The Adjutant lead them through several corridors to the main Imperial throne room. The room itself was grand, with stained hardwood flooring, which gave way to a recessed area that was paved with Tatami mats, and a small table with cushions situated around it.
There was a long red carpet that was flanked by two statues that looked like cobras, their eyes were open, and their fangs were bared, it was a new addition that had been requested by the Emperor to complement his tastes. Each cobra had green gems for eyes, that seemed to shimmer in the soft orange light.
Shimizu himself was wearing his formal kimono, which consisted of a black fabric that bore subdued designs much like the statues in the throne room, subdued matte patterns of cobras with their fangs bared. This was so Shimizu would send a specific message without outright sending it. He remained seated, with two young women on either side of him, his two sisters, Princess Yukiko, and Princess Sakura, both in their formal Kimono attire, Yukiko chose a light floral pattern, with stylized cranes, and flowers adorning the garment, with a contrasting gold Obi, while Sakura wore a red Kimono, with the yellow chrysanthemum emblem emblazoned on the fabric.
Standing directly behind Shimizu, behind his throne were two men wearing formal attire, carrying ornate wooden rods that seemed to pulse, and shimmer with strange cosmic energy, they were rods crafted from the wood of the Royal Tree Tenju, and crystallized with it's sap, both were artifacts of great power.
Tucked in Shimizu'z Obi was a similar looking wooden sword hilt, Tenchi Ken, and it too seemed to pulse, and radiate with immense hyper-dimensional power that was unique in the universe.
Shimizu quietly watched as the Adjutant escorted William and his Guardian closer to the throne room, past the serpentine statues that seemed to watch as they passed by, or was it just the way the light reflected in the gemstone eyes.
Shimizu kept his hands folded in his lap, seated on an ornately carved wooden throne, as the Adjutant bowed deeply.
"Tennoheika." He said, before turning to leave.
Shimizu slowly brought his eyes up to William, whispering to one of the guardians behind him.
"Ambassador Dorsun, welcome to Niihama. I apologize for the delay in meeting with you, but I was otherwise preoccupied." The Emperor said, snapping his fingers, two young maidens approached, setting plush pillow in front of both William, and his Guardian.
"Please." Shimizu said, gesturing to the cushions.
"I understand you wish for the Taiyou Empire to refrain from assisting our august allies, the Aschen Empire." Shimizu said aloud. "You have shared much with my mother, and the Aschen have shared some intelligence that I find quite disturbing. The Aschen are a peaceful people, and yet, your government finds it necessary to cross swords." The Emperor added.
"It is reasonable to say then; that is why you are here."