I woke up earlier than usual. That was because today was Mayumi’s funeral. After we dealt with the people that we had killed, we headed straight back to the refugees’ compound to tell Hartwin’s and Velar’s friends the news. With justice carried out, perhaps Mayumi’s soul could finally be put to rest. Well, at least Hartwin’s heart was put at rest. He was looking a bit better.

  See? Revenge works? Whoever the fuck says that getting revenge changes nothing because you will feel empty or something are idiots and fools. ‘Oh, don’t take revenge. You won’t be satisfied. Nothing will change’, like… the fuck? Spare me the moral-superiority type of crap.

  Once I warmed up a bit, and took in the morning air, I went down to the lobby to have breakfast. Everyone was already at a table, eating.

  “Hey, Princess, up so early, huh?” Taneva waved at me with a wide grin.

  It was not actually early, by the way, it was around before the middle of the morning. It was just earlier than my usual time of waking up, so they were teasing me. Not like I had any other choice but to sleep as much as I could and as long as I could. At this rate, might as well call me Sleeping Beauty, or the Sleeping Princess…

  I shrugged. “We have to be somewhere, don’t we?” I sat down beside Nira. “Anything for me?”

  Velar pushed a plate filled with food towards me. “We expected you’d be up early.”

  I smiled. “How nice of you guys.” I immediately started eating. I had been feeling hungry. It sucks being weak, man. So fucking annoying to suffer like this. ‘Oh but there are children that are weak and suffering in hunger, and here you are complaining!’ — I absolutely do not care. Thousands of children might be dying on the other side of the world, and I would never shed a tear.

  “Anyway, is everything ready?” I asked Hartwin about the burial. He was the one who handled most of it yesterday, while the rest of us returned to this place. I needed to get my beauty sleep, after all. Just hunting those people tired me out and made me a bit sleepy.

  Hartwin nodded. “Yes, it is.” He put down his fork and lowered his head. “Thank you, Princess. For your support to her funeral.”

  For every funeral, there would be expenses. The coffin, the burial site, the people needed for the work, the cleanup for the corpse, or whatever else. That was why I gave money to Hartwin to take care of this matter as soon as possible. And considering that there was nothing else to do with Mayumi’s body, no reason to keep it any longer, no family from far distances to visit, it was decided to just bury her the next day. That next day was today.

  I smiled. “You’re welcome. Just make sure it all goes well, and everything’s good.”

  “I picked a good place, where the place has proper security and is maintained well. We shouldn’t have to worry about grave robbers or whatever else.”

  I nodded. “That’s good.”

  “It’s a bit costly, though. But the money was just enough.”

  “Well, we can’t just pick a cheap cemetery. So whatever’s the best, let’s get it.”

  Besides, I doubted Hartwin would be satisfied with anything half-assed. He was one of my crew, and I treated my crew well however I could. Although maybe I was different back in my old world. It was more like I was the one being taken care of, but hey, I took good care of my junior! Honestly, it wouldn’t make sense to treat your own team badly.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  As I had plenty of money bags, I wouldn’t mind giving Hartwin some for a good cause.

  “Can we wear anything?” I asked.

  “There’s really no dress code,” Hartwin answered.

  I nodded. Good, there was no dress code. But then again, did this place even have proper clothes for a burial? Hm, I guessed not.

  I continued eating. “When are we moving out?”

  “When we are done eating breakfast, we can go. The earlier, the better.”

  “Hm. Best we bring all our weapons, just in case something happens. You’d never know in this place.” People might seek revenge after what we had done, their friends, their families, or more members of their gang that we may not know of. Furthermore, this place was dangerous as it was already. Without a weapon, we’d basically be going out naked. Best to be armed always in a place of violence.

  After eating, I let out a sigh. I was full, and it was good.

  “Now then, guess I’m going for a bath.” I patted Nira’s head. “You too, Nira. Wash.”

  “... Y-Yes, goddess.”

  I stood up. “You guys should also take a bath, you smell.”

  Velar sniffed himself, while Taneva casually shrugged.

  ***

  Miyako let out a sigh as she faced the mirror. At the moment, she was wearing another set of formal clothing provided by the host. Feeling quite nervous, she took a deep breath with her eyes closed. If everyone had finished all their business, then today would be the final day of the assembly. And tomorrow, everyone would be leaving.

  “Milady, are you ready?”

  Miyako glanced at Satomi through the mirror.

  “Yeah…”

  “Milady, even if Hokunoa doesn’t accept your trade proposal, please bear in mind that you did very well in this assembly.”

  Miyako slowly nodded. Indeed, she might have. She had accomplished all that she was primarily sent to do. If things go well, Hokunoa’s forces should withdraw from the border after the agreement. She also managed to make an agreement with Minainoa to deal with the kidnappings of innocent people, as well as some trade agreements.

  Although she was not able to completely solve who tried to kill her, that was fine. Miyako stepped away from the mirror.

  “I’m ready.”

  The two of them left the room, and as usual, they left their weapons behind. They made their way to the meeting chamber. The moment they arrived at the entrance, they encountered Takehiro, who also paused and stared at Miyako. He was with his servants, but there was one missing, just like yesterday.

  “Hey, Miss Miyako.”

  “... Mister Takehiro.”

  “For your first time here, you did very well. Handled yourself like a proper leader. You’d never know, you might actually become the leader of your island and we’ll see each other again here in this room.”

  Miyako raised an eyebrow. “Might? I am the heir, me becoming the leader of my island is certain.”

  “Oh, yes, you are. But that wouldn’t happen so soon, would it? In the end, you’d still wait for your father to relinquish his seat. And that could take years.” He shrugged. “A lot of things could happen.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  “No one knows when we will all die. You might die before you get to claim your father’s status. That is why I suggest you be quick about claiming it.”

  Miyako directed a glare at the man. What he was saying was absurd. Miyako had no intention of dying so easily. “I will become lord whenever my father deems it to be. Patience is what we all should have, one that you should have had.?”

  Miyako would never become someone like Takehiro, someone who murdered his own father. If that was what he was suggesting she’d do to be quick in claiming the seat, then it was a waste of air talking to him here. Therefore, Miyako disregarded him and continued inside.

  “Your loss, little princess.” Takehiro chuckled.

  Miyako sat down in her seat, and she turned her head to glance at Yuki, who was already with his father and the man named Katsuo. Yuki and Miyako traded looks, but judging from the former’s expression, it would seem it didn’t go well.

  Miyako clenched her fists and lowered her gaze.

  No, I shouldn't assume anything just yet.

  A short time later, all the lords had finally arrived.

  “Today, if we can, we shall finalize the matters that are unfinished,” Yoshio said. “Or bring up whatever it is that you need. And afterward, if we are all done, and there is nothing more, then I shall declare our Assembly of Lords concluded.”

  Miyako turned towards Yoshio. “Then I shall bring up my trade proposal, Mister Yoshio. Have you given it some thought?”

  Yoshio leaned back in his seat. “Yes. And my answer is the same as yesterday. I refuse your proposal of a trade partnership.”

  Miyako let out a sigh. “I was hoping you’ll see the benefit to it.”

  “I did, but I also see the demerits. Hokunoa is still not at a luxury to make such agreements. Apologies, Miss Miyako. Perhaps next time, if things have changed.”

  Miyako averted her eyes, feeling quite disappointed and frustrated.

  If there is even going to be a next time.