Chapter 2: Danger on the Seas
Two weeks later… Tatsumi looked out from the bridge of his flagship, it had taken some time to organize the expedition and ready the ships: Tatsumi's flagship the largest in the Imperial Fleet was state of art and an intensive project for construction, at about half a mile in length and made of titanium that was decorated with gold and other decorative metals and armed to the teeth with the latest in firepower the Golden Dragon was easily the largest ship ever built by the Empire in its history up to that point in time. The ship was decorated with ornate statuary and carvings with images of dragons being commonly shown, atop a large pole flew the Imperial standard of the Golden Dragon on a black background and alongside it an iconic flag that depicted an owl and crescent moon on a night sky, the banner of Night Raid which always flew alongside the Emperor's standard as despite that war been over and Night Raid 'officially' being disbanded Tatsumi always had that flag fly as it was important to Eden's history and was meant as both a sign of greatness and a warning to his enemies.
The ship itself was armed to the teeth with forty large battery emplacements with about ten guns each along with missile emplacements: the ship also sported an on-board hanger that carried about thirty Imperial fighter jets; the ship itself was more like a floating city then a warship though it was armed to the teeth also bellow the decks Tatsumi had a certain secret weapon that would make conquering the isles easy if it came to that though at most he hoped the sight of it would convince Tenrou to stand down, a special ancestral weapon that had been rebuilt after the end of the War that Mattered; the weapon used to forge the Old Empire: the Primus Imperator. Accompanying the Golden Dragon were three light cruisers that were less armed but still formidable in a pinch easily outclassing any ship outside those of allied Amannar and Nova Atlantea, and the Soukai ships that had brought the expedition. The Sea itself had been calm, none of the massive danger beasts of a sea dared hassle them and overall it had been good sailing since they left the Port Constantine; the only thing that had been remotely dangerous had been a storm but they had been fortunate that the it had been a minor tropical depression and thus had done little to no damage to their ships.
"You know there is something fascinating about sailing the high seas" Tatsumi remarked to Akame. Akame Kira 'Taira' Gildenstrom was one of Tatsumi's wives and known as the Black Rose Empress and one of the four Rakshasa Champions, currently she was dressed in a red and black kimono that left her shoulders bare; in her long black hair she wore cap-style crown made of silver and studded with rubies and firestones; at her side were two swords both Katanas but also Teigus named Kiriichimonji and Murasame both worn in the style of the samurai; Akame was goddess of beauty and a deadly rose, her face was fair with looks most women would kill for, she had blood red eyes, long black hair that reached the small of her back, her breasts were ample DD-cups and her figure was graceful but physically fit from constant training, her demeanor was happy and she smiled nicely which was a sharp contrast as a few years ago she hardly ever smiled but her marriage and relationship with Tatsumi had changed her for the better, removing her detached demeanor and her lack of joy and replacing it with a happy and caring one though she could still be serious at times, at the moment she was looking thru a book that was Teigu that recorded knowledge of the entire world of Eden.
"Indeed there is, I love sailing; I'd like to reach our destination though sooner than later, Wakoku is a fascinating place: according to Wongo-Wongo there are 27 islands each with their own distinct ruling kingdom though they tend to keep some uniformity in culture and ethnics but there are a number of different languages here, you know that the people of Wakoku speak the Imperial tongue as a second language to allow them to communicate between each other and foreign nations, but every kingdom has their own language; fascinating you know I'm glad to have this Teigu, also the maps look it's like looking down on the day to day lives of the cities, oh and we need to go northwards and then veer about towards Wakoku again, there is a large Typhoon in our current path" Akame explained, the last part came from the trump card of Wongo-Wongo which could predict natural disasters which was very useful for running the Empire as it allowed Akame to predict the weather and allowed Tatsumi to have the people be prepared for cataclysms. The big advantage though with Wongo-Wongo is that it contained maps of the entire world down to the last detail and that constantly updated thru an enchantment cast by a Dwarven Rune Priest the maps also if one focused on them showed what the locations themselves looked like as if you were looking down on them from space, Wongo-Wongo also contained information regarding the people of the world including their languages, culture, customs and even down to their appearances and style of dress along with the food they ate which made it an absolutely essential.
"I know, it's a shame that Wongo-Wongo chose to bind to you rather than me: I'd spend hours on end reading that book" Tatsumi replied, Akame laughed and smiled at that giving him a peck on the cheek before replying.
"I spend hours on end reading it, besides, I haven't stopped reading over the Wakoku sections since we left Melitine, we need to know everything about the place if the islands are going to become part of the Empire" Akame replied.
"I hope that we only need to annex Soukai and Saryuu but I'm betting that we'll have to annex the whole chain with my luck; I hope it doesn't become a blood bath or draw out for years on end" Tatsumi remarked, then frowned.
"Don't worry if it does come to war we have to remember we have a lot of advantages the locals don't, they only recently had firearms introduced with those being single-shot matchlocks that aren't the most accurate weapons or the easiest to reload; the rest are pretty much melee infantry and archers with some cavalry also you brought the Imperator it will make things easy if it does come down to a slog; though I'd note according to this book they've developed the means to-" Akame explained but was interrupted when Hinowa rushed into the room.
"Your majesty, Tenrou ships are approaching the fleet!" Hinowa warned.
Tatsumi turned to face her. "Sound general quarters; order our troops to prepare for the worst but extend a neutral flag of truce; I'm sure they can be reasoned with" Tatsumi replied. "How many are there?" Tatsumi asked.
"About 20 ships, one of the drones got a good look, they aren't merchant ships either they are warships" Hinowa explained, Tatsumi was puzzled why would a war fleet be headed their direction, it didn't make sense at the moment Tenrou and the Golden Dragon Empire were still at peace and Tatsumi had a vested interest in keeping said peace, he'd had enough of war to last him a lifetime but life seemed to keep throwing wars at him something that irked him to no end do to his hatred for killing and pointless deaths.
"I know that look" Akame remarked looking at Tatsumi's expression.
"Yeah you do, I hope this doesn't start a war, if it is I'll be pissed you know how I feel about killing" Tatsumi replied.
"Don't worry it may not come to that and if it does well we're in the same boat both figuratively and literally" Akame replied then held him something that reassured him somewhat
About an hour later the ships closed within distance of the fleet and the Tenrou flagship which was the largest approached the Golden Dragon after being allowed to do so. An armed party of warriors in the fashion of the Samurai and Ashigaru of Wakoku came onto the ship lead by of all people a beautiful woman but not a conventional beauty. Tatsumi took one look at her and immediately could tell she was part danger beast, her walk, fair features and the semi-translucence of her skin along with her eyes gave that away, she was clad for battle and had a long sword at her side, the blade had a slight curve much like a Katana with a slight opening at the backend above the guard and was large about a foot long and the blade resembled Murasame with a similar luster though it was surprisingly ornate it was red in color with etching that resembled and were clearly dwarven runes, she was a true beauty with long dark hair, tanned yellow-brown skin and to Tatsumi's semi alarm golden eyes that seemed to look thru him her attire was black with a hooded cloak the golden eyes themselves for that moment reminded him of an old enemy who had that exact same shade of eyes though he had been a demon: a literal one.
"Halt" Tatsumi ordered and they stopped on a disciplined que. "Identify yourself" Tatsumi ordered, Tatsumi noted that the women who was clearly their leader looked at him with- well interest though not romantic more as someone trying to take a measure of someone they've just met, her stare though was intimidating, she almost seemed to see thru him and there was a fire in her eyes, to Tatsumi's side Erasiel looked at him with a cautious expression and whispered that Tatsumi should be careful as her aura showed she had intentions to fight and that he'd be best advised if it came to one to take her alive as she was clearly extremely high-ranked.
"General Yomihime of the army of Grand Shogun Zuou of Tenrou and one of his Ten Stars; his majesty sends his regards and a warning; you are within the waters of Tenrou with a military fleet, he also has been informed that the Golden Dragon Empire has been approached by our rivals in the kingdom of Soukai, he is requesting you stay out of the conflict with our enemies and warns that continued pursuit of pacts will be regarded as a hostile action against Tenrou and Wakoku as a whole" the woman explained.
"By what reason does he issue this ultimatum? Also why does he have a vested interest in interfering with Imperial foreign affairs, last I check I was in charge of Imperial diplomacy as the Golden Dragon Emperor, I am Emperor Tatsumi Gildenstrom seventh of my family name and first Emperor of the Golden Dragon Empire, the right wise savior of Eden who slew the Arch-Demon Volgoth Ugor and saved Eden from destruction and bane of any who seek to molest my lands and subjects; the Empire last I checked was not answerable to Grand Shogun Zuou nor can he speak for all of Wakoku either as he has not yet either unified the islands or been recognized internationally as being the ruler of all Wakoku; I'm aware you may find my actions a threat to his ambitions but they are perfectly legal under Imperial law and under the laws of Soukai and no doubt Tenrou's laws as well, if the King of Soukai wishes to marry his daughter to me it's his right as I've given my consent as has his daughter and he has his own consent to such a union and I've already signed the treaty for the deal as has he and his daughter, it only requires the king's approval and the actual marriage: at the moment I'd like to send a message to King Zuou, the Empire is free to do as it wishes as it is an independent sovereign state that is answerable only to its people and own leaders, there is no foreign body to contest that nor would I or the Empire answer to one if such a body did exist, also I'd advise against war with the Empire, we may have just recovered from a civil war but we are far from weak not remotely; also now Soukai as of my signing of this treaty is now a vassal of the Golden Dragon Empire and I demand that Zuou withdraw his forces and cease his war or face Imperial involvement, any further attack after he has been informed will be treated as a declaration of war on the Golden Dragon Empire and if there is any doubt as to who would win such a conflict you need only note that despite the Empire having been in a state of Civil War I reunified the nation, expanded its borders to further extents then at any point in the history of the Old Empire, restored the Pact of Gold with The Dwarves along with our ancestral alliance and beat back a demon invasion of Eden that outnumbered us in the final battle by 10 to 1, if that isn't enough a reason why war with the Golden Dragon Empire is a horrible idea I don't know what is" Tatsumi replied, Yomihime smiled, she had been since she came on board and that smile was unsettling and creepy along with being homicidal and spoiling for a fight, Erasiel noted her aura was giddy for a fight.
"I see, then I'm saddened to see that you cannot be reasoned with, you see I have my orders, my fleet is now required to attack your fleet, you can understand that failure to comply has resulted in this conflict and now we will have no other option but to fight I look forward to facing you savior of Eden in battle and hope that one of us meets an end worthy of poets to write about for centuries" Yomihime replied and drew her sword, the rest of her warriors yelled out 'Banzai!' and boarded the ship, Tatsumi immediately draw his sword Michael: the sword of Truth that had served him for years as a normal blade before being reforged into an Imperial arm designed to kill Volgoth by the Dwarves and parried Yomihime's attack which was a rapid flurry of strikes, to his surprise she moved extremely quick and her blade ignited with flame, Tatsumi was reminded of demons but she wasn't of their blood no something else like some being of living fire; Erasiel sidestepped and killed a number of troops before sending a fireball in the direction of Yomihime's ship which was made of wood and was set alight, the fire caught the attention of all other ships which began attacking, the loud boom of heavy cannons from Tatsumi's warships thundered as Tenrou Bunes were destroyed with some ships fleeing those that did were spared what happened to the others which either were blown up, sunk out right or lit aflame by explosive shells that rendered them into floating infernos on the waves, the screams of Tenrou's soldiers and sailors were heard.
"Take her alive!" Tatsumi ordered everyone surrounding them, Yomihime was moving lightning quick her blade strooks parried and countered the weapons of the Four Rakshasa who she then dodged in an effective manner that they crashed into each other knocking them down on the ground she then tried to finish them but was stopped by Hinowa who had rushed in her sword a large thick blade. The two women locked blades as Tatsumi was forced to fight the remainder of Yomihime's guard.
"Interesting" Yomihime remarked as they dueled. "Good technique and excellent swordplay, Soukai warrior no doubt, and quite an aggressive style at that" Yomihime commented and the two pressed attacks their duel lasting for a decent amount of time while Tatsumi fought off Yomihime's troops that seemed to be isolating him from their commander, that didn't help her avoid him as he cut thru them like carving a cake and he reached Hinowa just as Yomihime had gotten the upper hand and disarmed Hinowa.
"Now you will have a warrior's death" Yomihime remarked and readied a strike that did not land; Tatsumi parried the blade.
"Forgot about me?" Tatsumi replied, Yomihime looked at him with amusement.
"No, I didn't I was just wondering how long it would take you to show up you did just in the nick of time to save her which is a plus for her and you" Yomihime replied and they locked blades.
"Time to end this" Tatsumi thought and made a power-attack with his sword, he expected Yomihime's blade to shatter on impact but his surprise it held up. "That's not possible my shatter point strike should have broken your sword" Tatsumi replied.
"I wield a Meihou, a weapon that is made by the most skilled craftsmen in Wakoku, it is comparable to what you Imperials call Teigu if not the same thing" Yomihime explained Tatsumi used that moment of hesitation on her part to explain her weapon to break thru her guard and hit her with the pommel of his weapon knocking her out, to the side Tatsumi noted the other Tenrou soldiers were dead and Akame clad in her Rakshasa Armor standing with the other three champions Mez, Suzuka, and Akame's sister Kurome who were similarly clad over the pile of dead soldiers, Tatsumi noted that the rest of his detail, 10 more women of two separate units those being the Elite Seven and Three Sacred Swords had finally managed to reach the place too late, Balluck the leader of his three Sacred Swords was sorely disappointed to have missed the action. "Balluck I want you, Womyn and Remus to take this woman to the brig, maximum security you're in charge of guarding her, she's the enemy commander and I've got a lot of questions for her about this attack and why it happened" Tatsumi ordered, the unconscious Yomihime was hauled off, her sword was left on the deck; Tatsumi knew better then to touch a bounded Teigu but he tried and surprisingly the weapon let him do so; there was something up with that as it should have burned him but it didn't which set off alarm bells and he immediately now had to fetch Dorothea to look it over. Shortly Tatsumi found his scientist wife looking over a number of innovations that she was currently constructing, Tatsumi had an onboard laboratory on his flagship for the purpose of allowing Dorothea and Umber to work on any of their research projects when at sea; Umber was absent as she was rallying the Dwarven force that would accompany the invasion force of Wakoku which Tatsumi now saw was going to have to be used; it was good that he had foresight to mobilize a military response in case of Zuou deciding to declare war he just hadn't expected it to come on first contact during diplomacy. The sword Yomihime has used itself was something Tatsumi was confused about as Teigus normally could not be carried by anyone but the user without protective gloves lest they be burned doing so. As Tatsumi walked into the lab he immediately plopped the sword down on a clear countertop getting the attention of Dorothea who had been looking at something under a microscope; a project charting possibilities for new medicines as Dorothea was determined to wipe out every disease known to human kind along with a number of other projects in various fields as Dorothea was a prodigy with any and all fields of science and was doctor trained in as many fields she could find, added to by her centuries of experience for you see Dorothea was far from normal as humans went, she looked like a radiant beauty with her long blonde hair and orange eyes but had prolonged her life using her Teigu Absordex that absorbed the life force of any living thing she bit with it, the drain left a desiccated corpse comparable to a mummy, fortunately Pigs were a good source of it and allowed her not to have to feed on humans or other living creatures for their life energy and blood.
"What have we here?" Dorothea commented looking up from her microscope and walking over to Tatsumi. "Oh, my darling Tatsumi its great to see you now what do you have for me today?" Dorothea greeted
"A sword from an enemy commander we just captured" Tatsumi replied.
"I see well metallurgy is your field of expertise as a blacksmith not mine" Dorothea replied.
"The blade is Teigu or at least that's what I think it is but the wielder of it called it a Meihou and when I brought it here it didn't harm me like a bonded Teigu should" Tatsumi replied at this Dorothea cocked an eyebrow in both surprise and interest then barreled over to look at weapon.
"Very interesting; Wakoku forging style no doubt, but I'm certain that you knew that already, and well these runes are Dwarven, they name the sword Flamebrand in the Imperial tongue a rather interesting name; however I can guess there is more to it, I'll have to study this further, also compare our Teigu forging techniques for any notable differences, it's a rather unique weapon and exotic at that and well interesting too I'll preform some tests but I'll need Umber to help look this over further for anything that I'd miss, but I can tell one thing immediately while the runes are dwarven, the blade itself is human make the imprints from the forging are visible which is something that Dwarves don't leave on their arms, also this blade isn't too old by the looks I'd wager less than a century old possible a few decades so it's recent work; I'll get to work on this immediately, my cure for the common cold will have to wait for now" Dorothea replied, Tatsumi nodded and left Dorothea to her work.
About an hour later he visited the brig and specifically the cell where Yomihime was being held, she had recovered consciousness and smiled when she saw him. "So you've come to visit, interesting choice sparing my life, it's not a mercy you get often in these Isles, I've certainly rarely given it" Yomihime replied.
"What are you" Tatsumi asked, she knew what he meant her powers reflexes.
"What are any of us in this world of ours?" Yomihime replied in response cryptically Tatsumi didn't have an interest in debating philosophy at the moment.
"You just defeated all four of the Empire's finest soldiers by yourself, the Four Rakshasa Champions are the most elite unit in the Empire, yet you took them on all by yourself, what are you? Also, your skin and eyes give off something not fully human" Tatsumi asked.
"I don't know what I am to be fully honest, human partly, but part freak of some kind, never knew my mother, my father clamed I was the child of a woman from the mountains, he told me she was a beauty with black hair and skin tan as sand: some people suspect her to have been a Agni-Onna, a woman of fire, I just think she was someone special" Yomihime replied. "But enough about me, why did you spare my life and why do I yet life?" Yomihime replied.
"First off I don't kill if I don't have to and I didn't have to kill you, secondly you're more useful alive, third I have questions I want answered and I hope to convince you to join my side and trust me I can be quite 'persuasive'" Tatsumi explained.
"Interesting play, of course Grand Shogun Zuou has my loyalty, though I'll note he did send me on this mission, folly, you would give me more than my current liege yet you've denied me a death in battle which is a slight against my honor, decisions, decisions it would require time for me to make any such commitment. Anyway you're probably wondering what my role is, I'm one of the Ten Stars as I told you earlier, the greatest generals of Tenrou and the legends of Wakoku, each of us is said to be worth a thousand men on the field of battle; there are ten of us and I am one of them with many accolades and accomplishments to my name" Yomihime explained.
"Who are the others?" Tatsumi asked.
"Ask the Soukai women whose life you saved from me she'd be more interested in talking about them, as for me well at the moment I'm- nobody and as such nobody was talking to you" Yomihime replied then shut up started to meditate and Tatsumi could not get anything more out of her so he left her to meditate and think on her new situation he could ask more later.
With those words in mind Tatsumi tracked down Hinowa whom he found cleaning herself and her sword of the blood from the slain Tenrou soldiers; Tatsumi noted that she showed an aura of calm as if this were not out of the ordinary. Seeing him enter the room she immediately rose and bowed. "My Emperor" Hinowa greeted.
"No need for the formalities around me I have everyone in my army call me by name when I speak to them individually" Tatsumi replied. "I have questions" Tatsumi asked.
"I'll try my best to answer them though I have one, do you know how dangerous it is to keep that woman prisoner?" Hinowa replied.
"About as dangerous as half of the people I've locked up; granted usually I rarely do get the option to lock them up most of the time dangerous people try to kill me and get killed in turn, besides she's of more use alive after all the enemy is an unknown and she could become a valuable asset if the right steps are taken" Tatsumi replied.
"I'm not sure that it's an advisable course of action, yes she is a valuable source of information but at the same time she is a danger to other people because of her power; if you think you can turn her to your side then you are in for a difficult task" Hinowa replied.
"I can be persuasive; now I'd like to know more about the Ten Stars, Yomihime that's her name said she was part of the group; do you know anything about them?" Tatsumi replied, at this Hinowa looked at him with a forlorn look.
"Yes, I do, though not as much as Yomihime herself would I'm not surprised though she didn't want to reveal that information she seems the type not to do so. The Ten Stars are King Zuou's greatest military minds and warriors, they along with Zuou's own innate skills and brilliant leadership are the reason Tenrou has expanded as rapidly in five years as it has and why Zuou claims the tile of Shogun, that title is an old one used only when a coalition of the kingdoms have unified against an external threat, Zuou takes it as if he were an Emperor like you, his ambitions are great and too many have underestimated him I hope you don't follow that course; though I doubt you will" Hinowa explained.
"How many are there?" Tatsumi asked.
"10: Yomihime is one of the best of the group, of the ten three are considerable above the rest in ranking: Yomihime is one of them, another is General Moegi the best military commander of their number when it comes to siege warfare and victory ratio arguably the most dangerous of all ten, if there is a stronghold that needs taking Moegi and her army can crack it no matter the reputation and her troops are fanatically devoted to her for a few reasons not the least being that she allows them to do as they please in the aftermath when they win a battle in fact survivors tell she takes part in looting, plundering, killing and raping that follow battles; she's said to be insatiable when it comes to men and that is another reason her troops are devoted she even has a personal bodyguard unit she calls her 'Muscle Militia' that are both her best troops and her personal harem of bedwarmers, her ambitions are by her own words 'to kill a thousand foes herself and bed a thousand men' one story I head happened to one of our allies of a lord who in order to spare his people the violence that follows one of her battle offered himself to her in bed with the promise that if she enjoyed the experience she'd spare his city when he surrendered; she accepted the offer and took him thru so much that he died of a heart attack after he'd reached his limit and he had near-exhausted her; she kept the promise and spared the castle. Of the Ten Stars apart Yomihime I'd agree with those who consider her the most dangerous, Moegi is the most dangerous in my view because of her combat feats and military skills, she's an absolute force on the battlefield and once took a castle with herself and 20 of her troops, she wields a powerful Meihou that takes the form of a Naginata and is always in search of a challenge to say nothing of the aftermath of what happens when she takes a stronghold that resists; she'd be likely the first Zuou would send at you as her army the Southern Army is the closest to Soikai" Hinowa explained. "As for the third will that ace Ten star is a man from- well not the isles I've heard tell he was once in Imperial Army but deserted after he felt his skills in leadership and battle were not being used to their full extent, Zuou apparently met him not to soon after he and his first wife arrived; he goes by the name Nahashu though I've heard that it's a Wakoku adoption over his true name and that his real name is something similar but in an Imperial name; I've no idea what it would be. However, what I do know is his accomplishments since arrived in the Isles, two of our allies in their entirety fell to stratagems he conceived, and he is said to use assassinations to take out the leadership of enemy armies before attacking them in night battles. He said himself he was before he deserted the group leader of the Empire's most elite special forces unit and he had built a mercenary band of Imperial deserters before coming Zuou hired him on, after Nahashu proved himself Zuou gave him land and titles along with a Meihou blade and armor set but he also possesses one of your Teigus Jiaolong: the Water-Dragon Sword he uses both in battle along with a custom suit of armor that's a fusion of Wakoku and Imperial smithing techniques" Hinowa explained.
"And the other seven who are they? Anything worth knowing about them?" Tatsumi asked.
"Their names are as follows and each is a master of a different weapon and field of warfare: Amateru, she is a master of the scythe, priestess of Bishamonten and a professional killer who specializes as a battlefield champion, she is said to have killed hundreds of warriors on her own and that she's an avid seamstress even going so far as make battle standards for her own army that are mix of silk and cotton along with the flayed skins of her enemies she even once sowed an enemy she cut in half back together just to see if it was possible she really doesn't have respect for the dead she dresses like a shrine priestess but don't let that fool you she swore her priestly oaths to Bishamonten the God of War and is wedded to the battlefield unlike Moegi its said that men hold no interest to her the only person she claims she'd take to wed and to bed is a man stained by war and who has killed not out of enjoyment but because they had to protect those they cared for the most a true champion of the War God's aspect she doesn't represent: she'll be worth keeping an eye out for and on, also advise your soldiers to be cautious she is a deadly killer and has cut down armies by herself. Then there is Gundari, the head of Tenrou's northern armies we know little about him and that's because from what we do know he's focused on the northern islands and thus as far from us as possible; most I can say is that is a very skilled tactician and middle-aged man of a respected samurai clan. Then you Kuriaya, he or she, no one knows for certain whether man or women because Kuriaya is always wearing a mask and the black armor of his Ninja clan, he or she is Zuou's spymaster and the person who knows the ins and outs of every place on the island, few secrets escape that sinister spymaster who has eyes and ears thru ought the isles and the world too; spies that have gone as far west as the Imperial Court and as east as the massive empire of Yuchaan in far off Cathnequay some even have infiltrated if stories are to be believed the Commonwealth of Nova Atlantea, Amannar and the Dwarven holds stealing information and secrets from them, Kuriaya is one whose Ninja and Kunoichi agents carry out Nahashu's planned sabotage and assassination missions, the spymaster could be anywhere in the islands and anyone too only Zuou knows Kuriaya's face and identity, the name we know the spymaster by may not even the true name of the one behind the mask. The others are more simple and open, General Muzuchi is Zuou's chief bodyguard, head of his personal Hatamoto and standard bearer along with being a deadly archer and a childhood friend I've heard he is jealous of Zuou's lust for Princess Rinzu and wants her for himself, General Akugetsu is his chief strategist and a master of the art of war he even wrote a few books on it, I happen to own copies of them all, then there is Shamon the head of the Order of Ikki-Ikki warrior monks they are master archers and swordsmen but who is also the chief diplomat when Zuou attempts conquest by diplomacy, and last Magatsu the man in charge of the administration of new territory and the supplies that feed Zuou's war machine: Zuou has other military commanders but few come close to the Ten Stars" Hinowa explained.
"Fascinating, now which of these commanders oversees the attacks on your homeland" Tatsumi asked.
"Actually, none of them, we some of strongest of his enemies but we are not his chief focus, that's on our stronger ally Saryuu but even they are barely holding on. His commander however is not one taken light he's possibly an Eleventh Star which says a lot; he is however very dangerous and cruel to a point where Zuou I'm sure only keeps him as a commander out of a hope he'll get himself killed or because he always gets the job done and we know for certain Zuou only cares about the job getting done; his name is Kyoukotsu, the man is cruel, wicked, ruthless and sadistic, he has- a sick twisted fascination with art specifically turning innocent people into pieces of art including his own soldiers from time to time, he is a rapist, a murderer and torturer, he doesn't care whom he targets for any of those three crimes be they man, women, child, old, young crippled or disabled, the reason Zuou keeps him around is for his military command skills which are secondly only to the most strategically minded of the Ten Stars, he has improvised all manner of tactics when it comes to siege warfare along with ship warfare as well, even going so far as to use Spider freaks for building siege ladders out of their strong threads, his warriors are brutal as well, the reason Zuou sent him is likely to get him as far away from Tenrou as possible as he isn't liked by people as a whole including Zuou himself and because he views him as an expendable commander to throw at targets that aren't his direct focus" Hinowa explained.
"Kyoukotsu sounds like the kind of scum I thought were wiped out during the War that Mattered" Tatsumi remarked off hand.
"With all due respect you may have wiped them out in the Empire but Wakoku is a different place and you may find some of their ilk still live here. You won't find that kind of sort in Soikai though, their type hasn't been seen in great number for centuries the previous rulers of Soikai did a fairly good job of stomping them out and because we are one of the smaller kingdoms its not too hard to keep them from showing up again; the only issue apart from Tenrou our current king hasn't been able to get rid of apart from Tenrou are the pirates, a rowdy lot called the Red Sail Wakos because of the sails on their ships that operate on one of the smaller isles, their leader is a woman named Saiha who calls herself the Queen of Pirates along with her being the Queen of Gato-Wako a smaller island that has always been a haven for pirates and smugglers they style themselves as one of Wakoku's kingdoms, she's tended to leave us alone for the time being all the fighting between Tenrou's navy and our own makes it difficult to raid our shipping and fishing ships when they stay in port to avoid being boarded or are being converted into warships which are a risk for pirates to attack as they can cost the pirates more than they are worth " Hinowa replied.
"Pirates eh, something to watch out for, here's a question though how do you think they'd respond to privateering work?" Tatsumi replied, Hinowa laughed.
"You discovered the reason why the pirates of Gato-Wako have never been wiped out, when they aren't raiding us they raid our enemies and rivals for us, they are top notch mercenaries and usually if you pay them enough they'll turn the swords away from you and towards your enemies; with the Empire's wealth well I think you could buy the services of their whole kingdom" Hinowa replied. "As for Saiha herself, well she's single for a pirate Queen and is said to want to wed a foreign ruler, if you're willing to allow pirates to fight for you well I think you should try and speak with them, personally I'm against dealing with their lot as I lost my father to Saiha's kingdom of cutthroats when I was little and he had sailed too far from shore but if you want to I won't oppose your actions my liege, if it's to help against Tenrou well anyone who doesn't want Zuou to be ruler of the islands is welcome as far as I'm concerned, besides the cutthroats that killed my father swung from the gallows years ago" Hinowa explained.
"Alright, now I've one more question it's about Nahashu, you said he was Imperial, when did he join Zuou? Also did he ever say what unit he was from" Tatsumi replied.
"As to the first question about two years ago, he was hired as a mercenary instructor to train Zuou's soldiers in the use of Teppou or guns as you Imperials call them, he did such an effective job that Zuou offered him land, the title of a Daimyo, four of his 20 sisters to take to wife and land for all the troops in his company, Nahashu accepted the offer; his first wife is Imperial and he's married seven more since he arrived in Tenrou not counting the four Zuou gifted to him. As to his military service the most Zuou stated is that he was the leader of one of the Empire's best units and that he deserted based on the fact he was being denied advancement despite his achievements apparently he was seeking a leader and nation that recognized his accomplishments but also because his superiors had wanted him to commit an evil deed on his last mission that he wanted no part in" Hinowa replied.
"Hmm, remarkably interesting, I'll keep an eye out for any of the Ten stars, but especially Nahashu and Moegi, I think I may be able to flip them, Moegi sounds like she's practically going to be easy to sway to my side, what's a ruler like Zuou compared to the Golden Dragon Emperor, the hero who saved the world and no I'm not letting my ego get to me I'm aware of my limits but she isn't and what do you think Zuou's promised her, I can one up him in so many ways' give me one session in bed with her and she'll switch sides just to be able to keep at me; as for Nahashu the old Empire is dead and buried under the largest war in Eden's history, my Empire is far different; the others though I'll do what I can I'd like to get them to join me as it saves me the trouble of having to fight them; as for Yomihime well I'm going to keep her under lock and key and keep visiting her eventually I'll turn her to my side I can be nothing if not persuasive" Tatsumi replied and turned to leave, Hinowa grabbed his hand he turned to face her she put her sword at his feet and knelt.
"Wait; you majesty I- thank you for what you've did, you saved me from Yomihime and I thought I'd die in that fight, I offer myself to you as your Onna Hatamoto I'll fight by your side to the end my liege" Hinowa pledged.
"I accept your pledge, I'm honored to have you join my personal retinue, now what does a Hatamoto entail?" Tatsumi asked.
"It's an elite unit of personal guards that will fight alongside their lord until the end and should the unit fail in our duty and their lord dies they are to commit seppuku, suicide, to regain their honor or seek a glorious death in battle as ronin, I will follow you to whatever end and do whatever you desire of me; my Master" Hinowa replied, Tatsumi drew his sword and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Rise then Hinowa, General of the Golden Dragon Empire, serve your Emperor well and for your deeds you will receive whatever reward I can offer to you and the rewards I can offer are many as I control the largest nation on the face of Eden" Tatsumi explained then sheathed his blade and Hinowa stood up.
"Yes my lord I shall not fail you, whatever you've need I shall provide; my lord when we arrive in Soikai I'll see to recruiting more to your Hatamoto" Hinowa explained.
"Choose those of my generation I want warriors in their youth and open to learning, my champions and I will oversee their training to make them the best possible" Tatsumi replied.
"I'll see to it, I'll bring in my own daughter if she wishes; my lord I'd do anything for you even wed myself and my only child to you; I'll do whatever you ask of me and be whatever you want me to be" Hinowa replied and knelt, Tatsumi shut the door, she kissed him, this beautiful young widow kissed him and he kissed back.
This passionate kissed escalated both quickly relieved each other of their clothing Tatsumi and Hinowa looked at each other's scars. Hinowa had a set of scars across her midsection from an injury in a battle that she'd survived along with another along her left leg. Tatsumi's body however had a large number of scars, most of which were from his injuries sustained against Volgoth in the final battle but the most prominent of the scars that she could were across his midsection, these had come from the Arch-Devil General Socrathor, and one large one on his shoulder that came from Volgoth nearly killing him in their first fight which happened before the demon had even ascended. "I thought I had scars you've- seen a lot" Hinowa commented, Tatsumi turned around.
"There's more" Tatsumi remarked noting the large scar alongside his back that had come from fighting a Nazi Werewolf to use laymen's terms and three more from Socrathor's demonic magic. "That big one came from a madman that hunted people for sport, I got that hunting him in turn" Tatsumi replied and turned towards her; she noted his length, the ten inch rod was fully erect but Hinowa had more interest in his the injuries he'd taken.
"And- that one" Hinowa asked pointing to the shoulder scar.
"That one nearly killed me, the monster that gave it to me well if he'd been a couple inches to the right he'd have killed me as it stands he gave me that reminder, it was that day my arrogance died, that along with the many others you see came from Volgoth the demon that tried to destroy our world but that one was the first and before he was ascended still a demon trapped in a human's body" Tatsumi explained, he held her close and placed a hand on her hip near a scar the other on her left breast which was ample.
"Mine came from less glorious actions, though like you I had an arrogant streak my injuries killed, I'm grateful that my arrogance was the only thing that died, lest I leave my dear Hinata an orphan, she's only just turned 16 to think what it would have meant for her to lose me when she was still a child" Hinowa explained.
"Is she like you?" Tatsumi asked.
"Like a younger me, she has too much of her father in her though she's headstrong and willful its all I've done to keep her from trouble and from fighting in the wars before she was of age and trained" Hinowa explained.
"You love her, I love my children, my angels both of my own issue and those I've taken in as my own, my Kyoko and Mishi" Tatsumi replied, she kissed him.
"We've talked too much, take me my beloved Emperor, I'm yours, all that I am and all that I have to give is yours to do with as you desire" Hinowa replied, Tatsumi picked her up laid her on the bed nearby and entered her; she was surprisingly tight, he captured her lips in a chaste kiss and slowly began to thrust at a measured pace, she moaned placed her left hand on his back and her right his left bum-cheek, his hands held her to him as she moaned into the tender kiss. The loving embrace was one Tatsumi had been in numerous times with numerous women but it never lost the magic and majesty along with the pleasure and happiness he felt whenever he found himself in such a position.
The kisses and thrusts continued, Tatsumi broke the kiss an brought his lips to her right breast, the ample DD-cup breast was soft in his hand, his tongue licked around the areola of the nipple bringing it to arousal before drinking. "Tatsumi" Hinowa moaned as he did this, she felt a good feeling and the fact that Tatsumi was drinking from her breast as if he was a babe reminded her of nursing Hinata as a child. "I'll nurse other children yet" she thought, she wasn't too old she'd been 16 when she'd had Hinata and was 32 now, she'd have a good 20 more years of childbearing, more once Imperial medicine was factored in. Oh the joy of the moment was something she couldn't help by enjoy and Tatsumi was of a similar mind. They spent an hour in each others embrace Tatsumi showing Hinowa what he was capable off before the two rolled over on the bed in each others arms.
"My Emperor, when do you wish to wed me?" Hinowa asked.
"Soon after I wed Princess Rinzu, I don't want to offend any idiots that would complain if I made the wedding a double feature, but we will marry and I will pay for the ceremony out of my own personal fortune and everything related to it myself, we'll have best things possible and I'm not worried about the cost because no price is too high for someone I love especially on such a special day" Tatsumi explained, Hinowa blushed then kissed him.
"You need to leave my Emperor, there are things you'd need to worry about and we should be reaching Soikai soon" Hinowa explained Tatsumi redressed and left.
By the afternoon, the harbor of Soikai's main city of Yaenami was in view along with the impressively tall Mt. Kageboshi which the city was built around and fortified into, at the foot of the mountain was impressive Castle of Shurenai Fortress, also present were other structures of impressive design and a number of large warships in port though compared to the Imperial warships they were severely inferior. Tatsumi took a good look at the city and noted near to the harbor was a long beach and in the distance Tatsumi could see two people. "Hey Erasiel what can you see on that beach, you've got way better eyes" Tatsumi replied.
"I see two women sparing with swords, they can't be more then 16, why you wanted to know that is beyond me, look at the marvels in front of you and you are trying to make out the beachgoers" Erasiel replied.
"Well I've found the simple things more interesting in the long terms you never know when something small is going to be important, besides I wasn't detracting from the city as a whole; look at the architecture similar to the Oarburghs method of construction, its possible they originated in Wakoku originally thousands of years ago" Tatsumi replied.
"I'm betting that's the case, descendants of those enslaved by the evil Empire of Yeenkar when it ruled your world could have easily been brought from Wakoku and developed their own society" Erasiel replied.
"Still though its impressive even though its archaic in a way" Tatsumi replied.
"Tatsumi compared to the technology on my homeworld of Magix everything on Eden is archaic with the exception of the Dwarven tech" Erasiel replied, Tatsumi laughed.
"You know I wonder why it is you hold back on sharing those secrets if your world is so advanced" Tatsumi replied.
"Very simple Tatsumi, humans tend to be prone to wanting to destroy each other with their inventions that and there are certain things best kept out of the hands of people that don't know any better, say for example you were to give a Teigu to a tribal warrior thousands of years in the past what would he or she do with it, most likely hurt other people along with themselves" Erasiel replied.
"Very true, you know my ancestor thought it would be for the best that the Teigu knowledge be lost forever to humans I think that was a mistake, Imperials and Dwarves died in the millions in a war that came from his choice: anyway that really isn't to prevalent what do you think of my plan for Soikai and when do you think the wedding will be?" Tatsumi asked.
"I bet tomorrow, the King will have had a while to prepare for ceremony and you did send a messenger drone yesterday to inform them of your reply to the treaty" Erasiel replied.
"Well here's hoping that I have it without any undo distractions; I'm hoping to meet my newest bride and to give her a safe home where she will be out of the reach of monsters that would do evil things to her" Tatsumi replied.
"That I can guarantee, if you need me to put up a magic barrier around the city to keep out any wedding crashers just let me know and Linzi and me will work one up" Erasiel explained.
"You do that I don't want any uninvited guests or ambitious suitors wanting to snatch my new love from me; I'll keep her safe and will love her" Tatsumi replied.
"Even if the king was lying about her beauty" Erasiel replied Tatsumi glared at him, Erasiel laughed. "Just kidding Kerborg scouted the city, she's indeed as fair as the emissaries told you, treasure her as women like her that are innocent and kept pure and safe from the evils of your world are truly rare; now do you intend to send her back to the Empire after the ceremony or keep her with you?" Erasiel asked.
"Keep her with me, I can't risk sending her back to the Empire what if Zuou's fleet catches whatever ship I send back, besides she's safest with me and I'll task the Elite Seven to protect her, I'd like to see anyone try and kidnap her with them standing watch" Tatsumi replied, Erasiel nodded in agreement, still though he worried. "Don't worry my friend I'm worried too and let me do the worrying Erasiel, I know you'll be there when we need you" Tatsumi commented.
"That I will be, that indeed I will" Erasiel replied and the pulled into the port.