Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 219: Eternal Emperor

Chapter 219: Eternal Emperor

The Eternal Emperor’s orange robes were thick and heavy and enveloped him in a luxurious swath of divine silk. Atop his head rested the kanmuri, a cap-shaped black lacquered silk hat with a pennon. Kazi had seen it drawn in the history books hundreds of times. It was a symbol of his royal status and connection to the heavens.

It should have been a struggle to walk but the Eternal Emperor glided in the dense clothing like it was nothing, coming close to Kazi’s face and examining him with a big smile.

"Wow...wow!" Emperor Toru reeled back, his smile bright and pearly and mind-bogglingly radiant. His features were strikingly handsome, with high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and piercing yellow-orange eyes like the sun. His complexion was smooth and white like milk, unstained by the world and instead grabbing hold of it.

"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor," Kazi acknowledged. His tone was low and formal, respectful. "It is an honour. Thank you for—"

"No need for that." The Eternal Emperor turned around and began walking. His sumptuous orange robes followed behind him like liquid flame. "Come, come. Oh, and call me Toru."

Kazi followed.

’The rumours about this guy really weren’t exaggerated.’

The courtyard was a breathtaking display of imperial grandeur and the path they followed led them through meticulously tended gardens, where vibrant blooms burst forth in riotous colour with the backdrop of green, lush bushes. Emperor Toru’s presence seemed to imbue mother nature with an added brilliance. His radiant smile was either infusing the greenry and blooms or Kazi’s vision was failing to keep up. As they walked, the servants bowed and greeted the Eternal Emperor. Everyone couldn’t help but be struck by the Emperor’s extraordinary presence. He must have walked through these paths thousands of times, met and encountered the same servants that many times, and still received the same awed reactions. His beauty spread through legend and academia as truly divine in its own right. His eyes, the colour of molten gold, matched the sudden new shift in the sky. It was like the Eternal Emperor was in a whole other world.

It was like he was the closest being to the divine.

The Eternal Emperor took a turn and they arrived at a gazebo. Two mats awaited and they sat facing each other, seiza-style. The Eternal Emperor smiled and snapped his finger. A gentle breeze whispered through the surrounding trees, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves. In that moment, Kazi’s magical sensitivity tingled and a table and shogi board manifested.

"Grant this Emperor a favour. Let us play."

Kazi didn’t let the confusion show but...

’This is different from what I remember.’

"It’s called Heian Shogi. Real shogi," Emperor Toru explained. "Modern shogi is a little different and, no offense, ab-so-lutely boring. This is better. Do you want me to explain the rules? There’s no rook or bishop and obviously the board is smaller."

"Real shogi?" Kazi smiled. "If that was the case, shouldn’t we be playing Heian dai shogi?"

"It sucks. That is why we play simple Heian shogi."

His word was law here. Kazi could not complain.

The game began. Emperor Toru moved his first piece. "So, what is it you need? I don’t think you came to dilly-dally, yes?"

"A friend." Kazi conducted his first turn. Emperor Toru was unfazed.

"A friend? I have many of those."

Click. Second move.

"Friends? Or family?"

"Ho-ho." Click. "Such bravery. You dare speak to an Emperor in his own territory with such words?" His words, while thick and heavy, were overloaded with amusement.

"Were my words false?"

Emperor Toru, the kind of man that played and did as he wanted in every capacity. Negotiations were done on his terms. Games were on his terms. Conversations were on his terms. The Japanese Emperor was like the sun whose rays covered everything it could. The darkness, the places his rays couldn’t reach, were his enemies. And like the sun, he was always there, having existed since the beginning of the Heavenly Games. The one and only. Where the Kangxi Emperor of China had predecessors so to speak, Emperor Toru of Japan did not.

"No, no, quite right." Click. He wasn’t offended. To the contrary, the Eternal Emperor was happy. "I have always wanted to broaden my horizons. Alas, maintaining a firm grip on nobles families is tough enough." His sunny eyes darted from the board to Kazi. "Would you like to become Emperor in my stead?"

This guy was definitely overbearing. Kazi liked that. "Would you allow it?"

"Heh, well, you’ve got the looks. Trust me, there aren’t many that can live up to me."

"They say you banked your whole career on that."

"They say? Who say?"

Emperor Toru cackled and moved his piece. Kazi immediately responded.

"Many history books and many of your old friends."

"Biographies." The Eternal Emperor cackled. "Hikaru Genji was damaging enough, thank you very much."

After Kazi’s move, Emperor Toru started to think. He stared at the board, eyes furrowed. "Hmmm...and unlike .e, there’s more to you than just looks. You’re like a demigod." He leaned back, cupping his head. "I didn’t think demigods could be born in the modern era."

So he knew he was from the modern era? Hm. "How did you know?"

"That you’re a demigod or from the modern era?"

"I am not a demigod." Click. Emperor Toru’s brow deepened as Kazi said, "But I am from the modern era."

"Much of my life has been spent watching samurai train. I have witnessed jokes and geniuses. I was there when the System was first used. I can tell naturals from players. You are neither. I think." The Eternal Emperor’s face lit up when he found an opening. "You must be heavily blessed by a god. Odin or Thor."

Instantly, Kazi countered and the Eternal Emperor’s expression fell.

"Are you a yokai that has come to torment my skills?"

Kazi chuckled. "Yes."

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