KASAKI RALLIED ALL the survivors of the plant, knowing that the oil wells needed urgent reactivation. To his surprise, they all eagerly responded, their determination fueled by a mix of duty, necessity, and a newfound sense of purpose. Some had grown to love their work, while others simply couldn't bear the idleness any longer. Additionally, they had been sustaining themselves through generous #BG life points transfers from the samurais. The process involved the civilians inflicting wounds on the samurais, enabling the transfer of #BG life points. However, they understood the urgent need to increase production, lest they exhaust their #BG resources and face dire consequences.

As the plant sprung back to life, with drills extracting oil once more, Kasaki was given a tour by Charles, Mikono's father, who proudly showed him the intricate workings of the #BG central room. Witnessing the seamless operation, Kasaki felt a glimmer of relief amidst the chaos that had engulfed them.

Exhausted, Kasaki retreated to Misuki's former office, seeking a moment of respite. As he settled into the grand chair, pondering over Misuki's cigars, a knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called out, and to his pleasant surprise, it was Kishira at the door.

"Hey!" Kasaki greeted her with a smile.

"Hey, I've been looking for you," Kishira replied.

"I was busy."

"I figured. I see the production is up and running again."

"Yes, the workers are doing an amazing job. But the only thing bothering me now is those missing kids. They're in the clutches of Satan himself, and we have no idea how to rescue them."

"You always find a way," Kishira said, moving closer to Kasaki. She walked past the chair in front of his desk and sat on his legs.

"I love you," she declared.

"What? Are you sure?" Kasaki's response surprised her.

"Of course I'm sure. You're my dream man, Kasaki."

"I want you to be my wife, Kishira."

"Well, that's a start. I want you to be my husband too."

"How are your #BG levels?"

"Um, fine, I think. Is there a way to check?"

"Not that I know of. But when you get really tired or wounded, the bar decreases, showing your balance."

"Oh, the bar. No worries, I'm good. It dropped a bit yesterday after bringing your mom and the other hostages back here, but I'm still over half."

"Alright."

"Kasaki," Kishira murmured, a playful chuckle escaping her lips.

"Yes?"

"We're alone."

"Yes, a brief moment of peace amidst the chaos."

She bit her lip.

"Kiss me," she whispered.

Kasaki pulled her closer, his hands firm on her hips, and kissed her passionately. He trailed kisses down her neck, feeling the heat of the moment. Suddenly, he stood up from the chair, overcome with desire.

As Kasaki swiftly broke away from her, Kishira worried. "What's wrong?" she asked him.

"Nothing," he replied, moving to the door and locking it. "I just don't want any more interruptions for now."

Kishira's smile reassured him as he advanced, capturing her lips with his own, exploring a sensation he had never felt before. Not overly experienced herself, Kishira allowed him to guide their movements. In a whirlwind of touches and kisses, they shed their clothes until Kishira stood before him, her skin a canvas of purity.

With no bed in sight, Kasaki recalled his latent magical abilities with a naïve satisfaction. Still immersed in their kiss, he closed his eyes and envisioned a luxurious bed, large enough for them to share their passion. To their amazement, the bed materialized against the back wall.

"Take me. Make me yours," she whispered as they sank onto the bed together, their mouths never parting for a moment.

Kasaki felt his heart pounding, reminiscent of the adrenaline rush before a battle. Each touch, taste, and sensation of her breasts was a blissful paradise for him, igniting a desire to explore further. As he descended lower, savoring every moment, he relished in the softness and beauty of her body. Her navel became a playful focal point, eliciting a shiver of pleasure. He indulged in the sensation of her fingers running through his dark hair, savoring them with fervor and biting them softly.

Her nails, painted a vibrant red, left an intoxicating trail across his skin. Lost in the sensation, he found himself drawn between her legs, where he discovered a taste he had never experienced before. The moisture only heightened his desire, making the encounter all the more unforgettable.

With his own inhibitions discarded, he removed his pants, positioning himself before her. Locking eyes with her, he sought her approval, finding reassurance in her nod. As their connection deepened, Kishira's heavy breaths mingled with a hint of pain, quickly fading into pleasure. With each thrust, Kasaki's control slipped away until he was consumed by a primal need, his movements growing more fervent and urgent.

In the aftermath, as tremors of release subsided, Kasaki withdrew, leaving them both breathless. As the echoes of their shared passion lingered in the air, Kasaki collapsed beside Kishira, their bodies still tingling with the aftershocks of their intense encounter. He gazed at her, awestruck by her beauty, her vulnerability, and the depth of connection they had just experienced. For a moment, they lay in silence, catching their breath and relishing the intimacy of the moment. Kasaki traced the contours of Kishira's face with his fingertips, committing every detail to memory. In that tranquil interlude, amidst the chaos of their world, they found solace in each other's embrace. With a soft sigh, Kishira nestled closer to Kasaki, seeking refuge in his warmth and strength. Their entwined bodies formed a sanctuary against the uncertainties that loomed beyond the walls of Misuki's former office.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, Kasaki and Kishira remained lost in their private haven, savoring the precious moments they had stolen for themselves amidst the turmoil of their duties and responsibilities. In that fleeting moment of intimacy, they found a glimmer of hope, a promise of love amidst the darkness, and a shared determination to navigate the challenges that lay ahead, hand in hand.

After a moment of contemplation, Kasaki rose from the bed, leaving Kishira nestled against the sheets. He retrieved his pants from the floor and slipped them on before making his way to the desk. With a sense of determination, he reached for a cigar from the black canister, along with a lighter.

Though unsure of how to do it, Kasaki proceeded to light the cigar, the first puffs causing a sharp burn in his throat that elicited a cough. Kishira's laughter filled the room at his novice attempt.

"What are you doing? Since when do you smoke?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"I'm not sure, it's my first time. Two first times in one day," Kasaki chuckled, taking another drag from the cigar. Despite the initial discomfort, he found himself growing accustomed to the sensation.

“You have a great sense of humor for someone who can slay a dragon with a blow of his sword.”

Kasaki simply shrugged, exhaling a stream of smoke as he settled into Misuki's throne, propping his feet up on the desk. He casually allowed the cigar's ashes to scatter across the floor, completely unaware that the golden object gleaming in the center of the desk was actually an ashtray. “Why living in bitterness?” he finally answered her comment.

"Why hold onto bitterness?" Kasaki replied to her remark.

"You know, you remind me of my father," Kishira said, turning to face Kasaki as she lay on her stomach, propping her head up with her hands.

"Tell me about him. I'm curious," Kasaki urged.

Kishira sighed, realizing it had been a while since she willingly discussed her father's life.

"Have you heard of the Takon list?" she asked him.

"Uhhm, no, I don't think so," Kasaki admitted.

"Well, my father's name was Kapeke Takon. He was the one who created that list."

"What was the list for?" Kasaki turned his head upwards, directing the smoke toward the ceiling so as not to bother Kishira.

"Well—" Kishira hesitated for a moment. "I'm not proud of it, but my father was a supporter of Misuki from the beginning. It was all politics. My father knew Misuki since they were kids, so when Misuki seized power, my father worked alongside him, helping him secure big contracts for the country. It was my father who landed the first major contract with the North Republic. Misuki became wealthy overnight."

"I see. Many people supported Misuki in the beginning. From what I've heard, he didn't seem like such a bad guy back then."

"Exactly. But then the popular consultation happened. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but people in Black Gold Kingdom organized a poll to see if they wanted Misuki to stay in power or choose someone else. It didn’t go well. The organizers were mostly hunted down, killed, or forced to leave the country. Some are still in jail, but only a few, because Misuki ordered most of them to be killed."

"So, what did your father do exactly?"

"Well, that's what I'm getting to," she hesitated, seeming uneasy about the topic.

"You know, the vote was private. Nobody had to say who they voted for. But Misuki didn't want his men to take part in what he called a 'fraud'. My father, wanting the fertile lands near where we met, found something odd in the records from the vote. Even though it was private, they had a list with personal information of everyone who voted. That's all my father needed. The place we met is close to the land he wanted, about one thousand acres. He always said politics was about getting what you want, along with helping some people here and there. He wanted Misuki to approve his rice project and give him the land. So he came here, probably to this same office, to meet Misuki. He told me getting that meeting was one of the hardest things he ever did. Misuki was rich and spent his days partying. Previously, my father had gotten a big commission in gold for a contract with the North Republic, but he always wanted more. When he showed Misuki the papers, Misuki saw that some of his guards and trusted men had voted in the poll. He was furious. My father told me he was scared for his life. But after smoking a cigar, Misuki calmed down. That's when my father asked for the land. Misuki signed the papers and gave my father ownership of one thousand acres. But then, a dangerous persecution started."

Misuki ruined everyone’s lives. And my father had to bear the weight of that. But as time passed, Misuki's greed grew. He started snatching people from small villages to work as slaves in the oil wells. My uncle Jiru was one of his victims. My father, believing he still had some sway over Misuki, tried to reason with him to release his brother. But it was futile. Misuki wouldn't even see him. He was summoned for a meeting here, but Misuki never showed up. So my father began a campaign, or so it seemed. He rallied people for what appeared to be a public election to decide Misuki's fate. But in reality, my father was planning a rebellion, a small army to overthrow Misuki by force. He even approached your master, Yojiro, seeking support. Yojiro refused to incite a mutiny at that time, fearing it would only lead to their destruction. He argued that the samurai army was too small and too weak at the time. My father's workers, loyal and well-paid, were willing to fight, but they needed training and weapons. Yojiro was their best hope. My father assumed Yojiro wouldn't act against Misuki because he was his brother. But Yojiro had a long-term plan in mind, one that required patience. My uncle Jiru was a good man, you know. And now he was reduced to carrying oil barrels like a slave. There was no way out once Misuki captured you.

My uncle once managed to write a letter to my father, telling him to desist in his purposes of freeing him up, for there were rumors among workers that a revolution was happening, and the guards were alert. An old man inside had told my uncle that my father was behind such revolution, so my uncle Jiro, fearing for my father’s safety, advised him to stop with his purpose. The letter was intercepted. My father was captured in the middle of the night. I recall vividly my mom’s screams. They took him out of the bed and the house in shorts, barefoot. He never came back. Later, I learned he was executed, along with uncle Yojiro, there on the beach, in working hours for all the workers to see. Misuki even gave a speech, stating that tha’s was happening to anyone who dares to start a conspiration against him. And that’s the story of my father. Some think he was a villain, and others have him as a martyr. But in the end, he was my father, and I dreamt my whole life with this moment, when we finally put Misuki out of power.”

Kasaki wrapped his arms around her, offering a comforting embrace. He understood the weight of her pain, the burden of loss and longing that haunted her every step. Even with Misuki's reign crumbling, their journey was far from over. As she recounted the tale of her father's tragic fate, Kasaki couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for his own loss. His father, treasured by him, now only lived on in memories tinged with sadness.

As Kishira's voice trailed off, the air between them crackled with unspoken emotions. Part of Kasaki yearned to sweep her into his arms, to lose himself in the warmth of her embrace and the passion of their shared desires, and make love to her once more. Yet, a heaviness settled over him as thoughts of his father consumed his mind. With a heavy heart, he reluctantly disentangled himself from Kishira's embrace, aching to find solace in the quiet solitude of his own thoughts.

Crossing the room with a fleeing anxiety, Kasaki retrieved another cigar and struck a match, the flame casting dancing shadows against the walls. As he took a deep inhale, the bitter taste of smoke mingled with the salty sea breeze wafting in through the open window. Leaning against the windowsill, he gazed out at the moonlit beach below, lost in a sea of memories.

For a long while, he stood there in silence, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore serving as a soothing backdrop to his turbulent thoughts. In that moment of solitude, he found himself grappling with the weight of his father's fate and the daunting task that lay ahead. But amidst the uncertainty and sorrow, there flickered a glimmer of determination—a resolve to honor his father's memory and forge a brighter future for Black Gold, one step at a time.