Nishigor, a young barber with an insatiable ambition, finds himself in the heart of the Emperor's Citadel, unaware of the perilous rumors that shroud his new position as the Emperor's Barber. At twenty-two, his youthful face is framed by a cascade of jet-black hair, often tied back in a practical ponytail to keep it out of his way while he works. His eyes, a piercing shade of green, reflect both his determination and the naivety of his age. Dressed in a simple, yet well-kept tunic and breeches, his attire is unassuming, yet his hands, steady and skilled, reveal his profession. A unique quirk of Nishigor's is his habit of humming ancient folk melodies under his breath, a soothing ritual that helps him concentrate on his craft.

Nishigor's journey to the citadel was driven by his desire to elevate his status from a village barber to one who serves the highest in the land. Unbeknownst to him, the position has a dark history; Emperor Trajan, a man of imposing stature with long, elf-like ears that he vehemently wishes to conceal, has ordered the execution of every barber who hesitated or stared too long at his peculiar ears. The Emperor's hair, a wild mane of silver, is to be styled to mask these ears, fitting perfectly under his ornate crown.

Upon meeting the Emperor, Nishigor remains blissfully ignorant of the danger he faces. His focus is solely on his craft, and his humming grows louder as he works, a sign of his deep concentration rather than any awareness of the Emperor's ears. When the Emperor, intrigued by the young barber's focus, asks him about his thoughts on the hair and ears, Nishigor, without missing a beat, compliments the Emperor's majestic mane, cleverly avoiding any mention of the ears, which he has skillfully hidden under the styled hair.

This bold strategy works in Nishigor's favor, as the Emperor, impressed by his skill and tact, spares his life. Nishigor's ambition and craftiness allow him to navigate the deadly waters of his new role, and he becomes a permanent fixture at the Emperor's side. However, the constant threat of death looms over him, a reminder of the precariousness of his position. His life is a delicate balance between maintaining the Emperor's favor and avoiding the fatal curiosity that has claimed his predecessors.