The Goddess Made A Mistake Again

"As you say." I nod, indicating to continue.

"First of all, I want to apologize for the way that my country has behaved towards you." Hanako said and bowed to me, "We are sorry, Mr. Tax."

I signal her to stop, "Please, Princess. Don't stoop yourself like that. I didn't want anything like that coming here."

That is what I say, but I believed otherwise.

'Yeah, bitch. Bow down to your new overlord.'

Unfortunately, she listened to my words quite fast.

"You are a generous man, Mr. Tax. Anyone else would have made me bowed longer."

'And any other genuinely apologetic person would have bowed longer.'

I smile outside, "The fact someone of your standing is even thinking of such, is good enough for me. Though it should be me who does that, since I took apart quite an economic source from you."

"It's alright now. My father realized that it is right for a kingdom to trade from its own natural source then from another kingdom… though it would have been better if Mr. Tax would have warned us a bit earlier to handle the changes."

'And this bitch goes and blames me again after apologizing to me. You really want to fork out an apology, right? Well, fuck you bitch!'

"I would have done that…" I say frowning, "If not for the workers mining at my place blabbering and telling everyone about the place. Really, the market didn't let me sleep one bit after that commotion."

Hanako nodded, "Okay… but this isn't the only thing I wanted to talk about. I want to speak about the explosion that occurred on an event few days back."

"The explosion?"

Hanako nodded, "Yes, I would like to confirm that it wasn't done by us."

"So the Sekai kingdom is denying the allegations then?" I lean back and put right foot up the other, "Because I have a confirmed source that the bombers came out of your nation."

"And they did quite a number on our side of the market, Princess."

Hanako went quite for a second, rethinking her strategy again. And it seems she double downed on her 'not the culprit' strategy.

"You misunderstand what I am saying. It is true that the bombers were from my kingdom and they are of Sekai Nationality." Hanako frowned, "But they were terrorist."

"Terrorist, you say?"

She nodded, "Yes, they have not only harmed this kingdom but has been harming mine for some time. We believe that the bombing was done in accordance to disrupt this peace us kingdoms have."

"I believe that they want to destroy these fragile moments and start a war between us."

"Hmm… You certainly gave me a lot to think about, Princess." I say, actually thinking about her words, "If what you say is true then that could be a real problem for both of us."

"If that were to really happen then what's stopping those terrorists from starting a place right here in my kingdom and doing something drastic." Hanako frowned at my words.

"Okay, forget the kingdom talks… let's talk about how the Snake Tails could be of use to you." I smile and get to the real business talk."

…

After a while, the sun had gone down and I had remained here long enough.

"Thank you for listening to me so long, Princess." I say as I stand up, "I believe its time I take my leave."

Hanako smiled, "I will take your words to heart and tell my father about them. I believe he will find a solution that will bring benefits to both of us."

'In real words, I won't confirm shit without my father confirming shit.'

But I smile as if I had truly gained a good talk here. I bow to her and get close as her bodyguard stops me.

"What is the meaning of this!"

"Don't get worked up, old boy." I give a harmless smile, showing a piece of paper, "I just want to give her this."

"You can give it to me." He said trying to take it, but I stepped back.

"Nuh uh, it doesn't work that way. This thing is only for her eyes."

"You!" Genzo gets worked up but stops when Hanako places a hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay, Genzo." She stepped towards me, "It's just a piece of paper, not like it contains state importance… or a love letter, right Mr. Tax?" Hanako added a wink to that last part.

I laugh, "Never in my life, Princess. That would be too daring for someone like me."

I back away, "Well, I suppose it's time for me to leave. Genzo, if you would show me the way."

Genzo didn't like me very much, that's why he was glad to escort me down. Making sure I didn't do anything out of order.

Taking that short emptiness, Hanako opened the piece of paper and read it. Her eyes widened at the content written on it and she looked towards the door from where Henry left.

"Well Genzo, if things come to good order then I believe you'll start liking me very soon." I say as Genzo gives me a dead look.

"I very much doubt that."

"Always the optimist, huh." I say as I approached the door and Genzo pointed me outside.

"Well here we are. Please get on your carriage Mr. Tax, I hope that our nations do not really collide in war."

"But is that what you really think… truly?" I grill into the guy as he kept giving me that look. Suddenly I turn around and get on my carriage, "Well, I'll be seeing ya later man."

As the carriage started going, Genzo looked at its back and shook his head heavily, "How low has this kingdom gotten to harbor such a criminal at such a high place."

I can feel Genzo shaking his head at my leave and laugh at it.

This honorable fighting samurai type of guys are so easily irritated. But quite fun to play in a game actually.

Throwing that random thought out, I think about my meeting with Hanako.

'So they went with denying the allegation and making up the terrorist story like in the novel again. Probably said the same thing to Abigail. Their story had holes and Abigail knew it but decided to keep still about it for the moment.'

You're wondering how I am so sure that they are the real culprit. First of all, Kay Gon and my own resources confirmed it that the attack came from Sekai and my knowledge of the plot told me who the real culprits were.

It was Hanako's Eldest brother, Seisimo Sakurai.

A very ambitious guy that believed in ruling with an iron fist. I had the same ideology but the guy was just too crazy.

He started this bombing event so that he could spark something between both kingdoms and start a war. Being the head of military, he would get the highest honor and succeed his father over all his other brothers.

Then there was the thing with the gang.

'She seemed hesitant to make any dealings with me. I understand her concern, but not even fakely promising me… somethings going on here.'

My calculating eyes narrowed as I felt a few people following behind me.

'Of all the timing… wait, actually this is good!'