On the dais of the vast exhibition hall, Yayoi was delivering a speech as general.
Though this was the Second General's inauguration ceremony and his own retirement ceremony as the First General, Yayoi felt no regret. He simply followed the prescribed program through its final steps.
After all, he had held the position for more than thirty years. It was time to retire and let the next generation take over.
Compared with his own inauguration, this ceremony was far more solemn and elaborate, and its scale was far grander.
As the Land of Night grew stronger, it was no longer the insignificant little country others had once dismissed.
Unlike a ninja village, the Land of Night was a fully organized nation. Its leader's inauguration could not be handled as casually as a village's. Appearances mattered.
"...That concludes my remarks. Now, please welcome my successor, Oda Doichi, to the dais."
Yayoi set down his manuscript and looked toward Doichi's seat.
As soon as Yayoi finished speaking, warm applause spread through the hall. Doichi walked calmly down the red carpet toward the dais at the front.
A welcoming smile rested on his face, the result of diligent practice over the past few days. As the next general, he could be cold and merciless toward enemies, but to his own people, he needed to be as warm as a spring breeze.
At this level, much of what he did was no longer a private matter. As he approached the dais, Doichi finally understood what his father Yayoi meant by "appearances."
"Colleagues and honored guests..."
On the dais, Doichi began with the same opening as Yayoi. But with his imposing build, even a friendly smile could not quite dispel the pressure he gave off.
To the people of the Land of Night, though, that