Ch.296[Episode 296] Tycoon City Aftermath

“Congratulations on the successful completion of the amusement park.”

Sir Dominic looked at Mayor who approached to offer his congratulations.

“Thank you for coming.”

Sir Dominic expressed his gratitude to Mayor.

Though Sir Dominic was burning with rage inside, he put on a bright, fake smile on the outside.

“By the way, so many distinguished guests gathered here—I must have underestimated you too much.”

Mayor was looking at the people gathered in small groups chatting after the completion ceremony.

Some were acquainted with Don Castello of Greed, but most were faces Sir Dominic knew.

“I never imagined you’d have connections not only with the Black Group, Executive branch, and System Industries, but even with the Unryu family and a real dragon.”

Mayor said, scanning from Remy and Dr. Phantom, Pandemonia who attended in place of Senator Muscleman, v.a.l.l.o.c. who was Sir Dominic’s senior, Musashi and Ichiko, Hime and Tsuki, all the way to Shenlong from the card pack exchange.

“By the way, what’s your relationship with those two?”

Mayor asked, pointing at Sir Dominica and Alice.

Mayor, seeing Sir Dominica who had a similar vibe to Sir Dominic, and Alice who maintained an innocent smile despite her large build, seemed quite intrigued by the pair.

“Perhaps lovers? Oh, I think I’m right.”

Sir Dominic wanted to deny it, but Mayor spoke faster.

“Right. Heroes typically have three wives and four concubines as a baseline. I learned that from martial arts novels, but a great man like Sir Dominic certainly deserves that, doesn’t he?”

“…Please don’t say such things. It gives me the creeps. They’re genetically the same as me. For now, at least.”

“Oh. Siblings then. My apologies.”

I have a sister too, so I understand. She hates getting involved with things so much that she even immigrated to Retro Grade. Mayor apologized to Sir Dominic with those words.

“Excuse me. Have you finished your conversation?”

As Sir Dominic and Mayor ran out of things to discuss, someone interrupted their conversation.

He was wearing a suit and a mask, with many ninja-like features clearly visible.

“Sir Unryu Musashi wishes to see Sir Dominic.”

“Oh, right. I’ve been monopolizing your time. There must be many people who want to talk with Sir Dominic. I apologize.”

Mayor said, slightly bowing his head to Sir Dominic apologetically.

“Well, since the completion ceremony ended successfully, I’ll be on my way now. I have work to do for reconstruction.”

“Go ahead.”

Sir Dominic bid farewell to Mayor.

Then he addressed the ninja… butler who was still waiting.

“My conversation with the mayor is now over. By the way, did you say the Unryu family?”

“Yes. You would know them as Miss Hime and Miss Tsuki.”

Ah. Sir Dominic remembered seeing Hime’s family name during the pixelation incident not long ago.

Unryu Hime. Sir Dominic recalled seeing the name Unryu then.

“Hime’s family name was Unryu. I remember. So Hime is calling for me?”

“No, that’s not it. As I just mentioned, Sir Unryu Musashi has summoned you.”

“Unryu Musashi?”

“Yes. The head of the Unryu family and one of the top five—no, perhaps the strongest warrior in GachaLand. And also Miss Hime’s father.”

Sir Dominic was surprised that the person wanting to see him wasn’t Hime but her father, and was further surprised that her father was a warrior rather than a kunoichi like Hime.

However, Sir Dominic didn’t show his agitation outwardly and just stroked his chin while muttering.

“Such a person wants to see me…”

Sir Dominic couldn’t understand why such a person would want to see him, but suddenly thought that perhaps it was a father’s desire to learn about his daughter’s friend.

Hime was a friend Sir Dominic had made not long after coming to GachaLand, so her father might be curious about Sir Dominic. That’s what he thought.

But everything is unknown until experienced firsthand.

Sir Dominic decided to meet Unryu Musashi as the ninja butler suggested.

“Very well. Lead the way.”

“Hmm. Follow me.”

The ninja butler had bells attached to his ankles, but he guided the way so quietly that not only the bell sounds but even his footsteps and breathing were inaudible.

Sir Dominic wondered if he was even breathing properly as he followed him.

He’s a real ninja. Would be troublesome to fight. Completely different from Hime.

While Sir Dominic was contemplating ninjas, the ninja butler stopped somewhere.

“We’re here, Sir Dominic.”

“…? This is just a wall.”

Sir Dominic looked in the direction the ninja butler pointed.

It was a dead end with walls on three sides, and the walls were quite high, making it seem impossible to pass through.

However, when the ninja butler skillfully manipulated something, the wall rotated to reveal a secret space inside.

Sir Dominic thought this level of secrecy might be excessive, but he went along with the atmosphere and entered.

…

“Welcome.”

Sir Dominic saw armor sitting in the dark room, gazing at a single oil lamp.

The armor was originally red but appeared orange, perhaps due to the oil lamp’s light, and wore an oni mask on its face.

The masked figure spoke without turning its head as Sir Dominic approached.

At this point, the distance between the warrior and Sir Dominic was exactly ten steps.

“…Are you Unryu Musashi?”

Sir Dominic sensed that the aura of the armored warrior before him was extraordinary.

The aura of demons he had met in Feralant and even those called masters of the sword paled in comparison to this warrior’s presence.

Sir Dominic felt like his legs might give out at any moment due to this tremendous pressure, but he was barely holding on through sheer mental strength.

“Not only can you stand, but you can even speak. It seems the recent mentions of you are not exaggerations.”

The armored warrior lifted the oil lamp and stood up.

He walked along the wall, lighting torches that were mounted there.

This revealed the entire space—though enclosed, it was quite spacious.

The warrior lit all the torches on the wall, then extinguished the oil lamp by pinching its wick.

He returned to his seat and gestured for Sir Dominic to sit.

“Sit here.”

“I still haven’t received an answer. Are you Unryu Musashi?”

“…”

Sir Dominic glared at the warrior before him.

It didn’t matter how powerful his aura was.

All that mattered to Sir Dominic was that he hadn’t received an answer yet and wanted one.

It was what you might call a battle of wills.

“Interesting.”

The warrior in red armor admired Sir Dominic’s behavior.

Until now, or more precisely, since he had become the head of the Unryu family, he had never seen someone with such spirit.

“Yes. I am Unryu Musashi. Head of the Unryu family and also Hime’s father.”

Musashi answered Sir Dominic with respect.

He deemed that such a strong-willed man deserved his respect.

“Good. I am Sir Dominic of Feralant.”

Sir Dominic sat properly on the floor cushion in front of Musashi.

Full lotus position was difficult, but he managed to sit somewhat properly before the warrior.

“An extraordinary man. Far from ordinary.”

“The same could be said of you.”

Musashi and Sir Dominic exchanged compliments.

They had shifted from a battle of wills to mutual respect.

“Good. I’m pleased that the man meeting Hime is such a solid person.”

“…?”

Musashi was impressed with the man before him.

With this level of spirit, he felt comfortable enough to entrust his daughter to him.

But Sir Dominic couldn’t understand Musashi’s words.

They were sudden and confusing.

“Why are we suddenly talking about Hime?”

“Hmm? Didn’t the butler explain?”

Musashi looked at the confused Sir Dominic with surprise.

But Sir Dominic shook his head, having heard nothing of the sort.

“Oh dear, it seems our butler has had another bout of forgetfulness.”

Saying that, Musashi gathered his aura once more and spoke.

“The reason I wanted to meet you today is not as the head of the family. It’s as Hime’s father.”

Sir Dominic’s face drained of color at this even stronger aura.

The aura was so fierce that it seemed like a dragon playing in red clouds behind Musashi was glaring at Sir Dominic.

“Actually, I called you here to ask just one question—”

Musashi placed his hand on the hilt of the Japanese sword at his waist.

As if threatening to cut him down for a wrong answer.

Seeing Musashi’s attitude, Sir Dominic cautiously placed his hand on his scabbard as well.

It was a sign that he would counterattack if necessary.

However, despite tensing his entire body, Sir Dominic suddenly felt all his strength drain away.

“How do you feel about our daughter?”

Because of Musashi’s single question.

What Sir Dominic answered then is unknown, but one thing is certain.

Sir Dominic fled, abandoning everything, leaving Tycoon City and returning to GachaLand.

It was the first voluntary retreat in Sir Dominic’s life.