After the rattles against the messenger of the cathedral, I went to Jahnhahn''s house and had the tea ceremony.


    We entered a very small room where we drank green tea given to us by Jahnhahn over a table. That''s all there is to it, but there is a mysterious tension that is completely different from a tea ceremony. Or perhaps Jahnhahn was inspired by a religious ritual.


    Last time, we had a meeting with Oda Nobunaga, didn''t we? I''m not sure how that happened.


    "How do you like it?"


    At the tea ceremony, Jahnhahn is much more mature. Not in a glamorous, bewitching way, but more like a saintly, virtuous way.


    "I found it tastier than last time. I feel like it helps to cleanse my belly of the grime that was left in my mouth."


    "That was good. It''s nice to be the host."


    After a short pause, we finally get down to business.


    "I was thinking about what you did today. You are too good to end up as a hobby merchant. I want you to help me in my mastery.


    This woman from another land will be useful.


    Yes, that''s why I took the test.


    Jahnhahn also drinks the tea he has brewed. He looks unusually elegant, perhaps because of his occupation as a sennorikyu.


    One thing has become clear to me since I came to Wangdu.


    People who have a unique occupation usually have a beneficial and unusual power.


    Ortomba the dwarf who had the occupation of Kunitomoshu, and Kerara who had the occupation of Akechimitsuhide. I would like to gather more people like these.


    I want to see an interesting world. That''s why I came to this country. In a word, because this country was in trouble.


    "You''re a sucker."


    You didn''t see the smile in my eyes. Because they were exactly like mine.


    I must have been bored with this world. It was foolish to be born into a family of small lords who would perish at any moment and spend the rest of my life in fear and dread. It may be a better dream than being a peasant, but it is not very interesting.


    Then I might as well go for the position of king, no matter the risks, I thought and lived my life.


    The medicine man Jahnhan will never be king, but his thoughts must be similar.


    "I am here because I think that the person who can make the world the most interesting in this country today is Arsrod Naevre. Your path is different from all the others."


    Because we are the only two people in this space, Jahnhahn does not call me regent. Here, there is no need for any external status.


    "You know exactly what I mean. At least, I''m going to end the game of slavishly shifting puppets and power holders. I don''t exactly have a plan for where to go from there, but, well, even if I''m king, the country will be different. Yeah, <> will be dead by then."


    "Yes. And the tea ceremony fits such a new world. It is not an imitation of something old.


    Jahnhahn said he moved to this country from another land.


    So, essentially, they are a race that is not interested in the past.


    I trust them more when it comes to accomplishing something. I will always fear those who dwell on the past, because I will be destroying it.


    "Do you understand politics, Jarnhern?"


    "I''m not sure if I understand, but I''m from the outside, so I can see what''s going on from the outside.


    All right, you''re in.


    "I think we''re going to put some serious weight on you. I knew the test was worth it when I found you."


    "Yes, and as a reward, you will help us spread the tea ceremony."


    No problem.


    Then we talked about who to send to the cities newly subordinated to me and to the lands of the lords I had crushed.


    Jahan gave the names of several officials and made suggestions. Many of them had just recently passed the examination. I asked him how he knew so much about them, which was not private information.


    "Well, I have been a merchant in Wangdu and opened a salon called "Chashiki" (tea ceremony), so I have some contacts. This is nothing to worry about.


    I finally wanted Jahnhahn.


    "Hey, don''t you have a husband?"


    "Well, yes. I was going to enjoy my work as a merchant first, so there was no talk about whether I was in love with him or not.


    "Will you be my wife?"


    I thought that if Jahnhahn were in the "inner palace", he would be able to smooth things over. Serafina is a clever woman, but perhaps because of her character, she is a bit pushy. In a word, she is dangerous.


    "That''s very kind of you, but then I wouldn''t be able to work as a merchant..."


    The offer was turned down softly. It was accepted as a joke.


    "But if you mean mistress, I suppose it depends on the atmosphere at the time.


    Jahnhahn says in a nonchalant manner without changing his expression.


    "You''re an inedible woman."


    "Tea is for drinking, you know."


    I asked Jahnhahn some political questions in his bedchamber. If the questions at the tea ceremony were specific and pressing, what we talked about there were more long-range issues.


    "I think we should take it slow for a few years," he said. Power takes years to consolidate.


    "You''re right. I''ll take it under advisement.


    We don''t have to attack somewhere with a large army right away, so let''s give it three years and see how it goes.


    But we will not rest.


    But we will not rest. We will sow the next seed well.


    I am looking forward to the harvest time.