Chapter 54 – ５４ – The Daughter and Father of the Morikuni House

Debut Match Arc

“It has been a while, Father. A few weeks, I believe.”

“Since we last met at the entrance ceremony, so that is correct.”

This took place a short while before Naru and the others were looking at Devices at the academy’s shopping mall.

Late Friday night.

While some went to bed early to prepare for the following weekend, and others stayed up late to play because it was Friday, Morikuni Tomoe was in room 0501 of the Kou-U Dormitory—her own room—conducting a video call via a large monitor.

The person on the other end was the Current Family Head of the Morikuni Family, in other words, Tomoe’s father.

“Now, since it is already late, I shall get straight to the point.”

“Yes.”

“Tomoe. As a matter of family policy, I propose that you enter into an engagement with Midorikawa Naruki, this year’s top ranker in Magic Capacity. This is something your mother and my aides have also agreed upon.”

“…”

Tomoe’s father delivered the news flatly, masking his emotions.

Tomoe also strove to hide her feelings, but to anyone observant, the slight furrow of her brow made it clear she was not convinced.

However, her father continued, fully aware of this.

“Tomoe, I believe you understand that his Magic Capacity is in a realm that is no exaggeration to call unprecedented. The fact that he exceeds three thousand at this stage puts him in that dimension. This will be even more so once he hits his growth spurt and his capacity increases further.”

“…”

“If such power and blood were to fall into the hands of someone or some corporation within the country, it would still be within the realm of tolerance. However, it is absolutely impermissible for that blood to pass to foreign powers. At the same time, it is equally impermissible for his bloodline to end with his generation. Therefore, he must be made to take a wife, no matter what. This is a position the government also shares.”

“And that is why you want me to be his fiancée?”

“Correct. You are the same age, both A-Rank Magic Capacity Holders, and I hear you met separately from the Unveiling Ceremony during the entrance ceremony. Not only is his appearance more than acceptable, but his personality—even during the Masquerade—has shown no strange traits. His parents and those around him are respectable. To be honest, I judge him to be a man so fine that there is nothing to complain about. Therefore, I truly hope you will agree, Tomoe…”

“I absolutely refuse!”

Tomoe’s voice echoed through the room, and an expression filled with strong rejection appeared on the screen.

“…I shall hear your reasons.”

“You already know why! He already has someone he loves! It is obvious to anyone’s eyes! To enter into an engagement knowing that—Father, do you wish to make me a promiscuous woman?!”

“Ah, well, from what I’ve investigated privately…”

“Father! Did you make this proposal knowing that I despise your own love quadrangle?! And you did so with the unanimous consent of Mother and your two aides?! Do you really think I would be happy about that?!”

“No, but…”

“I admit that his marital status is a matter of great national importance. However! Please do not involve me in this! As the next Family Head of the Morikuni Family, I will decide for myself who my husband will be by the time I graduate! I will not let anyone else decide for me!!”

“…”

Tomoe’s crimson hair flickered as if responding to her emotions.

The intensity was such that it overwhelmed even Tomoe’s father, who, despite having stepped back from the front lines, should still have possessed significant power.

“Do you… dislike me that much?! Can you not trust me?! Is it because of this red hair that looks nothing like yours?! Or because I am a woman?!”

“Wait! Calm down, I never said such a thing… Tomoe, I consider you my precious, beloved daughter…”

“How could I possibly believe you! You philanderer! Do you think I don’t know about your romantic affairs?! Keeping multiple women besides Mother!! Letting them bear your children!!”

“…!”

At this point, Tomoe’s father judged that his attempt to persuade his daughter had failed.

He knew that the way his relationships with those women were perceived was inevitable, but he realized he had gravely underestimated how his daughter felt about it and how much she loathed it.

“Tomoe. Even so, as the Family Head of the Morikuni Family, I must say this. An engagement to Midorikawa Naruki is absolute. We cannot let him slip away. Nor can we let him be crushed. For the sake of the country, someone must act as his backer. And the only one who can fulfill that role is you, a daughter of Morikuni.”

Thus, he shifted his course toward forcing the issue.

When weighing the peace of the nation against individual happiness, the Morikuni family always prioritized the peace of the nation.

“This is an order from the Family Head of the Morikuni Family.”

“Even so, I firmly refuse.”

“I see. You will not accept it.”

“I will not.”

And, looking at Tomoe’s own personal happiness… there was a hidden thought that if Midorikawa Naruki were her husband, he would likely hate her beyond remedy.

Therefore, Tomoe’s father played his final card.

“Then we have no choice but to settle this through a Duel.”

“A Duel? Between you and me, Father?”

“No, not at all.”

“Then with whom… surely you don’t mean—?!”

“Yes, exactly.”

He would use a Duel as the means to force the issue.

“I know that you and he are scheduled to Duel in the upcoming debut match. Therefore, Tomoe, if you win there, you may choose your own engagement freely. However, if you lose, you must accept the engagement to him.”

“D-Don’t be ridiculous! Mr. Midorikawa has nothing to do with this conversation! This should be a matter between you and me, Father!”

“Indeed. This is a problem occurring between the Morikuni family and you as an individual. However, Midorikawa is also a Duelist. As such, he can participate in the Duel as a proxy for the Morikuni family.”

“He would never agree to that!”

“We won’t know that until we speak with him. And Tomoe, this is a conversation you cannot interfere with or offer your opinion on. Whether or not he participates in this Duel depends entirely on his own will.”

“You…!”

In Tomoe’s mind, thoughts swirled regarding what the Morikuni family could offer Naru as compensation for acting as their proxy.

She reached the conclusion that whatever Naru might desire, the Morikuni family could provide it, unless it was something truly extraordinary.

But at the same time, this Duel was also a chance for Tomoe.

“Fine, I understand. In that case, I will simply give it my all. I will give everything I have to defeat Midorikawa Naruki and carve out my own future with my own hands.”

If Tomoe won, she could prevent the engagement between herself and Naru in a way that even the Goddess would recognize.

Like her own father, Midorikawa Naruki was someone she believed would have promiscuous relationships with women; she was determined to break off any such engagement. That was Tomoe’s honest feeling.

“Give it your best shot. However, as the Family Head of the Morikuni Family, I will also do everything in my power for the sake of the family and the country, so be prepared.”

“I know that without being told, Father.”

And so, the conversation between father and daughter ended.