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: Yuushuu
-()-
"We run." Ei declared.
"E-excuse me?" Paitan asked, disturbed. "Can we really just run?"
"Do we have another option?" Ei replied. "Even if we could organize the Army to follow our commands, we're sitting ducks against Enshou if she manages to break through Kousonsan's defenses!"
"It's like Rakuyou all over again…" Yue mumbled.
"But why did Enshou decide to head to Pairen first?" Paitan asked. Pairen resided to the west of them. Enshou could, in theory, just attack them first.
"Let's not question fortune. It means we have more time to prepare." Ei pointed out.
"Also, both Kousonsan and Master were the candidates against Enshou, if I recall correctly. So her choosing to attack one or the other was always a bit of a coin flip." Josho interceded, as she walked in that office room. The Guard Captain followed, making a bow towards Paitan in the process.
"Kentei-sama." The Guard Captain said.
"Ah… you knew?" Paitan sheepishly said.
"No." Josho shook her head. "I told him. After all, no offense, the biggest reason we're running is you."
"To think our little town has been playing host to the Emperor this whole time…" The guard captain sighed, "I should've seen it coming, really. The Imperial Descendant went to the capital, and then brought home a relative."
"Can't be helped, Kouhei-san." Josho chuckled. "So… do you really not mind?"
"… I've made an announcement to all the soldiers. Of course, I kept the Emperor's identity a secret, but I explained it as Enshou coming here to exact revenge upon Ryuubi-sama and Sawada-sama." The guard captain said. "A group of soldiers have volunteered and will gladly escort your group. So you will be moving through Seishuu, aiming to meet up with Ryuubi-sama."
"… Please tell me you don't expect us to retake this place back." Ei pleaded. "There's no guarantee we could even do it."
"Maybe not if Enshou-sama proves to be a decent enough lord." The guard captain replied seriously. "If Enshou-sama proves a tyrant, please expect me to send a message to you begging for your return."
"So… how big would our escort be?" Paitan asked.
"The personal platoons of all the generals and their families will be coming with you." The rest of them, as the most elite members, were already in Joshuu.
"… That's a lot." Yue blinked.
"Then let's prepare the supplies." Ei stood up. "Josho, are you helping?"
"Of course." Josho stood up, and the two were soon out the door. The guard captain turned to Paitan and bowed.
"May I ask a question, Emperor?"
"You may?" Paitan asked, confused.
"Where is Chouun-dono?"
"We sent her to help out a friend." Paitan replied.
"Then I hope she succeeds."
"I too hope so. Pairen-san has been really nice to me, even though she didn't know I'm the emperor…" Paitan smiled. "… Will you come with us, Kouhei-san?"
The man looked at the emperor before slowly asking "Is that a command?"
"No." Paitan quickly denied.
"Then I'd like to refuse." He replied. "I'm the captain of the city garrison. My family has lived here for generations. I'm loath to leave."
"Do you hate us for leaving then?"
"… I'd like to refrain from answering this question." Paitan could only feel sadness from his response. Clearly, he's trying to remain respectful, but even he would have his misgivings about this. "However… It would be a lie if I said I believed that your group will always be here in Yuushuu."
"Eh?" Paitan raised her voice in surprise.
"The village elders knew. I knew. Every citizen sort of knew. It probably would not have reached any of your ears, but…" He turned to the door, "This land is just too small. If the Heavenly Messenger truly came here to spread peace, then it will not be done here. Not when Enshou and Kousonsan are there to stifle your growth. Ryuubi-sama will never imagine taking anything from Kousonsan-sama, and Enshou-sama is just too big a hurdle. So we always knew that your group will have to leave us. For bigger pastures. For better pastures. You need a land where a big army like Enshou's where you can grow."
"…"
"And anyway, unlike the previous lord, you aren't leaving us to be raided by bandits. A simple surrender to Enshou once she arrives at our gates, and she'll likely just leave us be."
"Will she?"
"There are no rumors of her tyranny, unlike Toutaku." The guard captain replied. "In all honesty, we don't know if Enshou will do anything bad to you if she does get you, Kentei-sama. Maybe she'll treat you like how Ryuubi-sama has us treating you now. Maybe she'll instate you as emperor properly. Or maybe she'll put you as a figurehead, becoming the tyrant that Toutaku was killed for being. But in all those scenarios, you are unlikely to die. In fact, you could choose to just… not run and enter the protection of the bigger, more powerful army."
"I could, couldn't I?' Paitan nodded.
"… Pardon me for overstepping my bounds, but by conventional wisdom, I'd think it's safer if you do join Enshou rather than remain with Ryuubi-sama…"
"However… the Mandate of Heaven… if Kazuto-san is truly the Heavenly Messenger, the one who will eventually take hold of the country should be whoever Kazuto-san is with…" Paitan breathed out.
"Hongou-sama has adamantly claimed that he's not, however?"
"Even if that is the case…" Paitan smiled, "I like Touka-neesan. For as long as I can, I want to be by Touka-neesan's side. And if I stay here, Enshou-san will eventually try to attack Touka-neesan. So…"
"If that is your desire, then I'll say no more." The guard captain nodded with a bow.
"Paitan-sama," Josho's voice interrupted them, as she opened the door. "The preparations are ready. All the people are prepared to set off."
"All our things are ready as well." Yue gesturing to the bag.
"Wait!" Paitan nodded, grabbing the scroll, and walked off. "Kouhei-san. Thank you."
"Hmm?"
"Even though you're remaining behind, I'm certain Kazuto-san considered you family. I hope we can meet again when the country is at peace."
"… May we meet again."
-()-
"Oh-hohohoho! Good evening Hakukei-san~"
"What's the meaning of this, Enshou?" Kousonsan sighed, as she sat in the makeshift cell that Enshou put her in. "Why did you decide to attack me?" Quicker than any of them thought. Such a large army should not have been able to move without any warning. And yet it happened. How? Even now, Kousonsan couldn't figure it out.
"Oh-hohohoho!"
"… That's not an answer."
"Regardless, take me to Kuutan-sama!"
"… Who?"
"So you don't know. A shame. Then we'll head on over to your home base and find her ourselves! Oh-hohohohoho!"
"… I'm assuming that is a True Name, but I have no idea who you're talking about."
"I see, I see! Then I am still special!" Enshou beamed. "If you must know, I am looking for the emperor."
"Why would the emperor be all the way over here!?" Pairen yelled at her.
"Don't lie! According to a rumor I've been following, the emperor was searching for passage to Yuushuu! That would be about a month ago, so she should already be here!"
"I don't know what to tell you, but… I've not seen the Emperor."
"Are you saying Kei-dono is lying to me?"
"Reiha-chan." A green-haired woman moved over to her. "Wouldn't it be faster to just go to her home base and search?"
"Very well!" Enshou nodded, "But for now! We rest! Toshi-san, please bind Kousonsan so she doesn't escape!"
"Yes!" Ganryou sighed, and Enshou left quickly, laughing all the way.
"… Who's that?" Pairen asked, as the green-haired woman also left with a coy smile.
"That's Kataigou-sama." Ganryou shrugged. "Also, when Reiha-sama mentioned Kei-sama? That would be Great General Kashin."
"So the rumors that Kashin and Kataigou were at your territory was true?" Kousonsan frowned. "So how did you move such a big army so quickly?"
"… That would be through the help of Machi." Ganryou smiled, "The new strategist we hired?" She clarified.
"Ah."
"Machi organized everything, and with Kei-sama and Reichen-sama's help, we organized a way to… keep information from leaking."
"… There should be rumors of preparations. Like weapons. Conscriptions. Food." Kousonsan pointed out.
"Ah… that's… we never disbanded the coalition army and we simply used the weapons retrieved during the coalition. As for food…"
"… You could just take from us." Pairen sighed, "Of course."
"Anyway, we need to hurry. If Reitei-sama is going to your base, Reiha-sama wants to be there to greet her." It seems that Ganryou believes that Kousonsan really doesn't know where Reitei is… wait…
"… Reitei?" Pairen asked, confused, "Not Kentei?"
"Ah? Well… we don't really know what happened with Kentei-sama, so…"
"Yeah, yeah, say no more…" Pairen sighed as Ganryou walked out, Pairen's hands sufficiently tied up. Guards were stationed around her, both watching her and watching their surroundings. However, what they didn't notice was a blue-haired woman, carrying a red bident above a tree surveying the group. She's wearing a green cloak to cover her white clothes, to keep herself out of sight.
Sei frowned, "… While I'd like to rescue Pairen-dono now, it would be best to do it in the dead of night… Best not attract attention…" She doesn't want to lead the enemy to them. But Pairen needs to be saved. So she waits.
-()-
The benefit of being a small-time group is that they don't have all that much to pack. And most of them are minimalist enough that they can really ditch a lot of other things and they'll get by fine. Kazuto's things are all mostly civilian clothes that they can just buy wherever they end up, so the only thing of note is a personal savings box that Kazuto had confided the location to Yue. Touka's mother pretty much packed for her, and she brooked no argument on which things are necessary for the girl. The warriors of their group had a small assortment of personal clothes, and are easily packed away. The strategists, however, had an assortment of books that they probably would miss heavily, so they each had a couple soldiers dedicated to carrying their things to the carriages that Chouseihei's men had prepared for them. The last is Ryofu's animals, and they willingly let Yue lead them to a carriage. All in all, they finished packing in a single morning. Likely they have a chance of forgetting a few things, but they really don't have time to worry about it. All in all, the entire officials' things fit neatly into a single carriage with enough space for Ryofu's dogs. Then there's the carriage filled with provisions for the trip to Joshuu.
The soldiers and their families were a bit more difficult. Most of the locals decided to remain behind, which was fine, all considering. The ones who decided to leave with them are those who are already beginning to separate from their families (usually single, unmarried soldiers who judged that they cannot excel in their family's field), those with small enough families that packing up and leaving is not a problem, and those who came specifically to Yuushuu to be recruited into the Heavenly Messenger's Army. They did not have time to send a message out to other cities in their jurisdiction.
And so, the group of about a hundred soldiers and the families of those who decided to come along were all prepared outside the city walls. Josho, the member in the group with the highest-profile with the populace, led the procession from the city hall out to where they are. There were worried voices and some resentful voices. But the well-liked guard captain walked with her and assured them that they are leaving so that Enshou does not destroy their city. Since Ryuubi and Hongou stepped on the toes of the En Family, Enshou is likely to tear them down. The soldiers who chose to remain behind all repeated his words to the crowd who were asking about their decision to leave. So it wasn't as bad as it could've been.
Paitan silently sat in the back of the carriage in the lead with Yue, Ei, and Touka's mother, along with Ryofu's myriad of dogs.
That was the last she heard and she soon met up with Yue, Ei, and Josho, each with big bags of things. They have a few other soldiers with them, each carrying a bag of things that Paitan guessed contains the things of the other members of the Ryuubi-Hongou faction. Not as much as they actually owned, but as much of their personal effects as possible. Ryuubi's mother is there as well.
"I apologize for pushing you to go this far, Honored Aunt" Paitan bowed to her.
"Please do not bow to me…" Touka's mother said in mild shock, "I do not deserve it, Kentei-sama."
"Please, call me Paitan." Paitan replied.
"Very well, Paitan-sama." Touka's mother nodded.
"It's a bit sad… leaving all this behind…" Yue mumbled. "This was something Touka-sama built up to, but… we had to choose to leave it all… Without even asking them."
"Master gave me the authority to do so if the danger is beyond our strength." Ei frowned. "Well, it was originally for the white-clothed group, but it's still something I have to choose. He even gave me the authority to abandon everyone if it will make sure all of us are safe."
"You mean?" Yue frowned.
"I mean not going to Master's side." Ei replied. "However, it is safer to go to them, since Master's flames are our only weapon against the white clothes. And Ren's with them so…"
"It's fine, Ei-chan." Yue smiled. "I know you're just thinking for all of our sakes."
"Umm, Paitan-sama?"
Paitan turned to the front of the carriage, "Yes, Genchoku-san?"
"There's a bunch of travelers… waving us down… and…"
"Don't give any answers about our decisions." Ei hissed.
"I know, I know." Josho waved her off, "I'm a strategist too; I know how to play my cards. It's just…"
"Let me see." Touka's mother looked out and said, "Oh my, Fuurin-sensei. It's a pleasure to see you again."
Paitan jumped at the name, and so does Yue and Ei, who looked out as well, to see the white-haired bespectacled woman, carrying a bag full of scrolls, smiling brightly from outside. Roshoku Shikan, True Name: Fuurin, teacher of both Ryuubi and Kousonsan, and formerly a court official in Reitei's court.
"Fuurin-san!?" Paitan exclaimed.
"Oh? Kentei-sama?" Fuurin noted. "It's an honor to see you again."
"Unfortunately, you caught us at a bad time." Ei told her, "We need to leave quickly before that Enshou hears us."
"Then would you have space for four weary travelers?" Fuurin asked, gesturing to her other three companions. "We've come a long way to get here."
"Too long." The woman next to her, her hair a shade of reddish-brown, sighed, slightly haggard. "If only our companions didn't decide to take so many detours."
"Are you complaining, Rouan?" The blue-haired woman asked beside her, "Also, it's nice to see you as well, Paitan-sama."
"Rouan-san? Fan-san?" Paitan asked, addressing Kouhosuu and Chouchuu respectively with their True Names. "Umm… wait if you two are here then…" Paitan turned to the last one there. The person pulled off her hood and smiled.
"It's been a while, Paitan."
"Oneesama!"
Indeed, it was Reitei, the woman who once held the title of Emperor.
-()-
Saji frowned, as he surveyed Enshou's empty study. A study of the last papers showed deployment orders for Yuushuu, to seek out Reitei. It seems this is the reason why Enshou has seemingly not been making any moves in the interim of the coalition and now. Admittedly, no one in their camp ever really expected much from an idiot. But the ability of an idiot to surprise a person really is impressive.
… "It seems the idiot managed to get one over the prick." Saji laughed. "Can't wait to rub it in his face." He set the scroll he was given on fire and chucked it into the fireplace. Said scroll would've told Enshou of Kentei's location. "Not like it matters. In the end, she just managed to get ahead of us." Hongou will still lose a place to return to. And, unlike in Yuushuu, they won't have a foothold in the realm of politics in any other area in the country. Considering Enshou is already at Yuushuu at this point, there is little reason to doubt that Enshou will be able to take in Kentei. Therefore, it is unlikely that Hongou will ever rise to the top anymore.
But he's not here just to play messenger boy. If Ukitsu wanted something like that, then he would've injected a dream into the idiot rather than a physical messenger. "There it is." Saji smirked, as he picked up a seal. He idly rolled his hand, before using it to stamp on a piece of paper. What Ukitsu wants with this, Saji really doesn't care. Now then, he needs to leave before someone else shows up and he'll need to snap another neck.
-()-
Pairen blearily opened her eyes as she felt someone approach. Blue flames seem to dance in her vision, before she saw white clothes peek through a cloaked figure.
"Hold still." A very familiar voice echoed in her ear.
"Sei?" Pairen frowned, as she felt her binds get cut with the end of a spear. She gingerly rubbed her hands, as blood freely flowed into them now. She looked around her and saw that the guards that were assigned to her were all knocked out.
"Let's go." Sei told her.
"… My…" soldiers? Her generals? She doesn't really know… The annoyingly and frustratingly quick battle against Enshou. Enshou had used her army's weakness; their overreliance on cavalry against her. When they charged at Enshou's army, the army retreated swiftly, which bolstered their decision to do so. In the heat of things, they didn't see a strong thin wire set up, and they pretty much was tripped over. Some tried to jump over it, but a row of spearmen was there to stab at them. That new strategist Denhou is clearly a good one, for what it's worth. After losing most of their horses, they were forced into a battle of infantry, which she was vastly outmatched at in terms of training and numbers. The result is a loss that barely lasted a couple of days. She lost many of her generals.
"Pairen-dono?"
"Where are we headed?"
"I'm to take you to where Paitan-sama and the rest are and, together, retreat to where Touka-sama and Kazuto-sama are."
Should she stay, try to regroup with some of her own soldiers up in her home base? She pondered on this as she looked at Sei, who was looking around. She sighed before grimacing, realizing that she really doesn't have much of a choice, unless she wants to just lose her life uselessly. The only soldiers left there are new recruits, and there's no way they can defeat Enshou in a numbers game. So… She'll have to accept it. She lost. She turned to Sei and nodded, "… Got it." Pairen nodded, not really having much to lose anymore. She stood up, drawing the sword. The two silently moved through the campsite, as Sei swung her bident spear a bit to spread a bunch of blue flame around.
"What are you doing?" Pairen asked.
"Rain flames are the flames of tranquility." Sei replied. "If I did this right, that should keep them in sleep."
"So that's how you got through…"
Getting to the horses was an easy affair. Sei quickly used her flames again to calm down the horses, and Pairen quickly mounted a white one that Enshou likely kept from the battle against her. Sei quickly jumped on another horse, and the two were off. Sei took the lead and they traveled through the depths of the night. With a heavy heart, Pairen looked back to where she once called home before heading on after Sei.
-()-
"Oh-hohohohoho!"
That next morning, Enshou cheerily laughed once more, as their army moved on ahead. Next to her are her officials, Bunshuu, Ganryou, and Denhou. There's also Kashin and Kataigou, the former frowning, the latter smiling thinly.
"I don't see what you're so happy about, Reiha." Kashin criticized the woman. "Kousonsan escaped, and no one knows how."
"Does it matter where she escapes?" Bunshuu waved off her concerns, "If she goes back to her home base, we'll just head on up there anyway. So it's fine~"
"Please forgive her, Great General Kashin." Ganryou apologized, "Bun-chan, please!"
"Kei-san, Reichen-san," Enshou addressed Kashin and Kataigou respectively, "As Bunshuu said, there's nothing to worry about! Everything is going according to plan!"
"Is dear Kuutan really heading to Kousonsan's home base?" Kataigou asked.
Denhou coughed, "The rumors we picked up seem to indicate that Reitei-sama is certainly headed here to Yuushuu."
"And if there's any place in this backwater countryside worth her stature, would it not be the seat of Yuushuu's power?" Enshou flourished, interrupting Denhou, who could only sigh.
"Isn't there the Heavenly Messenger?" Kataigou asked.
"What exactly would that boorish man do for Kuutan-sama?" Enshou dismissed, not even caring about it in the slightest.
"… As you say, Reiha." Kataigou settled with that, leaving it be. Months of being in her care have given Kataigou a general gist of how Reiha works. She's unlikely to budge from her preconceptions. Not without much coaxing and bribes. She's a stubborn noble, the kind that she dislikes the most in her days at the Imperial Court, but she finds endearing in Enshou. Likely because Enshou never treated her as lesser for being from her background. Or rather, she treated her just the same as everyone else. Nonetheless, it is at these moments that she remembers why she dislikes these types of people. She turned to the strategist, "Machi, can we speak for a bit?" Denhou nodded in response, and the two of them went off to the side for a bit, with Kashin following after them. Enshou paid no mind and continued laughing as the march continued forward.
"So what is it, Reichen-san?" Denhou asked.
"There is no denying that the rumors we gathered claims that a woman of dear Kuutan's appearance came up here to Yuushuu." Kataigou prefaced, "What is more likely? Reitei heading for Kousonsan or Ryuubi?"
"I don't have enough information to make a definitive guess, but…" Denhou replied with a frown, "The Imperial Court acknowledged Ryuubi as an Imperial Descendant. So it makes sense that Reitei-sama knows her…"
"Hardly." Kashin scoffed.
"Neesan." Kataigou smiled dryly at her older sister, who flinched in response. Now really wasn't the time to butt in, in her opinion. "What my sister means is that the one who drafted the announcement is Paitan-sama. My dear Kuutan did not even glance at the announcement when she pressed her seal on it. Paitan-sama did mention it to her, but I doubt Kuutan remembers. She's the type to forget what happened the day before if it's of no immediate effect to herself in the present, after all."
That speaks of abject laziness that Denhou is somewhat happy that Reitei is no longer in charge. Which she'll never say out loud since what Enshou wants is to reinstate Reitei as emperor. "… Right… Then I don't know." Denhou sighed. "Kousonsan, I guess. Unless someone in Reitei-sama's company would believe Ryuubi to be the superior choice?"
"Fan, Kouhosuu, and Roshoku." Kataigou hummed, recalling their names based on the descriptions given to her of Kuutan's company. She then shook her head, "No. I don't think they have any reasons to think so. While I am aware that Roshoku taught the two lords here, Kousonsan and Ryuubi, I fail to see why Roshoku would prefer Ryuubi to Kousonsan."
"I see…" Denhou pondered, "What about the Anti-Toutaku Coalition?" Denhou asked, "Ryuubi's faction did lead that and play a prominent role during those events."
"Oh, she did? I don't think I heard of such?" Kataigou frowned.
"Ah… likely because no one wants to mention it in earshot of Reiha-sama…" Denhou winced. "It's a sore spot for her."
"Well, it won't matter anyway." Kataigou shook her head, "At the end of the day if dear Kuutan doesn't appear in Kousonsan's base, we can simply take Yuushuu itself in its entirety. Since Ryuubi is based here as well, she's bound to appear."
"I wonder if it'll be that easy…" Denhou sighed, as the three of them quickly went back to rejoin Enshou.
-()-
"Another day, done." Kazuto breathed, as he watched the enemy troops retreat as the sun dips into the horizon. They've become emboldened as fewer rocks were crashing into them. If anything, what Sousou is mostly focusing on is gaining more ground, as he can tell that the rocks nearer to Sousou's camp have been systematically removed. Likely Sousou is preparing for her cavalry to start being able to charge in. Or flank them. Or it could all be a ruse. Regardless, they learned from their mistake and a proper guard began scouting the perimeter of the fort. However, Sousou's growing more and more bolder. They haven't quite reached their wall, but it's close. Close enough that Aisha, Rinrin, and Ren are usually now stationed on their fort's perimeter, rather than inside, leaving Rairai and Denden to defend Touka and himself.
"Hongou, what do you think of all this?"
"Touken?" Kazuto said surprised, seeing the old man standing next to him. "You shouldn't be here. They could decide to…"
"I know. However, this is one of the few precious moments that I have that I could consult with you without incurring my officials' wrath." Indeed, at this precise moment, only the two of them are present. Touka went with Mifa to greet Aisha and the others as they come back in. Rairai and Denden are running checks on equipment with Hinari and Shuri. So, please answer."
"To be perfectly honest? We still have the advantage. The infiltrator did not find our weapon and food stores and sabotage them. While they did destroy our catapults, and we have lower morale for it, we still have the comfort of a warm fort, compared to the cold campgrounds that Sousou is forcing herself and her army to handle…"
"I'm not asking what your strategists think, Hongou."
Kazuto balked at that, uncertain how to answer. "I… uh…" He racked his brains, trying to parse what Touken was asking. In the end, he decided that it was likely that the man was asking about his intuition. The man likely didn't know about his Hyper Intuition, but nonetheless, he'll answer. "… I don't like it. Sousou is preparing for something big. And our single catapult is starting to get worn out from all the use and abuse we've been putting it through the past few days."
"You truly believe Sousou will do something?"
"If she wanted to give up, she would've done so much sooner."
"Mmhmm…" Touken nodded, "I know that Ryuubi believes helping me is the right thing to do. What would you have done? Disregard the spiel of owing me. You know that I don't consider my actions during the coalition as noteworthy enough to be owed."
"… I probably would've stayed in our territory." Kazuto admitted. "We're shortchanged as is when it comes to territory and soldiers. At any time, Enshou could decide to rush us down, and we would have so little defense against her that it would be bad to be away from the territory for a long time."
"But you didn't bring this up with Ryuubi?"
"There were advantages to helping you too, Touken-sama. Whether we like it or not, Enshou is an… antagonistic force that we would have to face eventually. Whether that be this month or next spring. And we won't be getting any stronger through the winter."
"… I see. You wanted an ally."
"That would be nice." Kazuto nodded. "If we help out here, if you can even remotely distract Enshou enough to either split her force or make her turn around, we should feasibly be able to plan out a counterattack."
"Ohohoho. Good plan. And I would be obliged to help out, seeing as you have given me aid."
"We'll be counting on you when it comes."
"You're rather frank."
"I know you're probing me, but I don't see much reason to lie to you either." Kazuto chuckled. "I never enjoyed lying."
"And? What between myself and Sousou? If I had not asked your army for aid, which one would you side with?"
"You." Kazuto replied with a nod, "No matter how angry you are, you don't rally an army to hurt an individual. I sympathize with her reason. I can respect it. But that anger should be channeled towards those who deserve it. And to not harm the people who don't have any involvement in it."
"It's still true that it was my soldiers who killed her father."
"And they were executed." Kazuto replied.
"What would you have done? If you were in my place?"
"… Bound, gagged, then sent the offending soldiers to Sousou. Let her personally judge their sins."
"Would that have appeased her?"
"I don't know."
"Would she have tortured them?"
"Unlikely. When I talk to Sousou, I don't really see a sadistic torturer. A sadist? Maybe. But reveling in the death and pain of others? I don't really see it. But, then again, the one who died is her father. Most people probably won't be thinking straight in that situati-" Kazuto replied automatically, before pausing, "Is that why you decided not to do so? To not subject the killers to torture?" A fate much crueler than simple execution. Kazuto can see it. If simply killing them yourself will give them a cleaner, more painless death, wouldn't you have given them that mercy?
Touken merely ignored his question and turned away. "Hongou. It seems that Sousou has fully retreated, and our officers have begun returning. Let's go back."
Kazuto looked at the old man's back, and could only shake his head. "Got it." And he followed, but not before taking a glance at the distance. Why is there this nagging feeling that just won't go away?
-()-
Sousou looked at the crude map of the area. Moving a few pieces around, she could only smirk. There it is. A small opening. It would be enough, just enough.
"Hey, boss?"
"Yes, Karon?" Sousou turned to her cousin, Soujin Shikou.
"Why are we just moving rocks out of the way? Why don't we just attack? We got rid of their catapults, right?"
"Or better yet, surround Touken and starve him out?" her other cousin, Soukou Shiren asked.
"Karon, Eika!" Kakouton yelled, "Do not question Karin-sama's decisions!"
"It's fine, Shunran." Sousou waved her off. "Surrounding the enemy fort is a possibility, but there is the clear threat of Hongou's sorcery."
"Which they have not made use of the entire time." Soukou frowned, "I'm starting to wonder if he really does have sorcery…"
"Flying." Jokou pointed out quickly.
"Yes, yes, I know…" Soukou dismissed. "If they haven't used it all this time, maybe there's a condition to it?"
"It's better not to make assumptions." Sousou pointed out, "He summoned fire in front of us without even blinking. And I know that his officials all have a flame ability as well."
"Ryo-chii learned sorcery." Chouryou Bun'en pointed out, "Ryofu, the one warrior in the continent that faced ten thousand men in battle, without sorcery, and won. She learned sorcery. She can summon purple fire, and Houtengageki looked bigger. I don't know about ya, but that's scary. Beyond scary!"
"I'm pretty sure those ten thousand men were all Yellow Turbans… You know, normal idiots who have no military training whatsoever." Soukou said skeptically. "I know everyone wants to hype up Ryofu, but if she was so amazing, she would've single-handedly won any wars she's involved in by now. The Anti-Toutaku Coalition says otherwise."
"Still…" Soujun frowned. "Ten thousand is ten thousand. That is a significant number in itself. I wonder why she wasn't deployed readily. We've only ever seen her guarding the fort."
"That story is likely heavily exaggerated." Jun'iku pointed out. "It's not like you saw the event yourself, Shia."
"Fine. Your funerals." Chouryou shrugged, leaning back. "So, what now, boss? You're not gonna say that tomorrow we'll be moving more rocks, right? I think we got all the rocks in the area you marked on that map…"
"No. It's enough." Sousou confirmed. "We need to make Touken want to come out."
"It's a shame that we didn't get Touken the first day. He was actually on the battlefield, but now he's always holing himself up." Soukou sighed.
"So what are we doing?"
Sousou explained her plan. And they all began their preparations.
-()-
The next day… Kazuto, Touka, and Touken were once more observing the action from the walls. Next to them are Shuri, Hinari, and Mifa.
"… I don't see them moving rocks anymore." Touka observed.
"… They're pushing in." Kazuto agreed. "A strategy change… which means we have to be prepared for anything." His eyes flitted to the sides of the battlefield, making sure that no one is trying to use the forests for cover to surround them. No, they seem to be focusing on pressuring the frontlines as much as they can. Why? Why isn't Sousou making any form of flanking maneuvers?
"Hawawa, Kazuto-sama, you shouldn't be so near the edge! If people snipe at you!"
"I'll see it from a mile away and strike it down." Kazuto assured Shuri. "And it seems they're conserving arrows. Their archers are all at the back."
"I also see their cavalry, but they're all in the back as well." Hinari nodded. "Likely the rocks that are still there would still hold them back from a charge."
"Previous fights had them hold their cavalry back as well… But this time they seem to be ready to charge, for some reason…" Kazuto frowned. "Their formation is solid, and they aren't just passively observing…"
"I wonder what they're planning to do." Touka frowned.
Kazuto frowned, looking ahead, "I don't know." Kazuto honestly replied. "Shuri?"
"Hmm…" Shuri frowned, looking at the field.
"Would it help if I flew you to see a top-down perspective?" Kazuto offered. Shuri quickly began shaking her head.
"Bakazuto, you can barely keep yourself in the air while fighting birds." Reborn came out of nowhere and landed next to him. "You are nowhere near ready to carry someone while fighting.."
"Arrows at least fly in straight arcs." Kazuto pointed out.
"Are you talking back to the person who knows your progress better than anyone?"
"Ah, Reborn-dono." Touken greeted.
"Touken." Reborn returned. "At the very least, the only thing you two need to do is shut up. Let your strategists think things through, and then decide what to do based on their insight. Don't overthink. Focus on what's in front of you, not what could be and what might be."
""Got it."" Both chorused.
"… I think I have an idea." Hinari spoke up.
"Are you thinking…" Shuri muttered, looking ahead. "Go on, Hinari-chan."
"Right. The enemy formation doesn't seem to be extending further from the rock field." Hinari pointed out. "But there's definitely chances for them to move forward. So why aren't they?"
"Their main goal is to get Touken into the battlefield. They can't afford a siege." Shuri quietly said. "Moving forward might give them some advantage and be close enough to snipe at our fort, but all we need to do is move Touken-sama back inside. If they eventually succeed in surrounding us, they likely don't have the resources to maintain it while we hole up here. The fact that they haven't tried in the past few days shows that. To achieve their goal, they need Touken outside the fort."
"Isn't that the reason why we don't have Touken go out anymore after the first day?" Touka asked.
"That is indeed the reasoning." Touken hummed. "Go on, young strategists."
"So how do they get Touken to go out…" Kazuto frowned. "And this strange strategy is what they're using to coax him out…"
"What would get you to enter the battlefield, Touken-sama?" Hinari asked. "And would Sousou know it?"
Touken frowned, looking ahead, "I wonder…"
"… If we're talking about Touka-sama and Kazuto-sama…" Hinari frowned, "It would be…"
"If one of us gets in danger." Shuri finished.
The three heads look at each other before turning to the battlefield.
"… Aren't they further back than before?" Kazuto asked. "And… a bit more spread out?"
"Really?" Shuri frowned. "That's… worrisome."
-()-
"Is that all Touken's best generals can accomplish!?" Kakouton roared, as she slashed against another soldier in her way. "Bring out Kan'u! Bring out Ryofu! Bring out Chouhi even! Give me a fight!"
"SHUT UP!" The general roared, as he attacked Kakouton, who merely scoffed as she parried the attack from his spear. "Your opponent is ME! A General of Joshuu! Not some backwater countryside lord's!"
For the entire war between Joshuu and Sousou,
"I repeat! Is that all you got!?" Kakouton roared, and the general took another strike.
"Coming from the girlie who's only been defending the entire time!?"
A horn suddenly blows. Kakouton grimaced before calling out a signal, "RETREAT!"
"After all that bluster, you'll run away!? Coward! I…" But it was already too late as Kakouton's cry for retreat has been heard and the army is steadily advancing backward. The general looked up with a squint. It was barely noon! "After them!" He commanded.
"But, general!" his second-in-command complained, "Touken-sama told us to-" Keep the line. Defend. Do not disrupt the formation.
But the general, who's been goaded by Kakouton far too much, did not even think twice. "I will not have some upstart's general mock me! I'll have that blind girl's head!" He turned to everyone and called. "CHARGE!"
-()-
Sousou smirked as she watched the people forming the wall that's been keeping her from the fort break off. Confused, the people next to the platoon that was breaking off scrambled to try and fill the gap up, but that divided their attention and was swarmed by her own soldiers. Resulting in a chaotic frontline. The worst situation for a defending party. And so, an opening was created.
Truly, it was a wise decision to put Kakouton in front of the oldest generals of Touken's. Kakouton's setback against Ryofu at the beginning of this campaign and the slight grudge against Kan'u that she's been nursing since the Anti-Toutaku Alliance resulted in her pretty much raring to fight the two of them. In turn, there was no way the proud old generals of Touken's whose only achievement is against bandits, would be able to ignore the fact that talented generals were summoned to their side to fight with them, even though their status is lower than everyone else's. Their pride would push them to get achievements. To prove that they have worth compared to Ryofu. Compared to Kan'u.
Not to say that the other sides of the army haven't shown their own tricks. She wasn't going to put all her eggs in one basket, after all. All across the army, several generals had declared a charge. Their opponents were her own generals, who each goaded them into pursuing them. Kyocho and Soujin showed their own worth in this regard. Ten'i, Kakouen, and Jokou all did their own goading, and it was clear they were effective as well. All in all, that's six enemy generals leading the charge into her forces. A foolish one.
This is a one time trick, that only worked because of one thing: their helpers, the Ryuubi-Hongou Army, had far more talent than any of their own. If they had any semblance of pride, they wouldn't be able to take that lying down. And that is the reason why, Sousou concluded, the Ryuubi-Hongou Army has not participated in any confrontations barring the first day. It's so that Touken's officials to avoid being shown up. To avoid being overshadowed. Even if they were in a defensive position, shouldn't they have sent their strongest, Ryofu and Kan'u, to the frontlines, even as a deterrent? And yet instead, they are left guarding the fort. Clearly, the Ryuubi-Hongou Army was being pushed around again. It doesn't matter whether Touken himself decided on this path or the officials forced his hand, she'll use this single weakness to weaken them significantly.
So, even though time was against her, as the cold air was starting to be felt by everyone, and the leaves are barely clinging onto the trees, she waited, to let it all simmer. To let them stew in their pride. All for the single moment that they could all, in a fit of pride, charge. And when they fail, they'll be ever closer to the fort, and at that point, the only ones that should be left are the least experienced soldiers of Touken and the Ryuubi-Hongou Army's handful of forces.
"Now, what will you do? Hongou?" She stared at the fort, with a smirk.
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: September 18, 2020
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
Hoo boy. I've been working on the upcoming arc, and... let's just say I'm only two chapters in at this point, both chapters having a size comparable to this one. Well, come what may, see you next week~.