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.
-()-
First Days in Kyoshou
-()-
"… The Red Dragon, Fon?" Kazuto blinked.
"So you're… another one of Reborn-sensei's friends?" Paitan asked, confused.
"Friend is a strong term. Former acquaintances, perhaps? We once were part of the same mercenary group, the Arcobaleno." So the Arcobaleno were a merc group? Kazuto frowned. Still…
"How was he?" Kazuto decided to ask.
"… Similar in some ways, different in others." Fon shrugged. "Still, I'm honestly a bit annoyed that he kept this entire business a secret from me." Fon hummed, "Although it is slightly perverted from what it likely was from long ago, it is still my homeland." Fon then bowed to Paitan, "I suppose I should greet you, Emperor Xian. I must say, you are quite young."
Paitan blinked a bit at that, although her mouth automatically replied with, "I'm of age."
"Hmm… I suppose you are." Fon nodded. Although he was critically looking at Kazuto as he said so.
"I don't coerce them. I don't have mind control abilities, and Sky Attraction is just an urban myth." Kazuto replied. Basically: if these girls fall in love with Kazuto, then it's for their own reasons.
"I apologize; I did not mean to accuse you." Fon nodded. Still, Kazuto could already imagine the amount of accusations he'll get once word comes out about his younger lovers.
"Why are you here, Fon-san?" Kazuto asked.
"Let's just say we struck a deal with Reborn." Fon smiled.
"… 'We'?" Kazuto noted the plural.
"Myself and a certain scientist." Fon shrugged. "Honestly, I'm more here for the scenery. However, that doesn't mean I'm not prepared to give you aid." Fon smiled.
"… What aid?" Kazuto asked warily. "No offense, but when a former Arcobaleno offers me aid…"
"I suppose some favors are more dangerous than others. Don't worry. I only intend to give you some physical training. Not just for yourself, but for your companions as well."
"… You do realize that's worse, right?" Memories of Reborn and Colonello chasing him with guns echo in his mind. With Lal at the end, waiting to spar them even though they were exhausted.
"I suppose you did grow up with Reborn." Fon nodded serenely. "I don't believe my training will be any better or worse than theirs, but my insight in martial arts is certainly better. At the very least, you are familiar with my credentials?"
"… The master of a hundred and eight martial arts." Kazuto nodded. "A powerful assassin who reached the peak of martial arts."
"Dear Kazuto, when you reach my level of martial arts, you'll realize that there's no such thing as a Martial Peak. The world ever changes and one must be willing to change alongside it."
"… I'll be honest, I don't see what making my martial arts better would help in my current situation." Kazuto awkwardly mumbled, "A lot of the only ways I can help improve this world is done behind a desk and not fighting in the first place. I mean, the entirety of the Enshou Invasion, I just sat behind a chair listening to reports of the battlefield, and making speeches."
"So you don't need it?" Fon hummed.
"… I probably would, and since Reborn's letting you… I guess I do?"
"The Houjutsu user and the Doujutsu user." Fon replied.
"… Right."
"How long has it been since they've appeared before you?"
"… I've only ever met the one named Saji, and that was on the day I was transported. Honestly, I think he had been holding back at the time." Kazuto frowned, "No. He was definitely holding back." Reborn said he used flames when he fought his father, and that he was a doujutsu user. He used neither against him. "But their involvement in the Campaign against Toutaku…" They have plans for this country.
"… Has Reborn informed you of what they seek?"
"You know?" Kazuto blinked.
"Then it's better you not know. Frankly, let the Vongola handle that part of the problem. Continue your own agenda for now."
"They're working on it?" Kazuto frowned. He didn't get a lot of updates on that side all that often.
"That's the main reason why myself and Verde have been summoned," Fon replied.
"… Verde who?"
"The Lightning Arcobaleno. A Mad Scientist, if you prefer."
"… Hooray…" Kazuto groaned. Sounds like a pain in the ass as well.
"As a warning, he likely wishes to experiment on you and this world at large. I am here as both their window into Doujutsu and Houjutsu, but also to help Reborn keep an eye on the man."
"I could not be more grateful," Kazuto replied, as he twitched at the thought of another one of the former Arcobaleno doing whatever they want with him. He already had Reborn as his tutor, goddammit. Then there's Colonello and Lal Mirch, who sometimes helps out in training him. Then there's Uni and Mammon, both having very high expectations of him. The former because he's the Vongola Successor, the latter because if he doesn't become Vongola Eleventh, Mammon might not get paid. Fun. He should probably build some sort of nest egg on this side and hope that he can bring the treasures to pay the miser ASAP.
"However." Fon cut through his thoughts, "We can't do much for what happens on this side… The machine still only allows one person in."
Fantastic news, Kazuto's sarcastic mind said in response. "Still, with both you and Mr. Verde watching me… doesn't that mean I have seven of the eight watching me?" Kazuto frowned.
"I suppose it does." Fon hummed, "…As a side note, the Cloud Arcobaleno is also present, but…"
Another Arcobaleno Kazuto wasn't familiar with… Wait, isn't that the rest of them? "But?"
"Let's just say, if you see a baby in a helmet, immediately knock him out."
"To an Arcobaleno? The world's strongest seven?" Can someone like that even be knocked out?
"You'll understand once you see him," Fon replied. "So… I presume you'll be prepared for my lessons?"
"How are you going to teach me?" Kazuto asked with a frown.
"Reborn has shown the capacity to kick and punch you." Fon hummed, "I don't think I'll need more than that."
"… Hooray. More Spartan Training." Kazuto sighed.
"Likely, I'll only teach you for an hour in the morning. Reborn is still your primary tutor." Fon laughed. "You're lucky, to have the attention of all the Arcobaleno."
"I don't feel lucky." Kazuto grimaced. "It's not as if they are paying attention to me for what I am, just the fact that I managed to get myself trapped here."
"True enough. Good to know you don't have a particularly large head despite everything. Too many heirs fall into that trap."
"Thank you, I guess?" Kazuto frowned, mentally remembering if he has ever acted big-headed in this world… Probably towards the nobility and the too-rich merchants.
"Considering your lack of respect for Cao Cao, though, I'd still say there's some level of big-headedness in you. Most people wouldn't treat a rival warlord as though they were longtime friends, you know? There must be some big-headedness in you for you to do so."
Kazuto winced. Right. He can definitely see why that would be interpreted as big-headedness.
"Don't take it the wrong way." Fon smiled, "Some big-headedness is necessary as a leader. It's just a matter of making sure you can carry that weight alongside everything else you bear on your soldiers."
"Please don't encourage it." Josho sighed.
"I see that you've caused no short amount of trouble in the span of a year." Fon laughed, "Still, now that all the Arcobaleno are watching you, we'll be expecting quite a bit from you."
"I'll do my best." Kazuto replied succinctly.
Fon nodded. "Now then. Tomorrow at five, I will wake you and we will begin training. Any questions?"
"Uhh… why do you look like Uncle Hibari?" Kazuto asked.
Fon laughed, "Rest well, Sawada Kazuto." And with that, he left in a plume of red flames.
-()-
Gakushin was walking down the hallways to the small chamber that would allow them to observe the Inner Palace's yard. It is meant to serve as both a guard station and to spy upon any actions within. Likely, if Sousou ever became the Emperor, this room will be blocked off. For now, its use is meant to watch for any actions done by the group.
The thing is… Gakushin was sure that Hongou had looked at this room's location last night. It was quick, and could just be him looking around, but he definitely at least had his eyes looking straight at it. She chose not to voice this, as she wasn't sure. Still, there's a good chance that Hongou knew this.
Gakushin woke up on her own to relieve the previous guard. Which should've been Riten. So, it didn't exactly surprise her to see what she's done in the room.
"Yo, Nagi!"
And while it doesn't surprise her, that doesn't make her even less angry about it.
"Did you even do your job, Mao?" Gakushin said, holding Riten by the collar. She didn't yell. But she still let out a bit of Ki. Enough to let Riten know exactly how angry she is.
"Calm down, Nagi! Nothing happened, nothing happened!" Riten exclaimed, as she tried to pocket her tools to keep them from flying all over the place.
"How are you sure about that?"
"Well… I didn't hear anything…"
"If I look out the window, what will I see?"
"… An… empty yard?" Riten winced.
"And what will I do to you if you're wrong?"
"… Nothing?"
"No experiments on me for two weeks."
"Fine. Go ahead." Riten scoffed, "It's early in the morning. No one in their right mind would wake this early!"
Gakushin sighed, and looked out.
In the yard, there was Hongou, running laps around the yard. Training. Clearly. And… he's not bad in the eyes… Considering the muscles that he's trained, he's clearly more into swordsmanship than barehand combat, but he's punching and kicking as he ran. In fact, he has some idea of what he was doing, as he would occasionally stop to adjust something about his form before resuming.
"Nagi?" Riten's voice snapped her out of it.
"… I win the bet."
"Eh what!?" Riten stood up and looked out. "… That's not fair… And… wow. His face looked really plain, but… his body is not bad to look at."
"Mao!"
"What, it's true." Riten rolled her eyes. "Still, if he's training outside, then that means they didn't run. That's good enough for us, right? So yeah, nothing happened! I still win!"
Gakushin sighed, giving up. "Look… I'm relieving you. Just go."
"Righto." Riten nodded, grabbing all her things and scooting on out.
Gakushin sighed as she looked out again… except this time…
Hongou was looking directly at her.
Gakushin blinked and ducked down. She didn't know what was going on but… She then looked back again and saw that he has resumed his training.
"… It's my job to watch for all activity."
Now that she knew that he is active at this hour, it is her job to make sure that they don't do anything suspicious.
-()-
"Trust is a bridge. If a single side isn't willing to have it be built, then it will fall into the river." Fon hummed. "The fact that Cao Cao would assign a guard to watch over your group shows that she doesn't trust you."
"Nor… do… we… trust… her…" Kazuto said, each word said with a pant.
"I must say, you are quite energetic despite how much I've pushed you." The Storm Arcobaleno told him, "I believe you've earned a break." Fon hummed, "I now know where your limits are, at least."
Kazuto nodded, collapsing on the path. Panting. Once he got ahold of his breathing, he asked, "… Will we really do this every day?" If this is just testing his limits, what will happen when Fon started to begin pushing his limits?
"Of course not. I know full well the limitations of the human body. If there is some physically exhausting task in your future, I naturally will not allow you to even consider training to this level. Resting is just as important as action. Every teacher you've had knows this."
"… That doesn't tell me how often you would train me."
"There is no permanent schedule. I'll simply inform you at the end of our session when the next training would be."
"… Fair enough."
"For now, inform young Xu Shu that I'll be evaluating her tomorrow."
"Might be for the best… I think she's pretty bummed out of being unable to make full use of Mammon's teachings."
"… Ah, yes." Fon sighed, "Viper."
"You don't like Mammon?"
"I'm a martial artist. Mammon's an illusionist. My Storm Flames are destructive. Mammon's Mist Flames are constructive. That one seeks great amounts of money, while I am content with living a hermit's life." Fon smiled, "We are pretty much the exact opposites of each other. Is it so strange that we do not see eye-to-eye?"
"Never thought of it that way." Kazuto thought on it, "Might still be a breath of fresh air for Josho anyway. If she agrees then she'll meet you."
"Excellent. I'll try to bring her to the path of the martial artist." Fon nodded, "If there becomes a martial artist who understands the ways of illusions, maybe she'll become a force to be reckoned with."
"I'd love to see it." Kazuto nodded.
"Still, I know that her talent is in her mind. Forcing her down that path is something I admit is just being foolhardy." Fon shook his head, "Take care of them, Kazuto."
"… Who?"
"All three. While I doubt Mammon's greed would completely infect the three, I'd rather they not grow as selfish as the illusionist could be."
"… I will." Less Mukuro, more Chrome, got it.
"It's honestly a bit of a shame that this world's China is not as Chinese as it should've been. The ages of certain people are far-off than what they should've been, the timeline is rather crude, and there's a rather large disparity between sheer strengths between people. Rather than saying this is the tail-end of the Han Dynasty, isn't it more accurate to say that this is a corrupted version of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"
"Liu Bei was involved in the battle against Dong Zhuo. I think that speaks for itself?"
"So it truly is the Romance." Fon nodded. "Still, are you going to usher in the Three Kingdoms Era?"
"What do you mean?"
"At the rate, this story's going," Fon hummed, "won't this empire eventually be splintered anyway, regardless of your efforts to prop up Emperor Xian?"
"Why?"
"Allied to Cao Cao you may be, her army's not the Emperor's. Allied to Sun Ce you may be, her army's not the Emperor's. Even Liu Bei's Army, they aren't Emperor Xian's army. Though they work with Emperor Xian, they are beholden to Liu Bei, not Emperor Xian." Fon frowned, "Pretend as you might that the Empire hasn't broken to pieces… how many of the provinces actually believe that the land that they have is the Emperor's?"
"… Batou?" Kazuto winced.
"I hear hesitation. Do you question your own words?"
"… I've only ever met Batou once." Kazuto winced, "But considering all the support she gives us…"
"Cao Cao, too, gives you support. Would Ma Teng not be the same as her?"
"I just don't see what Batou gains from all of it. Sousou I can see gaining something by dragging Paitan to her capital. She can pass some laws that favor her and her people better, and make them nationwide imperatives."
"Well, I also only have your impression on Ma Teng to go on, so I'll withhold judgment as well. However, do you really think Cao Cao brought the Emperor here to pass laws?" Fon asked, "If she simply needed to add more restrictions to her people, she doesn't need the Emperor. She can do it on her own."
"… You're saying she brought Paitan here… not to add laws… But to remove them!" Kazuto blinked.
"I merely pointed out that she can just enforce her new laws on her own, and that the Emperor's authority doesn't extend to just passing laws.." Fon smiled, pleased by how quick Kazuto caught on.
"She's going to remove laws that inhibit her growth… that she's already likely breaking anyway." There is no doubt in Kazuto's mind that she probably has. There has been no one overseeing her and keeping her in check. "But to make herself legitimate, she has to get Kentei to sign her seal and make it an official method." Army restrictions, tax code, even something like enforced court behavior. Anything that could hinder her growth as an army, she'll try to repeal. "All in all, she's likely to ask to repeal a few laws that could be used and exploited against her by anyone who could usurp her."
"Have you done so? Breaking this country's laws?"
"In my case, probably inadvertently? Neither I nor Ryuubi were that familiar with the laws of this country. If anything, we generally make up our own. Working in Joshuu showed us quite a bit about certain laws, but… well…" Kazuto sighed, "There's no real enforcement." Because the ones most keen on maintaining the sorts of laws that prevent a territory from rising up and becoming a powerhouse were defunct. For most of their stay in Joshuu, Paitan was incognito, so Paitan can't enforce anything. After she was revealed, she doesn't have the long arm of the empire to enforce anything either. If anything, Joshuu benefitted specifically because Paitan needed an army to support her claim to the throne, so most laws were waived for the sake of the Joshuu Army. Or rather, the Joshuu Army received the unofficial designation of Imperial Army, allowing the group to sidestep some of the laws that prohibit Joshuu from rising to power.
"Well, back on topic." Fon smiled ruefully, "Emperor Xian, as nice and gentle as she is, will not be able to topple the influence of those three. So the Three Kingdoms Era will prevail…" Fon frowned, "unless you manage to weaken Liu Bei to the point that she can't form the third kingdom."
"We already have Shokatsuryou and Houtou on our side. We even have Josho." Kazuto pointed out.
"But Liu Bei is currently encircled by Yuan Shao to the north, Cao Cao to the west, and Sun Ce to the south. If she only has Joshuu, she will never grow." Fon's smile turned down slightly before shaking his head. "No. She needs a highly defensible, fertile land that hasn't been claimed by her rivals. She needs to claim the lands that will be Shu Han."
"It'll take a great disaster to convince Touka to just abandon Joshuu for no reason."
"This world's Liu Bei is a lot more hopelessly naïve than history's, I suppose. Let's leave it at that." Fon nodded. "So what do you plan to do today?"
"After resting, you mean?"
"Certainly."
"Sousou probably has some itinerary in mind for the first few days. We'll follow her lead for now until she decides that she can't be bothered and put us to work."
"Very well. I will contact Xu Shu to bring you to your bed then."
"Thank you."
-()-
"How did the accommodations suit you, Emperor?"
"They were comfortable, Sousou-san." Kentei replied. "The food that was brought was also well-made."
"Nothing but the best will be brought to you, Kentei-sama." Sousou bowed. "We have quite a few things we need to take care of. First of all, your guard detail."
"If you wish to place guards on me, they will be made Kazuto-san's subordinates." Kentei quickly said.
"… As you wish." Sousou nodded. "What did you think of the four I sent with you last night?"
"Four?" Kentei frowned. "I remember three? Gakushin, Jokou, and… Tei'iku, correct?"
"Ah, excuse me. I was made aware that partway through Riten and Ukin were sent to take care of a medical emergency." Sousou sighed. Behind her, three flinched. Two then glared at the tanned, silver-haired girl next to them, likely annoyed that they got sent away the other day. The cause of said emergency, in turn, had her head down in shame. Tei'iku in turn was hiding a mischievous smile behind a hand. "And, although I would vouch for their strength of mind, I would rather it if you don't count my advisory as extra muscle."
Kentei nodded, "I don't mind them, I suppose. Gakushin is serious and respectful and, while Jokou didn't talk much, she is rather friendly."
"Was she?" Sousou blinked in surprise.
"If we're discounting Kakuka and Tei'iku, then, as for the other two, I do recall them being rather rambunctious, I do not see much to fault in them."
"If they have such favorable assessments from you, then I will gladly place them as your guard detail, along with their respective platoons."
"As I recall, while Gakushin, Riten, and Ukin are platoon commanders, was Jokou not a General?"
"She is." Sousou nodded, "… Although, I must warn, while their soldiers are all your subordinates, please spare some to patrol the streets, if possible."
Kazuto's eyes narrowed at that request. There's a catch here.
Kentei, in turn, frowned, "… You cannot spare soldiers?"
"Jokou's soldiers are not exactly insubstantial. I doubt you'll use all of them for your guard detail. If you can spare those as patrol, I can safely command the other soldiers to march north and aid in the war." Which will aid in the ending of the war quickly, was the implication.
Kentei considered it before nodding, "The safety of Kyoshou is directly related to my safety as well. It will be done. Kazuto-san?"
"I'll see about it, although I'd like a map of your city if we want to be efficient about it." Kazuto replied.
Sousou frowned. Of course, she's reluctant. The map of the city can easily be used against her if in the wrong hands.
"… Did you not expect this when you asked us to aid you in patrolling your streets?" Kazuto hummed.
"Karin-sama, if you wa-"
"Enough, Shuuran." Sousou seemed to have collected her thoughts, turning to Kazuto, "You must understand the value of what you ask for, Hongou?"
"… Of course, I do. But you ask for us to patrol your city. Frankly, if you decide not to give us a map, we'll simply make our own. For efficiencies' sake of course."
"… Then do so." Sousou replied.
"If so, then I get to keep the map I make," Kazuto replied.
"… So that's what you meant by giving you the map." Sousou sighed, "Couldn't you have made it clearer?"
"… Hmm?" Kazuto blinked, "What else did you think?"
"Your wording made it seem as if you wanted me to give the map!" Sousou argued, "If you merely wanted to look at the map to organize the patrols then I've no issue wi-"
"Unfortunately, you already gave me permission." Kazuto replied triumphantly.
"… Dammit." Sousou grimaced. She did, didn't she?
"Hongou! You are overstepping your bou-" Kakouen spoke up.
"Are you saying that Sousou's word means nothing in this city?" Kazuto grinned. "Didn't she say for me to make my own map of the city?"
"Semantics!"
"Semantics got you that one last attack on Joshuu last year." Kazuto pointed out. "Joshuu didn't pursue the matter, but if you want to talk semantics you're not much to talk."
"And who is our witness?" Kakouen replied.
"Why, none other than the highest bloodline in the country. The Emperor herself." Kazuto pointed out.
"Enough!" Kentei spoke up. "Sousou, do not give my friends a task if you are unwilling to hand them the tools they need. Kazuto, let us simply borrow the map, as is mentioned."
"Understood."
"Thank you for your understanding, Kentei-sama." Sousou bowed. She sulkily looked at Kazuto for one-upping her.
"Will that be all?" Kentei asked.
"The Kazoe Yakuman Sisters are going to perform this evening. We cordially invite you to watch it. Naturally, we have reserved the best seats for you and your companions."
"Very well." Kentei nodded. "We will attend."
"Then that is all."
"… I'm surprised." Kentei hummed, "I would've thought you had more to show."
"If I were to show you everything my city has to offer you, then we'll have already beaten Reiha by the time we are done!" Sousou boasted.
"I certainly hope so." Kentei nodded. "As Sonshi says, there is no instance of a nation benefiting from a prolonged war."
Kazuto smiled, amused. Kentei was repeating his words from last night.
Sousou nodded, understanding the implied message. To end the war quickly.
Kazuto still couldn't tell if Sousou would go for prolonging the war or ending it quickly. "Well, that proverb only works if you're part of the conflict. If you're an outsider say… selling supplies to both sides… You can get some short-term profits there."
"Kazuto-niisan, please don't bring us into tangents… again." Kentei sighed.
"What? I'm just pointing out that if some third party decided that they wanted to help us, we should look into if they're supplying the other party as well." Kazuto feigned ignorance.
"You're wondering if someone will even try?" Sousou asked.
"To be perfectly honest, you were the one in the best position beforehand." Kazuto shrugged.
"I suppose so." Sousou nodded. She didn't exactly hide her connections to Enshou. "However, I think I proved myself trustworthy this time?"
"Quite." Kentei nodded. "Still…"
"There isn't any need to worry this time." Sousou shook her head. "Reiha may have some sellers, no notable warlord has any stake in her remaining active for very long." Sousou smirked, amused, "If anything, they want her torn down quickly, more than anything."
"Why?" Kentei frowned.
"You do realize what you've done last time you met Reiha, right?" Sousou frowned, "When you publicly declared the En Clan a traitor to the Kan?"
"… Fair enough." Kazuto nodded. "They want to keep the assets they legally acquired from the coffers of the traitor."
"And if Enshou, for some ungodly reason, wins the war, it'll be their heads on the chopping block." Sousou nodded.
"That doesn't mean they can't prolong the war." Kazuto pointed out. "If anything, wouldn't they want to wear us down and weaken us enough so that our armies are defanged?"
"They can try." Sousou smirked, "Actually, that's something I wanted to bring up, Kentei-sama."
"Hmm?"
"May I ask you to help with a few edicts to be sent to the other warlords of the country?"
"… I will look into them, but don't expect me to just accept them without consultation," Kentei replied.
"It would be best if it was done quickly." Sousou urged. "That way we can mitigate the other warlords from aiding Enshou, and even compel them to give aid to us."
"I will not rush into decisions. All I'll do today is read and hear your proposals. There are still too many things I don't know about your city."
"… If so, then, it shall be." Sousou nodded. She seemed a bit put off but, her confidence remained unshaken.
"I'll leave consultation to you," Kazuto whispered to Josho. Josho nodded in response. "I trust that I can have access to your map of the city soon?"
"Not without supervision."
"I'd be very surprised if Gakushin and Jokou aren't in the same room since they'll be the ones I am apparently in charge of." Kazuto pointed out.
"They'll be there."
Gakushin and Shanfuu behind her nodded.
"Hey, what about us!?" Ukin complained.
"Don't just cut us out!" Riten added.
"Can you reserve a room for us to work in, you four? Preferably within the palace? Also the proceedings for seeing that map that Sousou really doesn't want me to make my own of."
"If we ask you for a map of Kahi, would you?" Sousou frowned.
"To be perfectly fair, we didn't ask you to protect Kahi." Kazuto replied. "If you thought I'll just make myself look busy while letting Gakushin and Jokou handle the issue," like most nobles would in his position, "then you're forgetting the sheer amount of work I and Kentei go through."
"You did seem to be suffering from a lack of good clerks to handle that mess," Sousou smirked.
"Yeah, yeah. We're working on it. Training new clerks from scratch is not exactly easy, you know?" Kazuto grumbled.
"… Training?"
"Joshuu problems. If you want more info why not get it from Tou?" Kazuto replied.
"You do realize that her position is Joshuu's liaison, not our spy, correct?" Sousou frowned.
"And she's a very good liaison for Joshuu. I will not deny that." Kazuto nodded. Speaking of Tou, she's currently in Joshuu, working with Mifa. "If only you told her to go to Joshuu earlier with the message of an alliance, the mess at the western border wouldn't happen."
"… You knew?"
"… There's a problem at the western border?" Paitan blinked.
"Hongou! How did you!?" Kakouen stood up glaring.
"I guessed," Kazuto replied. "Today is the second day of our presence in your city. Even if, as you claim, it'll take a long time to show us the virtues of the city, you'd still have at least a bit more than a single performance in the afternoon. Maybe even a few local shops that caught your eye, local cuisines that weren't present last night. In other words, something happened that made you cancel the majority of the plans. Next, you're assigning me the single most precarious job in the city. Something that really should be handled by people you trust. And you're apparently shortchanged for soldiers. You were always going to try and separate me and Josho from Paitan's side with miscellaneous tasks anyway, so giving me the job of maintaining the city while you deal with the west is just two birds with one stone."
"What happened west?" Paitan asked.
"… I don't know." Kazuto replied.
"… You extrapolated all that without even knowing that much?" Sousou frowned.
"It can't be Batou. By now, the messenger would've arrived at Batou's camp. At the very least, Bachou and Batai would've returned and informed her that things are fine, and to return to defending the west of the country."
"… It is the aftermath that we need to deal with." Sousou nodded. "Upon our movement, Batou naturally made some progress in her charge. And killed quite a few of the patrolmen in the route."
"So you need to reinforce the western border and deal with any bandits that popped up in the aftermath."
"… We intend to march west soon."
"Tomorrow, or the day after, I guess?"
"Tomorrow." Sousou decisively replied, "Preparations for something that simple will be done within a day at least."
"You sure about leaving your capital in our hands?" Kazuto replied.
"It's not as if I personally need to be present for that." Sousou rolled her eyes, "I will remain behind as well. The one who will lead the efforts will be Shuuran."
"For what it's worth, I apologize for the hassle." Kazuto offered an olive branch.
"… Not for the order to Batou?"
"Of course not."
"… One of these days we're going to have to talk about your distrust of us."
"Don't you mean mutual distrust?" Kazuto replied.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Then I'd like you to withdraw the guards who spend all night looking into the inner palace, waiting for us to do something sneaky. If we're on the topic of trust, of course."
"The guards are for your protection."
"Then they'd be better off protecting the entrances and exits. Not spying."
"Who knows with sorcery?" Sousou shrugged. "One time, we encountered a sorcerer who whisked away our opponent in battle." Kazuto noted that Sousou's eyes dimmed a bit mentioning the incident. Likely it was a fairly aggravating event.
"Teleportation? That's… a very difficult ability." Kazuto winced. "Frankly, anyone who has it would be unstoppable if they actually can use it freely."
"You know of any who has it?"
"It's probably easier for me if you describe how they teleport." Kazuto replied, "I do know a couple who have explicit teleportation powers, but that usually is through black-as-night portals."
"… Portals?"
"Holes in the air where if you enter it, you exit at a totally different location than what it should've been following normal rules. Think of them like doors in the air that connects two different places. Is that familiar to you?"
"No." Sousou frowned. "The teleportation used by the other party before… used sand to obscure our vision. I saw nothing."
"Sand!?" Kentei stood up, "Can you tell me more, Sousou?"
"… I'm afraid I know no more." Sousou's face is tightly controlled. Rather than knowing no more, she's not willing to tell more.
"Fun. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about making places impossible to teleport in and out of, so I hope you know a few legitimate shamans if you want to do that." Kazuto replied.
"You're turning out to be the most disappointing sorcerer I've ever met."
"I have one flame. One. I use it to light things on fire. Otherwise, I'm a normal person trained with a sword." Kazuto frowned, "Even Chiihou is a better sorcerer than me."
"Hoh?"
"Do you expect a person who only dabbled in cooking to cook you a meal fit for a king?" Kazuto replied.
Sousou wasn't impressed, "Then what do you know?"
"I can set things on fire." Kazuto replied.
"You can also fly." Sousou pointed out.
"By setting my boots on fire."
"Ooh, ooh, how does that work?"
"I am not teaching a science class, Riten." What she's asking for is rocket science, literally.
"Quiet, Mao!" Gakushin hissed.
"Can anyone use your magic?"
"It's not bloodline specific, so I think so?"
"Can I learn your sorcery?"
"If you have the tools, yes."
"… Then fine." Sousou acquiesced, "This tangent has gone on long enough. The sorcerer has not appeared again since last we met. There's no sign of activity."
"… Very well." Kazuto nodded, but in his mind, he asked. No sign, for a group that seems to prefer to work in the background? That's just bad news brewing. Really, what is those guys' end goal? What do they want with this world?
Well, if it happens, it happens. The only thing Kazuto's worried about is not seeing their influence. Was he simply too inexperienced in reading this world's political sphere that he cannot see the obvious? Still, it's better not to think about it.
For now, he has his new tasks.
Priority 1: keep Paitan (and Josho) safe.
Priority 2: give Kyoshou a good impression of Paitan and her rule. To try and salvage as much of the Empire as possible.
Priority 3: use the resources of the city to figure out the plans of the White Clothes.
So how does he solve these issues? Fortunately, Sousou practically handed him the best way to do so; the policing of the city. He pretty much gets three birds with one stone. He could dedicate a few to Kentei's guard, and then use the rest to scour the area.
Don't mind it too much if you figure out that we're using you, Sousou. Kazuto said in his mind. After all, you called us here specifically so you can use us as well. It's just basic give-and-take.
-()-
"Karin-sama."
"Yes?"
Kakouen grimaced, "Why did you give the policing job to Hongou?"
"You're worried?"
"You didn't seem too happy with the map, but even I know that it was…"
"Who said I minded him getting to see the map?"
"Eh?"
"That was all a bluff." Sousou laughed. "By acting as if I still wanted to limit his ability to police, I can make a fake weakness for that man to hold onto." Sousou hummed. "Well, it's a weakness, but it's more a trap for the Emperor. She's much more naïve than that man."
"Still, why? Why entrust the protection of the city to the outsider?"
"Three-folds." Sousou raised one finger, "One, if the Emperor is invested in the defense of the city, she might eventually grow attached to it. Two," she raised another finger, "we can have an easy way to surveil all three of them. This work will inevitably put them close to our more loyal vassals. They won't be able to snoop off on their own if they have a project that they're going to constantly work on. Three," she lowered her hand and looked out the window of her office, "… I want the sorcerer to scour the area for sorcery."
"But didn't Hongou say he might not recognize sorcery?"
"But he knows it. And he'll teach his subordinates how to recognize some signs if he wants to keep Kentei safe in our city." Sousou replied. "That's better than us jumping at shadows."
"… Even so, isn't the risk of him seeing the map great? He could recreate the map and use it for assassinations."
"It's risky, certainly. But frankly, I'd rather have the enemy I know, than an enemy who spends his time lurking in the shadow." Sousou replied. "Besides that, I know Hongou and how he operates. He seems to believe that assassinating the commander might lead to martyrdom instead of the enemy army falling apart. He won't send assassins after me, knowing that you, my girls, will only be emboldened to take revenge for my death."
"If he does so, we'll kill him before we follow after you." Kakouen vowed.
"Your devotion is exactly what worries him enough that he won't consider it." Sousou nodded, "Adding to that, if we let him police the city, he could either prove himself incompetent and we'll have some ammunition against the Emperor or prove himself competent and actually make our city safer. Maybe it will become a problem in the future, but frankly…" Sousou smirked, "Weren't we already going to absorb the Ryuubi Army into our group anyway? What's the problem with it?"
"Would they just let us absorb them?"
"They have to if they truly are committed to maintaining the Kan Dynasty." Sousou scoffed, "They need to play nice with all the warlords, or at least conquer the dissenters decisively. And that's where we pounce."
"As you will it, milady."
-()-
"So, we all technically know each other, but as a basic show of courtesy, let's introduce ourselves, and exactly what we can bring to the table for this little team."
"Understood." "Fine!" "Sure!" "Nn."
"I'm Sawada Kazuto. I'm basically the assigned commander, but since I'm just on my 2nd day here, I'm going to need a ton of support. Basically, my job will be to compile good suggestions from all of you, and submit them to Sousou for review."
"Jokou Koumei. True Name, Shanfuu."
"… Got it, Shanfuu." Kazuto nodded.
"My family name is Gaku, my given name is Shin. My style name is Bunken. I am a martial artist." Gakushin replied. "… My True Name is Nagi."
"""Eh/What/Huh?"""
"True Name?" Kazuto clarified, "I know Shanfuu told me hers, but I'm not requiring it."
"If we're working together, it's better to show the other party some level of trust," Nagi replied.
"… Then I won't question it." Kazuto nodded, already hazarding a guess. Likely Sousou put her up to it. From all the interactions he's seen of the trio, Nagi is the leader, and is also the most stalwart and loyal to Sousou. And since she spoke up…
"Hmm… Okay! I'm Riten Mansei! Mao is my True Name! I make contraptions!"
"Ukin Bunsoku! Sawa! I… can also fight!"
… the other two will follow. And they're being genuine too. While Nagi is keeping a tight leash on her emotions, the other two wear them on their sleeves and are being genuine.
"Then good to work with you, Nagi, Mao, Sawa, Shanfuu. Let's discuss the main jobs of the police force for now, then?"
"Isn't it just nabbing anyone being shifty?" Sawa blinked.
"Just what the hell do you think a police force is?" Kazuto frowned. "The police force is meant to deter and punish. We'll be no better than a thug on the street if we just attack anyone that looked at us funny."
"Deter?" Sawa asked.
Nagi interrupted, "By having patrolling soldiers, criminals are less likely to try anything. It also helps by making sure that soldiers are not too far from any issue that pops up." Nagi then sighed, "This is basic knowledge, Sawa."
"Right, right, okay!" Sawa whistled.
"Ooh, ooh, can I invent stuff to help us?" Mao asked.
"You can, but if it's not useful, we're not going to fund it."
"But how am I getting materials?"
"Do it like everyone else does; draw up a plan and submit it for review. If it looks useful, you might get funding." Kazuto replied. "… That also means I'll have to deal with Soukou, don't I?"
"That means I don't have to!" Mao cheered.
"Only if the plan is for the police. If it's not, then deal with it on your own."
"Fi~ne!"
"Flying?" Shanfuu asked.
"Depends if Soukou or Sousou thinks it's a good investment. Obviously, there are benefits to a flying police force, but I wasn't a scientist back home, you know? I don't know how to make any of the methods of flight." Kazuto sighed.
"… Still."
"Considering Sousou knows I can fly… she might actually give us some leeway there. But…" Kazuto turned to Mao, "That's entirely on her."
"No worries!" Mao grinned, "I'm always ready for making contraptions!"
"As long as it doesn't hurt us," Nagi interjected.
"Now then," Kazuto interrupted, "Let's get through a few core things that we need to keep note of. The city is not a warzone. It's not the battlefield. Everyone here is a citizen or a visitor who are all expected to at least understand that they are bound by our laws. That means, we can't kill the people we are apprehending… unless the arrester's life is at risk, and even that will be thoroughly debated in the murder trial."
"Even though the person we are apprehending is a criminal?" Nagi asked.
"Let's say you see a person running away covered in blood. You follow the trail and find a dead body. Does that mean the person running away is the criminal?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Nagi asked.
"What if I said it was a family member and they were running to the nearest apothecary?"
"… That's…" Then they could've just been desperately trying to save the person instead.
"That's why we call the people we apprehend 'suspects' not 'criminals'. They will only become 'criminals' once the crime is made clear." Kazuto nodded, "Strictly speaking, police are not the judge, the jury, or the executioner."
"Judge? Jury?"
Kazuto decided not to elaborate further, "Of course, then we run head-first into a single problem of keeping peace: What is better: a guilty person go free or an innocent person be punished for a crime he didn't commit?"
"Is that even likely?" Nagi frowned.
"The people who are going to do the arresting are human. The judges are human. The witnesses are human. The victims, the accused, all of them are human. And the thing about humans? We all make mistakes." Kazuto shrugged, "One way or another, a judgment call will be wrong."
"…"
"That's why the police aren't the judge, jury, and the executioner." Kazuto said, "You leave those sorts of moral dilemmas to the ones who actually judge things. In this case?"
"The Emperor?"
"Honestly, I'd say Sousou." Kazuto replied. "She's the administrator of this city, after all. Any crime done here is her responsibility. At best, Kentei should only observe proceedings, and make her own judgment calls, but the judge ultimately is Sousou."
"Then what should the Emperor judge?"
"Maybe war crimes? Maybe a high-profile rebel like Enshou? Basically, any crime that would shake the country at its foundations can probably go up to her. But otherwise, it's pretty much a sign of incompetence if something like petty theft can't be handled by even just an official appointed by Sousou."
"Have you handled any trials back in Joshuu?"
"Yes, but they tended to be straightforward." Kazuto shrugged. "Some tried to pin the blame on someone else, but honestly, they tried too hard." Kazuto casually dismissed them. "You know, I think we're done quibbling on philosophy. Whether you go for a Legalist approach, Confucian approach, or a Taoist approach, let's set all that aside."
"Weren't you the one who brought it up, though?" Sawa frowned.
"Uhh… before we do." Nagi raised, "… Can you answer the question? What's better? A guilty man going free or an innocent man being punished?"
"… A guilty man can change for the better. An innocent punished is a life that can no longer be redeemed." Kazuto replied. "What do you think I think is better?"
"But if the guilty man doesn't repent…"
"It's not a catch-all argument, Nagi." Kazuto shook his head. "If someone truly is that despicable, then I wouldn't want them on the streets either. And there are more than a few people in my life that I know really should be behind bars, but without proof cannot be brought to justice."
"Then what?"
"What should you do to minimize either option? You gather enough evidence." Kazuto shrugged, "In the end, 'A Guilty Free' is a policy meant to protect every individual's rights while 'An Innocent Punished' is a policy to safeguard the entire group from a potential criminal. Both still won't want a wrong verdict. It's just a matter of whether you should be gathering evidence of guilt for the former or gathering evidence of innocence for the latter." Kazuto then grinned, "Either way, for us, that's a problem for someone else to handle! Preferably, Sousou! Our job is to patrol the city, let people feel secure, and arrest anyone who think they can get away with doing crime in Sousou's city."
"Right!" Sawa nodded. She seemed still a bit confused, but now that things are finally more understandable, she agreed.
"Let's go!" Mao cheered. Considering the lack of engagement she had with the conversation, she's not that much of a philosopher.
"En!" Shanfuu raised her hand in support, but her passive face remained the same. Kazuto really is reminded of Ren but obsessed with flying, rather than food.
"… I suppose so." Nagi nodded.
"So first of all, logistics. How many soldiers do we have in total? Then we decide the patrol routes. After that, we start looking into if we should recruit and train new patrolmen specifically for guarding the city."
"""Right!"""
"Then let's get to work."
-()-
"How was he, Nagi?"
"… Better than expected. He didn't change the patrol routes much, but he did note a few places where the patrols would miss. We might have to reroute some patrol routes, or make new patrols."
"… Did you exchange True Names?"
"Yes. Mao and Sawa followed suit."
"I didn't order you to do this lightly, Nagi. I sincerely want you to befriend him. And the first step to that is the exchange of True Names."
"Of course, Karin-sama."
"Of course, if he oversteps your boundaries, you are free to do as you will."
"He hasn't, so far. A bit familiar, but he otherwise hasn't done much."
"Really? He hasn't flirted with you yet?"
"No. He's been fairly professional."
"Quite a big difference from Eika's descriptions… And Tou described him similarly. Personally, I'd agree with Eika, but not to the degree she described him…" Then again, Eika could just be overreacting due to being a Prisoner of War for a good chunk of time.
"Speaking of, S- I mean, Kazuto wants to schedule a meeting with Eika-sama to discuss the funding of the police force."
"For the new patrols?"
"For training the new patrols, yes."
"Even without the new patrols, I want you to train the soldiers."
"Why?"
"The four of you, your current soldiers are still some of the least disciplined of my army. After all, the four of you are some of my more recent recruits," Shanfuu was a personal recruitment from just after the campaign against Toutaku, while the three of them were only soldiers at the time. The three of them then rose ranks due to their performance in the war against Choubaku. "I want you to work on making your soldiers loyal to yourself, myself, and the territory at large. And becoming city patrols should serve as a good testing ground for it."
"Understood."
"Then you may leave, Nagi."
Gakushin Bunken, Nagi, bowed once more before leaving the throne room. Where Sousou sat at the throne that at the daytime Paitan sat on. The designs of the throne clearly fit Sousou more than the young Emperor. Kakouen Myousai stood at her side, with a small frown.
"… is this all necessary?"
"I have two inevitable battles in the future if I wish to control the kingdom. Reiha, who will never agree to ally with me, and Sonsaku, a true Hero of the battlefield. More than a few of our soldiers will likely perish in both wars, even as incompetent as Reiha is. So that we have a decisive advantage against our inevitable war against Sonsaku, we must limit the number of fronts we fight. If we recklessly fight more than what we can handle, no matter how elite my army becomes, it cannot stand a war on all fronts. Ryuubi, Sonsaku, Batou, Ryuuhyou, and especially Reiha wouldn't even think twice to strike their enemy that's being besieged on all sides. So I need to suppress most of them, or at least dissuade them from ever rising up to fight me, without wasting too many of my soldiers' lives."
"That's why the Emperor is necessary?"
"No matter how much of a figurehead Kentei is, by taking control of her, Batou will not raise her army against us. After all, her loyalty to the Emperor is the real deal. She's a traditionalist to her core. Ryuubi will squander her opportunity to become strong, with her insistence on being a servant of the Kan. Meanwhile, Ryuuhyou is too much of a coward and will likely give up once our army marches towards him. Every other warlord wouldn't dare rise up if none of the others choose to either."
"I see."
"So that I can claim my birthright, as the person truly blessed by the Mandate of Heaven, I need to not just conquer this country; I need to take control of it. So I need to build then maintain a large and, more importantly, strong army, able to suppress all other warlords once I claim the throne. That large army won't remain large if I wantonly wage war against all belligerents."
"Karin-sama is truly wise." Kakouen gave a small smile to her lord. "And since Enshou-dono currently has the largest army…"
"If we defeat then take control of Enshou's territories, we'll gain all her boons. Her riches, her army, her resources, all of it will fall into our hands. While the army Enshou built up is little more than a mob, especially with the capture of her strategist," Sousou replied. "Are you done with all the preparations, Shuuran?"
"Of course. The others should be getting ready as well."
"Then let us spend this night together, for tomorrow, you'll be leaving."
"Thank you for your love, Karin-sama~"
"Try not to make Shunran too jealous, would you?"
"I perfectly believe that both Aneja and Keifa would get their fill once they successfully defeat Enshou."
And so the master brought her vassal to her chambers, and they had passionate love-making. The next day, Kakouen, supported by Kyocho and Ten'i, left the capital.
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: May 20, 2022
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
Summary of Sousou Army: [Character (Relationship, Location)]
Commander/s: Sousou (Mildly Interested in Kazuto, in Kyoshou)
Advisory: Jun'iku (Hostile, Enshou Front), Kakuka (Neutral, in Kyoshou), Tei'iku (Neutral, in Kyoshou)
Army: Kakouton (Hostile, Enshou Front), Kakouen (Dislike, Bandit Suppression), Kyocho (Mixed, Bandit Suppression), Ten'i (Mixed, Bandit Suppression), Jokou (Friendly, Hongou Squad), Gakushin (Mixed, Hongou Squad), Riten (Interested, Hongou Squad), Ukin (Interested, Hongou Squad), Soujin (Interested, in Kyoshou), Soujun (Distrusts, in Kyoshou), Chouryou (Interested, Enshou Front), Choukou (?, Enshou Front), Shibai (?, Enshou Front)
Misc: Soukou (Hostile, in Kyoshou), Tenhou (Interested, Idol Group), Chiihou (Likes, Idol Group), Renhou (Mixed, Idol Group)
Legend Key:
Hostile: Openly Antagonistic
Dislike: Antagonistic, but keeps a cool head
Distrusts: Negative Impression outweighs Positive Impression
Mixed: Has both Positive and Negative Impressions
Interested: Positive Impression outweighs Negative Impression
Friendly: Only Positive Impressions
Likes: Has affection.
Loves: Holds strong affection.
Enshou Front: Attacking Enshou
Bandit Suppression: Going West to Calm Territory Down from Batou's Charge
in Kyoushou: Remains in Kyoushou. Generally Administrative Duties.
Hongou Squad: In Kyoushou, Currently Under Kazuto's Command but Loyalty is to Sousou
Idol Group: The Kazoe Yakuman Sisters.
And so, the Hongou Squad is formed! Or at least, something to that effect. I'm definitely trying to hit certain canon plot points for the relationships of each of the characters.
If I have any acumen in writing Mystery novels, I'd write a Master Magistrate-like story (or Ace Attorney) featuring Kazuto and his trials in Joshuu and here in Kyoshou. But since I don't, consider this another tangent that, if I'm an actual writer, will be cut out of a final draft. Ultimately, this isn't a mystery novel. This story is a, for all intents and purposes, first draft that is unlikely to ever be finalized. So have fun with the tangents, cause I'm unlikely to care about trimming them once I get far into the story! I may have some choice moral preaching in the story. If you dislike it, please skip it. I doubt it matters for this story too much. I'm just venting, honestly.
See you next week!