Chapter 49 Special Investigation 1
Upon returning to the citadel, Ranro told her sword spirits about her discovery. They all knew more or less about the secrets left behind by the first Saniwa.
But to their surprise, a Saniwa who realized the truth appeared in such a short time.
"Those two Saniwa are S-rank, and they seem to be searching for something in the General Store. I want to join them."
Ranluo resolutely chose to walk the path she believed was right, even knowing that she might lose her life as a result.
I will never regret it.
“Go do what you want to do, we will support you,” Mikazuki said, looking at Ranluo, the little girl they had watched grow up.
He has grown into an outstanding leader.
——
Hanshu returned to the citadel and told his family's tsukumogami about the discoveries he had made during his expedition.
The fact that our spirits are safe and sound is already the best outcome.
Recalling what happened to Benling, a shadow fell over Hanzhou's face. Those secretly plotting and even trying to outsmart him, attempting to control Benling...
This is also why I suddenly looked up at the sky while talking to Mikazuki.
Why do humans always try to control things that don't belong to them? Driven by greed and utterly clueless.
"My lord, Lords Yu Yuwu and Qingye sent you a message before you returned," Kashuu Kiyomitsu handed over the envelope.
Although there was a letter inside the envelope, it was completely blank. The true message was hidden within the array on the envelope, a method that Han Zhou had taught him.
They've narrowed it down to just three areas; that's quite efficient. But... is someone of unknown identity lurking in the shadows?
The three major families wouldn't be so foolish as to send people to follow Yu Yuwu and Qing Ye directly. So, which faction did the person secretly watching them belong to?
"My lord—" Kitsune-no-suke's voice came from afar, sounding very anxious.
"My lord! The Time Government has ordered us to dispatch tsukumogami to the abandoned world to conduct a special investigation!"
Hearing Kitsune's words, Hanshu frowned slightly. An abandoned world, an abandoned history. There are quite a few Time Travel Corps members in such places; who will be dispatched for this special investigation?
"How many Saniwa received the mission for this special investigation?"
Kitsunenosuke twitched his ears. "A special mission investigation can only dispatch five Tsukumogami, and the operation is lengthy. Therefore, it places high demands on the citadel's combat strength. This special mission investigation requires the participation of A-rank and S-rank Saniwa."
It seems to be aimed at high-level Saniwa.
Kitsunenosuke took out the Time Government's encrypted communication from the bell on his chest. It contained the message that the tsukumogami, who had gone ahead of time to the abandoned world, wanted to deliver.
Hanzhou took the encrypted device, which resembled a fox sculpture, and began summoning the tsukumogami to the Great Hall.
After being deciphered, the fox sculpture's eyes snapped open, projecting an image. The semi-transparent image flickered twice before stabilizing.
The image shows a tsukumogami (spirits) sent by the Time Government to investigate the abandoned world ahead of time. Most of their faces are covered by a mask, making their features unclear.
"Hey, can you hear me? Please proceed with a special mission to investigate the abandoned world. This is a special case, please form a five-person sortie team and head to the Tosa Domain of Bunkyu in 1863."
"Let's get to Harima-yabashi first and then talk about it."
Once the message is conveyed, the image disappears.
"In 1863, the third year of Bunkyū, Sakamoto Ryōma was in Edo, studying at Katsu Kaishū's private school." Kitsunenosuke said, glancing at the information projected onto the bell with his little paws.
Tosa...
Having quickly decided on the personnel for the battle, Hanshu turned his gaze to the swordsman with deep ties to Tosa—Mutsu no Kami Yoshiyuki.
"The five who will be deployed this time are Captain Mutsu no Kami Yoshiyuki, and the remaining four are Kashuu Kiyomitsu, Honebami Toushirou, Namazuo Toushirou, and Sayo Samonji."
Han Zhou suspected there were other unknown conspiracies involved in this special investigation, and she looked at the members who had been dispatched.
"The outcome of the investigation doesn't matter; just protect yourself. Come back immediately if things go wrong."
The swords all possessed amulets given to them by Han Zhou, which she had improved upon. These amulets could provide healing when the swords were injured.
Thinking of the unfamiliar tsukumogami that had just appeared on the screen, just in case, Hanshu took two extra amulets and handed them to Mutsu no Kami Yoshiyuki.
"If you encounter a spirit dispatched by the government, give this to it. If something unexpected happens, take it with you back to the citadel."
"Leave it to me! Wow, I never thought I'd be able to go back to Tosa."
Seeing Mutsu no Kami Yoshiyuki's excited expression reminded Hanshu of Sakamoto Ryoma. That cheerful, carefree person who loved new things.
——
"Qingye, do you remember this person?" Yu Yuwu frowned slightly as she looked at the friend request that appeared on her terminal.
The message above is very short: I need to contact you.
"We had met once before in the political arena, and I also received her application."
Qingye looked at the fox spirit sitting beside him.
"Help us hide our communication records with Ranluo."
"Yes, my lord. It has been hidden."
Contacting each other on the terminal could easily be seized upon by the authorities. Just to be on the safe side, it's best to keep it discreet. The two accepted Ranluo's friend request.
Hello! May I invite you to Wanwu Yiju?
On the other end of the terminal, Ranluo nervously stared at the chat page, her hands clasped in devout prayer. This prompted Ichigo Hitofuri, sitting behind her, to smile helplessly.
Sure, but we'll decide the time and place.
【OK! ! ! 】
Qingye could sense the other party's excitement even through the terminal, and looked at Yuyuwu beside him with some confusion.
Why is she so agitated?
"I don't know." Yu Yuwu closed the terminal, a strange intuition rising in her heart: "Let's tell Lord Hanzhou about this. Ranluo might become our ally."
"You mean she might have noticed?" Qingye raised an eyebrow meaningfully, as if he didn't agree with Yuyuwu's guess.
"It's just a gut feeling. I remember... her citadel was inherited from her mother."
The astute Qingye had already grasped the implication of Yuyuwu's words: Ranluo's mother likely knew the truth and had told Ranluo this secret.
If that's really the case... that woman who managed to escape the clutches of the three great families must be no ordinary person. Currently, their relationship with the three great families is almost at a standstill, and they sense that the three families are secretly plotting against them.
"Let's go back and take care of things at the citadel first. How about we go to Lord Hanshu's citadel in an hour?"
"Okay, I haven't arranged the deployment team for this special investigation yet. See you later, Qingye." After saying goodbye, Yu Yuwu disappeared from the spot.
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