July 29 2024

The Foreigner from a Distant world

The Fleet Arrives

Two hours before sunrise

Hachiman peers at the bundle of white surrounded by pillows beside his futon. His eyes are puffy and red - it is quite apparent that he is lacking adequate rest. He reaches out and tenderly holds it to his chest with careful and gentle movements before a white fluffy tail pops out. Disturbed by suddenly being lifted from her little bed on the floor, Fuyumi moves her head and instinctively rubs her eyes and slightly opens them. With her superior yet still underdeveloped Kitsune eyes, she recognizes her father despite the darkness in the room as well as his familiar scent which brings the feeling of safety and comfort. He sees her looking up at him and he smiles.

"Good morning my little angel~. Daddy is soooooo sorry for waking you up but we have to go somewhere, okay?" Hachiman says and leans down to rub the tip of his nose against her smaller one.

Fuyumi yawns and grumbles in response which earns a chuckle from Hachiman and he kisses her as an apology. After getting his things ready and bringing Shiki and a small bag with him, he steps out of his home in the Tenryou Commission and is met by the cold early morning air.

"Finally you're here." Ritsu and Enri say at the same time when they see him. Both are in full armour and their electro and pyro visions shine in the dim light. Hachiman on the other hand is dressed quite simply, one could assume him being a peasant of the lowest rank in Inazuman society. Once they reach the courtyard they are joined by another fifteen bodyguards. Despite being a "new" Noble, living here for more than three years and being transported to this world in a nation similar to his motherland, and similar to the Edo period, there are still customs and societal rules that are difficult for him to follow. As you would expect of someone from the modern era.

In particular, being forced to act and speak per someone from his station.

And of course, that makes little Fuyumi nobility as well. Because she is always seen on the Tenryou Commission grounds, many who work there already call her the "Little Lady of the Tenryou Commission" and they always dot on her, most especially little Ako, the sole daughter and youngest child of Kujo Horimoto. However, Hachiman is still reluctant to give her his family name despite being her parent and guardian for almost three years. And because of the nature of his profession and the constant danger he is in, he has taken extensive measures to ensure her future in the event of his death: Fuyumi will be adopted by the Suvorov family because Touka is already her mother in all but blood, and may or may not take their name depending on whether Hachiman had given her his surname before his death. The Kujo Clan will ensure her safety and well-being and will manage and hold his properties until she becomes old enough to inherit all the things Hachiman left for her. Yae Miko, Arataki Daitarou, Yamazaki Enri and Ritsu, and Kujo Ken and Ren have also promised to look after her.

The news of the attempt on his life had reached Her Excellency and the upper echelons of the Tri-Commission. Commissioner Horimoto was furious and promised to bring to justice all who were involved in the plot targeting the young man whom he views as his son while the Kanjou and Yashiro Commissions also pledged their support. Her Excellency had remained stoic and unmoved at the news but reprimanded his guard including Yamazaki Enri and Ritsu.

The trio make way down the hallway to the path that leads them out of the Tenshukaku and into the streets of Tenryou. The city's inhabitants are slowly waking up to go about and start their daily duties - farmers, fisherfolk, smiths, hunters, artisans, miners, sailors, travelers and merchants of all kinds can easily be identified by their appearance. The workers and owners in the establishments along the street where Hachiman regularly frequents smile and bow respectfully at the young Lord when they recognize him. He in return smiles and wishes them well as he walks by.

They finally arrive at the school and orphanage which he financed and purchased with the clans that support and allied with him. The land is fairly spacious and the newly furbished three-storey tall building is where his other "children" live, although he can barely visit them because of work and most of all, the planning for the military operation unlike when he was still a simple aide. Not far from it is the school itself and he can see Hidekuro Eirin and the other volunteers and workers herding the little ones into several lines. He hears a high-pitched voice from somewhere in the crowd. Several dozen little heads all turn in his direction at the same time and then they start cheering excitedly for him. Hachiman waves at them as his company draws closer and soon he is swarmed by them like chicks seeking food from a hen.

Today he is not the Vice-Commissioner of the Tenryou Commission, a reserve officer in the Shogunate Military Academy, a special nin of the Shuumatsuban Corps, nor an onmyoudou mage personally trained by Nagamasa Harunosuke of the Yogou three, not even as one of the chief planners and strategists of the major upcoming military operation.

Today he is the director of the school and orphanage here to spend time with his children. A picnic by the beach - a rather large one to accommodate several dozen children, the workers and volunteers, as well as the guests he invited. Among them were the clans who have allied themselves with the young Lord, mostly those who are indebted to him in the aftermath of the sinking of the ship which carried high-ranking government officials, the crew from the Asimov are also here with Lord Rihavein and his daughter Duchess La Folia. He had also gained a few friends from more prominent clans during his time training and on active duty in the military whom he forged bonds of camaraderie and brotherhood.

Unsurprisingly he has many enemies envious of his position and his sharp rise to prominence which they blame on Kujo Horimoto for favouring a low-born nobody with an unknown tackground. Hachiman never expected to play a part in the complicated web that is Inazuman politics but he has allies who give him sound advice.

Despite everything, even after the attempt on his life and the numerous rumours that stain his name, he remains cool-headed, calm, committed and continues to serve the shogunate to the best of his ability.

Fuyumi curiously stares at the stranger holding her. Her wide eyes study the woman's face, taking in the details but mainly focusing on her long white hair and her chubby little legs dangling over the stranger's thighs. She is the kind of baby who does not mind being carried or held by strangers as long as someone she knows is nearby, and right now, she feels very comfortable inside her home. Fuyumi wonders if this woman is Yuria since they look similar to her eyes but she also realizes that the young lady's scent is different. Yuria has the scent of scented flowers native to Inazuma but this woman has the aroma and perfume from a distant foreign land. This causes Fuyumi to be confused as she coos and makes baby noises in response, not to mention sneezing from the perfume.

"Aaaaahhh… Acheee!"

Princess La Folia Rihavein, or Duchess, as is her official title, stares at the baby with a small amused smile when she tries reaching for her face. She places her on her lap, her left hand holding her in place as she gently rubs Fuyumi's ears and tail. The Duchess smiles when she sees Fuyumi close her eyes and rub her little body against her hand. She hears footsteps coming and turns to her left to see Hachiman with a tray of hot tea in his hands. She notes that he is wearing formally as one would expgoest from a man of his station.

"Duchess Rihavein, thank you for waiting. Here is our tea." Though not an expert in tea ceremony, he does his best as the Duchess and Fuyumi watch him with interest with his baby making squeaky noises when she makes eye contact with him. The Duchess softly pulls back the baby's hand when she tried grabbing one of the cups. His open-air balcony is the perfect place to engage in such activities with the wind on their faces and the sunlight above them. The Duchess from Snezhnaya places Fuyumi on the floor and watches the baby crawl and roll around where the sunlight kisses her cheeks.

"How adorable." She giggles at the sight when Fuyumi starts teething on her fist while gazing at the two adults.

"It has been a long while since she has felt the sun. The winter was unnaturally long."

"If you truly want to experience long winters, then you should come to Snezhnaya, Lord Hikigaya. The Fortress City of Vaastgorod is welcome to you." The Duchess pauses to elegantly pick up the cup and take a small sip from it. Even the simplest of acts are done with such eloquence and perfection. "It tastes exquisite. Thank you for inviting me here in your home."

Hachiman bows, "I only hope that it satisfies you."

"Oh, and thank you for letting your baby keep me company. She is a precious little thing isn't she?" The Duchess smiles at Fuyumi who in return flashes her a wide grin showing her tiny teeth only starting to poke from her pink gums.

"Yes, she is. She is my pride and joy."

For the past few days, Hachiman has been teaching her their customs and traditions since her presence indicates a diplomatic visit, notwithstanding that the Lord of Admirals is on his way to Inazuma. And because they already knew each other, the Tri-Commission delegated him with that task. The Duchess was immensely fascinated by their food, clothing, literature, architecture, the Yōkai and the similarities in the writing between Inazuma and Liyue. In his world, Japanese writing was heavily influenced and borrowed from the Chinese.

"Your yukata suits you very well, Duchess." A polite smile appears on his lips when he says this. The white fabric of the yukata is slim fitting and is adorned with the symbol of her House. She wore traditional Inazuman makeup and fashion as she requested and her appearance is not dissimilar from the highborn ladies of the land. He can already imagine the envious stares and attention she can gather to herself not to mention the long lines of men desiring to get to know her.

"Lord Hikigaya, may I ask you something private?" The Duchess asks in a soft tone and he nods obediently.

"Where is her mother?" She gestures to Fuyumi sitting on her lap who has now taken an interest in her long silky white hair - sniffing and rubbing her little nose against it. "No one has mentioned it so far, not even you."

Hachiman nods understandingly, "I adopted Fuyumi. Her parents are…nowhere to be found."

The Duchess's eyes widen with surprise and she looks down at the little one, "I see. I thought that her mother was that pink-haired servant of Her Excellency."

"You are not the first one to make that assumption." He laughs to ease any awkwardness the Duchess might be feeling. So many people speculated on it that it became the talk of Inazuma City nearly three years ago. "No, Yae and I are friends, nothing more."

"How did you come across her? Did she appear on your doorstep on a basket?" The Duchess asks inquisitively.

"I saw her at the orphanage when she was still barely a month old after she was brought in with refugees. That time, I was still a humble aide to Commissioner Horimoto. I took care of her for a little while and gave her back when I had to conduct the mandatory military service for men. And when I came back I officially took her in as my own. Though she still has not received my family name." He says as the Duchess nods and leans forward with interest and smiles.

"You are a kind soul, Lord Hikigaya. She is lucky to have someone like you. How old is she again?" The Duchess looks down on the baby and rubs her hair in a motherly fashion. Fuyumi makes small cooing sounds in response and earns a fond smile from the Duchess.

Hachiman smiles sheepishly, "She is turning three in a few months."

The Duchess pauses to look up at him and then back down on Fuyumi with a confused expression on her beautiful face. "What? Fuyumi can barely sit up and balance herself, much less walk like a three year old… And I can still feel soft areas on her skull." Fuyumi's ears perk up when her name is called and she raises her head to the snow-haired Snezhnayan Dutchess. She crawls back to her and gets comfortable on her lap.

"We are not sure either - even the kitsune don't age this slowly. But other than that she is a healthy baby girl." Hachiman says in a tone as if reassuring himself while gazing down at Fuyumi with gentle eyes. Thinking it insensitive and rude to press the topic further, the Duchess opts to talk about something else entirely.

"How goes the planning for the military operation?"

"Still in progress. Inazuman and Snezhnayan military and combat doctrine are vastly different and it will take time for us to fully coordinate and finalize. Your armies are far more technologically superior and advanced than ours. I mobilized 150 000 men for this. We are scrapping the barrel for this mobilization. I also submitted a new decree to Her Excellency to have the women, teenagers and children replace the men who don't have essential jobs in the workforce so the latter can be mobilized as well."

"How long?" The Duchess nods while listening intently and taking in the information. During the Great Disaster, her motherland also did the same, but unlike Inazuma, they had superior technology, industrial might and capacity, a larger population to call upon and more experienced reservists, and most of all, their towering fortress-cities with thick walls held the line. In the seas, their navy and civilian vessels avoided severe losses and escaped to the northern frozen bastions where they were rapidly retrofitted and heavily armed before rejoining the fray. On the other hand to the south, the Fontainian Armada which was the pride of the nation and the finest of all of Teyvat was utterly annihilated in a confrontation with a gigantic sea monster. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that the Snezhnayans were too late to come to the defense of their neighbour because of unfair winds and rough waves, for if they had, they would have undoubtedly met their demise and joined the Fontainian Armada at the bottom of the sea.

He pauses to take a moment to think. "Around six more months after I extended the training and preparations. Perhaps more - we are still waiting for the Lord of Admirals Suvorov and the Snezhnayan expeditionary force, as well as volunteers from the other nations. And I am still contemplating on adding another." Hachiman replies.

"Hm, that sounds reasonable. I have heard from several officers that you are a meticulous planner and strategist. During the battles for Byakko, you were quite cautious, conducted many tactical victories and displayed impressive situational awareness and maneuvering on the terrain." The Dutchess says with knowing eyes.

Hachiman's eyes go wide. "Well yes but-?"

La Folia Rihavein shrugs and cuts him off while brushing Fuyumi's white hair, "I just asked around. It's not sensitive information, is it?"

"No, I guess not." His body releases the tensionis was holding.

"It is only natural and expected of me to do some research and background check on one of the men responsible for the military operation, no?" There was a tone in her voice that made him put his guard up. She was testing him to find out how his mind works, his personality and mannerisms as well as what kind of person he is in general.

Hachiman shakes his head, "I see, I understand."

"Still, the records speak for themselves. You seem competent enough though lacking experience in many areas. For both our sakes, I pray that you will listen to the wisdom from those at your side and do well when the time comes." After he bows at her, she expertly steers the conversation to more lighthearted matters. The Dutchess reveals to him that after being conscripted she is currently undergoing training as a field surgeon under the guidance of Dr. Semyon Petrikov who also happens to be a professor at one of if not the most prestigious medical school in Teyvat at Nikolai Pirogov University in the city of Vinghansk, Snezhnaya situated near the borders of both Monstadt and Fontaine. She had spent five years studying there in the colourful city before being brought by her father on foreign expeditions aboard the Asimov one year ago.

"An admirable and honorable profession, Dutchess. Had I not been chosen to be an officer, I would have pursued that same path." Hachiman says to her with newfound respect. He asks her about the other nations and what they are like, as well as a wide array of topics until the sun hangs low on the horizon casting a red hue on the balcony. Fuyumi has fallen asleep on his thigh, her white fluffy Kitsune ears and tail sometimes twitch involuntarily while she suckles on her thumb.

The Duchess reaches out and brushes Fuyumi's smooth silky white hair just like her own one last time before she thanks Hachiman for his company and hospitality and then leaves for the night - leaving him alone except for the fading scent of the Snezhnayan DuJ chess in the air. He gently places Fuyumi on his futon while he reads reports beside her under a ball of light he created. The night is peaceful and solemn and his jaw numb and his throat parched from speaking with the Dutchess for many an hour.

Some time later, Ritsu and Enri arrive and bring news - Hachiman is being summoned to the war council. He dressed himself and uses flash step and quickly appears in front of the Tenshukaku and startling the guards in the process. He ignores them and walks to the war council room. The thick heavy wooden doors creak loudly as they respond to the presence of the onmyoudou mage.

Inside, he sees the other Lords of the council, their faces dark and grim. It appears that they have also come here in a hurry given the state of their hair and yukata and haori. Lord Rihavein is also present - his eyes bloodshot and he is without his usual black coat over his shoulders. Hachiman also sees a handful of unfamiliar people. Of all the Lords, Hachiman is the youngest and not of natural highborn blood, only recently joining their ranks after his talents were recognized and he was recommended to the position by the Kujo Clan and its vassals.

On the far side of the table, sealed on a high and decorated throne is the Electro Archon. The room was filled with the regalia and coat of arms of Inazuma as bright fires on pedestals provided illumination on each side of the stairs leading up to her throne. Her indifferent purple eyes study him and she gives the Lords a subtle nod, a wordless command for them to sit. Hachiman sits beside the Kujo heir and gives him a small smile of acknowledgement.

Another nod from the Electro Archon, an indication for them to start.

Hachiman soon discovers that the corrupted monstrous entities in Yashiori Island have become active recently. Like an immune system response, the Sacred Sakura on top of Mt Yougou in turn sent its power to its extensions to the far away island to counter the spread of the encroaching abyss. Lady Guuji sensed something was amiss and sent a shrine maiden and onmyouji to investigate.

"There is an otherworldly an unnatural cloud over the land", said a shogunate soldier stationed as a garrison from the island itself. "And on the ground there is a dense gloomy fog that casts illusions and terrors and fills one with dread and despair to any who enter it. Both occur just before and attack by monsters. The darkness spreads each day and we have suffered heavy casualties because of it. It started a month ago I wager at the western regions on the fringe of the island. We did not think of them that much at first but then overtime some of the mages and Yokai started to sense something odd and abnormal in the leylines. A vision user became unconscious when they got too close to them and did not wake up until two days later,"

Hachiman narrows his eyes - he has never heard of such a thing even during the intense battles of Kannazuka. He keeps his thoughts to himself while the other Lords throw the witnesses with question after question. Only he and the Electro Archon have remained quiet.

The war council immediately orders reinforcements to be sent to the island and to relieve the garrison as well as a special team to further investigate the strange phenomenon. They continue to ask and interrogate the witnesses trying to bring some sense into what they are hearing. Most of them are filled with a cloud of doubt in their hearts but a few listen intently and lean forward across the table with furrowed brows.

"I would like to volunteer."

His statement is met with silence.

As one of the Lords of the war council, sending one of their own to gather information is a logical course of action for them to better plan and act accordingly. And he has the authority and power to move independently with the blessing of the Electro Archon. He had already helped in the streamlining of military equipment production, taking the raw resource extraction areas from all over the shogunate and centralizing them into a single beating heart to support the war effort. Hachiman also frequents the numerous staging areas where tens of thousands have began their training. Aside from that, he has also regulated the hasty expansion and improvement of a new port to receive the Snezhnayan 17th Fleet and also the Air Flot where the airships will be docked until the start of the operation. Among all the Lords, he is the most active and can be difficult to pinpoint his exact whereabouts due to how quickly he travels between places. When he is not physically present during important meetings, he makes his presence known through an experimental long-distance form of onmyoudou arts in the shape of a black and neon green butterfly.

Secretly, several of the other Lords are hoping for him to go and possibly be slain so they can replace him with their sons or someone allied to them. Their greedy desire for more power leaves not a single thought to spare for a lowborn. None of the other Lords of the war council raised their voices in protest - in truth, they have somewhat expected him to step forward given he is the most active of them.

Hachiman's eyes meet the Her Excellency's gaze.

And he is given a nod of approval.

The arrival of the 17th Snezhnayan Fleet and the Air Flot was greeted at Inazuma City by an ocean of people from all over the shogunate and walks of life. It was as if every man, woman and child from the tens of thousands of islands that make up the nation had flocked to Inazuma City to get a glimpse of the foreign ships and airships dock, cheering and yelling for the foreigners from a distant land. Unlike Inazuman ships, Snezhnayan ships were made of iron and steel and pumped out smoke as they went and their hulls were a silvery-blue in colour. Their naval guns dwarfed any Inazuma has to offer and the flags of each ship flew high and proud above each vessel.

The flagship of the fleet - a large ship of metal christened as "Revilets" was the first to dock. More than a hundred sailors waved back at the crowd welcoming them.

"Gorgeous, isn't she? Looks battle-hardened too." Kujo Ken, General of the northern army comments beside Hachiman. They are part of a select few govemment officials to welcome their new allies and with them are representatives of the Tri-Commission, the amy and navy as well as the diplomatic corps and Lord Rihavein and Duchess La Folia. Suvorova Touka, wife of of the Lord of Admirals Alexander Suvorov, is to his left dressed beautifully in traditional Inazuman attire and makeup with a wide excited smile eager to see her husband again and behind her are their many children. She was also the one who picked his clothes and fixed his hair and made sure he was a nice and handsome young man, like his own mother would done if she were here. "You look so handsome Hachiman-kun." She says to him with a warm motherly smile.

"Thank you." He replies gratefully.

If his parents were to see him right now, they would be so proud of him.

Her Excellency is at the front of the group with Yae Miko at her side. The Kitsune turns her head towards him and winks before whispering something to Her Excellency's ear.

"How many ships did they bring?" The Kujo heir asks him with his eyes trying to count the vessels in the bay and those in the distance pumping out smoke with their trademark silvery blue hulls.

"Sixty ships…" Hachiman replies and looks up to the airships above the city. The shadow of the biggest one covers the crowd with its four long wings, like a predator studying its prey before going in for the kill to deal the killing blow. Hachiman could not help but feel intimidated and perhaps a little scared. The rumbles of airship's engines can even be heard at this distance from the ground.

"...and fifteen airships. Gods, look at that one, it's massive . She looks like as big as the Tenshukaku Castle itself." He adds and gazes back to the ship of iron and steel noting the vast difference between the two nations. Inazuman ships with their sails might be bigger and taller, but these foreign vessels were faster, heavier in terms of mass and their firepower orders of magnitude more powerful. A single volley from the ship's two main guns with the two barrels each is more than enough to permanently disable and destroy any Inazuman ship. Hachiman may not be well-versed in naval history, but he makes a rough guess that these ships from a far away land are equivalent to the ships fielded and built by the world powers in the closing years of the 19th century back in Earth when the French and her overseas colonies and Russians were competing with the British.

He winces as a thought comes to him.

"So this is how it feels to be technologically inferior…" Hachiman thinks to himself, remembering that point in Japan's history when they were forced to open its borders by foreigners from across the sea. "I can somewhat understand how they must have felt back then."

"Say, where's the little one?" Kujo Ken whispers to him. The eldest son may not see Fuyumi often but he adores her very much.

"She's playing with Ako accompanied by your servants Sen and Shizu."

"You think that chubby little ball of cuteness of yours is from Snezhnaya? With her white hair and all. Just look at the sailors, most of them have varying ranges of white, grey and silver hair." Ken shares a little laugh with Hachiman but they go quiet when Mitozawa Hanzaki, the over all commander of the military operation, glances at their direction.

Hachiman hears a gasp from Touka just when he sees a tall distinguished figure start to walk down from the platform laid by the ship followed by a few others. A straight path was laid for the crew to walk on flanked by Inazuman samurai and Snezhnayan soldiers clad in power armour from the Asimov which leads straight to their group as crowds of people cheered oh each sides throwing flowers as they pass. Her Excellency steps forward, and they all follow her lead.

The man was tall and handsome and seemed to be at the prime of his life, his stride proud and confident and he carried himself with strength despite his left arm being in a sling. Hachiman can clearly see where Yuria and her siblings got their eyes, facial shape and silver hair from. He had a stern yet kindly expression and laugh lines were visible on both sides of his cheeks and he was dressed as one would expect from a man of his calibre. On the left side of his chest were so many medals and awards that glinted and shined from the sunlight. Behind him were three young men who share his features that must be his sons, the oldest of them carries a long metal pole which holds the flag of the fleet.

"Hail, Lord of Admirals Alexander Suvorov, Hero of Snezhnaya, honoured Prince of Fontaine and Count of Monstadt, Conqueror of the Frozen Pass and Steward of the Northern Seas." The voice of the Raiden Shogun cuts through the voices from the crowd and comes out clear to those around listening.

The Lord of Admirals bows low and then straightens up. His eyes were a lighter shade of purple compared to the Electro Archon's yet his gaze was not any less piercing and striking.

"Your Excellency, we have arrived. Her Majesty the Tzaritza sends her regards." He says in a formal and cordial tone and unsheaths the legendary shpaga Vernost with his one good hand, said to be forged by ice so hot it melts metal in the heart of a volcano or from the bones of a dead God beyond the planes of dominion of the Seven - whichever rumour one chooses to believe in. The rapier is long and heavily decorated with precious stones and gems and it must be at least worth a dozen horse-drawn carts filled with sacks of mora and many an eye are drawn to its beauty and craftsmanship.

The Lord of Admirals presents the rapier to Her Excellency the Raiden Shogun.

"And we have brought the full might of the 17th Fleet to bears down upon our foes."

I have returned