Iwato Station appeared peaceful on the surface, but as the bruised and battered Enoku was secretly escorted into a private manor, a conspiracy against Amatori Biba began to unfold.
The leader of Iwato Station and several trusted colleagues sat on tatami mats, gazes fixed solemnly on Enoku, who reclined on the floor. His miserable state was impossible to ignore.
"Biba's Hunters are expected to arrive at our station tomorrow. While we have no desire to interfere in the struggle between the Shogunate and Amatori Biba, do not forget what we did back then. Biba will not let us off the hook."
Sato Fumio, the man in charge, looked around the room while puffing incessantly on a long pipe. The worry on his face caused his wrinkles to bunch together. The others looked conflicted, wearing expressions of deep regret as they let out heavy sighs.
"Since no one objects, we shall follow the Shogunate's instructions. We must find a way to keep Biba and his Hunters here forever, eliminating the Shogun's greatest threat."
Seeing that no one backed out, Sato Fumio exhaled a cloud of smoke and officially decided to side with the Shogunate.
"My lords, besides the Shogunate's message, I have an even more critical piece of intelligence to report!"
Enoku, who had remained silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up. The men in the room immediately showed interest.
"Tell us everything you know. We are all grasshoppers tied to the same string now; there is no need for secrets."
Sato Fumio smiled and spoke in a gentle tone, "Rest assured, once this is settled, we will treat you well."
"Yes!"
Enoku proceeded to recount his observations of Misono Mika in exhaustive detail. Sato Fumio and the other officials started with confusion and shock, but as Enoku continued, their expressions grew increasingly grim.
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming? You're certain you didn't mistake a hallucination for reality?!"
A middle-aged man with a beer belly grabbed Enoku by his collar, staring at him with an unfriendly glare.
"You can send men to verify it. I believe that once you truly see Misono Mika, you will believe everything I said."
A flash of regret crossed Enoku's eyes as he glanced at the leg Kurusu Konochi had broken. "I have already paid the price for testing her authenticity. It is a miracle I even made it here alive."
"Release him. He has no reason to deceive us."
At Sato Fumio's word, the man let go of Enoku's collar, though his face remained skeptical.
Sato Fumio sighed deeply, his head aching as he gazed worriedly at the sun outside the window. To deal with Amatori Biba, he had wagered everything he owned. If he won, his political future would soar. If he lost, he would have nothing.
Currently, his greatest fear was a variable. He hadn't expected the Koutetsujou to bring them the ultimate variable before Biba even arrived.
According to Enoku's intel, Misono Mika never admitted to being a deity. Survivors of Aragane Station clearly heard her say that 'there might be someone above her' and she refused to let anyone call her a goddess.
This was intriguing. Did it mean the person above her was the true deity? Yet she wasn't even sure if such a person existed.
'One who is like god... is it?'
Sato Fumio smoked his pipe, feeling troubled. Not a god, yet close to one. The power she displayed could only be described as a miracle—a supreme, unreachable force that humans could neither understand nor touch.
"Do you actually believe this? Should we send someone to contact her?"
"No, do not cause unnecessary trouble."
Sato Fumio raised a hand to cut the man off. "Fewer complications are better than more. We must focus on Amatori Biba and the Hunters. As for Misono Mika and the Koutetsujou she protects..."
He paused for a beat before issuing his orders: "Treat them with the highest level of hospitality. Right now, we cannot afford to gamble, nor do we have the right to."
"We do not need to confirm if Misono Mika is a god. All we can do is avoid offending her."
"Do not even think about using her against Biba. Someone already tried that, and you all heard how he ended up."
Sato Fumio glared at one of the men with a warning look. After the man lowered his head guiltily, Sato turned his gaze back to the diverse group in the room and spoke his final words with a bitter smile.
"It might be embarrassing to say, but in the face of an incomprehensible existence like Misono Mika, all we can do is obey."
The room fell into silence once more.
★ ★ ★
"Lady Ayame! Word came from Iwato Station. They agreed to provide us with food supplies!"
Kurusu Konochi ran over from a distance, face flushed with excitement as he shared the news with Ayame Yomogawa. "And they are willing to take in the wounded from the Koutetsujou!"
"Really?!"
A look of joy flashed across Ayame's face. She rubbed her hands together in excitement. "That is wonderful! Did they ask for anything in return?"
Food issues had always plagued the various stations. When the Koutetsujou first requested a grain trade, the officials at Iwato Station had deliberately avoided the question. She hadn't expected them to agree so suddenly after only half a day. For the people of the Koutetsujou who were perpetually hungry, this was incredible news.
"They did not."
Kurusu shook his head. After hesitating, he couldn't help but add, "However, some strange things happened. The officials seemed to be fishing for information regarding Lady Mika's preferences, though I intentionally dodged the subject."
"I see... so that's how it is..."
Ayame blinked, her eyes drifting to the fruit Mika had given her on the table.
'How can we ever repay your kindness, Lady Mika...?'
The sudden shift in Iwato Station's attitude definitely involved some hidden catalyst, and it was almost certainly related to Misono Mika. Iwato Station clearly intended to curry favor with her. Unbeknownst to her, Mika had solved yet another of their problems.
Ayame walked into the courtyard, looking up at the sun.
"Speaking of which, today is Tanabata. I wonder if Lady Mika would be willing to participate in tonight's festival. I must thank her properly in person..."
★ ★ ★
Inside a flower shop.
The shop owner wiped sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, watching Misono Mika's back with extreme nervousness.
'My god, why did such an incredible guest come to my humble shop!'
'Should I talk to her? But what if I accidentally say the wrong thing?!'
'Mom, why aren't you back yet? Come save me!'
The shop owner prayed in his heart for his mother to return quickly. A rough man like him didn't understand the heart of a young maiden at all!