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As we obtained a new ally and were managing our first domestic affairs...
At the place we couldn't see something that would change this continent's destiny happened.
Han's emperor's death.
As this country's ruler died, power struggle that started from a Yellow Turban Rebellion went to a new stage.
Eunichs of the Imperial Court and various warlords were trying to be the ones to control the prince, which lead to a bloody conflict.
After mourning period ended, emperor's wife has supported her brother, Kashin, as one of the candidates for throne. (Same Kashin as in the anime, but male here and never seen)
Meanwhile emperor's mother supported her other son, previous emperor's popular younger brother - Ryukyo. (Liu Xie which is also known as Emperor Xian)
In the opposition of those two, Kashin had an advantage of being the general and using his army's power crowned his sister's son.
But eunichs did not stay quiet either and Kashin was quickly assassinated, followed by banishment and then assassination of his nephew.
And in turn, Kashin's subordinate generals couldn't tolerate that.
They retilated and managed to remove the eunichs.
But... one of them expected this and escaped town along with Ryukyo.
And then that eunich used his political force to ally himself with Totaku. (I have no idea if I'm translating this right. Stupid politics)
Using Totaku's powerful troops he managed to reclaim capital, but in the end he was just an official with an emperor in his hands.x
He was quickly betrayed by Totaku and killed, so he was still a fool. (SHUT... UP... WITH... POLITIC... I took me an hour for a single minute!)
Totaku quickly crowned Ryukyo and now was in control of power.
Using Ryukyo as a puppet he gave himself a title of Prime Minister and now was in sole control of the court.
But, meanwhile, Kashin's subordinate generals were preparing for war... and the second power struggle has started.
So, local lords were now summoned to Anti-Totaku alliance.
Kazuto: ...That's the story behind the letter we recieved.
Kahoku's leader, Enshou passed letter around and we were now deciding on our upcoming policy.
Kazuto: Should we answer those summons or not... is what I want to ask you.
Of course! Rumors say that Totaku-san is imposing taxes on Choan people! We cannot leave someone like that near the emperor and need to defeat him!
As Touka-sama says. We have to punish the evildoer with the hammer of justice in place of powerless people.
Rinrin will beat up the bad guy! (The irony in Yue being the gentlest character in Koihime)
Reading contents of the letter, those three were really full of anger.
But, there were three more, who were thinking in opposite direction.
Kazuto: Sei, Shuri, Hinari, your opinions?..
Hm... I think what Touka-sama and Aisha-tachi are saying is correct, but...
What. Is Sei against it?
Not exactly. But...
You doubt the content of this letter, right?
...So strategist-dono thinks the same?
Yes. Even though it's written about the opposing force, this is a bit too one-sided...
One-sided?... What do you mean?
Totaku-san is the bad guy. So let's defeat him together... There's a simple stuff written, but I doubt this letter is so simple.
This is lords' power struggle... I think that's the form jealousy for Totaku, who managed to get to the top first, has taken.
Mmm... Do we have to think that hard about it... I think the fact that there are people suffering is a reason enough.
Everyone's suffering from Totaku's rule... If that's true, what Touka-sama says is correct, but...
Kazuto: There's a probability of it being a lie, right?
I'm not sure if you could call it all a lie, but we need to figure out how much of what's written here is true...
Ugh... It's somehow so complicated...
That's politics, Rinrin.
We're no longer a militia, but a lord over one of the areas.
And... Now that Han Dynasty's fall is obvious, if we don't look ahead, a small force like us will be just swept with a giant wave.
...To fulfill our own ideal we have to judge real situation and figure out our course of action from it... Is what you're saying.
Ideal is precious. But if we get blinded by the shine of our own ideal, we'll trip and fall eventually, right?
While sun is in the sky, I think it's important to walk on earth with your own feet, while bathing in its warmth.
I understand what Sei-chan is saying... But, then, it's best for us to not participate?.. I don't want that.
Even if there's no proof of lord's oppression, as long as there are suffering people, I want to go save them...
...Heh, well, I feel the same... well then, what will we do, Mylord?
As everyone voiced their opinions, Sei looked at me silently.
Everyone's gaze gathered on me, as I was processing the opinions.
This letter... letter that arrived from Enshou, just as Shuri said, I also doubt it's contents.
But if I think too much about what's behind this letter, I'll forget what Aisha said, about how there are people who are suffering.
What are we feeling, why were we fighting until now... if you think of it, there's no need to even consider anything.
Kazuto: ...Let's participate.
I understand how what Sei, Shuri and Hinari were saying is correct.
And exactly because I do, it's possible to avoid the worst case.
Kazuto: Even while looking at the sun, it's still possible to hold staff and walk without falling... Everyone agrees?
Agree, agree! I greatly agree with Master's opinion! That's right, just as Master said, if we prepare ourselves properly, we'll be okay!
I also agree... My Green Dragon Blade is for protecting the weak. If there are people suffering, I want to confirm it... and swing the blade of justice...
Rinrin also agrees with Onii-chan!
The trio that was for participating to begin with, has agreed without thinking twice.
Kazuto: What about Sei-tachi?
Heh... we too stood up to fight for weak people. I don't have anything against participating.
That's right. If we prepare ourselves properly, we'll be able to respond if something happens.
(nod, nod)
Oh. So, you agree too, after all.
Then you should've said that from the beginning. (Without warning anyone?)
...Sigh. If there are too many people blinded by the ideal, someone has to take the opposition, or the organization will self-destruct.
It's a strategist's role to voice opinion to prepare for the invisible dangers.
...We too want to save the suffering people after all...
Kazuto: Yeah... I understand what Shuri-tachi feel there well.
To keep balance in the entire organization, opposition is needed.
...I'm really grateful to them for taking that heavy role.
Kazuto: That's why I decided to participate. Noone here would keep quiet, when they know that there are people suffering.
As expected of Master! You understand everyone's feelings well.
Kazuto Well, we've known each other for a while... And well, I want to save those people myself too.
Though I never thought about it while I was in my world. (For some reason Kazuto calls his world "real world")
But when I arrived to this world, met Touka-tachi... Seeing her chase her ideal, I felt that ideal's nobility myself.
That might be just Touka-tachi's influence... but I want to believe that ideal is in my heart too.