Chapter 467

“Taiga-dono, the emperor had summoned you to the court today . ” The man stiffly bowed his head as he saluted with his fist on his chest . He was tall and his physique was quite petite, yet all warriors under him respected him as the general’s right-hand man, which he gained through his impeccable combat skills .

The woman before him smiled . Her plain yukata was unlike any other nobilities had worn . It was already worn out yet, it gracefully flowed along with the soft breeze of the wind — making it look elegant in a way . The tip of her black hair that was tied in an up-do, tangled in the air while her samurai clung on her waist .

Regardless of the plain geta she wore, with her position and status, one would anticipate a noblewoman . However, Tora Chisaka wasn’t as noble as the nation thought . She would usually wear something plain, just like a normal civilian whenever she would wander around the capital . Thus, they wouldn’t even know that the person they would casually converse with or share a drink was the general of the kingdom .

“The emperor…” Tora nodded her head before she turned to look at the plains she was initially gazing at . “Saionji, if this is about marriage, relay my word to the emperor that if he won’t be my bride, forget about it . ” The corner of her lips curled into a smirk .

In this era, a shogun or also known as the general, a true military ruler and powerful regional families ruled . It just so happened that Tora was the most powerful person in the kingdom, as she was the General, controlling seventy-five percent of the kingdom’s military and she came from one of the powerful families in the capital .

In simple terms, the General held more power than the Emperor . One could say that the emperor was a mere figurehead, cowering in fear just the thought of her existence . Therefore, the Emperor had been trying to arrange her in marriage to one of his kins — to get her under control .

Still, despite having so much power on her hands, Tora Chisaka didn’t want the throne or any of the sort just like what the emperor had feared . What she wanted was the peace of this nation she dearly loved — nothing more, nothing less .

Despite her pure intention, that wouldn’t ease the emperor’s worry that she might someday snatch the crown away from him because she has all the capabilities . The reason Tora had been taunting him that he marries her instead .

But, the emperor wouldn’t see the good side of it . Instead of thinking that he would have gained all her powers, he thought that Tora would devour the remaining influence he has and have her full control over the kingdom .

Nevertheless, this delay of Tora’s marriage was nothing but a nuisance to the emperor but worked well on her side .

“General, “

“Saionji, I will be away from the capital to visit the northern border . If the emperor insists on pressing on this mundane matter, he must prepare himself for our marriage . ” Tora raised her hand and said . She interrupted her right-hand man that specifically resembled Nico Zhuang, with the only difference that Saionji has a deep scar near his left eye .

“General, what a pleasant way of proposing . ” Just then, they heard a meek voice from behind .

When Tora heard the familiar voice of the emperor, the king of this kingdom, her brow arched before she turned her body to face him . There, Sumeragi wore casual noble clothing instead of his blinding imperial suit . A black veil that clung on his straw hat covered his face .

Slowly, he took off his hat that revealed his face — resembling Morris Liu . None other than a few officials had seen the king’s face . The only time Tora saw his face was when she pressured him: how can she trust a faceless emperor that she would serve if he could not trust her in return . Hence, Tora had already seen him .

Surely, the emperor was surprisingly good-looking, just like what the rumors said . His flawless facial feature and alluring demeanor of a natural aristocrat were top-notched . However, that wasn’t enough to attract Tora as he sees him as a child despite that he was older a few years .

“Greetings to the emperor . ” In unison, Tora and Saionji knelt down as they greeted the emperor . Well, regardless of what everyone thought, Tora still abided on manners and proper etiquette before the king .

“Rise,” Sumeragi said, “General, I presumed your Daimyo hasn’t reported about our marriage . ” Holding his hands on his back, Sumeragi took slow strides towards her as he brushed past Saionji .

“Your grace,” Leaving the dust that clung on her yukata when she knelt down, Tora subtly smiled . “What an honor to be summoned by you . ” Referring that she was being summoned but the king himself bothered to go to her instead, Tora deliberately poked some nerves that might hit this stone-cold dummy of an emperor .

“I yearned to see my future bride . ” Ignoring the usual annoying statement that usually escaped this unladylike woman’s mouth, Sumeragi notably humored as he looked at her insincere smile .

“Is that so, my king?” Taking a step forward, Tora smirked . “Alas, even if his grace yearned for me, this filthy hand wouldn’t dare touch him . ” She raised her hand that was filled with dirt as she deliberately touched the ground for this kind of purpose — repelling the emperor .

“That’s alright . Seeing my loyal general is enough to fill my yearnings . ” Glancing at her hand, Sumeragi, the emperor subtly smiled as he took a step back . He then turned his back against her and began taking his leave .

“General, I’ll let you know when’s the wedding date is set . I wish you good favors on your journey . ” Sumeragi noted as he walked away and returned the hat that had a veil to cover his face .

Tora and Saionji bowed their heads until they could no longer see the emperor .

“What kind of trick does he have on his sleeve?” Tora scoffed as she shook her head sideways . “Alas, whatever it is, it doesn’t pose a threat to me . ” With that said note, she began dusting off her hands and then on her clothes that left a little stain on it .

“Saionji, I’ll be traveling to the north . Keep an eye on him . ” Glancing at her subordinate on the side, Tora instructed before she took strides without waiting for her right-hand man to respond .

****

Meanwhile, in the heavenly realm, a child that appeared around the age of a ten-year-old child was staring down a well . She was watching Tora from the surface of the water with a smile on her thin lips .

She might appear as a child, but she had lived for more than a thousand years . And now, she was Tora’s guardian angel: the first human she would ever guide . Her pair of silver eyes gleamed, innocence was plastered on her child-like face .

“She had grown to a beautiful woman . ” Churu, her child version proudly said while staring at the undeniable beauty and strong demeanor of Tora . “I wonder if I can meet her one day…” She murmured before a large grin slowly formed on her lips .

She had been watching Tora from this well ever since Tora was born . Lately, because of the conversation, she accidentally overheard that ignited her curiosity . Churu had been very curious if she could do what her father does — descend to the human world .

Well, perhaps she could find out herself if she tried . Little did she know, her mere curiosity and eagerness to meet the human she was blessing would lead the two of them to their tragic ending .