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Tl: Sam

…

――――Ministry of Monster Control, Special Conference Room. The room, with a rectangular table placed in the center, was used when Minister of Monster Control Dojima held conferences with other ministers. Magic tools were embedded within the walls, making it impossible to ascertain what was happening inside through clairvoyance or wiretapping.
Inside, Dojima and two other men were holding a meeting, discussing the incident where monsters were unleashed by Suda.

“……So, is it agreed then that this district over here will fall under the Metropolitan Police Department’s jurisdiction, and we will take charge of this side?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. For now, we’ll focus on guarding heavily populated districts, and as for the other areas, we’ll take measures as soon as we secure the cooperation of corporate guilds.”

The stern-faced figure wearing glasses replied to Dojima’s proposal. He was the top official of the Metropolitan Police Department, Superintendent General Gonda Seiji. As the head of the Metropolitan Police Department charged with maintaining the peace of Tokyo, he was dealing with this monster uproar.

“I appreciate it. Things move quickly when talking with you, Seiji.”
“I’m simply making rational judgments. It’s a huge help on our end as well that Ryuichiro became the Minister of Monster Control.”

Once sworn allies, Dojima and Gonda had each become the head of different organizations. Both had grown busy, leaving them with almost no opportunities to meet, but during emergencies like this, they contacted each other and coordinated flexibly.

“Even so… if only he had quietly fled the country. Causing such a commotion, what a troublesome mess he’s made.” “We will definitely catch the ringleader, Suda Akihiro. And the organization backing him as well. As long as I’m breathing, I won’t let small fry like that do whatever they please.”

Flames of anger burned in Gonda’s eyes. Around the same age as Dojima, he was a warrior who had once fought monsters alongside Dojima to protect the peace of this nation. Now occupying a high-ranking position, he rarely went out into the field just like Dojima, but he never neglected his training, and his physical prowess had yet to decline.

“Well then, let’s leave the discussion regarding police coordination at that… Tachibana-dono. May I bring up that matter?”

Dojima took his eyes off Gonda and turned his gaze toward the other guest. Sitting there was a man carrying a katana. His age was likely around eighty; he had no hair and a slender frame, yet his piercing gaze was reminiscent of a battle-hardened warrior.

Clad in a white kinagashi robe, he slowly turned his gaze toward Dojima and replied.

“My dojo will lend out three hundred disciples. That was the agreement, after all.”
“I thank you, Tachibana-dono. Having that many practitioners of the Tachibana-Style Swordsmanship will be like having the strength of a hundred men.”
In response to Dojima’s words, the old man replied sullenly with a “Hmph…” This old man’s name was Tachibana Sakiemon. He was the Grand Master of Tachibana-Style Swordsmanship with over a thousand disciples, and a swordsman heralded as a living legend.
The Tachibana-Style also had deep ties with the Japanese government, having undertaken sword instruction for police organizations since long ago. Its Grand Master, Sakiemon, had known Dojima and Gonda since ancient times and had trained them when they were still young. Fond of the two who possessed abundant talent and strong convictions, Sakiemon often went out drinking with the three of them… but ever since a certain incident, that relationship had grown completely cold.

“If the talk is finished, I shall take my leave. I have no desire to linger here.” “Tachibana-dono…”

Sakiemon stood up and headed toward the exit of the conference room. Dojima reached out a hand toward him, but stopped halfway and lowered it.

“…………”

Reaching the door, Sakiemon placed his hand on the knob and spoke to Dojima without looking back.

“I will cooperate. However, I can never forgive you. You, who stood by and let my dear grandchild die.”
“……I understand. This life saved by Kisaki will not be spent in vain.”
“Hmph…”

Muttering that last remark, Sakiemon left the conference room. In the conference room left with only the two men, a heavy, suffocating atmosphere lingered.

◇ ◇ ◇

Ministry of Monster Control, hallway. I was walking through the hallway while many staff members were busily occupied dealing with Suda’s incident. Spotting a staff member who seemed free along the way, I approached and asked a question.

“Excuse me, where might the Special Conference Room be?”
“Tanaka-san?! Ah, um, go straight down here and turn right at the end!”
“Thank you very much. That helps a lot.”

I expressed my gratitude and followed the directions as told. Even though I live on the premises of the Ministry of Monster Control, staff members still act surprised whenever I run into them. Well, I basically just stay on the grounds and rarely leave the office. I suppose I’m treated like a rare spawn.

“Turn here… and it should be up ahead.”

Having been summoned by Dojima-san, I was heading toward a room called the Special Conference Room. We planned to discuss the matter concerning Suda there.

“……Hm?”

As I neared the Special Conference Room, the door opened and someone emerged from inside. A bald old man who looked fitting in traditional Japanese attire. I recognized that person.

“Tachibana-san…?!”
“You’re… Kisaki’s…”

Seeing me, Tachibana-san’s brow twitched. The name of this formidable and intimidating old man was Tachibana Sakiemon.
He was the grandfather of my master, Tachibana Kisaki, and the Grand Master of Tachibana-Style Swordsmanship.
Since this person was also Kisaki-san’s sword master, that made him my master’s master. I had him observe my swordplay briefly once before, and I recall his guidance being exceptionally precise. My master was frighteningly strong, but even she back then said it would be difficult to defeat this man. To still be this powerful past eighty years old is terrifying.
He doted on Kisaki-san, his only grandchild, and had planned to eventually pass down the title of Grand Master to her… but Kisaki-san never returned from the Imperial Palace Underground Dungeon. It must have hit him exceedingly hard, as he stopped showing his face in public for quite some time, but it seems he’s now able to come outside again. That incident truly left scars on the hearts of many people.

“Your name was Tanaka, wasn’t it? I saw your swordplay in the video.”
“Ah, um… I’m humbled.”

Never imagining this person had watched the video, my heart skipped a beat. Ugh, is he going to lecture me on something…?

“Your sword is far too wild to be called Tachibana-Style. With that talent, you could have mastered Tachibana-Style completely…”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Kisaki-san had said something similar in the past. That if she corrected my initial fighting style, I could master Tachibana-Style. However, Kisaki-san trained me in a direction that maximized my strengths, leading to my current style. I feel bad for Tachibana-san, but I have no intention of changing my fighting style this late in the game.
Just as I was about to convey that, unexpected words came out of Tachibana-san’s mouth.

“However… traces of Kisaki remain in those sword strokes of yours. While your sword cannot be called Tachibana-Style, you should continue down that path. That child would surely be pleased by it as well.”
“……!! Yes, thank you very much.”

I had undergone intense training so that I could become like my master, Kisaki-san. Hearing that traces of my master remained in my sword made a deep warmth well up in my chest. It felt as though I had been told the path I walked wasn’t a mistake.
Saying only that, Tachibana-san walked away. I gave a bow to his retreating figure and entered the conference room where Dojima-san was waiting.

….

Tl Note: So I’m back to translating this novel after a long time. So much has happened since I last translated this. It’s a lot, but then agai, it’s been a full year. Paypal now works in Nigeria, so I might add a donation button, Patreon, I dont really plan on maintaining the patreon. I’m done with uni, so I have more time to translate, but I now need to actualy think of a thing as income. I don’t care so much though, I’ll continue translating either ways. If you find a raw novel You think I should pick up, send my way. I’ll give a more detailed update on my life o nthe discord.

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