This past year has been a good one…
because it's the year I met you.
Yes, I feel the same.
Oh. Um, uh…
Tell me, how have the plans been progressing?
There are many in opposition within the military.
I see.
Even so, this is the best way forward.
So I want you to forge ahead anyhow.
Regarding the Emperor's disappearance,
is His Majesty unharmed?
Indeed.
And the public?
They must not hear a word of this.
But more importantly, your forces need rest for now.
A terrible calamity is approaching.
-Pardon, -Hmm?
What have you seen in your vision, Your Highness?
Mr. Takakura!
It is all right.
I gather that you have noticed my ambivalent state of mind.
To serve the greater good, there will be sacrifice.
I imagine that is why your heart is unsettled.
Miyo, this will be our first hatsumode together.
Um, oh yes.
Make sure to watch your step.
Thank you for looking out for me.
I can't stop thinking about it.
Our lips touched.
I know it was the second time, but I just can't seem to settle down.
How can you be the same as ever, Lord Kudo?
I feel so hot I could practically boil over.
Could it be that he's used to things like that?
He is 28.
It's probably normal to be used to that kind of thing by that age.
Oh, but, but…
Or am I just thinking about it too much?
Does that make me indecent?
Am I… an indecent person?
I know it's New Year's, but can we really spend our time so freely?
Prince Takaihito asked us to do so, so it's alright.
It's only a short break.
There's nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves for a little while.
Wow!
So tell me, how did you spend your New Year's before?
Sorry, never mind.
Forget I said that.
It's all right.
It's strange to say, but thinking of those days isn't painful anymore.
Are you sure?
I am.
I would always stay at home by myself over the New Year's
and take care of any servant tasks.
Would this be your first hatsumode, then?
I was told that my mother used to take me in the days
when she was still alive.
I see.
In that case, you'll have to pray for all the years you missed.
Right.
My prayer.
Oh, gods, if you'll allow it,
I want to remain together with Lord Kudo.
But I'm scared.
The feeling that's been growing in my heart…
it's gotten so big that I won't be able to keep it in.
Hm.
And what were you praying so fervently for?
Huh?
Um, it was, it was, uh…
Every year, I pray the Imperial Capital may finally see peace.
I see.
That is a very wonderful wish indeed.
This year, I added a wish, a prayer very dear to my heart.
To be together with you forever.
Great.
Let's go.
Gods, please allow me to be together with Lord Kudo forever.
I don't ask you for much, so please just let me stay by his side.
Is an event being held over there?
No.
That's the Gifted Communion.
We are the Public Peace Council of the Gifted Communion!
Gather around! Please, take a look!
This thing is called a grotesquerie, and they roam all over our empire.
Also called the specter or demon, these creatures harm humans.
Unbelievable.
They're doing as they please.
Lord Kudo, I can see the grotesquerie, but why?
They could be using techniques
to make the grotesqueries visible to everyone.
Or perhaps they've created new grotesqueries that can be seen by all.
It can't be!
The government is hiding their existence from you
and leaving the threat uncontrolled.
In order to protect our peaceful lives here,
we need supernatural abilities!
We must destroy these monsters!
This power itself is the only way to contend with grotesqueries!
We of the Gifted Communion can give this ability to you!
Claim your power!
You can harness this ability to protect yourself!
All right then, out of the way please!
We are the Special Unit!
This is an illegal gathering!
Everyone stay where you are!
Get on your knees! We'll be taking your equipment!
Don't resist! Give it up!
Everyone!
We refuse to yield to government pressure! We'll not bend!
The Gifted Communion knows the ways to keep all of you protected!
Listen to me! All of you!
You can all become one with supernatural ability!
Thank you, sir, for reporting this to us!
Oh…
Demonstrations like that are happening all over the capital these days.
If they keep expanding their influence,
sooner or later things will get out of hand.
Miyo, take this.
A shikigami for self-defense.
Use it if something happens to you.
All right.
It seems our short break is over.
I'm sorry to summon you both during the New Year holiday.
I'm sure you had hoped to relax.
You must be busy as well, sir.
Well, yes.
So, I take it you've already heard Prince Takaihito's plan.
Yes, sir.
It is inevitable that they will come for Prince Takaihito,
and for Miss Miyo Saimori as well.
Her power is strong, even within the Usubas.
If the Gifted Communion use it,
we will be powerless to stand in their way.
You're right.
I'll protect Miyo at any cost.
The Gifted Communion is growing into a serious threat.
Even the newspapers give them coverage,
and criticize the military.
Information on grotesqueries is controlled by the government.
How did they write this?
Ordinarily, the military would never allow the newspapers
to just write whatever it is that they please.
The fact that it's happening
makes me believe that their influence
has already infiltrated the government.
They've taken the Emperor.
Now they spread knowledge of grotesqueries to the public to gain their support.
If they continue at this pace, or even increase…
Prepare yourself for what is coming, Kiyoka.
Prince Takaihito had a premonition.
Major political upheaval is imminently coming.
As I feared.
Wait a moment.
Is there a civil war coming?
There is no clear indication of what is to come.
But peacetime will come to an end.
Another dream of the past.
I wonder what is to become of our family.
Don't worry, my dear Sumi.
I'll get everything sorted for you.
Hm. I'm grateful.
Thank you, but there's nothing left to be done now.
I wish there was another path we could take, but this pressure…
I believe it may very well stem from the high nobility.
Don't worry yourself about that.
I'll be the sword that protects you.
I won't let anyone stand in the way of your dreams.
I will eliminate every obstacle in your path.
In that case, consider me as your scabbard then.
Please, I beg you to not use violence.
Promise me.
How could that be?
Your eyes met?
Yes.
I believe I was watching a moment from the past with my Dream-Sight ability.
And so if that's the case, how did he look at me then?
There are still many things I don't know about my ability.
You'll learn more as time goes on.
I will.
Mr. Arata might be able to help us too.
Usuba.
I haven't seen him recently.
I haven't either.
Huh?
So this is the palace?
Yes.
We'll be staying here for a while.
His Highness has ordered us to protect the both of you from Usui.
Our unit will ensure that no harm comes to you or Prince Takaihito.
They have carriages just for getting around the palace grounds.
Beyond here lies the imperial residence,
so we must proceed from here on foot.
Vehicles cannot enter.
There's still some distance before we arrive.
There's no need to be nervous.
Just consider it the same as staying at an inn.
Staying at an inn, my goodness.
Lord Kudo, I'm not in a position to be in the vicinity of His Highness.
-You are, Miyo. -Huh?
Have more confidence as my fiancée.
You may feel free to move about the palace leisurely with your head held high.
I will try to.
And besides…
Miyo!
Yoo-hoo! Over here!
Yurie and my sister will be with you.
Hm. Lovely.
This is Prince Takaihito's residence.
Let's go in.
Wow!
Hello.
I thank you all for coming.
I am Takakura, and will be your guide here.
I serve as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.
It's amazing.
It truly is.
I feel as if I'm in a dream.
Arata Usuba, where have you been as of late?
Doing some reconnaissance.
Miyo, within the palace, I will be serving as your bodyguard.
Hm. Thank you, Mr. Arata.
I have been assigned to guard His Highness himself, so I had no choice.
My sincere apologies.
I'll also help you learn more about supernatural abilities.
Oh yes, I'd be grateful to learn.
Miyo, you are free to move as you please within the palace grounds.
But always have Usuba with you.
Right.
And do not let anyone in, no matter who it may be.
Stay vigilant against Usui's traps.
I will.
And on that note, regarding how to react if confronted with Usui…
He never attacks continuously,
which means that there must be some kind of limitation to his abilities.
Even so, you do not lower your guard.
If something should happen, you are to use any means necessary.
Are you saying we don't need to capture him?
Do you consider him easy to contain?
At all times, your top priority is to protect Miyo's safety.
This will be your room, Miss Miyo.
Wow…
A servant will call on you shortly.
Until mealtime, please make yourself at home here.
Thank you.
This room is enormous.
Is it really all right for me to have this all to myself?
It feels like my mother is watching over me.
Thank you for the meal.
It's delicious!
The palace is meeting my expectations.
Agreed.
Mr. Arata, is this meal here not to your taste?
Why do you ask?
Well, I guess it's just that you look a little glum.
Not at all.
Is that so? Then I'm relieved.
In fact, I thought I was taking the meal in with gusto.
Huh?
As the negotiator for Tsuruki Trading,
I endeavor to conceal my true feelings
so as not to offend customers.
But it's led to my forgetting how to enjoy a meal, it would seem.
-Ah… -Hm.
Now then, I wonder if we could discuss our plans going forward?
We can't leave the palace, after all.
Miyo will be learning the ways of fine ladies with me,
and supernatural gifts with Arata, all right?
All right.
Mr. Arata, I had another mysterious dream this morning.
I want to learn its meaning,
so would you be so kind to teach me about my ability?
Yes, of course. I will tell you everything I know.
Somehow, you have yet to awaken all of your abilities of Dream-Sight.
It's possible that something in your heart
is still holding you back from awakening.
Huh?
Do not worry. All is well, Miyo.
I'll do everything that I can in order to help you.
Come in.
Lord Kudo!
I came to see you to put my mind at ease.
I know you're very busy.
Thank you for coming.
Are you all right?
You must be tired.
Oh no, I'm not tired at all.
I was only sitting here to take a moment to think.
Is there something bothering you?
Mr. Arata told me that there is something within me holding back
the awakening of my full power.
But I have no idea what it could be.
Miyo, if you find anything is troubling or plaguing your mind,
I am here to listen.
Uh-- huh?
Our abilities are greatly influenced by our mental states,
and you have a habit of containing all of your emotions.
What's more, I would very much like to get to know you better.
Miyo, what do you think of me?
Huh?
Oh, um, I…
Apologies.
Never mind.
Oh, Lord Kudo.
Hello, Commander.
So even if what Jinnouchi saw was a hallucination,
the records of the unit don't add up.
She was being shown the scene of her father being tortured.
Instructor Jinnouchi says
that he was in the Imperial Capital at the request of our unit.
And in fact, soldiers of the unit spoke with him in person.
Normally, the Imperial Capital would have contacted my father
through the second unit of the Old Capital.
But there are no records indicating that, in the Imperial nor the Old Capital.
And yet despite that,
it is certain that my father did receive an official request letter.
I see.
So my doubts were not unfounded.
We have two traitors within the military,
one who sent the letter,
and the other who deliberately concealed it.
Someone loyal to Naoshi Usui
has breached the very heart of this country.