As the twilight deepened, Nagano Masayasu led the way with steady steps.
He looked back at the group and nodded toward the black-haired youth.
He recognized the boy as the young heir of the Ayakawa family; although they were both minor nobles, his house was far stronger than the declining Nagano family.
"Hey, Nagano. Are you serious about taking us to see a high-ranking member of the Tsunayashiro family?"
Ayakawa Hiko looked at Nagano, doubt clouding his expression.
"Just follow me. You know where this road leads."
Ayakawa Hiko tightened his fists. He glanced at his companions and then back at Nagano Masayasu's retreating figure, his mind filled with astonishment.
He found it hard to believe that Nagano—whose family had fallen so far they were nearly scrubbed from the noble circles—could actually have a connection to the Tsunayashiro family.
"Ayakawa, do you think a guy like Nagano is really capable of working for the Tsunayashiros?"
A man beside him lowered his voice, his tone laced with uncertainty.
Another person chimed in as well.
"Yeah. What if he's just using their name to lure us in?"
Ayakawa Hiko knit his brows and remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Whether he's lying or not, it's worth checking out. I doubt he would have the nerve to use the Tsunayashiro name to fool us."
One of the men trailing behind couldn't help but ask.
"Hey, Nagano, why would a big shot from the Tsunayashiro family want to meet us? And what does this have to do with that Hasumi Ren guy?"
Nagano Masayasu paused for a heartbeat before replying in a low voice.
"The Great One has eyes and ears within the Kido Corps. As for Hasumi Ren... he has some friction with the Lord, and the Lord is looking for an opportunity to teach him a lesson."
"If you can help him complete this small task, you'll be considered as having served the Tsunayashiro family. Do I even need to explain the benefits of that?"
Despite Nagano's words, Ayakawa Hiko still harbored doubts.
This had all happened so suddenly, catching him off guard.
Though he had followed along on impulse the moment he heard the Tsunayashiro name.
Why would those high-and-mighty figures of the Tsunayashiro family care about the dignity of minor noble children like them?
But then he remembered Hasumi Ren's disdain from earlier today and Tsukabishi Tessai's reprimand. He thought of the humiliation they suffered at the training grounds, and his hesitation was drowned out by resentment and greed.
If they could cling to a massive tree like the Tsunayashiro family, they could not only get their revenge but also climb the ladder of the Four Great Noble Houses. Such a temptation was impossible to refuse.
Nagano Masayasu heard every whisper from the men behind him, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
He knew all too well that if these foolish playboys got involved with that man, things would not end well for them.
But he didn't dare warn them. He didn't even dare show a hint of anything being wrong. He could only quicken his pace, leading them toward the Tsunayashiro estate.
He wasn't sure if someone else was watching from the shadows.
If he disobeyed that man, both he and the entire Nagano family would perish.
He no longer had a choice.
Before long, they arrived at the Tsunayashiro manor.
The towering gates were solemn and imposing. The guards at the entrance stood with such authority that Ayakawa Hiko and the others tensed up, turning their gaze toward Nagano.
However, Nagano didn't lead them through the main entrance. Instead, he headed toward a remote side path.
After several twists and turns, they arrived at a secluded side door.
Nagano stepped forward and spoke with the guard in hushed tones.
The guard glanced at Ayakawa Hiko and the others, then stepped aside to make way, signaling for the inner guards to lead them in.
Ayakawa Hiko frowned slightly and looked at Nagano Masayasu, asking softly.
"Nagano, why aren't we going through the front gate?"
Nagano gave him a cold, indifferent look.
"This matter requires discretion. Don't ask questions. You'll understand once you meet the Lord."
The group felt apprehensive, but having come this far, they could only steel themselves and keep moving forward.
Passing through corridors adorned with elaborate carvings, they were led to a secluded side room.
The room was dimly lit, with only a single oil lamp casting long, flickering shadows.
A figure sat in the primary seat, dressed in a luxurious kimono bearing the hidden crest of the Tsunayashiro family. He was nonchalantly stroking the edge of a teacup with his fingertips.
"Lord Tokinada, the men have been brought here."
The moment Nagano Masayasu entered, he immediately bowed his head and stood silently in the shadows.
He kept his head buried low, hands clenched at his sides, not daring even to breathe loudly.
Even though Tsunayashiro Tokinada was smiling warmly, Nagano could still feel an invisible, suffocating pressure radiating from him.
His previous experiences were etched into his mind; the wounds on his body had yet to heal and still throbbed with pain.
The sheer ruthlessness hidden behind that gentle mask made his blood run cold. Just standing there made his fingertips tremble.
Seeing this, Ayakawa Hiko and the others also hurried to bow, their voices tinged with a nervous tremor.
"G-Greetings, Lord Tokinada."
They were young and didn't know much about this particular individual, but as long as he was a member of the Tsunayashiro family, he commanded their absolute deference.
Tokinada slowly looked up, a warm smile instantly blooming on his face.
He waved his hand dismissively, his voice gentle.
"No need for such formality. Rise."
They quickly stood up, hands at their sides, not daring to look Tokinada in the eye. They only dared to steal glances from the corners of their vision.
Then, Tsunayashiro Tokinada spoke again, his voice still soft.
"I heard that someone named Hasumi Ren joined your ranks. Is that true?"
The men looked at each other. Ayakawa Hiko was the first to muster the courage to look up and reply.
"Yes, that is correct. May I ask what your intentions are in calling us here, Lord Tokinada?"
Tokinada chuckled softly and took a sip of tea.
"Come to think of it, you might not know the reason behind this summons."
"My brother, Tokiying, previously took notice of this Hasumi Ren. Thinking the boy had some talent, he specifically offered him a position within the Tsunayashiro family to give him a better future."
"But to my surprise, that Hasumi Ren was incredibly arrogant. Not only did he reject Tokiying, but he even went as far as to humiliate him."
"My worthless brother is far too weak-willed to discipline him. But now that I, as his older brother, know about this, I naturally intend to vent his frustrations for him."
At this point, a faint, almost imperceptible chill crept into Tokinada's tone.
Ayakawa Hiko and the others' eyes lit up instantly.
So Lord Tokinada already had a grudge against Hasumi Ren! Suddenly, everything that had happened today made perfect sense.
Most of their doubts vanished, replaced by excitement and fervor.
From this perspective, the humiliation they suffered today was actually a blessing in disguise, granting them the chance to grasp the olive branch extended by the Tsunayashiro family.
'Hasumi Ren, you really did us a favor.'
Tokinada saw the shift in their expressions clearly, the smile on his lips deepening.
"Well now, if you have any grievances, why not share them with me?"
Hearing Tokinada's invitation, the men finally let their guards down and began to pour out their bitterness.
"Lord Tokinada, you have no idea! That Hasumi Ren is just an outsider, yet somehow he got special permission from the Grand Kido Chief to study within the Kido Corps."
"Relying on his meager skills, he looked down on us at every turn and made us lose face in front of the Grand Kido Chief."
Ayakawa's voice grew more agitated as he spoke.
"What's even more infuriating is that Lord Tsukabishi Tessai didn't just side with him; he even publicly scolded us. He called us complacent and lacking ambition, saying we were just coasting on our ancestors' legacies."
"We are deeply resentful but had no way to fight back. It is truly loathsome!"
The others chimed in one after another, their voices filled with indignation and spite.
Tokinada listened patiently, even nodding occasionally as if he truly empathized with their plight.
On the surface, he perfectly played the part of a protective brother wanting to uphold his family's honor.
"I see. I had already planned to find an opportunity to teach him a lesson, but due to the family's dignity, I couldn't be too overt about it."
"Now that you have also been bullied by him, why not act as an extension of my reach? With me backing you, we shall strike together and give him the lesson he deserves."
"What do you all think?"