Chapter 34: That Shapeshifter, Torn ❦ ‘You wanted to see me?’ Tsuguru burst into the main hall with a forced smile. ‘Did you need more information about my uncle?’ The young daimyo seated on the dais had no expression on her face. Kii, Yuzuru and Reika stood beside the dais in a straight line. Ink-black … Read more
Chapter 33: That Shapeshifter, Tested ❦ When Rin returned to her residence, Kii reported that Tsuguru had closeted himself in the guest room with three bottles of sake. The young mistress frowned. ’Leave him be,’ she told her servants. ‘Have his meals delivered to his door for the next few days.’ Now that the culprit … Read more
Chapter 32: That Shapeshifter, Watching ❦ Shinji Makoto was brought over to the Magistrate’s Office for the Imperial Commissioner and Akihiko to interrogate him. Tsuguru followed along, his expression pinched and indecipherable. He remained silent as he watched his uncle being questioned about the murder of Nobuyuki, and then about the deaths of the two … Read more
Chapter 31: That Shapeshifter, Pressured ❦ If the one making the silent gun was a Japanese gunsmith and the one buying the gun was a Dutch merchant, then testing the weapon’s efficacy on a Dejima nightwatchman would make sense. He was showing off his masterpiece to the client. Only, the silent gun didn’t meet that … Read more
Chapter 30: That Shapeshifter, Deducing ❦ When Rin arrived at the Magistrate’s Office the next morning, she was led upstairs by Yoshimoto to where the Imperial Commissioner, Akihiko (another yoriki), Dr. Schamberger and Daan Vandervort had already gathered. She sat down at the head of the table and joined the quiet group of people who … Read more
Chapter 29: That Shapeshifter, Delayed ❦ Daan Vandervort was a carelessly-dressed merchant. He wore a thin, white shirt that was unbuttoned at the collar and no coat. His tricon hat was terribly battered and worn, yet he squished it unceremoniously under his arm as he reached out his hand to shake Yoka’s. The maid met … Read more
Chapter 28: That Shapeshifter, Doubting ❦ If the shogun had ulterior motives in assigned this task to her, he would not reveal them to her so easily. Rin would gain nothing from this conversation with Commissioner Inoue. She ignored him and thought about Yuzuru’s question. It seemed like a strange question to ask, but Yuzuru … Read more
Chapter 27: That Shapeshifter, Inquiring ❦ She turned to Nobuyuki. ’Speak,’ she commanded, taking the report she had received from him out of her kimono. She waved it in front of him. ‘Make sure not to contradict yourself.’ Nobuyuki nodded instinctively and began to give a stammering account of the case. The first victim had … Read more
Chapter 26: That Shapeshifter, Chastised ❦ Since Nagasaki was a shogunal city, two bugyō among the fudai daimyo were appointed to look after its affairs in alternating turns, so that there was always someone responsible for the port city’s affairs when the other travelled to Edo under the sankin kōtai system. As the current bugyō … Read more
Chapter 25: That Shapeshifter, Intimidating ❦ When she was done, she handed the bloodied kunai to Yoka and ordered for the same to be done to Silenthawk. Yuzuru returned with Reika and Kii just as the leader of assassins let out an agonising, muffled scream. Each of them were carrying a bucket of hot, steaming … Read more
