It was through the accounts of those survivors who recognized Aoto that Shinno learned what exactly had transpired that night.
Shinno’s recount was not lengthy; he used only about half a quarter of an hour to tell Lord Rakshasa everything he knew.
"Oh oh..." Rakshasa, who had been quietly listening, let out an indescribable chuckle after Shinno finished his story, "I see... The guards led by that Anthony defeated you..."
"...That Tachibana Aoto’s command level and personal martial power are quite sothing."
"First, he fortified the defense line to wear down your montum."
"When your montum waned because the line was not quickly breached, he personally took to the field and launched a thunderous assault, directly attacking the main array and taking the head of that Yamada, crushing your morale in one fell swoop."
"And when Mogami ca with reinforcents, he defeated Mogami as well, rendering you completely powerless to recover."
"Your defeat in this battle... isn’t unjustified."
Hearing Rakshasa praise Aoto, who had caused the Anti-foreigner Group such a heavy loss, Shinno felt extrely uncomfortable.
But he dared not act on it, and could only silently suppress the grievance within his heart.
At this mont, Rakshasa suddenly sat up straighter and asked Shinno:
"Mr. Kamino, now that it’s confird who caused your Anti-foreigner Group such a loss, what do you plan to do with that Tachibana Aoto?"
"Isn’t that obvious?!" Hearing Rakshasa’s new question, Shinno replied through gritted teeth without hesitation, "Of course, I can’t just let it go like that!"
In extre anger, Shinno’s voice unconsciously rose a few notches.
"I must make that damn traitor suffer... Uh...!"
Shinno’s roar suddenly ceased.
The words he hadn’t yet spoken transford into a gasp of astonishnt.
He chanically lowered his head, glancing toward his throat.
A gleam of cold light hovered before his throat.
Rakshasa held a red-handled tachi, the blade tip pointing at Shinno’s throat.
The blade tip was only about half a finger-width away from Shinno’s throat.
Rakshasa only needed to lightly push the sword forward to take Shinno’s life.
"Mr. Kamino."
At this mont, the faint smile on Rakshasa’s face disappeared.
He half-closed his eyes, casting a cold, indifferent gaze at Shinno.
"Please don’t shout."
"You know. I hate noise the most."
"Your noisiness is very irritating to ."
"Calm down."
The previously aggressive Shinno imdiately lost his vigor, his face turning pale, and even his once-straight posture slumped.
"I-I’m sorry..."
Seeing Shinno apologize, Rakshasa’s expression returned to that faint smile.
"Be more careful in the future." Rakshasa picked up the scabbard on his left side with his left hand, aligning the blade back to the scabbard, and sheathed the tachi. "Don’t make a commotion in front of again."
Only after Rakshasa sheathed his sword did Shinno abruptly realize—his back was drenched with cold sweat...
When did he draw his sword?
Shinno had completely missed Rakshasa drawing the red-handled tachi that had been by his left side.
He didn’t even hear the sound of the sword being drawn...
"I was worried that Mr. Kamino might be completely demoralized after such a defeat."
"But it seems I was overly concerned."
Rakshasa smiled as he placed the red-handled tachi back by his left side.
"Since Mr. Kamino still seems full of vigor, keep up the effort."
"I look forward to it."
With a growing smile, Rakshasa’s eyes squinted with mirth.
"I’m eager to see how far you and your Anti-foreigner Group will take your ’Anti-foreigner Cause.’"
"If there’s anything you need help with, feel free to reach out to our Law Punishnt Faction."
"We’ll be more than willing to provide any assistance we can."
Shinno: "Yes..."
Just as Rakshasa had said earlier: he summoned Shinno simply to confirm Shinno’s current state after the recent devastating defeat.
Now that his purpose was achieved, there was no reason to let Shinno linger any longer.
After a few more casual words with Shinno, Rakshasa waved his hand, signaling he could leave.
Shinno respectfully stood up, bowed to Rakshasa and Shimizu Eiichi, and then left the room as if he were fleeing.
After Shinno left, Rakshasa turned his head, smiling at Shimizu Eiichi behind him: "Eiichi, it seems Tachibana Ryuzo’s son has really beco a ’Huzi.’"
At the ntion of "Tachibana Ryuzo," a shadow crossed Shimizu Eiichi’s face: "Lord Rakshasa, to be honest—I’m quite bewildered."
"From all previous accounts, that Tachibana Aoto seed like nothing more than a diocre person."
"But recently, he seems to have suddenly transford, first solving a high-profile case in less than an hour."
"Now he’s showing exceptional command abilities and personal martial prowess, leading a re 20 or 30 n to defeat an enemy several tis their size."
"Hahaha, I find it quite unbelievable too. But sudden transformations into greatness aren’t impossible."
"Three hundred years ago, Oda Nobunaga, who almost established the Oda Shogunate, was known as the ’Great Fool of Owari’ before he assud the head of the family and demonstrated his terrifying military and diplomatic prowess."
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