Il Cielo dei Tre Regni
by Lunar Wave
Disclaimer: This story borrows the setting and characters of the Koihime†Musou series and borrows multiple elements from Katekyo Hitman Reborn. I own neither series as they both belong to their respective owners. Also, considering Koihime†Musou could be considered a fanfic of the Three Kingdoms, I'd like to say I don't own anything related to the stories of the Three Kingdoms.
-()-
To End this Battle
-()-
When Kazuto saw the retreating enemy soldiers, he could only watch it in dreaded contemplation. "Too early" was the conclusion every single one of them thought. Touka was hopeful, believing that this is Sousou giving up and going home. The rest of them pretty much pointed out that the enemy soldiers behind did not move an inch and that there were soldiers who are not retreating. They were quickly proven right when six generals suddenly charged after the retreating soldiers, breaking off from their line of soldiers. "Goddammit" was Kazuto's word for that.
Naturally, with six holes in the defense, the soldiers that did not retreat start taking advantage of it, as their defenders were forced to fill in the gaps. And the enemy cavalry has begun moving, even though there were still plenty of rocks in the field.
"What should we do?" Touka asked. "Fire the catapult?"
"It's a good deterrent, but just one simply loads too slowly." Hinari critically looked at everything before grimacing. "The best solution is to just…"
Touken quickly made his own decision, "Mifa, have the other generals retreat, and advance our fort defense force." Mifa bowed to them before…
"Wait!" Touka called to Mifa, "You're abandoning the ones who charged?" Touka asked fearfully.
"Clearly, they valued their own desires before their commitment to being my officials." Touken pointed out. "Besides, this is the solution, right, Shokatsuryou, Houtou?"
"… Yes." Shuri nodded. "While losing six of our most elite platoons is a problem, we could still defend our fort with minimal losses."
"I don't like that!" Touka pointed out. "Sacrificing our soldiers that way! It makes it seem…" callous. Like they didn't care about the lives of the people who follow them.
"Then what would you have us do, Ryuubi?" Touken patiently asked.
"I…"
"I don't think that plan would work out the way you want." Kazuto interceded. "The other generals are all panicked." Kazuto pointed out the defense.
"It's the best we have." Touken pointed out. In other words, he is willing to make that sacrifice.
"… no. It's not." Kazuto grasped a box on his side, as his mind raced. How do they do this? They need to regroup their soldiers. Force them to move in line. Before he thought it all out, he started giving commands. He has no time to be overthinking anything.
"Mifa, go get Chiihou," Kazuto ordered the maid. Mifa turned to Touken, who only curtly nodded. Mifa bowed and left them quickly.
"What do you want with your minstrel, Hongou?" Touken asked.
"Chiihou carries a device that allows for voices to be heard from across a battlefield. Let's use that to relay your orders."
"I see!" Touka nodded, "But that doesn't solve…"
"Bakazuto."
"Reborn?" Kazuto turned to the diminutive hitman.
"Don't die," Reborn smirked. Kazuto nodded before slowly reaching his hand out to Shuri. Shuri blankly looked at the hand before remembering.
"Ah, wait!" Shuri fumbled through her bag and pulled out a pillbox. Two pills came out and placed into Kazuto's hand.
"What are you planning to do, Kazuto-kun?" Touka asked.
"Don't worry; I'm taking Ren and Aisha with me," Kazuto assured her, before turning ahead. "We're reinforcing the line."
"Are you sure, Hongou?" Touken sharply asked.
"The troops need a leader in front to lead the army. To assure them that we still care about them. I'll serve that role." Hongou turned to him, "Besides, that's what Sousou expects from you, right Touken? She wants you to take to the frontlines."
"… There's no guarantee that my soldiers will be assured by your support." Touken pointed out.
"That's what Chiihou is for." And with that, Kazuto jumped off the wall, followed closely by Reborn.
-()-
Kakouton smirked as her beloved Karin-sama's plan is coming to fruition. Upon pulling the enemy soldiers far enough that they can't retreat to their old position, she pretty much about-faced and struck at the general. The shock he had was pretty much the icing on the cake as she cut him. Asshole got it coming, calling her blind. She still has one eye! The soldiers that followed were all left sitting ducks and were wailing at them with their spears, only to be brought down by her soldiers. They weren't even a challenge.
Soujun is leading the cavalry to pierce through the wall of soldiers that has steadily been crumbling after the six generals had been lured out then cut down. It should be soon that… A burst of orange, red, and purple flame burst into view, as a dust cloud appeared from the fort. The dust cloud reached great enough that it obscured their vision of the enemy fort. The opposite should be the same, however… Regardless…
"Hah? What the hell's that!?" Kakouton exclaimed.
"… Neesan." Kakouen arrived by her side, her bow trained at the lead. She took a shot, but nothing changed.
"Shuuran!? What are you doing he-"
"That's Hongou," Kakouen told her. "With him is… Kan'u and Ryofu."
"… Huh? Didn't Karin-sama say that it would be Touken who shows up?" Kakouton asked, flummoxed, "The Ryuubi Army shouldn't care about what happens to Touken's elites! After all, it's Touken's elites who's been holding them back all this time!" She said, parroting Sousou's reasoning.
They didn't have much time to ponder on this, as Hongou jumped off… what appeared to be a fireball that returned and disappeared to… somewhere on his person. He then roared, standing with fires on his feet and a bright flame burning on his brow. He addressed those on the field, "Army of Joshuu! Calm yourselves, and focus! You are soldiers that will not lose to the strength of Sousou's own men! Wield your strength and defend your lands from those who choose to invade!"
"We're not invading!" Kakouton hotly called out. They were only there to take Touken's head. If Joshuu wanted it, they could give up right then and there and hand Touken over, and Sousou's army would leave without a fuss. But her denial fell on deaf ears as another voice, louder this time, made herself heard. This one, however, is not present on the field, and the voice, loud as it is, can clearly be pointed to the fort ahead.
"Soldiers of Joshuu, you can do it! Don't lose! We're right here to help you!"
"Ryuubi." Kakouen recognized the voice.
"So they really can use Chouhou's magic tool." Kakouton grimaced. "What the hell makes Chouhou's magic tool better than Choukaku's and Chouryou's?"
"Follow the plan." An older male's voice was heard next. Touken. "Fall back until the perimeter is once more secure. Defend. Do not let these invaders take our homeland."
"I said we're not invading, dammit! We're here to avenge our uncle's death!" Kakouton roared. But this also fell on deaf ears as a great red flame burned away the dust in a blaze of glory. Red covered everyone's sight, and before Kakouton can react, a green dragon-headed guandao, red flames lapping its blade, struck at her, which she was only barely able to defend. "K, Kan'u!"
Kan'u merely nodded, before swinging her polearm, and knocking her back. An arrow flew at her, courtesy of Kakouen, but a swing from Kan'u's blade and it seemed to burn away completely.
"So that's your sorcery?" Kakouen frowned, as she pulled out another batch of arrows.
"I am the Storm Guardian of Sawada Kazuto and Ryuu Gentoku, their sworn sister and right hand!" Kan'u succinctly replied, before striking at Kakouen.
"Don't ignore me, Kan'u!" Kakouton roared. Kakouen held up her bow in defense. Kan'u merely swung back at Kakouton, turning her back to Kakouen.
"Folly, Kan'u! To turn your back on an archer!" Kakouen replied as she pulled her bow again.
"A single strike is enough," Kan'u replied as the bow snapped.
Kakouen was surprised. That sort of strike should not have even made a dent on her bow! "How…"
Kakouton herself was flummoxed at the sight before grimacing, "Shuuran! Go get another bow from someone else! I'll hold Kan'u off!"
"You think your sword more durable than her bow, Kakou Genjou?" Kan'u asked as she swung her weapon once more.
"I am the Great Sword of Sou Moutoku! My blade will not bow to yours!"
"Let's see you try!"
-()-
Soujun, sister of Soujin and cousin of Sousou, was the one in charge of leading the cavalry who will cut through the defenses of Sousou never made any plans as to where she should lead her troops. So she decided to charge for where her sister is. While Soujin has fully recovered from getting struck by the debris of a catapult attack, she can't help but worry.
"Cheer up, Ruurin~" Chouryou Bun'en chuckled at her side. "Karon's not that weak~"
"I know that, however…"
The sudden appearance of a dust cloud in the horizon forestalled any attempt of conversation between the two, as they charged their horses further forward. The declarations of Hongou, Ryuubi, and Touken only made them rush faster. The field of rocks was a hindrance, but Soujin was just in her sight, and she was… fighting…
"Ryo-chin." Chouryou grimaced, seeing the familiar face.
Houtengageki burst purple and it swatted Soujin into them, and Soujun quickly dismounted to tend to her sister.
"Shia." Ryofu greeted.
"I'm on a horse now, Ryo-chin~ You know what that means, right?"
Ryofu nodded, as she took a stance with her halberd. It is said that a warrior on a horse is much more difficult to fight than one on foot. "Doesn't matter." Ryofu declared, and her weapon enlarged to strike at both of their horses. Soujun barely managed to duck under the strike.
Chouryou jumped off her horse who could only bray in dismay as it died from the strike of Ryofu's halberd. Soujun's horse was not in range, but it realized the danger and ran back to camp, leaving them stranded there. "Sheesh, you're still as crazy as you were before." Chouryou then pondered, "No, you're worse, now. Sorcery, really?"
Ryofu shrugged, "Alone against army." Meaning that there's really no point in her being chivalrous when she's fighting an army. It's not like they're planning to politely 1 on 1 her.
"Fine, fine." Chouryou leaned forward, taking a stance. "You mind teaching me how to use sorcery if I win?"
Ren tilted her head sideways as if confused as to how she would do that.
"So you can't huh…" Chouryou sighed. Well, it's not like she expected any form of teaching from Ren. She is the silent type, after all.
"… She's like Shanfuu, huh…" Soujun sighed, as she pulled out her sword. A thin blade. Chouryou frowned, before turning to Ren, whose blade has returned to its normal length.
"… Ruurin… You should probably take Karon back." Range-wise, Ryofu beats them far too much. Unless the two of them can weave through Ryofu, she's just going to keep them way too far for them to do anything.
"No, no, I'm fine~" Soujin stood up.
"Neesan…" Soujun worriedly looked at her sister before turning to Chouryou. "No. We need to win this today. Besides, three on one is better odds than one on one."
"No." Chouryou frowned, "We need to cut through the enemy lines, right? Get on a horse and charge with the rest of the cavalry. We need to stick to the plan, or else…" Chouryou barely got out another word as she blocked a hit from Ryofu. "Sheesh, Ryo-chin! Got it, shouldn't ignore you."
"It's fine, Shia-san." Soujun wielded her blade. "Karin-sama isn't the type to leave our plans so easily defeated. Let's just fight and defeat Ryofu here." So that she will not be a problem anymore.
Ryofu merely got more serious. This slightly reminds Ryofu of the time she fought Kan'u, Chouhi, Kazuto, and Ryuubi at the same time. She won't make the same mistake twice. Do not underestimate her opponents. If they think you're strong, they'll rely on any tricks they can to get a victory from her. Losing to the four sworn siblings had opened her eyes to this.
"… Shouldn't have said anything, Ruurin-chan…" Chouryou pitiably sighed, "Now Ryofu will be twice as hard."
"… Come." Ryofu challenged the three.
"You got it!" And Soujin led the charge as she swung her sword.
"Ah, neesan, don't rush!" Soujun followed suit.
"Let's go, Ryochin!" Chouryou roared, rushing forward herself.
-()-
"So the cavalry charge failed." Sousou frowned.
"It seems so…" Jun'iku frowned next to her.
"Well, it was asking for far too much anyway." Sousou shrugged, "The rocks were still there so the horses may have just tripped over themselves." A low chance of it happening, but that would slow momentum.
"But the cavalry should have hit a panicking army…"
"I believe that Ryofu is the one who stalled them." A new voice said as a woman walked over, with a broken bow.
"Welcome back, Shuuran." Sousou greeted her.
"I'm sorry, Karin-sama, but I'm here to pick up my spare bow…" Kakouen grimaced as she put down the pieces of her broken bow, before rummaging through the supplies. "None of the bows our archers have…" were good enough for her. She tends to wear it down too easily if she wasn't using a steel bow, putting too much power in her pull.
"How did your bow break!?" Jun'iku asked in surprise.
"Kan'u's red flames seem to be capable of wearing down what she strikes quickly." Kakouen replied as she pointed out the break on her bow.
"Guh, more sorcery."
"So Kan'u's has red flames." Sousou hummed, "So it was her who destroyed the dust cloud." It did burn up in red flames.
"It's likely," Kakouen admitted.
"A shame. The dust cover might have been useful." Sousou laughed. Although that might be exactly why Kan'u destroyed it.
"It would be a hindrance for both armies," Jun'iku nodded, "But it would've been their army that would be hampered more if the dust cloud had remained for much longer." The dust cloud was right between the fort and the frontlines. That's not exactly an ideal situation for a defending army.
"How did the dust cloud happen, Shuuran?" Sousou asked.
"It seems to be caused by Hongou's quick arrival in the frontlines, alongside Kan'u and Ryofu."
"So Hongou took to the frontlines as well." Sousou frowned, "It would've been better if it was Touken, but I didn't really expect him to come."
"They called us an invading army." Shuuran grimaced, "I doubt Touken's soldiers will now even consider surrendering at this point."
"Well, that's that." Sousou chuckled, "Shuuran, can you go reinforce Eika?"
"Ah, you mean…" Kakouen nodded, picking up her spare bow, "But neesan is still…" Fighting Kan'u, who is using sorcery to strengthen her attacks.
"I doubt Kan'u is accustomed to using her sorcery as much as she'd like us to believe." Sousou shrugged, gesturing to where she hazarded Kakouton was. "I've not seen any flames for quite a while now."
"… I see." Kakouen nodded, "So it's now a matter of skill against skill." Which was fortunate… However… "Kan'u is still fresh." Kakouton has been fighting since noon, while Kan'u has remained defending the fort the entire time.
"All that matters is that Shunran stall Kan'u." And, no matter how skilled Kan'u is, Kakouton should be able to do it, even as she spends the entire time trying to win against Kan'u. That is one thing that she will always have faith in when it comes to Kakouton: her stubbornness to fulfill Sousou's commands.
"Then I'll take my leave, Karin-sama." Kakouen nodded and quickly departing.
Sousou simply smirked, as she looked at the situation in her view. Compared to the light show that was done earlier, there was no sign of sorcery any further. No signs of great flames.
"Do your best, all of you!"
Sousou grimaced as Ryuubi's voice came through, reaching even all the way here. That magic tool is becoming the bane of her existence, if it lets her hear the voice of someone she… more dislike than hate, but she honestly can't really think of Ryuubi as an equal. Ryuubi is an idealistic hypocrite who hates fighting but fights nonetheless. Who leads an army, but does not have any form of ambition to decide the course of the army. Everything is reactionary. That's what it means if she truly wants to stick to her ideals. She'll never do anything to get what is required to defend her kingdom. It's likely that, if she ever reaches a point where she is an emperor-like existence, she might just demilitarize, making them susceptible to invaders from the outside. She thinks with her heart far too much. A leader must be logical, prioritizing what is needed to be done and what they can't do given their numbers. The mere fact that they're even here… means that they even gave up the defense of their own territory to defend someone else's. Even with the threat of Enshou at their borders.
If it was Hongou, Sousou doesn't think she'd mind it as much. The only problem with Hongou is that he lets Ryuubi take the charge far too much.
Sousou sighed, as she stood up. "Keifa."
"Yes, Karin-sama?" Jun'iku asked.
"Can you write up a message for me?"
"What message?" The strategist eagerly asked.
"No matter how this fight ends, I want Chouhou." Sousou frowned. "And at this point, I don't mind being the one who brings it up."
"Is it needed?" Jun'iku asked. "We're going to win anyway."
"Hongou arrived on the frontlines. We know that, in combat, he uses flames almost exclusively." Sousou pointed out. "Where are the orange flames?"
"Did he retreat?"
"… It would be nice if he did." Sousou replied. But it's unlikely, she thought. Once Hongou takes to the field, he fights. That's the impression she had of the man. Against Kayuu, he charged into the frontlines and was a primary combatant. Once Kan'u and Chouhi had arrived during the fight against Ryofu, he could've retreated. But he didn't and was instrumental in Ryofu's defeat. During the fight against the sorcerer, he was the one most damaged, according to Kii (Kyocho). So, if he's here, then he's fighting. The question is: where? Where is he? "Just do it, Keifa."
"Of course, Karin-sama!"
As Jun'iku left, Sousou sighed. She has to get Chouhou. Anything to remove the advantage that the Ryuubi Army has with that, and bring it into her own. If Chouhou's tool is special and that it can transmit voices other than her own, then, as Ryuubi is displaying, it can be used to give assurance to the soldiers, to bolster confidence. It can be used to relay complex signals. Admittedly they could've used Renhou (Chouryou) for that, with her keen mind, but that is a plan for another time.
For now, she'll have to watch and prepare for anything their foes bring.
-()-
Kakouen moved quickly through the grove, to meet up with Soukou. Soukou's task is to lead a troop of archers to try and sneak around the chaos and rain arrows on the fort. Scouts reported that Touken, Ryuubi, and Hongou tend to watch the chaos from atop the fort wall. With everyone solely focused on the frontlines, the Joshuu Army would be too busy calming down the frontlines. Granted, Hongou's arrival on the frontlines would make it calm down faster, knowing a commander has taken to the field. The infamy of the Heavenly Messenger is not to be underestimated. But in the end, it's not Touken. Joshuu's forces will not calm down completely if it's not Touken. The problem with that is that Chouhou's device is being used by Touken. He gave them clear orders. No room for argument there. They are all now tightening their formation. But that can still take time.
Time, that they can use to strike down Touken.
Kakouen then sharply heard the sound of steel on steel ahead.
Kakouen grimaced, as she moved quickly, notching an arrow onto her bow. There shouldn't be this level of combat here… not unless Joshuu had stationed some forces in the forests. They could have, of course, but they should be busy defending… She eventually reached a small clearing, and what she saw shook her.
Orange flames burned around him, unminding of the foliage around. Sawada Kazuto is here. And he had, single-handedly, disarmed and destroyed the archers with Soukou. Soukou herself is now on her knees, glaring at him. His back is towards her.
Kakouen raised her bow and fired. There's no way he could react to this quickly eno-
*CLANG*
Hongou turned quickly, cutting down the arrow, before jumping backward and landing behind Soukou.
"Kakouen." Hongou greeted. "I thought you were fighting Aisha."
"Holding a hostage, Hongou? Didn't think you're the type." Kakouen fired back.
"Hostage?" Hongou raised his eyebrow before shaking his head. "I could, I guess. It's not really worth it though."
"Huh?" Soukou growled, "What's that supposed to mean? I'm not worth taking hostage?"
"Not really…" Hongou sighed, as he rubbed his ear a bit. It seems that Soukou had screamed at him quite a bit before her arrival.
"Exactly why!?" Soukou asked.
"You say that, but your sword's still pointed at her." Kakouen pointed out.
"I didn't exactly say I'm not considering it, you know?" Hongou pointed out. "She's just a bit loud, so taking her as a hostage would mean I'm going back with her yelling at me the entire time."
"You think I'll let you?" Kakouen asked.
"Are you Rinrin?" Hongou chuckled, "If not, then, yeah, I think I can get away from you."
"You do realize that there's more than these archers on their way to your base, right?"
"Already sent a messenger." Hongou shrugged, "At this point, I'm leaving it to Rinrin to figure out how to deal with that."
… Kakouen grimaced. There is nothing she can use to bargain with Hongou…
"You know exactly what we want from her." Kazuto pointed out. "For you to leave."
"You realize that's not something we can consider?" Kakouen asked.
"I do," Kazuto replied. "But it's already winter. The nights are starting to get colder by the day. There's barely any leaves on the trees anymore. You're going to go home regardless. If you do so by tonight, I'll let her go free."
"So that's it…" Kakouen frowned.
"Then, I'll be taking Soukou with me." Kakouen's eyes widened as Hongou took a stance, "Shigure Souen Ryu, 8th Form, Offensive!" Kakouen raised her bow to defend, not having time to notch another arrow. "Shinotsuku Ame!" Kakouen's defense worked, but it sent her flying into a tree, dazing her.
"Shuuran!" Soukou blanched. "Bastard!"
"She's not dead," Hongou replied as he grabbed a string from a bow that he cut off and quickly tied Soukou's hands behind her with them. "She needs to be alive to go back to Sousou. She'll be up soon enough. I just need to get out quickly."
"Wait…" Kakouen called, but, Hongou wrapped one hand around Soukou's waist, and, with fire on his feet, flew out of the grove with his quarry in tow. Looks like the second plan failed. They'll have to go with the third plan.
-()-
Rinrin breathed a sigh of relief, as a bunch of archer nobodies started scurrying off, upon seeing her. Reborn stood on her shoulder, with a smirk.
"Oniichan is amazing." Rinrin grinned, as the soldiers next to her chased the fleeing archers. They weren't even allowed to be in range of the fort, let alone shoot.
"His intuition is something that the Family has always valued." Reborn nodded, "It is difficult to take the boss of the family by surprise."
What Kazuto did is not exactly brilliant, but a bold trick. He took both Aisha and Ren to the frontlines on his airbike, sending up a bunch of dust into the air. Making his declaration, he cemented it in everyone's mind that he was on the frontlines. However, in turn, he also noticed the lower number of archers ahead. It was obvious that some plan is going forward. So, noticing this, he decided to have Aisha destroy the dust cover using her flames, to make a spectacular light show that he can disappear in. He then sped for the forest with Reborn, and when the two found the enemy archers, Reborn moved to inform Rinrin. And so, Rinrin was able to intercept the ambush.
"But will Oniichan be alright?" Rinrin asked, "He's alone in the forest, right?"
"If he's outnumbered, he'll just run." Reborn scoffed. "I didn't train that boy to fight battles he can't win if there's no point in fighting them."
"Cheater! Dishonorable cur! Money waster!"
The sound of a woman screaming her head off made them turn their heads, with Rinrin preparing her Viper Spear. She relaxed upon seeing who it is though, "Oniichan!"
"I don't see what the last one has to do with me." Kazuto addressed the girl he was carrying before unceremoniously dropping her on the ground. "Hi Rinrin, I'm back."
"Excuse me? Why are you just dropping a lady?" The girl complained.
"I thought you wanted me to drop you? You were screaming at me all the way to do so." Kazuto dryly replied. "But seriously, could you have not fidgeted so much. We were in the air, and if you landed wrong, it's your neck that'll break, not mine."
"Who's this?" Oniichan poked the girl with the butt of her spear.
"Stop that!" The girl said.
"Soukou Shiren. Sousou's cousin, and treasurer of Kyoshou." Kazuto introduced. "Don't hurt her." One of Chouhi's soldiers blinked at being suddenly addressed, "do you have a cloth I can borrow?"
"Eh?" Rinrin tilted her head, "Why?" As the soldier pulled off a bandana and handed it over.
"Need to shut her up. She's getting a bit loud."
"Wait, hold it! Don't put that dirty rag on MMPHH!" Kazuto gagged her quickly. To be perfectly honest, it wasn't necessary, but she likely knows about Chiihou, so better safe than sorry.
"Well, then, either we carry you to the fort, or you walk." Kazuto cheerfully told her as he stood her up. She glares at him before looking towards Sousou's camp.
"… I don't think I need to tell you this, but you look a bit too much like Sousou that the soldiers on the way there will recognize you instantly if you run."
"I'll just catch her before that though…" Rinrin pointed out.
Soukou glared at her.
"… What? You're slower than I am." Rinrin pointed out. "And if Oniichan caught you, you're probably weaker than me."
"Yeah, yeah, rub it in." Kazuto frowned turning to the frontlines. "I hope Aisha and Ren are safe…"
"Aneja is strong! And Ren is strong too! They'll be fine!" Rinrin nodded. Soukou rolled her eyes in response, causing Rinrin to frown, "What? They won't lose to any of you!"
"Calm down, Rinrin." Kazuto sighed. "We each have our own biases. At the end of the day, the only ones who can decide who is stronger than the other are them. At any rate, have some of the hunters of our group patrol the groves so that this trick doesn't happen again."
"Got it, Oniichan!" Rinrin cheerfully said.
"Coming?" Kazuto turned to Soukou, who remains rooted, looking ahead. She sulkily looks at him before heading on after him before blinking upon the sight of… Reborn.
"… Reborn's old enough to be your father, Soukou. Please stop looking at him like that." Kazuto pleaded.
Soukou wasn't even paying attention at this point as she felt her hands strain against the string that was tying it up, wanting so badly to run over and hug him.
"Kazuto, for the meantime, let's see how long you can last in Hyper Dying Will Mode," Reborn told him, ignoring the girl's antics.
"… I'm starting to think I wasted it." Kazuto sighed, following his lead.
"No. It's fine that you did it this time." Reborn replied, "While the expiration date is long, it's better if your body is familiar with the strain of Hyper Dying Will Mode. It's been a few months since last you did, so this will be a good refresher for your body. It would be worse if you've gone so long without using Hyper Dying Will Mode. Who knows, you might learn how to access it without outside help if you keep your body more familiar with it."
"Is that how it works?" Kazuto asked. Granted, the strain that Hyper Dying Will Mode puts his body in is unique, as if his body is trying to break itself from it.
"Besides," Reborn turned ahead, "I don't think this fight is over just yet."
"Eh?"
"What were your exact words to who you sent back?"
"That they leave before the day is done." Kazuto replied, before realizing, "Ah, crap…"
"There you go." Reborn nodded, "You never said anything about them not attacking, so…"
"… They'll continue the attack till tonight." Kazuto groaned. Drums from the Sousou camp was heard, and a full retreat of Sousou's forces is seen. It seems that this was their call to retreat. "… That's either a very good thing or a very bad thing for us."
"Let them go. Do not pursue." Touken's voice echoed once more on that battlefield. "Maintain the line."
Kazuto could only half-heartedly stare in the direction. "So, do you think Sousou will realize that loophole?"
"Do you expect less of her?"
"No." Kazuto replied, "I have full confidence in her ability to make our lives more difficult." Kazuto then turned to Soukou, "… Soukou-san, I can see that you're laughing just from your eyes. Please stop."
Soukou can only look amused at him. While she can only be half-certain whether Sousou will exploit said loophole or not, there is no doubt that her cousin will notice it. However, logic might say that she should continue, but there's still a chance that the Joshuu camp will interpret an attack from them as a sign of non-compliance. It's not like they have a written contract. Still, to see them squirm from this is only a good thing in her eyes. There is also something endearing in the way that Sawada seems to have absolute faith in her cousin despite being enemies. Or maybe because they are enemies, that he has absolute faith in Sousou? Now that she thought of it, her cousin seems to have a rather strange belief in Sawada as well. As though she believes that she knows exactly how Sawada would act. Was Hongou and Sousou that close during the Coalition? It didn't sound like it from the snippets of conversation she heard of the events.
Regardless, if she's here, she might as well make use of the situation. She already heard some rather useful snippets. Haipaa Dying Will Moodo. Whatever those words meant, it likely refers to his flames. And that there was a time limit to it, although the length is variable. So it is quite likely the name of the sorcery that allows him to take flight and use fire…
"… Your face is like an open book." Kazuto interrupted her thoughts, and she jumped up in surprise. He can… read minds? Or read expressions enough to know what she's thinking? No, she's just being silly, concluding that from a few choice words. All he said was that her face is like an open book. He might be thinking of something completely different…
"Niichan!"
"Kazuto-niichan!"
"Rairai, Denden." Kazuto greeted. "Prisoner of war. Tie her up properly, blindfold her, and then send her up to where Touken and Touka are. I'll be there when you're done. Do not hurt her, and don't let her get hurt."
"Got it!"
-()-
"We retreated, and they haven't given us Eika back!" Kakouton yelled, "Let's charge in and take her back!"
"That's right, that's right!" Soujin exclaimed, even as she's being bandaged from the damage she received from Ryofu.
"Aneja, please stop. That's not the deal." Kakouen pointed out.
"What exactly were the words Hongou said?" Sousou asked.
"It's not like we have a written contract." Jun'iku frowned, "As long as Eika-san is with them, won't they just alter the contract as much as they can?"
"Oh, do you believe Ryuubi and Hongou, foolish as they are, the type to betray others?" Sousou said with an amused glance.
"It could all be an act." Jun'iku scoffed, "Men are all capable of betrayal."
Sousou shrugged in response before turning to Kakouen. "Shuuran."
"Ah, yes." Kakouen nodded, "As long as we go home by tonight, he'll let her go free."
"I see…" Sousou frowned.
"What guarantee do we even have that they will do it?"
"Words have power." Sousou replied, "And a leader's words, directly stated, have value only when they act upon them. If Hongou were to betray us here, then his word becomes weightless." To the one who said that their weapons are the ideals they hold, the one who claimed the negotiations table their battlefield, if he were to betray them here, then there will never be a time that his words will carry any meaning.
"So that's it? We leave?" Chouryou Bun'en asked, sighing, "After all the work we put in fighting, we're just going to leave?"
Sousou silently closed her eyes, before opening it again. "The Chou Sisters should be in camp, correct?"
"Yes." Kakouen nodded. The moment Jokou confirmed Chouhou's presence, they pretty much sent some of their best cavalry (since they weren't using them anyway) to escort the two here. "They're… still recovering from the journey."
"Will they be fine in an hour?" Sousou asked.
"I think so." Soujun nodded.
"Good. Then we'll attack soon enough."
"W-wait!" Soujun raised her objection, "But Eika!"
"If we give up here, does that not mean we gave up on seeking justice for our family? To give up on filial piety? What would I be if not an unfaithful daughter if I let my father's death mean nothing?" Sousou replied. "The spirit of the deal may not be so, the words are clear. We have only until tonight to take Touken's head." She strongly declared.
Everyone was rather unnerved at this. What would happen to Soukou?
"So how will we do it?" Kakouton is the first to ask, showing her loyalty by not questioning her decision. If their lord has decided, then they'll follow. That is the Great Sword of Sousou's declaration. And all the others slowly looked at each other before looking strongly at Sousou as well.
Sousou smirked, "Their little trick with their magic tool made something clear to me."
"What?"
"Touken is focused on only defending," Sousou replied with a smirk.
"… I see." Jun'iku nodded. "Touken told his troops to follow the plan. To defend. continue to maintain the line. To not pursue when we retreat…"
"Touken is fighting defensively." Sousou nodded, "So, rather than waste time here…"
Sousou placed a marker on the map on the table, before pressing it forward, towards where the marker for Touken's fort is. "Let's just charge in."
"And how would we make sure that they don't kill Eika?" Soujun strongly pressed forward, picking at Sousou's brain for the safety of their cousin.
"That's what Tenhou and Renhou are for."
-()-
"You managed to capture a hostage." Touken could only look surprised at this, as the group convened in the meeting hall. Quite a few of the more stubborn generals were all killed in the skirmish, and others are commanding the frontlines, keeping the defensive line strong. The ratio of officials in that meeting room now heavily favors Ryuubi and Hongou.
"That's great and all, but is it necessary for you to still be on fire even now?" Kanyou asked, unnerved.
"It's fine." Kazuto waved her off. "I'm not in danger and I'm not gonna set anything on fire."
"So what should we do with her?" Asked one of Touken's staff.
"Keep her locked up for a while, see if Sousou would follow the spirit of what I asked of her or just go for the word."
"And if she attacks us before she leaves?" The staff member asks.
"As long as she leaves before tonight, we're letting her go. Otherwise… We'll just hold her as a hostage indefinitely." Kazuto shrugged.
"We should kill her as an example to backstabbers!" The staff member argued.
""No."" Both Kazuto and Touka denied him firmly.
"She is our prisoner! You have no say in how we deal with our prisoners!"
"I personally caught her," Kazuto replied. "It is you who has no say on how we deal with our prisoners."
"Didn't you say you won't side with Sousou!?"
"Siding with Sousou and having our own principles are two entirely different things," Kazuto replied with a frown.
"Enough." Touken interrupted, "Let the Ryuubi-Hongou Army deal with Soukou how they please. It's not as if our Joshuu Army contributed to her capture."
"Guk…" The staff member glumly stood down.
"Idiot." Another official scoffed. "Arguing against the freaking Heavenly Messenger."
"Hah, when were you on their si-"
"When I saw them summon fire from the heavens. The flame still burns. It's right there!"
"Enough." Kazuto sighed. "We're getting nowhere like this…"
"Hongou, what did you intend to do with Soukou when you caught her?" Touken asked.
"Nothing. It seemed like a good idea at the time." Kazuto shrugged. He felt tiny pricks of glares from behind him. He steadfastly ignored all of them.
"… So shouldn't we hear what she has to say?" One official proposed, directing everyone's attention to where Rairai and Denden were holding Soukou. Soukou merely rolled her eyes, as if saying 'Finally, someone paid attention to me.'
"Not really?" Kazuto shrugged. "What is there for her to say? What information she has, she's not going to reveal it."
"Who knows, she might be willing to reveal a few secrets?" The official shrugged. Soukou glared at him for insinuating so.
"… Yeeeah, as the one who caught her and watched as she struggled in my arms, despite risking landing headfirst into the ground and breaking her neck… I'm going to say that she'd rather die." Kazuto grumbled. "My ear's still ringing too…" Soukou merely gave a satisfied look to him, impeded only by her gag. "Oh, grow up." Kazuto rolled his eyes at her and she merely rolled her eyes in response.
"H-hello!?" A female voice that no one recognized echoed into their fort. And judging by the sound, it's loud.
"… Touken-sama? Is that the minstrel?"
"Obviously not? She's right there, and she's not even speaking." Another official pointed to the completely shell-shocked girl.
"… Chiihou." Kazuto turned to her.
"I- uh… what?" Chiihou looked at Kazuto. "Kazuto-niisan? I… That was… Tenh-"
A new voice interrupted them, different from the first one, but just as loud, "This is Sousou Army. Sawada Hongou, you declared that Soukou Shiren will be released as long as we leave by tonight. Our Lord, Sou Moutoku has agreed to your condition."
"So she agreed?" The official asked.
"She didn't say immediately. She said tonight." Kazuto told him. "Chiihou!"
"R-renh" Chiihou deliriously blinked, hearing the voice of someone she has, for a long time, not heard. To be perfectly honest, Kazuto would be perfectly willing to leave her be, but time wasn't really on their side so…
"Chiihou!"
"Y-yes?" Chiihou jumped.
"Mic, now!"
"R-right!" Chiihou nodded, pulling out the device and pointing it towards his mouth.
"All soldiers," Kazuto declared, "Do not lower your guards. I repeat: do not lower your guards!" Kazuto then nodded to Chiihou to signal her to stop broadcasting. "Sorry for yelling." He quickly apologized to Chiihou. He was a bit more forceful than he'd like.
"I-it's fine!" Chiihou replied, "It's serious, right?"
"Wh-what's wrong, Kazuto-kun?" Touka stood up.
"That wasn't the announcement of someone who's lost," Kazuto replied. "That's the announcement of someone who's going to use a loophole. She's going to attack with her full force!"
"Are you sure, Hongou?" Touken asked.
The sound of soldier boots quickly approached their door and a breathless soldier appeared. "Touken-sama, Sawada-sama, Ryuubi-sama! Sousou's forces are…"
"Does that answer everyone's questions?" Kazuto rallied everyone. "Let's go!"
-()-
Chaos filled that battlefield, as Sousou's cavalry speared through the defense line. Her infantry quickly followed suit, keeping the dazed defense from marching forward.
Fortunately for the Joshuu Forces, Kazuto's announcement had mobilized enough people to mount a defense at the walls of the fort. Their lone catapult fired as fast as it possibly could, not minding any potential ammo shortfalls anymore. The incensed Sousou soldiers, knowing that this battle is their last, and having been denied so much the entire campaign, pushed forward as much, to prove their title as elites.
Piercing through a single point for maximum efficiency. A proto-blitzkrieg, if you will. There's the risk of being surrounded, but it seems that Sousou has thought of that, and have kept her more armored troops to hold back the sides, leaving the Cavalry to take a battering ram to their doors.
There is a small blip in that problem, as the ones in front of them are…
"Kan'u, Chouhi, and Ryofu." Soujun frowned.
"Eh, Ryochin, huh? Last we fought we had to retreat too quickly. This time, we'll be able to go all out and fight her!"
"Shia-san, the difference this time is that we'll be fighting all three of them!"
"It's not as if it's just us three fighting, right?" Chouryou Bun'en grinned, turning to the others who are charging on horseback with them. Although most of those behind them are rather uncomfortable in horseback, for the sake of moving them quickly forward into the field, it needed to be done. An elite strike force to mow down any who stand in their way. Sousou spared no expense and sent all her generals. Kakouton Genjou (Shunran), Kakouen Myousai (Shuuran), Soujin Shikou (Karon), Soujun Shiwa (Ruurin), Kyocho Chuukou (Kii), Ten'i (Ruru), Jokou Koumei (Shanfuu), and, lastly, Chouryou Bun'en (Shia). The entire general squadron, the elite of the elite in Sousou's Army. And lastly, just behind them, is Sousou Moutoku (Karin) herself.
"Leave Kan'u to me!" Kakouton roared. "I'll…"
"It's not just those three there." Kakouen remarked. "Hongou is there too. And the flame on his brow is still there."
"W-whe…" Kakouton blinked, squinting at the group, not spotting the guy.
"Above, Shunran." Sousou patiently told her. Kakouton blinked before looking and seeing him hovering just above the wall.
"Che. Cheater." Kakouton frowned.
"… I'll take him then." Kakouen replied. "Karon, Shanfuu, can I leave my defense to you?"
"You got it!" Soujin cheered, and next to her, Jokou nodded.
"Ryochin's mine then?" Chouryou asked.
"Very well." Sousou frowned. "Don't overdo it. I'll take a bow myself and fight Hongou."
"Understood." Kakouen nodded, although a bit displeased by this decision.
"Shuuran, if we look at our group, you are the only archer. I'll supplement the numbers." Sousou smiled.
"If Karin-sama believes it necessary, then I'll follow."
"So Chouhi is mine and Ruru's then?" Kyocho grinned.
"Then who should I?" Soujun murmured.
"Don't want to get your licks in against Ryochin with me?" Chouryou asked.
"Ruurin," Sousou interrupted, "take charge of the army while we deal with the others. Direct them to break down that gate."
"Understood." Soujun nodded.
"Sou Moutoku!" Kan'u declared upon their reaching hearing range, "If you value Soukou's life, I suggest you turn back now!"
"Kan'u!" Kakouton roared, her sword raised.
A burst of flame appeared, and Sawada Kazuto slashed down. "Yeah, not letting you!"
"Your opponent is me, Hongou!" Kakouen roared, shooting her bow.
"Bad choice," Sawada replied, slashing the arrow out of the air, before blinking as he parried yet another arrow. "… Okay, since when did you use a bow and not a glorified weed whacker?" He asked, blinking at the sight of Sousou holding a bow.
"You dare refer to Karin-sama's weapon as a weed whacker!?" Kakouton roared.
"Something as trivial as my skill in the bow is hardly worth anything." Sousou dismissed, training her bow at him again. "After all, it is merely one of my many skills."
"Multi-talented to the extreme. Got it." Sawada sufferingly sighed. "Aisha, it seems Kakouton wants to pick a fight with you. Will you entertain her?"
"Got it." Kan'u readied her weapon. "Let's go, Kakou Genjou!"
"Kan Unchou! This will be where you die!" Kakouton roared and the two split off from the group in a fierce clash of weapons.
"Ah, it's the spring roll!" Chouhi declared as Kyocho and Ten'i approached her. "And her friend."
"Bring it on, Chibikko!"
"Nyah? You're small too, you know!" And the three began their own duel.
"Ryochin!" Chou Bun'en roared, charging into range.
"… No." Ryofu frowned, before knocking her aside, as she moved forward to intercept Soujun.
"W-wait, you're following me!?" Soujun blinked at the sight of her approach.
"You can't just ignore me, Ryochin!"
"Not ignoring," Ryofu grunted as she defended against her former comrade's strike.
"Ren-san, leave her to us!" Two girls, clearly twins, or at least siblings, appeared out of almost nowhere and attacked Soujun, who barely fended the two off.
Ryofu silently looked at the two, before nodding, giving Chouryou her full attention. Chouryou grinned in turn and the two immediately started swinging.
Sawada paid little attention to all this, as he charged at Kakouen, his sword on fire. A couple of swings is all it takes to knock down the arrows Kakouen and Sousou sent to her… however.
"You won't get past us!" Soujin slashed at him, forcing him to jump up with a frown.
"You really think that would work?" Sawada blankly looked at her, as he knocked away the arrows once more. He then grimaced as he dodged slightly to the right as a powerful downward slash from Jokou came crashing down where he was. "Okay, that one might've been a problem." Kazuto grimaced. "On some level, I wish I could use my sword stances in the air…"
"Then do it." An unfamiliar high-pitched voice echoed, clearly using Chouhou's tool once more. It is neither Ryuubi nor Touken… Is it Chouhou herself? There's a hint of an accent that they can't quite place…
"… I hate it when he does that." Sawada grumbled as he swung his sword around, as he looked at the situation. "… Fine, I'll just have to do it, huh…" Sawada hummed, as he landed and took a stance against them.
"… Shigure Souen Ryuu, 9th Form Defensive. He declared as he looked at them. He jumped up and flipped. Kakouen and Sousou kept their bows at him. Kakouen fired her first shot, at the place where she believed Sawada would end up at, only for him to suddenly burst downwards, towards Soujin. Soujin raised her guard, only for it to prove unnecessary, as Hongou flipped once more. And he was once more blitzing around them. Sousou frowned, dropping the bow, and pulling out her scythe. All around them is a flurry of orange flame, filling their vision. "Uteki wo Fumu."
"Protect Karin-sama!" Kakouen commanded, and Jokou and Soujin closed around them.
-()-
Shigure Souen Ryuu is an ever-evolving sword style. A sword style that changes with each generation. As a ninth-generation user of it, Kazuto was tasked with evolving it further, to add more forms to the eight that he was taught. Watching Yamamoto Takeshi, and seeing his sword style in action, Kazuto could confidently say that it's not a style he'll ever be able to use. It is straight-up Yamamoto Takeshi's style. It's a style meant for someone who can seamlessly transition from a single sword, to four blades, then to a two-sword style. So rather than copying it, he remained stagnant at eight. He was still at eight until recently.
Now that he started training in how to fly, he became aware of the limitations of his sword style: most if not all sword styles rely on having a firm ground to stand on. A lot of power revolves around moving your body in just the right way. But when he's in mid-air, when his feet have no ground to stand in, it is difficult to even ready an of his forms. So he worked on developing a method to do so. And so, this is his solution: his Ninth Form: Uteki wo Fumu. To Step on Raindrops. He uses his boots to simulate the concept of a foothold in mid-air, by sending out just enough fire on his feet to give resistance to his body. With the Sky Flame's natural ability for flight, it is much simpler than it sounds. Furthered by his Hyper Intuition, he can simply just imagine wanting to step on something, and his flames will compensate for it. The only limitation is his mind, and his ability to visualize making those footholds. Admittedly, since it's a method that makes use of his boots, it's not really a sword form, but it's a method to make his sword style effective, to make him capable of combat in mid-air without losing access to his other eight forms. It's also a useful defensive technique, as it keeps people guessing, as their minds try to keep track of his location, while he could out-predict them with intuition.
This form is still finicky, and not as refined as it could be. He's still in the middle of developing it after all. Right now, he can really only follow this technique with the 1st form. The other forms require something a bit more than this slapdashed forward momentum. To be honest, the only reason it's even succeeding is his HDWM, which augments his natural Hyper Intuition. He was still tottering about the last time he tried it. Still, as long as he remains in control, he'll be able to win. Or at least stall them out.
Kazuto spied an opening, and struck with his first form, committing to a strike.
"Shuuran!" Sousou called. Kazuto mentally congratulated Sousou for seeing that. If he had more flexibility with his Ninth Form, he could fight closer and hit his enemy, using other forms instead, and remove their chance to react to his hits. Still, this will do for now. Flames surrounded his charge and he struck steel, Kakouen's bow. He stepped back as Jokou's ax struck where he was, returning to his Ninth Form. He then "landed" above them, looking at them while hanging upside down in the air.
"… Won't you come down here, Hongou? Or will you give us Touken's head?" Sousou challenged.
"Why are you so fixated on killing someone who's only tangentially related to your father's death?" Kazuto asked, flipping over.
"Was there no concept of filial piety in your land?" Sousou asked.
"I know what filial piety is. I see it when Touka visits her mother." Kazuto replied, "I'm not saying you shouldn't be angry for your father's death. I'm saying that this" he gestured to the battlefield, "is excessive."
"And who are you to decide what is excessive and what's not?"
"You led a campaign, with winter on the horizon, subjecting your soldiers to cold nights, when they should be at home, helping their families prepare for the winter. All just to kill a single man."
"That's how much my father matters to me."
"…" Kazuto looked at her, at a loss. To someone who couldn't even begin imagining his own father's death, what would it be like to lose him? Sawada Tsunayoshi is so unlikely to die that they could joke that it would be Kazuto's children who would be Eleventh Head of the Family. Kazuto looked at Sousou's serious eyes. They were not mourning, but they were burning with righteous vengeance. The difference between a son of a hero and a hero herself. Kazuto could only look in awe at her. But that means nothing right now. He needs to take a stand. "I see that I can't shake you off this path."
"Once I've decided, I'll do it," Sousou smirked in turn.
"Then I'll be a wall that stands in your way. Let's see if your dying will can match mine!"
"I'll break through that wall! Hongou!"
Despite everything, this fight seems like it'll take a while.
-()-
"Sousou-san…" Touka murmured watching the fight unfold. Next to her is Touken, Shuri, Hinari, Chiihou, Reborn, Miifa, and Kanyou, all surveying the situation.
"Hmph. This is not a good fight." Touken frowned, "It'll leave both our armies crippled in the future."
"The future?" Touka asked.
"The upcoming era of war is a problem that we can't just ignore. If we wish to survive it, we'll need a standing army that can whether it."
"… Right… an era of war…" Touka murmured. "… But if we can put Paitan back…" If they could put the emperor back on the throne, would the fighting stop? The common consensus among their group is no. All it would mean is that the people would be fighting over Paitan. Without a standing army in Rakuyou, Paitan would be easily taken by every other army, just by marching into it. But there is no solution that any of them could think of to remedy that. Paitan offered to make them the standing army, and it was the best conclusion for any of them, but… what can a weak army do to stop others from taking Paitan away from them? So their project was to become a powerful army to, at least defend Paitan when she sits on the throne. But their lack of growth has stopped that in its tracks, and the only thing they could do is hide and bide their time. Become stronger at their own pace.
"Hmm? Ryuubi?"
"… I don't like it… an era of war." Ryuubi said, looking ahead, watching soldiers, each only doing their jobs, each only following orders, each carrying wishes, hopes, dreams, that will fade out one at a time, as the fighting continues. Taken away because no one wants to talk to each other, to seek a peaceful solution. "… I don't want it to be possible for one to start a war when you can just talk it out. I don't want an era where we can have three conflicts that happen back to back."
"… And what would you do about it? It will happen. There is nothing I, you, nor even the Emperor can do at this point."
"Before it even begins, I will end it myself. There will be no era of war." Ryuubi concluded. "If an era of war wants to start here, then it won't continue beyond my lifetime." Touka looked up, "No. Not just my lifetime. Before I even retire, it won't last beyond me. My children, and my friends' children, everyone in their generation will be in an era of peace, not war."
"… If that is what our lord decides, then all we can do is follow." Shokatsuryou told her.
"Yes." Houtou nodded, "We'll follow your ambition, and, as your strategists, create plans to end wars as swiftly and decisively as possible."
"You really are amazing, huh…" Kanyou murmured. "I should've stayed, after all…"
"Kanyou-san?" Touka turned to her. "I-is something the matter?"
"No, it's fine." Kanyou waved it off. Reborn silently looked at the two before scoffing.
"If you're quite done, then focus on the present," Reborn told them. "How do we end this battle?"
"That's…" Ryuubi frowned.
"… Our defense is working fine, Reborn-san." Touken told him.
"No matter how lofty your ideals, if you don't have a high enough ladder, you're not going to get far." Reborn poured cold water on Ryuubi's words. "You need a support base, and you only have five towns worth of it."
"… That's…"
"I'm not saying your ideal is wrong. I'm saying to look at the facts and begin planning. So what can you do now to help?" Reborn smirked.
As a combatant, she's not anything special. Barely better than a regular soldier, according to the brutal assessment of Reborn's. As a flame user, she could potentially fight other flame users, but, otherwise, she just has a sword that's on fire. So what can she do on a battlefield? Didn't… earlier… Earlier Kazuto had her invigorate the soldiers, to give them hope. What about… Touka frowned, before turning to Chiihou. Chiihou smiled and pointed her microphone to her. Mouthing her gratitude, she turned to the battlefield and began speaking once more.
"Sousou-san." And so, Ryuubi spoke, not to address her allies, but to address her enemies.
-()-
"Sousou-san."
Ryuubi's voice echoes in the battlefield. Of course, just because Ryuubi does so, doesn't mean any fighting would stop. However, Sousou couldn't help but flinch at her voice. The fact that she chose to address her directly this time, means… She's not in the mood for her.
Sousou turned to the fort with a frown, and she spied the girl on top, looking directly at her. Chouhou is right there as well, defiantly looking back, and pointing her tool directly towards Ryuubi. So that's how they do it… but how come Chouhou's works that way but not the other two's. Hongou frowned, flipping back up to sit next to her, his sword on guard. No snipers are going to hit either of them, as far as he's concerned. His capability for flight is a lot more versatile than she gives it credit. Walls are minor roadblocks for him.
"Ryuubi." Sousou greeted her, although it was unlikely that she could hear her from all the way there.
"This fight… is there any point in continuing it any further?" Ryuubi asked.
"Huh?"
"So many died today. No… not just today, this whole time. You attack and we defend. Not once, not once did we launch an attack. Why do you think that is the case? Why is that?"
"Because you're a fool," Sousou replied.
"Because we don't want to fight you." Ryuubi seemingly corrected her. "You're angry that your father died. I get it. If my own mother was to be killed, I don't think I'd be able to stand it too. But we are leaders now. So many of our soldiers rely on our command. To make decisions. To ensure that they'll have a chance of living another day. We can't so frivolously waste their lives like this."
"Frivolously!?" Sousou said incredulously.
"… Maybe we should've gotten Tenhou and Renhou here." Kakouen sighed. Then they'll be able to counter her. But her voice is being echoed through the entire battlefield, and now, everyone is looking, their spears lowered. Ready to raise, but paying attention. Some are still fighting, like Kan'u and Kakouton, the latter trying her damned hardest to get through, to hopefully reach the fort and shut Ryuubi up.
"Touken is not the killer of your father. Your father's killers are already gone. They've been executed. There's nothing you'll gain by killing Touken."
"…" Sousou silently glared, having given up replying, as if saving her words until after Ryuubi finishes her one-sided speech.
"I know it hurts to lose a loved one. To lose them without even getting the chance to say goodbye. But, you can't honor his life by taking the life of someone who has no hand in his death." Sousou's glare intensified, "So please… this meaningless war, this senseless loss of life, this pointless battle, let's end it. Just leave, and go home. Let your soldiers see their loved ones before they die by the hands of those whose only wish is to defend their land."
The silence of the battlefield was deafening. Sousou turned her eyes downward, casting a shadow of anger.
"Meaningless?" Sousou growled, "Pointless?" Sousou glared at Ryuubi who remains looking from above. "How dare you one-sidedly decide such a thing!? If you see this fight pointless, then why even come here in the first place!? You who have not stepped foot on a battlefield and gained victory? You who looks on from her palace and belittle those who die for honor!? You have no right to deny us anything!"
All her anger spewed forth, her annoyance at Ryuubi's interference. There are so many things that Ryuubi denied that infuriated her. Her soldiers heard all of it and were starting to get roused up once more, and Joshuu's soldiers quickly stood, preparing to attack again.
"So, no! I will not stop! This battle will continue until we take Touken's he-"
"Karin-sama!" Renhou's voice echoed in the battlefield. "An army approaches from the north! The number is over a thousand!"
Sousou balked at that. How? When? From what territory did this army come from. She didn't have to wait long to learn the answer.
"The flag is… Ryuubi!"
"W-what!?" Sousou blanched, before looking at Ryuubi. However, she has already retreated from the wall. Unknown to Sousou, Ryuubi had actually fallen back from the declaration, just as surprised as she was.
"Keifa-san said that if we do not retreat now, we might be… Ah, I'm not supposed to say that? S-sorry!"
"… So that speech was just a delaying tactic." Sousou frowned, concluding so. Not bad, Shokatsuryou, Hongou.
"But our scouts beforehand claimed that there are no preparations from Ryuubi's Territory to march!" Kakouen asked, flummoxed.
"… So that's it. This is our loss." Sousou sighed. They can't afford to fight two fronts, especially when one front has a fort. If they were to be cut off and sandwiched in, there's a good chance that she'll lose her life. Not only that, but the only ones defending their camp and supplies are… Tenhou and Renhou. "… Fine. You win this round, Ryuubi, Hongou." As much as it pains her to say those words, she has to retreat. "But this isn't the end." She vowed, before turning to Kakouen. "Call the retreat."
Kakouen grimaced before nodding, "Retreat!" She called, and her fellow generals, Soujin and Jokou, began calling out as well. Well, more Soujin than Jokou.
-()-
"Che, so I guess we'll have to end this fight here…" Kakouton growled, as she jumped back.
"… I fail to see why you're so angry at me." Kan'u sighed, as she pulled away as well, although she seemed distracted, looking at the army that she can now clearly spot. That was indeed the Ryuubi Army's flag.
"… Sousou-sama wanted you." Kakouton frowned, "And you rejected her."
"And that is my problem, why?" Kan'u asked, "I am Ryuu Gentoku and Sawada Kazuto's Guardian. You cannot take me from their side. Much like we cannot take you from Sousou's."
"… What's so good about those two?" Kakouton asked.
"The same I'd ask of you and Sousou. Seeing as you can't see their value, then I too can't see value in serving Sousou." Kan'u stalwartly responded.
"That's what I can't stand about you." Kakouton frowned before turning away and leaving.
"… That does not answer my question." Kan'u replied to no one.
-()-
"Bye-bye, spring roll!" Chouhi cheekily waved the two off, still bounding with energy.
"Grr…" Kyocho grumbled as she and Ten'i retreated. "How was she able to stop the two of us at the same time!?"
"Calm down, Kii." Ten'i consoled her friend.
-()-
"Ah, again our fight was cut-off." Chouryou sighed, as they watched Soujun retreat from the orange-haired twins. "So you're just gonna let us go?"
"… Defend. Only order." Ryofu shrugged.
"Sheesh. And this is why it's so hard to get a good fight outta ya." Chouryou stretched, "But eh, it's good to see you again, Ren. Seems you're doing well as usual."
"Un."
"So, how's Yue and Ei?"
Ren looked like she was about to answer before frowning, and then tilting her head.
"Sheesh, I'm not gonna rat them out, don't worry." Chouryou smiled, "But if they're alright then that's that."
"Shia staying with Sousou?" Ryofu sadly asked.
"Heh, they're actually pretty fun, really." Chouryou waved. "Besides, if I was always at your side, I'm never gonna get a good fight outta you again." And with that, she left.
-()-
"… Soldiers, do not pursue." Touken's command gave them an easy way out, but it felt more like a march of shame for each and every one of them. Having to retreat from combat, despite putting so much effort into the war. They don't even have anything to show for it.
Sousou internally seethed, looking at the marching army to the north. It was the Ryuubi Flag, and leading them was Chouun, her white clothes and red polearm distinct even in this distance.
"Sei." Jokou acknowledged.
"… You know her, Shan?" Sousou asked.
"… Friend. Traveled together."
"I see…" Sousou frowned. "Let's go."
"W-wait? Shouldn't we get Eika?" Soujun asked, hesitantly looking at the fort that is now beyond them.
"We're in no place to make demands," Sousou replied. "Besides, the rule is that we head home before tonight. In other words, we must have left for home before we can retrieve her." Since she already did the whole following only the words of the deal routine, she'll now have to deal with the meaning of said words. Hopefully, Hongou and Ryuubi are honorable enough to do so.
"… we could have Renhou give the demands?" Kakouen said, hesitantly.
"No." Sousou replied. "I said: we're going home." Any time spent longer here is time that she might get lectured at by a naïve girl that she couldn't tune out as nonsense.
-()-
"Soldiers, do not pursue." Touken gave a final command. "Reform the defense line." And with a final nod to Chiihou, Chiihou breathed out and pulled the microphone away, storing it away once more. "That tool has proved its use. Thank you, young minstrel."
"N-no, it's fine!" Chiihou bowed hesitantly.
"Should we let Soukou go now?" Touka asked Kazuto, who sat down on the wall, watching the retreat of Sousou's forces.
"No. Not yet. We'll let her go once we get confirmation from our informants that she arrived home." Kazuto replied. "If they want to follow only the words of our agreement, then she gets to live by the words of our agreement." And that means that they'll let Soukou go only when Sousou gets home. Not a minute before.
"Very well." Touken smiled. "We'll treat her as a guest of honor until then."
"Best leave her to our army for now. If we let her go, she might just stab you in your sleep." Kazuto joked.
"I'd certainly hate if that were to happen. I suppose so." Touken nodded. "Then I'll leave her to you."
"The biggest question for us right now is…" Kazuto looked away again, "Why is Sei here?"
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: September 25, 2020
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
Next Chapter, the Epilogue/Aftermath Chapter of the Joshuu-Sousou War, also known as the Joshuu War Arc! Yup, this arc is just six chapters long~ Told you it's not as long as the Toutaku Coalition Arc. I was not going to drag out this fight for longer than it needed to.
With the posting of the last chapter, my story backup (the word document that contains all the chapters in one) is now way, way too big and bulky for me to properly keep updated. 1147 KB according to my file system. This is quite officially my biggest and largest project on this website, and it's not even that popular. And I don't believe it'll ever be that popular. This is a Next Generation Fic of KHR, or, more accurately: an excuse to shoehorn Seven Flames of The Sky into Koihime Musou. I always enjoyed the power system in KHR. It's simple enough to understand and not restrictive enough that you can't play with it.
Unfortunately, finding KHR crossovers that I enjoy is rare. This website's system for searching is just so weak, and anything that comes highly recommended, tend to have its own issues. There are so many things that are red flags for me. Angst for the sake of angst, for one. I'll take suggestions for good ones. I've honestly not found any good ones in so long.
Anyway, see you next week for the conclusion of this arc~