KyokaSuigetsu
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Chapter 24: Empty-Handed Trick
🕑 Added 2025-05-07 06:46:10 +0000 UTC"Miss Kuroda, what brings you here today?" At the dining table, after the usual exchange of pleasantries and small talk, the head of the Ryougi family turned to Touko Kuroda, cutting straight to the chase.
The Ryougi patriarch held immense respect for Touko Kuroda, the owner of the Garan no Dou. He knew she was an exceptional puppeteer within the hidden world, with remarkable skills in prosthetics. Although the Ryougi family, like the other three major exorcist families, had long withdrawn from the hidden world to live among ordinary people, that didn’t stop them from maintaining connections and forming relationships with figures from that realm.
Moreover, the Ryougi family’s influence remained strong. By actively integrating into modern society, they held significant sway in Mifune City, with power spanning both legal and underground circles. Naturally, this came with frequent conflicts and skirmishes, leaving many among their ranks missing limbs or worse. Thus, Touko Kuroda’s prosthetic technology was of great value to the Ryougi family.
The Ryougi patriarch had long wanted to establish a solid relationship with her. However, rumors of Miss Kuroda’s eccentric personality and her aversion to socializing had left him unsure of how to approach her.
Unexpectedly, she had come to him today. The patriarch wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away.
"Head of the Ryougi family, allow me to introduce this gentleman—Takashi Kuroda. He’s Chinese." Touko Kuroda didn’t directly answer the patriarch’s question, instead bringing Takashi Kuroda into the spotlight. The patriarch immediately realized that it wasn’t Touko Kuroda who had come to see him, but this seemingly young man. He had initially assumed the two were her apprentices, brought along merely for networking.
"And what matter brings Mr. Kuroda to seek an audience with me?" The Ryougi patriarch’s tone was noticeably less enthusiastic than when addressing Touko Kuroda. After all, an unknown junior wasn’t worthy of his full attention. Still, the fact that this man had managed to bring Touko Kuroda along as an introducer suggested he was no ordinary person—likely a mage from the hidden world. Offending him wouldn’t be wise. So, the patriarch decided to hear him out.
"Then I’ll get straight to the point, Head of the Ryougi family. I wish to propose a significant transaction with you—though I hope you won’t be too startled by its terms." Takashi Kuroda spoke slowly.
"Hahaha! Mr. Kuroda, you certainly know how to pique my interest. I’d very much like to hear what kind of deal could possibly frighten me." The Ryougi patriarch laughed heartily.
"I have a way to make your descendants omniscient and omnipotent."
Thud!
Well, well. Look at how scared he is—almost fell right out of his chair. Takashi Kuroda clicked his tongue in amusement. Playing with godlike foresight was just too fun.
"Ahem… My apologies for the unsightly display." The Ryougi patriarch composed himself with an apologetic smile before clapping his hands. Several shadows flitted past, and the doors and windows around them were swiftly shut. Clearly, those shadows were the Ryougi family’s elite guards, stationed outside to prevent eavesdropping.
"Now then, let’s return to the topic at hand, Mr. Kuroda. How did you come to know of our family’s long-cherished ambition?" The patriarch took a deep breath before speaking.
"That’s my own secret, I’m afraid. What I’d like to know is whether you’re willing to proceed with this transaction."
Willing? Of course he was willing! How could he not be? This was the Ryougi family’s greatest aspiration—one they’d sacrifice anything to achieve. As far as the patriarch was concerned, if his descendant—his daughter—could become omniscient and omnipotent, he’d hand over the entire Ryougi family, his daughter included, without hesitation.
Still, despite his near loss of composure, the patriarch held back. After all, this was all contingent on the other party actually being capable of such a feat. How could he be sure this wasn’t some elaborate deception?
"Mr. Kuroda, your offer is indeed… tantalizing. However, I find it difficult to believe that our family’s centuries-old dream could be realized so easily. Surely you must provide some tangible proof? You can’t expect us to hand everything over based on mere words." The patriarch spoke cautiously.
"Proof? Hah. First of all, Head of the Ryougi family, this transaction is entirely at my discretion. I don’t need it—you do. Your family stands to gain far more from this deal than I do."
"Secondly, if I were to provide even a shred of evidence, what’s to stop you from turning around, taking my information, and giving nothing in return? How would I settle that account?" Takashi Kuroda smirked. You old fox, trying to pull an empty-handed trick on me? Think I’d let you get away with that? Hmm? Should I tell you your daughter’s body is already connected to the Root? Hmm?
"This…" The Ryougi patriarch’s brow furrowed deeply. His scheme had been seen through—this man was no pushover. Worse, Takashi Kuroda was right. The Ryougi family were the ones begging here. They needed this deal far more than he did. As for capturing him and extracting his secrets by force? Impossible. Not only would that mean disregarding the presence of the mage beside him, but this man himself was likely a hidden-world practitioner. The Ryougi family might not even be able to subdue him. The patriarch would never take such a risk.
But to give something up for nothing? That was equally unthinkable.
"Very well, Head of the Ryougi family. Let’s discuss the terms of the transaction itself. Hypothetically speaking—if I could truly make your descendant omniscient and omnipotent, what kind of compensation would you be prepared to offer? Or rather, what price is the Ryougi family willing to pay?" Takashi Kuroda interlaced his fingers, resting his chin on them as his hawk-like gaze bore into the patriarch, exerting invisible pressure.
"If… if you could truly make my descendant—my daughter, Shiki—omniscient and omnipotent… then everything the Ryougi family possesses, whether people or objects, would be yours to take." After a long silence, the patriarch exhaled and spoke.
"Good. In that case, let’s compromise." Takashi Kuroda nodded in satisfaction.
"Compromise?"
"Indeed. I’ll give you a demonstration—a glimpse of how your daughter could become omniscient and omnipotent. After you’ve seen it, I’ll take something from the Ryougi family. Whatever I choose, you will not resist. No regrets. Do you agree?"
"This…" The patriarch hesitated.
"If the Head of the Ryougi family is unwilling, then I’ll consider this matter closed. We’ll simply treat this as a pleasant meal among friends. Out of gratitude for your hospitality, if I ever do create an omniscient and omnipotent being in the future, I’ll be sure to bring them by for you to see—to satisfy your curiosity." Takashi Kuroda stood abruptly, as if ready to leave.
Damn it! That’s just cruel! 'Satisfy your curiosity'? More like twisting the knife! The patriarch thought bitterly. He couldn’t afford to hesitate any longer. If the Ryougi family missed this chance and someone else succeeded in creating an omniscient being, he’d never be able to face his ancestors in the afterlife.
"Very well. I accept, Mr. Kuroda—no, Lord Kuroda. If what you demonstrate can indeed make my daughter omniscient and omnipotent, then you may take whatever you wish from the Ryougi family. Be it objects or people."
"Excellent. Then I’ll show you a little something. For fairness’ sake, Miss Kuroda, would you serve as a witness and evaluator?" Takashi Kuroda turned to Touko Kuroda, who had been silently observing the exchange.
"Me?" Touko frowned, though in truth, she was deeply curious about this man’s true capabilities.
"Indeed. What I’m about to demonstrate happens to align with your expertise. Now, Head of the Ryougi family, have all non-essential personnel leave—including those guards outside. This touches upon my secrets, and I’d prefer not to have too many witnesses." Takashi Kuroda spoke slowly.
