The related story in my collection, "I Want to Hide the Honorable Master of the Citadel Again Today," is complete!
The Saniwa department was in crisis, so the government sent me to take over a corrupted citadel.
Why was I the unlucky one chosen for the job?
Because the previous master of this citadel, the person who drove the sword warriors mad and corrupted them, was my mother.
The government combed through its records and found that I was the only living person with a spiritual affinity high enough to enter that citadel.
Before I left, Konnosuke showed me the files on the corrupted citadel.
It was shrouded in black miasma, thick with resentment. The former Saniwa's legacy had filled every tsukumogami with hatred for humans.
I turned around and told Konnosuke to book me a first-class ticket overseas.
But then I glanced at the last page of the files.
There was a row of ID photos under the heading "List of Sword Warriors."
Hmm, their faces were pretty good.
So I quietly tore up my ticket.
What did my mother's sins have to do with me? Handsome guys are innocent.
*
The government had sent Shen Shen here with every intention of sacrificing her to atone for her mother's crimes.
The government's representative informed the tsukumogami that they could do as they pleased with their new Saniwa.
After what the previous master had done, they were ready to face a demonic Saniwa, cruel at heart, all sweet smiles on the surface and a knife hidden behind them.
Instead, when the citadel gates opened, a petite figure appeared in an expensive dress, a little cape fastened at the collar with a crooked bow.
"This is it? Where are the sword warriors lined up to welcome me like you promised? There's not a soul at the entrance! Are you making a fool of me?"
Konnosuke trembled. "M-My lady, perhaps they're still inside..."
"Tell them to get out here." She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "I can't wait around."
*
Before coming to the citadel, Shen Shen had asked Konnosuke about it.
Konnosuke had sweet-talked her: "The citadel is full of very handsome tsukumogami."
Shen Shen lifted her chin. "How handsome? As handsome as the guys in the ID photos? I don't want any photo fraud."
Konnosuke: "...They look even better in person!"
Shen Shen: "Will they listen to me?"
Konnosuke: "...In theory, the Saniwa is their lord."
Shen Shen was satisfied. "That's more like it."
The government had its plan all worked out: send the criminal's daughter to her death, appease the resentment of the corrupted swords, and kill two birds with one stone.
But who could have guessed that the Saniwa had no sense that she was "being sent to her death" at all?
She complained that the citadel was too shabby and ugly, that the swords' clothes were too black and dirty, or that the food was too rough and tasteless.
The tsukumogami looked at the citadel, now covered in pink wallpaper, then down at the casual outfits that matched Shen Shen's dress, and finally at the kitchen the Saniwa had accidentally blown up.
At last, the corrupted sword warriors couldn't take it anymore. Looking at Shen Shen as she calmly sipped afternoon tea on the veranda, they demanded, "What exactly did you come here to do?"
She answered with complete confidence, "Fall in love. What about it?"
Konnosuke: "Saniwa, can pretending to be crazy and clueless really save a corrupted citadel...?"
*
Later, the citadel really did recover from corruption.
The government sent a congratulatory message saying Shen Shen had exceeded expectations and could now depart with honor.
Shen Shen was supervising the sword warriors as they watered her expensive hydrangeas. She froze when she heard the news.
Konnosuke ventured, "Saniwa, you wouldn't happen to be reluctant to leave, would you?"
Shen Shen rolled her eyes. "Of course not!"
After packing her little bundle, Shen Shen picked a dark, stormy night and sneaked to the front gate.
Then she was caught red-handed.
The tsukumogami picked up her bundle and smiled. "Miss, where are you going?"
"Didn't you say you would become our wife, Master? Why are you leaving now?"
Shen Shen was horrified. "I only wanted to fall in love!"
Before she could finish, black miasma swallowed the night sky, which had been clear just moments before.
The gates slammed shut behind the Saniwa and locked.
By the time Shen Shen realized what was happening, it was too late.
Shen Shen: ???
They said the citadel was back to normal. So that was a lie!
Main text in third person
All-sword-warriors x Saniwa, otome-style
Everyday life, one sword warrior per route, guaranteed sweet happy ending
Theme: Cherish the present
