[Nationbreaker]
[Grade: S]
[Effect: Can switch between three modes to achieve different performance types]
[Sniper Mode: High damage, long range, high precision, slow fire rate]
[Reunion Mode: Medium damage, medium range, medium precision, high fire rate]
[Burst Mode: Extremely high damage, short range, medium precision, slow fire rate]
[Description: A musket crafted specifically for the assassination of the Raiden Shogun. Sir, times have changed.]
Although with Lucas's current strength, such a long-range weapon was more of a nice-to-have than a core necessity, he still quite liked it.
After all—what man doesn't enjoy shooting guns? Paired with his previous talent [Nobita Nobi's Gunmanship], it'd be a great tool for taking out enemies who couldn't be dealt with openly.
[Once you've temporarily stabilized the emotions of Inazuma's citizens, the first thing you do is purge the Thousand-Arms, Hundred-Eyes Cult. As you expected, their arrogance stemmed directly from the Shogun's indulgence.]
[And thanks to the "confession" of the Raiden Shogun, you've acquired full intel on all high-ranking members of the cult. You arrest every last one of them and publicly announce their crimes before all of Inazuma.]
[As for your mother, having been deeply corrupted by the cult, she took her own life upon learning of the Raiden Shogun's death. Upon seeing her corpse, you feel not grief, but a sense of release.]
[You order the destruction of the Thousand-Arms, Hundred-Eyes statue, and return the stolen Visions to their rightful owners. However, some Visions are fated never to return to their bearers.]
[Among them are two: one red, one yellow. You place them before the tombstones of their original owners—your father and your elder brother, Arataki Itto. You talk with them for a long time. Before leaving, you tell them: "My revenge is over. From now on, I'll live my life for myself."]
[Age 25: You officially replace the Raiden Shogun and, as the head of the Arataki Gang, become the new ruler of Inazuma.]
[The most surprised by this is, naturally, your wife Yoimiya. After all, who would've imagined that the stray you took in would suddenly become the supreme leader of Inazuma?]
[Your father-in-law, Ryuunosuke, on the other hand, is surprisingly unfazed. The quiet, middle-aged man seems to have known all along that you weren't ordinary. Otherwise, he likely wouldn't have handed over his daughter so easily.]
[Still, Yoimiya is furious. Between husband and wife, honesty is everything—and clearly, you failed in that regard. What if something had gone wrong? She could've ended up a widow.]
[Fortunately, while her temper flares hot, it cools just as quickly. After you promise to lift all restrictions on fireworks during Inazuma's festivals, she finally cracks a smile. Add to that a long, hard night of "sincere apology," and she eventually, begrudgingly forgives you.]
[Of course, in the grand list of problems you have to deal with, Yoimiya isn't even close to the top. If you ranked all your headaches in five tiers, coaxing her might land at tier three.]
[Your biggest concern, naturally, lies with how to manage the Three Commissions—or more precisely, how to handle the three great clans.]
[The head of the Kujou Clan under the Tenryou Commission, Kujou Takayuki, has committed suicide. His son was implicated but, since he wasn't guilty of any serious crime, you spare him any punishment—he's simply banned from ever holding office.]
[As for the Kujou Clan's future, it makes sense to leave it in the hands of the clan itself. Kujou Takayuki's two adopted daughters—Kujou Shouki and Kujou Sara—emerge as the best candidates. They agree to settle the matter with a duel.]
[Surprisingly, Kujou Shouki, who had always lost in the past, manages to defeat Kujou Sara this time. But you know the truth—Sara went easy on her. She had no real interest in becoming the clan head. What she wanted was to serve at your side.]
[You tried to make things official with her, to give her a proper title, since you two had nearly become husband and wife. But she refused, saying simply: "We've long shared a bond stronger than any marriage, haven't we?"]
[As for the Kanjou Commission's Hiiragi Clan, they chose to submit. But having lived among the lower ranks yourself, you're well aware of the Commission's deep-rooted corruption. You assign Kuki Shinobu to serve as the Kanjou Commission's inspector to keep them in check.]
[The Kamisato Clan of the Yashiro Commission is a different story. You hold a simple meeting with its head, Kamisato Ayato. The two of you hit it off immediately, not just in political views, but in personality too. Ayato even breaks character and has a drink—with regrettable results. His alcohol tolerance isn't great, and he ends up drunkenly offering you his sister Kamisato Ayaka's hand in marriage. You, half-asleep and half-sober, accept.]
[Truthfully, neither of you was actually drunk. This marriage, to a degree, is a political one. Among the three great clans, the Kamisato Clan's standing had declined due to past transgressions that led to the deaths of its former heads. But Ayato had never given up on restoring his family's prestige. He had the skill—he just needed the opportunity.]
[Your rise, and the regime change you brought with it, was the perfect chance for him to boost the Yashiro Commission's status. And you, in turn, needed their support to stabilize your rule.]
[You expected resistance to this marriage, but surprisingly, your first wife Yoimiya, along with Kujou Sara and Kuki Shinobu, all express full support. Apparently, they were already acquainted with the Kamisato heiress and got along well with her. They trusted your new bride.]
[Thus begins your third wedding—grander than the previous two. Of course, once the wedding ends and you find yourself alone in a room with this woman you've never met before (at least not in this simulation), the atmosphere becomes ten times more awkward than either of the last two weddings.]
[Immersive Mode Activated]
[Mission Objective: Do what a man's gotta do]
The hell?!
What does "do what a man's gotta do" even mean!?
Can't you system guys be a little more specific when giving out quest objectives!?
[Don't act like you don't know exactly what it means]
[Fine. Here's the precise mission requirement—Take her first]
…I guess that's "more specific," huh?
Even while grumbling internally, Lucas—the seasoned veteran—knew perfectly well what this task entailed.
It meant convincing the girl sitting before him, this stranger he was technically meeting for the first time (in this simulation at least), to entrust him with her most precious treasure.
Kamisato Ayaka.
To be honest, Lucas had already met her before—of course, not in real life, but in a previous simulation.
Still, Lucas knew perfectly well that even if it was the same person, the versions of her in different simulations—along with the real one—were entirely distinct, independent beings.
This could be easily illustrated with a simple metaphor.
Three parallel worlds. Three identical pieces of cling film. Paper-thin, nearly transparent, each one preserving the fresh, delicious fruit within. But they didn't affect one another. Even if Lucas tore open one and tasted the fruit inside, the other two would remain untouched and pristine.
As the Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, "You can't step into the same river twice."
Likewise, the same piece of cling film can't be torn twice.
So, even though Lucas had once been close with another Ayaka in a different simulation, the girl sitting in front of him now was a completely different person—a fresh encounter, a brand-new connection.
She gazed at Lucas silently. Whether it was out of shyness or the usual noblewoman's restraint, she didn't say a word.
"Sorry…" Lucas didn't try to close the distance. Instead, he kept a respectful space that would feel safe to a young woman, and said gently, "Being forced to marry someone you don't even like must not be something to smile about."
"Forced?" Ayaka smiled softly. "You're underestimating my brother. He's never forced me to do anything. That includes this marriage."
So it seemed even the Kamisato Ayato of this simulation was quite different—at least here, he really was a good big brother.
Lucas was a bit confused. "Then… why did you agree to marry me? I mean, for all you know, I could be some perverted scumbag who's only in it for looks… or some hideous monster."
"You don't have to worry about that," Ayaka giggled behind her hand. "My brother already showed me your portrait beforehand. While I wouldn't call you god-tier handsome… you're at least easy on the eyes."
So that's how it was—he was the one being chosen.
Lucas figured Ayato must have already talked to his sister beforehand and only proposed the marriage after getting her tacit approval.
"Is… is that so?" Lucas shrugged, but couldn't help smirking mischievously. "You know, before I met your brother, the Hiiragi family actually tried to set me up too."
Most women had a natural curiosity for gossip, and Kamisato Ayaka was no exception. Hearing that, she perked up with interest. "You mean… Lady Chisato? She really is a gentle and refined woman."
"Yep. That day, Hiiragi Shinsuke insisted on inviting me to dinner—and made sure to bring his daughter along. The hint couldn't have been more obvious," Lucas said teasingly. "But in the end, I chose you."
"Wh… why?" Ayaka's cheeks flushed pink. "You hadn't even met me."
Sure, Chisato wasn't quite as beautiful as Ayaka, but she was still undeniably a rare beauty. For Lucas to turn down such a readily available option in favor of a stranger… was it really fate?
"Who said I hadn't seen you?" Lucas grinned and pulled a photo from his sleeve like a magician. "Here, take a look—who's this?"
Ayaka leaned in. It was indeed a photo. In it, a silver-haired girl sat barefoot in the courtyard, dressed in a breezy summer yukata and devouring a watermelon with surprising gusto.
No need for introductions. That girl was unmistakably Kamisato Ayaka… though her barefoot, watermelon-gobbling self looked nothing like the usual poised lady of the house.
"D-Don't look at that!" Ayaka's face turned crimson. She snatched the photo and exclaimed, "Where did you even get this?!"
"I asked a little tanuki to sneak a shot for me," Lucas chuckled. "But don't blame her—because I threatened to disband the Shuumatsuban if she didn't help."
"That Sayu…" Ayaka wasn't angry, just flustered. "This kind of look… it's so unladylike…"
"I actually think it's adorable," Lucas said. "Honestly, it was after seeing that picture that I decided I wanted to marry you."
"Because… I'm prettier?" Ayaka asked, slightly bashful.
"Nope. Because I really like watermelon too," Lucas said with a stretch and a yawn. "Anyway, it's getting late. I'll sleep in the other room."
As he turned to leave, Ayaka asked hesitantly, "Wait… you're not planning to… tonight…?"
She had been raised in a noble household and simply couldn't bring herself to say certain words aloud.
"You know this is just a political marriage," Lucas nodded. "What I mean is… I don't want to force you. If you're not comfortable…"
Ayaka lowered her head and mumbled, "O-Of course I don't want to do that kind of thing. But… since this is a political marriage, continuing the family line is kind of important too. Just to be clear—I'm not interested in that kind of thing, it's just that…"
"All right, enough chatter." Lucas reached out, placed his hands gently on her shoulders, and looked her straight in the eyes. "Just tell me. Do you want to? Or not?"
Ayaka's gaze darted away for a moment—then she finally nodded.
"No nodding," Lucas teased. "Say it."
"You're… you're the worst! Do you have to make me say it?!" Ayaka finally burst out, flustered. "I want to!"
"There we go." Lucas scooped her up into a princess carry and grinned. "Incoming flying stick!"
He had definitely mastered the art of playing hard to get.
But just as Lucas tossed Ayaka onto the bed, the wardrobe across the room suddenly began to shake. Before he could react, there was a loud bang! and the door burst open—spilling out three women.
"Yoimiya, Miss Kujou, and… Kuki Shinobu?" Ayaka blinked in disbelief. "What are you all doing here?"
"We're here to help, of course!" Yoimiya winked and laughed. "Trust us—there's no way you can handle him on your own."