Chapter 10

"Is this panda the Emperor's pet?"

"Panda! Panda!"

"Oh, the Emperor's attendants were in a panic when it went missing... I didn't expect it to be here."

In Koi's arms, the baby panda was wiggling its four little legs.

While watching it, Suinai Shifu Chang sighed.

"... No, let's put that aside for now. Koi, please hold the panda so it doesn't run away."

"Understood."

So, Koi hugged the panda tightly.

"Panda~♪"

The panda seemed to be enjoying itself.

"The reason I came to tell you today is about the deputy head of the Flame Ox Palace who was captured recently."

After confirming that there was no one around, Suinai began to report to Koi and Bakurai.

"As a result of the interrogation, several facts have been revealed. Behind the deputy head of the Flame Ox Palace and her accomplice eunuch, there seems to be a mastermind."

"Those demons were someone's pawns, huh."

Bakurai muttered.

Both she and the eunuch were demons called Hito-Mawashi, but they were hiding in the harem under someone's orders.

"Who could that mastermind be...?"

"... It can't be confirmed, but the most likely candidate is probably one of the heads of the twelve provinces."

"A provincial governor, you mean?"

One of the predictions Koi and Bakurai discussed that night seems to have come true.

However, Suinai's statement is still just a hypothesis.

"To make the concubine representing their province bear the Emperor's child, and to frame the concubines of other provinces... such plots have existed for a long time. The harem is a battlefield for women."

Suinai explained.

If the concubine representing a province becomes the Emperor's main wife, the next Empress, then that province will naturally gain significant power.

Every province is desperately trying to win the Emperor's favor.

"But to use demons for that..."

"There was also the case with the previous Moonlight Concubine. The possibility that demons will be more deeply involved in the harem's internal conflicts is high."

Suinai placed her hand on her mouth, deep in thought.

"... Demons have never been a major issue before. This is because the country has not fully understood the existence of demons, and has viewed Exorcists as heretics. Many points that need to be reconsidered have been discovered this time."

"Then, the deputy head hasn't revealed the identity of the mastermind yet?"

When Koi asked, Suinai nodded.

"If that's the case, we need to expedite the interrogation. Shifu, if you need help, I can lend a hand."

"No, Bakurai isn't capable of such delicate work."

"..."

At that, Suinai fell silent and frowned.

"Shifu?"

"... A problem has arisen regarding this matter."

Bakurai raised an eyebrow at Suinai's statement.

On the other hand, Koi seemed to sense something and looked puzzled.

"Could it be...?"

"This morning, the deputy head was found dead in her cell."

Suinai's statement was as expected.

"Dead!? Did she commit suicide!"

Bakurai shouted.

"No, the cause is unknown. We had already checked for poisons and had her under guard... It's likely she was 'eliminated.'"

"Without knowing the method used, it could also be the work of a demon."

"That's correct."

In any case, Suinai continued.

"From now on, the number of incidents is likely to increase. Or, there may be ongoing issues in the harem that involve this organization or demons. I will need to rely on your abilities more often."

First, Suinai looked at Bakurai.

"Bakurai, I want you to continue patrolling the harem. If you notice anything suspicious, don't hesitate to report it. I've already obtained permission for you to use your fists. You are one of the few who have solved demon-related cases, besides Koi. You are the most suitable person for this task."

"Understood!"

Then, Suinai looked at Koi.

"Koi, I also want you to continue your duties as a maid, but I may need your help from time to time."

"Understood!"

"... Well, that concludes the report."

Suinai looked at the baby panda Koi was holding.

"I will return this little one to the Emperor..."

As she said this, Suinai reached out to take the panda.

However—

"Panda~!"

The panda clung to Koi and wouldn't let go.

"Hey, hey, you can go back to the Emperor. You'll get better food and a better bed..."

"Panda!"

Suddenly, the panda kicked Suinai in the face with its hind legs.

Koi and Bakurai were stunned.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

"I apologize, Shifu!"

Bakurai and Koi panicked.

However, Suinai seemed to understand.

"... I see."

She looked at the panda clinging to Koi with a nod of understanding.

"It seems to have taken a liking to you. You should take care of it for a while."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Suinai backed off.

"Try not to make it too public, okay?"

"Ah, understood."

Then, Suinai left.

Koi and Bakurai bowed to her retreating back.

"... Shifu, you seem unusually kind to her."

"Is that so?"

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

—Late at night.

"How has Concubine Kōka been recently?"

The location was the Flame Ox Palace.

The plants were quiet, and the night was filled with a stillness and a faint light covering the sky.

A dim candle illuminated the bedroom.

It was the bedroom of Concubine Kinka.

"... I haven't seen Concubine Kōka in a while."

On the bed, Concubine Kinka, lying provocatively, spoke to the man sitting up next to her.

"I see... Her Rabbit Palace is in a difficult situation. It's probably not in a state to welcome the Emperor..."

"... When I saw Concubine Kōka once before, she looked very haggard... I don't want to believe it, but it might be due to the 'curse' the palace maids and eunuchs talk about."

Kinka spoke with a troubled tone.

In the harem, showing concern for another concubine might be seen as a weakness.

However, Kinka was genuinely worried.

"Her palace is also in disrepair..."

"But the palace maids and eunuchs are wary of the Rabbit Palace and won't go near it. We need to find a way to help."

"... Oh, right! Koi!"

At the name Kinka mentioned, the man beside her reacted.

"... Koi?"

"Yes. Koi, a new maid who recently joined the palace, has cleaned various places in the Flame Ox Palace and solved the recent mysterious deaths. It's thanks to her that the Emperor has returned to our palace."

"... Solved? A maid?"

"Yes, she grew up in the mountains and is rumored to be quite strong—"

Kinka spoke with great confidence, and he—

the current Emperor of Xia, listened with great interest.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

"Hehehe~"

One day, Koi, who had the day off, was making a fire in a courtyard near the maids' quarters.

It wasn't just a random fire; there was a reason for it.

"Panda!"

At the familiar cry, Koi looked up.

"Oh, Panda-chan."

The baby panda (named Panda-chan) that Koi had been taking care of for a few days ran over.

It had been sleeping in her room—how did it get out?

"That kid really is unpredictable. It often disappears from the maids' quarters too."

Koi sighed and muttered.

Then—

"... Huh?"

Someone was approaching behind Panda-chan.

Who could it be?

A man.

A man with silver hair and eyes, exuding a mysterious and beautiful aura.

His clothing and accessories were elegant and refined, clearly setting him apart from the eunuchs and guards she had seen in the palace.

Just by looking at him, one could tell.

"Panda~! Panda~!"

The panda wasn't wary of him; rather, it seemed to be very fond of him, as the man was petting its head.

"Um, excuse me..."

When Koi realized the man was right next to her, she was flustered.

The man, on the other hand, looked at the fire in front of Koi.

"What are you burning?"

His voice was neither rough nor soft, but natural and easy to understand.

"Huh? Oh, I'm burning plant roots to make ash."

"Ash?"

"Yes."

... It sounded like a joke.

The man seemed to notice and chuckled slightly.

... It was strange.

He looked like a being from another dimension, yet his actions and expressions were endearing, like those of a child.

"What are you going to use the ash for?"

"To make detergent."

"Detergent?"

"Yes. I burn plant roots to make ash, extract lye from the ash, and add various fats to make homemade detergent. This detergent cleans very well. If I use plants and fats from my hometown in the mountains, I can make even better detergent."

The man listened to Koi's explanation with great interest.

"So, um, sorry—"

Just as Koi was about to ask who he was, a few eunuchs arrived.

"We heard smoke coming from this direction..."

When they saw Koi making a fire, they approached.

"Hey, maid! What are you doing!"

They glared at her.

"Oh no, am I in trouble?"

Just as Koi muttered this—

"... Huh?"

The eunuchs stopped.

They saw the man next to Koi and froze.

Then, in the next moment—

"Y-Your Majesty, the Emperor!?"

They shouted and prostrated themselves on the ground in a panic.

"W-Why are you here in such a place!"

"Y-You! Maid! What are you doing! Bow lower!"

"..."

Koi looked at the man next to her.

He no longer had the expression of someone enjoying a conversation.

He was expressionless, his true intentions hidden.

... This man.

"The Emperor, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, you are Koi."

The Emperor looked down at Koi and said,

"I have a task for you."