The few of them soaked in the hot spring, chatting to find topics.

Chitiao understood Miko's situation even better than Suren. At this moment, she suddenly asked, "Miko-san, I've noticed you've been frowning these past few days. Are you having some difficulties?"

"Well..."

Miko frowned slightly, hesitating for a moment.

She didn't intend to hide anything and said directly, "To be honest, the situation in Edo is indeed a bit of a mess."

Chitiao also guessed something and asked curiously, "Has the truth about the previous assassination attempt been investigated?"

"It's complicated."

Hearing this question, Miko's face revealed obvious solemnity, "Based on the existing clues, we can basically confirm that the 'Sorcerer' Abe Yasunari is not from the shogunate."

Chitiao was puzzled and asked in surprise, "Not from the Takeda shogunate?"

They had been trying to assassinate Takeda Nobunaga, which led to them being chased all the way to Akaine.

But,

the people chasing them

weren't from the Takeda shogunate,

but another force?

Hearing this, Suren narrowed his eyes slightly. He immediately realized that someone was trying to "divert disaster eastward" or "borrow a knife to kill."

Miko also felt puzzled and continued, "Because I learned of Abe Yasunari's involvement, I sent people to investigate this lead. Only then did I discover that, in addition to the Takeda shogunate, there is indeed a third force stirring up the situation in Yamakage. They are hiding very deeply, mixed in with the imperial family, the shogunate, and various daimyo, but before, they hardly let anyone notice! It's just that recently, for some unknown reason, they've shown their faces and exposed their flaws..."

Miko took the initiative to talk about her situation for the first time. Although she didn't care about power, imperial power was the will of the gods, and the two shared both honor and disgrace.

Anyone who shakes the rights of the imperial family is shaking the divine right.

"A third force?"

Hearing this, Suren instantly thought of something, and his expression became a little strange.

They only emerged recently?

The biggest change in Yamakage in recent times is probably the fact that Oleg, the King of the North Sea, declared himself king.

But this kind of far-sighted scheme, to be able to co-opt a chief court priest, is not simple. It doesn't seem like the schemes of those pirates who only know how to rob and plunder.

He asked directly, "Miko-san, do you suspect Oleg, the King of the North Sea?"

"Yes."

These topics were already very sensitive political secrets, but Miko didn't avoid Suren and the others, "But I'm not sure it's definitely him."

She said directly, "Because the Abe family has no old grudges with our Kamifuku clan, and Abe Yasunari had no motive to chase me before. Moreover, even if he killed me, he would have no meaning without the support of a daimyo. So, I suspect that there is a force behind him that can contend with Takeda Nobunaga. Yamakage doesn't have a second shogunate, so it can only be a foreign force."

"..."

Hearing this, Suren stopped talking.

Miko's analysis was completely reasonable.

Suren had no interest in the power struggles of the imperial family. Moreover, although this Yamakage country is small, the situation of a country is not something that a few people can change.

He vaguely felt that if Oleg didn't give up on Yamakage and waited for the main fleet to come again, there might be a major change.

The imperial Kamifuku clan is facing internal and external troubles, and the situation is not optimistic.

Political topics were already very serious, and no one spoke in the hot spring pool for a while.

As if sensing that the atmosphere was a bit stiff, the solemn expression on Miko's face suddenly disappeared, "Sorry, I've been talking about some very boring topics."

The atmosphere didn't ease, but became even more silent.

Miko looked at the scenery below the mountain, her gaze gradually deepening. Thinking of something, she said again, "The time I've spent with everyone has been very pleasant. I really wish it could always be like this."

Chitiao noticed something and asked, "Are you leaving?"

Miko's eyes were unfocused, she didn't look at her, but just nodded and said, "Yes. At the 'Black Sun Festival' in half a month, as a miko of the Ise Grand Shrine, I must return to the capital to preside over the sacrificial ceremony. When the imperial guards arrive, I will probably leave in a few days."

Saying that, a touch of regret appeared on her pretty face, "These days, thanks to the company of Mr. Suren and Miss Chitiao, Miko is really happy..."

These words clearly had the meaning of parting.

The situation in the capital was very dangerous, and she didn't plan to continue this "protection contract mission."

But before Miko could finish speaking, Chitiao interrupted her.

Chitiao bypassed Suren, hooked her shoulder, and said boldly, "Don't be so gloomy. When Suren unlocks the seal on my hand, I'll go with you!"

Now that she has the demon sword in hand, as well as the Sengoku-era armor "Iron Red Scale Coated Five-Piece Torso Armor," even if she faces Takeda Nobunaga of the sixth rank again, she won't be so easily defeated.

"Ah... this..."

These words made people feel very safe, and Miko knew that Chitiao was the kind of person who always kept her word.

But she couldn't bear to let her friend go to danger, and wanted to refuse, but before she could feel grateful, she lost her balance and fell towards Suren beside her.

Suren was also a little dazed. He was still studying the seal on Chitiao's arm when he suddenly found himself holding a warm and fragrant body.

The three of them had been sitting very close before, and although their skin had touched, it wasn't much.

Now, it was a completely different story, as they were pressed together intimately.

The clothes worn for bathing were already thin, and they felt even more flimsy when wet.

With this contact, Suren clearly felt his arm sink into a softness. This Miko-san's skin had a magical, extremely smooth quality that slipped away at the touch.

As she fell, she threw herself into Suren's arms, looking flustered and slightly embarrassed.

Moreover, it wasn't just Miko, Chitiao's movements were even bigger. In order to be mischievous, she almost pressed down on him completely, and the heavy pressure made Suren feel even better.

To be honest, although the two of them were usually intimate, this was probably the first time they had such a real touch.

After a moment of panic, Miko regained her composure and said with a wry smile, "Miss Chitiao, you..."

She understood that Chitiao was teasing her, but she was helpless.

However, after sitting up straight, she didn't deliberately distance herself from Suren, feeling that it would be impolite. At least, they were much closer than before. With so much skin contact, they could both feel each other's body temperature.

Looking at the unnatural expression on Miko's face, Chitiao laughed and asked even more directly, "Suren, what do you think? Miko-san's figure is something else, right?"

"..."

Suren rolled his eyes. If he answered that question, he would immediately be considered frivolous.

But if he didn't answer, Miko would feel even more awkward.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he looked at Chitiao beside him, cleverly diverting the topic, "I think Chitiao-nee's figure is also excellent."

At this teasing remark, Miko covered her mouth and giggled, echoing, "I think so too."

Lolota watched the whole thing and smiled without saying a word.

The awkward atmosphere instantly disappeared.

"Heh..."

Chitiao didn't want the topic to turn to herself, but she didn't care at all.

Being looked at like that, she not only didn't cover up, but generously displayed herself, saying boldly, "Tch, it's not like you haven't seen it before. Look if you want."