A warrior's spirit
Authors note: ok now this is a bit of a time skip like last chapter but this time we'll focus on the more cover aspect in Samurai warfare. But if ya'll have guesed on what I'm writing hopefully ya'll have it right, but is it what I'm really writing about? Let's find, without any further ado let's move on with today's chapter.
Chapter 16:
Two months have passed and things have stabilized for lack of better terms, but this was the calm before the storm as a multitude of things have happened over the days. Just recently Colbert has invented and designed a new airship just for himself, the ostland is a coal burning steam engine powered airship with a wing and propeller system that he has learned from the Rising sun. Both Tristian, Germania, the rising sun and even the elves were impressed by this machine. Colbert designed it for exploration and wishes to use it to explore the east. Right now Colbert, Saito, Louise, Kirche Guiche Montmorency, Tabitha, Tiffania and many others were on the ship returning from a trip in the Rising sun empire. There they have experienced a true cultural and technological difference in that country, it was hundreds maybe a thousand years or so ahead, even the elves who considered them technologically superior were knocked off their high horse. As the Ostland was on its journey home Tiffania stood at the bow of the ship looking at the horizon.
"Is there something on your mind?" Tiffania turned to see Saito and Louise standing behind her.
"nothing really, just thinking of how huge the world actually is." Tiffania answered.
"I know how you feel. When I saw the country myself I was in awe of its technological wonders cultural difference." Louise said.
"It's as if the mountains act like a barrier to another world or something." Tiffania speculated.
"There are times that I believe that too, plus the evidence is there, only seeing one of the moons every night." Saito added.
"But still your country is really incredible. Also your family are really nice to use, especially you little niece and nephew." Tiffania told Saito.
"I'll admit my family is something." Saito said.
"Still it feels a bit weird learning that your brother in law acts like a commoner's wife. No offence." Louise said softly.
"none taken, plus it's not unheard of that the husband stays at home and does the cooking and the chores." Saito said. the three friends continued watching the horizon for the rest of the trip enjoying each other's company, However not aware of this, there are people watching them.
"I'm really envious of them." Siesta said watching her master and mistress.
"Still who would have thought that we are so technologically behind? It's like showing your power in front of poor looking man but instead that man turned out to be more powerful than yourself." kirche said.
"Don't be so down on yourself miss Zebst, with proper studying and innovation along with the right people, I'm sure that we could catch up to them." Colbert said gently.
"But that would mean allot of social reforms." Montmorency explained.
"Yes and some of more conservative nobles may not be as cooperative." Guiche added.
"he's right, in fact some of the neighboring nobles in my families territory are very vocal about Rising sun empire." Reynald said.
"But still it would be nice if that were to happen, a mage a commoner and an elf standing side by side not caring about their background seeing each other as equals." Siesta said still looking at the three. All eyes turned towards siesta looking confused, wondering what she was thinking. Siesta caught this and immediately started to explain.
"I mean look at those three!" She said pointing to the trio, as it turns out they bickered, laughed, and even show their affection for one another.
"they are the perfect example of how a coexisting society should work." Siesta added proving her point.
"She's right. Though Tiffania is an elf she doesn't treat anyone discriminately, not only that she's the product of both a human and an elf. Also she considers Saito and Louise her best friends." Malincorne observed.
"also Saito here comes from a technologically advanced culture he doesn't see us as inferior despite our pride. Plus he treated us with a good sense of humility though he did put us in our place" Gimli added.
"Not only that , Louise is in love with a commoner and she sees both of those two as equals. She still has her pride but at least there are those who accept her for who she is, and not a nobles daughter." Kirche added in.
"That's why I'm envious of them." Siesta said smiling.
"But you still won't give up on being his mistress right?" Kirche teased smiling.
"What can I say! I'm really fond off them." Siesta confirmed. The group continued their watching the trio for a good while till they decided to return inside. As the osland landed the group stayed till for a good while before carriges arrive to pick them up. As the group chatted as they waited, Saito and Louise was talking to Colbert about his airship.
"you know we have perfected air travel with air craft just as big as this in terms of weight, but never in the form of a ship like this." Saito said.
"I wish to take what we already had and use it from there, also I'm planning to make an auxhiliary aircraft to compliment this ship but to make is run on a liquid fuel is more difficult for us at the moment." Colbert informed.
"You'll get there, I assure you." Saito complimented. As the two continued to talk, Tabitha and Sylphid in her human form walked up to them.
"is there something you need Tabitha?" Colbert asked.
"Professor remember that conversation we had two days after the victory celebrations?" Tabitha asked.
"Yes of course, and I guessing it has something to do with that?" Colbert asked wondering what Tabitha was thinking, however he had an inkling what it could mean.
"It does." Tabitha answered before turning to Saito.
"Nani?" Saito asked confused.
"I want to hire you sir saito." Tabitha asked going to the point.
"EEEHHHH!" Saito exclaimed.
an hour later in a lounge area at the main palace of the kingdom, Tabitha explained the entire situation to the occupants. Saito along with Oda who became representatives of the rising sun be decree of the emperor, with Oda being the ambassador. Along with an embasabor of Germania and Bidashal who is proclaimed ambassador for the elves. Many of the knight orders were present and queen Henrietta was there listening to this, even Colbert and many others were there. Tabitha told the ocupants of how her uncle joseph rose to power, killed his brother and ser his tyrannical rule on the people, she even added how Joseph placed her own mother into a drug induced insanity, and causing Tabitha to exile herself. her story a collective silence came.
"so I believe the time is right to liberate my people and over throw the tyrant. Which is why I'm here asking for your support." Tabitha proclaimed finishing her story a collective silence came. Many didn't know what to say till Saito broke the Ice.
"So the second Oni has shown his head, and was in the light the entire time." Saito said in a grim tone. Everyone but those that knew looked at Saito weirdly.
"What is this Oni you were talking about sir Hiraga?" Bidashal asked.
"And what do you mean by second?" Henrietta added. Saito looked at Colbert and Louise also Oda who nodded in agreement. With that Saito told the entire story of his visions that plagued him for a long time. From the three Onis to the four warriors who would defeat them one by one. Colbert added that while Reconquista may have been the first oni and three of the warriors have already been gathered in the form of the armies of the three nations, and that Joshep turned out to be the second Oni. He even supported with evidence showing a comparison between the symbols of the second Oni and an ancient form of the Gallian royal crest.
"And you are sure that this is legit?" Henrietta asked.
"I've researched every possibility, and all lead to the same answer." Colbert explained.
"But why hire us Tabita chan?" Oda asked.
"weren't you samurai a ritualistic group of mercenaries when you began?" Tabitha asked. Oda sighed at that.
"There was once a time that we were. But it was a long time ago, but reforms turned us it to what you see today." Oda answered
"I understand your point Tabitha, and I support you all the way but don't get me wrong, I will not allow my knights to go to war based on a vision." Henrietta explained.
"I'm with her majesty on this, and I'm sure emperor Albrecht will agree to that." Germanias Ambassador added.
"I'm not asking you to go to war with Gallia, just support my rebellion." Tabitha explained.
"Big sister really needs your support." Sylphid begged. This caused many of the occupants fell conflicted. First off they just finished a war in quick succession even though it took a couple of months and reinforcements and second, starting another war even a few months after the last one will cost allot, and last but not least, Gallia is being run by a tyrant and tyrants need to be put down. However an open support can lead to another war which the three countries present don't want even though they knew it may be inevitable. Henrietta knew this quite well, her country just got recently strengthened by Albions airships which they've acquired but they are still considered a weak nation militarily wise in terms of number and weapons.
"I can confirm that Gallia is likely to use weapons of mass destruction." Bidashal said. everyone turned to bidashal for an explanation.
"Why is that?" Tabitha asked.
"I worked with your uncle before, and he commissioned me to make a weapon that could raise a city in one blow." Bidashal said. Tabitha got angry despite her calm exterior.
"Why did you do that? Why did you make such a weapon for my uncle?" Tabitha asked angrily. Bidashal raised his hands in surrender before explaining.
"he told me that he is planning to unite the four kingdoms under one banner. At first I though to let the humans fight and wipe eachother out. However when I learned that not only will he use it on the other human kingdoms but also plan to use it against, I immediately left." Bidashal explained.
"and you didn't even tried to atleast destroy your own work or at least dismantle it?" the Germanian ambassador asked.
"If I did then not only the city I worked at would be destroyed with its citizens, I would lose my life as well. Besides when it comes to humans I find the common folk more tolerable." Bidashal said, it was arguably a good defense for not doing so, if what he said was true then a weapon with the potential to destroy a city can be more dangerous to handle.
"Our country was nearly destroyed by a weapon of such scale. In the great unification war two of our prized cities were leveled to dust with such weapon and forbade the use of them." Oda explained. Saito nodded in confirmation by this.
"Bidashal didn't you at least have an Idea on how to disarm it atleast?" henrietta asked.
"That I haven't thought about, though I hate to admit it we elves have plans created in long term which could take days, weeks, months or even years to prepare mainly due to our long life. However we are stickler to rules and aren't as flexible or adaptable as you humans are, so no quick thinking has ever been good to us." Bidashal said in a sad tone. All of the occupants in the room are now in a dilemma. King joseph of Gallia has access to weapons of mass destruction, they wish to support Tabitha but can't do it openly because of politics, and the possibility of another war being upon them adds to their stress. The entire room went silent till Saito broke the Ice.
"Hold up a moment, I think I've got it!" Saito shouted.
"Nanda?" Oda asked.
"What is it? Henrietta added.
"Please explaine." The Germanian ambassador asked.
"I've a really good Idea to both give support to Tabitha without any political consquences. Also that way anyone who are either a spy of another country would not suspect a thing. But we must keep it between us and a select group of people, the rest must not know." Saito said with a smirk.
"let us hear it." Henrietta asked. With that Saito put up the biggest, most misschievious grin one could think off.
A few days later somewhere in the jail cells of the castle, shouting and the rattling of bars can be heard.
"LET US OUT! YOU CAN'T JUST THROW US IN LIKE THAT!" Gimli shouted.
"wow Gimli you are a really good actor." Louise said looking from her cell.
"hey you gotta sell it good right?" Gimli said smiling.
"Still I like your plan Saito but are you sure that this will work?" Guiche asked his cellmate.
"Done this type of thing at least a couple of times during training, but never done it in really life or as a ruse." Saito said as he lied on his bunk.
"So there is a chance it might fail?" Montmorency asked.
"Don't worry we'll only be in here for at least two weeks to make it more believable, besides the stage has already set." Saito explained. His plan turned out to be a ruse where a few knights have gone rogue, he already talked with the queen and the others about this.
(flashback)
"now your majesty, you said that you couldn't support her openly because of political consequences right?" Siato asked.
"Yes." Henrietta confirmed.
"have you ever thought of doing it covertly?" Saito continued. All eyes in the meeting lounge turned to Saito wishing to know what he's planning.
"Can you please explain?" bidashal asked
"what 'm saying is if you were to openly support Tabitha in her rebellion, Gallia would retaliate right?" Saito asked.
"Yes?" Henrietta asked wondering where this was going.
"Say if you were to support it in a more secretive manner, any support you give won't be traced back to you." saito added.
"That could work but how?" Henrietta asked.
"which is where your knights come in, if we stage some sort plot that would make them go "rogue" or something, but in actuality you're making it part a covert mission." Saito explained further. With that Henrietta realized what he meant.
"basically the same as sending spies right?" Henrietta asked smiling.
"not really but yeah, you get the point." Saito answered.
"A truly marvelous Idea!" The Germanian ambassador said excitedly.
"But who would be the ones to go rouge?" Bidashal asked. He raised a good question, however he was immediately answered.
"I think my Ondine knight will do the job just fine." Guiche volunteered.
"You Commander?" Henrietta asked
"I'd say it's quite fitting, they are young, reckless and wishing to prove themselves. Pluss many of the other knight orders consider them to young and inexperienced." Colbert said showing his support.
"Alright then let's do this." Henrietta said clasping her hands.
(end of flash back)
"Any way I hope that we will get out of here soon, and I hope that our rescue is a good one." Malincorne called from his cell.
"patience Malincorne, we still have to wait for the days to pass by, in the meantime let us all pass the time with something to keep us occupied." Saito said taking out a few dice.
"I hope you're right!" Reynald called from his cell.
Ten days have passed and the "rescue" came in the form of a distraction. Colbert, Tabitha and Kirche along with Siesta broke the "prisoners out of their cells and made a run for it out into the city. An hour later Henrietta walked into the jail cells seeing that the plan is being carried out.
"Seems like our "convicts" have escape." Henrietta said smiling.
"shall set out a search?" Agness asked smiling, she was in on the plan though she decided not tell anyone apart from two of her subordinates.
"make it believable." Hnerietta ordered.
"Yes your majest." With that the entire city guard are on guard as the searched for the "escapees". As Agness searched the streets she walked into a certain inn. Scaron was standing there arms crossed and "convicts were sitting at the tables.
"hiring new workers landlord?" Agness said in a teasing tone.
"Please madam knight you're scaring them." Scaron said playing along. This earned a few snickers from the occupants.
"sorry to disturb you but here take this." Agness said handing Scaron a scroll. As she exited the building a young Sargent walked up to her.
"madam permission to search the building?" he asked.
"we've already searched it, there's no there." Agness barked. With that Agness and the Guard continued there "search". Meanwhile back inside the Inn Colbert read throughout the scroll, as he reads the contents Jessica looked at the young knights and mages with a smirk.
"You guys have more guts creating ruse just to throw off the enemy." She said still smirking.
"We did it just so we could give Tabitha her support for this rebellion." Kirche Said smiling.
"Still what you did is really reckless." Said Scaron in a worried tone.
"Everyone thank you for your support." Tabitha Said smiling
"Tabitha remember killing your uncle may not solve everything but don't fall down the path he took, even if it's for vengeance." Saito said in a serious tone.
"I understand." Tabitha said softly.
"Big sister." Sylphid said hugging her.
"Still we must know how we are going to get to Gallia." Louise asked.
"Simple, we take the ostland tonight and create the diversion while the rest will head straight to Gallia, we'll take the germanian route while the rest will head south." Kirche proposed.
"But who will do that?" Montmorency asked.
"I will." Colbert volunteered.
"You Professor?" Guiche asked.
"Her Majesty will give us a wagon for us to use to get to Gallia, however we must distract the guard from the south, pluss I know the ostland like the back of my hand." Colbert said confidently.
"I'll Join you professor." Gimli volunteered.
"Me to" Reynald added.
"Thank you boys." Colbert said proudly. Saito walked over to siesta ready to talk to her.
"You should go with them Siesta." Saito said placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Actually I'm coming with you Saito." Siesta said smiling.
"What is a maid like you going to do on this mission?" Louise said in a suspicious tone.
"Come on I know that you two are going to have some quality time together, let in on it." Siesta explained.
"I'm not letting you go and seduce him, ya big boob maid!" Louise argued.
"You monopolize him every time!" Siesta argued back.
"Enough you two!" Saito said breaking the two apart.
"Siesta I'm saying that you go with them mainly because it's safer for you, also you inexperience in combat may trouble you, also you're pretty good at distracting others." Saito told Siesta.
"You really think so?" Siesta asked.
"I do." Saito confirmed.
"Ok but be sure to use these as a disguises for the trip ahead." Jessica call bringing in a few boxes carrying cloths of various styles.
"These once belonged to a very poor circus troop that passed by a while ago so be sure to change in them." Scaron added.
"Going in a group of traveling circus troops will be sure to lower suspicions." Guiche said. the gang took to their clothes and changed in different areas. Kirche and Montmorency took the guise of exotic dancers while Tiffania and Sylphid looked like pretty girls. Louise and saito looked like back stage workers with saito the role of hired muscle. Guiche took on the role of the ringleader though his outfit also makes him look like a tiket dealer, Tabitha looked like a fortune teller however Malincorne on the other hand took on the guise of a clown much to the boys amusement. That night when the two groups split to go their separate ways Saito saw the box that he specifically asked Oda to give him for the trip.
"Saito may I ask what's in the box?" Malincorne asked
"Some gear that we will need for saving Tabithas mother and confronting her uncle." Saito answered.
"you're really that prepared huh?" Tabitha asked.
"Sure." Saito answered, immediately after he answered he saw Louise sulking in the corner of the wagon.
"Something wrong louise?" Saito asked.
"She's just jealous because of the interaction with Siesta." Kirche answered.
"Don't answer for me." Louise snapped.
"What? Don't you wanna tell him about siesta's little ambition?" Kirche teased.
"AAAHHHH DON'T DO IT!" Louise shouted trying to cover Kirches mouth.
"What are you two talking about?" Saito asked.
"Well." Kirche said in a smug tone, and she told the entire group of what Siesta said fantasied to Louise back when they were staying at the castle months prior. After she's done Louise was as red as a tomato. Saito Smiled awkwardly, each girl had a different look spattered on them, Montmorency tried to calm louise down while Sylphid just smiled. Tiffania sat there confused while Tabitha and Kirche smiled with Kirche having the most mischievous one of the two while guiche an Malincorne had their eyes bulged out.
"Sound kinda hot but I didn't know that she was into kinky stuff." Saito said in an awkward tone.
"What do you mean hot!" Louise shouted still blushing.
"Well Louise seeing girls kiss each other id practically a guy's fantasy, it's perverted yeah but it's a turn on." Saito said with a nervous laugh.
"You perverted dog." Louise growled.
"Aren't children delivered by storks?" Tifania asked. Everyone turn to the elf in disbelief.
"Your telling us that you don't know how kids are made?" Kirche asked.
"Aren't they delivered but storks?" tiffania continued. This caused everyone to sweat drop, they knew that Tiffania can be Naïve and airheaded at times but seeing her this innocent and pure nearly wanted them keep her that way. However misunderstandings must be cleared. The girls decided to draw straws to tell Tiffania the truth. Montmorency turned out to be the unlucky one and drew the short straw. With that she whispered into Tiffania's ear while blushing red. As she finished tiffania turned a very bright red and her head exploded with information overload and fainted from the embaresment. With that the entire group got worried for their elven friend but knew that she'll wake up sooner or later.
"Who knew that she was this much of a pure maiden." Kriche said in a pity tone.
"Well she was Issolated in her early years so of course she would react like that." Louise added.
"Guys we're near the border!" Guiche called.
"Ok if there are any guards just stay calm and act natural. They may not be in an the scheme." Saito ordered.
"Right" everyone said in unison.
Authors note: Ok so we're now going to Gallia to deal with Joseph. I hope things will go well. I end the chapter here for now, but don't worry the next chapter is coming up soon. Till then, see ya'll in the next chapter.