The Seal of Military Authority

After giving it a great deal of thought, Akasaka ultimately assigned Tachibana Iwa another position.

Minister of Defense.

That meant Tachibana Iwa would hold two posts.

Though this position was civilian in nature, it gave him the authority to mobilize the Japan Self-Defense Forces across all of Japan.

It was effectively control over military power.

Akasaka even openly placed the Minister of Defense Seal—the thing used to mobilize military authority—on the table and pushed it toward Tachibana Iwa, saying it was the betrothal gift for marrying his daughter, Tachibana Marika.

The tea Tachibana Iwa had just taken into his mouth nearly sprayed out.

He had not expected Akasaka to be willing to pay such an enormous price just to marry his daughter, Tachibana Marika. Still, he hurriedly coughed and said there was no need to be so courteous, while his dishonest hand took the Minister of Defense Seal and slipped it into his inner pocket. He patted it, pretending nothing had happened.

The two continued savoring the tea in their cups and chatted idly. Neither mentioned a word about what had just happened, tacitly accepting this betrothal gift.

What could Tachibana Iwa possibly be dissatisfied with?

His future son-in-law had handed him military authority.

If he still had objections, wouldn't that be utterly ungrateful?

Tachibana Iwa had never been a rigid man, so he accepted the gesture openly. After all, this was his future son-in-law's sincerity—how could he refuse?

Akasaka set down his teacup and said no more. "Father-in-law Tachibana Iwa, I'll have to trouble you to inform Marika."

Akasaka rose to leave. "I still have matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."

After all, besides Tachibana Marika, there were many other girls whose families he needed to visit to propose marriage.

Akasaka could not waste any