Kazuo PoV
I sighed and mixed some of my chicken with the rice. "Well, I came to see if I can be of any help. I can-cannot do much sitting back in my castle in Makkuroyama. Then I remembered that Sir Raikū had studied that weird realm. So I thought, maybe I could fi-find something in the old papers and scrolls he wrote."
"Mama had the same idea," Raiki said, smiling. For a seven-year-old, he sure was perceptive, and surprisingly informal for a child of such high standing. It was endearing, if a little disarming. He possessed a warmth that reminded me faintly of his late father. I honestly envied the child. If only I had even an ounce of that self-assurance, I could speak more easily to my nobles back home. Maybe I could even convince the rebels to put down their arms or motivate my armies with rousing speeches.
