Chapter 121

“Unlike Tsukasa, I don’t believe in people. “Aside from one exception, I only trust my talent. “Since day one, it’s been my policy to handle everything. I haven’t made my guys shoulder any burdens. “So…they’re doomed without me.” Masato had restored the Sanada Group by attending every administrative meeting of every one of the enterprise’s subsidiaries, issuing orders directly. He was the complete opposite of Tsukasa, who recognized his own imperfections and chose to rely on the talents of others. For Masato, his decisions were absolute, and he ran his businesses as a one-man monarchy. Would people reared in that sort of business environment be able to step up and take his place while he was gone? Not a chance. Masato wasn’t like Tsukasa, who planned for every contingency up to and including his own disappearance when building his organizations. For Masato, no one could run his companies but him. He didn’t foster his people’s development. On the contrary, he robbed them of opportunities to grow. This allowed him to rule them. He chose that path. “I control everything, so I’ve got a duty to handle it all alone for them.” He didn’t waver. He couldn’t. Because that was who Masato Sanada was—a prodigy businessman. That’s why Masato separated from the group and staked his wager on Neuro. He’d already made his choice. He’d told the others about it when he left them. “Why the hell’d you have to come, Shinobu? Now that I know you’re here… “…I can’t let you leave!” “…” Another gunshot, and Shinobu’s body collapsed. Shortly after Masato shot Shinobu with a vertical two-barrel flintlock pistol fresh from the imperial workshops, a couple of members of his Lakan mercenary team, the Qinglong Gang, rushed over. “Are you okay, Chancellor Advisor?!” “We heard gunfire!” “I’m fine,” Masato replied. “That was me. Nothin’ to worry about.” “Who’s the chick?” “…An old teammate.” Masato stowed his gun in its holster, then turned to one particularly brawny mercenary who came with the others. “Are you and your men all ready, Captain?” “Of course. ‘Be quick, be strong, charge lots’ is our motto, ain’t it?” The creed had changed since the last time Masato heard it, but he was in no mood to jokingly call attention to that. His expression remained grim as he muttered, “Good.” Then he gave the order. “Send word to all members of the Qinglong Gang. As per Neuro’s instructions, we’re leaving Drachen… “…and setting out for the Republic of Elm.”