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[Crossover] Ch 170: Sensai Aiba
🕑 Added 2025-07-28 16:33:44 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
Inside a traditional Japanese-style guest room…
Several figures sat kneeling around a low tea table on tatami mats, their expressions grim.
They were all influential figures on Itogami Island—politicians, prominent businesspeople, high-ranking officials from the Artificial Island Management Corporation, and senior advisors from the Magus Craft.
What united them wasn't just their power or status—it was their shared allegiance to a single political faction: the Aiba Faction.
"…This situation is even worse than we anticipated."
The one who spoke was the leader of the faction—Sensai Aiba. Tall, broad-shouldered, with a face more befitting a yakuza boss than a politician, he let out a long, weary sigh.
One of the members beside him replied with a helpless tone.
"We had already considered the possibility of Itogami Island becoming someone's territory when we agreed to cooperate with the Lion King Agency and supported the arrival of the Fourth Primogenitor… but we didn't expect it to happen this fast."
Another middle-aged man spoke up, a frown tugging at his lips.
"The one who made a move against the Yaze family… was Meiga Itogami. As the grandson of the island's founder, his influence with the public is already off the charts."
And it wasn't without precedent.
In mainland Japan, there were plenty of politicians who openly flaunted their noble lineage—claiming descent from some ancient feudal lord and using it as a reason why they were "destined" to rule. The public loved that kind of thing. It worked, too—they often got elected by a landslide.
So on a man-made island like Itogami, who held the most legitimate claim to rule?
It was the Itogami family—the very ones who founded the island. And the only living heir of that lineage… was Meiga Itogami.
To the public, that practically made him royalty. His right to rule felt like destiny.
The middle-aged man's voice grew heavier.
"Meiga Itogami is now publicly backing the Fourth Primogenitor. He's rallying the people and pushing for a snap election. Looks like he's gunning for a seat at the top."
An elderly businessman finally spoke up, his memory jogging. "Isn't he that expert in magi-tech applications?"
"Yeah… If he hadn't committed the crime of killing some agents from the Lion King years ago, he probably would've already become part of the island's leadership by now."
Someone else chimed in cautiously.
"Then… couldn't we use his criminal record to bring him down? Otherwise, if we wait until after he's consolidated power, we're screwed."
Everyone understood what he meant.
They all had skeletons in their closets. Everyone made mistakes—especially the ones in charge.
Maybe it was something said in the wrong meeting. Maybe it was signing a deal that shouldn't have been signed. Or maybe something more direct—bribery, corruption, backroom dealings. If someone really wanted to dig, prison time wouldn't just be possible—it'd be guaranteed.
That's why Itogami's political circles typically agreed to a quiet, mutual understanding—no digging into past administrations. It was a truce of sorts. A mask to prevent political battles from turning into bloodbaths.
But now…
With someone like Meiga Itogami—or more accurately, the Fourth Primogenitor behind him—seizing power through bloodshed, who could say that courtesy would still apply?
This was no longer just politics. Itogami Island had become the Empire of Dawn—an actual kingdom built by a Primogenitor. Could a vampire overlord really be expected to follow human rules?
Using those in power as scapegoats to appease the masses… that was practically standard procedure in vampire logic, wasn't it?
"…What is the Lion King Agency's stance on all this? At a time like this, they're still hiding things?"
"Maybe they've decided to throw us under the bus to win favor with that 'His Majesty.'"
"Unbelievable. We had a deal! And now they backstab us at the most critical moment. Guess that's what we get for trusting a mainland intelligence agency."
"Enough." Sensai Aiba rapped his knuckles against the table, cutting through the rising tension. His tone was stern.
"Pointing fingers won't get us anywhere right now. What matters is establishing communication with Meiga Itogami—and ideally, with His Majesty the Fourth Primogenitor himself."
His tone softened just slightly.
"Personally, I think direct contact with the Primogenitor is the only way to resolve this cleanly."
"But, Mr. Aiba… His Majesty doesn't seem interested in appearing publicly."
"Yeah, even the declaration of the new kingdom was delivered through Meiga via a TV broadcast. The Primogenitor himself stays behind the curtain. Seems like he's adopting the same hands-off approach as the Second Primogenitor."
The Second Primogenitor—Aswad-Guul Aziz, ruler of the Dynasty of Destruction.
There were fewer than twenty people in the world who'd ever seen his true face. And more than half of them were his direct descendants.
No one even knew what he looked like, what his preferences were, or what kind of personality he had. It was all a mystery.
But one thing was certain: everyone who ever tried to pry into his secrets… vanished without a trace.
As for the Fourth Primogenitor, his reputation in historical records was even worse. Arrogant, prideful, and ruthlessly violent.
If he didn't want to show himself… who would be crazy enough to go looking for him?
No one dared probe into the affairs of the Second Primogenitor—so who in their right mind would approach the most violent one?
Sensai Aiba understood the risks better than anyone.
But he'd been stripped of all his official positions and was under house arrest. If he didn't act now, he might never get another chance.
After a long sigh, he said, "Then we'll have to take a different route—reach out to someone else."
"Who?"
"…The Witch of the Void—Natsuki Minamiya."
His voice dropped low as he said the name.
And immediately, the room went silent. Faces turned pale.
Sensai Aiba gave a bitter sigh and added, "She's the only one who sided with the Fourth Primogenitor from the very beginning. If anyone can arrange a safe audience with him… it's her."
"…You're not wrong."
A light, feminine voice rang out from behind.
Sensai Aiba froze.
He turned—and saw a petite girl dressed in gothic lolita fashion, holding a frilly parasol indoors of all places.
Natsuki Minamiya stood calmly atop the tatami, staring down at the Sensai Aiba with pity in her eyes.
"Sensai Aiba, right?" she said. "You're under arrest. Come with me."
His face twitched, but he fought to keep his composure.
"…And what exactly am I being accused of?"
Natsuki ignored the question. "Where's your daughter—Aiba Asagi?"
His heart skipped a beat.
"…She should be at Gigafloat Management Corporation, working as a part-time programmer," he answered slowly.
Natsuki's voice turned icy. "That girl's nothing but trouble."
The moment he heard those words, a sinking feeling hit Sensai Aiba's gut.
Then Natsuki spoke with finality, her tone commanding.
"Tell her to meet you at the Keystone Gate. Don't try anything cute."
Sensai Aiba sat in silence for a moment. Then, finally, he gave a reluctant nod.
.
.
.
