Chapter 56: The Magnanimity of Hojo Tokiyuki and the Path Walked by the King

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In any group, the minority always finds themselves in the most awkward position, especially when everyone present is emotionally charged and striving toward a common goal.

Only one person dares to say no.

Such a person, without strong mental fortitude and determination, would hardly be able to do so.

Now, within the central hall of Akitoshi Hojo’s domain, though Touko did not explicitly refuse, her silence seemed to convey her stance.

Undoubtedly, she had become the minority.

Naturally, all eyes in the hall turned to her.

They gazed upon this shrine maiden, whose aura resembled that of an elegant orchid.

Bound by his current status, Unya dared not impose blame, but Akechi Mitsuhide was different.

With a hostile look, kneeling on the floor, he seemed ready to scold.

However, before Mitsuhide could act, Touko straightened her chest, and the Kagura bell in her hand rang crisply.

That soothing chime, capable of calming restless hearts, filled the air as Touko earnestly looked at Akitoshi Hojo and asked,

“Aren’t you tired, bearing such a heavy burden on your shoulders?”

“With such a vast world, does that burden truly not weigh you down?”

“Hm?”

Because Touko finally spoke, the others were momentarily taken aback.

Hearing her questions, everyone fell into deep contemplation.

A burden? Tired?

How could one not be tired?

There was no need for much thought—fighting enemies from the human side and dealing with yokai utterly different from humans was akin to stepping into an abyss from which there was no return.

Just imagining it sent chills down their spines.

What kind of heavy pressure did Akitoshi Hojo himself endure, especially since he could have chosen not to bear it?

In this era of decay, wasn’t it enough to be just a little less rotten than others?

Even a short general among dwarfs is still a general!

When they first decided to eradicate the yokai, they had considered everything—except Akitoshi Hojo personally.

“Nonsense!” shaking his head to dispel distracting thoughts, out of absolute obedience to Akitoshi Hojo and trust in their lord.

After some thought and seeing that their lord did not immediately respond, Akechi Mitsuhide, relying on his long familiarity, spoke,

“Lord Akitoshi Hojo’s magnanimity is beyond the comprehension of someone like you, who fears death and clings to life.”

Ignoring Mitsuhide’s reprimand, Touko’s eyes remained unblinking, fixed intently on Akitoshi Hojo.

Clearly, whatever others said was meaningless to her; she sought only his answer.

For his sake, and for her own.

“Tired?”

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Leaning slightly against the soft couch, Akitoshi Hojo rose—since Mitsuhide’s arrival and the audience with Unya and the others, he had maintained a somewhat disrespectful posture.

Now, he finally changed.

He stood up and slowly descended from the platform, gesturing to Mitsuhide, who was about to rise, to remain seated.

Approaching Touko, he met her unwavering gaze.

He crouched down to meet her eye to eye.

“If I don’t do it, then who will?”

“If no one is willing, what will become of the people?”

“As the king of these lands, if I am lost, how much more lost will my subjects be?”

“Therefore, the king’s will is the will of his people, and the path the king walks is the path of his subjects.”

“And the reason one can become king is because the king can accomplish what his subjects cannot.”

“A heavy burden and exhaustion?”

“Minor obstacles are but weeds along the king’s path forward!”

“Lord!”

Within the vast hall, Akitoshi Hojo’s words echoed repeatedly.

Instantly casting aside the worries brought on by Touko’s question, Mitsuhide was deeply moved.

With a heavy thud, he bowed his head to the ground, as if such reverence was the only way to express his respect.

“Akitoshi Hojo!”

“Is this the magnanimity of the Kirin of Sagami?”

Typically, a high monk’s mind is well-tempered and not easily shaken.

Though Unya had faltered several times today, he had quickly regained composure.

But hearing Akitoshi Hojo’s analysis of the king’s path once more, his mouth hung open in awe.

“What magnanimity! What kingly virtue!”

“This is how the people of the world should be!”

Bowing his head fully, if the previous obeisance was due to Hojo’s power, now it was solely for the man himself.

Seeing his disciples completely prostrate, Unya silently vowed to serve this man with utmost loyalty.

“King… the king’s path…”

Murmuring, Touko was in fact the one most deeply affected among all present.

Weary from endless battles against yokai, though outwardly her fatigue was hidden.

She herself knew that her heart was already battered and broken.

“Can I rely on you? Can the king bear everything?”

Whispering words perhaps only she understood.

“The king was born to bear it all.”

“Entrust everything to me, and I will realize my will to create the benevolent and righteous world I envision.”

Extending his hand, Akitoshi Hojo’s gaze was resolute.

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“In that case, shrine maiden Touko understands.”

Without placing her hand in his, Touko laid the Kagura bell, symbolizing offering to the gods, upon his palm.

She then adjusted her distinctive red-and-white shrine maiden robe.

Folding her hands before her forehead, with utmost solemnity and sincerity, she bowed deeply.

“Touko will devote everything for your benevolent and righteous world.”

“Good. The benevolent and righteous world I hope for shall surely not disappoint you.”

Clutching Touko’s Kagura bell, Akitoshi Hojo smiled and gently shook it, savoring the pleasant chime before returning it.

He rose and returned to the platform, fixing his gaze on the modest group below—the initial core team for combatting yokai.

“Mitsuhide, did the exorcists from the village refuse my summons?”

Monk Shinsen had reason and confidence to refuse, something Hojo could understand and forgive.

But at that time, Naraku Shoukan, the lord of a small town, had the exorcists eagerly rushing over.

They had sent their best members.

Could it be that my reputation is less than that of the mere Naraku?

“This…” Mitsuhide’s face tightened, his heart uneasy.

Because Unya and Touko were cultivators of spiritual power, their status differed from that of exorcists, who were barely above commoners.

Thus, when arranging the audience, the subordinates had neglected to include the exorcists.

Mitsuhide had not interfered either, thinking that his own later meeting would be a great honor.

Now, suddenly questioned by the lord, he realized Hojo’s lofty ambitions.

Only then did Mitsuhide understand the gravity of his error.

“Please forgive me, my lord.”

He immediately bowed his head in apology, about to say more when Hojo interrupted.

“Enough. Send for the exorcists at once.”

Hojo quickly grasped the situation and did not blame his orderly subordinates; he simply ordered the exorcists to be brought promptly.

Of course, those in the hall were not idle meanwhile.

Pointing to two items resting on a tray for some time, Hojo slowly began to explain their origins.

His request was simple: could the spiritual energy of the Tatsu Blade be purified with spiritual power, retaining its original function?

It must become a divine weapon usable even by humans to combat yokai.

As for the Heavenly Feather Robe, he tasked Unya and Touko to devise a plan to use it to ensnare and consume Amatsume no Kamikuiya.

This time, the goal was not to seal her, but to harness her power for Akitoshi Hojo’s use.