---
The castle's throne room had once held the voice of an empire.
Now, it echoed with the creak of broken chairs, the flicker of firelight, and the hum of distant laughter—Kaida wrestling furniture, probably.
I sat on the cracked stone steps of the old dais, arms folded, gaze locked on the faded sigil carved into the marble floor.
The Asahiro crest: a phoenix rising from ash.
How poetic.
> [System Notice: Political Infrastructure – 4% Restored] [Next Milestone: Reestablish Communication with Loyal Houses]
"You look like a moody warlord in a tragic play," Yurei said from behind.
She perched on the back of a broken throne, arms draped over it like a lazy cat.
"I'm thinking."
"You're brooding."
"It's productive brooding."
"Mmhm."
She tossed a scroll onto my lap.
"What's this?"
"Intel. Your old steward left records. Territory disputes, troop placements, noble alliances… even which lords were most likely to switch sides if bribed with wine or women."
"Useful."
"Also notes on who tried to kill you the first time."
I paused.
"You're kidding."
"Page six. In red ink."
---
CASTLE POLITICS: ROUND ONE
Kaida slammed open the doors, dragging a half-shattered table behind her.
"We need a proper war council room," she grunted. "And maybe a less flammable one."
"I like flammable," Yurei said. "It keeps things honest."
"It burns things."
"Exactly."
I sighed. "Can we focus?"
Kaida pointed at a map spread across the floor. "You have three major duchies still untouched by enemy control. If we can win their support—"
"—we can choke out the capital's supply chain," I finished.
Mikako entered, silent as moonlight, and knelt by the map. "I've begun sending prayers through the temple network. Some acolytes still loyal to the Celestial Path may assist."
I nodded. "Good. Yurei, do we know who's leading the southern resistance?"
"No name, but reports mention a masked woman called 'The Widow'. Sound familiar?"
I stiffened.
"...That was my mother's title in the underworld."
Yurei blinked. "Your mom was an assassin?"
"No. She just had excellent taste in names."
> [System Alert: Subplot Unlocked – The Widow's Return?]
Great. One more mystery to add to the pile.
---
LORD RIN'S RETURN
That night, as I walked the old battlements, Rin appeared beside me, cloak fluttering, voice calm.
"You're holding court now."
"Trying."
He folded his arms. "The nobles won't come easily. Not after what happened."
"You mean the betrayal? The execution? Or the part where my cousin stabbed me in front of the council?"
"All of it."
I exhaled.
"Then we win them over one at a time. With coin, force, or honor."
Rin hesitated. "And the girls?"
I side-eyed him. "What about them?"
His eyes drifted toward Mikako, standing in the chapel tower, robe glowing.
"They'll complicate things."
I laughed. "They are things. Beautiful, dangerous, possibly divine things. But they're mine."
> [System Note: Leadership Aura +2]
Rin didn't reply.
But his silence spoke volumes.
---
DINNER DIPLOMACY
Dinner was awkward.
Kaida and Yurei were arguing over who got the last roasted leg of beast-bird. Mikako was reciting poetry over tea like nothing was wrong. Rin sat stiffly, obviously distracted.
I cleared my throat. "Tomorrow, I send ravens. To every noble house that hasn't declared for the usurper."
Kaida grinned. "Good. I've got sparring plans for any who don't reply."
Yurei raised her glass. "To blood and bedlam."
Mikako murmured a soft blessing. Rin didn't toast.
He was too busy staring at Mikako.
Again.
> [System Alert: Rival Affection Level: Rin → Mikako (4/10)]
Noted.
---
LATE NIGHT STRATEGY… SORT OF
I sat by candlelight, map open, quill in hand.
Kaida sprawled on the rug, sharpening her blade.
Yurei sat in my chair. Because of course she did.
Mikako entered quietly, setting tea by my hand.
"You work too hard," she said softly.
I looked up. "It's the only way I stay sane around you three."
Kaida snorted. "You love it."
Yurei winked. "He does. Especially the chaos."
Mikako's gaze lingered. "Just don't forget why you fight."
I stared at the map.
My kingdom in red lines.
My throne, a memory.
My harem, a dream on the edge of danger.
"I fight to take back what was mine," I said. "And because they'll regret ever betraying me."
Mikako nodded once. Then left.
Yurei whispered, "She likes you now. Don't mess it up."
Kaida added, "Too late."
> [Self-Control: 39%]
---
THE COUNCIL RETURNS
At dawn, a raven arrived.
A single word, sealed in gold: Perhaps.
One noble. Lord Hanzo of the East. Old friend of my father.
I held the scroll tight.
"It's beginning."
> [System Alert: Alliance 1/7 Possible]
The pieces were moving. The girls were watching. The kingdom was waiting.
Tomorrow, I would write a letter that might change everything.
But tonight…
Kaida was in my bed.
Yurei was under it.
Mikako was praying outside my door.
And Rin was pacing the courtyard like a man with a secret.
> [System Final Note: Kingdom in Progress. Libido in Peril. Harem Level: Critical.]
THAT NIGHT
Another raven arrived. This one bore the seal of Lord Ojiro of the North.
The message was short:
I will pledge my armies to your cause if you accept my daughter into your household—as wife and future queen.
There was a sketch. A woman with wild, curling black hair, fierce amber eyes, and a confident smirk.
Kaida leaned over my shoulder. "She looks like trouble."
Yurei whistled. "I like her already."
Mikako studied the scroll. "The offer is… strategic."
> [System Alert: Bride Candidate Identified – Amaya Ojiro: Beast-Warden Noble] [Compatibility: 90%] [Warning: Temperament Wild / Territory Dangerous / Marriage Non-Negotiable]
I groaned. "Of course she's hot. Of course it's a trap."
Yurei grinned. "Better make room in the bath."
Kaida snorted. "If she tries anything, I'll roast her before she hits the soap."
> [Harem Status: 3/5 Pending Arrival]
And from the northern wind, I swear I could already hear her beast growling.
The wild one is coming… and she might not come alone.
---