The current cabinet ministers of R-country numbered twenty-one, with over a dozen present. In the span of a short while, only six remained in the vast conference room.
Among them were the second-in-command, Chief of the Imperial Household Agency, and Prime Minister Kōyōi himself.
True friends are known in times of adversity! Looking at the few loyal confidants around him, Prime Minister Kōyōi's expression was complex. These were the very first people who had strongly supported him when he first took office!
"Prime Minister, what do we do now?" a cabinet minister who remained asked solemnly, his heart heavy.
What to do? Prime Minister Kōyōi's face was graver than ever; for a moment, he had no good ideas. This was an enemy they had never encountered before. If given a choice, he would rather engage in a war of nations than face such a terrifying foe.
Although the current great enemy was only one person, the power they wielded was sufficient to destroy an entire country! Untraceable, unlocatable, like a dragon seen in its depths but never its tail—this was incredibly terrifying!
"Why don't... we personally invite Prince Atozakura? Although Prince Atozakura didn't act against that guy, I believe he wouldn't let that fellow Bai Ye run amok!" a trusted minister suggested.
The other ministers' eyes lit up. "Yes! Prince Atozakura is unfathomable. Even Lord Kagutsuchi was respectful in his presence before, so perhaps he can deal with this fellow Bai Ye!"
"Exactly! Prince Atozakura is, after all, the guardian deity of our R-country. When the Beautiful Country pressured us back then, he stepped forward and resolved it! At a time like this, he should act!"
"Prime Minister, let's hurry to the Imperial Palace!"
The ministers grew more excited as they spoke, as if they wanted to carry Kōyōi to the Imperial Palace on the spot.
Prime Minister Kōyōi was deep in thought. The Chief of the Imperial Household Agency looked at him and stepped forward, saying, "Prince Atozakura might indeed be able to deal with Bai Ye! However..."
The Chief of the Imperial Household Agency's reversed statement immediately drew everyone's attention, and they stopped their discussions.
"With such a massive stir at the 'Yasukuni Shrine,' the Imperial Palace is not far. Prince Atozakura couldn't possibly be unaware. But haven't you noticed? Prince Atozakura has not appeared to this day..."
"This... Has Prince Atozakura completely abandoned our R-country?" The ministers' faces changed drastically, the sliver of hope they had just regained vanishing completely.
On the side, Kōyōi's expression grew even more somber. The second-in-command's words were exactly what he feared.
The remaining few confidants also felt the urge to flee immediately. The reason they stayed was because they felt they still had a reliance—Prince Atozakura! But now, their backing seemed gone... Should they run? If they didn't run now, they might lose their lives here!
"However, this is just my speculation," the second-in-command's words turned again, making the remaining few cabinet ministers forcibly retract their nearly uncontrolled feet.
"We are not clear about Prince Atozakura's specific stance, but we must visit and invite him first."
"However, before inviting him, I suggest we go see someone first. Perhaps it will increase the chances of success!"
Invite someone? The ministers looked surprised, and even Prime Minister Kōyōi looked puzzled, speaking in unison:
"Who?"
The Chief of the Imperial Household Agency said, "Princess Aohe!"
Princess Aohe? Hearing the name, the ministers looked confused. Kōyōi, however, had some impression and asked with a hint of doubt, "Her? It is said she is a beauty R-country encounters once in a thousand years, a member of the royal family assigned to Prince Atozakura as a lady-in-waiting?"
"Lady-in-waiting??" The ministers looked even more confused. According to the information they had obtained, Prince Atozakura was not interested in women, so no matter how beautiful a princess was, it was useless. How could a lady-in-waiting solve matters concerning the fate of the nation?
"As far as I know, within the entire Prince's residence, only Princess Aohe can enter and exit freely!" The Chief of the Imperial Household Agency's words immediately startled Kōyōi and the others.
The Prince's residence could be said to be the most forbidden place in R-country currently, even more difficult to enter than a munitions depot. They never expected a woman to be able to enter and exit freely!
"Is there a way to contact her?" Kōyōi immediately made a decision. They had to win over Prince Atozakura. This was originally R-country's greatest trump card!
"Yes!"