Chapter 233: Chapter 28: Diverting Trouble
Kikunojou Tendo walked briskly through the corridors of the Holy Residence.
Ever since he had received the message that Kisara Tendo people were coming to see the Holy Emperor, the unease in his heart had grown stronger. He wished he could grow wings and fly over.
Unfortunately, Tokyo's nights were no quieter than its days. For the city's residents, who lived in a state of constant tension, the evening was when entertainment began.
Upon arriving at the Holy Residence, Takuto Yasuwaki immediately briefed him on the situation.
After learning what had happened, Kikunojou Tendo expression darkened further.
The Holy Residence guards had failed to stop Kisara Tendo people.
Kikunojou Tendo entered the Holy Residence with a grim face and opened the door to the reception room.
Scanning the room, he saw only the Holy Emperor sitting on the sofa, with two maids standing behind her. There was no sign of anyone else.
However, when his eyes fell on the suitcase on the table, his face twitched involuntarily.
The ominous feeling had come true.
The suitcase in front of him was one he had prepared himself how could he not recognize it?
But having weathered countless storms, he didn't show any anger or frustration over the failure of his plan. His expression remained as steady as old wood.
"Your Excellency Tendo," the Holy Emperor said with a smile, "I was just about to share some good news with you. The Seven Stars relics have been successfully recovered."
"Are they genuine?"
"I've seen the recovery video. This is the real thing."
"I see. That's excellent."
Kikunojou Tendo let out a long breath and sat down across from the Holy Emperor. "When I learned someone was coming to see you with the Seven Stars relics, I didn't believe it at first, so I rushed over. I didn't expect someone could actually recover the relics within half a day of the commission being issued."
"Your Excellency Tendo is indeed a loyal minister. Thank you for your concern."
"Haha, it's nothing worth mentioning."
Kikunojou Tendo waved his hand modestly, then his tone shifted. "However, who on earth could find the Gastrea that swallowed the relics in such a vast area? And on the same day the commission was issued? Doesn't Lord Holy Emperor think it's too much of a coincidence?"
"In fact, I do," the Holy Emperor said seriously. "The officer who handed over the relics is from your granddaughter's company. Do you know anything about this, Lord Tendo?"
"She is my granddaughter, so I naturally keep an eye on her."
Kikunojou Tendo stroked his long beard and spoke slowly. "In that girl's company, the only people besides her should be my adopted son and a few others. The person who came to see you seems to have appeared out of nowhere. It's very suspicious."
"Perhaps they have ulterior motives."
"I think so too," Kikunojou Tendo said with relief. "The Holy Emperor is wise."
"Thank you for your praise, but this is far from enough for the ruler of Tokyo," the Holy Emperor said modestly. "Next, I'll investigate the Tendo Civil Security Company and the officer I just met. Once I have the results, I'll share them with you."
"Lord Holy Emperor works tirelessly day and night. How can you be distracted by such matters?" Kikunojou Tendo shook his head. "Let me handle this investigation."
Clearly, the Holy Emperor had doubts about the unidentified officer but didn't suspect Kikunojou Tendo.
This comforted him.
However, in this case, he wanted to investigate it himself.
It was obvious that Kisara Tendo knew the coordinates of the Seven Stars relics, which was why she had sent a helicopter to the unexplored area.
Even after recovering the relics, she had deliberately attached tracking devices to other Gastrea to create the illusion that the relics were still missing.
This could only mean one thing: Kisara Tendo knew the incident wasn't an accident but a deliberate act.
What Kikunojou Tendo couldn't be sure of was whether his rebellious granddaughter knew that he was the mastermind behind it.
But whether Kisara Tendo knew or not, she had become a problem.
After losing Tendo Genjo, Kikunojou Tendo patience had worn thin, and he was ready to take action against his granddaughter.
Now that Kisara Tendo had somehow learned the location of the Seven Stars relics and that the incident wasn't an accident, Kikunojou Tendo could no longer tolerate her meddling.
He could tolerate Kisara Tendo declarations of revenge, her relationship with his adopted son, and her little schemes in private.
Before their interests were threatened, all of her actions could be dismissed as childish rebellion.
But the family's tolerance had limits. When Kisara truly crossed the line, she would no longer receive leniency but would face the same fate as her parents.
Kisara Tendo should have died long ago.
She should have died four years ago, when the Gastrea invaded the Tendo residence and killed her parents.
But she had survived a stroke of luck, a miracle.
It was also the family's mercy.
Kikunojou Tendo could have killed her in other ways.
But the girl hadn't been satisfied with her comfortable life, hadn't been grateful for the family's kindness, and had even turned her sword against them.
Now, she had grown to the point where she could threaten the family.
It was time to shed the mask of kindness and deliver the retribution that was four years overdue.
"No matter how useless she is, she's still my granddaughter," Kikunojou Tendo said solemnly. "If she's truly involved in this incident, I'll take responsibility and cleanse the family's shame."
"I appreciate your dedication, Lord Tendo," the Holy Emperor said. "However, Miss Kisara is your blood relative. If I ask you to investigate her, it might cause unnecessary rumors in the government."
"I would never bend the law for personal gain because of family ties. Please trust me, Lord Holy Emperor."
"Of course I trust you, just as my father trusted you. But every country has its laws, doesn't it?"
Seeing the Holy Emperor decline his request for the second time, Kikunojou Tendo narrowed his eyes.
Generally, the Holy Emperor would agree to his requests, even if they were slightly unreasonable.
After all, in the entire Tokyo area, he was the only person she could trust and rely on.
But at times, the Holy Emperor attitude became unyielding, like when she had pushed through the draft [Gastrea Protection Act] against all opposition.
What Kikunojou Tendo hadn't expected was that the Holy Emperor would refuse to budge on such a seemingly insignificant matter.
But he didn't dwell on it for long.
To outsiders, Kikunojou Tendo had shown remarkable patience and kindness in tolerating Kisara Tendo, the girl who openly declared her intent to destroy the Tendo family.
For a long time, he had remained indifferent to her actions, which many interpreted as doting.
Now, in the Holy Emperor eyes, Kisara Tendo was likely connected to the theft of the Seven Stars relics, so it was natural that she wouldn't allow Kikunojou Tendo to investigate her.
"Kisara, even if you know the loss of the Seven Stars relics was my doing, you have no proof."
Seeing that the Holy Emperor didn't suspect him at all and instead focused on his granddaughter, Kikunojou Tendo stroked his long beard to hide the sneer tugging at his lips.
"The Holy Emperor is on my side. I haven't lost yet."