Shinjo Mono, a young man of the Unicorn Clan, stands tall at 6'6" with a swarthy complexion that hints at his foreign ancestry. His curly, kinked hair is styled into a topknot, complemented by a thin, well-trimmed beard. As a provisional magistrate, he serves under a Shinjo lord, specifically the uncle of Shinjo Harunobu. Recently, he delivered news of a successful defense against a Matsu incursion in Unicorn lands to the Ida delegation in Otosan-Uchi, though he remains unaware of a recent lost battle in a border area for which his lord is responsible.
During a gathering, Shinjo Mono encounters Doji Setsuna as she mounts her elegant white courser, Kogarashi, a wedding gift that catches his interest. Their conversation reveals Setsuna's knowledge of his lord's responsibilities for border security, which surprises Shinjo Mono. As they discuss Kogarashi, Setsuna mentions her marriage to Shinjo Harunobu, a revelation that shocks Shinjo Mono. She advises him to exercise discretion regarding inquiries about the marriage, highlighting his discomfort with court life and intrigue.
After his briefing, Shinjo Mono opted for a direct route to Loyalty Castle. Upon arrival, he was questioned by Lion Outriders but was recognized as an Emerald Magistrate, which spared him from capture. At Loyalty Castle, he met Setsuna while being observed by Lion officials. A commotion involving Bayushi Monban, who had been beaten by Lion bushi for insulting their lord’s cuisine, created a distraction that allowed Monban to escape.
From a distance, Shinjo Mono witnessed a duel between Kakita Kazumi and Matsu Koda alongside Setsuna and other onlookers. He attended a dinner at Loyalty Castle, where he and his companions were seated near the daimyo's table. Throughout the evening, he engaged minimally with the court, preferring to listen rather than participate. The following day, he received a letter of passage for himself and his companions, allowing them to travel the Lion Roads toward the Castle of the Swift Sword for further investigations. During this journey, Shinjo Mono was closely scrutinized by Lion escorts, reflecting the tensions of traversing Lion territory as a Unicorn.