The Westerners have come to Saiunkoku; they've trade with Saiunese and brought in many technologies with them. It does seem that the new era of Saiun is nearly to come. But in fact, there is a new threat. It is the Age of Western Imperialism. Ten western great powers are embarking upon their conquests, through diplomacy, coercion and military. Now, Empire of Saiun and its protectorates is now on their sight.

Lion dancers were brought to the Imperial Palace to perform the lion dance for the Emperor Shi Ryuuki and the Empress Ko Shuurei, many officials and foreigners were invited to attend this show.

Saiunese Imperial Guard – "The Emperor and The Empress have come!"

All Saiunese bow before Ryuuki and Shuurei before they sit down and the show begins

Lions are dancing with loud music that was playing by Saiunese drummer and piper. While the show is going on, Shuurei turns her attention toward the westerner who's filming the show with some kind of device that Shuurei as well as many Saiunese don't know what it is.

Shuurei – "What is that?"

Saiunese Officer – "It's a westerner's filming camera, your majesty."

Ryuuki - "Those westerners got so many magic. I was impressed."

Seiran – "But they're also a dishonorably coward… Your majesty."

Shuurei – "Seiran. We are the host. We have to be kind with them."

Yuushun – "And as the prime minister. I've to forge our bonds with them."

Seiran - "Yes, your majesty and your Excellency."

Ryuuki – "If we can be impressed in them. They could also be impressed by us."

Then Ran Shuuei runs to Ryuuki to give him a paper. There is an Imperial seal on the paper.

Ryuuki – "What is it?"

Shuuei – "The communiqué from Annam, your majesty. Written by Eigetsu."

Ryuuki – "I sent him to survey that protectorate. I think that he will get some report for me."

I, Intendant To Eigetsu, from Hue and on the way to Vinhlong, Saiunkoku's protectorate of Annam.

I bring you the news about the developing tension in Annam, conducted by Annammese and it does seemed that they're been supported by Arlesian Empire. They're harassing our population and our stationing troops in Annam. They're using the secret society so called "Mặt trận Quốc gia" or The Nationalist Front against us. I think that the tension is rising. But the ruling Nguyen Dynasty is trying to mediate this conflict

Long Live the Emperor, the Empress and Saiunkoku.

Meanwhile, in the Protectorate of Annam

Saiunese Army of Annam had moved into the major cities in Annam such as Hue, Vinh Long, Hoa and Cao Bang, in order to protect Saiunese population there. Saiunese soldier clad in the armor and kettle helmet while carrying matchlock musket which was obtained by bought it from Visayan merchant can be seen patrolling the streets with Annammese soldier of Nguyen Dynasty.

Since the arrival of Westerners to Saiunkoku and its protectorates, rail system and train were introduced. Railroads were built in Saiunkoku and its important protectorates such as western protectorates of Annam and Champassak.

In Annam, Railroads were built by Karlsbaden Schteinburg Lokomotiv-und Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft. Railroads in Annam are the property of the company so Schteinburg has their troops stationed along the railroads and its train station to protect it from bandit and recent insurgency.

Eigetsu and Kourin are on the train, moving toward the city of Vinhlong, The second largest city of Annam.

Eigetsu is watching the large rice fields outside the train. He isn't familiar with it as well as the train; the only thing that familiar for his is Kourin, whose sitting nears him.

Kourin – "What are you doing?"

Eigetsu – "This land is looked strange to me."

Kourin – "Even it's our protectorate. I think that this land will look safe for us."

Eigetsu – "I not mean that. The things that I was seeing, are the things that I never seen before. So this is called the foreign land."

Kourin – "I'm sure, that Annammese will be friendly with us."

Eigetsu – "Thanks you, Kourin."

Kourin – "Your… welcome… But it's not the matter."

Eigetsu looks at Kourin.

Eigetsu – "With you on my side, I can do anything here."

Kourin blushes out with her shyness.

When the train arrives at Vinhlong station, Eigetsu and Kourin were welcomed by Captain Liu Xiaolong, commander who's in charge of the Saiunese troops and its garrison in Vinhlong, He's with the rows of 20 Saiunese soldiers; 15 swordsmen and 5 musketeers.

Cpt. Liu – "Welcome to Vinhlong, Intendant To. We've expected about your arrival."

Eigetsu – "Thanks you, but please, don't address me greatly. I'm just one ordinary child and only temporary Intendant for the empire; I'm still the assistant and Vice governor to Governor Yuu Kai, The present governor of Sa province."

Cpt. Liu – "But you're once the co-governor of Sa province along with our Empress Shuurei. You have done great for your empire. I have to admire you."

Eigetsu – "Please stop admiring me; we are here to deal with the problems in the present, here and now. We should begin with our business."

They begin to walk, toward the Vinhlong's Saiunese Garrison, while Eigetsu gently questioning Cpt. Liu with his clever mind.

Eigetsu – "So… You found yourself in the difficult situation."

Cpt. Liu – "As you say my intendant. It's looked strange for these Annammese insurgents. They got modern firearms such as breech-loading rifle like in Arlesian military that's easily conquered the coastal state of Touronkin, in the south of Annam."

Eigetsu – "And we don't have any evidence to condemn them?"

Cpt. Liu – "Yes… we feared that Arlesian Empire is supporting this insurgency, as we suspecting."

While they are walking carelessly, Annammese sniper of the insurgent with scoped breech-loading rifle has made his way on the roof of the shop, before he aim his rifle to Eigetsu.

But Kourin saw him before he could shoot at Eigetsu.

Kourin – "Look out!"

Sniper firing his rifle, but the bullet hit Cpt. Liu's left leg instead, before he collapses. Annammese insurgents pop out from the buildings and open fires toward Saiunese troops.

But fortunately, Eigetsu and Kourin were managed to take injured Cpt. Liu to the cover on the street while Saiunese musketeers returning fire from their own cover.

Kourin – "Are you alright? Eigetsu-sama?"

Eigetsu – "You should ask Captain Liu, not me. For me, I'm still alright."

Kourin – "Thanks goodness!"

Kourin hugs Eigetsu while Cpt. Liu asks them.

Cpt. Liu – "Somebody will care about me! I was injured! My leg!"

Kourin – "S…Sorry. Xiaolong-sama!"

Eigetsu – "Captain… Are you alright?"

Cpt. Liu pulls out his flintlock pistol and aims it toward Eigetsu.

Eigetsu – "What are you doing!"

Cpt. Liu gnash before he firing his pistol, Eigetsu stunned for a moments but he finally realized that he is still alive and Annammese insurgent behind Eigetsu with spear in his hand, had collapse instead.

Eigetsu – "You've saved me."

Cpt. Liu – "I think we don't own life debt with each other."

Annammese troops with muskets were arrived in the area and begin to support Saiunese troops that having six soldiers left. The insurgents seem to be outnumbers, so they retreat.

Kourin – "They've been defeated."

Eigetsu watching as they are retreating, He doesn't think that they were beaten back.

Eigetsu – "I don't think so"

After Saiunese and Annammese troops have chased them halfway. They don't even know that they've been trapped.

Annammese Insurgent – "Mitrailleuse! Mở lửa!"

Machine gun pop out from the window and open fires fiercely. Many soldiers were killed. But shortly, it's exploded after been hit by Schteinburg's cannon.

After the battle was over, Eigetsu try to take a look at rifles that the insurgents have used. He then picks up one of it, but he has not found any seal that indicates that the rifle is belong to any western nation.

Eigetsu – "Damn it!"

Eigetsu tosses the rifle away.

In the evening, after Shuurei heard taht Eigetsu and Kourin were attacked in Vinhlong, Annam. She's worried about this too much; even she doesn't have any emotion to have a dinner. She hopes that both of them are still safe, by either Saiunese military or by local's helps.

Seiran then meets her at the pavilion in the palace garden.

Seiran – "If you don't eat any bun. Your health will not good."

Shuurei – "I'm worrying about Eigetsu-kun and Kourin-chan."

Seiran – "I heard the news already, it does seem that the insurgency in Annam is worsening. His majesty had ordered me to prepare my troops along with Ran Shuuei's, and prepare to board the train to Annam."

Shuurei – "How about them now? Are they still safe?"

Seiran – "I can't assure you but I hopes that they will be protected by our troops there soon. They have many skills for survival."

Shuurei – "Thanks you for say that."

Seiran – "They have passed so many things. They won't be dead easily."

Then Shuurei decides to eat something and have some conversation with Seiran while Shuuei and Ryuuki join them.

Vinhlong, Annam.

The nightfall had come to this land. Eigetsu is having his conversation with Cpt. Liu, who's recovered from his wound in his leg.

Eigetsu – "How about your wound? Captain?"

Cpt. Liu – "Thanks for asking me. My leg is recovered, thanks to our Annammese medic and his medicine."

Eigetsu – "Regarding about the insurgent's firearms. I think that their guns are looked modern than ours."

Cpt. Liu – "I've been reported by my Visayan assistant. He saw this kind of rifle once when Arlais fight against Karlsbad in the Far West. He doesn't know that this kind of rifle was a Paries design of Arlais or Dreisen design of Karlsbad, since many western nations began to used this kind of rifle now."

Kourin enters the room with two cups of tea.

Kourin – "Eigetsu-sama, Liu-san. I got teas for you."

The Captain and Eigetsu take their cup and say thank you which make her shy.

Cpt. Liu – "Thanks you, Girl."

Eigetsu – "Thanks you, Kourin."

While they're drinking, Eigetsu and Kourin see the flashes on the horizon looked like it's from the field far away from the city. It's looked like a lightning but there aren't having any raining out there.

Kourin – "Is there is a storm out there?"

Cpt. Liu – "It's a flash, from the cannon fires. I guess that there is a battle going on out there, large battle indeed."

After they put their cups, soldier rushes in to the room, in panic.

Saiunese soldier – "Captain! Captain! The Southern perimeter is under heavy attack!"

Cpt. Liu – "What about the opposing forces?"

Saiunese soldier – "Thousands of Annammese insurgents, supported by machineguns and breech-loading artilleries. They may be increased soon!"

Cpt. Liu picks up his sword on the table and his flintlock pistol. After he put on his plumed kettle helmet, he says to Eigetsu and Kourin.

Cpt. Liu – "Intendant To and you, Kourin! You two please stay here while we are solving the problems."