Home Security [Part 3]
Imperial Prince Tasuku had not been accompanied by Imperial Japanese, neither at the banquet nor today’s visit.
The thought that there was no way he would come to the Kingdom alone had crossed their minds, but… it turned out that a band of ninjas had been following him around, only, nobody could see them.
“…if these ninjas hadn’t come to our house, they could have stayed concealed in the Kingdom and completed their mission without being found out…”
They had infiltrated the mansion without alerting Leonard and George, who were sensitive to the presence of others, so there was no doubt the ninjas were considerably skilled.
“It’s likely that neither His Majesty, the diplomats, nor anybody in the royal castle knows about this…”
‘I want to keep it that way if possible,’ thought William, pondering his next move as he observed the ninjas who had been laid down in the empty room.
The manservants gathered by the quick-witted Martha, who helped them move the ninjas, were all reliable servants who had come with them from Palace county. These servants were already used to Emma’s shenanigans and could be trusted to keep the information from leaking outside of House Stuart for the time being.
However, it was likely that in Imperial Japan, the existence of ninjas was a confidential matter. They were the country’s secret agents, after all.
William was worried that knowing of the ninjas’ existence would put the Stuart family’s future safety in jeopardy.
“If it was just one or two people, I could see how it would work. However, right now, 17 people have been discovered in just the mansion alone! How do they maintain their supplies of food and such? Since Imperial Japan is experiencing food shortages…”
Each and every one of the ninjas was light and thin enough that even Joshua could carry them. Emma did expect that they had to be light and agile because they were ninjas, but it seemed difficult to secure 17 people’s rations secretly.
Not to mention, the mode of transport between the nations was 100% by ship. Even ninjas could have a hard time in an environment where water and food are precious, right?
“Nee-sama…… that‘s what you are curious about?”
William’s gaze was cold. But of course Emma would worry, because going hungry was unbearable.
“Emma-sama is so kind.”
Joshua’s proverbial rose-colored glasses had been upgraded after taking a critical hit.
“Martha, could you ask the kitchen to make something nutritious and easy to digest?”
Meals are important, after all.
As Martha left for the kitchen, Ryuu-chan replaced her, coming inside the room with two ninjas in her mouth.
“Meow! Meow, meoww!”
Her proud face looked just like Koumei-san‘s. She nestled close to William and butted her head at William’s body, asking to be pet.
“More, again… Just how many are there?”
William stroked Ryuu-chan while enduring the rather strong headbutt. Our cats aren’t just cute.
“Meow♪ Meoww!”
Ryuu-chan let herself be petted obediently and replied to William with a satisfied expression.
“Just one more. That one is currently disguised as one of the diplomats in the drawing room.”
Emma interpreted what Ryuu-chan said.
“One more… 20 people in total, huh. Disguised as a diplomat in the drawing room… wait, the two meows from Ryuu-chan carried that much meaning!?”
Rather than speaking Imperial Japanese, isn’t being able to understand cat language weirder?
George doubted his younger sister’s translation. She looked like she understood the whole conversation these days, but the cats had only voiced nothing but a bunch of meows.
“It’s because cat language is based on feelings.”
” ” ” “Meow~♪” ” ” “
While the ninjas in the attic wrapped in Violet’s thread were being carried to the empty room, a lecture on cat language was held, though no one could understand it.
