150


Breaking away from the dense woods, they were soon upon a path marked by tall grass pressed neatly to the side from man's repeated journeys. From their elevated position, they spotted a cluster of settlements resting on an open patchwork of cultivated land.

No signs of billowing smoke, no screams but the animated hubbub of village activity.

"Looks like the raids haven't made it here yet," Yuya muttered softly, reading his mind.

"Hm."

Tranquillity reigned as far as the eye could see, but seasoned travellers made for cynical tourists. Lasting peace was not yet in the cards for Edo Japan