Suzaku quickly realized her momentary loss of composure.
She sat back down, the assertive energy she'd radiated seconds earlier vanishing without a trace.
"Forgive me. I got carried away. I've said too much… This really has nothing to do with you. You must think I'm a very strange woman now."
Suzaku stared straight at Rod, her tone entirely different from before, sincere, almost innocent.
If Rod hadn't known a bit about the Five Great Clans, he might've thought she was trying to emotionally manipulate him.
And to be fair…
If it had been anyone else, being looked at by a beautiful woman like that might've been enough to get their bank PIN willingly handed over.
Rod liked pretty girls, sure, but he wasn't that easy.
If it weren't for the quest, he wouldn't have any plans to interfere in the Himejima Clan's internal politics.
"You bring the money. I'll bring the muscle," he said plainly.
Suzaku nodded. "Hearing you say that… I know what I need to do now."
If she truly wanted to reform the clan, she'd need outside help.
And Rod seemed a more trustworthy choice than unfamiliar factions. After all, not everyone could earn Lavinia's approval.
Feeling encouraged, Suzaku poured Rod another glass of sake.
"So, Miss Himejima, what's your strategy? I know a bit about the Five Great Clans ,you're facing a pretty monstrous task."
"I… I plan to start change from within. If I can shift the mindset of the younger generation, then when the current heads step down and we take over, things will begin to improve. Of course, there will be opposition, and when that time comes… I'd like to rely on your strength."
In other words, she was preparing for bloodshed.
The Five Great Clans had already spilled enough blood over the years.
Even if Suzaku became clan head, trying to change the rules would undoubtedly spark backlash ,perhaps even something akin to the Hollow Cicada rebellion.
That's when she would call upon Rod.
He was the external force she intended to keep in her back pocket.
"That's too slow," Rod said bluntly.
He didn't bother drinking the sake ,it was far too mild for his taste.
"I have a better way."
"Oh?" Suzaku leaned forward, curiosity piqued. Rod had always seemed mysterious ,maybe he really did have some novel insight.
"It's simple. We just get rid of those old fossils at the top. I'll take them out for you. That way, your faction can take control immediately. And if anyone else steps out of line, I'll eliminate them too. As long as you can afford my rates, I guarantee a clean sweep."
Suzaku froze.
It took a long pause before she shook her head in alarm. "No… Mr. Rod, isn't that a bit too extreme?"
She had never even considered that kind of method.
"Extreme? I think it's efficient," Rod shrugged. "Isn't overthrowing your superiors a proud part of your national tradition?"
Just yesterday, the Inner Sanctuary had been attacked. The Five Clans were still reeling. If they moved now, they could probably pin the blame on the Fallen Angels or the witches.
Rod thought the plan was flawless.
"It's still too aggressive…"
And yet, as much as she tried to deny it, Suzaku found herself tempted by his words.
Still, the current leaders were family ,blood of the Himejima line. If there was a way to fix things without violence, that was preferable.
If they went Rod's route, the bloodshed would be massive.
She was starting to realize that behind Rod's harmless smile was a deeply… volatile man.
If he actually did it, the Five Clans might descend into total chaos.
"If you're not interested, then forget it," Rod said, a bit disappointed.
That route would've guaranteed a juicy system reward.
"Thank you…" Suzaku exhaled in relief.
She'd been worried that the moment she said yes, Rod would vanish in a blur and return with a bag full of heads.
She had never seen him fight personally, but the fact that he'd rescued Lavinia from someone like Augusta said enough.
"Come eat with us!" Lavinia called out, waving her wine glass in a daze and staring off into space.
"Apologies. You'll have to excuse my friend," Suzaku said with a sigh.
"I'll be entrusting Lavinia to your care, Mr. Rod."
By the end of the meal, Lavinia had passed out cold.
Suzaku looked at her with sympathy. "She normally doesn't drink, but with everything going on with her teacher… I imagine she just needed a release. Leaving this suffocating place might actually be good for her."
"By the way, Mr. Rod ,where are you headed after Kyoto?"
"Just wandering. Eventually, I'm heading toward Kuoh Town."
Rod didn't bother hiding his plans.
Suzaku could just ask Lavinia later anyway.
"Kuoh Town?" Her eyes widened slightly, like someone hearing the name of a long-lost place.
"You're really going there?"
She didn't pry. Clearly Rod had his own reasons.
But what concerned her more was the cousin she hadn't seen in years.
Years ago, during a raid, Suzaku's cousin had been taken in by the devil who ruled Kuoh Town. Political pressure from the Underworld had forced the Himejima Clan to back off.
"Mr. Rod… If it's not too much trouble, could you deliver a letter to someone named Akeno Himejima? She should be living in Kuoh Town."
[Suzaku Himejima has issued a quest]
[Quest: The Letter]
[Objective: Deliver Suzaku's handwritten letter to Akeno Himejima in Kuoh Town]
[Reward: Increased favorability with Suzaku and Akeno. +1 Random Reward]
A system quest?
Of course he accepted.
After all, once he got to Kuoh Town, crossing paths with Rias Gremory's crew was practically guaranteed.
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