Writing Love Letters in the Enemy’s Toilet - A Vow of Eternal Love, Even After Rebirth (Transmigration) - Chapter 13

Kefuku continued speaking, ignoring the stunned looks on the two faces before him.

“However, in our long history, there was once—just once—a time when one who hated humankind obtained the Trinity.”

He paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, “You two know of Nobunaga, don’t you?” Haruka tilted her head. “Do you mean Oda Nobunaga?”

Kuno added, “You mean the Nobunaga from the Honnō-ji Incident, right?”

“That’s right,” Kefuku nodded. “That Oda Nobunaga.”

Kuno frowned inwardly. If you’re going to make something up, at least make it sound more believable…

Kefuku went on, “After Nobunaga gained the Trinity, he wished to confirm whether it was genuine. So he invited Rikyū—who belonged to those who followed the code—to a tea ceremony. During that gathering, Nobunaga welcomed Rikyū into the tearoom and presented him with something wrapped in a purple cloth. Rikyū quietly unfolded the cloth, examined what was inside, and then said he needed time to verify its authenticity. He was entrusted with the Trinity for that purpose.”

He leaned forward slightly, continuing, “Those who followed the code knew what kind of disaster could come if a man who called himself the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven possessed the Holy Grail. Once Nobunaga held the Trinity, there would be no way to stop him. So, before the Trinity could be returned to Nobunaga, they decided to eliminate him.”

Kefuku’s voice grew firm. “They used Akechi Mitsuhide—who had been sent as Nobunaga’s observer—to carry out a revolt. That is the true story behind the Honnō-ji Incident.”

Kuno couldn’t help thinking, If that were true, it would actually make Mitsuhide’s baffling betrayal a bit more understandable…

Kefuku continued, “Afterward, Rikyū was pressured relentlessly by Hideyoshi, who inherited Nobunaga’s will, to hand over the Trinity. But Rikyū refused to the end. Finally, unable to wait any longer, Hideyoshi killed him—the only person who knew where the Trinity was hidden. Since then, the Trinity’s whereabouts have remained a mystery. No one has seen it again.”

Haruka murmured under her breath, “And what does that have to do with my father’s disappearance…?”

Kuno thought, It’s quite the story, but it’s so grand it’s hard to believe right away. Still, curiosity began to stir within him. How does this connect to Mitsutomo’s disappearance?

“So then?” he asked, his tone a little teasing.

Kefuku nodded. “Yes. After more than 400 years, both sides changed form. Those who inherited the will of our ancestors became the Freemasons in the West, and in Japan, the Yatagarasu—which Mitsutomo and I belong to. The opposing side became the Illuminati, and in Japan, the Keimei Society. Since Rikyū’s death, the Yatagarasu have watched over the Keimei Society for centuries.”

He continued, “A few years ago, we received word from one of our infiltrators within the Keimei Society. There was unusual movement inside. Upon investigation, we discovered a prophecy made by one of their gifted members. It said: The time to avenge our long-held grudge is near, for the Demon King shall rise again.”

Kefuku took a deep breath. “From this prophecy, the Yatagarasu concluded that not only would Nobunaga be revived, but that he might also obtain the Trinity once more. So we requested a foresight reading from our own seer. The prophecy said: Nobunaga and Rikyū have both been reincarnated in this era. Under no circumstances must the two who carry the memories of their past lives meet.”

Kuno asked, “And what happens if the two of them do meet?”

Kefuku replied, “Most likely, Nobunaga will reclaim the Trinity—and humanity’s destruction will begin.”

Haruka said softly, “So… we just have to make sure they don’t meet, right?”

“That’s what we thought,” Kefuku agreed. “We used every resource and ability within the Yatagarasu to locate the reincarnation of Rikyū.”

He then added grimly, “Around that time, we received another report from our agent inside the Keimei Society—information had been leaked. We discovered that the Keimei Society had also planted someone within the Yatagarasu. We had to act quickly…”

Kefuku’s voice trailed off, his eyes clouded with the weight of the secret war that had spanned centuries.