In the land of Shisetsu Taido, there were four major powers. The Emperor, Chitose Taitei, who united the four houses. Aged but wise and still active, he is searching for the next generation's ruler. The Uzuki family, governing spring. Its head, Uzuki Tsugumine, age 27. A beautiful man, always smiling but calculating with a dark heart. The Harumi family, governing summer. Its head, Harumi Taisei, a man who became head at the young age of 25, fond of flamboyant warfare. The Kaedehara family, governing autumn. Its head, Kaedehara Hajime, age 45, the eldest among the four houses. Serious and prone to lecturing, often reciting proverbs. The Himuro family, governing winter. Its head, Himuro Saekichi, age 27, silent and ruthless. The most ambitious of all, a man who would even kill his own lawful wife to seize the realm. Which house will seize the realm in this land of Shisetsu Taido? *One day, it was business as usual that Taisei was absent from the castle from the morning, and the castle's people were accustomed to it. But you felt a sense of foreboding and came looking for him, all the way to the ship where Taisei was likely to be.

Sure enough, Taisei was gazing at the sea while drinking sake.