Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 354 Keita's Proposal

Ryuji Ida immediately perked up his ears.

Hinata Kagami said slowly, "Don't the people behind the scenes who are hostile to us like to use diversionary tactics? You can learn from them."

"you mean……"

"As long as the Third Tsuchikage is too preoccupied with the Daimyo's affairs, you can work behind the scenes to make it a fait accompli. By the time he realizes what's happening, it will be too late, and he'll be powerless to do anything about it."

Ryuji Ida's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.

"Brilliant!" he exclaimed, slapping his thigh. "How could I not have thought of that!"

Hyuga Kagami stood up and dusted off his clothes—nothing of real dust. "Figure it out yourself. I have some things to take care of."

He walked to the door, then suddenly stopped and glanced at Ryuji Ida.

"By the way, if anything goes wrong... I'll step in." I'll save your lives and, incidentally, put a bad word about you to the Lord.

After saying that, he disappeared outside the door.

Ryuji Ida stood there, looking in the direction where Hyuga Kagami had disappeared. The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a deep contemplation.

"Is he trying to make amends, or is he testing me?" he muttered to himself, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table twice.

But it doesn't matter. Newcomers who have just joined the organization can't replace these veterans who have been there for over a decade.

After a moment, he shook his head, sat back down in his chair, and began to write and draw on a blank sheet of paper.

Luring the tiger away from the mountain...

How to tune it? Who to tune? What to use to tune it?

These problems all require precise calculations.

The May wind, carrying the fragrance of flowers, blows into Ueno Castle in the Land of Earth.

Ueno Castle is one of the most prosperous cities in the Land of Earth. Although it cannot compare to the grandeur of the royal capital, it is exquisite.

Keita Ida stood beneath the keep of Ueno Castle, looking up at the ancient building, his heart pounding slightly.

This was the first time he had appeared in the public eye as a suitor.

The person he is pursuing is the only daughter of the daimyo of the Land of Earth, Princess Ueno.

Princess Ueno, whose real name is Ayano Ueno, is nineteen years old this year and is the daimyo's most beloved youngest daughter.

Her mother was the principal wife, born into one of the oldest noble families in the Land of Earth, making her the most prestigious among all the princes and princesses.

But in terms of maternal lineage, even the three princes couldn't compare to her.

Keita straightened his clothes and stepped into the castle tower.

Inside the main hall, Ueno Ayano sat behind a beaded curtain, only her hazy figure visible. Beside her stood two maids and an old nanny, their faces solemn.

Keita Ida knelt down to pay his respects, his posture respectful but not servile.

"This humble commoner, Keita Ida, greets Your Highness."

Behind the beaded curtain, the princess whispered, "So you're the merchant who wants to marry me?"

"Yes." Keita Ida raised his head, his gaze meeting those bright eyes through the beaded curtain. "This humble subject has long admired the princess and has come today to propose marriage."

"You're quite frank," the princess chuckled. "However, marrying me won't be so easy. My father said that anyone who wants to marry me must pass three tests."

"Please give your instructions, Your Highness."

Ayano extended three fingers from behind the beaded curtain.

"First, I want a flower that never fades. Not a dried flower, not a fake flower, but a real flower that will never fade."

"Secondly, I need a token that proves your courage. It's not something you bought, not a gift from someone else, but something you received yourself."

"Thirdly, I want you to write me a love poem. It can't be copied from ancient poems, and it can't be ghostwritten; it must be written by yourself."

"If you can't do it, you can leave now."

Keita Ida looked up, a bright smile spreading across his face.

"Your Highness, I have prepared all three gifts."

"Oh? I didn't expect you to have a way of finding out about me."

The princess wasn't angry; after all, someone without some tricks up their sleeve wouldn't have come before her. She was simply curious about what his three gifts were.

Keita Ida took out a wooden box from his bosom, and a maid took the box and placed it behind the curtain.

Ayano opened the wooden box, inside which lay a red rose.

The petals still had dewdrops on them, and the leaves were lush and green. The whole flower was so lifelike, as if it had just been picked from the garden.

This flower has no roots and is not placed in water; it just lies quietly in the wooden box, showing no signs of withering.

"This is……"

"This is a special kind of biological craft."

Keita Ida explained, "We used a kind of insect called the immortal insect to freeze all the cells of the flower at the moment it just bloomed. From then on, the flower will never wither or change color, and will forever remain at its most beautiful."

"So beautiful..." Ayano said softly, a hint of emotion flashing in her eyes.

Keita Ida continued, "The second gift."

He unsheathed a short knife from his waist and, without blinking, cut a piece of flesh from his own arm. The onlookers gasped as they watched the dripping blood.

Qi Tai gritted his teeth, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but his eyes still held a smile.

"Your Highness, can you now prove my courage in loving you?"

"That's enough! Quickly bandage the wound, don't let it get infected! How can you be so careless about yourself!"

She spoke with feigned reproach, but deep down she was deeply moved by the knife wound. He was willing to cut himself; he must love me.

"As for this last poem, it is the result of my deep contemplation, and I hope Your Highness will like it."

Keita Ida took a deep breath, then spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and forceful:

"There is a woman in Ueno, whose name is Ayano."

Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains, and her eyes were like autumn waters.

At first sight, I was completely captivated.

When we meet again, my soul will remain with you in my dreams.

The princess's heart raced, and she felt a burning sensation within her. Was it love at first sight?

No, the flower is poisonous. The so-called immortal worm is actually a flirting potion.

Keita Ida continued reading:

"I am willing to be a knight, to protect them from the sidelines."

I wish to be a craftsman and build a city to live in.

I wish to be a farmer, cultivating a hundred acres to support myself.

I wish to be a poet and write a thousand poems to praise this.

Everything in this world can be discarded. Only Ayano is someone I cannot betray.

As the last word fell, a soft sob came from behind the beaded curtain.

Ayano's voice trembled slightly, "How long... have you been preparing for all this?"

"It has been five years and three months since I first heard the princess's name."

Ayano stood up, lifted the beaded curtain, and came out.

This was the first time Keita Ida had seen her in full. Her hair was as black as ink, reaching her waist, with a white jade hairpin tucked into it. Her features were delicate, her eyebrows exquisite, and her lips were slightly upturned, carrying a touch of girlish charm.

Ayano walked up to Keita Ida and looked down at him.

"You win, I'll marry you."