"What did you say?!"
Behind the counter, Gyokko—who had been reclining leisurely in his chair—instantly flew into a rage upon hearing this.
He immediately sprang up and roared at that customer looking at pots in his shop:
"You say my pot is asymmetrical? Are you blind, you brat! Where is my pot asymmetrical?!"
"But it really is a little asymmetrical. Boss, look for yourself..."
"Nonsense! My pot cannot possibly be asymmetrical! You must be holding it crooked!"
"Um, Boss..."
Just then, another customer in the antique section of the shop suddenly called out:
"This Song Dynasty porcelain pot of yours, why does it look like a fake to me?"
"That's impossible! There cannot possibly be fakes in my shop!"
"But Boss, I remember Song Dynasty porcelain craftsmanship was clearly..."
"Get out! You bunch of art-illiterate fools! All of you get the hell out! Otherwise—otherwise I'll kill you!"
Across the street from the antique shop, Mitsuba and Doma each held an umbrella, silently watching everything unfolding inside.
"Well, regarding Gyokko, let's just skip him..."
Watching from afar as those customers were chased out of the shop by Gyokko wielding a broom, fleeing in panic, Mitsuba was the first to break the silence.
If not for her previous command absolutely forbidding random harm to people in the city district, Mitsuba had no doubt that the currently irritable Gyokko would definitely turn those customers into living fish, stuff them into his pots, and torture them to death.
"Indeed, Lord Gyokko's personality is still too unstable."
Doma expressed agreement on this point.
"For actors, we really need someone with a stable personality who can follow directions..."
"Then let's go. Find the next one."
Without even going over to greet Gyokko, Mitsuba and Doma silently left just like that.
---
Night fell. After concluding today's meeting, Michikatsu walked out of that Western-style luxurious restaurant together with several wealthy merchants.
"Then, the investment plans for the town will be entrusted to you all. I will submit the detailed contracts to your hands within three days."
"Not at all, not at all. In the future, we will rely heavily on Councilor Tsugikuni..."
At present, Michikatsu wore a well-fitted black suit, his dark red hair tied up high. Just by appearance alone, he gave people an aura of heroic magnificence.
"Speaking of which, Councilor Tsugikuni is so young. May I ask if you are married?"
"Thank you for your concern. I already have a wife at home."
"Oh! My apologies, my apologies..."
"Alright everyone, no need to see me further."
Walking to that black vintage car parked by the street, Michikatsu stopped and turned to bid farewell to these businessmen entrepreneurs beside him one by one.
And behind him, Gyutaro quickly got out of the car and hurriedly opened the rear door, waiting respectfully for Michikatsu to enter.
Like Michikatsu, Gyutaro was currently also wearing a well-fitted black suit, with white gloves on his hands.
Nowadays, not only were the ugly birthmarks on his face gone, but even that once messy hair had been combed neat and tied into a small braid at the back of his head. Overall, he gave a very capable secretary image.
"Councilor Michikatsu, this is..."
"A distant cousin of mine, Tsugikuno Taro."
"I see! No wonder he looks so talented—so he's Councilor Michikatsu's cousin! Hahahaha!"
"Then Councilor Tsugikuni, we won't see you off. Please drive safely."
Bidding farewell to these merchants, Michikatsu sat alone in the rear seat of the vintage car.
Gyutaro then skillfully took the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove toward Michikatsu's residence in Tokyo.
"My lord, did today's negotiations go smoothly?"
Looking through the rearview mirror at Michikatsu, who was resting with eyes closed in the back seat, Gyutaro couldn't help asking.
"Mm, the investment plans were discussed very smoothly. You must organize all the specific project details tonight."
"Yes, I understand."
"Additionally, I have a meeting with several other military and political officials tomorrow. You will come with me then as well."
"Yes."
Similar conversations had already occurred countless times over the past several years.
Ever since Michikatsu was inexplicably elected as councilor, Gyutaro had officially become a secretary assistant by Michikatsu's side under the identity of "distant cousin."
On ordinary days, he not only had to follow Michikatsu everywhere attending various large and small meetings, but also frequently needed to draft various project contracts and meeting documents for him—truly endlessly busy.
However, Gyutaro himself didn't actually dislike this kind of life.
Although learning to read and write those flowery documents was painfully difficult, and constantly dealing with those scheming politicians was quite boring.
But this feeling of being able to become "above others," being respected and looked up to wherever he went, indeed made Gyutaro—who once came from the lowest depths of the pleasure district—deeply happy and satisfied.
This kind of demon life was much more joyful than swinging swords all day at the dojo! Truly delightful!
After brief small talk, Michikatsu remained silent the entire way. The vintage car soon arrived at that small residence of Michikatsu's in the Tokyo city district.
Gyutaro quickly got out to open the door for Michikatsu. The two walked into the residence one after another.
But the moment they entered the courtyard, upon seeing the lit lights inside the house, Michikatsu immediately frowned and his footsteps slightly paused.
"My lord, what is it?"
Gyutaro subconsciously stopped and asked curiously.
"We have guests. Should be two."
Sensing that additional powerful fighting spirit inside the house, Michikatsu rarely used a somewhat uncertain description.
Because he had indeed only sensed one fighting spirit's presence, but according to normal logic, this one should not come to visit him alone.
So, that is to say, as long as this person came, it generally meant...
"Long time no see~ Dear brother~"
"Good evening~ Lord Kokushibo and Lord Gyutaro~ What do you two plan to eat tonight?"
[As expected.]
The moment he opened the door and saw Mitsuba and Doma sitting in a row in the living room, smiling faces on full display, Michikatsu imperceptibly sighed.
He knew it—these two live treasures definitely came together...
Previously, Michikatsu had only detected Doma's presence. Mitsuba, due to the Transparent World, was completely transparent in his perception.
____________________
This story has ended in chapter 315, you can read on patreon.com/dzeref887 for faster access or wait until August to read on WebNovel until the story ends.