The matters of the Empire were left for the Empire to handle.
In any case, after receiving the news that the Western Expedition Faction had been completely suppressed, Jaden took the Royal Orb and returned to Totsuki.
The Royal Orb was just like the previous one.
If anyone else held it, there would be a curse, and it wasn't just a single-target curse, but a widespread, group-level effect. However, once it came into Jaden's hands, the curse's efficacy would completely disappear, turning it into a mere ornament.
As for the Royal Orb's ability to guide people...
When others held it, it was a passive ability.
But when Jaden held the Royal Orb, he could sense that it was an actively activated item. When he needed the Royal Orb to guide him, then the Royal Orb would guide him.
And when he didn't need that guidance, the Royal Orb was truly just an ornament to him.
With this thought, Jaden put away the Royal Orb and began to ponder various random things while sitting on the plane.
He looked out the plane window at the scenery, slightly lost in thought.
Because of Erina, he wouldn't feel like Yuujirou Hanma-becoming stronger and stronger until he felt as if he stood on the world's highest peak, unable to see any other existence, whether looking up or down, living in a position of cold solitude.
But...
Only occasionally.
The thought wasn't particularly strong when it appeared.
Jaden would sometimes inevitably have such a thought.
-If only I had a worthy opponent to go all out against.
...
Jaden returned quickly.
Although he had told Erina he would be gone for ten days to half a month, he was actually gone for less than a week before the Western Expedition Faction was fully suppressed.
Jaden returned on a plane arranged by the Empire. Upon arriving, he saw Erina waiting for him on the tarmac.
In that instant, whatever thoughts he had before were tossed to the back of his mind.
He simply walked up to Erina.
"Erina, I'm back."
Erina smiled when she saw him approaching.
"Mhm, Jaden, welcome back~"
A brief separation makes the heart grow fonder.
Although Jaden and Erina weren't married yet, the engagement had actually been put on the agenda-so, somewhat qualifying as a brief separation, the two of them, after being apart for a while and returning, spent some intimate time together.
It wasn't until the next morning that Jaden appeared in the Totsuki building, letting Hisako and the others know that he, Jaden, was back.
"Erina isn't here?"
Dojima Gin came to Erina's office and was slightly stunned to see only Jaden sitting there.
"Erina hasn't woken up yet. Is there something you need her for?"
Hearing Jaden's question, Dojima Gin shook his head.
"No, I was actually here to see you."
He said this while placing a file in front of Jaden.
"Yuki, we have found the 'Kaiba' you asked us to look for."
Hmm?!
Hearing Dojima Gin say this, Jaden instantly perked up.
Dojima Gin continued.
"The name Kaiba Corp first appeared over a decade ago. It's said the boss was a suddenly appearing, highly capable young man. However, for some unknown reason, after Kaiba Corp expanded to a certain extent, the boss stopped expanding the group. He only focused on business in a small country south of the Empire, and his business only expanded in the surrounding areas, completely giving up on the Imperial market, which was quite close to him."
"Over ten years ago, the name Kaiba was frequently mentioned by some of the Empire's major businessmen, but in recent years, since Kaiba gave up on expansion, those big businessmen haven't mentioned him much."
Dojima Gin briefly summarized the information about Kaiba Corp for Jaden.
Then, he asked with some confusion.
"Yuki... are you acquainted with the boss of that Kaiba Corp?"
Jaden didn't immediately answer Dojima Gin's question. Instead, he quickly flipped through the file in his hand until he found the photo of the Kaiba Corp boss. Seeing the guy who possessed all the characteristics of Kaiba from the manga, he slowly smiled.
"Not yet, but I should be soon..."
Jaden said this, then pondered for a moment.
"Mhm, thank you, Dojima. Let's leave this matter for now. I need to go back and discuss other matters with Erina later. I appreciate your trouble."
Jaden had subconsciously wanted to ask Dojima Gin to arrange a plane for him.
But he thought about how he had just returned, had a moment of intimacy with Erina, and then was going to leave again... he couldn't bring himself to do that.
Moreover, this time he was going to see the Old Man.
He should also ask if Erina has time.
Thinking of this, Jaden's eyes softened.
-After all, I've met Erina's family, so it's time to introduce her to mine before the engagement~
...
In the Hakuou Academy Director's office.
Sanzenin Mikado sought out the Hakuou Academy Director, Tennousu Athena.
"Sanzenin's eyes in the Empire said that Jaden has obtained the second Royal Orb."
With no one else around, Sanzenin Mikado spoke directly about the matter.
Tennousu Athena was momentarily stunned, but she merely nodded, said nothing, and went back to looking at the documents she had been reviewing.
Sanzenin Mikado was not surprised by her reaction, and he continued to speak without waiting for Tennousu Athena to engage.
"There are thirteen Royal Orbs in total. Nine are in the Royal Court City, and two are held by you and me as keys to the Royal Court. There were originally only two Royal Orbs lost in the outside world, and now Jaden has obtained both of them..."
At this point, Sanzenin Mikado's expression became serious.
"Since we have all thirteen Royal Orbs, it's time for our King to take his place."
Hearing Sanzenin Mikado say this, Tennousu Athena, knowing she could no longer pretend not to understand, sighed deeply.
"I know what you're saying... but you should also know that Jaden has his own life. He doesn't want to inherit the Royal Court City, so even if all thirteen Royal Orbs are with us, we can't force Jaden to complete the Royal Court trials, right?"
Sanzenin Mikado frowned at Tennousu Athena's words.
"Just as I said before, we're not forcing him to do anything, we just want him to inherit the family business! Of course, he can have his own life. He is the King, and our two clans are merely subjects. Can we really force the King to do something he doesn't want to do?"
"Aren't you trying to force him to do something he explicitly said he doesn't want to do right now?"
"I just want him to understand his identity and the significance of that identity first, and let him make his own choice. Force him? Leaving aside the fact that we, as subjects, are not qualified to make decisions for the King, even if I really wanted to force him... do you genuinely believe we could force the Strongest Creature on Earth?"
This...
Tennousu Athena and Sanzenin Mikado looked at each other for a moment, and she eventually sighed.
She hesitated, then shook her head.
"Let's wait a little longer... I need more time to think..."
Seeing Tennousu Athena's state, Sanzenin Mikado also sighed.
"Fine... but you had better make a decision quickly. I won't wait forever."
...