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.
-()-
Interlude: Rakuyou
-()-
"Today's the day." Kaku Bunwa, True Name: Ei, informed her lord. Toutaku Chuuei, True Name: Yue nodded. "You should go see Kentei-sama."
"Right…" Yue smiled at her, before walking out the door and bowing to the white-clothed guards, who merely looked indifferently at her. Kaku hid a single scroll on her person, as she too walked out the door. The men looked at her were also largely indifferent to her, but that was fine. She has her own destination.
Walking through the halls of the palace, careful not to show her impatience. White-clothed soldiers were all over the place. There was little doubt that they're only loyal to Choujou… no, to whoever Choujou's being used by.
"Oh my, Kaku." Speak of the devil.
"Choujou." Kaku said, the word dripping in so much hostility, that it was as if she was cursing the name itself.
"That's Choujou-sama, to you, now isn't it?" The girl haughtily said.
"Funny. You're just a eunuch, as I recall." Kaku's tone did not change in the slightest. If anything, she was now openly mocking the eunuch. "The only one worth calling -sama here is the emperor."
"You never change, Kaku. It's a shame that your talent is being used for that useless girl. Why not join the winning side of this arrangement? A brilliant strategist as yourself need not squander her chances."
"You who dares use the name of my lord to do heinous crimes among the populace, using the emperor's life as collateral, has no right to my services." Kaku snarled, "If anything, I'd rather die before then."
"Oh, and should I grant you your wish?"
"You and I both know that only Toutaku can order Ryofu." Kaku smirked. "And the only one who can order Ryofu around in her stead is me. How many messengers have you sent her way that she killed outright for not having orders from me again, even when you lot tried to forge it?"
"Stubborn fool."
"Stubborn fool that has the backing of the kingdom's… no, the world's strongest general." Kaku smirked.
"Should you really take that tone with me, Kaku? You know that I have the emperor."
"You have her life, yes. But that's it. She doesn't take orders from you. Nor does she respect you in the slightest. I don't know what sorcery you learned to make her suffer so, but you couldn't and still can't make her bow down. What were her words again?"
"Don't you dare…"
"Ah right," Kaku's smirk only widened, "no matter how poisonous the swamp, the blue sky will not fall to it."
"Grrr…" Choujou gritted her teeth in anger, before clicking her tongue, "Ch. It really is a shame someone of your skill is serving under that naïve girl."
"That naïve girl is worth ten of you, wraith."
"What did you just call me!?" Choujou angrily asked.
"You should be dead." Kaku snarled. "You died during the Eunuch Rebellion all those months ago. The mere fact that you are alive is just an insult to heaven. Now return to the grave as you should've been all this time!"
"Then maybe I have the Mandate of Heaven on my side." Choujou replied. "Because here I am, living and breathing."
"That's cute. Do you have the Imperial Seal?" Kaku asked. "Last I checked, it's still missing. Can't really say you have the Mandate of Heaven without it."
"I don't know where you hid it but know well that I'll find it soon enough." Choujou angrily marched off.
As Choujou left Ei's sight, Ei calmed down. Good. Choujou suspects nothing. Not yet, at any rate. This will require a great deal of timing. She needs to find someone, anyone, that is still loyal to her. Someone she can entrust with this message. There should be someone here. Not all the soldiers could be under their control.
"Kaku-dono!" A messenger out of nowhere came to greet her. "I'm from Kouro Gate with a message from Chouryou-dono!"
"Oh? Shia?" Kaku said, surprised by the turn of events, but just as pleased by it.
"Yes ma'am! Chouryou-dono wishes to inform you that they have engaged the Coalition's forces. However, it's been difficult pushing them away."
"… I see." Kaku nodded, before pulling out the scroll in her hand. "Then, please pass this onto them."
"This is?"
"Just orders. Pass this onto Chinkyuu."
"Chinkyuu-dono? Oh, you mean the new strategist of Ryofu?"
"Correct. The same girl that was caught sneaking Sousou out of town." Kaku nodded. "It's important that they get that message, alright?"
"Th-that's… but I'd like to visit my family though…"
"You may do so. Just make sure that the message gets to Chinkyuu."
"Yes ma'am!" The soldier saluted, pocketing the message before leaving.
And with that, all preparations are done. It's time for her to disappear. Fortunately, Ren's home is nearby. She'll just hide there for a while. With all of Ren's animals there, most people have left it alone, even the white robes. Even if they find them, no one wants to get bitten by the animals. They're normally docile, but a deep bite is still dangerous, and there's still a few too many animals for them to deal with.
Besides, no one would want to accidentally kill one of Ryofu's animals, lest they become blood upon the halberd of the world's strongest general. Not even Choujou has tried to enter Ryofu's home.
Making it the perfect place for them to build up defenses and shelter themselves for a good few days. At least till Ren comes to save them.
-()-
Choujou grumbled, still incensed by Kaku's words. She really shouldn't let that Kaku mouth off to her so much, but she was right. Ryofu would only ever listen to Toutaku and Kaku. Not even an order from herself will be able to overturn that command.
If Kaku wasn't next to Toutaku, then there's a good chance Toutaku is with the emperor. Which means she won't be able to enter that room. Toutaku had, in an actually brilliant move, forbade anyone else from entering the emperor's room. It's one of the few decrees that she managed to give out before Choujou managed to cripple her political power. And despite managing to replace most of the soldiers with her own troops, the guards near the emperor were loyal to Kentei.
Nonetheless, she needed the Imperial Seal. As much as she lauds her ability to put the Emperor in pain with the powers that that man had given her, she is more than aware that she's disposable. If she so much as slips, then that man would not hesitate to kill her. For the sake of being used.
But if she had the Imperial Seal… she'll have the Mandate of Heaven. She'll be in charge. The power of the emperor, not the borrowed power of the Chancellor. Surely that would be enough for that man to not kill her off.
"I'll find that Imperial Seal, Kaku. I know that it hasn't left the building. It must be here in the palace." A manic, desperate look flitted through her face, as she spoke to nothing.
The simple wish of "I don't want to die" is enough for someone to do things normally impossible. It is the source of her own power, that she's channeling through this stick that that man had given her to use. To try and control the emperor. The emperor proved difficult, not fearing her threats, so she resorted to controlling Toutaku.
But the ending is near. The Heavenly Messenger will be here soon. The goal that the enemy wants, the luring of the Heavenly Messenger into a trap, will be done soon. She can't afford to dawdle. If the coalition finds her… they'll kill her again. Conversely, if Ryofu is victorious, Ryofu might kill her instead upon return to the capital.
The deadline will be here soon. She needs the authority of the emperor. If she has it, then not even that man would be able to ignore her authority.
She'll be safe. She won't die. She won't die.
-()-
"Hurry, Paitan…" Yue muttered, as she bound up a spare mattress to around the same size of Kentei, Emperor of the Kan, whose True Name is Paitan. She quickly put it under the sheets of the bed, hoping that this will keep them distracted if they ever check up on it.
"I'm trying, Yue." Paitan grimaced, as she switched into servant clothing. Yue quickly gathered Paitan's Emperor clothing and placed it into the bag that she was holding, which already held her own Chancellor clothing. She herself is in servant clothing. A precaution in case of patrolling white robes. It will be nighttime by the time they leave, and the sight of them should be relatively weakened by it. As for why they were keeping their clothes, it's simply to avoid them being used to track them down. There might be sorcery for that, and it will be troublesome if it exists. Or at least, that's what Kaku told them.
The visits of Toutaku had happened often enough that most people just ended up disregarding it, in favor of searching for the Imperial Seal. If anything, the fact that Toutaku slept over quite a fair margin also aided this lack of care. They even spread the rumor that Toutaku kicks the Emperor out of her bed to sleep on it, as a 'proof of tyranny', which is petty revenge for being disallowed from entering the Emperor's room. But they still needed to show the façade of respecting Toutaku's authority. So they left her alone for the most part. As long as Choujou can use Toutaku's title of Chancellor of State to make their decrees, they didn't care.
So, for the past months, it was Toutaku who took care of everything for the ill Emperor, and as long as Kaku does her job substituting for Toutaku when Toutaku is taking care of Kentei, no one would doubt her.
"I'm done, Yue, *cough* *cough*." Looks like the curse that Choujou placed on her is still taking its toll.
"Right. So where's the passage you mentioned?" Yue asked softly. Paitan slowly moved over to a nearby wall and pointed to a shelf. Toutaku quickly went to the door, knocking for one of the guards to enter. The guards on the emperor's door are loyal to Kentei.
"Please move the shelf and return it once we're through. Afterwards, act as if I and the Emperor are still within the room. Please do it for as long as you possibly can. Maybe go in and out with plates of food."
"Understood." The soldier bowed. "Please be safe, Lady Toutaku. Long live the Emperor."
And so, the two soldiers moved the bookshelf, allowing the two girls, to carefully walk through, with Kentei having to be supported by Toutaku.
"… Thank you." Paitan hoarsely told them. "Sorry to be leaving you…"
"It is our honor, Emperor."
The exit of the passage led to a small passageway that opens up to the noble district. There Kaku was waiting, before ushering the two towards Ryofu's home. And there they waited.
Kaku continued going to work, with "Toutaku" spending time with "Kentei" in the Emperor's room. Until in two days, Kaku stopped going and holed up in Ryofu's home.
-()-
Ryofu Housen, True Name: Ren, and Chinkyuu Koudai, True Name: Nenene, were riding a horse that Nenene had ordered to be hidden outside. A horse in case Ren loses her horse. Ren had quickly emptied the food in the barrel as soon as they had gone and had left the barrel behind.
Now they were on their way to Rakuyou, hopefully in time for whatever plan Ei has in store.
"What was that Heavenly Messenger thinking?" Nenene muttered from her position in front of Ren.
Ren made no reply, simply directing the horse forward.
"Ren-sama?"
"It's fine."
"W-well, I guess it benefits us that he's so naïve that he would let us out, but still… is this a trap? Maybe we should just let Ei-dono decide…"
"Worry later." Ren replied.
"I know, I know."
Ren looked at her finger and frowned. Kazuto had lit his ring quite easily, but Ren doesn't feel much different about it. Being able to use fire was interesting… Those four did it so easily too. Kazuto, Kan'u, Chouhi, and Ryuubi… they used flames.
So does that mean she can do it too? There was a brief moment where she could remember something happening. The moment she destroyed the wall of her cell. The wooden gate was not surprising, but even she didn't really think breaking the wall would've worked in hindsight. All she thought of at the time was to fulfill her promise with the Heavenly Messenger. So she broke through the wall instead.
"Ren-sama?"
Ren looked down towards Nenene, who was a bit confused. She tilted her head in response.
"Are we going to go straight there? Or are we going to rest on the way?"
"Straight."
"Right. Do your best horsey!" Nenene cheered.
The poor horse will be moving non-stop, only stopping for rest and water. And neither of its riders is showing much sympathy for it.
-()-
Aside from the search for the Imperial Seal, Choujou didn't really pay much attention to anything. So it took a series of strange coincidences for her to notice that something was wrong.
When Toutaku practically had a sleepover in the Emperor's Chambers, no one really cared. Toutaku had not been carrying the Imperial Seal into the room. They've already searched extensively the room. It would be far too suspicious if they forced to look in that room so much, especially with Kentei's loyal guards in front. Besides, Toutaku had done this before, at the behest of Kentei. But two days without even leaving the room was a bit much. The only sign that they were still there is the food the guards in front brought in and carried out empty. Regardless, what their scapegoat does matters little.
When Kaku suddenly didn't show up that day to handle the work she usually still begrudgingly does, Choujou was worried. But even that hard worker would surely take a few breaks. So, while Choujou was worried, she didn't really care.
But when the soldiers who staunchly defended Kentei's room suddenly stopped their rotation, Choujou was scared. She quickly entered the room before rushing into the room. A relatively tidy, if slightly dusty room. There was a strange lump on the bed and Choujou quickly doubted it. She pulled off the blanket to reveal a tied-up bundle.
"H-how…" How did they escape… no. It's obvious how. If not smuggled out by the guards, then there's a passage here that allowed her to leave.
"BURN!" She roared, and, from her body, a deluge of mud-like flames flowed out, and like swamp water, covered the floor of the room. The expensive carpet melted. The expensive furniture melted. A destructive flame that acted like acid, unminding of the sheer destruction she's causing. By the end of it, only the curtains remained untouched, everything else a sludge on the ground.
And there it was. Just what she expected. An escape getaway, through which the Emperor may be able to escape death. This should be the same path that Reitei has used to escape all these months ago. And now Kentei has gone through.
"REITEI! EVEN NOW YOU DEFY ME!?" She screams. "TOUTAKU! I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T LEFT THE CITY! I'LL FIND YOU!" It was impossible for anyone to leave the capital without her knowledge. The only ones who have left are soldiers and messengers.
At her angry voice, it wasn't long till white-robed soldiers rushed in, and she began angrily giving orders. Quickly, they learned the last known locations of the missing Kaku, and, asserting that Toutaku would never abandon Kaku for Kentei, they found themselves facing Ryofu's estate, fortified by the last of Kentei's loyal soldiers.
And so, a siege battle was waged within the very walls of the capital. And the continuation of Choujou's civil war began.
-()-
Upon arrival at the capital, Nenene quickly pulled out a hooded cloak for Ren and moved to hide their horse. In the meanwhile, Ren stared blankly at the capital from a distance, watching the capital. There were sounds of battle.
"Nenene."
"Yes, Ren-sama!?"
"Find a carriage."
"Eh?"
Ren quickly stabbed the wall with Houtengeki, before slowly scaling the wall. She then jumped in and disappeared into the town.
It didn't take long for Ren to find her home, where Ei said that she'll be waiting. But what she found were soldiers in white robes were stationed around her home. Choujou stood in front of the door roaring.
"Come out! Toutaku! Do you really think you can hide from me forever!? Have you forgotten whose hands the Emperor's life is in?" Choujou roared.
No reply was heard, but the sound of many arrows flew in her direction. She deftly defended it with a spray of mud-like flames, the arrows dissolving as it landed on the earth around her.
Ren readied Houtengeki. There was no time left, and Choujou was right there. If she killed the enemy leader, then there's nothing for them to fear anymore… But if the opponent's sorcery touches her, she'll be dead and Yue and Ei will have no one to help them. So should she fight, or run?
"Oh, hello." A strange voice called out behind her, and Ren spun, her halberd at the ready. "Wawawawa! Please don't!" The girl was strange. Wearing violet clothing, similar to the strategist girl who had captured her at the end of the battle, and a cloth wrapped multiple times around her forehead. "I'm an ally."
"Ally?" Ren asked, wary. She doesn't remember the girl ever being part of the Tou Faction.
"That's the Ryuu Flag, isn't it?" She pointed at the cloth that was sticking out of Ren's bag. "If you have that, then I think we're on the same side."
Ren slowly pulled out the Flag, and showed it in full, revealing that it was indeed the Ryuubi Flag.
"… Could be enemy. Stole flag." She said as she folded the flag again before replacing it deeper into the bag. A bit of a mistake, leaving it so easily seen.
"Flag's too clean, and you're keeping it safer than one would expect of a stolen object." The girl replied. "So you're part of the Ryuu Army, right? Then I'm your ally."
"… Not joined… but owe favor to."
"Ah, I see. Didn't think of that possibility." The girl sheepishly shrugged. "But regardless, come with me for a bit."
"Why?"
"You want to get in the compound, yes? Then I have a path that wouldn't lead through the white robes."
Ren considered it. The path through the enemies is faster, but she is unsure she can protect three people at once while mowing down all opposition. And if the girl is offering such a path, then she'll accept. Ren nodded, and the two began walking through the alleyways of the noble district.
"… So tell me. Do you know what's going on outside? How are Shokatsuryou Koumei and Houtou Shigen?" The girl asked. "Due to the white robes knocking about, I haven't been able to find out more."
Ren tilted her head in confusion. She doesn't remember either of the two names. So, she shook her head.
"I guess it's not common for rank and file soldiers to be aware of the advisory, huh…" The girl said, and it became clear to Ren that the girl did not recognize her. Or at least, did not realize that she was Ryofu. "So, what did you need to do inside?"
"Save Yue and Ei." Ren replied.
"I don't really recognize those names…" The girl laughed awkwardly, "But you mean you have friends in there you need to save? How are you going to get out of the city?"
"Nenene, looking for a carriage."
"… Would she be able to find one easily? You'd probably find it easier to steal a merchant cart." The girl pondered. "But fine, I suppose." She then pointed to a wall on the side. "If you scale here, you should be able to get in the compound without people noticing."
Ren nodded, before looking at her. "Coming?"
"Well, Koumei-chan and maybe Shigen-chan will be coming here soon, so I'd like to meet up with them at least…"
"Dangerous." Ren warned.
"Maybe so. But it's been a while since I last talked to them, so I'd want to at least see them first." The girl nodded. "Anyway, you said your friend's looking for a carriage, yes? There should be a few in the merchant district. Where is your friend anyway?"
"… Outside wall."
"She's not going to find one then. With the attack of the Anti-Toutaku Coalition, no merchants have been coming and leaving. The Chancellor commanded it." The girl grumbled, "Then I'll go find her. What does she look like?"
"This tall." Ren put her hand around Chinkyuu's height, "Light green hair. Black clothes."
"Fair enough. Be careful, Ryofu."
Ryofu widened her eyes. "You knew?"
"Do you really think I wouldn't know how the strongest general looks like?" The girl laughed, "And I certainly don't know how two people from the commanding camps of opposing armies became allies, but I know there's something complicated there. But the bottom line is, you're Koumei-chan's friend. So, I'll help you."
"… Un." Ren nodded, "Name?"
"Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Josho. Josho Genchoku."
Ren nodded before turning away, facing the wall. "Meet Nenene here."
"Got it."
And with that, Ryofu scaled yet another wall.
-()-
Ren quickly ushered her army of animals, Kentei in her arms, and Yue and Ei hurriedly carrying only a few bags, back to the same wall.
"Should *cough* we really be leaving my soldiers?" Kentei mournfully asked.
"We don't have a choice here! Until we find a chance to escape the city, we need to keep that Choujou from finding us." Ei replied, "This plan hinges on the fact that you're coming with us, you know? But if you want to stay…"
"Paitan-sama's coming with us, Ei-chan." Yue scolded her, before turning to Kentei. "Anyway, they'll surrender the moment we are out of the compound." Yue told her. "M-maybe that would be enough for them to keep their lives?"
"Or be brainwashed to become pawns of the same prick that is behind Choujou." Ei grimaced. "Or they could just straight-up execute them. Either way, we can't do anything for them. Not if we want to escape alive."
"Could kill Choujou." Ren offered.
"She could also just melt you in her sorcery." Ei replied. "I've seen enough soldiers being melted today. You're the only combatant we have left, Ren. We can't risk losing you. I cannot protect Yue without you."
Ren grimaced. It looked so easy. A single shot from a bow would be enough…
"Don't forget. She should've died a long time ago, and yet she's still here." Ei grimaced. "Some sort of sorcery is in play there, and we can't risk it right now. So come on, we need to go!"
Ren nodded before they reached the wall. Ren looked at the wall and frowned. Ren then put Kentei down and she raised her spear.
The ring on her finger flashed purple, and for the briefest moment, purple flame burst on Houtengeki, and she slashed through the wall.
"W-whoa! How?" Ei balked at the sight. "Did you just!?"
There it was again. Ren frowned. The impossible strength that she had. Even she would normally be unable to break walls with her halberd. And yet she found herself easily doing it since she received the ring. Ren looked at her halberd again, and the purple flame was no longer there.
It felt as if the halberd had been longer or bigger for that moment, like a giant's weapon. The same feeling as before. But the weapon just looks normal now.
"I can see how you really are the strongest general of the era." A girl remarked from the door.
"Told you, Ren-sama is amazing!"
"Nenene." Yue smiled gratefully. "And you're Josho, right? From the Ryuubi Army?"
"This way." The girl told them. "We'll talk later." And Josho quickly guided them through the town and into the home she was staying at. With everyone having their windows closed and all the guards preoccupied trying to break through the siege, there was no one to find them. Ushering them in the door quickly, Josho shuttered as many windows as possible to avoid standing out.
"To think a Ryuubi Army spy would help us…" Ei sighed as she collapsed on the table. Ren was feeding her animals, who were remarkably quiet the entire time. Yue quickly was tending to Kentei, who was laid on the flooring.
"You have a Ryuubi Army flag." Josho replied, pointing to Ren's bag. "For now, we're allies."
"You do know that the Ryuubi Army's the commanding camp of the Anti-Yue Coalition, right?" Nenene frowned. "Maybe we should steal more flags if people could just decide that we're allies based on that."
"If it was a bigger army, maybe. But the Ryuubi Army is far too small for people to try and steal a flag from." Josho laughed. "Especially one in that good a condition."
"… Fair enough." Ei conceded. "So how long do we stay here?"
"The coalition should be here soon. A few hours at the most." Josho shrugged, "This house is near one of the merchant's homes. You can, ah, procure a carriage and escape through the gate." Josho smiled.
"You thought of this quite thoroughly." Ei grimaced. "My plan mostly involved just letting Ren charge us out of the city."
"I suppose that's a decent backup plan." Josho laughed. "But it's better if your group can leave without being spotted before it's too late, don't you think?"
"I suppose so…" Ei nodded. "Then again, I suppose I didn't account for an ally as resourceful as you."
"I'm a student of Suikyou-sensei after all. I'm not as strategically brilliant as Koumei-chan, nor as logistically skilled as Shigen-chan, but this much is expected of me." Josho smiled. "So what's your plan after escaping?"
"… Escaping back to Heishuu is impossible." Ei concluded, causing Yue to look up in surprise.
"Eh?"
"We've been gone far too long, and the continent believes that Yue's a tyrant and traitor to the Empire. We'll be literally surrounded on all fronts, and there's a chance the people will assassinate us. Especially since we have the emperor."
"That is a problem." Josho nodded.
"Then should we pull back to the western capital?" Nenene asked. "Chouan should be safer than here, right?"
"Would be, if we had an army." Ei helplessly replied. "But without any soldiers, then isn't that just a death sentence? And Choujou's friends might just be lying in wait there too. We simply have no allies in that mess."
"Then where do we go?" Nenene sighed.
"To Hongou Kazuto." Ren told them.
""Eh?"" Ei and Nenene voiced out.
"Go to Ryuubi Army Territory." Ren concluded.
"W-wait, why would we?" Kaku asked.
"Ren-sama," Nenene voiced out her own thoughts, "Don't tell me you want to take him up on his offer?"
"It'll also be the last place people will look for you." Josho pointed out. "The commanding camp of the coalition against Toutaku. As long as Toutaku doesn't go by her name, your group wouldn't be in danger."
"Kazuto gave me this ring." Ren said, revealing the ring. "Need to return it."
"Great." Ei sighed. "I guess this is the safest option for us, but I'm against this."
"I'm *cough* sorry for causing you so much trouble."
"You're royalty. You have to get used to causing people trouble. Yue does it to me all the time." Ei sighed, and Yue chuckled slightly. "Now I guess our options are clear. The question is how we'll get out." Ei pointed out. "Unless we cause a big enough distraction outside, we won't be…"
Ren jumped up and quickly ran to one of the windows.
"Ren?"
Ren opened the window and…
"… The palace is burning…" Ren finished.
Silence filled the room, as they too looked out the window and saw flames billowing out of the palace.
"… There's your distraction." Josho pointed out, lamely, not quite sure how to feel at the moment.
"Right! Nenene, get the gates to open!" Kaku began barking orders. "Ren, grab that carriage from the merchant's house and bring it over here so we can load it up!"
"Understood!" Nenene and Ren quickly left the home.
"Josho. Come with us." Yue told her. "Choujou won't be nice enough to leave people alone if they knew what they've done."
"… If you're headed to Ryuubi's territory, then I guess I'll be headed in the same direction anyway. Very well. Josho Genchoku is at your service." Josho smiled, "While I'm not as good a strategist as my classmates, I'm still well-versed with a sword. I believe that's what your group needs, yes? Another protector?"
"Thank you." Yue smiled.
"It still feels weird that a member of the Ryuubi Army, who serves as the head of the Coalition, is helping us escape," Ei muttered.
"To be fair, I'm not officially Ryuubi Army." Josho laughed. "I'm just a contact for their members. Although…" Looking at the burning palace, "I guess, from here on I'll be better able to serve my role in their ranks."
And so, the strange alliance of Ryuubi Army members and Toutaku was formed.
-()-
"Burn it away! Find the seal! Destroy everything if you have to!" Choujou scrambled across the place, as she began lighting as many things on fire. Many things melted, others burned, and the once beautiful Palace of the Emperor is becoming distorted, its bright colors turning murky from the blending colors.
The nature of Swamp Flames is Fermentation. It decays and rots away anything it touches. Among the seven flames of the earth, it is the most wantonly destructive of them all. However, humans are more resistant to its effects.
It was through these flames that Kentei grew ill, having inserted the flame to weaken the girl's defenses from sickness. Unfortunately, Kentei proved a stubborn fool, who refused to ever grant Choujou any form of power. They managed to wrangle the necessary conditions to make out Toutaku to be a tyrant, causing the primary objective of the White Robes to be fulfilled and for the Coalition to be formed, by committing cruel acts under the guise of being under Toutaku's command.
Not even Ryofu was able to clamp down on their momentum. With the first rumor made, the rest simply spread like wildfire. The Heavenly Messenger will be forced to come. And then there, they will kill him.
But Choujou's own objective did not come. She wished for power so that Ukitsu will not discard her once the Heavenly Messenger is killed. So she sought the Imperial Jade Seal, hoping, believing that it will grant her the power of Heaven itself, and make her untouchable.
But Kentei, Toutaku, and Kaku had hidden the seal. All of them claimed that they never knew where it was upon Reitei's death, but Reitei would not have brought the seal out in her escape. No. It has to be here. She'll overturn every stone tile in the room for it if she has to.
"So, you failed Choujou?" A girl's voice asked. Choujou whipped her head around, wearing white robes asked.
"You're… the assassin… the one who will ambush the Heavenly Messenger if he ever reaches the capital." Choujou asked.
"The army arrives soon." The girl told her. "They are less than a few hours away. If you wish to flee, now's the time."
"And where do I flee to? Chouan?" Choujou scoffed. "Without Kentei, fleeing the capital is pointless."
"Then I suppose it's time for you to return to Ukitsu." The girl shrugged, and Choujou flinched. All the soldiers suddenly stopped what they were doing. As if the commands that Choujou has given was now done.
"Give me a bit more time." Choujou pleaded. "I need to find something!"
"The worthless piece of jade known as the Imperial Seal holds no meaning to Ukitsu." The girl shot her down. "Even if you find the jewel, it'll be little more than a paperweight for him."
"But with that Seal, your group can rise up and take the place of the emperor! You'll be rulers of the world!" Choujou said, disbelieving. "No matter how 'worthless' the jade is, it's considered valuable by the entire country! Hence its value cannot be judged by that!"
"We do not seek to rule this country." The girl scoffed. "Our objective remains the same regardless. And it begins with the Heavenly Messenger's death."
"Now, now, assassin, don't speak more. Lest we have to cut this woman's tongue to avoid her babbling."
"Ukitsu." The girl replied, her voice dripping in annoyance. "What do you want?"
"You've adapted to this world well. Ah, I remember the five-year-old girl that we picked up twelve years ago. And now, you're seventeen, and killing for the cause." Nostalgic sounding the words were, but his tone was that of mockery. He didn't care the slightest about the girl, and the girl, in turn, rolled her eyes at it. "Anyway, if you were to fail the assassination, I'd like to at least make some sort of assurance that Hongou Kazuto gains nothing from this place. And some materials here might be of use making weapons for our cause."
"… You wish to create more Deathperation tools? Like the three mics that you gave those hungry minstrels?"
"Surely that would be good for you too?"
"I will not fail to kill Hongou." The girl scoffed. "But if you insist. Choujou, begin packing as many valuable objects as you can. Take anything that isn't nailed down. And if it is, melt the base with your Swamp Flame."
"What of Kentei? Without my presence, the curse inside her would be uncontrolled." Choujou asked.
"Another death matters little to us, even if it is that of the emperor." Ukitsu shrugged. "Your ability to use Swamp Flame is useful to us, so I will spare you for failing to contain her, but know that, if I find another Swamp Flame user, pray that you don't fail again."
"Report." A man arrived in white robes.
"Yes?" Ukitsu, as the highest-ranking member there, replied.
"A horse carriage suddenly exited the gates. Should we pursue?"
"Who was within?" Ukitsu asked lazily.
"The driver was Ryofu Housen, sir. A small child was seated next to her as well. The curtains were closed, so we could not see inside."
"Then leave them be. Ryofu is far too powerful for a non-Deathperation flame user to battle." Ukitsu shrugged.
"Ryofu must have the emperor in there too!" Choujou argued.
"Did I not say we don't care anymore?" Ukitsu mocked. "All that matters is that Hongou Kazuto will be here soon, regardless of who has escaped. Girl, I'll trust that you can handle it?"
"…" The girl only nodded.
"Now then, Choujou," Ukitsu smirked, "Take everything that isn't bolted down. I'll be taking a few families from the population. Test subjects for Deathperation experiments. Maybe find a few more disposable pawns who can use deathperation."
Choujou gritted her teeth, nodding. And there it was. Disposable. Choujou is under no illusion that she too was a disposable pawn for the glasses-wearing devil.
And now, she'll have to slink back to being yet another pawn to deploy, with no chance of becoming any better.
Choujou bit her lip, biting down a pained scream, as she followed the orders of the two.
-()-
Ei sighed as she watched a deeply breathing girl, with white (slightly brown) hair and yellow noble clothes collapse on the side of the carriage.
"Th-thanks." She told them, as the carriage started to slow down once they realized that none of the white robes are planning on following them.
"From the girl who decided to jump in front of a moving carriage…" Nenene sighed, as she looked into the carriage. "If Ren-sama wasn't Ren-sama, you would've died."
"It was the best I could do!" The girl argued. "The white-robed people were kidnapping people! One by one, people were being knocked out by some sorcery and they were dragging them somewhere. I just saw a carriage and took my chance!"
"They were actually doing that, huh…" Yue grimaced, "To think they'd go that far…"
"Well, now that I'm out, I'm dropping off here." She stood up.
"Eh?"
"The Coalition will be here soon, yes? I'll find work with them." The girl smiled at them. "What about you people?"
"Ah, we might do just that too." Josho told her. "Although that was a quick decision."
"I'm a scholar. I can't do servant work. There are eighteen lords in the coalition. At least one of them should want me."
"Who are you joining?" Josho asked.
"Preferably one of the En Family." The girl smiled. "They pay well. And you?"
"Ryuubi." Josho shrugged.
"The smallest one? I know that they're the commander camp, but even I can tell that they're probably just pushed to that role so that, if the situation goes south, they'll be the target of Toutaku, you know?" Yue flinched, but Josho soldiered on.
"I have a few friends in their ranks." Josho smiled, as she held Yue's shoulder.
"Makes sense, I suppose, though I question why anyone would choose them over the others. And everyone else?"
"We're just following Josho." Ei shrugged. "Also, maybe the Heavenly Messenger would have a cure for our friend here."
"I see." The girl nodded, looking at the girl who is lying on Yue's lap. "Then I wish you luck."
"Why not stay here for a while?" Yue asked. "At least until the coalition arrives?"
"Are you sure? This carriage is already cramped with all these animals in here…" The girl asked, confused.
"You can leave as soon as the coalition arrives." Ei added. "It's safer, especially since Josho and Ren are skilled warriors."
"I wouldn't call myself skilled." Josho said sheepishly, "Just good enough to defend myself."
"Then I'll take you up on your offer." The girl nodded, sitting back down. "So, uhh… I'm Denhou. Denhou Genkou."
"Josho Genchoku." The girl smiled.
"Chuutaku." Yue replied, substituting the first syllable of her style name for her family name. These were pseudonyms that Kaku had devised for their group, in case they were questioned before meeting up with Ryuubi and Hongou. "And these are my friends, Bunku, Houfu, Koukyuu." Ei, Ren, and Nenene nodded as their pseudonyms were mentioned. "As for the girl on my lap, her name's Kenkyou."
"I see. It's good to meet all of you then." Denhou smiled. "Although, who were those white robes?"
"Choujou's lackeys." Ei bit out.
"Choujou? As in, the eunuch who led the initial rebellion against Kashin? Didn't she get killed by Ryofu?" Denhou asked, confused.
"I wouldn't mistake that scum." Ei grumbled. "She's the main reason why our group even had to run away from the capital. Didn't think that she'd resort to kidnapping, but it was a useful distraction, for what it's worth."
"… I see. And what of Toutaku?"
"Eh?"
"If Choujou is the main culprit, then why is Toutaku the tyrant?" Denhou frowned. "That's the story that's being propagated across the capital, you know?"
"… How should I know?" Ei masked her anger by faking frustration, "Personally, I think she's being framed."
"Better not mention your sympathies to her when you meet up with the Ryuubi Army." Denhou warned, "They're the leaders of the Anti-Toutaku Coalition, so they might see that as a slight."
"We know. Don't worry." Josho smiled.
"Well then, how long do you think we'll have to wait?"
"… They're here." Ren said, pointing to somewhere. Yue, Ei, Josho, and Denhou quickly peered out the door to see a bunch of soldiers with flags marching forward.
"Well then…" Denhou nodded. "So, should I go now?"
"I think we should wait till nighttime." Ei said. "Or at least till they capture the capital. They'll still be high-strung right now. Best let them relax."
"Makes sense. I'll do just that then." Denhou went back to her place and sat in the corner. "I'll take a nap in the meanwhile."
"Are you sure we're hidden here, Ren?" Ei whispered.
Ren only nodded, her eyes remaining on the coalition, her eyes soon locking onto a familiar banner, the same design as the banner that is in her bag.
Wait.
-()-
The assassin watches from atop the burning palace, remarkably still standing. She frowned and looked to the outside. The armies were slowly beginning to trickle in, spreading out across the capital, hoping to catch onto some glory. Now all she needed to do is watch and see where the Ryuubi Army goes, where they head to. Where Hongou Kazuto is.
But they never entered. The girl frowned. Why would they remain outside?
"Assassin." A small hallucination of Ukitsu appeared.
"What?" She asked, annoyed. It wasn't like Ukitsu to rush.
"Why have you not attacked Hongou?"
"They haven't entered the capital. It will be hard to isolate him out on an open field."
"The other armies will soon start reporting to them. We'll lose our chances if you don't strike soon. Can you not isolate him now?"
The girl nodded, "I can try."
"Then do so." Ukitsu fades into grains of sand. She sighed before pulling out a single blade of grass. Poisonous in nature, unless one knows what is needed to be done.
Slowly and methodically she bit into the grass. The feeling of death encroached on her and she gasped. However, that's not enough to deter her. All she needed to do was… remember what is needed to be done. What her will is.
She didn't spend twelve years in this world, killing for people that she didn't know, to die because of something that she decided to do herself. She has to…
Live.
That word echoes in her mind. Regardless of the consequences, regardless of the choices, what she has to do is live. And so, flames burst from her brow, and she looked upon the distant army.
And so, quickly and deliberately she rushed forward, using gravity to propel her forward, and swung her sword.
"Doppia Gravità." The words she said, it was a magic trick her father had shown her and her brother. Earth Flames are the flames that manipulate gravity, the power to pull things towards a single point.
She quickly spotted Hongou Kazuto, unique in his white clothing, reminiscent of a uniform from an elite school. Her target.
"Hongou Kazuto," She declared. "Die."
For the sake of her goal.
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: January 10, 2020
Last Edited: August 25, 2020
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
You know, I was working on the continuation of last chapter for this chapter. But I thought, hey, doesn't Kaku and Toutaku's plan need a payoff? So here it is.
Unfortunately, I didn't really flesh out the plan for Kaku. The only thing Toutaku told her was that Kentei was willing to escape now, that there is a secret path, and where the secret path would exit at. So she planned an escape route. But escaping the capital needed muscle, so she sent for Ryofu and Shia. Unfortunately, Shia's already defected so just Ryofu showed up. Then the complications came with Ryofu's animals. Which she has many of. I wanted Ryofu to just bust in, grab the trio and get out, but then I remembered her animals. Then I'm like, dammit! Plan around that! Carriage!
Also, I believe I mentioned Josho being in the capital during the break, so I brought her in to help out. Because things are going to go bad for anyone that's still in the capital. Same with Denhou, although I don't think I explicitly mentioned Denhou being in the capital.
This chapter also serves as a way to introduce the Earth Flame user from last chapter. I originally planned on giving her a nickname, but it would just be confusing, so I dropped it. I have potential plans for her identity, and giving her multiple names would just confuse me.