The council members looked at one another.
Quiet conversations began filling the Hall of Tides.
Some nobles nodded.
Others frowned.
A few military leaders quietly debated among themselves.
"...He has a point."
"But is it practical?"
"What happens if another clan betrays the alliance?"
"The droughts have worked for centuries."
"Perhaps... but have they solved anything?"
The discussion continued.
Nate didn't interrupt.
He simply waited.
Beside him, Kunou gently intertwined her fingers with his.
"So..."
She smiled softly.
"Don't worry."
Nate looked at the woman he loved.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I'm not."
Kunou tilted her head.
"You're not nervous?"
Nate shook his head.
"No."
"If they reject us..."
"Then they reject us."
"I won't force anyone."
He looked toward the debating council.
"A united alliance built through pressure..."
"...would fall apart the moment that pressure disappeared."
Kunou squeezed his hand.
"So you're leaving the choice to them."
Nate nodded.
"They're rulers."
"They deserve the dignity of making their own decision."
Mermother overheard the conversation.
A warm smile crossed her face.
'He's learned.'
'Not just how to fight...'
'But how to lead.'
Lily quietly smiled into her teacup.
Aaron leaned over.
"Proud?"
She nodded.
"Very."
"He isn't trying to win an argument."
"He's trying to earn their trust."
Ryūjin watched the young king with ancient eyes.
"...Interesting."
Mermadonna noticed the same thing.
Most rulers came into negotiations trying to dominate the room.
Nate...
Had simply presented his case.
Now he was patiently waiting.
Confident enough to let others decide.
She smiled faintly.
'Perhaps...'
'That's why the other clans followed him.'
Not because he demanded loyalty.
But because he respected it.
Across the chamber, Sun Seto looked toward Lily.
She whispered quietly,
"Your son..."
"...is much calmer than I expected."
Lily chuckled.
"Give him an hour."
"Something ridiculous will probably happen."
Nate sighed without even turning around.
"I heard that, Mom."
The room broke into soft laughter.
Even several of the previously stern elders smiled.
The atmosphere, once tense and formal...
Had become surprisingly comfortable.
And sometimes...
That was the first step toward an alliance.
After several more minutes of discussion...
The council slowly grew quiet.
One of the oldest members stood.
His white hair drifted gently with the current as he leaned on an ornate staff carved from coral.
He looked toward Nate.
"King Nate."
"You have presented your proposal."
"And you have answered our questions honestly."
He glanced around at the other council members.
"This decision will affect not only us..."
"...but every generation that comes after."
The elder looked back at Nate.
"We require time."
"The Royal Council will deliberate in private."
"You shall have our answer..."
"...within twenty-four hours."
The hall became silent.
Nate smiled and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you."
"Regardless of your decision..."
"...thank you for hearing me out."
Several council members nodded in return.
One scholar quietly remarked,
"Well-mannered."
A military commander added,
"And patient."
Sun Seto watched the exchange with a smile.
'Yup...'
'Lily's son.'
'He didn't argue.'
'He didn't try to pressure anyone.'
'He simply trusted us to make our own choice.'
'That's exactly what Lily used to do.'
Mermadonna rose from her throne.
"Then the council is adjourned."
She struck the floor once with her royal staff.
Clang.
The sound echoed through the Dragon Palace.
One by one, the council members stood.
Small groups immediately formed.
Some headed toward the military chambers.
Others toward the Royal Archives.
Several nobles quietly began debating among themselves before they had even left the room.
No one intended to waste the twenty-four hours.
This was too important.
Ryūjin watched them leave with a satisfied smile.
"They're taking this seriously."
Mermother nodded.
"That's a good sign."
"If they intended to refuse outright..."
"...they would've done so already."
Lily smiled at Nate.
"I think your speech reached them."
Nate let out a slow breath.
"I hope so."
Kunou gently squeezed his hand again.
"You did well."
Nate smiled.
"Now..."
He looked toward the enormous windows of the Dragon Palace, where schools of colorful fish swam through the crystal-blue sea.
"...we wait."
Sometimes...
The hardest part of being a king wasn't winning a battle.
It was having the patience to wait for the answer.
Meanwhile...
Black Wings Headquarters
The atmosphere inside the fortress had grown tense.
McKraken paced back and forth, biting one of his nails.
"No..."
"We can't let this happen."
Dame Dedtime folded her arms.
"And reveal ourselves?"
"That would undo centuries of planning."
Shinigami sat calmly, his fingers resting together.
"I agree."
"The alliance is a problem."
"But we don't need to reveal the Black Wings."
He looked toward the others.
"We simply need to remind the world..."
"...that peace has enemies."
Mazera crossed his arms.
"So."
"We send one of your assassins?"
Shinigami nodded.
"Yes."
"This mission accomplishes two objectives."
He raised two fingers.
"First."
"Disrupt the negotiations between the Yokai and the Ningyo."
"Second..."
A cold smile spread across his face.
"We free our oldest ally."
"...Alucard."
The room became silent.
McKraken slowly grinned.
"I like this plan."
He stood and raised a hand.
"Gekkoutei Mangetsu."
"Come forth."
Purple flames erupted across the chamber.
Moonlight seemed to pour from nowhere.
From the flames stepped a woman with long rabbit ears, crimson eyes, and an unsettling smile.
She wore elegant white robes trimmed with violet, while eerie lunar energy flickered around her body.
Her smile was cold...
And cruel.
Gekkoutei Mangetsu bowed gracefully.
"You called for me?"
Her voice was calm.
Almost gentle.
Yet there was a sadistic amusement hidden beneath every word.
Shinigami met her gaze.
"I have a mission."
Mangetsu's smile widened.
"I was hoping you would."
McKraken chuckled.
"The Ningyo Kingdom."
"The Yokai King is there."
Shinigami continued.
"You are not to fight him."
Mangetsu tilted her head.
"...Not?"
"Correct."
"You are to infiltrate the kingdom."
"Create confusion."
"And while every eye is focused on the palace..."
He pointed toward a map of the sea.
"...break the seal beneath the Sea Prison."
"Release Alucard."
Mangetsu's crimson eyes gleamed.
"So..."
"A rescue mission."
She giggled softly.
"...With permission to cause chaos along the way?"
Shinigami smiled.
"As much chaos as necessary."
She placed a hand over her chest and bowed.
"It will be done."
Purple moonfire gathered around her feet.
Her body dissolved into violet flames before disappearing completely.
Silence returned to the chamber.
Mazera frowned.
"...Do you trust her?"
McKraken laughed.
"No."
"But I trust one thing."
He looked toward the ocean on the map.
"Where Mangetsu goes..."
"...someone always bleeds."
Outside the Dragon Palace...
Far beyond the main entrance, hidden within a massive coral formation, Gekkoutei Mangetsu watched the palace with a wide grin.
Around her stood several Yokai under her command.
They were armed and ready, waiting for her order.
Mangetsu tilted her head.
"Now, men..."
Her crimson eyes glowed.
"...do the chaos."
She pointed toward the distant palace.
"Make as much of it as possible."
One of the Yokai hesitated.
"But our orders were to avoid killing civilians."
Mangetsu's grin widened.
"Of course."
"We aren't here to massacre anyone."
She raised one finger.
"Break the gates."
A second finger.
"Cause the guards to panic."
A third.
"Destroy anything that looks important."
She giggled.
"And most importantly..."
"Make everyone believe they're under attack from a completely different faction."
The Yokai exchanged glances.
One of them slowly nodded.
"Understood."
Mangetsu clasped her hands together excitedly.
"Wonderful!"
She spun around, her long sleeves drifting through the water.
"Let's see how quickly the famous Ningyo Kingdom falls into chaos."
The Yokai scattered.
Some rushed toward the outer defenses.
Others disappeared into the darker waters surrounding the city.
Mangetsu remained behind.
She wasn't interested in doing all the work herself.
That would be boring.
Instead, she watched the palace.
"Come on..."
"Show me what the Child of Prophecy can do."
Inside Ryūgū...
A distant BOOM shook the palace.
Nate's head snapped toward the entrance.
Kunou's ears immediately stood upright.
"What was that?"
Another explosion followed.
Then another.
The palace began to tremble.
Wiz nearly dropped the magical equipment she was carrying.
"That's... probably bad."
Nate activated his Yokai Watch.
The screen rapidly filled with warning symbols.
[Multiple hostile signatures detected.]
[Outer defensive barrier compromised.]
Nate's expression hardened.
"Yeah."
He looked toward Kunou.
"We have a problem."
Kunou's golden eyes narrowed.
"How many?"
Nate checked the readings.
"...Too many for a simple raid."
Mermadonna immediately stood from her throne.
"Guards!"
The palace doors opened as several Ningyo soldiers rushed inside.
"My Queen!"
"Report!"
"The outer district is under attack!"
"Unknown Yokai have breached the western defenses!"
Mermadonna's expression changed.
"Unknown?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"They aren't carrying any recognized clan insignia!"
Nate's eyes narrowed.
'So they're deliberately hiding who they belong to.'
He looked at Kunou.
"This isn't random."
Kunou nodded.
"Someone wants the Ningyo to think they're being attacked."
Mermother's expression became serious.
"And with the Council currently divided..."
"...a crisis like this could destroy the negotiations."
Nate suddenly understood.
"They aren't trying to defeat the Ningyo."
He looked toward the palace entrance.
"They're trying to make the Ningyo afraid of joining us."
Kunou squeezed his hand.
"So what do we do?"
Nate smiled.
"We protect their kingdom."
He summoned his Yokai Watch.
"Then we find whoever is behind this."
A familiar metallic voice answered.
"Master Nate..."
Whisper appeared beside him.
"...I believe I have located the enemy's commander."
Nate looked at him.
"Where?"
Whisper pointed toward the distant darkness.
"Approximately three kilometers northeast."
A grin slowly appeared on Nate's face.
"Perfect."
Kunou smiled.
"Let's go."
And somewhere outside the palace...
Mangetsu suddenly felt something.
Her smile disappeared.
She slowly turned her head.
"...Oh?"
A golden light was approaching through the water.
Mangetsu's grin returned.
"So..."
"The Yokai King is coming."
She laughed.
"Now this might actually be fun."
Nate moved his sword into a ready position as he ran toward the disturbance.
The water around him parted as his Spirit Bond flared.
"Hello?"
CLANG!
His sword suddenly met another weapon.
Nate's eyes widened.
Standing several meters away was the strange rabbit-eared woman.
White robes.
Purple and crimson accents.
That unmistakable lunar aura.
Nate's brain practically slammed on the brakes.
'Wait.'
'Mangetsu?!'
He recognized her immediately.
He had seen her in Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble, where Gekkoutei Mangetsu was connected to the Moon People.
But that created an even bigger question.
'Why is she here?!'
'And why is she attacking the Ningyo?!'
Nate couldn't afford to let his expression betray him.
As far as Mangetsu knew, he should have absolutely no idea who she was.
So Nate narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?"
Mangetsu stared at him.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then...
She grinned.
A wide, almost mischievous smile.
"Now, that would be telling."
She tilted her head.
"But I won't be saying that."
Nate's grip tightened around his sword.
'She's definitely hiding something.'
Mangetsu suddenly giggled.
"Oh, you're interesting."
Nate raised an eyebrow.
"Most people don't compliment their opponents while they're attacking them."
"Who said I was complimenting you?"
She suddenly disappeared.
Nate's instincts screamed.
CLANG!
He blocked another strike from behind.
Mangetsu appeared beside him, smiling.
"You're fast."
Nate pushed her weapon away.
"So are you."
She flipped backward through the water and landed gracefully.
"How fun."
Nate stared at her.
'Okay.'
'Definitely not a normal assassin.'
His Yokai Watch beeped.
[Unknown Yo-kai detected.]
Nate nearly sighed.
'Yeah, Watch.'
'I noticed.'
Mangetsu looked at the device.
"Oh?"
Her eyes narrowed with curiosity.
"You have an interesting little toy."
Nate immediately hid the screen.
"None of your business."
Mangetsu laughed.
"You're hiding something."
Nate smiled.
"So are you."
For the first time, her expression became slightly more serious.
Then the smile returned.
"Perhaps."
Behind them, another explosion shook the underwater city.
Nate glanced toward the palace.
The Ningyo defenses were being overwhelmed.
Mangetsu noticed his attention shift.
"You should probably worry about your friends."
Nate looked back at her.
"You're the one behind this."
She gave him an innocent expression.
"Me?"
She placed a hand against her chest.
"I'm merely watching."
Nate's eyes narrowed.
'Bullshit.'
He knew enough about her from the game to recognize that she wasn't some random bystander. And whatever her exact role was in this world's version of the Moon People, she clearly wasn't here by accident.
Nate raised his sword.
"Then I'll make you watch from somewhere else."
Mangetsu's grin became wider.
"Now that sounds fun."
Her lunar aura suddenly exploded outward.
The water around them began to spiral.
Nate's Spirit Bond flared in response.
Two completely different energies collided beneath the ocean.
And somewhere behind them...
A Ningyo guard shouted:
"THE WESTERN GATE HAS FALLEN!"
Nate's expression hardened.
'They're buying time.'
'Whatever Mangetsu actually wants...'
'This attack is just the distraction.'
Another massive BOOM! echoed through the underwater city.
Nate's head snapped toward the sound.
His eyes widened.
'That came from the eastern district.'
He looked back at Mangetsu.
"Well..."
He lowered his sword.
"We'll settle this one another day."
Before Mangetsu could respond, Nate turned and accelerated toward the explosion.
His Spirit Bond flared around him as he disappeared into the distance.
Mangetsu simply watched him leave.
"...There he goes."
She sighed.
For a moment, the mischievous smile faded from her face.
"A king trying to save his future subjects..."
She looked toward the distant palace.
"...Even before they've agreed to follow him."
A small smile returned.
"In a way..."
"That's kind of refreshing."
Mangetsu folded her arms.
"Most rulers would have stayed behind and ordered their soldiers to handle it."
She glanced in the direction Nate had gone.
"But he didn't even hesitate."
Her crimson eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
Then her smile became mischievous again.
"Still..."
She turned toward the deeper ocean.
"I wonder how long it'll take him to realize..."
"...the explosions aren't the real objective."
Far beneath the Dragon Palace, something ancient shifted.
A faint magical pulse traveled through the seabed.
Mangetsu felt it.
Her smile widened.
"Almost time."
To be continue
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