"Hehe…" Hearing his daughter's cries, Hiiragi Shinsuke chuckled softly, seemingly reminiscing about his younger days.
Back then, he had just taken over as the Kanjou Commissioner and vowed to be a good official—one who would dedicate himself to the development of Inazuma. He had also despised corrupt officials!
But alas… the passage of time had made him forget his original intentions, and he had ultimately become the very person he once hated.
"Chisato, you're still too naive," Hiiragi Shinsuke said with a faint smile. "It's my fault. I've protected you too well all these years. You're my only daughter, and I didn't dare let you see too much of the darkness within our family."
"Chisato, passion alone is useless, and a clear conscience won't get you far. Inazuma, because of the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree, is rotten to its core," Hiiragi Shinsuke said calmly. "If you don't take a piece of the pie, there are plenty of others waiting to grab it. So why shouldn't I take it?"
"Even our most beloved god has abandoned the nation's development, issuing that damned Sakoku Decree. Do I still need to be a good person?" Hiiragi Shinsuke sneered. "Good people can't protect their families, nor can they achieve prosperity."
"If even the gods don't care about their own nation, why should we bother with these things? Isn't it better to just make more Mora?"
"But… that's no excuse to harm the people of Inazuma!" Hiiragi Chisato retorted.
"They're just ants at the bottom of the hierarchy! If I don't step on them, if I don't suck their blood, someone else will," Hiiragi Shinsuke said coldly. "Do you think the Tenryou Commission is any better? They're even worse than us."
"…" Hiiragi Chisato was shocked by her father's cold words. He felt so unfamiliar to her—so much so that she could hardly recognize him.
"Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you something," Hiiragi Shinsuke said with a smile. "I've already submitted a petition to Tenshukaku in the name of the Kanjou Commission. That little brat you call Lord Akio will soon be finished. The Shogun won't let him ascend."
"Father! You…" Hiiragi Chisato's expression changed, but before she could say anything—
"Is that so?" A calm voice rang in their ears. Both of them turned pale and looked over.
They found Akio sitting on a nearby chair, legs crossed, elbow resting on his knee, and chin propped on his hand, watching Hiiragi Shinsuke with interest.
"Akio! What are you doing here?" Hiiragi Shinsuke's eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at Akio, as if he wanted to devour him.
"Lord Akio…" Hiiragi Chisato greeted him softly.
"Hmm, you can leave now, Chisato," Akio said.
"I…" Hiiragi Chisato was worried but didn't dare disobey Akio. She obediently walked out.
"Didn't you say you submitted a petition to Tenshukaku in the name of the Kanjou Commission? Well, I've found out, and I've brought the Narukami Decree," Akio said, standing up and walking over to Hiiragi Shinsuke.
He reached out and patted Hiiragi Shinsuke's bandaged face, causing him to scream in pain again.
"Do you know why I've let you jump around in front of me for so long without killing you?" Akio asked with a faint smile, pressing his hand against Hiiragi Shinsuke's thigh.
"Not killing you has made a lot of people unhappy, but I want to tell you, it's not that I don't want to kill you. It's just not the right time yet. If you were to be truly judged, do you think you'd survive?" Akio smiled, applying just a little pressure. Hiiragi Shinsuke's thigh bone instantly snapped. He tried to scream, but Akio sealed his mouth shut.
Pale and bloodless, Hiiragi Shinsuke looked at Akio in pain and fear. This man wasn't a god—he was a demon!
"Let me shatter your hopes," Akio said softly. "Believe me, once you're judged, you'll die in a very miserable and painful way… so much so that it'll be unbearable, with no chance of survival."
"You'll repent for the harm you've caused the people of Inazuma, and in your repentance, you'll receive the most painful punishment."
"Mmmph…" Akio's words echoed in Hiiragi Shinsuke's ears like the whispers of a demon, but his mouth was sealed shut, and he couldn't utter a word.
"Come on, let's go announce the Narukami Decree. I'll show you what true despair looks like," Akio said with a smile, grabbing Hiiragi Shinsuke by the collar and dragging him out of the room like a dead dog.
"Commissioner!" Outside, the Kanjou Commission members had gathered. They gasped as they saw Hiiragi Shinsuke being dragged out by Akio.
"Everyone! Silence." Akio's voice rang out like a divine decree, and the overwhelming pressure made everyone instantly fall silent. Under the divine aura, they didn't dare resist.
"Now, I'll announce the Narukami Decree," Akio said calmly.
"The path of eternity is vast! The Narukami is eternal!" Upon hearing the Narukami Decree, everyone immediately bowed their heads in respect.
"After investigation, it has been found that the current Kanjou Commissioner, Hiiragi Shinsuke, has engaged in corruption, bribery, and oppression of the people. He is unfit for his position. As such, he is hereby stripped of his title and confined to his home, forbidden from leaving Ritou! He will await judgment from the Narukami!"
"After deliberation with the gods, Hiiragi Chisato has been appointed as the Acting Commissioner of the Kanjou Commission! She will oversee all affairs of the Kanjou Commission and report directly to Tenshukaku. Once all matters are resolved, the position of Kanjou Commissioner will be reassessed."
"Huh?" Hiiragi Chisato was stunned. She had never dreamed that she would become the Acting Commissioner of the Kanjou Commission.
"Pfft…" Upon hearing the contents of the Narukami Decree, Hiiragi Shinsuke couldn't hold it in any longer. He spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted. However, since Akio hadn't given the order, no one dared to move.
"Hiiragi Chisato, come and receive the Narukami Decree," Akio said, looking at her with a smile.
"Chisato understands," Hiiragi Chisato stepped forward and took the Narukami Decree.
"We greet the Acting Commissioner!" Everyone bowed to Hiiragi Chisato.
Akio led Hiiragi Chisato into the house, and only then did the people snap out of their daze and scramble to take Hiiragi Shinsuke to the clinic.
"Lord Akio, I… what's going on?" Hiiragi Chisato looked at Akio in disbelief. She still felt like she was dreaming.
"Is it not suitable? Or do you lack confidence in yourself?" Akio asked with a chuckle.
"It's not that, it's just… I've never been involved in these matters before," Hiiragi Chisato quickly waved her hands.
"You can learn," Akio smiled. "Go and get ready. You'll come with me to Tenshukaku later. The Shogun wants to meet you."
"If you pass her assessment, you can continue as the Acting Commissioner of the Kanjou Commission," Akio said. "I recommended you, so don't let me down."
"Huh? I… I understand, Lord Akio. I won't let you down!" Hiiragi Chisato's motivation soared. It was Lord Akio's recommendation, so she would give it her all!
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