Unmatched Lovely Princess: Formatting the Three Kingdom Chapter 001: The Four that Pledge in the, a koihime†musō/恋姫†無双 fanfic

Unmatched † Lovely Princess ~Maidenly Romance of Three Kingdoms~

Chapter 001: The Four that Pledge in the Peach Blossom Garden

Disclaimer: I do not own Koihime Musou. This chapter will be based loosely on a mixture between what I know about the visual novel versions and the actual Romance of the Three Kingdom. All told in Kazuto's perspective.

The two songs are from Koihime Musou: ~throb Romance of Three Kingdoms Filled with Girls~ (Visual Novel) and from Romance of Three Kingdom TV Series.

The first song is the opening song from Koihime Musou: ~throb Romance of Three Kingdoms Filled with Girls~ (Visual Novel), short version "Hφwling Sφul" written by K. Bajjo, arranged and composed by Takumaru, and vocal by Rekka Katakiri. The lyrics are also from the Visual Novel.

The second song is the insert song "This Bow" as translated is composed by Gu-Jianfen, with Lyrics by Wang Jian. The song has been separated in two parts in this chapter; the second part will appear before the first part.

冷たい現実嘆き; (I lament this cold reality;)

孤独に身体震わす. (My body shakes in solitude.)

ここから逃げ出したいけと, (I want to leave this place,)

少しも動けずにいた (But I can't move a single inch.)

渦巻く寂しさ感じ (I bite down hard on my lip)

唇強く噛みしめる . (As I feel the whirlpool of sadness.)

悔し涙流す前に, (Before I break down crying,)

勇気振り絞り己（おのれ）貫け~! (I must muster up my courage~!)

熱く滾る, (Break through,)

魂雄叫びと共に解き放て (Shout and unleash your howling soul)

決められたルールを打ち壊して (Tear down the rules that have been set in stone)

駆け抜けろ自由へと~! (Race through and reach freedom~!)

…

… …

… … …

It's morning. I saw a blue sky and white clouds.

…Okay, I guess it'll be a nice day again today.

But… why am I outside? If I fell asleep and just woke up, then I should be staring at the dirty ceiling of my dorm room…

"Wait!" A blue sky means it's already past morning! I better get to school!

I got up in a hurry only to realize that I was in the middle of nowhere.

"Huh?" Where am I?

"Let's see…" Where am I? None of the scenery was familiar at all.

"Is this what our park looked like at Francesca?" There's also a mountain in the distance too.

"… … …! A MOUNTAIN?" The shock hit me like being hit with a hammer, clearing up my foggy consciousness.

"Wait a minute, what is this? Where am I?" That mountain in the distance clearly wasn't one of Japan's mountains. It looked straight out of a Chinese Sumi-e painting.

"Wait, wait! Think, think carefully!" I need to take deep breath and calm myself down. Grandpa always told me that nothing good would come from making a decision without a level head. I filled my lungs with fresh air and then expelled the carbon dioxide. After repeating that a few times, I began to feel my panic gradually fading.

"Okay…"After a round of deep breaths, I finally felt calm again, so I looked around once more.

I'm in a vast, open prairie, and a chain of mountains I've never seen before are on the horizon. There wasn't a single one of the evergreens which grew everywhere at Francesca Academy.

"What the heck is going on here…?" I desperately tried to remain calm as my mind began to race again, "Settle down…Think about how this happened…"

I need to grasp my situation and plan my next move, just like in a kendo match.

"Yesterday I went to the history museum with Oikawa, Shiba-san and Taiki. On our way… that's right, I saw that strange guy. Something about him bothered me. That's right! Him! He tried to steal a mirror from the museum, and I tried to take it back from him and then… He attacked me and I defended myself… Shiba-san and Taiki then joined in… Then as we fell together, the mirror broke… And when I came to, I was here!"

I felt proud of myself for remembering it all, but…

"… …Even while calm, I can't figure it out," Why was I sounded asleep in a place I'd never seen before? "Did someone abduct me? But I'm not tied up or anything. Damn…I honestly can't figure it out. What on earth is going on?"

I got tired of thinking and flopped down on the ground.

"Hah~… what am I going to do…?" First off, I have to figure out where I am and then head back to the dorm, but my stomach has been grumbling for a while, almost robbing me of the will to move. "Ah~… I'm starving…!"

Even so, I can't be lying around in the middle of nowhere. I got to find out where I am! Grudgingly, I got back up and used my wooden sword to heave myself onto my feet.

"First off I need to find some civilization," I muttered to myself as I stared around to see if I could get a hint of civilization anywhere. That was when the wind picked up in it I caught a faint whiff of the smell of meat buns.

"Well, it's not exactly what I was looking for but…" I muttered to myself as I began to steadily head in the direction the wind came from.

About five minutes into my walk, the smell began to become stronger.

"I must be close," I kept muttering to myself, urging my weaken body on, "just a little farther…"

"KYAAH!" A sudden ear piercing scream alerted my mind and body instantly. It was coming from just ahead.

"Someone's in trouble!" I began to quicken my pace, ignoring my empty growling stomach.

After some time, I got myself into the area where I thought the scream came from only to find myself quickly ducking behind a large rock. I had good reasons to.

As I peered carefully over the rock, I saw three nasty-looking guys cornering a girl.

They were all dress in strange attire, with the three guys wearing strange cosplay-like yellow armor and bandana and the girl dress in an old feudal dress.

For the guys there was a large fat one, a menacing looking average-sizes one, and a mean-looking midget. They were carrying realistic swords by their waist as well.

The girl had long, crimson hair with two small but thick ponytails on either side of her head held in place with some feather ornaments. Her eyes were emerald with a slight sparkle to go with her gentle face. She was wearing a pack on her back that had what looks like weaved mat rolls and sandals.

It was cleared who was the one in trouble here, seeing how the girl was backed up against one of the only trees in the area. But I didn't want to rush in recklessly. After all there were three of them and I'm still not close enough. I giver take a yard or two; I'm at a disadvantage.

"Shit," I growled, "Calm down, Kazuto…"

I got to make my way over to them without them noticing. If I could just get close enough and launch a surprise attack to take down at least just one guy, I may have a chance. With that plan in mind, slowly and carefully I work my way closer, as I listen in on the conversation.

"W-What is it thee people want?" the girl asked as bravely as she could possibly can. Even from this distance I could tell that she was afraid but was unwilling to let her enemy see it…at least she try.

"No need to be so panicky," the menacing one chuckled evilly, "we are not going to hurt you…so long as you do EXACTLY as we say, that is..."

"What dost thou mean?"

"It is simple, if you want to live just begin taking off your clothes, slowly and alluring as possible…"

"EH~?"

"You heard Boss," the midget grinned greedily, "and if you are good, we shall make it as fun and enjoyable as possible as well…"

"Oh," the large on awed, "I like that…sounds fun!"

"Midget, Fatso," the "Boss" snapped at the two, "I shall do the talking! But, well, it is just as Midget said. Cooperate and you shall get out of this alive…"

I finally manage to get close enough while also positioning behind the bastards. I ready myself and wooden sword and waited. Grandpa had always said that my first strike had to count. I had to wait until I could get the greatest amount of advantage as possible. I paid closed attention, one slip up and I could get myself caught in the corner as well.

The girl grumbled to herself, as if unable to decide what to do, before pulling out one of her mat roll. "I… I refuse! I shall not allow thee to defy me in such a way! Thou will have to kill me first!"

"Oh~!" the Boss grinned in delight, "She feisty~! That is good! It would be no fun to rape you if you are not. Midget?"

"Right, Boss," Midget grinned, "Fatso?"

"Okay," Fatso responded as he pulled out his sword, "I will get her!"

"D-Dost not underestimate the direct descendant of Prince of Chuu-Zan, Ryuu-Shou," the girl bravely held her ground as she took a stance that clearly was a sign of one of a trained martial artist, "It may have been unfortunate that I did not bring the precious sword of my family with me, b-but I will fight thee nevertheless!"

"…Ryuu-Shou?" I repeated quietly to myself. Something about that name seems familiar.

"You sure talk a lot," the Boss sighed, uninterested, "we shall see how tough you talk once I have you give me some oral s**! Fatso!"

"Right~!" Fatso nodded and swung his sword aiming to cut the mat roll in half. But the girl meekly sidesteps the attack and slammed the mat roll down on the guy's head.

SMACK!

"Take that!" she cried. Despite her good form, it was clear to me that she wasn't used to battle; could this possibly be her first actual battle?

"Ouch!" Fatso winced, but quickly shook it off, "that stung."

"Ooh~!" the girl moaned, "My attack was too weak!"

"Here!" Fatso swung again…SLASH! …this time succeeding in slicing the mat-roll to pieces.

"KYAAH!" the girl screamed and in her shock, she stumbled and fell on her butt.

"Heh, too easy," the Boss grinned, "Now then, let us have some fun…"

This is it! When the enemy is most certain of victory is when they are the most vulnerable. Without wasting another second, I dashed out and took two swings, each hitting hard on the back of the midget and the boss.

WHACK! WHACK!

"Ugh-!" they both yelped in confused surprise before passing out.

"Huh?" the fatso quoted in surprise. Before he could even react, I sprang at him and hit him…SMACK! …across the eye as he turn to see what had happen, "Ugh-! Ouch!"

For the moment, he was stunned. It may have been a cowardly way of doing it, but a life is more important than my dignity.

Without wasting a moment I quickly ran over to the girl.

"Hey, can you run?" I spoke hurryingly.

"Huh?" the girl replied dumbly before nodding and quickly rising to her feet.

"Good!" Without a second thought, I grabbed her by the wrist and lead her away quickly. I had to get us away from the area before the fat guy or either of the other two recovered.

…Brattle! Brattle! Brattle! Brattle! Brattle!

"…Phew!" I breathed a sigh of relief, slightly bending over in fatigue.

It has been a while since we manage to escape. We had kept on running for five minutes at most, fearing what was going to happen if any of those ruffians manage to catch up. But for now it looks like we are in the clear.

The girl I save right next to me was breathing harder than I was, but overall she looked okay.

"…I think we got away," I stated, hoping it was some kind of reassurance to her.

"Phew…yes, I believe so too," she sighed with a smile at me.

…Wow, what a cute response. It was almost illegal. I almost had the urge to pounce on her and take her right there if it wasn't for the fact that I'm discipline more so than most other.

"…Thank you very much," she suddenly spoke again with a grateful bow, "although we had not even known each other, you came and rescue me and put yourself at risk…"

"Whoa, whoa," I panicked from the unfamiliar gesture of gratitude, "it was nothing, really! I would've done it for anyone; it wasn't like I could abandon you to those crooks…"

"Nevertheless, I am eternally grateful to you," she replied with a small embarrassed smile and a slight blush. Damn, too cute! "I shall be sure to repay you in some way…"

"No, you don't need to do that…"

"But," she spoke with her blush growing larger, "it will tarnish the honor of my family and the name of my ancestor if I do not show my gratitude. No matter what it takes I will be willing to do anything to repay you, even if it means…" She looked nervously away. "Please, tell me what do you wish and I shall please it to the best of my ability…"

"Uh, anything?" I wondered. Man, this girl got some self-righteous complex…not like I'm one to talk. Still, that is something very dangerous for a girl to say to someone, especially to guy like me. On the other hand though… "…Well, if it makes you feel any better, there is something you can do for the time being…"

"Oh…" the girl gulped, preparing herself for my task, "and that would be?"

"… …Would you by any chance feed me a little?" I told pathetically, holding my now loudly growling stomach, "I was so much into your rescue that I ignored my hunger…"

"…! … … …Heh, Heh," the girl bent over in a cute uncontrollable giggle, "Very well, I shall honor your request! Please follow me!"

"Eh?" She suddenly began to cheerfully pull me on, "Where are we going?"

"To my home…"

After about another five minutes of following the girl, I began to see houses ahead of me. Except…they weren't the "houses" I was expecting. The houses look nothing more than a brick house with straws for roofs, something I expected to see only in history books nowadays.

"Dear Mother! I have returned," the girl called cheerfully to one of the house we were heading to. It was like all the other houses except one key difference. Towering over it was a large withering mulberry tree; from the size it must have lived for a very long time. From that very house, a woman who was also dress in a feudal dress came out and smiled worryingly at the girl.

"Ah, Touka!" She called, "How was the selling?"

"I have manage to sell quite a lot this time, Dear Mother," the girl held up a bag which judging from the sound of the jingles from inside was full of coins.

"Well done…"

"Oh, Dear Mother, could you please prepare a meal for this man I brought with me?"

"Hmm?" The lady looked at me and I meekly bow slightly in respect, "Who is this man?"

"He was kind enough to rescue me from some bandits, despite the potential danger and was doing so on an empty stomach…"

"Did he now? Oh my!" the lady rushed over to me and bowed to me, "I thank you for your kindness…"

"No, like I told her, it was nothing," I answered, "but your daughter insists that she should repay me so I just took the offer…"

"As one should. Is it not proper to repay your savior?"

"Uh, I suppose you have a point…"

"Then please come inside," the girl offered cheerfully, "my mother and I will prepare your lunch-…" The girl paused mid-sentence before bowing apologetically and nervously to me. "…Oh dear, I do deeply apologizes!"

"Huh? What are you apologizing for?"

"You had rescued me, yet I have yet to introduce myself!"

"Touka," her mother sweat dropped tiredly, "you are such a clumsy girl. I apologize for the ignorance of my daughter…"

"No, it's alright! I'm the one being rude," I responded kindly before scratching the back of my head in embarrassment, "I hadn't yet introduce myself either!"

"Oh my…"

"Well then, let me try this again, I'm Hongou Kazuto…"

"It is a pleasure to meet you," the girl bowed, "my name is Bi, my family name is Ryuu, and my common name is Gentoku. My true name is Touka…"

Wow, what an old-traditional way to introduce oneself… Wait a minute… "Uh, excuse me…"

"Hmm?"

"Could you tell me your name again? I didn't quite get it…"

"Oh, okay! My full name is Ryuu-Bi, my common name is Gentoku, and my true name is Touka. Pleasure to meet you."

"R-Ryuu-Bi Gentoku!?" I exclaimed. I know that name, and how could I not? Ryuu-Bi Gentoku was the name of the famous Emperor of Sho-Ku Empire of the Three Kingdoms. Now that I think about it, earlier with the bandits she said something about being a descendant of Ryuu-Shou, the name of a relative of the royal family of the Kan Dynasty.

"Uh, you may just call me 'Touka' though if either my name or common name is too difficult to remember…" Ryuu-Bi offered, turning downward and blushing greatly; she unconsciously played with her hands.

"Touka," her mother intervened, "you cannot simply allow other to call you by your true name unless you acknowledge them, remember?"

"…It is okay if it is he who speaks it…"

Her mother blinked at the small whisper Ryuu-Bi gave, before putting on a knowing smug. "…Hmm, very well. I guess I could accept that…"

"…! D-Dear Mother~!"

I hardly register what they were saying. The girl I save called herself Ryuu-Bi, and she even got Gentoku as a common name, without even batting an eye. She even has the same occupation that Emperor Ryuu-Bi had before he began his fighting career. If this was some whacked out prank to confuse me and get a laugh, this is one huge setup.

"Could it be…?" I wondered to myself. If she really is Ryuu-Bi, then could I have somehow ended up in the world of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Did I travel through time? No, that can't be right! Historically Ryuu-Bi is supposed to be a guy in his mid-twenties yet the person in front of me claiming to be Ryuu-Bi is a charming girl and probably no older than I am.

"Oh~!" I moaned from the aching my head was feeling…GROWL~! …and for my stomach which was growling loud enough to scare away the chickens nearby.

"Oh dear," Touka's mother giggled after hearing that, "I am sorry, I shall get your meal ready. Touka, please keep Hongou-san occupy while I prepare…"

"As you wish Dear Mother," Touka replied cheerfully before leading me inside the house.

Maybe I was too quick to judge the housing. It was actually very comfortable, maybe because it kind of reminds me of my childhood at Grandpa's place. Not too hot not too cold, not too dark not too bright, not too spacey and not too crammed; just the way I like it. I sigh to myself in nostalgic.

"…I am sorry," Touka suddenly apologized.

"Huh?" I inquired, "Why are you apologizing…again, for that matter?"

"Well, the house is not very big and comfortable…"

"Not at all, I could almost say I feel at home here!"

A blush appeared on Touka. "Really? Do you not find it…dirty?"

"I'm a guest not a health inspector. Besides, I'd lived in housing like this before…"

"Huh? But someone, such as you yourself, could not have possibly live in anything like this…"

"What makes you say that?"

"Um, well, your clothing. I thought for sure that only those of higher status could wear such fine clothes."

"What, this?" I stared down at my School uniform: a white Gaku-Ran with blue cuffs and breast pockets, blue pants, and black loafers. Though they were to me just simply school uniform, they were made with polyester or high-quality leather (the loafers), which gave them a shiny kind of look. In this feudal era, the only fabric that could even come close to it was silk which only very rich people could have. I suppose Touka thought was based on that. "Well, I suppose it would make me look out of the ordinary. But I'm not of royalty…"

"Are you sure?"

"Well, technically, you're of royalty too, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"Back with those bandits, you said that you were a descendant of Ryuu-Shou. If it's the same person I'm aware of, then you are a relative of the current emperor right?"

"… …You believe that?" Touka looks as if she was speaking to the first person to believe her claim.

"Well, you don't look like the type that would lie about stuff like that…"

Touka stared at me for a second before smiling and went over to pick up a sword that was hanging on the wall.

"Well you are correct, I was not lying," She handed me the sword still in it sheath, "this is my family heirloom, used by my ancestor Ryuu-Shou himself. It is probably the only proof we have aside from our family tree…"

I took the sword that she offer me and unsheathe it to examine it. The blade was sharp and well-made as what little sun that stream into the house glisten off the blade. Even the handle was well made, with fine gems of red and blue. I even took several quick (safe and careful) swings with it. It was light and well even, gliding through the air as easy as if cutting melted butter.

"Hmm," I awed before I sheathe the sword, "it's a fine and majestic sword…"

"I am glad you like it…"

"I see you two are having fun," Touka's mother called as she bought in a tray full of food.

"Wow!" I exclaimed in surprise as Touka's mother set it down, "is that…?"

"Yes it is…"

"You're too kind; you didn't need to make so much!"

"I was under the presumption you did not had breakfast so I added it in with your lunch…"

"…I thank you for your consideration!"

"No, I should be thanking you…now please enjoy…"

About five minutes later, I breathed a sigh of relief as I mentally pat my full belly. Touka and her mother had joined me on my meal and we had talked as we did. The food was great, I almost had the urge to ask for seconds, but it was my conversation with and about Touka and her mother that I was really paying attention to. I learned a lot of stuff about them, like how their sandal and mat making business just meets day's needs and how Touka had went off to study for a while. In return, I told them a bit about me and about the place I came from.

"Amazing!" Touka awed, "To be able call forth bright lights without using a candle or to cook without the need to start a fire! Your place truly is a place of wonders!"

"It's also a place of constant fear I guess," I replied with heavy heart, "it's strange that we advance so far and yet we draw ever closer to disaster…"

"I am sure that there are no societies that have no such problems," Touka's mother reassured, "but that gives us all the more opportunities to make the future better…"

"I guess you have a point…"

"Anyway, about your predicament…"

"I wish I could help in some way," Touka sighed.

"You both have done more than enough," I reassured her, "I really appreciate it…"

"Even so~…" Man, she's cute and stubborn; so not fair. I was about to reassure her that she had done enough when the noises from outside began to get nosier.

"Dear me," Touka's mother sighed as she got up to see what was going on, "why is it getting noisy out there-?"

"Greetings, residents of the house," a stern, majestic voice called from just outside the front door, "I wish to meet the owner of this here house!"

The three of us looked at each other in confusion, wondering if we had by chance wrong the owner of the voice before. Touka's mother then proceeded to the front door.

"…I am the owner of this hither residence," her voice can be heard with as much dignity as a noble, "by what means have thou come hither and yelling in front of my house?"

Touka and I peered at each other in worry before I grabbed my wooden sword and Touka grabbed her family heirloom and we both slowly made our way to the door.

"…Forgive me for my rudeness, madam," the voice apologized, stopping us in our track, "but I was told by a famous oracle that a Descendant of Imperial Royalty live in this house that rested under a great sacred withering mulberry tree. And this person goes by the common name of Gentoku. Is the person here? I must meet the person!"

I looked back at Touka and she gave me a puzzle expression. The owner of the voice seems to be looking for her for something urgent.

After a few second of consideration, Touka straighten herself and made her way to the door, with me following in suit.

"I am the one thee seek, Ryuu-Bi Gentoku," Touka spoke as soon as she had joined her mother's side, "What art thy purpose hither, stranger?"

I manage to peek over Touka's shoulder to get a good look at the owner of the stern majestic voice. What I saw startle me.

The person I saw was a young lady about my age with stern golden eyes that were deep and fascinating and long silky black hair held back in a single side ponytail that sparkled like obsidian. And despite her stern appearance, she didn't seem to fit the voice that she had been using, at least in my opinion. Even the apparent ornate green war-like dress she wore looks more like cosplay. But what really reconsidered my opinions for her was what she was holding in her hand. It was a Crescent Blade, consist of a thick blade and a staff that was longer than she is tall with a green dragon theme and no matter how I look at it was not only heavy but also too sharp to be a fake. I'm surprise she was able to lift it.

The girl observed Touka from top to bottom for a full minute. I manage to get a glimpse of a small crowd that had gathered not too far behind her. I can't blame them, the girl look like some cosplay warrior and she stood out like a sore thumb.

Finally, the girl smile, which seems to belied her earlier gallantry, before getting down on one knee and bowing to the surprise Touka…well, I should probably accurately say everyone was surprise.

"I am honor to at last meet you, Ryuu-Bi Gentoku-dono," the girl spoke, "Forgive me for my earlier rudeness…"

"Uh, not at all," Touka managed after she recovers from her surprise, "Please stand. There is no reason to bow to me!"

"Oh but I do," the girl proclaimed and stood tall once again, "for you are but one of the two that will help accomplish my goal to bring the end to the chaos that plague our world…"

"Huh?"

"Uh, how about this?" Touka's mother suggested, "May you not consider following us inside as for us to properly talk?"

"…As you wish," the girl nodded, "But first I must wait for my companion to arrive…"

"Your companion?"

"Aisha~!" a loud childish voice called out from behind the crowd. It was only then did I notice the huge dust cloud that was drawing closer to us.

The crowd scattered back into their homes as a little girl with short crimson-red hair with a cartoon tiger hairpin and large eyes of lilac ran up to the girl we were talking to. She too was dress in what I presume to be war-clothing cosplay, complete with a tight navy-blue turtleneck top with a golden collar under a yellow vest, open finger gloves, open toes stocking of navy-blue with no shoes, tight shorts in navy-blue, double brown belts with a single silver buckle, and a red scarf. What really caught my eye though was her weapon of choice: a spear with her thick blade zigzagging and ending in two prongs: a Viper Spear

"Ah, Rinrin," the girl we were talking to spoke with a kind smile, "You finally caught up…"

"That was mean!" the short girl grumbled with a pout, "How dare you leave Rinrin behind!"

"What are you talking about? Is it not your fault for playing with that puppy?"

"Boo~, Rinrin guess you are right," the short girl did a double take, "by the way, did you find the person we were looking for?"

"That person stands right before you, alongside her mother…"

"Heh~? So she is the one? Rinrin question that, she looks more like someone we need to save rather than the one doing the saving…"

"Rinrin! Do not be so rude!" The taller girl turn back to us, "I apologize for the rude behavior of my companion …"

"Oh, it is quite all right," Touka nervously replied, before stepping aside, "please come on in…"

In turn I return to my seat as the two girls enter. Upon seeing me, the two halted and stared at me with wide eyes.

"Uh, please do not mind Kazuto-kun," Touka told them, "He is a guest I brought here not long ago…"

"Uh, hi!" I waved to them.

"…Could you be?" the taller girl began, "By any chance, have just today arrived to this world?"

"…Huh? How did you know that?" And here I thought nothing could surprise me anymore. Even Touka and her mother was surprise.

"I knew it!" the taller girl was suddenly even more excited.

"Yay!" the shorter girl cheered, "It is just as that oracle said! If we find the Descendant of Imperial Royalty, we also find the Messenger from Heaven!"

"…Messenger from Heaven? What's that?"

"Some time ago," the taller girl spoke with much zeal, "a famous oracle, Kan-Ro, foretold that a Messenger from Heaven will descend and meet a Descendant of Imperial Royalty, who went by the common name of Gentoku, and together they shall put an end to the chaos. Although he did not tell us where we could find the Messenger from Heaven he told us instead how to find the Descendant of Imperial Royalty and told us that we shall meet the messenger then. And here we are, aside from you who else could be the Messenger from Heaven?"

"Uh…" Well, if they consider that I came from another world as "descending from the heavens" I suppose it would give people reason to think I'm from heaven at least. But that prediction…it's totally ridiculous in the fact that there are major undeniable truths in it. Touka is a descendant of imperial royalty and had the common name of "Gentoku" and I did meet her too.

"Furthermore, your very clothes shine with the light of Heaven. That alone clearly signifies that you are a Messenger from Heaven. Am I wrong?"

"Ah, well… these clothes are made of [Polyester] so that's why they reflect light…"

"… 'Poly-ester'," the smaller girl tilted her head at the unfamiliar word, "Hmm~, people of Heaven sure have strange words…"

"Rinrin," the taller girl lectured.

I stared at the two and so did Touka and her mother. These two seems to think I'm some heavenly person. Though if anyone from this world sees all the stuff from my world, I suppose they would consider all the convenience as "stuff found only in Heaven".

"Uh," I cleared my throat, catching the two's attention, "Let's do this properly, one step at a time. I'm Hongou Kazuto. And you two are?"

"Oh, pardon us," the taller girl spoke, "We have not yet introduced ourselves yet. My name is U, my family name is Kan, and my common name is Unchou…"

"Rinrin's name is Hi," the smaller girl smiled widely and happily as she introduces herself, "Rinrin's family name Chou, Rinrin's common name is Yokutoku, and Rinrin's true name is Rinrin!"

"…Huh?" Were my ears playing tricks? "Uh, wait could you two introduce yourself again please?"

"…? As you wish," the taller girl nodded, "my full name is Kan-U Unchou…"

"He~!" the smaller girl smile, "Rinrin's full name is Chou-Hi Yokutoku, but you can call me Rinrin…"

"…The Kan-U and the Chou-Hi!?" I exclaimed in alarm. Those were the name of the two sworn brothers of Ryuu-Bi. Kan-U who was known as the God of War and Chou-Hi who was a Warrior with the strength of a Thousand Warriors. They're girls in this world too? Now that I think about it, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and Viper Spear should have been a clear giveaway.

"Uh, anyhow," Touka's mother spoke up, "is there a reason you all came here? I am sure that it was not just to see my daughter and Kazuto-san, who are going to change the world, right?"

"Uh-huh!" Chou-Hi grinned, "We are here to join them!"

"Huh?" Touka and I sounded.

"It is just as Rinrin stated," Kan-U nodded with a smile, "you two are destined to change this world where peace and justice are overshadowed by the chaos. It is an honorable goal that Rinrin and I seek for as well…"

"Whoa, hold on," I stopped, "I haven't even decided what I'm going to be doing here. And I hadn't actually thought about doing such a thing yet…"

"And," Touka jumped in, "there are times that I have thought about it, but I am not yet ready to do such a thing…"

"Rinrin did not have any plans to do this either," Chou-Hi suddenly added, "Rinrin would have been happy just doing Rinrin's family butcher business…"

"And I would have been content with my life as either a city guard or a green grain seller," Kan-U added with a stern expression, "I do not think there is such a person who be unreasonable enough to not be content with their daily lifestyle. But… as we speak, bandits and mobs grow in number as the Yellow Scarves continue to grow stronger. Already many villages and cities had been badly damage or destroyed by this rising chaos…our village had not so long ago been such a victim…"

"Rinrin and Aisha were some the only survivor because we were strong," For once since I've met her, the happy go-lucky face of Chou-Hi was replaced by genuine sadness, "but everyone else…"

"…I'm sorry to hear that," I told them.

"We cannot change the past," Kan-U spoke in sadness, "and with strength alone, we would not change anything about the future that chaos will overtake… but, with not only the help of the Descendant of the Royal Family but also the assistance of the Heavens… after hearing the oracle words, we thought 'at last we can help end the chaos and injustice in the world'…"

"That is why we came all this way," Chou-Hi grinned, returning to her trademark happy-go-lucky attitude, "so that we can make sure that others would not be sad like Aisha or me. So, what do you think? Can we help you?"

"Uh," Touka looked over to me, wondering what to do.

"Well," I began slowly, "it's not like we don't want to help, but we haven't even decided to do something like that yet. Suddenly coming here and deciding to help us when we have absolutely no idea how you all can help yet is a bit…well…"

I trailed off. Technically Ryuu-Bi, Kan-U and Chou-Hi are supposed to join forces to help the land and the people but now I'm dragged into this. Even if I have the heart to help, I'm just a student who has no idea how or why I'm here. I want to believe that I was the one the prophecy was referring to but I can't rely on just that to be so sure. I better tell them that…they will probably understand.

But before I could say anything, loud screams and cries began to sound off outside.

"What's going on now?" I wondered.

Suddenly, one of the villagers burst into the house. Normally, that is something that will get you yell at for even if this house didn't have a door sort of speak but the look of terror on the man face told us he had a good reason.

My hunched was correct.

"All of you pack up your stuff and run for your lives!" he told us.

"What is wrong?" Touka's mother asked.

"I-It is the Yellow Scarves! They are attacking the nearby Rou-Sou City of Yuu-Shu and words are they will come here next once they are done with the city!"

"What did you say!?" Kan-U roared as she quickly picked up her Green Dragon Crescent Blade, "Curse it! I thought for sure this area was beyond their reaches at the moment. Rinrin!"

"Yeah!" Chou-Hi roared as well, picking up her Viper Spear, before she and Kan-U rush out.

"What the hell," the man cried in disbelief, "are those youngsters crazy? They will be killed! Well, no matter. It was their choice. Anyway, you should all get going!"

With that he dashed off.

"We better get going too," Touka's mother stated as she got to quickly pack, "Touka, help me…"

"… … … …" Touka remained fixed on her spot before picking up her family heirloom and started towards the door, "Dear Mother, please go on ahead! I shall catch up!"

"Touka? Touka! Where are you going? Get back here!" her mother called after her.

Touka looks like she is intending to help the citizen of the city, despite the danger. And here I was ready to run, this is pathetic! I grabbed my wooden sword.

"Madam," I spoke up, catching her attention, "I'll go keep an eye on her. You worry about getting out of here!"

"What? Should you not drag her back instead?"

"I doubt your daughter would be able to live with herself if she allows that; nor would I. Don't worry, just trust me with your daughter's life. Now just please do as I say, time is of the essence!"

Touka's mother blinked at my rationality before quickly nodding. "…Alright, please bring her back safe and unharmed…"

"I can't guarantee that but I can promise I'll bring her back to you alive…" With that I rushed out to follow Touka.

Fortunately, because I was quicker, I manage to catch up to Touka. Together we enter the gates of the Rou-Sou City. What a sight that awaits us!

The streets are filled with broken baskets, destroyed wagons, and dead people. Many of the houses were burned or broken into, and judging from the smell, there may have been dead people burning in those houses. It so horrible I had to force down the urge vomit.

Touka was probably in the same situation. Her face was a mixture of pain and horror as she witnessed this.

"How…awful!" Touka managed, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "How could this have happen?"

"That's chaos," I sighed, "a force that requires no reason to exist…"

"KYAAH!" a voice cried out. We turn to see a small girl, probably only six years old, running for her life as not far behind a bandit chase after her swinging a blade mercilessly as he did.

"Oh no!" Touka cried and ran forward to help. At her speed though she wouldn't get to the kid in time. Fortunately, she wasn't the only one to react.

"Hah!" I cried as I swung my wooden sword down on the bandit's head. I had put everything into my sprint to get close enough, but I made sure to save enough to deliver a good enough blow. …WHOOSH! SMACK! …It worked; the bandit fell to the ground unconscious.

"Are you alright?" Touka asked as she came up to the child.

"My M-Mother!" the kid cried in Touka's embrace, "My Father! Dead~! WAAAH~!"

It was a really sad sight to see. Touka hugged her tightly, trying to comfort the kid. Unfortunately…

"…! Touka!" I alerted, "We got company!"

…We didn't have time. Already several more bandits had appeared and had begun to charge at us madly.

Touka end her hug and unsheathe her family heirloom. The little girl, instinctively, ran for cover nearby.

"…Thou all shall pay for thy evil deeds!" Touka proclaimed, taking her place next to me as she pointed her sword at the charging bandits, "I am Ryuu-Bi Gentoku, the descendant of Ryuu-Shou. With my family sword 'Virtue', I shall defeat thee villains!"

With that the two of us rushed forward. We fought back to back in almost prefect unison, watching each other's blind spots.

Despite the fact I used a wooden sword with my skill it was enough to knock them unconscious. Every single one that came into my striking range was knocked out instantly.

Touka wield her family's sword like an expert. Every time she brought the sword down, one bandit will fall. Every time she stabbed, two bandits were taken. And every time she swung her blade horizontally, five heads would roll on the ground.

It didn't matter who they were aiming at, the two of us were unstoppable. At least that's what I like to say. I don't know where they coming from, but every time we take one bandit out another bandit would take their place. Touka and I were getting easily tired out as time pass.

"Touka!" I called to her, "this isn't working! We're being surrounded! We got to break through and get to a better position!"

Touka nodded in the corner of my eyes. We both quickly glance around to find some kind of escape route.

"Kazuto-kun!" Touka yelled, alerting me to see that some of the bandits had found the kid from earlier and was about to kill her.

"Shit!" I curse. With this many bandits around, I wouldn't be able to get to her in time…

"HIYAH!" Then from out of nowhere, a girl wielding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade rush in and slashed at the bandits that was about to kill the kid.

WHOOSH! …SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

The bandits fell down dead. The child ran behind the towering figure of Kan-U as she stood in front the bandits, banishing her weapon at them.

"I am Kan-U Unchou!" she declared majestically, "Thou who seek death, come forth!"

The bandits around her hesitated before several brave ones charge forward.

"Know thou place!" Kan-U roared as she took them all out in one blow, "Roar for me Green Dragon, reap the sinful soul with your blade of honor!"

With that the mob of bandits began to slowly back off before several of them turned to easier preys…us!

"Here they come!" Touka warned as she and I got ready. Suddenly…

"A-TA~!"

We heard a scream above and looked up to see a little girl with a Viper Spear jumping over us. As she descended, she slammed her weapon down amidst the mob, sending them flying.

"Come on," Chou-Hi grinned confidently, "if any of you are in a hurry to meet your end. Chou-Hi Yokutoku welcomes you to taste her Viper Spear!"

Without another word Chou-Hi charge forward and with a mighty swing took out twenty bandits at once.

"Now things are looking up!" I grinned as Touka and I rejoined the battle with much zeal.

With the aid provided by Kan-U and Chou-Hi, we manage to drive off the bandits for now.

"We managed to drive them off," I stated the obvious.

"Yes," Touka sighed, "Everyone is safe…"

"For now," Kan-U stated, "there are still resources here that those bandits want…"

"So it is only a matter of time before they return," Chou-Hi frowned.

"That's true," I hummed in thought, "we can't stop the symptoms as they come. It would be more logical to take out the source instead…"

"Indeed," Kan-U smiled, "Spoken as a true Messenger from Heaven…"

"…Uh, look Kan-U. There's something I got to tell you and Chou-Hi…"

"Rinrin knows what you want, Onii-chan!" Chou-Hi suddenly proclaimed, "You and Ryuu-Bi-chan want to form an army to fight those Yellow Scarves off, right?"

"Huh?"

"Indeed," Kan-U nodded at the idea, "those rogues can be easily dealt with if we have a sizable army, even an untrained one would work. And in addition, if we have Hongou-dono and Ryuu-Bi-dono joins in as our leader, victory is assured!"

"Uh, excuse me? Do we not have a say in this?" Touka tried to ask.

"Okay!" Rinrin grinned, apparently not hearing Touka, "Rinrin shall go around seeing where all the city people went! Rinrin is sure they want to beat up those Yellow Scarves more than anyone!"

"That is a good idea," Kan-U nodded, "You do that, Rinrin, I shall accompany Ryuu-Bi-dono and Hongou-dono…"

"Got it!" Rinrin grinned, "See you later Onii-chan, Ryuu-Bi-chan!"

And with that, before we could say anything, she took off with tremendous speed.

"Now then Ryuu-Bi-dono, Hongou-dono," Kan-U called with a broad smile, "let us make haste as well…"

"Whoa! Hold on! Wait a minute!" I finally halted her.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"We still have not fully understood what is going on," Touka finally began, "And moving the discussion without us shall cause problems, especially for Kazuto-kun here…"

"It will… cause problems?" Kan-U repeated, confused.

"To be precise," I began, "we don't know if it will or not."

"Why…is that? Are you not the Messenger from Heaven and is Ryuu-Bi-dono not a Descendant of Imperial Royalty?"

"Well, Touka is what you said but as for me…how do I put this? Uh… maybe like this. Even if you claim I'm some Messenger from Heaven, I just suddenly got here. I'm unfamiliar with this world, I don't know why I was sent here, and I'm really powerless right now. No offense, but you seem to be assuming that Touka and I knew everything all along, but the truth is we really were unaware of most of the things you label us as…"

"… …Are you saying…that you were sent down by the Heavens with no knowledge of your task?"

"Hmm… Not exactly, but it's something like that…"

"It is the same for me," Touka intervened, "I have only been inform just now by you and Chou-Hi-chan that I was destined to help save the land. And yes it is true I have thought about doing so, but I have not yet…how do put it…uh, blossom yet? Yes, I am like a flower right now. I know what I am planning to do but until the times come I can do nothing else…"

"Hmm…" Kan-U cupped her chin, "Are you saying… That it is not yet an appropriate time and that we had expect things from you much too early?"

"Uh, something close to that…"

"Furthermore," I decided to confess, "Actually, I do kind of know all of you already. Ryuu-Bi, Kan-U and Chou-Hi are, from where I came from, people who lived 1800 years ago. And they had become very popular characters in novels and stories. So in a sense, I could have been sent back in time to your era by accident…"

"Yes, Kazuto-kun told me about it. From what I could gather, Kazuto-kun is a normal man who just ended up here, lost and confused…"

Kan-U made a face, as if trying to put the pieces together in her thought. Finally after a moment she spoke in a sad tone.

"So… …Then you are not the Messenger from Heaven?" Kan-U managed to say.

"Yes, probably not," I sighed, "I mean the only part of that prophecy that is probably true is Touka's involvement…"

"…And… we have been too hasty and ask a person that had not yet prepared herself?"

"I am sorry," Touka gave a small bow in, "but it is just as I learn from my master on one of my studying 'if one is not yet ready to commit to a task, the turtle will not venture out of its shell'… I do plan to do as you ask, but if I am not yet ready to fully commit to it then I must wait until I can…"

"I… see…" By now Touka and I couldn't have not notice that Kan-U was getting sadder by the second.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

" …After our village was destroyed, Rinrin and I began to travel the land to save the people, searching for a master who held the power to quell these conflict, something even Rinrin and I know we lack. However, the flames of chaos continue to spread, and those without power to fight fell one after another. I was mortified; I was heartbroken…" By then the brave warrior's voice had begun to crack. "Then we met the Oracle Kan-Ro and when we heard his prophecy I thought 'Finally I can save people'. However… if you, Hongou-dono, are not the Messenger from Heaven and Ryuu-Bi-dono is not yet ready," At this point, she could no longer stop her voice from trembling in despair, "what am I going to do? What will happen to this world? What will happen to those who are unable to defend themselves? When I think about that…"

Her obsidian eyes began to glisten with tears and her shoulder began to shake as she managed to push out those last few words. Touka and I look at her, feeling sorry for her. It was clear that she was burdening herself with more than her own fair share.

"Pardon me," Kan-U forcibly straightened herself after realizing we were watching, "There is no use in telling the two of you such a thing. I shall rejoin Rinrin and we will fight the Yellow Scarves threatening this city. We will probably gather less than a hundred soldiers, but this is a fight for justice. Surely… … Surely we shall win… You both shall hear of our victory. I am sure, Hongou-dono, that you shall hear our names again on your journey to find your way home. When you do, please pray for our victory…"

I remained silent, stunned by her understanding, as she turn to Touka next.

"And Ryuu-Bi-dono, I wish for your well-being as you spread your wings at your own pace. I only ask for one thing though…should we prevail, please do not hesitate to ask for our aid when you are ready… …Should both Rinrin and I fail, please build a world of benevolent and justice in our place…"

Touka seems deeply moved by the warrior's words too as I saw a small tear forming in her eyes.

"Now, if you two excuse me…" She forced a painful smile and began to take her leave after giving us both one last bow.

…I couldn't bring myself to keep griping after I saw that heartbroken smile. I look over to Touka and our gaze interlock. Without a single word, we both knew what we had to do.

"Wait," I called to Kan-U before she could leave.

Kan-U turned back to us in confusion. "What is it?"

"This Messenger from Heaven," Touka spoke up, "and a Descendant of Imperial Royalty… they are something people will unite under, right?"

"Why of course. All the people suffering from this chaos are waiting for heroes who would save them. They would surely welcome a hero who descended from the Imperial Family with open arms and even more so for a hero who descended from Heaven."

"Then you can gather a lot of volunteer soldiers?"

Kan-U gave a firm nod. Touka and I had our gaze interlock again and before long we nodded.

"…Very well. I am not sure my wings are ready to glide and take on the task of helping to quell the chaos…"

"And I don't consider myself a Messenger from Heaven," I added, "but we'll do what we can to help you. …That way you'll gather more volunteers, right?"

"That is true, but…" Kan-U glanced nervously at the two of us, "Ryuu-Bi-dono, you are not yet ready, correct? You need not force yourself when you are not yet ready. And Hongou-dono, you are not the Messenger from Heaven, are you?"

"It is true," Touka sighed, "I do not feel ready to take on such an important task…but my mother had always told me that our family will one day be needed. It is the reason why 'Virtue', our family heirloom, has been passed down for generation. It is probably fate that guided you and Chou-Hi-chan to me, so that I am aware that my wings needs spread much sooner…"

"And I'm probably not the Messenger from Heaven," I admitted, "but I still think I can help. … …I also have a fair deal of knowledge."

"Knowledge, you say?" Kan-U wondered.

"Yeah, I read books on tactics at my grandparent's house in my world. I think that would help."

"If you know tactics, then that certainly will be a great aid…but why are you two suddenly so willing?"

"Well," Touka replied rather shyly and looked down at the kid that we had rescue, who had been silent the whole time, "for me, it is the same reason as yours. I too do not wish for a child like her to live like she will have to go through. I am ashamed to say that it took this incident to make me realize it…"

"… … …And," I began, "as for me, I'm not coldhearted enough to leave a girl alone when she's in trouble. I always have a soft spot for girls that way…"

"Oh~! I see… So that is the kind of man you are~, Kazuto-kun…"

"Hey, it's the truth! What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, I just think you are quite a gentleman…"

"U-Uh," Kan-U sounded nervously ending our conversation, "… A GIRL you say? I am nothing of the sort! I ask that you please do not insult me!"

"Huh? But you are a girl, are you not, Kan-U-san?"

"No! I… I am not something so weak!"

"K-Kan-U-san! Do not speak in such a way! I am a girl too; are you saying that I am weak as well?"

"N-No! Of course not! I did not have such intention!"

"I never thought that that is how you see me…" Touka began to comically cry.

"Uh… Um… please forgive!"

"Oh…I get it," I huff a laugh, "So that's the type of character Kan-U was, huh?"

"What do you mean by that? Uh… either way, I ask that you do not disgrace me by treating me like a girl ever again!"

"Now you are denying your own image!" Touka wailed in shock, "How could you deny yourself like that?"

"T-That is not it! Please do not misunderstand, Ryuu-Bi-dono!"

"I had no intention of disgracing you whatsoever," I replied, trying hard to suppress my laughter, "But why not? Is it wrong to tell a pretty girl that she's pretty?"

I shrugged my shoulders and continued to forestall any further argument.

"Anyway, I don't think I'm the one who should decide whether or not I'm a Messenger from Heaven. … …You, Chou-Hi, and even Touka-chan here can decide that yourselves, though perhaps this world will be the one to decide that…"

"Kazuto-kun," Touka-chan lit up a bit upon hear me put the honorific in her name.

"So, as an expedient means, you can praise me as the Messenger from Heaven for now. But in return, if you ever deem me unworthy of the title, abandon me then and there. I don't want anyone to suffer because of a lie…"

"But…" Kan-U began confused at my heavy proclamation, "…Is that what you truly wish for?"

"Yes. I already ran the calculations in my head for the merits and demerits for you three and for me. I have made my decision with all that in mind. Besides…"

"…?" Kan-U gave me a questionable look as I grew silent staring at her.

"Whether she considers it a disgrace or not," I whispered to Touka-chan, "I just don't want to see a pretty girl like Kan-U suffer."

Touka-chan chuckled and nodded in agreement, leaving the confused Kan-U even more confused.

"It shall be the same with me," Touka stated, "If I also prove unworthy you can abandon me as well. If my action causes more suffering, then I want you to remove me to end it…"

Kan-U stood there and glanced between us.

"…What do you think?" I asked, "Will you accept it?"

"W-Why, of course… Yes…"

"Okay, we're a team now," I held out my hand in-between us. Touka-chan and Kan-U responded with a questionable look. "It's a handshake. To be on the same team…"

"Oh I get it," Touka-chan nodded as she overlapped her smooth hand over mine before turning to Kan-U, "Same team okay?"

Kan-U stared at us for a moment before she finally spoke. "…No, I cannot do that…"

"Huh?" we both sound in confusion, removing our hands from each other.

"After hearing both of your words, I am convinced that you, Hongou-dono, are indeed the Messenger from Heaven and you, Ryuu-Bi-dono, are a true leader worthy of being a Descendant of Imperial Royalty. Therefore…" Kan-U bowed deeply as she spoke.

"Wait, what are you-?" I cried out in surprise.

"My Lord, Messenger from Heaven Kazuto Hongou, and my Lady, Descendant of Imperial Royalty Ryuu-Bi Gentoku, may we fight together and quell these chaotic times…"

"Lord…?" I repeated in shock.

"Lady…?" Touka repeated in the same manner as well.

"Yes," Kan-U nodded, "I have hereby acknowledge the both of you as my Lord and Lady. Rinrin-..I mean Chou-Hi...-must feel the same. Therefore, please called us by our true names and treat us as your retainers…"

"HUH?" I yelped in surprise.

"R-Retainers?" Touka-chan yelped in the same manner.

"Yes," Aisha nodded, "My name is Kan-U, my common is Unchou, and my true name is Aisha. …Please call me Aisha from now on. Henceforth, I shall call you My Lord and My Lady respectfully. Now, My Lord and My Lady, we shall make our way for Rinrin and drive the Yellow Scarves away. Let our battle hereby begin!"

"W-Wait, wait, wait!" I tried, "Let's talk about this for a second…"

"Come, let us make haste! We shall fight for our people!"

"If you are our retainer," Touka called after Kan-U as we try to keep up, "This is a good time for you to listen to us~~~!"

A little while later, we managed to find Rinrin (the true name of Chou-Hi) as she led Aisha (the true name of Kan-U), Touka-chan, and I to a large tavern which had narrowly managed to escape damage from the raid.

Inside the tavern, we saw citizens with bandaged wounds and citizens covered in soot from their burnt homes all sitting down helplessly. Some of the villagers from Touka's village were there too helping the injured, one of which was Touka's mother.

"Touka!" Touka's mother called, running over in a mixture of worry and relief and hugged her daughter tightly, "I thought I would not see you again! Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? What happen?"

"We saved lives," I answered, "we became angry, we fought bravely, and she made her ancestors proud…"

"Nyah-ha-ha-ha," Rinrin laughed, "She sure did…"

"Sorry for making you worry, Dear Mother," Touka-chan apologized after escaping from the embrace, "But it was time…"

As her mother stared at her, confused as to what she had meant, Aisha stared around at the citizens.

"This is… awful…" she managed, obviously distraught by what she was seeing.

"Is everyone okay?" Rinrin asked loudly, causing everyone to turn to us.

"Who are you…?" One of the citizens (Citizen A) asked. He seems to be the unofficial leader of the city's people, seeing how he isn't wearing fancy clothes.

Aisha decided to speak up. "We have come to fight against the suffering brought by this chaos and to annihilate the Yellow Scarves…"

"The Imperial Army has come to save us?" Another citizen (Citizen B) spoke up hopefully.

"…No, unfortunately, we are not from the Imperial Army…"

"Damn…" with that, everyone began to moan in disappointment and despair.

"But we come to save you!" Rinrin added in, hoping to raise everyone's morality again.

"What can kids like you do? …. …Even us adults were unable to stand against the Yellow Scarves."

"There were just too many of them," Citizen A added.

"Were there that many of them?" Aisha asked, puzzled, "When we arrived, there were only under a hundred of them left in the city…"

"Then you all came here after the actual raid was done. There must have been at least four thousands of them. How can a tiny city like this fight against so many?"

"But you all fought, right?" Rinrin wondered.

"Of course we did! We could not just watch our city or homes get destroyed! However… there were just too many of them…"

"They destroyed whatever they wanted," Citizen B added, "and they said they said they shall be back…"

"What are we going to do?" Another citizen (Citizen C) spoke up in panic, "If they come back, they shall take all of our food. They shall even take my wife and daughter!"

"I know that!" said Citizen A, "But what do you expect us to do? How can we defeat those beastly thieves?"

"I do not know…"

"Damn it," Citizen B growled, "Why the Imperial Army not help us? This rebellion is all thanks to the selfishness of those officials! Why do we have to get dragged into this and suffer for them?"

"What is the point of complaining about that now?" Citizen A sighed, "They may come back and attack us again tomorrow for all we know!"

"… …There will be another battle tomorrow as well?" Aisha wondered.

"Most likely, they have set their sights on our city now that they know we are weak. They will keep coming back until there is nothing left for them to steal!"

"Then let us all run!" Citizen B suggested, "Our only hope is for the whole city and the nearby village to run away!"

"How can we do that? Our ancestors created this city! We must protect it!"

"I want to protect it too! But…but…how can we at this rate?"

As the clamor of the citizens and the villagers' dispute grew louder, Aisha silently thought to herself. She finally reached her decision and spoke up.

"I have an idea!" Aisha spoke loud enough to catch everyone's attention.

"What is it?" Citizen B asked, "Is there a way for us to be saved?"

"I think… there is…"

"What? What is it? Please, tell us?"

"Certainly. But… First, I would like to know how determined you all are…"

"How determined we are?" Citizen A questioned, not yet understanding the significant of Aisha's question.

Aisha nodded. "… …Do you all you citizens wish to protect this city? And do you villagers wish to protect your village nearby?"

"Of course!" Citizen B answered determinedly.

"Our grandparents poured their sweat and blood into this city and the village nearby. Of course we want to protect it all." explained Citizen A and many other citizen and villagers sounded in agreement.

"I understand," Aisha nodded satisfy with their answered, "then let us fight together!"

"Did you not listen?" Citizen B exclaimed, "How are we supposed to fight against them? How can we defeat guys like them?"

"We can!"

"Yep, we can!" Rinrin chimed in.

"…Wait a minute," Citizen C spoke up, "How can you be so sure?"

"Because," Aisha began, "Not only do we have the wisdom of Imperial Royalty, but also the will of the Heaven is on our side as well…"

"Uh-huh!" Rinrin chimed in again, "See, Touka-chan is a kind and caring Descendant of Imperial Royalty and Onii-chan is a great and powerful Messenger from Heaven, both who are on our side!"

"Huh?" Citizen A as well as many others questioned.

"Rinrin, remain quiet," Aisha gentle told Rinrin, "you are making things more complicated…"

"Boo~…" Rinrin comically and cutely pouted.

"As she just said, we have a Descendant of Imperial Royalty and a Messenger from Heaven on our side," Aisha continued her speech with true composure.

"What do you mean by a Descendant of Imperial Royalty and a Messenger from Heaven?" Villager B asked, "Are you saying God and someone of royalty are going to save us?"

Aisha nodded. "… …Has the rumor not reached this city or village yet?"

"Rumor?" Citizen C wondered, "What rumor?"

"The rumor about a Messenger from Heaven and the Descendant of Imperial Royalty. Everyone in Raku-You is talking about it. They said that a hero would be sent from the Heaven to meet a descendant of an ancestral relative of the Emperor, and together put an end to the chaos…"

"The capital? Is that rumor really true?"

"Yes, it is true…"

While Aisha answered with utmost confidence I whispered into Rinrin's ear as Touka-chan listened in.

"Hey," I began quietly, "is it true?"

"No, of course not," Rinrin whispered back loud enough for only Touka-chan and I to hear, "Aisha and Rinrin are the only one who knows about either of you two, Touka-chan, Onii-chan."

"That is what I thought…" Touka smile sympathetically.

That means… Aisha is telling a lie.

"… …I guess this is also strategy," I whispered to Touka-chan to which Touka-chan nodded.

People are easily influenced when they hear that "everyone is talking about it". Even back in my world, if someone doesn't believe it at all, once they hear "they said so on TV", "they said so in a magazine", or "they said so on the internet", they start to believe it's true.

"I'm impressed with Aisha. She certainly lives up to her reputation as a great general with both wisdom and courage."

Raku-You is the name of a capital in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In this era where there are no means of transportation and communication, a rumor in a capital can easily be the truth. Aisha is taking advantage of that to win the citizen and the villagers' trust. One wrong move and it can become deception, but… …in a battle of Ryuu-Bi, Kan-U and Chou-Hi vs. the Yellow Scarves, those three are sure to win, so I see no problem.

To put it in game stats, Kan-U and Chou-Hi both have a War rating of 99 and Ryuu-Bi is at least 88. Kan-U also has intelligence over 80, so there's no way she'll lose against the ranks and files of the Yellow Scarves who are never treated as anything more than small fry in any game. … …Though, that's only speaking in game terms, so I don't know if it'll turn out true or not. As I stood there analyzing Aisha's conduct…

"And that very descendant with royal blood flowing through her very body," Kan-U walked up to Touka's side, speaking proudly, "is this person right here, Ryuu-Bi Gentoku…and this person here…" Kan-U patted firmly on my shoulder. "This is the messenger who has been sent from Heaven. They are both here to help quell this chaotic times. So long as they are on our side, we shall not lose to bandits such as the Yellow Scarves…"

"These two?" Citizen A wondered. Every villagers and citizens now had their eyes on us.

"Uh," Touka fidget a bit, unable to speak a word.

"… …Hello," I finally managed.

"I do not believe it!" Citizen C frowned skeptically.

"This timid girl is the Descendant of the Imperial Royalty?" Citizen B wondered sarcastically, "And that lanky guy is the Messenger from Heaven? Hah! That is obviously a lie!"

Aisha's eyes twitched in anger before she began to lecture Citizen B.

"How can you say that?" she began, "We shall start with My Lord, the Messenger from Heaven. Is it not apparent from the way he looks? In our world, is there any attire made of this 'Poly-ester' that shines in the light?"

"Poly-ester…? Wow! I have never heard of that," Citizen C commented before looking closely at my school uniform, "Wow! I have never seen clothes that sparkle like that too!"

"See? Also, My Lord is intelligent enough to memorize many teachings, such as Son-Bu's Art of War…"

"Not to mention," Touka-chan suddenly jumped in, "he had saved me from a group of Yellow Scarves by subduing them with just a wooden sword while his powers were at its weakest…"

"Eh?" Aisha turned to Touka-chan in surprise, "Did such a thing happen?"

"It had happen before you and Rinrin met us. I had the unfortunate timing of being corner by a group of 30, all more skillful and terrifying than the ones that attack the city, without my weapon. Kazuto-kun suddenly came in and in an instantly subdue them with three mighty show of skillful blow! Then, instead of killing them, he demonstrated his heavenly kindness by sparing their lives, telling them never to do evil again. That group was so impressed by this that they swear they would never do evil again and that once they strengthen themselves they will return to pledge loyalty to him to fight for justice…"

Somehow, it looks like Touka-chan had jumped in as well…and exaggerated my rescue of her. But it was extremely efficient to our goal. As she was wowing Aisha and Rinrin, the other citizens and the villagers were also captivated by her tale. I don't know about the city dwellers, but the villagers would definitely believe her because they knew her. When people are in doubt they would usually believe the words of those they are familiar with rather than the words of a stranger. Touka-chan certain is more than meets the eyes since she had exaggerated the story and spoke loud enough for everyone in tavern to hear.

"Seriously…?" Citizen B managed.

"Furthermore," Touka-chan smiled at me, "to be truthful, I saw it myself. I witnessed the moment he descended from the Heaven from not too far east from here. That was why I had wandered onto unsafe areas that led to me being corner. It was without a doubt that it was no coincidence that the entrance to the Heavens had set down a stream of light in the distance and that he would appear to aid me coming from east, the same direction where for a brief moment the Heaven and the Earth connected…"

"Oh~," Citizen A, along with many others, wowed.

"But how do we know that is true?" Citizen B wondered, mildly convince but still skeptical.

"It has to be true," one of the villagers (Villager A) declared. He was the same guy that ran into Touka-chan's house to warn us about the attack on the city, "I know the Ryuu Family! They would never tell a lie to bring us harm!"

"I believe so too," Citizen C added, "On the few occasions when I had bought mats from Ryuu-Bi-san here, she strikes me as a person who would not lie and speak honest no matter what!"

"Really?" Citizen B noted in surprise, finally becoming less skeptical.

"We can also speak for the heritage of Ryuu Family as well," Village A proclaimed, as the other villagers nodded in agreement, "if you look at their family tree, you shall find the name Ryuu-Shou on it, the very same of the brother of the Emperor of that time…"

"Ryuu-Shou? Seriously?"

"Yes, my decease great-great-great grandfather would no doubt be able to verify it. Not to mention, the Ryuu Family Heirloom, that brilliant sword that Ryuu-Bi-san is now carrying, could have only be that of royalty origin. Ryuu-Bi-san, show them!"

Ryuu-Bi gave a nervous nodded before unsheathing Virtue and holding it high above her head so everyone could see. As if it was supported by fate as well, the clouds that had hung over the city began to part and sunlight began to seep in through the windows. These lights reflect beautifully off of Virtue, adding to its brilliancy.

"Wow!" Citizen C exclaimed, "I do not need to be a sword-crafter to see that it is no ordinary swords…"

"So," Citizen B began, "these two really are the Descendant of Imperial Royalty and the Messenger from Heaven, and the rumors about these two heroes are true!"

"Maybe… we will be saved!"

"Yes! We will be saved!"

"And you will," Kan-U finally spoke up again, "So, everyone, let us rise up now! We shall protect the city and the village with our hands!"

"Yeah!" Citizen A cheered.

"We can do it!" Villager A hollowed before beginning to make his way to the entrance, "I shall go out and gather other villagers that are willing to fight!"

"I shall do the same," Citizen B agreed, "There must be other places that the citizens are gathered…"

"I am going to gather anything that can be used as weapons!" Citizen C added.

"We are counting on you!" Citizen A called to the retreating figures before turning to every other citizen, "All woman and children who can move with me! We shall go gather rations and other supply!"

Everyone was now excited, even the injured ones as they got up and proceed out of the tavern with everyone ignoring their injuries.

"Rinrin is impressed, Aisha, Touka-chan," Rinrin praised once the tavern was empty of people save for me, Touka-chan, Rinrin, Aisha, and Touka's mother.

"Yes," Touka's mother added, "your words had help Aisha convinced them to fight…"

"Thank you mother," Touka-chan replied happily.

"… …Stop that," Aisha frown in guilt, "I absolutely hate myself for what I have just done. Sigh~…"

"No, no," I denied her, "you were absolutely splendid…"

"Please, do not say that. Sigh~…" In the end, Aisha had deceived the villagers. She hung shoulders and continued to sigh.

"Do not feel bad about it," Touka encouraged the guilt-stricken Aisha, "You did it to protect the city, the village, and their people from the Yellow Scarves, right?"

"That is true, but… in the end, unlike you My Lady I had lie to them…"

"If that is what is still bothering you then we are in the same boat," Touka meekly confessed, "I had lied as well…"

"WHAT?" Everyone else exclaimed in shock.

"The truth is, there were only three bandits and Kazuto had knocked out two of them from behind and stun the last one before pulling me out of the area…"

"Really?" Rinrin awed, "Well, it was not as good as the lie but Rinrin like that one too…"

"But I was speaking the truth about the part that he was not at full strength and when I kind of saw how he came to this world…"

"You really did see all of that happen?" I wondered.

"From a distance yes…"

"But why did My Lady lied as well?" Kan-U asked, upset that Touka had committed the same sin she had done, "Had you left it to me, they would have been convince eventually as well…"

"… …Because you are also a type of person who do not usually lie," Touka explained, "And I did not want you to take the burden by yourself, so I decided to join. After all, if the retainer had done wrong it is the fault of their lord or lady…"

"My Lady…

"Yeah," I jumped in, "besides it's too early to regret it or feel guilty. Right now we need to devise a plan to protect the city and village with the help of their residents."

"My Lord…"

"Onii-chan is right, Aisha," Rinrin chimed in, "If you act that way, Aisha, the citizens and villagers would not be able to fight as well."

"…Yeah. I guess you all are right. Whew…" Aisha exhales, forcing herself to relax, "Alright. I shall go and request aid from the people as well. … …Rinrin, take command of several swift looking people and scout out the whereabouts of the Yellow Scarves for us…"

"Roger!" Rinrin chimed happily.

"What do we do?" I indicate myself and Touka-chan.

"It would be a great help if you two could accompany me, My Lord and My Lady…" Aisha stated.

"Very well," Touka-chan nodded before giving Rinrin a gentle rub on the head, "Be careful Rinrin-chan."

"Nyah-ha!" Rinrin giggled under the rub, "Rinrin will!" Rinrin gave us a broad smile and a big nod before dashing off towards the center of the city.

"Are you ready," Aisha asked once Rinrin was off, "My Lord and My Lady?"

"Yeah," I nodded as well as Touka-chan, "let's go…"

When we stepped out onto the main road, there were already several men lined up and armed with weapons.

"That is the Messenger from Heaven and the Descendant of Imperial Royalty?" An unfamiliar citizen (Citizen D) questioned.

"They must be," an old villager (Villager B) stated, "Ryuu-Bi-chan is with no doubt. And the boy… Look at those heavenly clothes he is wearing. … …I hear they are called 'Poly-ester'…"

"Poly-ester… wow…"

I could tell that everyone was looking at me and Touka-chan once we left the tavern. … … …I'm… embarrassed… Even Touka was beginning to fidget under the unusual attention.

"My Lord and My Lady," Aisha spoke to us once she noticed our behaviors, "please straighten your backs. Present yourselves with dignity and smile at the people…"

"That is not easy," Touka sighed. Nevertheless, she began to do as Aisha suggested. I on the other hand was a little confused at Aisha's instructions, but I tried my best to act nobly.

"Oh…" Citizen D awed at our suddenly change in body language.

"Look at his splendid face and her radiant smile," Villager B awed as well, "Ah~, I'm so grateful…"

Then the people who were lined up raised their voices in a cheer.

"Hmm," I hummed to myself, amazed at what little I did could change the atmosphere in a second, "Are you sure about this?"

"What are you saying, My Lord?" Aisha huffed, though she didn't look completely upset, "This is fine. … …Right now you just need to think about protecting these people…"

"That's exactly what I just said earlier, isn't it?"

Touka-chan chuckled. "It is…"

"Yes," Aisha chuckled as well, "So you too, My Lord…"

"Okay," I nodded more confidently, "I'll do my best…"

Even if these people are trying to protect their own homes, they're still putting their faith in me and Touka-chan and risking their lives to do so. Is it strategy, or mere deception? Either way, it didn't matter now. At this point, we have to protect the people as well.

…I wondered how I got dragged into something like this, but at the same time, I felt like I had been given a great responsibility. That's why I decided to stop thinking about this world or the world I was in.

"I can't allow myself to betray their trust," I stated.

"That is right," Touka-chan nodded, "For the sake of the people, let us do our best…"

"I agreed," Aisha clenched her fists and looked at me and Touka-chan passionately.

Then, right when I was about to respond to them…

"Onii-chan!" a voiced called up. It was Rinrin as she and several swift-looking people came running towards us. "We found the Yellow Scarves! They are pitched camp in the prairie about one Li (a third of a mile) west from here!"

"How many of them are there?" Aisha got to the major point immediately.

"Just as the villagers said, about Four Thousands I think? But they are all carrying shoddy weapons…"

"I see…" Aisha nodded in approval before turning to the volunteer army, "People of the village and city! It is as you just heard! The enemy is vast in number, but they are merely a mob! With Heaven and Imperial will on our side, they are no matches for us! Now is the time to muster our courage and bring peace back to this area with our own hands! … …Now, My Lord and My Lady, may you give us a few words before we depart?"

"Eh?" I sounded.

"U-Us?" Touka-chan pointed nervously at herself and me.

Aisha nodded. "My Lady, if you could give us a few words, I am sure it would raise our morale. Even more so if My Lord would give some as well…"

"But…" Touka and I began.

We both felt lost at Aisha's words, but when we both glance to the side, we notice there were even more people waiting for our words than we had lined up before.

I personally felt so nervous my stomach hurt… But this isn't the time to worry about that and as I made eye contact with Touka-chan I knew she knew it as well. This happen because we consented, for me to let them praise me as the Messenger from Heaven and for Touka-chan for allowing her heritage to be revealed. We both have to take responsibility.

After we whispered among ourselves, Touka-chan and I finally step forward.

"… …Ahem," Touka cleared her voiced nervously.

"…Umm," I began, "We are about to head off to battle…"

"But… I just recently experienced my first battle, and it was frightening…"

"But if we fight for our friends, our loved ones…"

"If we fight to protect those we hold dear to ourselves…"

"Then there is no need to fear battle!"

"So…let us do our best!"

"Let's give it our all…"

"Survive…"

"And come back home to revive our city, our village, and our area together!" We finished off in unity.

Although we paused here and there, we chose our words and gave them all our speech. A moment later…

CHEER! ROAR!

The volunteer army and the people who would be staying behind cheered so loud that it shook the very marrow of my bones. The fiery impulse seething from the bottom of my heart brought my blood to a boil. Touka-chan seems to be feeling the same way as she gave me a determined smile and nod.

"Let us do this," Touka stated.

I nodded back. I'm still not completely sure about this. But it's too late to think about anything else now. I have to use everything I know from my world and protect these people.

"Oh!" Touka-chan shivered. Expectation, anxiety, fear, and tension all poured out at once causing her body to shake. I know that because I'm going through the same thing.

Aisha chuckled. "Shaking with excitement, are we?"

"Pathetic, isn't it?" I wondered.

"No, that is normal. Battle always comes with tension. Shaking with excitement is nothing to be ashamed of…"

"Thanks for saying that…"

"Anyway," Touka-chan wondered, "what happens now?"

"First, let us leave the city. Then, once Rinrin leads us to our target, we fight!"

"Rinrin's spear emits fire!" Rinrin chimed.

"And my Crescent Blade of the Green Dragon will purge the evil. My Lord and My Lady, please enjoy watching us fight from the rear lines…"

Touka-chan and I stared at each for a moment before we both smile and turn back to Aisha and Rinrin.

"No can do," we spoke in unison.

"You would not?" Rinrin tilted her head in confusion as Aisha blinked at our synchronized response.

"I won't," I repeated, "Aisha, Rinrin, and the people too; you've all armed yourselves to fight this battle, right?"

Aisha and Rinrin nodded in confusion.

"Then we shall fight too!" Touka declared and I nodded in agreement.

"Eh?" Aisha flinched in surprise, "But… …that is far too dangerous!"

"It is dangerous," I stated, "Frightening too. But, with the people believing that I'm the Messenger from Heaven, I can't allow myself to be the only one in the safe place…"

"It is the same with me," Touka-chan added, "I had planned to help bring peace to the land even if you two had not come by. Should I begin that journey now then I must help do it with my own hand and strength as I do it alongside everyone who had place their lives with me!"

"We may not be able to wield weapons as well as you all could, and I personally could never take a person's life, but at least let us join you on the front lines…"

"…That was…magnificent," Aisha finally commented.

"Huh?"

"I knew I made the right choice in accepting you two as My Lord and My Lady."

"Huh?" Touka wondered, "What do you mean?"

"Those words are proof that you two are heroes, Touka," Touka's mother, who had remained on the sidelines, suddenly spoke up, "People will follow you for conducts like that. However, there are few who can say that without hesitation. I am so proud of you Touka; you are finally living up to our family honor…"

"Thank you Mother…"

"It is as My Lady's Mother said," Aisha began again, "After hearing you two say those words, it proves you two are the Descendant of Imperial Royalty and the Messenger from Heaven I imagine you would be…"

"I'm glad to hear you say that," I smiled, "But I still don't really think I'm-…"

"Who cares about that?" Rinrin laughed at my hesitation and smiled, "Right now, it is more important for the four of us to take down those Yellow Scarves who made these villagers suffer! Come on, Onii-chan, Touka-chan, Aisha. Let us go!" With that, Rinrin animatedly swung her huge spear and took a firm step forward.

"Indeed," Touka's mother nodded, "You all should be careful now. Fight, make your ancestors proud, and come back safely. We shall be waiting with a feast for victorious return…"

"Okay," Touka-chan nodded enthusiastically before turning to the volunteer army and calling out in a very convincing authoritative voice, "People of Rou-Sou City and Village! Now we march to battle!"

"Yeah!" the volunteer army cheered in reply to their leader, Touka-chan's, declaration and began to follow her.

Aisha chuckled. "This clears anymore doubts I had for My Lady. Rinrin let us make haste as well!"

"Yeah!" Rinrin responded and the two hurry to catch up with Touka-chan.

As I watched them leave I turn to Touka's worried mother and gripped my wooden sword loudly, catching her attention. "I'm off, Madam. I shall watch your daughter's back so she can come back safely…"

"I will be counting on you," she laughed in relief.

"Here I go!" I whispered to myself and fix my determination before following after Touka-chan, Aisha and Rinrin.

Once we left the city, Rinrin led the way and we headed for the hill where the host of the Yellow Scarves who attacked the city had set up camp.

"Remain in pairs and let us win every time you face an enemy. If you follow my commands, then Heaven will surely smile upon us!" Aisha continues to encourage the volunteer army as we marched onward.

"Yeah!" Citizen A exclaimed.

"The will of Heaven is on our side! Fear not Death! Draw out your courage! Fight to protect your wives, your children, your friends, and comrades!"

"Yeah!" Citizen B cheered.

The volunteer army continued to respond to Aisha's battle advice and psyched themselves up.

"So this is a battle…" I wondered. Whenever I'm in a kendo match, I shout to maintain my focus, but this is nothing like that. Their lives depend on this battle. These soldiers are shouting to voice their desire to survive.

"This is… a huge responsibility…" I commented. The nervousness and pressure were bringing pain to my stomach. "I'm sure nobody wants to fight…"

But if this truly is the world of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, then we must fight against the Yellow Scarves in order to survive in this era.

The Yellow Scarves originally began as an armed uprising of civilians who could no longer stand the oppressive rule of the later Kan Dynasty, which was triggered by the spread of a new religion. The Imperial Guard was dispatched to suppress the rebellion, but over the years of peace, the Imperial Guard had lost the strength to stop their rampage. The Imperial Guard suffered defeat everywhere and, with each loss, the civilians grew more exalted and the ranks of the Yellow Scarves exploded.

But according to the story I know, this rebellion settled down once the leader of the religion which incited them passed away.

"I wonder if that will really happen…" I thought to myself.

Ryuu-Bi, Kan-U, Chou-Hi, and the Yellow Scarves Rebellion… although everything was here for the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I still can't figure out if this really is the world of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

"Besides… historically, Ryuu-Bi, Kan-U and Chou-Hi weren't girls… But… then what is this world? Is this one of those parallel worlds?"

That's when I heard Rinrin exclaimed, "There they are! Aisha, Touka-chan, Onii-chan! Get ready!"

The volunteer grew tense when they heard the sharpness in her tone.

"Everyone," Aisha shouted in command, "line up in formation! Unsheathe your swords, young ones! Draw your bows, old ones! Head for the enemy camp and charge!"

"Follow Rinrin!" Rinrin roared.

"All forces," Touka called, raising her swords towards the enemy camp, "Advance!"

Spear and sword in hand~ (Wow, Wow!)

Splendid and brilliant~! (Yo Ho!)

With a sense of righteousness we are Comrades~ (Wow, Wow!)

Go to the battlefield challenging all enemies~!

Our army of roughly Two Thousand strong charged at the camp containing roughly Four Thousand Yellow Scarves. The Yellow Scarves, caught completely off guard, tried to fight back but by the time they were organized enough to fight half of their ranks had already fallen.

Spear and sword in hand~ (Wow, Wow!)

Splendid and brilliant~! (Yo Ho!)

With a sense of righteousness we are Comrades~ (Wow, Wow!)

Go to the battlefield challenging all enemies~!

"One more push and the enemy shall fall!" Aisha roared as her Green Dragon Crescent Blade beheaded her surrounding enemies, "Everyone, muster up your strength! We can win this if we keep pressing forward!"

"Everyone!" Rinrin called over the cries of the battle as her Viper Spears mowed down the Yellow Scarves in her reach, "Hang in there! Just a little bit more!"

The volunteer army roared at their encouragement and charged towards the enemy's ranks. As they charged, the Yellow Scarves' front line began to break.

"Now is our chance! Everyone, charge!" Rinrin caught sight of the crack in their formation and commanded our attack, driving into their ranks like a drill. Her spear was several times longer than she was tall, but she swung it around heroically, blowing away the Yellow Scarves.

The soldiers around her were following Aisha's advice and attacking the enemy in pairs. In each pair, one man used quick, shadow attacks to break their enemies stance while the other delivered precise, fatal blows. Some might say this strategy looked like we were torturing them to death, but its effectiveness couldn't be denied.

Spear and sword in hand~ (WOW, WOW!)

Splendid and brilliant~! (YO HO!)

With a sense of righteousness we are Comrades~ (WOW, WOW!)

Go to the battlefield challenging all enemies~!

It was a hectic fight; Touka-chan and I had fought in it as well but had to pull back a bit as the battle became too intense for us. Now we watched as Aisha and Rinrin led the volunteer army.

To be honest… …It was hard for me to watch. No matter how much I thought of the Yellow Scarves as bandits or as villains, I still had no tolerance for watching people killing each other. But I told myself I couldn't look away, and burned our entire battle against the Yellow Scarves into my eyes.

Touka was in even more in pain than I was. Several times already I had seen her body reacting to look away only for her to force herself to look. It is amazing how closely alike we were in mind. We both can't resist helping people around us, we can't ignore suffering, and we are even alike in our sense of virtue. She and I had join this battle not because we wanted to, but as the leaders send forth this army, she must have felt it is her duty to see the event as it unfold, just like me. Although it is taking her even more since she was a little more innocent than I was.

"My Lord and My Lady," Aisha suddenly called as she came up to us. Even the great Kan-U is only human and she is in need of rest, though she kept her composure in line. "This battle has already been decided. Please fall back to the rear…"

"No…we cannot," Touka managed, "we are responsible for making these people kill each other…"

"Though we already realize that just watching is not enough to take responsibility," I added, "But if we can't even do that… …"

From time to time, I had to suppress the fierce urge to vomit, but I didn't take my eyes off the battle for an instant. Blood sprayed in arcs through the air, and the battlefield was filled with screams of anguish echoing all around. I force myself to take in this living hell, even as my knees shook.

"My Lord," Aisha wondered, noticing my pale expression, "was there no battles in Heaven?"

"No," I managed, "At least not around me. That's why none of this felt real until a few minutes ago, but now that I've witness this… Ha, look my knees are shaking. Pathetic, isn't it?"

"It is alright, Kazuto-kun," Touka comfort with a shaken voice, "I am the same as well…"

Every time I blink, a life is taken. Those people have lived for dozens of years, yet their lives scattered like blossoms in the wind. Every time I think about it, my body shakes and my nerves grow numb. I breathed heavily, hoping it will be enough to relieve myself.

"Kazuto-kun!" Touka supported me when she saw that.

"…My Lord," Aisha began concerned, "If it is too harsh for you, you need not watch…"

"Yes, I do… …I must watch this…" I told her as I force myself to straighten out. I can't make excuse and say I was dragged into this. My words, along with Touka-chan's, led to this battle, which led to the reality of lives being taken. "I can't just run like a coward…"

I bit my lip and continued to gaze upon the battlefield. That was when we finally heard a cheer from a corner of the battlefield.

"What happened?" Touka-chan wondered worryingly, fear the tide of the battle had suddenly switched.

"They are starting to run!" Citizen A reported.

"I see! Then now is the time!" Aisha raised her weapon high, then encouraged the volunteer army and charged, "Begin the pursuit! I am sure you are all tired, but we are almost there! Follow me!"

Spear and sword in hand~ (WOW, WOW!)

Splendid and brilliant~! (YO HO!)

With a sense of righteousness we are Comrades~ (WOW, WOW!)

Go to the battlefield challenging~ all~ enemies~!

The volunteer army raised their battle cry and followed after her, overwhelming the Yellow Scarves and reaping their lives like rice until none remained.

After that, the soldiers who exterminated the Yellow Scarves returned to the city in triumph. The citizen and villagers who stayed behind all welcomed them back with a smile and a feast ready for them. Both soldiers returning and the ones welcoming them were the same. As I looked at the smiles blooming on their faces, I finally felt like we won. I even saw Touka-chan happily reuniting with her mother a little ways off.

However, next to those smiles were villagers and citizens who shed tears in sorrow. They looked for the face of someone they knew amongst the returning soldiers and shed tears when they learn of the fate of those they loved. They were the families of those who died in battle.

"I…I brought all of this upon them…" I whispered sadly. I hadn't known what I was saying. I had only wanted to look good in front of Touka-chan and Aisha. This was the result I brought about.

"…? Onii-chan, what is wrong?" a voice spoke up. Rinrin, who during my sadden trance had snuck up to me, wondered.

"Huh? Oh…Rinrin…"

"You look so pale… Was it really that scary?"

"Yeah…It was very frightening," I replied before staring at Rinrin in wonder. She was obviously younger than I am yet she is stronger and calmer than I am. Doesn't she felt bad about what she had done in the battle, all those lives she had taken? "…It didn't bother you, Rinrin?"

"Not at all! Rinrin is strong enough not to lose to anyone!"

She's so childish, but I guess that's one of her good points. "… …Being strong means you can kill a lot of people, right? That doesn't bother you either?"

Rinrin tilted her head in thought for a moment before responding. "It does, but it does not."

"It does, but it does not?" I repeated in confusion.

"Yeah. The thought of killing innocent people bothers me… but the people Rinrin fought today were bad guys. They made weak people suffer. Rinrin want to protect everyone from people like that. That is why Rinrin decided to fight alongside Aisha. And that is why it does not bother me. It does, but it does not."

"I see…" I heaved a sigh of relief after listening to Rinrin before talking quietly to myself, "That's right. It's not like we're killing people because we want to…"

These girls share the same distress, but still they choose to fight to protect others. I sympathized with them.

"Grandpa always used to say that seeds fly through the air, never opposing the wind that carries them, until they finally land and take root." I must be one of those seeds right now. "Maybe I should…"

"Just let the wind carry you for now?" a voice popped up from behind.

"Whoa!" I jumped a bit and turn to see Touka-chan smiling at me, "Touka-chan, how long had you been there?"

"Only a while ago," Touka smiled, "But I believe the words of your Grandpa are right. You should not resist the flow of events. Let them carry you so that they will let you root yourself firmly in the ground later on."

"Rinrin does not quite understand what Touka-chan said," Rinrin puffed out her cheek, "but Rinrin thinks Touka-chan is right."

"Yeah… I guess so…" I nodded. I had my doubts and my question. But right now, I need to treasure the fact that I'm still alive.

"My Lord and My Lady," Aisha called.

"Hmm? What is it?" I wondered turning to her only to see her leading a group of citizen and villagers towards us.

"Well…you see… …" Aisha began, looking troubled.

"Nyah?" Rinrin sounded in surprise.

"What is everyone doing together?" Touka-chan wondered.

The people look among each other for a moment before Citizen A, B and C stepped forward.

"We have decided," Citizen A stated.

"What have you decided?" I wondered.

"Well," Citizen B spoke up, "we want you and Lady Ryuu-Bi to be our Chief Magistrates!"

I blinked in confusion before I turn to Touka-chan, who was hiding her hanging jaw with her hands. "… …What's a Chief Magistrate?"

"…Uh," Touka-chan nervously began, "the Chief Magistrate is the District's governor… is one way to describe it. Normally, the Imperial Court appoints someone to the position in order to collect taxes and maintain an army to control uprisings…"

"Our Magistrate ran away in the chaos caused by the raid of Yellow Turbans," Citizen C informed, "He abandoned us…"

"Mm~!" Rinrin puffed her cheek in anger, "How dare he do that!"

"That is horrible!" Touka frowned.

"Right?" Citizen A nodded in agreement, "That is why we will not trust the Imperial Court anymore. We are going to protect this city and village with our own hands!"

"But," Citizen B frowned, "we do not think we can govern a city on our own…"

"So we want the Messenger from Heaven and the Descendant of Imperial Royalty to govern our city," Citizen C proclaimed.

"What? Us?" I pointed to myself and Touka-chan.

"Yeah!" Citizen A nodded, "We shall follow you two until the very end!"

"Yeah!" Citizen B joined in, "We all will!"

"Well…" I began, "but…"

Touka-chan and I didn't know how we should answer them… So we peeked over to Aisha. But all Aisha did was nodded at us.

"Why are you nodding?" Touka-chan wondered for me.

"Touka-chan, Onii-chan," Rinrin laughed, "Do not be so modest. Just accept it…"

"You agree with them, Rinrin?" I gasped at her statement.

Rinrin nodded. "If there is no magistrate, then there is no army to protect the city and the village either. If we leave them alone, the Yellow Scarves might attack them again…"

"It is as Rinrin says," Aisha added, "Also, we cannot ignore the people who are willing to support us, can we?"

"But…" Touka began before silencing. Obviously she had nothing to counter it.

"Are you sure you want us to do it?" I wondered to the people.

"It must be you!" Citizen A nodded, "It must be you, Lady Ryuu-Bi, Lady Kan-U, and Lady Chou-Hi!"

"That is right," Villager A, who was among the groups in the back, called, "You fought with us, and that is why we want you to govern this city and village!"

"Please!" Citizen C and many others exclaimed, "Lead us!"

Touka-chan and I stared at each other for a moment before we sighed and smile.

"…Alright," I turned back to the waiting crowd, "We don't know how good we'll be, but we shall accept the position of Chief Magistrate…"

"It will be…a huge pleasure," Touka-chan added with a wide and gentle smile.

And so, with the resolution to take that first step, I gave the crowd our answer and I chose to take root in this land.

"Oh~!" Citizen A as well as many others cheered, "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Yeah," Villager B exclaimed somewhere within the crowd, "Let us work hard and rebuild our home district! Let us make this the best city and village in the land!"

"That is right!" Citizen C exclaimed, "This will be a safe city, a peaceful village, and a wonderful district where everyone can live happily! Let us turn it into a Grand Province!"

As I watched the people surround us expressing their joy I thought, "…No more regrets. So long as I'm in this world, I will be the Messenger from Heaven alongside Touka-chan, the Descendant of Imperial Royalty, for the sake of those who believe in me…

I decided to learn off this world and live in it.

True to their words, the city celebrated for their victory, for their fallen loved ones, and for their new beginning. The celebration lasted well into the night and close to the next morning. Every citizens and villagers had party as if there was no tomorrow. To describe it all would take a full half day.

Rinrin ate so much that five cooks passed out in exhaustion before she was full. It was amazing since it was not five minutes later that her full belly fell flat again and she began asking for more!

Aisha hadn't participated directly in any of the events that had been roughly set up. Rather she would usually fill in as the events' judge and had kept people from overdoing things. Typical… a warrior presence to the end. Well, I suppose the good thing about it is that the celebration had remained Rated E through and through thanks to her.

Touka-chan was not as strict as Aisha, and thank god not as happy-go-lucky as Rinrin. Instead she ended up playing with the children, keeping them company as their parents dance away. It was indeed a sight to see; a single kind girl smiling joyfully in the midst of a crowd of children. I almost envy those kids.

Oh? What was I doing? I had walked around, checking out the product that was being served on the celebration. I had also talked to as many people as I possibly could, trying to imprint as many as I could into my memory. If I am going to be one of the Chief Magistrate of all these people at the very least I had to know as many people as I can. Yep, I was doing business as I was having fun.

Anyway, I had retired earlier than anyone else and the sun had barely risen when someone shook me awake. Normally I would have been very piss when that happen, but when I saw the radiant smile and the gentle emerald-color eyes of my newly made friend, my foul mood and exhaustion disappeared.

"Morning Kazuto-kun," Touka-chan greeted.

"Morning Touka-chan," I smiled back, holding my yawn back, "is there a reason you woke me up so early in the morning?"

"There is," Touka-chan nodded and I could see the seriousness in her eyes, "Today is the day when we officially become the Chief Magistrates of Rou-Sou City of the Yuu-Shu Province…"

"Yeah, I remember. What about it?"

"From this day onward, if we ever need to leave the castle it means we will be escort…"

"That's logical; you never know if there will be trouble on just a simple walk. So?"

"… … …There is a place I want to show you; a special place; I want to show you, Aisha and Rinrin…"

"… …Oh~!" I nodded, understanding, "Okay, I got it. Go get the other two then, Touka-chan, I'll get dress and meet you downstairs-…"

"No, get dress and meet me at the north entrance of the city, okay?"

"Uh, sure?"

Touka-chan smiled and nodded in approval before turning around and left the room in a hurry.

A few minutes later, I found myself walking along a dirt path with Aisha and Rinrin following the energetic Touka-chan as she led the way. Since we had left the safety of the city, all of us brought our weapon for protection.

"Where are we going Touka-chan~?" Rinrin wondered with a whiny voice for the fifth time.

"Rinrin," Aisha lectured, "please stop bothering Our Lady with your annoying nick-picking…"

"But Rinrin had not eaten breakfast yet~!"

"You had two pots of stew, thirty meat buns, and five hundred dumplings just two hours ago…!"

"It is a snack…"

"A snack!?" I sweat dropped.

Touka-chan giggled. "Do not worry, Rinrin-chan! When we get there, mother must have already prepared some cuisine for us…"

"Where is this place you speak of, My Lady?" Aisha asked.

"Now look who is nick-picking…" Rinrin huffed comically.

"…! Rinrin, curse thou!"

"Hey, don't fight!" I got in between them, "Let's just follow Touka-chan…"

"… …As you wish, My Lord…"

"Fine~!" Rinrin booed.

We continued on and diverge onto a mountain pass. As soon as we cleared the pass…what a sight that awaits us!

Peach Blossom Trees! As far as the eye could see! Several fallen petals flutter gracefully as the wind carried them off while other blankets the grass cover ground. And just ahead of us, surrounded by cloth walls to keep the petals from entering, was a table full of food with Touka's mother waiting patiently for us.

"WOW~~~!" Rinrin exclaimed in amazement and surprise.

"Amazing," Aisha gasped at the new surroundings.

"I never seen so many Peach Blossom Trees before," I added.

"Everyone," Touka-chan turned to us with a bright smile, "welcome to the Ryuu Family's Secret Paradise!"

"This place is amazing!" Rinrin managed between swallows as she ate.

"It certainly is," Touka-chan giggled.

"Our ancestor Ryuu-Shou found this place," Touka's mother explained, "since then, in order to avoid contamination of bandits and evil doers, the Ryuu Family had kept it a secret…"

"Then is it really alright for us to be here?" Aisha asked worryingly.

"Do not worry, Kan-U, you three are exception to that. We trust that you will not speak a word of this place to anyone else, right?"

"I shall take this secret to my death!"

"Rinrin will not tell anyone!" Rinrin cheered.

"Eating breakfast under the blooming Peach Blossom Trees early in the morning?" I listed, leaning on my wooden swords as I sat on one of the chairs, "Yeah, I think I'll be selfish for once and keep this moment for myself."

"Good," Touka-chan's mother smile in approval as she began to pour some wine into our cups, "please enjoy then…"

"Okay, Mother," Touka-chan smiled as she picked up her tea cup and held high in the air, "To a brighter future!"

"A brighter future!" Aisha and Rinrin cheered in the same manner as they too raise their cups high into the air.

"To a-," I began as I picked up my cup but stop as I simply look at my cup and began to laugh to myself.

"…? Onii-chan?" Rinrin wondered.

"Is there something you find amusing, My Lord?" Aisha wondered.

"No, sorry about that…" I apologized, "I was just suddenly reminded of a particular story…"

"Story?" Touka-chan tilted her head in confusion, "What is the story about?"

"Well, it was about three people who were not related in blood or social ranks, but they care for each other as if they were their own flesh and blood. One day, the eldest of them thought since they see each other like an actual family, they might as well make it official. So the person met up with them one day bringing along three cups and a wine bottle. He told them that when people share the same wine from the same bottle at the same time, they will be bounded together like siblings. It was a simple ritual but it sure had a lot of meaning in it…"

"Oh~!" Touka-chan awed.

"I had never heard of such a story or ritual," Aisha commented, "but I have heard of similar rituals or oaths of siblinghood…"

"Hey," Rinrin suddenly sounded, "Why don't we do that too?"

"… … …HUH?" Touka-chan, Aisha, and I exclaimed.

"What?"

"Rinrin!" Aisha exclaimed, blushing like crazy, "We can't do that with Our Lord and Our Lady!"

"Why not? Onii-chan's story had three people of different social status become siblings, why not us too?"

"…Yes, why not?" Touka-chan's mother hummed in thought, causing us to look at her in surprise, "I would not mind if it is you Kan-U, Kazuto, and Chou-Hi who swore siblinghood with my daughter…"

"…Actually," Touka-chan hummed in thought for a moment before smiling, "I like the idea as well. I had always wanted a brother and sisters…"

"But…" Aisha began, only to be cut short by Rinrin tearing eyes.

"Eh~?" Rinrin began, "Does that mean we cannot?"

"Uh," Aisha hesitated, "… … …I did not say… we could not…"

"Yeah!" Rinrin and Touka-chan cheered in joy.

"W-Wait a minute! I did not say yes either-!"

"Rinrin can have a family again!" Rinrin proclaimed, stopping Aisha in her tracks, "Nyah? Did you say something, Aisha?"

"… … …No, nothing at all," Aisha huffed a smile before turning to me, "And what about you, My Lord?"

"Yeah, Onii-chan! Swear an oath of siblinghood with us! Will you?"

I looked at these girls in front of me. Ryuu-Bi, Kan-U, and Chou-Hi; they were different people with the same goal which eventually led to them to swore brotherhood in the story. Although they are girls now in this world…

"Heh, Rinrin," I laughed as I got up, "You're already calling me 'Onii-chan', what would be the point of not swearing an oath of siblinghood with you all?"

…to be able to swear the same oath with these people is a once in a lifetime chance; I wasn't about to let it pass.

"Nyah-ha!" Rinrin laughed as she once again raised her cup high into the air, "Alright! Rinrin is going to get a brother too!"

Aisha and Touka-chan smiled as they raised their cups high in the air as well. And I follow in suit.

A few minutes later, there I was standing next to the three female warriors in the making. As Touka-chan's mother stands proudly off to the side, we raised our weapons high over our heads, having them cross each other.