Hunting: Memories (I Transmigrated as a Memory Hunter)

Arc 1: Kumoshima Aijin Extra 2

Chapter 24

He ignored her questions, instead Prince Yoshimura frowned as he stared at her furisode, “You didn’t like the kimono I prepared for you?”

“Do you really want me to get killed by making me wear a twelve-layer kimono?” Aijin stared at him. In other circumstances, her rudeness can get her killed. However, with her social status changed, she can already be considered a princess.

The Second Prince frowned even more, “I gave a furisode as well.”

“Oh, then someone probably tried to frame me up? But,” she interrupted when he glared at the attendant beside her, “Don’t lash out on the lady attendants. Whoever did it, they have no power to decline. Why not answer me instead? Why are you bullying a child?”

Aijin glanced at the little Crown Prince but her surprise almost broke her facade. Aijin recognized the child upon closer look. It was Shuijing, the child she once found on the road, almost dead from poison many years ago.

However, them being acquainted wasn’t a good idea to bring up at this time. Aijin composed herself.

“Lady Aijin, I credited him for being able to stand here, but it doesn’t change the fact that we can’t get anything from this. Do you think we couldn’t fight back even without their help? Alliance formed upon mutual benefits. We are not a charity here. Lives are at stake.”

“I heard earlier that you were thinking their people could be plotting against us. How sure are you that no other will take advantage of the situation?”

“That is why I’m eliminating most of the possible threats as much as possible. Tell me, do they have enough proof that their side can support this war?”

“Lady Aijin,” at last, Shuijing spoke. His hand was placed on his brother’s shoulder, probably trying to stop him. Aijin met Chunan when she helped Shuijing. An overprotective brother.

Shuijing patted his brother’s shoulder’s before he continued, “I will forever be in debt to you.” He smiled and turned to Prince Yoshimura. “Your Highness, you may be right. I am a child, powerless, with nothing but my title. However, my title isn’t useless. My people were ready to support me until I took back my throne.”

Shuijing took a deep breath, as if speaking was taking a toll on him. “Even if I have no proof of loyalty from them, I still trust them. However, I understand the risk of the situation. Though I don’t have much, I still have something to offer. I will state it and His Highness can decide whether it is worth the deal.”

Prince Yoshimura just looked at Shuijing with an unreadable expression.

"The Royal Secretary and one of Lord Miyazuya's people will write everything the Prince said as proof of this discussion," Prince Yoshimura suddenly answered, cutting the thick tension like magic. "And if this conversation will end as an agreement, we will decide if this will bear the seal of both Kingdoms."

He then looked at Shuijing, "Speak."

Shuijing gave a nod.

“One, we can teach advanced technology connected to agriculture and forging from our kingdom.”

"I heard it was the Prime Minister who built the system."

"That was the partial truth. It was our father, the late emperor, who made the system. It doesn't matter. What we are about to offer was the one our father hid from him. It was also the reason why the Prime Minister desperately wanted us back."

Aijin smiled. Shuijing didn't give the Second Prince a chance to reject. The mere fact that the Prime Minister wanted them back because of it already gave the idea of how much value the information they have. Aside from that, this offer, whether we reclaimed the throne or not, will still be given to the Kumoshima Kingdom."

Just as she expected, Prince Yoshimura didn't question the first offer, he just gestured for him to go on.

"However, in exchange, I would like a guarantee that all the names of the people from our land that had been brought here should only be pardoned or serve jail time, unless they commit a major crime like murder, or was proven a danger. I hope the Prince will consider that they were lied to, the reason why they were here. They are willing to pay for their sins by helping us get through this war. I hope His Highness reconsiders this request."

"Fair enough."

"There are still things I can offer but I could not give them now. But once the war was over and I reclaimed the position, this could be signed as an official treaty. Will His Highness hear me?"

"Go on."

"After the war, we are willing to pay for the damages inflicted to the Kumoshima Kingdom. However, I would like to ask the Prince to convey to the King an embarrassing request from this person. As we have no idea on the current financial state of our own Kingdom, I would like to request you to give us more time to deal with this matter. If not, a part of our territory will be given in place as reparation pay."

"What part of your Kingdom deem valuable for you? On what account we will base this part of land is indeed valuable enough to pay for the damages?"

Shuijing didn't answer right away. He took a deep breath. "Your Highness, I will not lie to you. As a young child, I haven't seen the world myself, much less every part of the Kingdom I am supposed to lead in the future. However, my brother did and I can trust him to handle this. To make sure everything was handled fairly, His Highness could assign someone he trusted to oversee this matter."

"Accepted."

"And last, my brother suggested this beforehand. We will open the trade route to the northern seas and share it with Kumoshima Kingdom."

This drew a surprised reaction from the Second Prince. However, Aijin didn't know any details regarding the matter. She could only guess it was indeed important.

"I just hope His Highness and his people will treat us fairly during this alliance. If everything goes well, this treaty will last upon further agreement but no less than my whole years of reign."

The Second Prince stared at Shuijing for quite a while, as if waiting for him to add more clauses. However, Shuijing didn't speak further.

Aijin didn't miss the gleam in Prince Yoshimura's eyes, nor the loophole in the agreement.

Before the Second Prince could speak, she interjected.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

"Benefactor," he bowed low, showing his utmost respect to Aijin, even disregarded his title.

Aijin worried for a bit because of this action but the Second Prince didn't comment.

"Shuijing, His Highness here seems to agree with most of your clauses. However, I want to voice my disagreement," Aijin looked at Prince Yoshimura, her face determined. "Will His Highness let me speak?"

"Sure, I am also curious what Lady Aijin wished to talk about."

"Your Highness, you keep demanding their loyalty and prove they are trust-worthy. But shouldn't an agreement go both ways? You haven't given your part of terms. How can you prove that our side will not betray them? Even if you won't, our people might do the opposite. How can you guarantee their safety?"

"Then let me hear if l Lady Aijin wished to suggest anything regarding this matter."

Aijin didn't waste time, she kneeled beside Shuijing and bowed her head to the Second Prince, "Your Highness, this subject wishes to oversee the situation until the war is over and I can help tend to injured soldiers."

Prince Yoshimura raised an eyebrow. "Lady Aijin, that is indeed a good suggestion. It will not take one less of our manpower to oversee things, however, what power do you hold on to do this? Even as the daughter of the Minister of the Right, you didn't have the power over anyone here."