After the council of state had ended, Ou Ki called Ki Kouki into his office, and had the room cleared of all other people.

“….That king is completely soft. No, both master and servants are far too soft,” Ou Ki muttered.

At the council of state, although the king had possessed a pawn which could reverse the positions of attacker and defender, he didn’t use it. If he had honestly answered Uu Uu’s query as to whether anything had happened at Nine Colors Cove, the case of Li Kouyuu probably would have become a trifling affair. Ou Ki knew what had happened from the report he had received from Shiba Jin.

If he had clearly said then that the Hyou clan had ordered the killing of the king, and then had the Censorate’s Ki Kouki investigate the matter, that would be regicide. Compared to that, Li Kouyuu’s offense was nothing. In the end, although Riou and Uu Uu, who were closely tied to the Hyou clan, would probably have their heads be literally separated from their torsos, it would be natural to do so because of Hyou Ruka’s conduct. Although more than anything, gaining precious time was important to the king, and though this might have even been a chance to rescue Li Kouyuu, that king had put feeling first.

(Though, has his expression gotten better than it was before?)

There was slightly less weakness in his expression, Ou Ki thought.

(… At any rate, Hyou Ruka’s actions were far too risky…)

Deep folds grew between Ou Ki’s brows. Everything could be set awry by one of her actions. Anyway, the Ran clan had cut off Ran Shuui, and drawn a clear line between themselves and the king and court. Next was the other leading noble house.

“Have Li Kouyuu fall like this. Afterwards, leave it to You Shuu. This should go well.”

“Yes.”

Ou Ki closed his eyes. From another time, a voice that should have already passed on echoed within his ears.

“I am the king. Kneel to me, obey me. If you don’t like that, then snatch the throne from me.”

The man known as the conqueror had passed away, and, he realized, some years had already passed since then.

“…Kouki, do you know why I have made you the Grand Censor?”

“Yes.”

“If so, then good. Do what you must do. Then, go from here.”

Kouki left once, but then came straight back. He was holding a dish and some kind of jar. Before Ou Ki could draw his eyebrows together dubiously, Kouki smoothly took something from the jar and placed some upon the dish. Ou Ki had seen them before. These were the pickled eggs of the blue goose. These blue goose eggs were well known for their nutritious properties.

“Here you are. Recently, you have not been eating well.”

“It’s because of my years.”

“Is that so? Whatever the reason, until you finish this, I shall not leave this place.”

Kouki grew even more imposing. This made Ou Ki’s stern face twitch. If Kouki said he would do something, he would. Even if it took three or four days, he would follow him around, holding the pickled eggs. Imagining this was unpleasant to Ou Ki. It was too stupid. So he reluctantly reached towards them with his chopsticks. He felt a sense of nostalgia eating the blue goose eggs, as he had not had them for some time.

“…Are these the ones that girl brought back from Ran Province?”

“Yes. But the one who said you should eat them was Son Ryouou-dono.”

“You fool. Pay no attention to his nonsense. He only says useless things.”

Ou Ki’s face became more and more sour. However, he did not stop eating, and slowly finished the plate.

When he left this room, Kouki would need to once again return to being the Grand Censor.

“Please partake of them leisurely. If you choke on them and pass on, it will be troublesome for me.”

Usually it was Kouki who said uncalled for things. Ou Ki was startled. Don’t say that so expressionlessly, he thought.

“…..Say that to someone like Shou Taishi. These hard to get eggs will go bad.”

“Why? Right now I wish that Shou Taishi would up and pass away. I have no desire to behave kindly towards him.”

Kouki was injured. It seemed he had actually thought he was being kind. As usual, he was a little off target.

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