Aihara: “Speak, Kiyomori Taira! I want explanations!”

  The ground inside Aihara’s room shakes violently.

  Kiyomori: “I can feel your anger through the screen. That is quite disturbing.”

  Aihara: “I said: speak.”

  Kiyomori: “Alright, alright. So you are wondering why we sent one of our own to you, and why that person ended up killing your people?”

  Aihara: “Yes.”

  Kiyomori: “Quite simple. It was a permitted reaction to your actions.”

  Aihara: “What actions are you talking about?”

  Kiyomori: “Do not lie. You were the ones who attacked us first. We merely defended ourselves.”

  Aihara: “We never attacked you. You are telling me such obvious lies.”

  Kiyomori: “This is no lie. You committed a total of three crimes:

  First, you stole all of our Phoenix Gold.

  Second, you placed multiple bombs and other deadly traps on our land.

  Third—and your worst crime—you murdered my brother.”

  Aihara is visibly shocked by the accusations, which he firmly believes to be false.

  Aihara: “That is complete nonsense. None of our members would ever do such a thing. At least not without my consent.”

  Kiyomori: “Aihara, we are the victims here, not you.”

  Aihara: “This is not about who is the victim or the perpetrator. It is about the fact that you caused people to die on our side.”

  Kiyomori: “You endangered our wealth, our reputation, and killed an important member of our family. According to the Serpent-Crow Law Code, illegal actions are permitted if they serve the immediate protection of a family’s existence, property, or status—but only until a tribunal is convened. We exercised that right as it was granted to us.”

  Aihara: “You abused that right excessively. You know very well that I will call for a tribunal.”

  Kiyomori: “I am aware of that. But it will not benefit you. I originally thought we would simply pay you back in kind. But if this is how you want it, then let us settle it in court.”

  While the two family heads continue their discussion, those waiting outside try to understand what is being said inside.

  Najun uses his Birth-Protection to at least read his father’s body language.

  Najun: “He looks angry and agitated. His entire body is tense, but I think I can also sense fear in his posture.”

  Naki presses his ear against the door, trying to listen, but only catches fragments like Phoenix Gold, Law Code, and Tribunal.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Hina and Ino stay away from the spying and wait patiently for the discussion to end.

  Naki: “What is Phoenix Gold?”

  Ino: “It is an extremely rare and incredibly valuable type of gold. It is called Phoenix Gold because the raw ore is melted by phoenix flames and then infused into stone or other substances. It is said to be a mixture of several precious metals, with gold being the largest component. Its quality is supposedly incredible, and it has many applications.”

  Naki: “Phoenixes exist?!”

  Ino: “Yes, you sleepyhead. They usually live in inactive volcanoes or massive fire pits. They are extremely shy around humans and almost never show themselves. However, some families—like the Taira family—have a good relationship with a phoenix clan. That is why they possess such a large supply of this gold. We, for example, only have very small amounts since we have no real connection to such beings.”

  Ino: “[Could their attack on us be connected to the Phoenix Gold?]”

  The conversation continues for a while longer, until Aihara finally exits the room.

  Aihara: “In one week. In one week, we must be in Tongyo to face the Taira family in court. A Serpent-Crow Tribunal.”

  Ino: “In Tongyo? Brother, what in the world happened?”

  Aihara: “I will explain later. Prepare yourselves—we leave early tomorrow morning.”

  Naki moves to leave as well, but his father stops him. This operation is strictly for adult members; the younger ones must stay behind and guard the estate.

  Naki: “Father, please. We have to come with you—or at least I do. You cannot exclude me from something this important.”

  Aihara: “I am sorry, my son. But you must stay.”

  Naki storms out angrily and slams the door.

  Najun also leaves, quietly and without a word.

  Aihara, Ino, and Hina—who must also remain behind—discuss the final details of the departure and who else will attend the tribunal. Although Aihara does not show it, he is under immense stress and, truthfully, very afraid. Facing conflict with one of the Top Five Families is no simple matter. Higher-ranked families are not only stronger and wealthier, but also possess vastly greater political and economic power—and they use it freely.

  Naki enters one of the training rooms and trains like a madman. Training is one of the few things that helps him release anger, which rarely overwhelms him like this. Whenever Naki trains, he trains intensely, pushing himself far beyond his limits. But this time is different—this time he imagines the faces of his father and uncle each time he strikes the training dummy.

  The Taira estate lies near the capital, Tongyo. It is hidden behind numerous rivers and small mountain ranges. Rumors say that one can easily get lost there and never find the way out again. Another defining trait of the Taira family is their obsession with bloodline purity. Blood is everything to them, which is why they rarely employ non-blood-related servants or workers.

  Kiyomori: “We will destroy the Sakiko family. They truly believe they can commit such actions without consequences.”

  ???: “They are truly foolish. May I have permission to torture a few of them before killing them slowly?”

  Kiyomori: “Yes—but only two. Some must survive to tell the story of the greatest defeat in their history. Ideally, one of them should be a child.”

  ???: “Thank you, Father. I will fulfill your wish and bring this family to ruin.”

  Kiyomori’s child leaves, while Kiyomori enters a hidden room. He walks slowly through it. The room resembles a library that has not been maintained for over a hundred years. He stops in front of a bed. Someone lies there, wrapped in bandages and connected to numerous machines. The only visible part of the patient is a grotesquely deformed hand—burned and twisted. A nurse sits beside the bed, calm, waiting for the next dose of medication.

  Kiyomori: “You are taking good care of him?”

  Nurse: “Yes.”

  Kiyomori: “Be careful with the medication. Never too much, never too little. And make sure he stays asleep, so he does not feel too much pain. Ah… I wish I could take care of him myself.”

  Nurse: “I am taking very good care of him. You do not need to worry about his recovery.”

  Kiyomori: “Who said anything about healing him? I only want him not to die.”

  Kiyomori: “No one must know that he is alive. This remains a secret between you and me. Though… I suppose we can include him as well, can’t we, dear brother?”