"That is your name, gatekeeper. Besides, my authority allows me to call you whatever I please," Shinzo remarked, sauntering towards the guards. They moved immediately, noticing that the Emperor was following Ryutaro with his eyes.

The gatekeeper didn't respond to that statement, just looking at the Tentochu sovereign. In his memories, Shinzo was a young boy just over ten years old when Tatsui left the world of the living.

​​

The one who was then the prince was a child with a dull and silent nature, despite being raised in a loving and relaxed environment. Because of his close friendship with Tatsui, Ryutaro knew firsthand the issues revolving around his only son, Shinzo.

Emperor Tatsui and Empress Yoko had wanted a son with all their hearts. By the time the Empress managed to get pregnant late in life, she had tried all sorts of natural fertility-enhancing methods.

She and Tatsui named the prince and future Emperor of Tentochu Shinzo. 'Heart', that was the meaning of that name. Part of the heart of his parents, who had desired him from the depths of their souls, as well as the heart of the nation, which, during a war, would saw in the Prince the hope of a new beginning.

He was a grumpy child, sometimes very violent. Having no siblings, Shinzo played with children of the highest nobility: all too often he asserted his power with his peers, breaking any game or competition rules and winning overwhelmingly.

However, although he was a tyrant from the very beginning of his young life, his silent character allowed him to hide this trait. He was able to beguile everyone with his good looks, letting others not see the dark side of his soul.

Shinzo began to feel contempt for his father at an early age, discovering that someone as powerful as the Emperor was always kind and merciful to even the weakest people.

Why did he do such a thing? Why did the Emperor compromise with men or women whose lives were worth far less than his own? These were the selfish ideals that accompanied the prince's growth, forging his despotic character.

When Tatsui died, and Empress Yoko could no longer make her own decisions, Shinzo felt a strong sense of freedom. He was just a child, and yet, he could think of nothing else but his own personal growth and all the powers he had inherited from his late father.

Snow-white hair and eyes as yellow as the sun. In terms of physical appearance, the Emperor was identical to his father. For generations, the white hair of the Imperial Family was passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of nobility and godhood.

Historically, all of the last Tentochu rulers had those facial features that made them look like gods. Tatsui Nishiyama possessed a Fenishiro, a fairly rare and powerful phoenix demon, a perfect symbol of vigor and rebirth.

On the other hand, Shinzo's Oracle was born as a Torasagi, a demon with no evolutions but almost supernatural powers. His selfishness and narcissism led Shinzo to replace the royal symbol with the face of his Oracle, removing his father's Fenishiro from the memory of the older citizens and from the eyes of the new generations.

The Torasagi was depicted everywhere: statues and squares, frescoes, drapes, even objects and souvenirs. Everything about Goldhaven advertised the high figure of the Emperor.

The love for the pomp and abuse of power made Shinzo increasingly different from his father, who died before he could realize that his son's character, despite his teachings, would remain the same forever.

"Are you aware of the reason why you are here, Kawada Ryutaro?" Shinzo asked, walking with his hands behind his back. The Emperor wore a long white robe, which almost blended in with his long hair, partially tied in a braid and partially free to flutter in the air.

The dress was open almost up to the navel and allowed a glimpse of his well-trained physique. That was another peculiar characteristic of the young Emperor: the unconditional love for fighting and training.

Although his masters wanted to lead him on the path of study and knowledge, making him a non-violent ruler, Shinzo felt an incredible sense of satisfaction in seeing other people suffer.

Possessing a demon far bigger and stronger than his training comrades, he had repeatedly risked killing them, letting himself be carried away by the unconditional desire for blood and violence.

"I am here because his majesty has ordered my immediate incarceration," Ryutaro replied, looking up masked by the black veil. With that answer, the gatekeeper pretended not to know anything.

"Ehehe..." Shinzo chuckled. "It's really true. People never change. You were a liar, and you remain a liar, Ryutaro." After those words, an evil smile appeared on the Emperor's face. It was clear that Ryutaro's temporary removal from the Dojo was just an excellent excuse to arrest him lawfully, welcoming the consent of the citizens.

Yoichi's theory was proving to be perfectly consistent with the facts.

"Your only task was to guard a place as small as the Dojo, and yet, you have disappointed me once again. The only question I can think of is... why did you decide to throw your life away, old man?" Shinzo inquired again, touching his shaved chin with one hand.

Before Ryutaro could respond to that provocation, he and the guards heard several female voices coming from the area behind the golden throne. One by one, three women entered the room, approaching the handsome Emperor.

The women were in an apparent state of intoxication and actually naked. Few almost transparent veils covered their lady parts, and their prosperous breasts were perfectly visible.

Lips as red and wet as juicy berries and skins as white as milk. The Emperor's concubines caught the eyes of everyone present, including the imperial guards.

One of them put her hand on the Emperor's shoulder and her other hand on his chest, bringing her lips close to his face and whispering something in his ear. Her firm breasts were completely uncovered and what was left of her dress had been reduced to a thin rag over her shoulder.