Chapter 28: Chapter 28 The Emperor and the Hidden Throne
As she was about to push him, she hesitated because she too was longing for KE.
The month they hadn't seen each other felt as long as a full year.
She was deeply troubled, as were Shinobu and even Tamayo, who had never felt this way in her life.
She was so disturbed that she couldn't even focus on her research or visit her lab, built by Ryota, feeling bored without KE around.
True, she had seen him just a day ago, but his charismatic, mysterious personality, and the love words or jokes he shared, were something she had never experienced before in her life.
That's why when Miyako asked her something, she didn't answer but just took her to this secret women's meeting.
"Ugh, you went to Nee-san and forgot there are other women who love you. You really are scum, trash, a pervert," Shinobu murmured softly, only audible to those cultivating Etheora, making them laugh at the same time.
"By the way, Dad, Mom, why did you come? Didn't I say that nothing bad could happen to my Shinomori clan under my watch?" KE asked them, sitting and hugging Kanae, who was on his lap.
Kyomi and Gaya felt jealous but said nothing, knowing KE hadn't seen Kanae for a month and deserved some reward for his research and tests.
Tamayo, on the other hand, looked at Kanae with deep envy, wishing she could swap places with her immediately.
The table was already full, with KE, his parents, and the girls on one side, and the men on the other.
Akhiro and the others stood behind KE like protective pillars, intimidating everyone with their aura.
Suddenly, with a quick tap, the hall plunged into darkness, signaling the start of the announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased you are gathered here tonight for this splendid event," Hiroyuki began, announcing the Shinomori clan's earnings.
Some smiled, some laughed, others trembled as the room filled with chaotic emotions.
"First, let's start today's betting on whether it's a win or a loss," he continued. This competition involved clans, companies, organizations, and merchants betting on project successes or failures.
The event was triggered by a significant project initiated by a prominent figure, and KE, being from the Shinomori clan, was that figure.
"Now, let's announce the winner or the loser" Hiroyuki started but the crowd, so excited, completed his sentence for him.
A beautiful woman walked in amidst loud music and singing, holding a paper in a silver and gold box.
"Thank you, dear," Hiroyuki thanked her, taking the box and the letter.
"Now, I will announce today's earnings for three Shinomori clan restaurants and the reasons," he said, opening the letter amidst drum sounds.
"This!"
"This!!!!!!"
Hiroyuki was shocked but even more so after finishing reading, shouting as his body trembled and sweated.
"Are you sure there's no mistake in the writing?" he asked the hall owner.
"Impossible, my 'Sato' clan has owned this hall for centuries, and we never make mistakes in counting earnings. I wrote this letter myself after verifying and calculating from the treasury," the owner replied.
Hiroyuki paused, gulped, then spoke out loud"The earnings of just one restaurant are eighteen million!"
The hall went utterly silent at the announcement, except for KE.
In that moment of revelation, everyone's feet seemed glued to the ground, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
The lively eyes turned into deep, still lakes of surprise and awe.
There was a heavy, charged silence filled with the weight of the news.
After five minutes, KE broke the silence with a poem.
"Without glory, they proceed, the failures, in a world that gives no value to the weak,
Crushed under the feet of the age, with no place in a future bursting with blossoms.
They pass like shadows on a sunny day, leaving no mark, no remembered existence,
In this new era of success, they have become lost souls, spoken of only in whispered words.
No glory in their failure, no esteem, no place for them in the history of heroes and legends,
But mere whispers in the dark corner, memories of despair that faded without return or ambition.
Their smiles are bitter, and their eyes carry deep pains, engraved in their souls like a dagger of despair,
And in the world of power and authority, there is no place for the weak, whose wings have broken and no longer soar."
Everyone was in awe of KE's poem as he wrote it in his notebook, realizing they had been completely crushed.
They looked at KE, who gazed back disdainfully.
"You ants can never stop this emperor's rise to the peak of this world," KE declared, his eyes turning red and an aura enveloping everyone except his family, women, and followers.
KE had accidentally created 'Haoshoku Haki,' a combat technique from a certain pirate world, when he was bored.
He never thought he'd use it today, but it forced all the guests to kneel, overwhelmed by this ancient, majestic breath.
It was an emperor's breath, a royal aura impossible for a human to possess.
For the first time in history, they all knelt to the same person they had underestimated and mocked.
"Well then, everyone, leave this place. It's time to end this farce," KE said, planning to start his real plan.
Miyako, Kanae, and the girls looked at each other but didn't move.
KE noticed and looked at his mother and the girls, wanting to speak but couldn't, seeing their determined eyes.
It was impossible for them to leave him alone, even if he did something evil. They would stand by him.
"KE, accept their presence," Ryota smiled, giving him a thumbs-up.
"But Dad, Kanao is still young," KE tried to argue, concerned about Kanao witnessing violence.
"I will stay…," Kanao said softly, surprising everyone.
Even KE was shocked, never expecting Kanao to speak up after waiting so long for this day.
"But Kanao yo-" KE started to explain, but Kanao shook her head more firmly.
"I want to see and stand by you, KE," she confessed.
Everyone was shocked by her sudden declaration, even KE, who blushed and covered his face.
Miyako smiled, knowing this was all part of her plan to put KE's mother in a military leadership position, though KE was unaware.
"Ahm ahm, Shinomori-sama, I am Kazuki Sato, the one who wrote your terrifying earnings. I am not one of those fools standing against your majesty,"Kazuki Sato interrupted, pleading.
KE couldn't control his power well and needed to fight to manage it. Unfortunately, no one was worthy to fight him yet.
When he used 'Haoshoku Haki,' he could only protect his family, women, and followers. The rest were flattened on the ground.
"Hmm," KE realized Kazuki was the one who had written his earnings without deceit. He removed the pressure from the guests to speak and understand them better.
Once the guests felt the pressure lift, they stood up, looking at KE with fear, awe, and even deep respect.
KE knew humans respect only those stronger than themselves and never rebel, offering their loyalty instead.
When they were all crushed to the ground, they quickly accepted their place, understanding the harsh realities of life.
They were heads of organizations, traders, and patriarchs of clans centuries old, who had climbed the ladder of life and death, splitting families and reducing living standards to gain power over Nippon's economy.
Now, understanding KE's power and knowing he didn't kill them, they knew he wanted something— their loyalty.
They were willing to give it to him, because he already deserved it.
KE smiled, noticing their eyes, and knew his plan had worked.
"So, you already know what I need, don't you?" He asked quietly, but he noticed that there were three strangers who did not bow.
(Nani!!!!!!!)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone