Chapter 129: I and Me / Great Actor (1/2)

Chapter 128: I and Me / An Unexpected Chain of Events Chapter 130: I and Me / From the Cradle to the Grave

Translator: Reflet

「What’s the meaning of this?」

The words that came straight out of her mouth displayed her state of mind as it was.

She didn’t think that she would hear that voice of all things here, and she could hear an extremely calm voice.

Serious, but not cornered. At the very least, this was not the voice of a retainer who grasped the current situation of one’s master being captured by one’s enemy.

That was the kind of voice she had heard from Tsukumo’s smartphone.

Various thoughts recurred in her head, and Youran once again responded.

「Do you understand the situation that I am in?」

『Of course I do. I’m viewing your situation over there via video after all.』

「You seem rather composed despite that.」

「Well yeah, that’s cause she’s doing this of her free will.」

「What do you mean?」

「I like that version of New Moon-sama as well; she’s strongly high-minded and refined. She feels like the heroine of the era――the century.」

「I thought I told you I wasn’t into that sort of thing.」

「But I like that kind of thing; so much so that I want to reset myself as soon as possible.」

「Michiyo!」

『……』

She roughened her voice, but there was no response from the smartphone speakers. She could hear the faintest respiration, but nothing more.

She called her name once again, but expectedly, there was no answer.

Youran understood that attempting to press questions wouldn’t make her respond. Changing her target, she turned to Tsukumo and asked him.

「What are your objectives? I cannot comprehend why Juunishima Tsubaki has resorted to these violent actions at this point in time.」

「I hear that it’s exactly because it’s this point in time. Doesn’t New Moon-sama actually also comprehend the situation?」

「I understand the part about Adano’s whereabouts being found, but I cannot comprehend why I need to be captured now.」

「New Moon-sama is unexpectedly pure.」

「What are you getting at?」

Youran furrowed her brow, somewhat feeling she was being made fun of.

「At this rate, the next Juunishima head is decidedly New Moon-sama. You do after all hold the name『Director of the New Moon』, and most importantly, your popularity among the island’s citizens is exceptional. Even if Tsubaki-sama and Adano-sama paired together, that rank would not sway. You’re thinking that, right New Moon-sama? That is correct.」

「Quit the roundabout manner of speaking.」

「We’d like to have New Moon-sama say with her mouth that she’ll yield the inheritance rights to Adano-sama.」

「You’re telling me to yield in favor of a more virtuous successor?」

「Can’t tell if those words are suitable for――Nah, it’s New Moon-sama so I guess they are. Yeah, that’s right.」

Tsukumo nodded, and Youran figured that if that were the case then she was satisfied with the answer.

It was true that Tsubaki grasped a certain degree of authority in Juunishima, but no matter how she used that power, the chances of her ascending to the head were equal to 0.

That was simply related to her lineage.

The causes of power struggles were generally classified into two categories. And in Juunishima, the modern anachronism of the name「Director of the New Moon」being used was more important than justification.

In this case, the ones who could be the next Juunishima head were only Youran and Adano Pochi, born from the current head’s legal wife. Those who were not of the main line such as Tsubaki or Sakura, Anna, etc, could not get the chance unless Youran or Adano were to disappear.

That was why Tsubaki tried to support Adano. The problem there was that Youran already had her position solidified as the inheritor of the title of Director of the New Moon.

If Adano had perhaps been on Juunishima and grew up just like Youran, things may have been different, but even if she revealed herself by this point in time, that rank would not waver.

And if someone were to want to erase Youran, it wasn’t that simple.

Tsubaki’s objective was to have the discovered Adano inherit the headship, and no matter the procedure, people would appear who associated Adano’s return with Youran’s disappearance.

Youran had the support of island citizens numbering over a million; the majority. Even if an agenda were to be pushed within Juunishima, the island residents would not be satisfied with that.

It was to be expected that chaos would continue for a long period of time.

In the worst-case scenario, the now-gone Youran would be idolized/deified, remaining deep-rooted within the hearts of people.

The charisma gained from reaching an entirely new stage would be too much to even mention in all of history.

Youran understood that, and believed that Tsubaki also understood that.

So despite being a political opponent, Youran had in a sense believed completely in her safety.

Youran had believed that in fact if anything had happened to her then Tsubaki would assure her safety with all her effort.

「I see; it definitely seems like there’s no other option.」

「Sharp as usual, New Moon-sama. Your comprehension will save time.」

「But I have no intention of doing that.」

「So you have no intention of surrendering your authority?」

「I cannot entrust the lives of a million villagers with someone who has no readiness.」

「The one with the real power would be Tsubaki-sama.」

「Even if she’s a puppet, if she had the resolve then the worst situation could be avoided. If that’s not there then it’s out of the question.」

「Tsubaki-sama might very well have the resolve, right?」