"Could it be that there are many bad people here?"
In the dance hall filled with merriment, as she continuously danced with Mitsuba's movements, Kanae felt puzzled by the question she asked.
"Of course. Our place here could be described as being filled with villains everywhere, whether visible or invisible to you, little one..."
Upon hearing this, Mitsuba immediately moved with her to the other side of the dance hall.
"See that bald man? A few years ago when there was famine in the Northeast, he was the one who led local grain merchants to hoard rice and inflate prices, ultimately causing tens of thousands of common people to starve to death.
If not for my elder brother promptly pushing through legislation to force them to release grain, who knows how many more they would have starved... So, is he the bad person you're looking for?"
Seeing Kanae didn't respond, Mitsuba brought her to another side of the dance hall, where several officers were standing and laughing loudly.
"And these few, see that tallest officer among them?
During that foreign war a few years ago, this person ignored superior military orders and privately led his soldiers to wantonly massacre local civilians, killing innocents to claim military merit.
What's tragic is that after the military headquarters learned of this intelligence, not only did they not punish this behavior, they actually approved of these 'military achievements' he reported?
And that military official standing beside him is even more of a complete warmonger.
Unlike my elder brother who always advocates peaceful development, this person, having studied in England and deeply influenced by European 'pirate ideology,' has always adhered to the principle of 'plundering is better than development.'
Behind the bloody wars this country has launched abroad in recent years, more or less, there are traces of his shadow...
Little girl, you see, we have bad people here by the handful. I just don't know which one is the bad person you want to catch?"
Facing Mitsuba's smiling inquiry, Kanae subconsciously averted her gaze.
"None of them... The one I want to catch is another bad person..."
She felt that the beautiful woman before her was doing this deliberately.
She had clearly guessed that these weren't the people she was looking for, yet deliberately presented them to tease her.
A very mischievous personality.
But strangely, she didn't feel angry...
"Ah~ So it seems you might be a member of some extraordinary secret organization?"
Upon hearing this, Mitsuba's face showed an expression of sudden realization at the appropriate moment.
Finally having enough of teasing this little butterfly, she casually took two glasses of red wine from a passing attendant, handed one to Kanae, and said meaningfully:
"However, little girl, no matter what organization you've joined, I suggest you leave it as soon as possible and leave this country."
"Why?"
Kanae asked puzzled.
"Because this country is gradually descending into madness."
Swirling the red wine in her glass, Mitsuba leaned against the pillar behind her. Her gaze fell upon the men and women in the dance floor ahead who were singing and dancing self-forgetfully, that exquisite face finally showing some seriousness.
"This madness is spreading from top to bottom, continuously infecting every corner of this country's society, carrying it step by step toward the abyss of destruction.
Like a ship with a broken bottom, the passengers not only don't want to plug that hole, but instead dig it larger and larger, believing they are saving it—truly pathetic...
These years, even we are considering that perhaps it's time... to leave this place."
[We?]
Unclear about the specific reference of this subject in the woman's words, Kanae subconsciously asked curiously:
"Since you know what will happen in the future, why not try to prevent it from happening?"
The woman smiled again upon hearing this.
"Little one, the great tide of the times does not shift according to individual will. When collective contradictions accumulate to a degree that can no longer be suppressed, they will certainly erupt.
Even if we truly had that heaven-reaching ability to temporarily contain this momentum, it would only be temporary relief at best.
Moreover, compared to participating in these boring matters, I prefer to be a bystander.
It's my elder brother who seems to still want to try and make an effort."
Her gaze looking toward Yoriichi not far away who was conversing with Akaza, Mitsuba let out a light sigh.
"Unfortunately, this is destined to be futile. When the day comes that he decides to give up, perhaps that will be when we truly leave this country..."
"I feel that you seem to understand many things..."
"Just a newspaper editor with some connections, that's all... Alright, it's getting late. Little one, you should leave."
Seemingly having lost interest in continuing the conversation, Mitsuba casually handed a card to Kanae.
"My business card. Consider it making a friend. My address is on it. If you ever want to find me, you're welcome anytime."
On the business card, Mitsuba's name was clearly written—
Tsugikuni Mitsuba.
The moment she saw this name, Kanae's pupils constricted.
But she said nothing, only calmly accepting this card.
"Anytime?"
She suddenly asked.
"Of course. For people who interest me, I always have plenty of time."
"I understand..."
Nodding lightly, Kanae suddenly stepped forward and embraced Mitsuba.
"Mm? What's wrong?"
At her sudden action, Mitsuba was slightly stunned.
A faint delicate fragrance came through her breath. She didn't push away, but let Kanae hold her like this, showing a puzzled expression.
"It's nothing. I just heard that in the West there's an embrace greeting, where friends embrace each other when parting."
Resting her chin on Mitsuba's shoulder, Kanae replied with a straight face.
"I see... But young lady, does the embrace greeting originally require hugging for this long?"
"Because I'm still waiting for Miss Mitsuba to return my embrace. Only when both people have embraced each other does the greeting count as complete.
If you don't return my embrace, then it doesn't count as complete."
"Being glib-tongued at such a young age isn't a good habit..."
Sighing rather helplessly, Mitsuba still raised her hand and gently embraced the person in her arms.
After quietly waiting several seconds like this, she spoke again with a smile:
"Is this enough now, my young lady?"
She was still so sharp-tongued, not letting go of any opportunity to tease others.
"Mm, it's enough. Thank you, Miss Mitsuba."
Kanae nodded lightly, still buried in Mitsuba's hair.
"Since it's enough, hurry up and let go, go home early."
Mitsuba said with quite a headache. She could already feel that sharp gaze from behind.
"Alright, Miss Mitsuba, you should also..."
Only then did she finally release Mitsuba. Unexpectedly, Kanae didn't say anything more, but very obediently turned around and left just like that.
Maintaining her smile the entire time, only after watching her figure leave did Mitsuba finally put on a stern face and fiercely throw the wine glass in her hand toward the person behind.
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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.