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.
-()-
Entering Politics
-()-
"Are you sure you're alright, Kazuto-kun?"
"I'm fine, Touka. Let's just get this over with." Kazuto stifled a yawn. Still, they can't afford to worry about this too much. Kazuto slapped his face a bit to wake him up before looking at the others.
In attendance are: Kazuto, Touka, Paitan, as the leaders. Aisha, Rinrin, Sei, Ren, Shuri, as the Guardians. Nenene, Hinari, Josho, Fuurin, Mifa, Yuuka as their additional advisors. Pairen for whatever knowledge she could have on Enshou. All else are doing their own jobs or eating treats (Kuutan).
"I don't like that that's the reason why I'm here." Pairen grumbled, "There's literally nothing left for me to tell."
"Every little bit helps." Touka insisted.
"If you say so." Pairen sighed. "So, what then?"
"Well, we're going into the territory that probably only a handful of us know how to deal with." Kazuto chuckled, "Politics. Specifically, the politics of nobility~" And the grimaces on everyone's faces tells about everything that Kazuto needed to know on how they felt about it. "Since we're going down the Negotiation Route, we can't half-ass this, you know?"
"What should we do, then?" Paitan asked, "I mean, wouldn't the letter that Touka-neechan be enough?"
"The best that's going to do is make Enshou believe that there is a trap waiting for her here." Kazuto frowned, "No. What we need is to force her to come here, and sit down, and have a chat with us."
"Force her?" Touka frowned, "Forcing her, how?'
"And that's why we need you Pairen~" Kazuto turned to the girl.
"Wh-wh-wh-hold on! I don't know what you…"
"What incentive can we dangle in front of Enshou to bring her here? And what demerit can we give her that would disincentivize her from ignoring the invitation?"
Pairen frowned, "Umm… Sorry, I don't think…"
"Shuri?" Kazuto asked, noticing the girl pondering.
"Enjutsu's recent defeat." Shuri nodded, "We can leverage that to bring her on the table?"
"How?" Touka asked.
"During that conflict, we had the lords of various states come and confirm Paitan-sama's existence." Shuri noted, "They know that Paitan-sama is alive, and we are now, if not officially, then at least unofficially, the Imperial Army."
"If you want, I can make it official." Paitan offered.
"It's fine, Paitan-sama.' Shuri shook her head, "Now then, furthermore, we united quite a large number of lords to fight Enjutsu. By now, the news should've circulated across the country: that Enjutsu, of the prestigious En Clan, had become traitor to the Kan Dynasty and was summarily ousted from her position."
"Huh…" Kazuto's eyes widened, "So that's what you're going for?"
"What is?" Touka asked, confused.
"Enjutsu has become a stain on the history of the En Clan. We can paint Enshou with the same brush." Kazuto grinned darkly, "We can drag her here simply by insinuating that the En Family are suspected of being traitors to the Kan Dynasty. Broadcasting this to everyone, and they'll cast the same suspicions on her."
"Kazuto-kun!" Touka said, shocked at the dark idea, and Paitan seemingly agreed. However… no one else seemed to care all that much. Maybe Fuurin, but mostly towards Touka.
"That's the road you're walking, Ryuubi." Reborn scoffed, "You want a world without war, then you gotta deal with the carrot and the stick of making transactions with outside organizations."
"Carrot and Stick?" Paitan asked.
"People who move for some sense of patriotism, or altruism, are few and far between." Kazuto began.
"Mostly because those types tend to die faster." Reborn shrugged. Here he gave a meaningful look at Touka, who shrunk a bit at the insinuation.
"'Carrot and stick' refers to giving people incentives so that they do… well anything. A stick as punishment for bad decisions. A carrot as a reward for correct decisions. Well, decisions that benefit us." Kazuto explained for Paitan. "It's a horse metaphor."
"O-oh." Pairen nodded quickly, realizing what he meant.
"Right." Kazuto nodded, "Well, for now, we've got a stick. We still need a carrot." Kazuto meaningfully looked at Pairen.
"… So we need a reason for Enshou to want to be here." Pairen nodded.
"We can concede to a neutral ground. However, finding a neutral ground in this situation is difficult at best." Kazuto sighed. "We either choose Enshuu" which is Sousou's territory "or Seishuu."
"We can't agree to one easily, though." Shuri raised a point, "We want to have the legitimacy of being the representative of the empire. If Paitan-sama approaches Enshou in a way that makes her appear to be her equal, then we lose legitimacy to all other lords in the empire."
"Then why don't we invite all the lords of the various states and important cities of the country to serve as witnesses?" Fuurin asked. "That way, she won't have a reason to believe that we are there to entrap her."
"Possibly…"
"No." Reborn interrupted. "Do not call for lords. Call for representatives of the lords."
"Huh?" Fuurin blinked.
Reborn merely stared at Kazuto, who…
"Ah, I get it." Kazuto sighed, "A classic tactic. Invite all the important people in one room. Then slaughter them. All the enemy states lose their leadership, making it easy to take over the country. Something like that?"
"We won't do that!" Touka argued.
"Certainly, you're all too soft-hearted for a tactic like that." Reborn nodded. "And your reputation precedes you enough that such a tactic won't even cross the mind of the lords who are familiar with you."
"But that doesn't mean the other lords won't think of that strategy as well. They could easily do a massacre of all the nobility, then blame it on us." Kazuto completed for Reborn. "Especially…" Here he meaningfully looked at Paitan, who was the one most affected by this group, aside from Kazuto himself.
"The Sand Sorcerors…" Paitan bit her lip in worry.
"Is that what we're calling them?" Kazuto tilted his head, "I've just been calling them White Clothes in my head."
"They use sand-like sorcery to take over bodies and vanish." Paitan frowned, "And besides… it would be rather unfair to… you…"
"Ah, right… I wear white clothes too." Kazuto nodded, looking at his school uniform. "Let's leave that tangent for later. Anyway, we should only call for representatives… or the lords and allow them to have their bodyguards."
"Foolish again." Reborn scoffed, "Any death that happens within Joshuu will be blamed on you, lest you forget your war against Sousou." Reborn nodded, "Not all lords have cordial relationships with each other. They could use the opportunity to cause a scene here, which would reflect poorly onto yourself. Rather than bodyguards, you should start drilling proper guardsmen etiquette onto your soldiers."
"Aisha?"
"We'll see it done." Aisha nodded.
"Shouldn't we at least try to make sure that it's the lords at least?" Yuuka asked, "If we're going by legitimacy, the lords themselves would be the height of it."
"For the sake of cornering one lord?" Kazuto asked, "We can't demand that. We need some significant incentives to ask them here. For something like an inquisition, representatives would be better."
"Then don't make it about a single lord." Reborn scoffed, "There are quite a few lords who have started expanding their territories by invasion, correct? Offer recognition to those who support your side."
"We can't." Touka shook her head with a frown.
"Why is that?" Reborn asked.
"Because our stance is that the Kan Dynasty has not fallen yet," Touka replied. "If we say that we support the invasions of certain lords… it's the same as saying the borders of the Kan Dynasty holds no merit…"
"For all intents and purposes? It's already shattered." Reborn scoffed. "Besides, you already did do that. With Sonsaku taking control of Enjutsu's territory, and her not receiving a reprimand for all previous invasions."
"Reborn's right," Kazuto sighed, "We can't apply our rules unevenly. Otherwise, people would claim us corrupt. However, Touka-chan's also right: offering recognition should be, at the very least, a last resort."
"And what other incentives can you give to these power-hungry lords?" Reborn asked.
"Can we choose to aid the other side of those conflicts?" Aisha asked.
"It's pointless to do so, I'm guessing." Sei sighed, "They already lost their territory. They have no political power to speak of."
"Those belonging to old families could potentially be of use, but otherwise…" Shuri said, agreeing with Sei.
"And what of the ones who are threatened by invaders?"
"Then we'll have to offer them, not recognition, but protection." Kazuto sighed. "And we can't afford to spread our army thin right now. It'll take all we have to repel an invasion from Enshou."
"Stuck between your ideals and the reality of the situation. Which would you choose then, Ryuubi Gentoku?" Reborn raised an eyebrow.
"Just because we choose to be realistic, doesn't mean we could just let our ideals go, Reborn-san." Touka frowned.
"Best of luck to you, then." Reborn nodded, "All you need is the resolve… no, the Dying Will to go through with it."
"I'll do my best." Touka nodded.
"You will be breaking the heart of one Kanhyoku Bunsetsu. And that one's heart was already rather weak to begin with."
"… That's…"
"The route with no war will mean that she will never be able to reclaim Kishuu."
"Guh…"
"… It'll be fine, Touka." Kazuto assured her.
"Corruption is inherent in all forms of rule." Reborn dryly said. "It is in when someone tries to keep power that corruption manifests, after all. If you truly wished to be unblemished by corruption, you should've chosen not to be a government official." Reborn scoffed.
"Reborn, can you please stop?" Kazuto frowned. "I'm not disagreeing with you, but there's a time and place for lessons."
"And this is the perfect time for it." Reborn replied stoicly.
"What about the treasures from Enjutsu's vault that we couldn't use then?" Rinrin asked, "I mean, it's not like we need all of that."
"The treasury is meant to be saved for times of crisis, Rinrin." Kazuto sighed, "For things like famines or years with a poor harvest due to unforeseen disasters. Or investing in the improvement of the territory."
"In a corrupt society, then it'll just be to line the pockets of the ruler." Reborn pointed out.
"There's no point in saving if we're just going to be taken over, though?" Rinrin frowned.
"Just think of the treasury as more the people's money than ours in its entirety. We're just given the right to use them." Kazuto explained as simply as he could for Rinrin, "… Yuuka?"
"… What?"
"… Please tell me you've been doing your job as our treasurer and tell me exactly how much of our treasury we can use for this."
"Oh, right, got it!" Yuuka coughed before thinking a bit. "… We've been using up the treasury for things like our farming industry, but we have not really tapped into the funds from the campaign against Enjutsu…"
"There are quite a few gemstones there that we could use as rings, although those would be mostly low-grade ones." Reborn shrugged. "Those have already been portioned off. However, the metal needed for channeling flames…"
"There aren't any." Kazuto finished.
Reborn nodded, "If I was present, I could create them with Leon and a few days. Since I'm not, you'll have to make do with looking for something natural. And good luck with that."
"How is it normally made?' Kazuto asked.
"The same way I make Dying Will Bullets."
"… Leon's stomach."
"Exactly."
"Can I use Kazuma for the same thing?" He does have the ability to infuse Dying Will Flames into objects. It might be useful.
"You'll need to have him out for days, and without a Lightning Flame user in your group…"
"He won't last three hours." Kazuto sighed, "And the way that other Familia's do it?"
"They either buy rings, or they have specialized equipment for making them." Created with the power of science. Great. Perfect.
"So what do you suggest?"
"Have someone wear a metal band constantly given a few months and hope that they eventually identify the object as part of themselves."
"Yeah, I don't think that'll work then." Kazuto sighed. A weapon being a part of the user is something most warriors learn to do so. Doing the same for what's basically an accessory? It's much more difficult to do so. "So anyway, Yuuka, back to you." Time to get out of this tangent for now.
"Unfortunately, I don't think the funds would be enough to bribe anyone to come to our side." Yuuka shook her head. "Bribes need to be a bit more than substantial, and it needs to be constant."
"Without taxes from the entire country, that's basically pointless, then?" Kazuto frowned, and Yuuka nodded.
"There are only a few states that have been sending money to us as a form of taxes. Those being, Sonsaku, Batou, Sousou, and Ryuuhyou." Their peers that met Paitan and recognized her as Emperor, then. "Batou's contribution, however, is the only one I'd consider even remotely substantial in comparison."
"The other three are only paying for lipservice, you mean." Kazuto frowned.
"Essentially, yes." Yuuka sighed. "They're using the excuse that they've been recently in war, and can only provide that much." Which was bullshit, and everyone knows it, but none of them can call them out for it.
"Are you certain you want to go through with the negotiation route?" Reborn asked, "You don't seem to have a lot of cards to play. And the ones you could play, you outright dislike."
"The negotiation route might just flop, we know that. But we have to at least try." Touka replied.
"Then we'll go relatively basic on this. The chance it could go wrong is high, but if we must try, then we will." Kazuto turned to Shuri.
"First, we should write a letter to summon Enshou here. Paitan-sama will have to write it."
"What should I write?" Paitan asked.
Kazuto frowned, "We cordially invite Enshou Honsho, governor of Kahoku, to come and meet the Emperor of the Country, Kentei. The meeting place will be in the palace of Joshuu. We wish to enquire on the status of the En Clan in relation to the Kan Dynasty."
"Insinuating Enjutsu's blemish upon the name of the En Clan." Shuri explained.
"Then we list a bunch of people we invited to come along for the show, to pressure her into it."
"To force her to come." Shuri nodded, "Then we'll have to write invitation letters for, at the very least, Sonsaku, Batou, Sousou, and Ryuuhyou. Kanhyoku as well, hopefully. We'll extend invitations to others, but those four are critical as they are the ones who aided us in the battle against Enjutsu. We'll allow everyone to send representatives."
"It's likely that this will be where the battle lines are drawn." Sei pointed out, "Who will side with Enshou, and who will side with us. Something like that, I think?"
"Since we're giving no incentives to join our side, yes." Kazuto grimaced.
"What will be the goal for this meeting?" Reborn prompted.
"Our goal would be to convince Enshou that launching an invasion against us will result in her loss, and make her acknowledge Paitan's rule as Emperor of the Kan Dynasty."
"Will you not force her to return Kanhyoku's territory?"
"Without an official request from Kanhyoku, that would just be self-satisfaction." Kazuto shook his head.
"Considering you're going to be asking her to come here as well, then she'll likely be able to request so when she does."
"If she does, then we'll request it be returned. However, we need to tackle this one step at a time."
"We'll keep our promises." Touka nodded.
Reborn nodded, "What else will you use to bring Enshou here? What will be your carrot?"
"A promise to meet Kuutan directly," Kazuto told him.
"And what if she decides to spurn the invitation regardless?"
"… Then that brings us to part 2." Kazuto nodded, "If she spurns our invitation, then that means she wants war."
"Kazuto-kun…"
"No matter how much we hate it, if we don't want anything taken from us, we'll have to wage war." Kazuto turned to Reborn, "Right?"
"Is that the warlord in you speaking?" A tense atmosphere spread in the room.
Kazuto, in turn, rolled his eyes. He knew that this was coming and had formulated a proper reply this time around. "No. This is the idiot you taught speaking. The one you told to never allow anyone to trample all over me unless it's part of a plan to trample them back later."
Reborn smirked, "Good. Then proceed."
"Eh? Just like that?" Touka can't help but blurt out. Then what was the point of what happened yesterday? They all wanted to ask, but stifled their own cries.
"I told you not to put it to heart." Kazuto sighed. "What happened yesterday is a stress test; to see how everyone would react to me getting knocked down a peg."
"Poorly, is the answer." Reborn scoffed, "You all need better mental conditioning."
"Urgh…"
"Besides, yesterday wasn't totally pointless." Reborn replied. "You all now have an understanding of where Kazuto stands on the totem pole." While he is at the top, he is not out of their reach. "As another result from yesterday, I forbid all of you from actively seeking out a Lightning Guardian."
"Why is that?" Aisha frowned.
"There seems to be a person who is invested in the completion of Kazuto's Six Guardians." Reborn frowned.
"And… that's bad?" Touka frowned. "What makes this person different?"
"Enough tangent!" Reborn sharply replied, finally pulling out his gun. "Bakazuto."
Kazuto flinched a bit, but nodded. He turned to Paitan, "Paitan? Map, please?" Paitan nodded and pulled out her map. Touka took it and passed it onto Aisha, who spread it over the table.
"There are two entrances for Enshou to take to us." Kazuto looked at the map, "Either Sousou's territory, or Seishuu. We'll have to make plans considering both possibilities."
"And how will we know which?" Hinari asked, already holding the brim of her hat, thoughtful.
"Negotiations between Enshou and lords in Seishuu have been picking up," Josho informed them. "It's more likely than not that they'll go with Seishuu as their route."
"Then we'll work with that." Kazuto nodded. "We'll make contingency plans for the other route… since that route basically means that Sousou has sided with Enshou if she's just going to let that go through."
"But if she doesn't?"
"… Let's focus on what we should do if Enshou decides not to show up."
"Before that," Reborn interrupted, "you must consider that your invitation will still be sent all over the country. In a month, you will be entertaining those guests, regardless of Enshou's presence. It would look strange if your most important members: Kan'u and Chouhi are not by your side."
Kazuto merely smiled back. "That's what we have a Cloud Guardian for." The duty of the Cloud Guardian. To be an aloof, drifting Cloud that protects the family from an independent standpoint, and whom nothing can ever bind. If there's something that needs to be done while the other Guardians are tied down by obligations, then the Cloud Guardian, the one Guardian whose duty is to be unshackled by obligations, will be able to step up in their place.
Ren looked at Kazuto before nodding, "Understood."
Reborn looked at the Kazuto, then Ren, before nodding. "Then I see you have your bases covered. Good luck, then." From that point forward, Reborn said nothing, content to watch them proceed.
And so plans were made, letters were written, and messengers were sent out.
-()-
"What is this!?"
"… Exactly what it sounds like." Denhou neutrally said, battling her stomachache to try and look as professional as before.
"… An invitation from Kentei." Ganryou replied. "They wish to meet Reiha-sama to discuss… the recent situation with Enjutsu-sama."
"Miu…" Enshou frowned. "What about it?"
"It is an inquiry on the loyalties of the En Clan."
"The Clan's Loyalty!? Because my idiot cousin decided to rebel against the Kan Dynasty!?" Enshou scowled. "Very well, if that's the case then I will go myself and show that commoner girl who is truly worthy of nobility in this land!"
"Reiha, keep your calm. A more obvious trap does not exist." Kataigou scoffed. "They're trying to get Reiha to lower her guard and enter with minimum soldiers in hostile territory."
"If it's a trap, then clearly we must not go." Enshou flip-flopped on a dime.
"So we'll send back a rejection." Denhou nodded, although something felt particularly off about that.
"… In the letter, they swore that they would not let any harm come to you." Ganryou cautiously said, "Furthermore, this is an announced invitation. Many other lords or representative of lords will be present."
"Toshi." Enshou scoffed, "And what other lord would have the status to match with mine?"
"… There will be!?" Denhou balked, glossing over Enshou's admonishment, "Then rejecting it is bad!" If other lords will be present, then soon enough, the entire empire will hear of this invitation. A rejection is basically an act of secession. Enshou, and by extension, the En Clan, will be referred to as traitors completely!
"Machi, it is fine. Did I not say so already? I will not recognize that child as Emperor. We will return Kuutan-sama as the Emperor!" Enshou frowned. "Regardless, my word is final! Send over the rejection immediately! Tell them as such! I will not recognize the child as Emperor!"
"Reiha-sama!"
"No. Let's not send a rejection at all." Kataigou frowned.
Hope filled Denhou's chest, as the one person in the room that Enshou actually listens to spoke up. Please let Enshou see sense! They should not be antagonizing the Emperor! Not until they have solidified their alliances and grip on their territory, at least!
"A rejection would just let them prepare for our arrival in war. Let them stew on it for a while. In the meantime, we'll continue with our preparations." Only for said hope to be drained away.
"I… That's…"
"What's wrong, strategist?" Kataigou raised an eyebrow, "Surely you too realize that this is the best path to success."
"… It is." Denhou nodded, although she then added in her head: Assuming that they already are not preparing for war… If they're even slightly prepared, then, while we can still win, we will definitely suffer great difficulties.
"Then what is the matter?"
"…"
"Enough! Reichen is right! Then we'll go with that! Move up our plans! If there are still lords in Seishuu that haven't answered, we will simply trample them in our path!"
"And what if the other armies band together against us?" Denhou asked.
"Kanhyoku folded easily against a mere general." Reichen pointed out. "Surely this army is capable of trampling an army barely a year old, long before the other armies even get a chance to join the battlefield."
"The battlefield is much more complicated than just numbers!" A sheltered empress who only knows how to manipulate politicians shouldn't try to affect war!
"Machi. Didn't I say it? Enough! We'll march forward elegantly and defeat the upstart army of that commoner girl!"
"Then at least announce our goals! If we denounce Kentei as a ruler and state our wish to return Reitei as emperor, we'll have legitimacy as an attacker!"
"And how did that work out last time?" Enshou scoffed, "Toutaku got away, remember?"
"Besides," Kataigou scoffed, "We could always do that after we win."
Denhou couldn't believe her ears. They seem so certain that Joshuu would fall in their laps within the first moments of the war that they're disregarding her advice. She's their strategist! She was hired specifically so that they listen to her! Why couldn't they see the pitfalls in their way of thinking? How she dearly wants to yell her head off, telling her ruler how much of a child she's being, of how much the Empress seems to be simplifying the very concept of war… However… self-preservation kicked in before she can fall for that. "… As you wish."
"So you finally see sense." Kataigou gave a self-satisfied smile that made Denhou want to throw water on her face just to see it wiped off.
"I'll be taking care of the preparations. Toshi-san, would you mind helping me?"
"Okay, Machi-san." Ganryou nodded and the two left immediately.
"I don't know why you hired that one at all. She seems more like a worrywart than a strategist if she can't see the obvious." Kataigou's voice still reached Denhou's ears. She clearly intended for that to be heard by her. Denhou merely moved away quicker, not wanting to hear what Enshou would reply to that.
"… Machi-san, wait!" Ganryou called. Ah, it seems, in her haste, she left behind her companion.
"… After this battle against Ryuubi, I'm quitting the army." Denhou grumbled, "What good is an advisor that is not given heed?"
"That's! Please don't! I know it's hard, but Reiha-sama is…"
"I know, I know." Denhou sighed, "I just… I need… some time."
"… Please don't be too disheartened, Machi-san…"
"… I'll try… but…" Denhou sighed again. "Anyway, we'll be making an enemy of the Imperial Army, so we best get started."
"… Machi-san."
The back of a lonely strategist was in Ganryou's vision. Nothing is crueler to an advisor than a leader who will not heed their advice.
"Oh dear, I hoped to at least catch-up." Kataigou's voice pierced the atmosphere. "Ganryou, can you tell her that we had a change of plans?"
"Huh?"
"We will be entertaining young Paitan's request after all."
Ganryou didn't know what Reichen's smile was supposed to mean, but she had a dreadfully bad feeling about this. What was Kataigou telling Enshou while Enshou's voices of reasons were outside?
It grew worse when she heard the rest of the message.
-()-
"Tanpopo."
"Yes, auntie?"
"You will head out to Joshuu and serve as our representative."
"… Can you give a longer explanation? Please?"
"You don't want to?"
"I don't mind." Tanpopo shook her head, "I just want to know why I'm heading out."
"The emperor requested a representative. As a loyal servant of the empire, you will serve that role." Batou handed her the message.
Tanpopo frowned, opening the message. "… Huh… Kazuto-niisan's going to try to talk sense to that Enshou?"
"If that is the course decided by the Emperor, then it's the course that we will follow. I've called for Sui to come as well, so please wait patiently." Tanpopo nodded and sat nearby. So now that Enjutsu is out of the way, it's time to deal with Enshou, it seems. In all honesty, the only things she really knew about Enshou are the rumors that she heard when she was in Joshuu earlier that year. Naturally, that would be biased heavily against Enshou. The only real positive that any of them could say about her is that she's really rich. So she also has a large army to compensate for that. How large? Tanpopo doesn't really know, unfortunately.
Soon enough, Bachou Mouki walked in, clothes slightly scuffed from training.
"You called for me, Mother?" The green-clad pony-tailed warrior asked. She then noticed the other girl in the room. "Tanpopo!?"
"I'm here~" Tanpopo cheerfully smiled at her.
"Sui, I am assigning you and Tanpopo as our representatives for the meeting between Enshou and Kentei-sama."
Tanpopo stifled a laugh. Auntie's always so direct, but there are things that she needs to at least elaborate on. Naturally, the eldest Ba Clan daughter could only give a twitch of a smile before: "Mother, can you give me a longer explanation?" About as Tanpopo expected, although the fact that they both said the same lines could only be chalked up to coincidence.
"Tanpopo." Batou sternly knocked Tanpopo out of her reverie, before nodding.
"Here you go, Sui-neechan~" Tanpopo smiled as she passed on the message Batou had given her earlier to Sui.
"This is…" Bachou frowned, looking at it. "… Eh?"
Batou nodded, "Yet again, Kentei-sama calls for aid. This time, it's a formal Imperial Request, so, naturally, we must comply."
"R-right…" Bachou nodded, as she tried to figure out what this character meant… Reading is not her strong suit. She can do it but…
"… I see that you have been neglecting your studies, Sui."
"Ah, that's, no! I haven't! I can read it, I can read it! Give me a bit of time!"
"You are my successor, Sui. You must learn to read quicker than that."
Bachou winced in response but nodded mutely.
Tanpopo hummed in turn. She's certainly not going to reveal to her aunt that she didn't really bother finishing reading that message either. "Why doesn't Auntie go, then?"
"We received another message, detailing a different course of events." Batou pointed to another message, "The foresight of the emperor is impressive, to have planned for such a situation. The Empire would definitely prosper under her rule."
"Auntie, can you please explain what that message is about?"
"What you have in your hand is an invitation of the Emperor to attend the court. It is meant to inquire on the loyalty of the En Clan, seeing the chaos that Enjutsu pulled earlier this year and Enshou's acquisition of the entirety of both Yuushuu and Kishuu. That is meant for the case that Enshou chooses to come and have a proper meeting. You will carry that to Joshuu and show that as proof of your invitation." Batou nodded before pointing to the message on her desk, "This message, in turn, details what we need to do if Enshou decides to rebel against the Emperor."
"I see." Bachou nodded.
"If Enshou chooses not to come to meet the Emperor, then it means Enshou chooses to be hostile. If she does come and declare her rebellion, naturally that also constitutes a hostile declaration." Batou nodded, "Either way, there will be two paths that Enshou could take to reach Joshuu. Seishuu and Enshuu. Seishuu is a compromised state, whose loyalties are being bought by Enshou as we speak. Enshuu, on the other hand, is currently being managed by Sousou Moutoku."
Both Tanpopo and Bachou winced, "That's difficult." Bachou nodded, "Basically, both routes have a hostile presence."
"I dunno about Sousou, though… She seemed rather okay with Kazuto-niichan when they were chatting." Tanpopo frowned. Well, from where she was standing. More than a couple times the eyepatched girl tried to reach for her weapon before Sousou waved her down.
"I have a feeling that's less them being okay with Sousou, and more because of Hongou's nature." Bachou pointed out. "He did seem to get along fine with Chinkei, when everyone else seemed more…"
"Ah, right." Tanpopo nodded. Yeah, it's hard to forget how every single member of Joshuu was rather hostile towards Chinkei, with Chinkei apparently being an unapologetic traitor. The fact that she hasn't been executed at all… What is their angle?
"At the very least, Kentei-sama herself considers Sousou suspicious. While Sousou did aid in the war against Enjutsu, there's a chance that that is for other, less noble, reasons. Especially considering what you told me she requested from the Emperor." Basically, she requested the Emperor to move out of her safe house to Kyoshou, where she can likely be easily controlled. "In the end, there is a chance that Sousou will ally with Enshou and target Joshuu in a bid for power."
"And what do we do?" Bachou asked.
"You two will do what I told you. In turn, I, along with Ruo and Sou, will lead our Seiryou Army and serve as a check for Sousou if she does become Enshou's ally. That way, the Imperial Army will not have to fight a war on two fronts."
"Huh…"
"Sui, Tanpopo, if that is to come, then I'll have you temporarily put under Ryuubi and Hongou's Flag for the likely duration of the war."
"Would it just be the two of us?" Bachou asked.
"Of course not." Batou shook her head, "Bring your best soldiers that will not slow down your march. Try and avoid routes that go through Sousou's territory if needed, but do not tarry. If you do decide to go through that path, use that invitation as your means of identification and excuse to pass through. Make sure to send advance notice to Sousou to pass through if you do."
"We can probably go around if we want to, but it would look suspicious if we do. And we might not make it if we don't." Tanpopo frowned, "I mean, the definite quickest road is through Sousou's territory."
"Then we might as well chance it." Bachou nodded, "If Sousou refuses us, we can then chart a course around."
"Then I'll send a messenger to them." Batou nodded, "Sousou shouldn't be too suspicious by this; she too has been asked to send a representative to Joshuu."
"I see… eh, why?" Bachou frowned. "If Kentei-sama and the others are suspicious of Sousou, why do that?"
"Sui-nee." Tanpopo sighed, "Because, while Sousou-san is a possible enemy, that doesn't mean she is. If you just push away a potential ally because you're scared they're an enemy, they just might become an enemy and make things difficult." A self-fulfilling prophecy, or something like that.
"Well, I'll write the letter. You two are dismissed."
""By your will!""
Tanpopo easily sauntered out of her aunt's office. She thought back on the conversation a bit.
"Kazuto-niichan and the others are putting a lot of faith in us, huh?"
"Eh?" Bachou blinked at that.
"I mean… aren't they worried that we'll be just like Sousou? That we'd try to grab power?"
"We proved ourselves time and again to be their allies." Bachou pointed out, "Isn't it natural for them to trust us?"
"I guess so." Tanpopo nodded with a laugh.
"Let's just get going." Bachou nodded, "We still have things to prepare. We still need to talk to the people who will be coming with us, remember?"
"Ah, right! So the training fields?"
"This might be the first time in a while that you happily enter the place."
"I'm not going to be training after all~"
"You do realize that Sou can't literally get a thousand archers to shoot at you, right? We don't have enough blunted arrows."
"Why did you even tell her about that…" Tanpopo sighed.
"It slipped out!" During one of their meals, when Batou was asking them about their time in Joshuu. Batou jokingly said to add it to their training sessions, and Batetsu took it seriously. All of them are quick to talk her down. Simply put, the costs are really, really not worth it. Making that many blunted arrows, expecting a single person on a horse to block and cut them down, and eventually trying to get it perfectly… those costs will stack up, least of which is the fact that, since there will be at least one horse in the matter, some of those arrows will definitely be trampled, and breaking them. "Besides, it wasn't so bad." She added off-handedly.
"Wait!" Tanpopo blinked, "You did it!?"
"She might not be able to get a thousand archers around me, but just her platoon is more than enough." Bachou shrugged. "It was good training, for what it's worth."
"What were you talking about blunted arrows?"
"Sou did manage to get some of our fletchers to make quite a few of them before we stopped her. I thought it would be a waste if we didn't use them so…"
Tanpopo could only look flabbergasted at her. Oh right, Bachou was a musclehead. Of course, she'd be willing to try. "Let's just go already," Tanpopo grumbled.
Bachou laughed as Tanpopo move on ahead. Bakyuu got angry at them for wasting those arrows, saying that they could've just had the fletchers change the tips; there was no need to use them at all.
"I said, let's go!" Tanpopo called. Bachou nodded, running after her cousin.
-()-
"Renfa."
"Sheren-neesama?"
Sonken blinked upon her sister's entrance. Sonsaku had a bright smile on her face, carrying a scroll. She closed the door, before dropping the scroll on Sonken's desk. "Read it." She said.
"Sheren-neesama? You could've just called me to your room… you didn't need to go all the way here…" Sonken sighed. Sonken unfurled the scroll, before blinking, "… Eh?"
"The Emperor requires a witness on Enjutsu's atrocities when she declared herself Emperor. I'll be assigning you that role." Sonsaku's smile remained unchanged.
"Why me? I mean, Shao probably knows them more than I do."
"Do you think Shao can handle something like this?"
Sonken frowned before thinking. Sonshoukou is a girl who was raised as the princess of their realm, while she and Sonsaku were raised to be their mother's heiresses. Needless to say, Sonshoukou was rather spoiled by their collective affections. Sonken Chuubou tried to be a bit more stern, but none of that really took hold. "… She could but she probably won't want to." Sonken nodded in response. Yes, Sonshoukou's upbringing means she was taught to negotiate with the upper class, but her free-spirited nature can't be so easily contained. Still… "But considering that Shaoren has made quite a few friends there…" Quite frankly, Sonshoukou is the best choice, no matter what. Shaoren has apparently even made friends with Reitei, at least, according to Shuutai.
"Renfa."
"Eh?"
"Renfa, I'm not asking for your opinion on who is a better option between you and Shao." Sonsaku smiled, amused, "I'm assigning you the role."
Oh right, that's exactly what her sister said, "… Right." Sonken nodded.
"Sheesh, you're taking me far too seriously. Lighten up." Sonsaku smiled, "To be honest, I'd love to go myself and take a break," here Sonken had a deadpan expression, knowing that Sonsaku likely planned to push all her responsibilities to her. Sonsaku merely continued, despite her smile becoming more amused, "but due to circumstances, I'd rather not be in the same room as Hongou right now. Especially not in the same room as the Emperor."
"You mean… Heaven's Eye." This is what they've been calling Kazuto's apparent explicit ability to see through lies and hidden secrets. "… I wish you hadn't told me." Sonken grumbled. "Maybe I'd be a better choice if you hadn't."
"You wanted to know, remember?"
She did, and now she realizes just how annoying it was to have that knowledge. The fact that they have stashed away the Imperial Seal, once more, this time hidden away until the right time to declare their own Imperial Rule.
Sonsaku smiled at her, "Just try to not react, and you'll be fine."
"Can I ask why you want me to handle this?"
"If worse comes to worse, Shishun should be able to get you out of there alive," Sonsaku replied. She nodded to Sonken's most constant companion, Kannei, who has been silently watching the proceedings for a while now.
Sonken however, was startled by the tonal dissonance, "Eh?"
"Is something going to happen?" Kannei quickly spoke up. About as expected really; Kannei is quick to react to anything that might put Sonken in danger.
Sonsaku pulled out a second scroll, "There's a good chance that Enshou will not honor them with her presence, and use their preparations as a chance to just simply attack them. With so many V.I.P.s in their capital…" Even if there's a good chance that they are not lords themselves, these people will have to be treated as such.
"Their army would also be forced to remain at the capital." Sonken nodded. Having such a high number of V.I.P.s in one area is practically an invitation for trouble.
"Would Hongou's group truly do things like that though?" Kannei asked, "If they would neglect the defense of the capital…" then she'd rather it if Sonken does not go.
"You are not confident in your ability to keep Renfa from harm, Shishun?"
"That's not why." Kannei replied, "We still don't know the full extent of their sorcery. If I were to fall into that trap…"
"And how would this be any different from the events of the coalition?" Sonsaku asked.
Kannei silently contemplated that. True enough, she and Sonken had been part of the Command Army towards the second half of the Anti-Toutaku Coalition. Including… "It is because of the events of the coalition that I'm against it." She almost failed… no, she did fail. She failed to protect Sonken against the assassin sorcerer that appeared at the tail end of the campaign.
"I'll be sending Minmei with you." Sonsaku told her. Kannei grimaced a bit before nodding. "She is familiar with the location and had more than enough time to scout around. Maybe you'll find her information useful."
"Understood." Kannei nodded. She'll say no more on the topic, as it seems that Sonsaku is deadset on this path. At this point the only one who can say no is… Kannei turned to her liege.
Sonken Chuubou contemplated what her sister is telling her to do. In reality, she doesn't have to do anything too difficult; she just has to serve as a witness to Enjutsu's atrocities. "Will I have to lie?"
"It would be best not to. However, if, upon your arrival, Kentei gives explicit commands to exaggerate, then make your judgment then." Sonsaku shrugged.
"Very well." Sonken nodded, "If this is Neesama's command then I'll oblige."
"Thank you, Renfa." Sonsaku smiled, before turning to Sonken's bodyguard, "Above all, Shishun, keep Renfa safe."
"That is my duty." Kannei nodded. "If news of danger is to come to Joshuu, then I will evacuate Renfa-sama immediately."
"Try not to do it immediately if possible. It would look bad if Renfa were to leave suddenly." Sonsaku chuckled, "We still have our alliance of information with Ryuubi, after all. I'll hand you a letter giving permission for you to ask them such things. I believe our contact is Josho Genchoku."
"Very well." Kannei nodded.
"Listen, Renfa. Our goal here is this: make friends with the leadership of the Ryuubi-Hongou Army." Sonsaku sternly looked at her, "Their faction may be small, but they hold a lot of power. Not just their sorcery; they have influence that is unprecedented in such a new faction. However, their size means that they can still be easily absorbed into another faction. It's just a matter of which faction will do so." Sonsaku nodded, "So, appeal to them that we are their allies. Despite everything, they still allowed us to keep the Imperial Seal, not once, but twice. They do not want to throw away our alliance, so we shouldn't do so either."
"I'll try, Oneesama."
Sonken nodded.
-()-
"They're planning to negotiate with Enshou." Sousou frowned, looking at the letter. "They're asking for witnesses from across the empire."
"It says that we can send a simple representative if we want to." Jun'iku nodded mixed emotions in her tone.
"There's a chance that Enshou will not even show up," Chinkei told her, looking at the extra letter that was addressed to her. It seemed as though Kazuto intended to at least give her some information on the current state of Joshuu. "If she does not appear, then they are prepared to denounce the entire En Clan as traitors."
"They'll even have justification, as the other premier representative was proven a rebel against the Kan Dynasty." Sousou nodded.
"So who are you sending, Karin-dono?" Chinkei asked. "Or will you ignore this message too?" She asked this, already knowing the answer.
"Ignore a request from the Emperor herself?" Sousou scoffed, "If we do, then our actions during the campaign against Enjutsu will become moot." Sousou looked at the letter before laughing, "They'll get one." Sousou stood up, "I, Sousou Moutoku, will be their witness."
"K-Karin-sama?" Jun'iku yelped, "Is there a reason for you to go yourself? Do we not have others we could send in your stead?"
"Certainly, but for this situation, this is something that I should do myself," Sousou smirked.
Jun'iku could only look at her lord, her face a cocktail of mixed emotions, before bowing, "… Understood. Who will you bring with you?"
"Hmm… Shunran, Shuuran, and you, of course. Tell them to bring their most elite warriors as our guards." Jun'iku nodded, before hurrying away, "Tou, will you come with then?"
"As the representative of Joshuu, I'd be honored to be your guide, Karin-dono." Chinkei smiled. "Still, may I ask what you will be aiming for?"
"I'm afraid that is for me to know." Sousou shook her head, "It would not do for me to share such secrets with someone who is on the payroll of an outsider."
"A shame, indeed." Chinkei nodded, "Then may I ask this?"
"Hmm?"
"Has Enshou made any overtures to cross to Joshuu through Enshuu?" Chinkei asked.
"Hoh? And why is this a concern?"
"It is one of the two possibilities for Enshou to cross," Chinkei reported. "There are reports of Enshou apparently making such requests for Seishuu's lords to allow them to pass freely." Written in the letter in her hand, likely.
"Fools, all of them." Sousou scoffed.
"Hmm?"
"I know what you're talking about; I have my own informants in that area." Sousou shrugged, "Naturally, I also know that many of the northern Seishuu Lords have already agreed to do so." Sousou shrugged, "But believing Reiha to ignore your land if you allow her past? Once Reiha gets Joshuu under her control, she'll require an easy passage between her Kishuu and Joshuu. Naturally, I would refuse her that, so she would use Seishuu for that purpose."
"Ah, what you're saying is…" Chinkei nodded, pleased.
"There are some tariffs that need to be paid for crossing state borders, after all. And once those costs add up, Reiha will definitely want to just simply control Seishuu." Sousou rolled her eyes. "Their neutrality will only promise them an extended breath of life. If it were me in their shoes, I would've immediately jumped to one side of the conflict, promising loyalty to them. Of course, I'm not them, and I've more than enough power on hand to repel a foolish invasion. Regardless, rest assured that I've no intention on allying with the fool." Sousou smiled.
Chinkei looked searchingly at Sousou's face before frowning, "Should I take you at your word?"
"Should you, Chinkei Kanyu?"
"… I will relay your words to my lords." Chinkei nodded, her politician's smile returning to her face. She bowed before taking her leave.
Sousou frowned at that parting remark. She was more than prepared to explain her reasoning if she bothered asking.
Sousou thought a bit more before smirking. "Ah, maybe I should make things a bit more interesting." Sousou chuckled, as she started writing a letter, to be delivered by the fastest messenger they have to hand.
-()-
"Enshou-kun."
"What is it, honored elder?" Enshou blinked as a group of elders entered her throne room. They have requested an audience, but this is honestly the first time that Enshou has encountered them in a while, as they were content on simply watching them at the sidelines.
One elder stepped up, "We've heard that you are being summoned by Emperor Ken to Joshuu."
"I was indeed." Enshou nodded, "However, I have deemed that this was a trap meant for myself, so I decided not to go! Instead, I will be sending my vassal to relay said message."
"Oh dear…" The elder grimaced, "Then may I ask you to reconsider?"
"Eh?"
"If you do not attend, then the entire En Clan will be branded as traitors of the Empire."
"Wh-that's!" Enshou said, outraged.
Ganryou to her side mentally sighed, while maintaining a patient smile on her face. That was clearly written in the letter that was sent to them from Kentei. Enshou's reaction… clearly meant that she didn't even bother reading it in its entirety.
The elder continued on, "With the problems that Enjutsu's selfish movements have caused us, the credibility of the En Clan, one of the oldest and greatest of clans in the empire, has taken a hit."
"Damn that Miu…" Enshou grumbled, "Has she still not been found?"
"Nope." Bunshuu shook her head.
"Enshou-kun. For the sake of the reputation of the En Clan, we implore you to meet with Emperor Ken. If you have grievances to air, then air them there. Assure the Emperor that we are still loyal to the Empire."
"… But… that's… I am friends with Kuutan-sama, Emperor Rei. I will not recognize a new Emperor while my friend remains ousted from her rightful seat. An Emperor can only be removed from her position through her death."
"Then meet with Emperor Ken. Surely, you'll be allowed to meet with Emperor Rei if you request it? You can ask her why she has not resumed her position."
Enshou closed her eyes in silent contemplation. She opened them, fire in her eyes, and her nobility stoked hot. " Very well, I will attend! Toshi! Go tell Machi that I will be with her when she goes to Joshuu!"
"Eh, Reiha-sama." Bunshuu raised her own voice, "What about the inva-"
"Machi-san has already left." Ganryou told her.
"Then prepare my things quickly! Iishe, Toshi, prepare as well. We will catch up to her quickly!"
Enshou quickly stood up and left. "Oh-hhohhohho!"
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: May 21, 2021
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
I debated heavily whether to post this chapter last Saturday. While I liked the previous chapter, when I try reading it, it makes it seem this story was heading in some radically different direction for whatever reason and was setting expectations too high for what this chapter eventually became. As those who were here last May 15, 2021 can attest to, I decided not to.
I apologize for anyone expecting some radical tonal change. I'm not good at writing those. I don't like making a story that was originally light-hearted and turning it dark.
See you next week!
P.S. After posting the chapter last week, I gave up on the gacha game I was playing. It was starting to get a bit difficult, and I don't have any money to sink into it.