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.
-()-
Fun with the Delegates
-()-
Reborn looked at the message on his phone.
"… At such a critical time in the boy's growth…" Reborn muttered.
"Don't you think all hours is a critical time in his growth?" Viper, also known as Esper Mammon, scoffed right next to him, drinking tea.
"Considering that the boy is about to enter a war with personal stakes, I'd like to at least watch over him. But this assignment will likely last far too long that the war would be over by the time I'm done."
"Strangely fast for what should've been a conflict that lasted a few years."
"Wars move strangely fast in that world." Reborn frowned. "Likely due to the existence of 'Heroes'."
"Soldiers who can wage war against thousands." Viper nodded. "In reality, those heroes' historical counterparts would never have been as impactful as an entire army. Not without special powers. But even without having been taught flames, it seems that it is common sense for that world that only heroes can fight heroes. The soldier riffraff couldn't even scratch them, despite lacking heavy armaments."
"Didn't think you would've been interested in that world enough to have made some theories on it as well."
"My students are some of the premier strategists of the era." Viper shrugged, "It wouldn't do if I were not familiar with their craft enough to teach them mine in a way that would benefit them."
"I didn't really think you cared enough to do that."
"I am Varia. We have a reputation for Varia Quality." Mammon sniffed. "I will not taint that title by doing a job shoddily."
"It better not, considering the money you are gouging out of both Bakazuto and myself." This was the main reason why Kazuto was able to get away with a relatively modest sum when it came to prices. It was because Reborn was paying for the other half.
Viper chose to not deign that with a response, "Shouldn't you have at least called the Martial Artist over?"
"You mean Fon?" Reborn raised his eyebrow. "Maybe so. He might have some insight into this Doujutsu (Taoist Arts) and Houjutsu (Method Arts) that these White Clothes know. It might even be the key to actually use the mirror."
"Don't tell me you haven't thought of it before." Unlikely. Reborn is far too logical for him to have forgotten that. The moment that the mirror's Chinese origin was made clear, Fon should've been the second person he thought of to contact, the first being the student, Ipin. And then, the moment the fact that only former Arcobaleno may enter through their device was made known, Fon would jump to first.
"You think too simply, Viper." Reborn scoffed, "This is why Mukuro was able to beat you all those years ago."
"I'd like it if you didn't bring that up every time we meet." Viper gave a glare from beneath the hood. "So there's a reason why Fon was not called here?"
"For one, Hibari Kyouya doesn't want him here." This is Namimori, after all.
"Don't try to fool me; you enjoy running around that one far too much for it to matter."
"The second is… if Fon were to come, and see what Kazuto has begun building for himself."
"A harem?" Viper said, still in a deadpan tone, but notably more amused.
"No." Reborn scoffed, "If the boy could actually manage to maintain one without the girls being at each other's throats, I'll personally congratulate him for it." Reborn smirked, "Although I'd still beat him up for not being firm with his commitments. No. What I'm referring to is his support base."
"Support base?"
"Bringing you in was something easy to do. You are a Vongola subordinate, after all."
"I still lied to the boss, and told him this was an outsider job, rather than an internal one." Mammon frowned.
"Why is that?"
"You know why."
"Ah, Yoshiko. I forget." Reborn shrugged, "The Varia has expressed their support for Yoshiko's candidacy." Reborn said, lightly, although the accusation is clear.
"If the boss knew that I'm training the boy's prospective Mist Guardians…" Mammon grumbled.
"And yet, do you regret it?"
"No." Viper smirked, "Shokatsuryou Koumei and Houtou Shigen are more than adequate a match to the sickly child of that bastard. Besides, the boss would prefer it if the stronger Boss Candidate were to prevail. If the boy proves stronger than the girl, then that's that." But, until then, the Varia supports Yoshiko, for no other reason than to thumb their nose at the Tenth Head of the Vongola Family.
"I figured as much." Reborn nodded with a smirk. "Now then, continuing on: if Fon were to come here, what do you think he'll react to when he sees exactly who Kazuto's Guardians are?"
"The Ikkitousen, Ryofu Housen… the God of War, Kan'u Unchou… I see."
"They may be mere analogs of the historical ones, but they are still among the most legendary existence in Chinese History." Reborn nodded. "Bringing in Fon, would either bring him to challenge Kazuto to see his worthiness of having such famous warriors in his payroll or give Kazuto his public support to the position of next Vongola Heir. Likely both and in that order."
"You believe the boy can prove his worth to the Strongest Martial Artist in history?"
"Not yet, but soon. The boy is still training. Even if Fon would be inhibited back into his Arcobaleno Form, with an incomplete sword style, Kazuto will not impress the Martial Artist." Reborn stood up. "I intend to bring Fon in soon, and the three times speed that that world has to offer is making the boy's progress quick indeed. Still, the boy will need all the advantage he can get so that he can prove his worth."
"Far be it for me to complain. So you're leaving?"
"Tell the boy that I won't be coming for the next few weeks. I'll be going on a trip around the world, visiting Vongola Bases, after all."
"I could do it instead." Mammon offered, "For a fee, of course."
"Don't bother." Reborn scoffed, "It is my name that apparently came up when Mukuro was looking through this Ukitsu's brain. And, even if you can do that job, you're currently being paid to instruct Shokatsuryou Koumei and Houtou Shigen. We'd rather it if you accomplish that task as soon as possible."
"Fair enough." Viper nodded, "Still, it seems that their information network is hardly the best. Both myself and the Giglionero girl has made appearances in that world. While I was always in a private space, the boss of the Giglionero has publicly walked the streets, correct? And I never made an effort to hide from the help."
"Considering that the other world is still relatively primitive, it is to be expected." Reborn shrugged, "If anything, I'd say the only thing that they are rather highly advanced in is their fashion industry." Considering the wide variety of clothes that he has observed among the group. Some are clearly a lot more modernized than it should have been for the era. More than a few of the girls wear outfits that would be considered widely inappropriate for that era. Then there's the sheer number of colors that they wear. Dyes must be of easy access.
"Getting overly conscious of that world's twisted nature is beneath you, Reborn."
"Regardless. If Vongola's resources will fail to track down a method to use the mirror, we'll rely on Fon's. Hopefully, by then, the boy would be ready."
And with that, Reborn left. Viper merely scoffed.
"Your flair for the dramatic has not changed in the slightest." With a hidden roll of the eyes, Mammon-sensei entered the machine, as Irie Shouichi entered the control room above.
"Eh, you're going today?" Shouichi blinked. "Didn't you go the other day, Esper Mammon? Where's Reborn?"
"Just let me through, already, Irie Shouichi, before I use an illusion to do the job for me." Mammon scoffed. Mammon pretty much already memorized the process. At this point, Shouichi's presence is just a formality.
"… Starting it up." Irie nodded, as he fiddled with the controls, "Please at least cooperate with our experiments, at least?"
"Are you paying me?"
"…"
"Then no."
"Give it up, Irie-kun." Giannini sighed, "The Arcobaleno became Arcobaleno because they have such strong personalities in the first place."
"How can this be so difficult?!" Shouichi groaned. "We can't bring back Kazuto if they don't help…"
"We'll have to make do with what we get." Giannini sighed, "Starting transfer in 3. 2. 1."
And a button was pressed.
-()-
Announcing Kentei (and Reitei) is a double-edged sword. That's why they only did it for the select few that they could likely trust, as well as Kouchuu's Group, whose Lord's Territory has a border with Enjutsu. Having a two-sided defense against Enjutsu. Still, it was the safest thing they could do at this point, as more and more disturbing news was heard in Enjutsu's territory. Mass conscriptions, ignoring the need for farmers to be in their fields, massive taxation, likely to fuel the weapons-smiths and merchants with material and pay. Still, this sort of tyranny is troubling for all of them.
But, as they are, it's better if they simply focus on preparations as well. It wouldn't do for them to declare war to save Enjutsu's citizens; they've just gone through winter. They need farmers to plant seeds. Maybe once the crops are planted they could do so, but… With Bachou's Army here, they have a veritable force of career soldiers as well. Add to that the Ryuubi-Sawada Army Soldiers from Yuushuu that have recently undergone Rouan's training, they have, in their opinion a good enough number of career soldiers, provided that Enjutsu doesn't make a direct assault on Joshuu. If worse comes to worst, they'll conscript, but, for the time being, let the farmers till their fields.
After Paitan's introduction, Paitan quickly regaled the events to the delegation. From Choujou's surprise survival, to the framing of Toutaku, to her escape from the capital and subsequent entering of Ryuubi and Hongou's protection. As they had agreed beforehand, Toutaku's survival is kept a secret, with Paitan merely shaking her head when asked of Toutaku's status. It is enough that Toutaku is known as innocent of the crimes placed on her head by their allies. Paitan asked them not to reveal to too many people of this part of the story. Still, with the full context of the events, Bachou's group easily agreed to be their allies. Kanhyoku followed soon after, already intent on being their ally in the first place.
Some, of course, asked why Kentei and not Reitei. Kuutan basically just said that her sister's better, so why not?
After the alliance was formed, Kanhyoku and Choukou immediately went back home to Kishuu. Bachou and Kouchuu opted to just send messengers home and stayed. Batou did tell Bachou to stick around. As for Kouchuu, it's a sort of assurance to others that the Ryuubi-Hongou Army are not holding Paitan hostage or something. They don't have any right to look at what exactly they wrote and check who they're sending the mail through, but… Hopefully, because of the method they used to reveal Paitan, they will see it more as them taking care of Paitan, rather than something sinister like a repeat of Toutaku… All of them seemed to have favorable reactions to the reveal.
And so, the days passed peacefully…
-()-
"I demand a duel!"
This was such an absurd event that Kazuto was honestly not sure of what's going on. He was in his office, working, alongside Touka and Paitan. With them are Mifa, Shuri, and Hinari (his escort for the day). In front of them is Gien Bunchou, her big gigantic spiked steel rod pointed at him. Why do so many strange events happen in this room?
"… I'm sorry, but why should I fight you?" Kazuto asked. "Also, who let you in this far with a weapon?" Kazuto asked. "I'd love to know so that I can send them back to Rouan."
"You will not derail me!"
"Please stop. Now." Paitan told her.
"I refuse to st-"
"Careful with your words there. You're talking to the Emperor." Kazuto warned her.
"… Sorry." Gien bowed to Paitan. She then quickly made a 180 and glared at Kazuto, "But this is for the honor of Ryuubi!"
"And who are you to challenge me for Ryuubi's honor again? Her father? Brother? Can't be the mother; I've already met her."
"I… That's… I heard that you've been sleeping around with girls every night!"
"Oh no." Kazuto flatly said, "How could I. I'm such a philanderer. Maybe I should sleep alone from tonight onwards. What do you think, Touka?"
"No." Touka's answer was swift.
"And there's your answer."
"But, that's, uh, wh?"
Touka sighed, "Gien-san, I'm perfectly happy with the current state of things. So, as grateful as I am that a complete stranger" Kazuto could see the imaginary arrow strike the heart of the tomboy with the words complete stranger, "would care enough about me to worry about my honor, but you do not have to worry. I am perfectly aware of every single girl who sleeps in Kazuto's bed."
"She's the one who vets them, after all." Kazuto shrugged.
"Th-but-I…"
"Now then, do you mind? We have work to do." Touka said, pointing firmly at the door.
"Assuming that we ignore the fact that you are literally trespassing into our office when you're just a delegate… Also, you know, holding your weapon in front of the emperor and all that…"
"Guh, that, but…"
"… Ah screw it, you can sleep in jail for tonight, don't you think Mifa?"
"Why, I believe that's a good idea, Master~" Mifa nodded.
"… Do you think it should be a longer sentence, Paitan?"
"A week. At a minimum." Paitan said. "She insulted you and Touka-neesama." It seems Paitan considered the weapon in her presence thing a non-issue, and was more annoyed by Gien's accusations.
"The Emperor has decreed. Please turn yourself in at the nearest prison." Kazuto sighed. "Oh, hello there, guards. Why did a woman wielding a big gigantic metal club get through you? I believe you'll be spending time with Rouan for the next few days."
"… We apologize, sir, but…" The guards mumbled a bit. Their body language clearly indicated some pain, but…
"… Ah, so you were assaulted. You should've said so earlier. Can you two still work?"
"Y-yes, sir!" Each breathed a sigh of relief.
"For the assault of our personnel, Gien, your sentence has been raised to two weeks. Unfortunately, we have no right to hold you in prison for so long, so we'll have to settle for house arrest. Please stay inside your place of residence for the duration of your stay. Take her away, boys."
"I'm sorry!" Gien wept as she followed the guards. "But, but… I still want to duel you!"
"You're carrying a weapon that's heavier than I am by at least twice! Unless I absolutely have to, I'm not going anywhere near you!" And with that parting shot, Gien was out of earshot, screaming profuse apologies to Touka.
"…"
"…"
Touka coughed, "… That… was interesting…" Touka winced a bit.
"You know that that one likes you right?"
"I'll think about it, I suppose, but she doesn't really seem my type…"
"And what's your type?"
"Hmm… A good person… is probably the only similar thread."
"Sheesh, my first has a bit of a frisky side." Kazuto shook his head.
"You're the only guy, though, so you don't have to worry~"
"Considering the vast lack of male presence we all have in our lives right now, I'm not surprised." Kazuto pointed out, "So if you get a say in who sleeps with me, do I get a say who sleeps with you?"
"Would you refuse me that?"
"If you look like you're being forced to, yes. But if you really wanted to, far be it for me to be a hypocrite. But… I suppose I'll put the same rules that you did me I guess… I have to like the other person as well."
"Deal~"
"I don't really want to hear this…" Paitan moaned while Hinari was covering her red face with the brim of her hat.
"Sorry, sorry." Kazuto winced.
"Ah, it's nothing!"
Kazuto nodded, choosing not to pry. "… So who wants to go out for today, because after that mess, I suddenly feel very unsafe in my place of work." Kazuto stood up, Hinari quickly put away her book and stood next to him.
"There's the meeting with the farmers today that I have to go to." Touka apologized, "I don't want Suu to be alone when that starts."
"I suppose it's about time for people to start preparing to plant springtime crops huh…" Kazuto nodded. "Sure, I'll leave you to it."
"Mostly preparations, really." Touka smiled. "I think the ideal planting-time is sometime soon-ish, but…"
"No worries. Guess it'll just be me and Hinari for the time being. Unless you want to come, Paitan?"
"I'm going with Touka-neesama." Paitan apologized.
"Fine by me." Kazuto chuckled.
"Where are you going?" Touka asked.
"I sort of just want to see what the delegates are doing today… also to apologize for having to punish Gien."
"Have fun, Kazuto-kun." Touka waved him off.
"Let's go then, Hinari."
"Yes, Master!"
-()-
"I'm sorry about Gien." Kouchuu sighed, as he arrived at the place where the Keishuu delegates were currently residing.
"She's such a young'un that I'm surprised that she didn't do something more drastic really~" Gengan laughed.
"Still, carrying a weapon in the Palace, in front of Paitan-sama…" Aisha, who's been informed of the situation and was there to give a lecture to Gien, grumbled, "You should see to her discipline more."
"Gengan's the one in charge of that one." Kouchuu shrugged, "But still, I honestly did not see it coming that I'd meet both… well, I suppose I shouldn't say it in public."
"We're in a private residence." Kazuto waved them off. "But thanks for agreeing to keep it out of the public's ears for now. If Paitan gets revealed, she would no longer be able to go around town without supervision. She's looking forward to watching the farmers plant their crops, you know?"
"Why not the older sister? Why prop up the younger sister?" Gengan asked, interested.
"Because Paitan's more responsible, I guess." Kazuto shrugged.
"Gahahaha!" Gengan laughed, "You really are something kid, to say that so easily about the older sister, knowing exactly who they are."
"We're all friends, after all."
"How did you come across them?"
"Ryofu for Paitan. As for Kuutan, she just showed up out of nowhere." Kazuto shrugged, before turning to Aisha who was looking at the garden, a bit distracted. "Is something wrong, Aisha?"
"Ah, it's nothing! I…"
Kouchuu chuckled, "I'm afraid it may have to do with my daughter I'm afraid." Her daughter being Riri, who was currently playing in the garden, with Rinrin. Hinari's there to try and keep them from leaving the Garden, as Rinrin seems to insist on doing.
"Kouchuu-dono!"
"Ooh, do tell." Kazuto grinned.
"Master!"
"Now, I really want to know."
"Then I'll oblige." Kouchuu smiled, "My daughter's rather fond of Chouhi, you see. However…"
"Ah… say no more then." Kazuto laughed.
"What conclusion did you come to, Master?" Aisha sulkily asked.
"Riri thinks you're too scary." Bingo, as Aisha seems to have been struck by an invisible arrow. "A shame for the child-loving, orphanage-donating Aisha."
"P-p-please stop…"
"Want a drink?" Gengan offered.
"N-no… I still have work later." Aisha refused.
"You're free enough to come over here and scold the girl who's beating herself up in a room." Gengan scoffed but accepted her refusal for what it is.
"… If I'm hearing things right…" Kazuto hummed as muffled screams echoed in the residence, "She's angry at herself for showing such a bad side of her to Touka. What an awkward girl. Considering how much of a tomboy she is, it seems that she's a maiden at heart."
"Right?" Gengan laughed.
"You can figure that out from those incoherent yells?" Kouchuu blinked.
"No, but I can guess." Kazuto chuckled.
"Love at first sight. It's almost a shame that it's unrequited… unless you bring her in, boy."
"Hush you. I refuse to bring anyone in if they don't whole-heartedly want to be with me in the first place. Also, Touka needs to approve."
"A rather big heart you have, to love so many at once."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up."
"I will! Gahahaha!"
"You two are getting along really well." Kouchuu chuckled.
"It's like talking to one of my uncles again." Kazuto shrugged. "Uncle Takeshi's always been a fun one to talk to. He doesn't drink as often as you do, but his cheer's very infectious."
"Uncle Takeshi?"
"Yamamoto Takeshi. My Father's Rain Guardian." Kazuto chuckled, "My senior when it comes to learning Shigure Souen Ryuu."
"Not your teacher?" Aisha asked.
"That would be Uncle Takeshi's dad." Kazuto shrugged, "Yamamoto Tsuyoshi. Anyway, it's good to see that she's coping well enough… Just tell her that Touka doesn't hate her, just put out."
"I have a feeling that would make things worse." Kouchuu chuckled.
"Just don't push her too far. I'd rather not have an incident again with her anytime soon." Kazuto warned. "Anyway, it's nice seeing both of you."
"Visit more often, boy." Gengan waved.
"Take care, Sawada-sama."
"Hinari, we're going," Kazuto called.
"R-right!"
"Try not to get too down, Aisha!"
"I wo- M-master!"
"Bye-bye Niichan!" Rinrin waved.
"Bai-bai?" Riri waved as well, although confused by the greeting.
The two of them soon were away from the camp's hearing range.
"I swear Aisha has slowly started adopting 'Master' more and more as the days go by…" Kazuto grumbled.
"Is it bad?"
"… I just don't want to be someone above you. I want to be close enough that if I fly too far up, you'll be there to pull me back down, you know?"
"… Maybe so, but… on some level, we just want to show you that we want to stay by your side, as much as we can."
"Eh?"
"… Kazuto-sama, you once said that you want us to be free to do as we please, right? That's why you didn't order Chiihou to come back or to stay."
"…"
"But we want to show you this: we want to be with you. We respect you, and we want you to be here by our side. And it seems no amount of us saying it is working so… we'll call you by that title until we are sure that you'll choose to never let us go in the first place. Maybe even beyond that."
"Sheesh…" Kazuto grumbled, scratching the back of his head, "You're making me blush."
"Th-I-Well…"
"So, where do you think the Seiryou group is?"
"I think they should be in the barracks," Hinari admitted. Since they brought an entire group of soldiers, after all. "Maybe the training grounds?"
"If they were at the training grounds, I'd have seen a request to use them on my desk." Kazuto pointed out. "They're not exactly public utilities for them to just use whenever they want."
"Hmm… then the stables? Their soldiers are all cavalry after all…" Almost instantly solving the problem of their side not having a cavalry.
"Reasonable." Kazuto nodded and the two moved towards where he knows the stables are.
-()-
"Yo, umm, Hongou?"
"Hello, Bachou." Kazuto greeted, "Giving the horses a bath?"
"Yeah." Bachou chuckled, as she held a scrub out.
"Tanpopo! Get back here!"
"No!"
"Hoy, Ruo, Tanpopo! We have guests!" Bachou called.
"Ah, it's niichan!" Batai greeted. Bakyuu panted, as she finally managed to wrangle the cloth that Batai apparently took from her.
"Niichan?" Kazuto said, amused. He seems to be getting a lot of little sisters in this world.
"You seem like a niichan, so…"
"Tanpopo! Show some respect! He's…" Bakyuu mouthed Kentei's name "…chosen guardian…"
"But, but…"
"I don't care enough," Kazuto assured her. "As long as you're not outright insulting me, I'm perfectly fine with you treating me as you want."
"Then I'll call you niichan then! You seem like a fun guy to hang around with."
"Sorry about her." Bachou apologized.
"Like I said, it's fine. We're not in the court; no reason we have to be courtly."
"Fair enough." Bachou chuckled.
"Hello~" Batetsu walked over to them with a smile, "The heavenly messenger, huh?"
"Hello, Bate- Why are you naked?" Kazuto flinched and looked away.
"Awawa!"
"Sou, get some clothes on!" Bachou flailed as she threw a rag on her sister to try and get some modesty from the girl.
"Why did you remove your clothes!?" Bakyuu exclaimed as well, as she ran out to search for something that they could use to cover her up.
"Screw it…" Kazuto sighed, removing his outer coat (he wasn't wearing his school uniform, just some normal clothing), leaving him in only an undershirt, and draped it on the girl. "It's still cold, you know, you might get sick."
"Hmm, hmm… you look like a good guy." Batetsu nodded, holding the coat to her chest.
"Uhh, thank you…?" Kazuto nodded.
"Sorry about her." Bachou apologized, "Sou, go get your clothes on!"
"So why exactly are you naked?" Kazuto asked. "You aren't a habitual nudist, are you?"
"For the sake of the Ba Clan's honor, we'll make sure she never becomes one!" Bachou vowed, as Bakyuu quickly returned and dragged Batetsu away, carrying what looked like a bundle of clothes.
Kazuto merely shook his head, with a laugh, "Moving along, it's honestly pretty amazing that you girls actively take care of your own horses… Most people I'd think would prefer to just let others do it. Especially since you four are pretty much royalty, right?"
"We have a bond with our horses that we're not willing to just hand to our servants." Bachou agreed.
"Sounds like my friend. Damien." Kazuto chuckled. "He got me to learn horseback riding in the first place."
"Eh, so you had a horse too, Niichan?" Batai asked.
"It's a rental from my friend, really." Kazuto shrugged.
"What sort of memories did you have with it?" Bachou asked, interested.
"Running from a hail of… projectiles," Kazuto replied, almost saying bullets there.
"Eh, a war?"
"Nope. Training." Kazuto sighed. "They set up like a hundred archers with dulled arrows" one machine gun firing rubber bullets "to fire at me as I run a track. All I had are the horse and a sword. If my horse got hit, the horse would immediately send me flying."
"Not very disciplined, is it?" Bachou shook her head.
"My record is three minutes!" Kazuto cheerfully replied.
"Waa, your training is even more brutal than ours!" Batai said in fear.
"All for the sake of making me a 'leader of men', or so my teacher says." Kazuto sighed. "But, considering how Bachou fought during the war, I'd wager she'd last about roughly the same as Damien did. Probably better." Since Bachou actually fought wars on her horse.
"Eh, uh, that's!" Bachou blushed at the indirect praise, "I'd love to try my luck but wasting that many arrows are probably beyond most armies' budget." Bachou shook her head. "I'm more surprised that even happened in the first place."
"You met Reborn, right?" Kazuto dryly asked. "He's the one in charge of my suffering."
"… Ah." Bachou blinked. Yes, Bachou has at least seen Reborn. After all, she was among the members that were attacked by the "sorcerer" and used as Rinrin's practice dummies for using the healing aspect of Sun Flames. "That little guy?"
"Eh, sure." Kazuto shrugged, already far too tired to explain what's going on with Reborn's size.
"W-we're back…" Bakyuu exclaimed as Batetsu, in her normal pink Ba Family uniform. Huh, now that he thought about it, when they were talking in the court, they were all wearing a headband of sorts. It seems they removed it for normal days. Good to know. Bakyuu held his coat up to him, a flustered expression on her face.
Kazuto nodded, taking the coat back, "Welcome back." He mercifully decided not to bring it up again, "So after giving the horses a bath, what are your plans?"
"Well, we're probably going to go look around for some food stalls." Bachou pondered.
"Fair enough." Kazuto nodded. "I'm sure I have a few that I could recommend."
"I heard someone busted into your palace earlier?" Bakyuu asked. "Is everyone alright?"
"That reached you so quickly? I didn't think it would be such a big incident…"
"Well…" Bakyuu winced, "The culprit was apparently crying on the way out… Not tied up, but just following the guards…" That would indeed be a strange sight, huh?
"It was Gien, the delegate from Keishuu." Kazuto shrugged. "She's now under house arrest."
"Sheesh, what an idiot." Batai scoffed.
"Tanpopo, be nice. She must have had a… well I can't say good but… a reason." Bachou sighed.
"She brought a big metal spiked rod to our office." Kazuto replied, "Paitan and Touka were there."
"… Yeah, I'm not going to justify wielding a weapon in front of the Emperor…" Bachou immediately backtracked.
"She got off lightly then." Batai shrugged. "That's a capital offense."
"She's not under our jurisdiction and the guards she beat up weren't seriously hurt." They were able to stand up, walk, talk, and work, after all. "None of us were seriously hurt either. It's still an offense that, while it can't be ignored, can have its sentence lowered." Kazuto shrugged. "Paitan didn't seem to think she needed a worse punishment either, so there's that."
"I'm honestly amazed that you can so casually call the Emperor by her True Name without any honorifics." Bakyuu smiled slightly.
"I'm not really used to adding -sama to the end of names…" Kazuto, the boy raised to be the heir of one of the greatest Mafia Families in the world, replied.
"So, umm… why did Gien-san do it?" Batetsu asked.
"You've heard of the rumors about me and the girls, right?"
"Nope," came Bachou's swift reply.
"Not really," Bakyuu followed suit.
"Can't say we have," Batai shrugged.
"Rumors?" Batetsu tilted her head.
"Fair enough… I'm surprised that Gien heard about it then." Kazuto frowned.
"I think that has more to do with where they are at." Hinari pointed out. "Bachou and the rest are in the barracks, where most of the people who sleep are either their soldiers or ours. Our soldiers respect us quite well, after all. But the Keishuu group is…"
"In the noble district." Kazuto nodded. "Yeah… not like we have many allies in that side."
"Yeesh, they're spreading bad rumors about you, huh?" Bachou winced. "You probably should just charge them for treason then. Actively spreading malicious rumors is not exactly something a good person does."
"Would be nice if we had proof, but…" Kazuto shrugged. They were still going through Tou's list of accusations.
"What is it about? The rumors I mean?" Batai asked.
"You know back in the coalition, Bachou? About my tent and that. Those rumors."
"Ooh, th- I, b-bwah!?" Bachou seems to immediately make the connection and her face turned red.
"That doesn't give us any answers, you know!?" Batai pouted.
"Never you mind!" Bachou waved off her family's curiosities. "So, it's true?"
"Depends on which part is true. How would you define 'sleep'?"
"Nope, nope, not answering that!"
"Going to bed and waking up in the morning?" Batetsu tilted her head.
"And that's the rumor." Kazuto shrugged.
"Ooh, I see!" Batai nodded, "I get why Sui-neechan's getting flustered then! But it's really just sleep-sleep, not the other kind of sleep?"
"There are other kinds?" Batetsu asked.
"I'll tell you later."
"No, you will not, Tanpopo!"
"Oh, what are you thinking I'll tell Sou, Sui-neechan? And why is your face so red?"
"That question is a private thing that I will be keeping a secret. If the girl in question wishes to tell you, I don't mind." Kazuto replied. His mind flashes to some of the encounters he had with quite a few of the girls. However, the girls aren't trophies that he's collecting; if they want to say something, he'll let them, but he won't dirty their names in that way. So, ignoring the bright red face of his escort, "Anyway, I suppose you're still not done, right? So I'll take my leave before Bachou explodes or something."
"W-w-w-what's that supposed to-"
"Goodbye, niichan!" Batai waved.
"Bye!" Batetsu followed suit.
"T-take care," Bakyuu said as well.
-()-
"So they're forming an alliance to fight Enjutsu, not us? Are you sure about this, Tou?"
"That is at least what they've told me." Tou shrugged. "Feel free to figure out the rest."
"I say it's lies," Jun'iku said. Always quick to assume the worst of anyone not named Sousou Moutoku.
"But it's true that Enjutsu has been preparing something big." Sousou frowned. "Enjutsu has four options for an attack. Sonsaku to the southwest, Ryuuhyou to the southeast, Ryuubi-Hongou to the northwest, and us, to their northeast. Sonsaku is an ally of Enjutsu's, so it's unlikely that Enjutsu will start her conquest in that direction."
"Ryuuhyou's Keishuu is a big state so, unless Enjutsu is really foolish," Jun'iku frowned.
"And she is," Sousou added a snide remark.
"And she is." Jun'iku grumbled, "Of course. So really, she has three points to attack."
"And now, two of them have allied. They'll probably publicly declare it soon enough." Sousou frowned. "Which means…"
"Those bastards!" Jun'iku stood up in shock. "Since they're allies, they're suddenly dangerous to attack! If Enjutsu attacks Joshuu, Keishuu would attack from the other side! Likewise, if Enjutsu attacks Keishuu, Joshuu would retaliate too! A war of two fronts awaits attacking either!"
"So the only true path of attack for Enjutsu is us," Sousou concluded.
"Oh, what remarkable deduction. Unfortunately, that is not all that Lord Kazuto told me." Tou smirked.
"What!?" Jun'iku balked, "What else did he say?"
"Hmm? And what do I get for divulging said information?" Tou raised an eyebrow.
"… Get on with it, Tou."
"Very well." Tou sighed, "Ryuubi and Kazuto believe that there's a chance that Enjutsu is planning on declaring herself an Emperor using the Imperial Seal as a pretext. It is this information that Batou used to justify sending her daughters and niece as well as a sizable army to Joshuu's lands."
"Does that change anything?" Jun'iku pointed out. "Either way, we'll be dealing with Enjutsu first!"
"… Not if we join the alliance as well, using the fact that we're protecting the Capital as pretext." Sousou found the lifeline that Tou was dangling in front of her. "By joining in alliance with Ryuubi-Hongou and Ryuuhyou, we'll be perfectly situated to surround Enjutsu and defeat her soundly. The war wouldn't even need to enter our lands. A war of two fronts might be difficult to handle for Enjutsu, but a third front would assure her loss."
"As expected of Karin. Yes. That's exactly what it means."
"But that requires holding hands with Ryuubi." Sousou glared at Tou.
"I've made no secret that the most ideal scenario for me is for you to have Ryuubi's group as your subordinates." Tou pointed out.
"… We'll shelve it for later." Sousou stubbornly shook her head. "This hinges on the fact that Enjutsu truly does plan on declaring herself emperor. How do they know that Enjutsu has the Imperial Seal?"
"I'm afraid that's one of the things I'm unclear of. I'm not really allowed to have all the information of Joshuu due to my circumstances." Tou shrugged.
"If you were a subordinate of mine, and is actively working against my interests, I would've executed you myself."
"That is the kindness of Ryuubi and Hongou." Tou nodded. A kindness admirable in people but kindness, in rulers, is often unnecessary. More important is a mind that can produce sound judgments.
Jun'iku scoffed, "With all the playing with fire you do, I'm surprised you haven't got burnt yet."
"There is something I'll be clear with you, Tou. I do not want you to poison the well."
"Hmm?"
"In other words, I do not want you to sabotage Ryuubi and Hongou in any way. If I am to claim this continent as mine, then I want to do it by conquering my foes. Whether that be Ryuubi, Hongou, Sonsaku, Enshou, or Enjutsu, I will use my wits and my skills to defeat each and every one of them. Such is the pride of Sou Moutoku."
"And what aid can I give you for your goal?"
"The information you've given me is sufficient. If you have more, I am willing to listen. But no more than that."
"That is acceptable; I've no interest in dirtying my hands either." Tou smiled. "You've not changed in the years since we've met, and I can only look forward to the day that I can truly call you my lord."
"So, is that all you can give me, Tou?"
"I believe so." Tou shrugged. "I'll be taking my leave then, Karin-chan."
Tou bowed and then walked confidently out the door. Jun'iku rounded towards Sousou. "Can we really trust her?"
"You need not trust her, dear Keifa. As long as I can trust her desires, that is more than enough."
-()-
Sonsaku hummed, as she stood on the battlefield, still heading south to conquer as much territory for their future kingdom. Even with just career soldiers, Sonsaku easily kept up her conquest the moment winter let up. Unlike most of the north, Sonsaku's Army's supplies are not dependent on crops. Not entirely. Still, the further down the river Sonsaku can conquer, the closer to the sea she can get, they will have the sea as a potential food source, instead of just relying on the river fish. Even if they're not dependent on crops, it's still difficult to keep up an army on dwindling rations.
"Enjutsu's messenger came."
"Meirin, must you break my mood?" Sonsaku sighed. Shuuyu shrugged, as she handed the message. "Nope, not going to read it. Just tell me what it says in the shortest possible way." Enjutsu's letters are always so long-winded, praising herself every other sentence.
Shuuyu sighed, as she opened it and scanned it quickly. "Enjutsu's planning on declaring herself the Emperor of the Chuu Dynasty. She wishes us to be there to show support."
"Hmm… have there been any news on where Emperor Ken is?"
"None." Shuuyu shrugged.
"Hmm… so what do you think we should do then? Want to declare ourselves as the beginning of the Son Go Dynasty, like mother always wanted?"
"Too early." Shuuyu shook her head. "We should go take as much of the south and west of us as possible before that. Otherwise, we'll be surrounded by belligerents… like what will happen to the fool Enjutsu."
"Fair enough." Sonsaku laughed. "Still… what should we do then? Should we go? Or should we oppose this decision?"
"Hmm… What do you intend to do with Enjutsu's Territory?"
"Why, conquer it, of course."
"Then, let's pay lip service. However…" Shuuyu smirked, "Once Ryuubi decides to oppose them…"
"Interesting, interesting!" Sonsaku smirked. "However, we shouldn't look like traitors. We want some semblance of deniability."
"Then… why not send Shaoren-sama? She's been itching to do something for a while now, yes?"
"Hmm, hmm… Yes, Shao should be good. We'll send her into Joshuu with a message for Ryuubi?"
"Preferably Hongou, actually."
"Maybe we should send Renfa instead if that's the case? Maybe she'll get something out of it."
"Still hung up on the idea that Renfa could've been taught the sorcery as well?" Shuuyu chuckled.
"Wouldn't you be too?"
"Regardless, we left the management of the territory to Renfa-sama. So Shaoren-sama is the only option."
"Fine, fine. Who are we sending with her then?"
"Minmei should be preferable, I think?"
"Mmhmm. Then we'll do that." Sonsaku sighed. "Hah, I wished I could've gone longer than a month before I had to deal with Enjutsu again."
"That's how it is as a lord. You have to deal with both people you like and people you dislike, and you can't necessarily stab the people you dislike."
"No wonder mother always complained the position is too stuffy for her." Sonsaku nostalgically said. "Well then, I suppose let's end this war quickly so that we can get the sea access we've been hoping for."
-()-
Back in Joshuu, farming is going well. They've implemented some of the methods described in the book that Suu was given, on a small scale for now, while leaving most of the fields tilled as the farmers have done so for generations. A couple of farmers were intrigued by the ideas proposed by Suu but did not pay much attention to it, sticking with the traditions. The struggling farmers, those who had such severe problems last harvest, were the ones that were eager to try the methods on a larger scale. Everyone was eager to see the results of this.
The people on Tou's testimonial were, by now, successfully purged from any high-ranking positions. As for their punishment, they left it up to their families, whose honor was now besmirched. Gien was cooperative enough to tell them who exactly told her about the rumors of Touka and Kazuto. They suggested lowering her sentence for it, but Gien still decided to remain in her room for the entire duration, even after they had the soldiers removed from the Keishuu delegates' home. Malicious rumormongering may not be a capital offense, nor is it one that, for the sake of freedom of expression, Kazuto could consider a bad thing per se, but if it can be proven that these attacks are done, not out of suspicion of fact but simply to ruin another's name, well, they'll have to put a stop to that.
Kazuto blinked as he looked at a tan-skinned pink-haired girl in front of him as he was out on a walk. Rinrin (his escort for the day, having convinced everyone that she could do the job) blinked as well.
"… You are obviously Sonken's daughter." Kazuto blandly told her.
"Shao is Sonshoukou!" Sonshoukou did not bother denying it. Sun Shangxiang. Wife to Liu Bei, and proof of an alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan.
"I'm Shuutai Youhei." Zhou Tai – Youping. Admittedly, Kazuto does not remember anything about her but… it should suffice to assume that her presence here has less to do with what she did in the story and more to escort the spritely pink-haired girl next to her. Still…
"That is one long sword you got there. I'm surprised you could even draw it." Kazuto said, impressed.
"Th-thank you?"
"So, umm… what brings you here today?" Kazuto asked.
"Neesama wants you to have this." Sonshoukou shrugged and passed on a scroll. "For your eyes only, she said."
"Hooray." Kazuto nodded, receiving the scroll. "And now that you're done being the messenger, am I supposed to house you or will you leave immediately?"
"Shao wants to stay." Sonshoukou shrugged.
"… Then we'll have some accommodations prepared for you. In the meantime, you both can stay in the palace." Kazuto sighed, about-facing, and leading the walk back.
"Can Shao go around the town for a bit?" Sonshoukou asked.
"You can, but after I introduce you to everyone important that needs to know about your presence." Touka and Paitan are not in the palace right now; they're observing the farms. Kuutan and Fan are also at the farms. Mifa, Aisha, and Bachou are with them as escorts. So the only ones that Kazuto can talk to right now should be Shuri and Hinari… oh right, both of them are with Mammon and are unlikely to get out by tonight, naturally, that means Josho is with them too. Yuuka? Maybe… no wait, Josho passed her job of looking through Enjutsu Territory reports to her. Sei it is. "To the barracks! Where Sei is!" Kazuto turned again.
"Okay!" Rinrin nodded, following along.
"Wait, I thought we're going to the palace?" Shuutai asked.
"I just remembered that we're all out of the palace today and there's no one there to do a thing~" Kazuto replied.
"Eh?" Sonshoukou blinked. "That's weird… usually you'd have a couple there right?"
"We have a couple, but Sei's the highest-ranking right now." Kazuto replied, "Technically, Rinrin here has a higher rank, but since she's not allowed to leave my side, we'd have to make do."
"Eh, the little girl is that far-up the ladder?" Sonshoukou looked at Rinrin.
"You're not that much taller than Rinrin." Rinrin pointed out.
"She's also very assuredly stronger than you," Kazuto added. "… Both of you, combined."
Shuutai frowned at that comparison but chose to say nothing.
"Have either of you casually lifted a wood beam thrice your height and about four times as thick as your arms?" Kazuto dryly asked.
"… Fair enough." Shuutai nodded, wincing at the thought.
"Rinrin is strong, after all!" Rinrin boasted.
"Now drop the ego. I'm pretty sure you hit more than a few houses while carrying the thing." Kazuto teased the girl. "Now you're no longer allowed to carry things longer than you are tall alone."
"… Meanie." Rinrin pouted. "Why did you have to remind me…"
"Now then, barracks should be here… Soldier, I need General Chouun."
"Yes sir!"
"… Would you mind leaving your big sword with the barracks for the duration of your stay, Shuutai-san?" Kazuto asked.
"… Oh, umm… sure…" Shuutai disarmed. "But, why?" She asked as the sword was taken by a soldier.
"Well… there was an incident earlier this month of an outsider with a massive weapon barging into our office…" Kazuto winced. "Our Head General, Kan'u, did not appreciate it."
"Sounds… stupid…" Sonshoukou lamely said.
"I'm sorry for being stupid, but I still want a duel!" Gien appeared out of nowhere, carrying said massive weapon.
"Rinrin, please?"
Rinrin nodded, before moving forward with a flame-enhanced punch into Gien's stomach. The weapon is dropped, and Rinrin caught it. Gien curled up in pain.
"Three days in confiscation." Kazuto dryly said as Rinrin passed the weapon to a couple of soldiers, who struggled to take it back with them. "I thought we told you you aren't to take your weapon outside the training fields, Gien-san?"
"She's an idiot, after all." Batai casually shrugged, carrying her spear with her. "I'll take her back to the training grounds, is that alright, niichan?"
"Sure." Kazuto waved her off. "Thanks, Batai."
Batai waved as she grabbed the ear of the girl. She seemed oddly excited about this.
"… So if you want to blame anyone for the rule against massive weapons, blame her." Kazuto finished.
"Who is the short-haired girl?" Sonshoukou asked. "Not very… respectful of you…"
"A delegate," Kazuto replied. "Not in our chain of command."
"Why do you have delegates?"
Before Kazuto could answer the question, another voice popped in, "Hello milord, who are these?" Sei showed up.
"Let's just say they're playing messenger for Sonsaku," Kazuto replied. "Can I ask you to prepare for their lodgings for tonight?"
"So that's all you wanted from me, then." Sei sighed, "Very well, I'll see it done… where should they stay?"
"Did you two bring any guards with you?" Kazuto asked them.
"Nope." Sonshoukou shrugged.
"Just me." Shuutai gave her own reply.
"… Then we can just prepare a guest room in the palace then." Kazuto decided.
"As you will." Sei nodded. She then started instructing the soldiers.
"I'm going to assume that you two are hungry from your trip?" Kazuto tilted his head.
"Yup!"
"Then we're going." Kazuto nodded. "Rinrin, take us to a shop with a corner table that we can sit in!" That way he can read the message with some semblance of privacy.
"Follow me!" Rinrin excitedly nodded.
-()-
Sonshoukou's upbringing as a princess became clear from the moment she started eating. She's properly using the tools provided and not eating as quickly as their respective companions. But that doesn't mean she isn't too displeased with the food, as she energetically complimented every food she ate. Figured that Rinrin would choose a good food stall.
Kazuto opened the letter quickly, with a frown. "Did Sonsaku tell you what is in this?"
"Nope." Sonshoukou shrugged. "What does it say?"
"My eyes only, remember?"
"Stingy." Sonshoukou pouted.
"Anyway, Sonsaku wanted us to take care of you here, so I see no reason to not allow you to stay then."
"I thought that was why we went to Sei?" Rinrin asked.
"The difference is the length of time… Something big is going to happen, and Sonsaku wants her little sister here for it." Kazuto shrugged.
"Ah, oneesama's leaving me in the dark again." Sonshoukou pouted.
"If anything, you'll find it more fun on this side, once you know what's going to happen." Kazuto sighed.
"Eh?"
"I imagine the announcement is going to be soon." Kazuto sighed. "Hopefully Sonsaku can delay it for as long as possible." But that's unlikely.
"What's going to happen?" Rinrin asked.
"… Whatever Enjutsu is planning."
-()-
"All preparations are done for your coronation, Miu-sama!"
"Really, Nanano? Has Sonsaku arrived yet?" Enjutsu asked her trusted retainer, Choukun.
"She's here, yes." Choukun politely nodded.
"Did she have to take so long to finish what she was doing down there?" Miu grumbled before jumping, "Well then, let's not waste time!"
-()-
With the Imperial Seal as their proof of the Mandate of Heaven, the Chuu Dynasty, ruled by Enjutsu, is declared.
This Chuu Dynasty sent messages to all the warlords of the continent, demanding that they supplicate themselves to her rule.
Hail to the ruler, the lovely Enjutsu! Hail to the Emperor (Son of Heaven), Enjutsu!
Those who choose to go against heaven itself will be subjugated by the wrath of the one who bears the Imperial Seal!
-()-
With the blood of the Kan Dynasty within me and the aid of the Heavenly Messenger as my proofs of the Mandate of Heaven, I, Kentei, current Emperor (Son of Heaven) of the Kan Dynasty, so declare:
Enjutsu is an enemy of the country! All armies rally to defeat the tyrant Enjutsu, who imposed heavy taxes upon her people to prepare an army to be used to subjugate all other states that would oppose her! Pulling away farmers from their fields, reducing her food gain, just so that she can take from all the rest!
Let not their flowery words fool you of their cruelty. Let not their threats scare you to submission. Just is our cause, and noble is our duty! And so, I call all those who love this Empire to fight Enjutsu!
Let us not allow a tyrant to rise to the throne of the country!
So rally by my side! Rally to my flag! And may the wrath of heaven be upon our enemies!
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: January 8, 2021
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
Okay, originally, this was the end of the Joshuu Days. Then I decided that the last two chapters are more linked to the next arc, the Enjutsu Arc, than to Joshuu Days, so I decided to just label these past two chapters as part of the Enjutsu Arc. So Enjutsu Arc 2. What do you think?
Also, apparently, PM Email Notifications are fixed, yay! So I'll definitely see any PMs you send me.
So, uhh, I don't really have a lot of things to say. I almost ranted on the problems I've had with looking for good KHR fanfics, but that was going nowhere, so I deleted it. Then again, I never really liked having a huge amount of padding for my Word Count each chapter, so it works out fine. So that's it~ Maybe next chapter, there won't even be an Author's Notes. See you next week for Enjutsu Arc 3!