor of Miyagi Autonomous Prefecture.
And Kirin's hometown was in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
Her father happened to be imprisoned in a Miyagi jail.
This was no coincidence.
It was, in fact, the most important reason Roy had chosen Miyagi as his forward base.
"Surprised, Kirin?" Roy asked with a smile.
Kirin buried her face in his chest, nodding repeatedly as tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.
A moment later, she lifted her head, her face flushed with embarrassment as she stared at Roy's soaked T-shirt, utterly mortified.
"I'm sorry, Roy-senpai… I got your clothes wet…"
"It's fine. Seeing you happy is far more important than a T-shirt."
Roy gently stroked Kirin's head.
The smile on his face held no magical meaning—it was simply a warm, heartfelt expression.
Kirin's cheeks reddened as she carefully, yet with barely concealed delight, rested her head on Roy's shoulder.
Less than an hour later, the plane landed at Sendai International Airport.
Waiting to greet them was the former governor of Miyagi, who had now voluntarily stepped down to become the deputy governor.
"Everything's ready?"
"Yes, all preparations are complete, Governor!"
Seeing the deputy governor treat Roy with such deference, Kirin's face was filled with confusion.
But she trusted Roy completely and didn't find it suspicious. Right now, she was far more eager to reunite with the father she hadn't seen in years.
After boarding the car arranged by the deputy governor, they didn't head straight to the official residence. Instead, they went to the prison where Kirin's father was held.
At the prison entrance.
Toudou Seijirou was led out by the guards, utterly bewildered.
For Seijirou, the world had become unrecognizable after a single night's sleep.
Just days ago, he had been a prisoner, living a day-to-day existence that seemed destined to continue until his death. Then, one morning, he suddenly became the warden's honored guest—treated with utmost respect, moved to the best room, even taken out to restaurants. It was as if he wasn't a prisoner anymore, but the warden's own father.
"Dad… Father!"
A familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar voice reached his ears, and Toudou Seijirou's expression shifted as he delightedly saw his daughter Kirin rushing toward him.
"Kirin, you and your father should head back first. I still have some matters to attend to."
Roy stepped forward from behind and nodded at Toudou Seijirou.
"Roy-senpai, aren't you coming back with me?"
Kirin snapped out of her father's embrace, pausing momentarily before looking at Roy with disappointment tinged with a glimmer of hope.
"Since you've come back after so long, you must—must come visit my, my home! I—I'll make sure to treat you well!"
The girl's cheeks flushed slightly.
Wait a minute—had she just said something incredibly bold?
A girl actively inviting a boy to her home—wasn't that practically announcing to her family that there was something between them?
Sure enough, Toudou Seijirou looked at Roy with utter disbelief.
He actually made a move on my thirteen-year-old daughter?!
"Don't worry, I'll come once I've finished handling my business."
After a moment's thought, Roy readily agreed.
After all, it didn't matter where he spent the night, and the Toudou style was a world-renowned swordsmanship school—it wouldn't hurt to take a look.
"Please rest assured, Miss Toudou. I'll bring the governor along when the time comes."
The deputy governor approached and spoke respectfully.
"Eh? Ah, th-then I'll be in your care!"
Unaccustomed to someone who had previously held such a lofty position being so deferential to her, Kirin bowed nervously in thanks before boarding the car arranged by the deputy governor and setting off with her father on the road back to the Toudou family estate.
"Kirin, who was that young man just now?"
In the car, Toudou Seijirou spoke softly.
Seijirou was a refined middle-aged man who, well aware of his daughter's shy nature, deliberately kept his tone light, posing the question as casually as possible.
"That's Roy-senpai—he's an amazing person! He and Senior Claudia just won the championship at this year's Phoenix Festa. He's now the governor of Miyagi Prefecture, and it was thanks to his help that Father was released..."
Kirin chattered on as if eager to pour out every impression she had of Roy to her father, wanting him to understand just how wonderful Roy was.
Toudou Seijirou's feelings were complicated—warm yet tinged with sorrow.
Judging by this, rather than that Roy fellow making advances on his thirteen-year-old daughter, it seemed more like his daughter had taken a liking to him!
At least this Roy fellow seemed decent enough—he had spoken gently to Kirin and treated her well.
Meanwhile, Roy, led by the deputy governor, arrived at the Miyagi Prefecture government residence in Sendai.
"As per the governor's earlier instructions, all first-tier officials from the prefecture have already assembled at the residence."
"Well done."
Roy stepped into the conference room and was immediately met with a variety of gazes from the mayors of Miyagi—scrutinizing, disdainful, condescending, or outright dismissive. Not a single one held any respect for him. Their attitudes were unmistakable. Who said all Japanese people were polite?
Clap clap!
Roy clapped his hands twice, drawing the attention of everyone present.
A strange smile appeared on his face, his lips stretching unnaturally wide, giving off an eerie vibe for a moment.
"Alright, everyone, listen to my command. Line up and sit down, no need to rush. We'll proceed one by one..."
As he spoke, magical power naturally overflowed from his body, transforming into hypnotic spells that assaulted the gathered first-level officials.
By the time Roy walked out of the meeting room, more than ten pairs of eyes behind him were all looking at him with newfound respect.
Roy didn't need to worry about other matters anymore. Administrative affairs could still be left to the deputy governnor as before, with no possibility of disobedience from those below.
The only thing left to do now was to gather resources.