Chương 68: The Fox's Humble Abode

Near the short steps, Galan took off his sandals, cloak, and sword, storing the latter two in his divine vault. Zensuke watched, a flicker of approval in his eyes. He knows the basics. Galan slid the paper screen door open, careful not to step on the wooden track. A rush of warm air, smelling of old paper and oiled wood, greeted him. He didn't step on the track, Zensuke thought. Perhaps mere coincidence. The inside was a library. Floor-to-ceiling shelves were crammed with hundreds of scrolls and books.

At the center of the hall, a fire glowed in a sunken hearth, radiating a gentle warmth. Around it slept a mother fox, her three tails curled around a litter of newborn cubs. Zensuke approached her, nudging her gently.

"Forgive the intrusion, dear," his mind-voice whispered.

"We have a guest." His wife, Yuzuki, stirred, her golden eyes fluttering open. She looked at Galan, a slight, amused chuckle escaping her at the sight of his mismatched clothes. She gracefully untangled herself from her cubs and performed a deep bow.

"It is an honor to welcome you," she projected.

"I am Yuzuki. Please forgive my discourteous state."

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Yuzuki," Galan thought back so as not to disturb the cubs, bowing in return.

"My name is Odagawa. I am sorry to have disturbed your rest." Zensuke grimaced. Why is he so polite all of a sudden?

"Husband," Yuzuki sent,"could you summon the maids? I will retrieve the cushions."

"He mentioned he would like to perform the tea ceremony for us," Zensuke countered.

"I wish to test his understanding of the brewing process."

"But he is our guest of honor," she retorted, her mental gaze sharp.

"It would be discourteous." Zensuke glanced at Galan, who was grinning smugly, arms crossed. This brat...

"Very well," he conceded.

"I shall summon the maids." Yuzuki led Galan to a guest room. He noted the empty, recessed alcove at the back, a space meant for art.

"Isn't that part of the room supposed to have some decor?" he asked. Yuzuki's eyes widened. He knows of the art alcove?!

"My apologies, Lord Oda. We are not used to preparing this room for such an event. Do you wish for us to perform the ceremony in full?" Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Rolling out the purple carpet for me? Galan thought in Latin.

"No, this is just fine. We do not have time for the whole ritual." Yuzuki retrieved a blue cushion and placed it before him. Galan knelt, sliding onto it in a perfect, formal seiza. He did it as if he were already used to it, Yuzuki marveled.

"Lord Oda. May I ask where you learned Japanese etiquette?"

"I read a lot of books about your culture," he sent.

"But this is not exactly the most comfortable posture." This would crush a mortal's legs in a minute.

"You may sit more comfortably if you wish." With a sigh of relief, Galan unfolded his legs into a relaxed lotus position. Yuzuki prepared the other cushions and then sat to his right, her posture a picture of serene grace.

"Lord Oda," she began,"may I ask why you are here with my husband?"

"I'm here to investigate the 'Vengeful Spirit' case with him. I thought we could share information in a comfortable home."

"I see. My husband has been investigating in his spare time. I am sure he has plenty to offer." Just then, the maids arrived, their footsteps silent. They brought a lacquered tray with all the necessary tools for the tea ceremony. Galan placed the iron kettle on the portable brazier and turned it on. So he is still adamant on having Lord Oda prepare the matcha, Yuzuki thought, shaking her head. But I suppose I will let him have his way.

"Well then, Lord Oda. Should we continue our discussion?"

"Sure. What do you wish to know?"

"What makes you come to Japan?"

"Many reasons. But mostly to escape the boring daily chore of being a leader back home."

"A strange sentiment," she mused.

"For many, leadership is not a chore to be escaped but a sacred duty. To abandon it is akin to letting the whole forest wither."

"Well, I didn't leave it completely without a caretaker," he smirked.

"I gave that responsibility to my children. It's up to them now."

"And what is your home like?"

"A great place. A land where everyone calls home, whether they are yookai or not. Just like this village."

"Was it always so?"

"No. It was as bad as mainland Japan before the Astanka Council was formed. It took a while to get everyone to work together... but one empire helped change all that."

"And what is the name of that empire?" Galan smiled.

"The Roman Empire." Yuzuki frowned. The Roman...? Wait, I've heard that name before. Her mind raced back to memories of poring over translated chronicles from foreign lands. One story had captivated her more than any other, the tale of a ruthless but just divine emperor of the Roman Empire, a man named Placidus Amnis... whose name she knew to mean 'Calm River' or 'Odagawa' in Japanese. Her heart began to pound, a frantic, wild rhythm. Her fur stood on end. Ugh. I shouldn't have told her, Galan thought. I...

I can't believe this... The god-emperor of that story is sitting right here... Yuzuki began to hyperventilate.

"Mrs. Yuzuki, breathe with me," Galan sent, his mind-voice calm but firm.

"You must calm yourself." She took several deep breaths, her heart rate slowly returning to normal. She then slid from her cushion and bowed low, her snout touching the floor.

"My sincerest apologies, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Hey, it's okay." He smiled.

"I didn't get offended."

"But aren't you the emperor of Rome?"

"Yeah, that's me. But I don't care much for being treated all high and mighty." Just then, Zensuke returned.

"Yuzuki, why are you on the floor?"