Chapter 146
Clack
Noah & co saw the guest room when they opened the door to this cabin .
A familiar figure who regularly appeared on television greeted them .
He was an old man in white hakama . He stood with a straight back and he also sat at the couch with perfect style . He waited there with closed eyes . He looked like a disciplined warrior who is meditating . He gave off a sharp feeling just by looking at him .
Looking at the old man who they haven't seen for quite some time now, Rentaro and Kisara had tense expressions . They weren't treating each other like family members, it's like they were faced with their arch-nemesis .
Compared to Kisara and Rentaro, Noah who had the pleasure of fighting against the old man for a whole year looked rather composed . He told the other girls .
"Kayo, go play with Enju and Tina . "
Kayo who knew about the relationship between Noah and Kikunojou nodded without delay . Enju who more or less knew about this also sighed in relief . They were glad they didn't have to deal with this .
Tina doesn't know about the animosity between Kikunojou and Noah . She is also unaware of the implications of Kikunojou's visit . However, she can tell something's not right .
Kayo led the other two girls out of the guest room .
Kisara and Rentaro stayed, rather, they looked like bodyguards when they stuck by Noah's side . They also kept their eyes trained on Kikunojou .
Kikunojou is Kisara's grandfather, and, the enemy she can never reconcile with .
Kikunojou is Rentaro's adoptive father, he's also his master who taught him battle skills . Due to Kisara's bad blood with Kikunojou, his relationship with Kikunojou soured as a result . However, he doesn't hate the guy as much as Kisara .
Noah didn't ask them to leave . Instead, he sat down with the two in tow .
Time froze, the room just felt so tense .
Noah sat with crossed legs . Meanwhile, Kikunojou, Kisara, and Rentaro sat in Seiza .
Kikunojou said nothing for a full 5 minutes . He just sat there with shut eyes . Finally, the old man spoke with a hoarse voice .
"I never thought I would visit this sanctuary . "
The mood immediately turned hostile .
"Really?"
Noah grinned .
"How do you feel?"
"As you would expect . "
Kikunojou opened his eyes, he used his sharp gaze on Noah .
"I've been to many places over my long life . I even ventured into Gastrea monster dens . But, this is the worst place I've been to . "
Indeed .
As the poster child of the one who hated cursed children, this figurehead of the Stolen Generation abhorred the idea of coming to Fairy Tail, a place brimming with cursed children .
Noah just laughed Kikunojou's harsh words off .
"Good, it would upset me if you found this place cozy . I like what I am hearing . "
The two wasted no time going at each other, making the already tense mood basically dry powder waiting to ignite .
Watching the two composed monsters going at each other made Kisara and Rentaro sweat . They finally got a good look at the animosity between them .
They assumed they were just on bad terms .
Kisara and Rentaro didn't think they would unabashedly jab at each other with no signs of compromising . They were like water and fire .
Anyone watching them would get nervous no matter their nerves .
Yet, the two were unperturbed .
Apparently, verbal blows like these were customary between them .
Kikunojou got tired of this uncultured exchange of hostility . He looked at Kisara and Rentaro .
"You two, so this is the kind of place you two visit?"
Rentaro said nothing, he endured Kikunojou's scrutinizing gaze .
Kisara narrowed her eyes and she smiled back at him .
"Tendo-dono, long time no see, I missed you so very much . "
Kisara's words carried no warmth . In fact, her tone and look were bone-chilling .
"Hmph . "
Kikunojou snorted, his gaze turned frosty .
"You realized your own weakness and you came wagging your tail at an abominable place like this?"
"Oh, I came here on a whim, that's all . "
Kisara smiled .
"Relax, Tendo-dono . "
Kikunojou stared at Kisara's passive-aggressive grin .
"It seems time has only worsened your bad habit of not watching your tongue . "
"If Tendo-dono doesn't like that, I can present my honest self . "
Kisara stored away her fake smile and she glared at him .
"Just so you know, I am still planning on killing all Tendo members, I will see to it that I bury them all in the ground!"
Kikunojou's sharp gaze turned dangerous .
This conversation is between a grandfather and his granddaughter .
Rentaro felt chilly, he knew about the background between Kisara's feud with the Tendo clan .
Noah drank his tea sip by sip, letting the two go at each other like it's not his business . He looked like he had all the time in the world .
Kikunojou turned his attention back towards Noah . He mused out loud after seeing Noah's reaction .
"You're calmer than I thought, do you not wish to know my aim in coming here?"
"I just want to know if you're done with whatever you wanted to say or do . "
Noah sipped his tea without looking at Kikunojou .
"If you're finished you should leave soon . Leave while you still can . "
Noah said something that almost made Rentaro jump in astonishment . Kisara tightened her grip on her sword . She is ready to join in the moment a fight starts .
"What a bold brute . "
Kikunojou replied .
"Is this how you influenced Seitenshi-sama?"
"Seitenshi-sama?"
Kisara and Rentaro gasped .
Noah raised his head, he looked at Kikunojou for a second and then he grinned .
"What's the matter? Someone's falling out with Princess-sama?"
"I heard you acted as Seitenshi-sama's guard while I was out of Tokyo Area on official business . You also sent Saitake packing back to his own Osaka Area . "
Kikunojou brushed off Noah's sarcastic comment . He stated his piece .
"After that, Seitenshi-sama slowly changed . She devoted more of her energy to politics . She even took some duties off my hands, I am simply astounded . "
"Ah, so you admit you're losing the princess' favor?"
Noah continued jabbing at him with raised eyebrows .
"The previous rulers were not experienced enough to handle political power . Now, the current ruler is taking initiative, she's growing and making her own decisions . Does that intimidate you? To know that your days are numbered and your position isn't as solid as you thought . Did you come here to have a consulting session with me?"
Kikunojou showed a very rare look of anger .
"Don't give me that hogwash!"