Kanoru stood outside the Lord's study door, glancing at the two samurai guarding it.
One of them said, "Knock on the door. If the Lord is free, he will tell you to come in."
Kanoru nodded. "Thank you." He knocked, and after a moment, he heard a voice from inside, "Come in."
Nodding at the guards, he opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it behind him. Lord Mori sat behind a table, observing a scroll. Looking up, he said, "Kanoru, you have come."
Kanoru walked forward, stood before him, and bowed. "My Lord, what do you need me to do?"
Lord Mori replied, "Nothing."
Kanoru frowned. "Then?"
Smiling, Lord Mori said, "I called you to reward you for your accomplishments. Without your help, the war would not have ended so quickly."
Kanoru shook his head. "The war ended because of Master Junzo. My contribution was insignificant."
Unaware that his sword technique had helped Master Junzo break through the final barrier to the last stage of the sword wind realm, Kanoru remained humble.
Lord Mori smiled. "You first helped us invent a new bow, and then your plan prevented the Niwais from attacking our city. Those are not insignificant contributions."
He continued, "But the most significant help was your sword technique. It deepened Junzo's understanding of the nature of wind, allowing him to advance to the final stage of the sword wind realm."
Kanoru's eyes widened in shock. "It was my fortune to be able to assist Master Junzo."
Lord Mori nodded. "I will reward you with Koi Mansion, Nisi Village, and—"
Before he could finish, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Lord Mori said.
Kanoru felt the wind vibrate around him. A moment later, the door opened.
He wondered how the person outside had heard Lord Mori when he hadn't spoken loudly enough for his voice to carry beyond the closed room.
Lord Mori said, "Asuna, you are here."
Kanoru glanced behind him. Asuna stood in a beautiful dress adorned with jewelry. She had always been beautiful, even in armor and simple clothing, but now, her beauty struck him differently. His eyes lingered on her.
Asuna stepped beside him, met his gaze, and smiled. He returned the smile before reluctantly shifting his attention back to the Lord.
"Father," Asuna said.
Lord Mori nodded. "I was just telling Kanoru about his rewards."
"What rewards are you giving him?" she asked.
"Three," Lord Mori replied. "The first is Koi Mansion, the second is Nisi Village as his property, and the third concerns you. That is why I had the servants call you when Kanoru arrived."
Kanoru frowned, wondering what his third reward had to do with her.
Then Lord Mori said, "Asuna, do you want to marry Kanoru?"
Kanoru's eyes widened in shock.
Asuna, however, remained calm. "Yes, Father. I will listen to your command."
"It is not a command," Lord Mori said. "If you do not wish to, you can say no."
Kanoru, still processing, couldn't help but wonder why no one was asking for his opinion. He was only ten years old. But in this land, once a child became a low-level samurai, they were considered an adult. Even without opening a gate, their strength surpassed that of ordinary adults.
Kanoru understood why the Lord wanted him to marry Asuna—it was to tie him to the Mori family because of his rapid progress in cultivation.
Still, this was marriage—his marriage—yet his opinion didn't seem to matter.
Then he heard Asuna say, "I agree, Father."
She didn't love Kanoru, but she understood her father's intentions. With Kanoru's talent, his rise to higher-rank samurai was inevitable. By marrying him, she would ensure that even if he left their territory in the future to establish his own family, the Mori and his lineage would remain connected as natural allies. She didn't love him, but she did admire him.
Lord Mori then asked, "Kanoru, what about you?"
Kanoru hesitated. If he refused, it might strain his relationship with the Mori family, which had never wronged him. Becoming the Lord's son-in-law could also benefit him on his path to becoming a Divine Samurai. More importantly, in his eyes, this world was no more than a virtual game—one where he completed missions and grew stronger. His real body wasn't the one marrying Asuna.
So, Kanoru replied, "It is my honor to marry Lady Asuna."
Lord Mori nodded. "Good, good. I have decided that when Asuna turns sixteen, I will hold your wedding."
Asuna said, "Father, you must inform Mother."
"I will send a letter to her. She and your two elder brothers will attend the ceremony."
Then Lord Mori continued, "Asuna, you can show Kanoru the Koi Mansion."
Asuna nodded. "Then, I ask for your leave, Father."
Kanoru followed, "I also ask for your leave, Lord."
Lord Mori picked up two scrolls and tossed them to Kanoru, who caught them with ease. "These are the transfer agreements for Koi Mansion and Nisi Village. They are now officially yours."
Kanoru bowed, while Asuna simply turned and walked out. He followed closely behind her.
Outside the Lord's room, Kanoru found Mika waiting for them.
Asuna said, "Mika, prepare a carriage for us."
Mika replied, "Yes, Lady Asuna," and walked ahead to make the arrangements.
Asuna and Kanoru followed in silence, exiting the Lord's Mansion. Mika then left to fetch the carriage, leaving them standing quietly at the entrance.
Then they heard a voice call out, "Sister, Kanoru."
Kanoru turned to his left and saw Takenaka and Tasuo approaching.
Asuna greeted them, "Brother."
Takenaka asked, "Why are you and Kanoru just standing here?"
Before she could answer, Mika returned with the carriage.
Asuna said, "Father rewarded Kanoru with the Koi Mansion and asked me to show it to him."
Tasuo immediately said, "Then we'll come with you and see the mansion too."
Takenaka turned to Asuna. "Sister, do you want us to come along?"
Asuna shook her head. "No, Brother, I can manage."
Turning to the carriage, she added, "Brother, we are leaving." Then she climbed inside.
Kanoru followed without a word, stepping into the carriage behind her.