We do not own Koihime Musou or Kamen Rider Gaim. They belong to their respective creators. We just thought this idea would be fun and decided to give it a try. If you like it, then that's great. If you don't, then we tried. Anyway, come along and let's see what you think.
Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: End of the Armored War Gods
Written By: Kamen Rider Chrome
Beta Reader/Editor: Busterleader92 & Kamen Rider Goji
Interlude: Aftermaths & Recovery
"Karin, I need to tell you the truth."
"What do you mean?"
Mitsuki and Sousou sat across from each other, in the middle of their usual game of chess. As it was Mitsuki's turn, he paused while his hand hovered his queen. Sousou thought he wanted to scan the board and think of his next move. Instead, he had something to tell her.
From his serious tone, it sounded important.
He said he wanted to tell her the truth.
What could he mean by that?
Mitsuki had spent a lot of time pondering over what Chosen had revealed to him which included the truth behind his and the others' arrival to this world, the reason behind him gaining the powers of Kamen Rider Baron, and possibly the existence of the RinJyuKen and why the world was the way it was. It was ridiculous to believe that an ancient mirror could do all that, but after everything he had experienced since that day in the museum, he was willing to consider it.
Looking at Sousou, seeing her resemblance to his little sister Karin, even sharing her name, it all made sense.
And after everything he had learned, it was time to clear some things up.
"I'm not from Heaven," Mitsuki confessed. "I'm not some divine being or a Messenger of Heaven."
Sousou's eyes narrowed when she heard this. She did not even accuse him of making a joke. He sounded so sincere and this started to anger her. She hated being deceived.
"So you lied to me," Sousou said evenly. "You lied to all of us."
"No, I didn't lie," Mitsuki denied but it sounded like a weak excuse. "But I wasn't wholly truthful either. I'm sorry."
He was honestly sorry for deceiving them.
"What made you decide to tell me now?" Sousou asked.
"Because after everything you've done for me, you deserve the truth," Mitsuki admitted. She had given him a home, given him a purpose, and once again made him feel like he was part of a family again. Of course, now that was being threatened. She was the absolute ruler of this kingdom and her word was law. He might be an Armored War God but she was the Queen of Sou Gi and her authority outweighed his.
She could have him executed, but that would be pointless as he had risen from the dead already and could do it again. Instead, she could have him banished and not allowed to step foot in Sou Gi's territory. Honestly, he couldn't blame her. He would not regret the punishment, only regret deceiving them.
Sousou was not impulsive. Sure, she loved the battlefield and she would not hesitate to kill her enemies, but she was not a bloodthirsty savage. She would allow Mitsuki to explain before she passed judgment.
She would give him this chance. He deserved it after all he had done for her. Hopefully, for his sake, his explanation was a good one.
"What is your home like?" Sousou asked. He claimed that he did not come from Heaven but he and the other Armored War Gods had to have come from somewhere.
"My home, the world that I come from, it's almost 1800 years more advanced than this world," Mitsuki answered. "We have buildings that reach the skies, flying machines, and cities that can house millions of people. My people have even reached the stars and our education and medicine make everything here look primitive in comparison."
He was not bragging or boasting. He was being honest.
It sounded so unbelievable, but Sousou had seen plenty of unbelievable things since the Armored War Gods appeared.
"With so many marvels, it sounds like Heaven," Sousou stated.
"It may sound like Heaven but it's not. Things are better but not perfect. Corruption and injustice are still a problem and the strong trample over the weak," Mitsuki informed her.
So, even after so many centuries, there were things that never changed.
"So such things are universal," Sousou remarked.
"There's more about how we came to this world," Mitsuki continued. He told her about the school trip, about how Saji tried to steal the Wish-Granting Mirror, and about how it shattered but not before granting their wishes.
Deep down, Mitsuki's wish was to see his sister again. Somehow, the mirror had granted that wish along with the wishes of everyone within its radius. It was how they had the powers of Kamen Riders, it was why the heroes of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms were women, and it was why the RinJyuKen existed in this world.
Nagata likely wished to become a Kamen Rider. Mitsuki had a feeling that one of the other boys wished the heroes of the Three Kingdoms were girls instead of men. They likely had some kind of fantasy of being a harem protagonist.
"So now that you know the truth Karin, what will you do?" Mitsuki asked.
Sousou was silent as she gazed at him. He had a feeling she was pondering the answer to that as well. He was nervous, but he dared not show it. He could not show weakness. Whatever she decided, he would accept. He would not beg or prostrate himself.
He had his pride, after all.
"What convinced you to finally tell me the truth?" Sousou inquired.
What convinced him? A nightmare, that's what.
Baron tried to shield himself as Sousou fired blasts from the matchlock-like gun in her hands. Each blast pushed him back as he tried to move forward and he could feel his Ignition Booster being slowly chipped away.
Somehow, Sousou had taken the Zhuqiao Lockseed from him and used it to become a black and red version of Gaim with a cape and a phoenix decorating her chestplate.
"I know everything, Mitsuki. About your past and how you came here. I'm very disappointed," Sousou said as she summoned the Musou Saber and combined it with the DJ Gun to form a much larger blade. "You lost your parents. I understand that it shaped your behavior. I do not hold it against you. However, I hate it when I am lied to by people I trust. Especially those who claim to respect me." She approached him. "I took you in because of your power as I've never seen anything like it. I believed you to be the divine Messenger of Heaven, a righteous God who would bring me victory. I became too blind to see that there is no good in you. If I had noticed earlier, perhaps I could've curbed whatever twisted sense of heroism you possess."
"Karin, wait!" Baron begged. Yes, begged. He would never beg but this situation was already too surreal for him. "I've supported you all this time! I believed in your ambition and was with you from the start! Why do you want to kill me!?"
"Because now that I know that you're not a god but just some ordinary bastard from another world, it makes me look like a fool. Even if I did consider you my brother, whatever love I had for you died because of your deceit!" Sousou slashed Baron with her sword and the blade nearly cut through his armor. "You simply believe, because of your armor and power, that you deserve to be praised!" She slashed him again but her words cut deeper than her blade.
"We're family-"
"And you look to me as a replacement for your dead sister. I am no replacement, Mitsuki Akechi. I am Sousou Motoku," Sousou declared. She had cried but her tears had run dry. "The phoenix chose wrong. You are unworthy and I will rule this land without you."
Baron paled when he heard that. He believed in her ambition to unite China under her banner but he never wanted her to become the Cao Cao that had been depicted in history. He had been cruel and had done everything in his power to make his ambition a reality, no matter the cost.
"Killing me won't make everything right!" Baron retorted. "How far have you come with my help? How many battles have I won for you? The more I fought for you, won for you, the more support you received from the people!"
"Those victories were not for me, they were for you, to stroke your own ego!" Sousou countered. "And you've tainted my ambition!"
"But if you kill me, then the people will revolt because you killed their Armored War God."
"I'll accept it all then, their hatred, their anger, their wrath, everything," Sousou resolved. "And after I kill you, I will kill all the Armored War Gods and RinJyuKen to show everyone my might. I will unite China under my name and you will be nothing more than a footnote in history."
She loaded the Lemon Energy Lockseed into the DJ Taiken.
[LOCK ON!]
The blade began to count up to 1,000,000 as it charged up with power. Baron tried to stop her but he was too late.
"GO TO HELL, YOU FAKE GOD BASTARD!"
[LEMON ENERGY!]
She slashed him with her energized blade and his screams were drowned by the explosion.
That was when he woke up in a cold sweat, breathing hard and with his heart about to leap out of his chest.
That was when he ultimately decided to tell Sousou the truth.
"I regretted not telling you before I died," Mitsuki answered.
Sousou took a moment to silently mull over his explanation. It was true that he had deceived her but it was also true that he had done so much for her. The good should outweigh the bad, right? All the good he had done for her should not be erased because he had lied to her.
Sou Gi was being threatened by the presence of the Armored War Devils, their cult and RinJyuKen Akugata. After hearing Mitsuki's confession, the cult was right, much to her chagrin. They were not true gods. However, they still possessed power and they needed that power to survive and win this war. He may not have been a true god, but after being reborn from the dead, it was hard to deny that he was blessed by the divine power from heaven.
Sousou also could not forget how he had died, sacrificing himself to save her life. Even if he had deceived her all this time, she owed him her life. She was not normally sentimental so she did not mention it but she had a feeling Mitsuki knew that too.
"Honestly, I should punish you severely for lying to us all this time," Sousou responded. "But I can't afford to lose your power. We need it and I need you."
"And you'd miss me if I was gone," Mitsuki teased, glad that he was not going to be kicked out or executed. However, he knew she had a punishment in store for him. She just had not thought of one, yet.
"Don't push it, Mitsuki," Sousou glowered. "Have you told the others?"
"I plan to."
"Then do so. They, especially Shuran and Shunran, deserve to know the truth."
Yes, the twins. Shuran was pregnant and Shunran seemed eager to have a child with him as well. Very eager. He would also need to tell his lieutenants.
"So, are we good?" Mitsuki asked.
"You're lucky I need your power," Sousou smiled. Also, he was her sworn brother. He may have deceived her, but he had done a lot for her to earn her forgiveness. Of course, that did not mean she could not punish him for his deception. Maybe she could ask Juniku for some ideas.
Mitsuki was able to tell his sworn sister the truth with good results. He just hoped it would work out with the rest.
With Kosonsan's arrival, hope started to return to the homeless villagers of Touka Village. Ryuubi's old friend had even brought along her Armored War God, Gridon the Ultimate Hammer, to help heal the sick and injured.
"It feels a bit like cheating," Kada frowned as he observed Hideyoshi using his healing powers to treat another sick child. It came so easily to the Armored War God despite his lack of a medical background.
"Because you've been studying medicine for years and you're being shown up by a guy who can heal with a single touch?" Chou'un asked.
"Yes! I'm starting to think I'm not needed anymore!" Kada complained. It did not take a genius to tell that he was jealous.
"You're needed," Chou'un affirmed. "Gridon might be good at healing but you're good at magic and exorcising demons."
"Oh, like I was even useful the last time! I wasn't even the one who exorcised that mogwai!"
That was only partially true. While Ryuubi's involvement was acknowledged, it was actually a team effort with Nagata fighting the demon from within, Ryuubi destroying the Lockseed and Karasu burning Nise's remains.
"Well, when one of us gets possessed by some other demon, you can be the one to exorcise it," Chou'un offered.
He leveled her with an exasperated gaze.
"Please, don't patronize me."
Not long after the arrival of Kosonsan's forces, Mitsuki came with his own caravan, bringing relief aid from Sou Gi.
"You know, I'm amazed that it's still standing," Mitsuki remarked as he and Riten saw all the damage done to the castle. It looked like a bomb had gone off in here. It was going to need a ton of restoration work and since it was winter, it was not ideal weather for such an ambitious reconstruction job.
"You mean barely," Riten countered. "Look at it. I mean look at it, Baron-sama. It's a wreck. It's a miracle that it's still standing with how wrecked it is." She went and tapped a support pillar with her knuckles and it made an eerie creaking noise like it could come down at any moment.
"I can see that, Mao. I just want you to tell me if it can't be repaired," Mitsuki retorted.
Riten gave the structure a critical eye. As Mitsuki's chief engineer, she had an eye for detail when it came to construction.
"Well, the foundation is still good but we're going to have to tear down some walls since they won't be able to hold up for much longer. The roof will need new tiles and we'll need to replace most of the support posts," Riten stated.
Mitsuki nodded. He was not an expert in construction and architecture, so he trusted Riten's analysis.
"So, it can be repaired," Mitsuki summarized.
"Considering the amount of manpower, we'll need to fix this place and the rest of this village. I'll say it should take about 6 to 8 months," Riten replied after doing some calculations in her head.
Mitsuki had to concede to Riten's point. This was Ancient China. They did not have construction vehicles and all the modern equipment that construction workers used in his day and age. Honestly, 6 to 8 months was a reasonable timeline.
"And we'll still need to do something about the villagers. They can't stay in tents for that long, especially during winter," said Mitsuki.
"We could take them back to our capital," Riten suggested. "I mean, there's plenty of housing we can provide for them if Sousou-sama permits it."
Sousou wouldn't mind. Outside of Sou Gi, she was known as a tyrant, but that was only due to how ruthless she was on the battlefield. She was good to her people despite her negative reputation. Honestly, she owned it. Such a fearsome reputation acted as a deterrent and that discouraged people from breaking her sacred laws.
At least Sou Gi was still standing. Son Go had fallen and was now occupied by enemy forces while Shoku barely managed to survive. Also, there were reports of the enemy encroaching into Shoku's territory. News of Gaim's demise must've spread and they thought that this kingdom was now ripe for the taking.
"Is Marcus still going to make that statue?" Mitsuki asked.
"You know how he gets. He thinks it'll make a good tribute. Nobody is stopping him," Riten answered.
Yes, indeed. Marcus Date wanted to make a statue to honor Nagata Oda who had fallen in battle. The Shoku Faction unanimously agreed to it since it could be used to remember him by.
"Baron-sama."
Shibai entered and approached Mitsuki. Riten looked at her in disgust and turned away, not wanting to look at her. Shibai ignored the gesture. She knew that she needed to work to regain their trust and she was determined to prove she was now firmly on their side. Mitsuki at least wanted her around, but only to keep an eye on her and only because he found her useful.
"What is it, Shibai?" Mitsuki asked seriously.
"I've just received news that the Go Faction has been sighted in Gi territory. They're likely headed to the capital," Shibai reported.
"Good then. You may go," Mitsuki replied and Shibai bowed before leaving.
"Baron-sama, I know I shouldn't question your decisions, but can I be honest?" Riten requested.
"You can complain all you want about Shibai, Mao, but it won't change my decision," Mitsuki responded.
"But she's a traitor!"
"She also died to protect Karin. If she was willing to go that far, I think she's earned a second chance."
"Fine, Baron-sama," Riten begrudgingly conceded. It was his decision after all. "By the way, Baron-sama. Could I share your bed with you tonight?" Her cheeks were flushed.
Mitsuki knew what she wanted, what she desired, and smiled. He cupped her chin, looked her in the eye, and spoke.
"Well, if you really are that thirsty, then I guess I can satisfy you tonight," Mitsuki told her before releasing her chin. She began to pant heavily as she imagined their steamy night together. He walked back to their camp and she followed behind him, waiting in anticipation for nightfall.
Mitsuki offered a home for the refugees in Sousou's city. While it could be seen as an act of goodwill, it could also be interpreted as an attempt to garner more support. Sousou never hid her goal to unite the nation under her banner - her numerous conquests to claim territory being proof of that - but deep down her intentions were good. She did want to help the people by leading them.
As the refugees were cold, hungry and living in tents, the promise of a warm house, a warm bed, and plentiful food was a tempting offer. While Sou Gi had stored enough food for the winter for their own people, Sousou was still willing to share.
Kosonsan, however, could not make the same promise as she had her own people to think about but she could at least offer some aid to her best friend. It was the least she could do.
Mitsuki had called Hideyoshi and Iori to join him in his tent. He had something important to tell them.
"So, that's why we're here, that's why we have our powers, that's why we're fighting the RinJyuKen Akugata, and that's why everything in this world is the way it is," Mitsuki finished telling Hideyoshi and Iori.
He had told them about the mirror and how it had granted their wishes, which resulted in the world they were in and why the heroes and famous figures of the Three Kingdoms Era were women instead of men.
"That sounds ridiculous," Iori replied. When Mitsuki said he had something important to tell the two, Iori had not expected it to be something as unbelievable as this.
"That sounds like lazy writing in bad fanfiction," Hideyoshi remarked, skeptical as well.
"Maybe it is, but can you think of any other explanation?" Mitsuki questioned.
Could they? It sounded unbelievably convenient but now that they thought about it, it did make some odd sense. Had they truly changed China by coming here? Had their wishes and desires come true?
For Iori, it would explain how he met Riri and Kochu. Even getting married to the woman he loved so much. His strongest desire was to have a family that would never neglect him. It came true and they were about to have another child.
Iori looked at Hideyoshi who did not seem happy with the news. He and Kenshin had always dreamed of adventure but it had cost them too much. For Kenshin, it had cost him his life while Hideyoshi had lost his best bro-friend.
"So, what are we supposed to do now?" Hideyoshi asked.
"I think the answer's pretty simple," Mitsuki answered. "We fight."
Kada recognized the signs of trauma displayed by Hideyoshi. His constant desire to drink to numb the pain was pretty telling.
"Here," Kada said as he handed Totaku a small paper pouch.
"What is this?"
"Some of my medicinal ma," Kada answered. "It will help him cope. Just make sure he doesn't overdo it."
Totaku frowned. She already knew how Hideyoshi was 'coping'.
After Kenshin's death, Totaku saw a change in Hideyoshi's behavior. She understood. The death of his best friend, his brother-in-arms, had been traumatic. Even more so because his death had been caused by someone they considered an ally.
Sasuke had betrayed them. He had been working with the enemy all this time, waiting for a chance to stab them in the back. He had been sent to kill one of the Four Sovereigns, Hideyoshi, but Kenshin managed to stop him only to lose his life in the process.
She watched as Hideyoshi put all his focus on his work. Since discovering his healing abilities, he had used them to help injured soldiers. He became obsessed with healing them, to prevent them from dying.
And when he was not working, he drank wine to drown his pain and sorrows. She was not going to let this continue. She was going to help him one way or another.
"Hideyoshi-kun?" Totaku called as she entered his tent. She found him passed out drunk on his bedroll, with several empty bottles lying on the floor. That could not be healthy. It was like he was trying to emulate how much Kenshin normally drank before. Only now it was really starting to become a problem.
Totaku knelt beside him. She gently took off his glasses and just looked at him. He was exhausted from all his work and then he drank when there was nothing to do.
"Oh, Hideyoshi-kun. Stop torturing yourself like this," Totaku sighed as she gazed at him. This man had saved her. He had always done his best to protect her, even when she was taken hostage by that evil eunuch. He felt guilty about not being able to save her before but she had forgiven him. He had done no less than his best.
He still had not fully forgiven himself for not being able to protect her properly. And now, he could never forgive himself for letting his best friend die.
The room was dark with only a single lantern hanging from the ceiling to provide lighting for a lone table. Hideyoshi sat at the table, drinking a cup of wine.
He was not sitting alone, however.
"You know all that drinking is bad for you, right?"
"It's just a cup."
"Just a cup, right. Then it's another cup and another and another until you lose track of how many cups it has been."
"What are you doing here, Kenshin?"
"I'm just here to stop my bro from drinking himself to death."
"Why are you complaining? You drank all the time."
"And it wasn't healthy. I was doing it as a crutch to help me cope with everything. And now, so are you."
"And what am I coping with exactly?"
"My death and PTSD. Look, I get it. I died violently and you had to watch me die. But you can't drown the pain."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"Move on and live. You have a good thing going with Yue-chan. So don't ruin things with alcohol. It will comfort you only for a moment but you'll feel terrible in the morning. Trust me, I know."
With Nagata gone, the Shoku Warriors needed to be more vigilant. Becoming Armored War Goddesses themselves, they had gained power that made them a force to be reckoned with. However, it still was not enough. In order for them to be a more powerful force for justice, all five Tiger Generals needed to be made Armored War Goddesses.
"Take these," Iori said as he offered Kochu a GenesisDriver and Lemon Energy Lockseed. They had belonged to the late Sadako Ryoma. "You might need them later."
"Thank you, Airen," Kochu accepted as she took the Lemon Energy Lockseed. As soon as she held it, it glowed brightly. When the light subsided, the Lockseed had changed. It now sported an unknown Rider's face with a purple helmet and green visor. There was also a seam going down the center.
"Well, that's interesting," Iori remarked.
Sousou played host to the Go Faction upon their arrival. They were in desperate need of refuge after escaping their fallen kingdom. She offered to let them stay in her palace. As the others rested after a long journey and waited for their meals to be prepared, Sousou requested to speak with Sonken over some warm tea.
"So, it's true that your kingdom has been taken," Sousou stated.
"You must think of me as a coward," Sonken responded somberly and with a bit of shame. "Abandoning my kingdom when I should have stayed and fought."
"You did what you had to do, Sonken," Sousou spoke sympathetically.
"And lost my kingdom, the one built by my mother and sister."
"As long as you live, you can take it back."
"That is so easy for you to say, Sousou. You haven't lost two of your Armored War Gods. Kamuro sacrificed himself to buy us time to escape and Zangetsu...he just left us. It just seems hopeless somehow."
Sonken was also recovering from Shuyu's betrayal and death. She had trusted her as she had been her sister's advisor. To think she wanted to destroy her, claiming she was unworthy to sit on the throne.
"We will take back your kingdom, Sonken," Sousou swore. "Mark my words, our enemies will pay."
With Son Go occupied by the forces of the RinJyuKen Akugata and the Genesis Cult, the kingdom had fallen into dark times. While most of the capital had been destroyed by the Zakurokage suicide bombers, the Red Light District remained standing. As a result, the capital had become a city of sin, full of debauchery with people indulging in hedonistic pursuits.
Even the palace was not spared since Saito claimed it. It became his base and the main venue for his Fight Club to gather recruits who would be given Zakuro Lockseeds once they had proven themselves in the ring. Since he made the rules, he decided it should be the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest.
Two fighters enter, but only one would leave alive.
The throne room was filled with tables and chairs with cultists drinking and gambling. In the middle of the floor, a fight took place. The Inves Games were still pretty popular. Only this time, it pitted people against Inves instead of Inves against Inves. It was a one-sided match as the Inves would usually kill their human opponents.
Minato sat at a table with Shuyu, watching the fight with a bored expression. He had made his brother suffer in the worst way possible by taking away everything he had worked so hard to build. And yet, it still wasn't enough.
"What's wrong?" Shuyu asked. "You're not acting like yourself."
"I don't know," Minato answered as he sipped his drink. "I guess I'm just bored. Dai Shi hasn't given me anything new to do. All he wants is more Zakuro Lockseeds but I need something new to do, dammit. Something exciting to do. I'm not some glorified gardener."
Shuyu put a comforting hand on her lover's shoulder. She was grateful to him for opening her eyes, now it was her turn to help him find a new purpose.
"Maybe you can appeal to him," Shuyu suggested. "You've already proven yourself. That should be enough to show him that you're ready to face the others."
Minato smiled. He was glad to hear such encouraging words from her. But could he really approach Dai Shi and make such a request? That man frightened him to the core and made him careful with what he said. Just one wrong step and he would be destroyed with no chance of revival.
"Hey!" Saito plopped himself on an empty stool next to the couple. "Why so glum? There's a fight happening in the middle of the floor!"
"Just considering my career and future," Minato answered. He caught Saito staring at Shuyu's figure and discreetly shielded her from his gaze. He did not appreciate having someone like Saito look at her like a piece of meat. He knew what happened to the girls that Saito took a liking to.
"Lame," Saito scoffed. "C'mon, man. We're now the head honchos of this place! Just chill, have fun, drink booze and enjoy the bitches!" Saito grabbed a serving girl passing by and put her on his lap.
"I'll pass on the bitches, thank you very much. I prefer a real woman," Minato politely declined as he put an arm around Shuyu.
"Eh, suit yourself."
"So, have you heard anything new from Dai Shi? What about his plans?"
"Hell if I know. All I care about is when I get the chance to settle things with Mitsuki for good."
"Why not go now?"
"Because I heard he's gotten stronger so I gotta become stronger so he doesn't wipe the floor with me again." Saito finished his drink before taking his girl up to a room for a private party.
"Aah! Aah! Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Take it! Yeah, take it! Take it, bitch!"
Saito vigorously ravaged the girl, furiously pounding her pussy from behind as she screamed. He grinned as he manhandled her breasts and pistoned his hips to achieve his own climax.
The poor girl let out a shriek as she climaxed as well.
When he was done, he removed himself from the poor girl who collapsed on the bed, panting and drenched in sweat.
Saito enjoyed the entertainment provided for him. He would take a girl up to his room and fuck her until he was satisfied. He didn't really care about them as long as he got some sweet pussy to fuck.
It was so great to be alive again and to have so much power. However, he still felt bitter about losing to Mitsuki before. That soured the whole experience and pissed him off. Once they face each other again, he would be the one standing atop Mitsuki's corpse.
Saito looked down at the girl he had ravaged. She was spent but he was still horny. He flipped her onto her back and spread her legs to go one more round.
He was interrupted by a knock at the door. He cursed under his breath.
"What is it?" he grumbled as he got off the bed and robed himself.
Chokun and Denho did not know where they were going as they had sacks covering their heads as Zakurokage Troopers were taking them somewhere.
When they had come to the En Faction's cell, Enjutsu's advisor thought they were here to have their way with the women. However, they just went and grabbed Chokun and Denho. Ensho's subordinates, Bunshu and Ganryo, had tried to stop them but had gotten roughed up for their troubles and thrown back into the cell. Ensho screamed, demanding where they were taking the girls.
Chokun and Denho had their wrists tied behind their backs and sacks put over their heads. Neither girl attempted to fight their captors. Ensho's strategist wanted to live and Enjutsu's advisor wanted to know what these men were planning to do with them.
It was not long before Chokun and Denho were pushed down to their knees and the sacks were taken off their heads.
"OK, guys. You can go now," a man dismissed the Kurokage Troopers.
In front of the two girls was a man sitting on a throne. He had spiky brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Chokun did not recognize him, but she did recognize the SengokuDriver he wore around his waist. If he wasn't an Armored War God then he was an Armored War Devil.
"Who are you?" Chokun demanded.
"The name's Saito, sweetheart. But I also go by Baron Nero," Saito introduced himself. "And I know who you both are. Your names are Chokun and Denho Genko. You know, you're both pretty cute."
"If you're going to have your way with us then get it over with!" Chokun spat. Denho paled and shook her head rapidly in protest.
"Please, if I wanted to have my way with a girl, I could have anyone in this place," Saito said as a serving girl approached and offered him a drink.
"Where are we?" Chokun asked.
"You're in Son Go," Saito answered. "And we've taken over the palace."
Chokun and Denho were stunned. This was Son Go's palace? It couldn't be. It looked like some scummy, sleazy bar. But she recognized the throne Saito was on.
"So what do you want with us?" Chokun questioned.
"I'm here to offer you both a deal," Saito informed the two.
"You want us to join your side," Chokun suspected.
"That's right. I'm looking for advisors and not just some sycophants to suck up to me or kiss my ass."
"And what makes you think I'll betray Miu-sama?" Chokun retorted.
"Oh, you mean the entitled brat that threw you away?" Saito shot back and Chokun flinched back. That hurt, that truly hurt.
"She was manipulated by you people!" Chokun accused.
"Please, what that crazy bitch did has nothing to do with me. She got greedy and wanted more power," Saito scoffed. "But it doesn't change the fact that the girl you served so faithfully just threw you away like garbage. As soon as she got the Seal of Heaven, she did not need you anymore." Chokun gritted her teeth and tried to fight the tears that came from her eyes. To be tossed aside by Enjutsu made her feel so betrayed. "You deserve better than having to serve a spoiled and entitled brat like that."
"And you think your offer will be better?" Chokun demanded, tears falling down her face. "You sided with the villains! You're evil monsters!"
"Maybe to you people, but this is war and nothing's black and white. We've got a reason to fight and you could benefit if you joined up with us. I mean, right now I'm offering you your freedom and also a chance to get cleaned up," Saito replied. "And I'm betting you're hungry too."
A girl came in carrying a tray of delicious food. Chokun and Denho salivated as they caught the scent. It was a whole roast chicken and it looked and smelled delicious. After being fed cold porridge for so long, the chicken looked like the best meal of their lives.
The girl put the roast chicken down in front of Chokun and Denho who looked at it then at Saito. Their stomachs growled and they licked their lips. They were so hungry and looked ready to pounce on the chicken like starving wolves. It was kind of funny and yet also a bit pathetic.
Chokun then realized what Saito said and recomposed herself.
"I won't join you," Chokun resolved.
"Wait, hold on, Chokun-dono," Denho countered. "We should consider his offer."
"Denho-dono!" Chokun gaped.
"Look, I don't like it either, but you should consider our position," Denho argued. "Do you really think Knuckle-sama stands a chance against Gaim-dono and his forces? You've heard how much stronger he's become."
"But what about Miu-sama? What about Ensho-sama, Ganryo-dono and Bunshu-dono?" Chokun asked.
"Right now, it would serve us better to throw our lot in with Saito-dono," Denho said. She was starving and in need of a bath. Her clothes and body stank really badly right now.
"What happens if we refuse?" Chokun asked Saito.
"You're both smart girls. Do you really need to ask?" Saito threatened. Chokun paled as she thought of the worst possible thing. Right now, he was offering them a way out of such a terrible fate worse than death. "So, what do you say?"
It was late at night when it occurred in Touka Village. Numerous portals opened up allowing the vines from Helheim Forest to creep out. The Inves also followed as they started to swarm the place like an infestation. The vines crept along the ground, climbing up walls and buildings before they began to sprout fruit. The fruit attracted more and more Inves as the growth continued at an alarming rate.
In just one night, Touka Village was infested.
KRC: I'm basically showing more of the aftermath of last volume's story arcs. Also, if you want to know, 'ma' is what the Chinese called cannabis, aka marijuana. It was used medicinally. BTW, the nightmare scene was inspired by Ohma Revive's review. Thanks.
