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Iskah and Vanessa traveled with Rie towards the Ortusian capital, riding on the driver bench of the Danuki's wagon to save the Dark Mage's energy. They had one more town to pass through before reaching their destination: The town of Pagras.
Pagras was a lot like the previous town of Sinjid, full of humans with no monster in sight save for the arriving trio. The midday sun was high up in the sky when the three monsters rode into the town. Much like in Sinjid, they were met with strange, suspicious looks from the local Ortusians. There was also an increased presence of the Ortusian military here, evidenced by a small unit of them passing by the monsters. Uniformed in cuirass and open sallet helmets, they marched in formation with their signature weapons: The musket.
But all that were probably of little import to the monsters, for they detected an incredibly thick and potent Spirit Energy emanating from somewhere within Pagras. "He's here." Iskah said, her eyes distant. She was clearly focusing on the thick spirit energy in the air than on anything else. "Aun's here."
"Wait. You're trying to seduce the Incubus Knight?!" Rie was incredulous, but even she was feeling a bit flustered from the spirit energy she was sensing.
To Vanessa, she immediately knew this energy could only belong to an Incubus. When a human male absorbs enough Demon Energy, he becomes an Incubus. Unlike human females who physically turn into monsters, males maintain their appearances but receive increased attributes. They become stronger, healthier and produce more Spirit Energy; the lifeblood of monsters. Typically, human males only turn into Incubi after coupling with their monster wives enough times. This, however, also meant that the Spirit Energy of the new Incubus was marked and would, usually, no longer be attractive to other monsters.
But this potent Spirit Energy was unmarked. Unclaimed. Vanessa could feel the temptation of simply seeking out the source and taking it for herself. Whoever this Incubus was, he became one without a monster wife. How he managed to stay single all this time could be one of the greatest secrets of this world. "I need to find him!" Iskah stood from her seat and hopped off the wagon, darting past the bewildered human crowd to the deeper parts of Pagras.
"Hey, wait! Don't just go off!" Surprisingly, Rie also hopped off the wagon to chase after Iskah. Leaving Vanessa all alone with the Danuki's wagon.
After a few scant moments, someone whistled to Vanessa. "Hail, Dark Mage!" A handsome young man approached the wagon. Fair of skin and gold of hair, he wore an attire consisting of chainmail over leather-colored brigandine armor with a short, dark yellow cape flowing down his back. On one of his hands was a well-crafted bardiche, his signature weapon. "Your fancy wagon is kind of disrupting the traffic. Do you mind moving it to the side before spacing out? The town will greatly appreciate it."
There was no doubting it. The Spirit Energy was coming from this man. This was the Incubus Knight.
After the assembly had begun parting ways following the announcement of a join exercise with the Church, Einer could not help but release a long sigh at the development. "Oh, dear. I haven't been here long and I'm already being sent back to Flugell's direction. A sign that I should be heeding, perhaps?" The musician mused to himself. "Well, there's little to be done about it. My fellow Reavers, I shall all see you later."
Einer also made his exit back to his room to make preparations. He noticed that the Church members were more interested in the veteran members of the Tower plus that Leon fellow. In fact, Einer's words were flat-out ignored as the assembly moved on as if he had not spoken a word at all. A tinge of annoyance and envy was felt by the bard, but he supposed it was for the best. Einer certainly did not need the Church meddling in his search for power.
But before actually leaving, Einer passed by Hector on his way out. "Training under Sir Ruecian, are we?" The musician greeted, hiding his envy quite well. "Well, best of luck. I would join you, but my frail body isn't suited for... physical exertions."
"I don't have any money on me, mind you. But how about this mana crystal? Would you be interested in trading goods, Miss Merchant?"
Neither Iskah nor Rie were particularly amused at Vanessa's choice of storage. The latter, however, changed moods when the Dark Mage presented her with an azure jewel known as a mana crystal.
Rie's eyes sparkled as she beheld the gem. Her hands moved to grasp it, but stopped short of her own volition. Money-hungry as she may be, she will not take anything that was not given to her. "Oooh! You got yourself a deal, Miss Vanessa!" Rie said, never taking her eyes off the mana crystal. "To answer your earlier question, Zipanguese magic ain't all that different from magic here in the continent. However, we do have something called 'ofuda'; slips of paper with a marking or markings on them. These markings imbue the paper with magical properties. From simple magics like turning the paper into a fireball when thrown to sealing magic when the paper is affixed to something."
The Gyoubu Danuki then handed a stack of ten of these 'ofuda' to Vanessa. "I can give you these for your mana crystal. These ofuda are pretty basic and just need to be thrown. But there's some good spells in here like those fireballs I mentioned and some make flashes of light amongst others."
"Don't worry. I told you I'd help you get your man, and I've every intention of doing just that. I really don't like breaking agreements after all."
Iskah smiled at Vanessa's attempt at reassurance. "...Thanks. I'm sure with the two of us, we can get Aun out of there." But then the smile turned mischievous. "Just don't attempt to steal Aun from me in the meanwhile, okay?"
Rie laughed at the exchange and also spoke up. "I'd help too, but I've got a business to run. However, if you need something for your mission, just come find me in the capital and I'll see if I can sell it to you for a fair price." The tanuki monster declared with a grin.
"You know what? Since we're all going to the capital anyway, why don't we all head there together?" Rie offered. It would certainly make the trip livelier, but would also take more time considering Rie's cart full of wares.
"I certainly wouldn't mind." Iskah surprisingly said. "With Rie's cart, it probably will only take two or three days for us to reach the capital from here." The Lizardman and the Gyoubu Danuki then looked to Vanessa for her opinion on the matter.
Na'kratz's beatdown of Io was interrupted with Skarsneek swinging down his weapons at his head. The force made the Amethyst Prince stumble back, but he recovered just as quickly.
Before Skarsneek knew it, he was dodging and taking punches and jabs from the half-maddened Na'kratz. The fists flew and came too fast for Skarsneek to mount any counter. The Goblin could see openings in-between the swings, but he could not be fast enough to actually exploit them. He had to watch for the next punch as soon as the previous one ended.
Skarsneek must find a way out of this besides technique, or hold Na'kratz off long enough for his allies to intervene.
"Alright busters, you've got no chance now! Let's mess them up, then go help Shizuka and everyone else,"
Ayu was got a bit flustered from the hug and simply laughed. "Heh, this is the least I could do for the things you did for Shizuyama."
Liliana and Ayu resumed their attack on the Varjan encirclement, their master unaware that the circle had been broken. Because of the Fairy's and the spymaster's actions, the manor was no longer surrounded as the Varjan forces descended upon the two to deal with them.
As Liliana continued the assault, Ayu covered her with arrows flying from her bow to the Varjans. The invaders fell to the duo, up until a fearsome-looking Varjan approached with a two-handed mace and more armored than the typical Varjan Warrior. A decaying skull affixed at the top of his helmet. "Watch out, Liliana! That one's an Elite!" Ayu warned.
The rain continued to fall as Varjan Elite charged the Fairy with a horizontal swing.
"Lady Sorae. I promised no undue harm would come to her. Just because she swore on her life doesn't make it forfeit. If anything, sparing her will prove an important point. You are not like the barbarians that have come to slaughter. You have come for justice. Not vengeance. Correct? We have the map. That will suffice."
Sorae made a dark smile to Eula, unfazed at the Automaton's strength and piercing eyes. "...Perhaps I have come for vengeance, yokai."
However, Sorae relaxed her grip on her naginata but allowed Eula to continue holding onto it if the latter felt she could not trust the former. "You owe this yokai your life, Kana. Remember that, for the rest of your pitiful life." Sorae then gestured with her face. "Now go. The next time I see you, you'd better be licking the mud off this yokai's soles." Despite the venomous words, the last Tokinomiya watched Kana flee for her life back to Terauchi Temple.
"Now then, let's see what this map's all about."
The map was simple, but coded. However, Sorae immediately recognized what it all meant. "This is a map of supply routes, utilizing Shizuyama's relatively-unknown trails to deliver supplies inconspicuously." She began to explain to Eula. "Ayu told me that they were using these trails since there are hidden refugee camps all over the island. Not everybody can make it to the safety of Terauchi Temple."
"You... you don't think Ayu has anything to do with my family's murder, do you?"
“But can help, if you help me bash some Varjan ‘eads in.”
"Of course, of course! I'll bash in as many Varjan heads as you want!" The stranger replied.
He watched, with bated breath, Gringor use his axe to free the cart from the muddy terrain. Despite the High Orc's muscly appearance and powerful axe, the stranger didn't seem to believe the male monster could do it. He was proven wrong, of course, when the cart's wheel was taken out of the mud and was perfectly useable again.
"You did it! I knew you could it! Never doubted for a second!" The stranger lied as easily as he breathed. "Err, about the Varjan bashing thing..."
"You see, I'm actually working for those guys. And while I do have a bit of privilege regarding... disposing some of them without consequence, I really don't wanna push my luck on that. Gotta look like an A-okay boss, you get what I'm saying?" The stranger rather casually revealed. "So, uhh, if we can discuss alternative modes of payment, that'd be real swell. If you're looking for something like cash, then we can definitely go somewhere with that!"
A moment of silence passed before a realization dawned on the stranger. "...Aaaand you're part of the taskforce, aren't you?"
As Carroll did more of the shop hunting, and Alice did all of the whining as the Demon Sword taunted her, they would serve as an odd source of amusement for the citizenry of the restored temple turned makeshift village. Likely, there was still some sense of dread, as Alice had, single-handedly, restored the besieged temple to not only its former glory, but its original splendor from the center to the corners.
Such power was terrifying anywhere, yet she'd barely done more than a cantrip in Wonderland.
Alice hoped to change that, however. After all, she wouldn't rule a people through fear and threat, as she wasn't that kind of Monarch. Her people would no not strife from leadership, but kindness of a just leader - something Wonderland lacked in spades.
Still...
"How serious are we taking this place," Carroll asks. "As far as I can remember, we just got our shit kicked in by my mother, and now we are here," she says, "Here being a crumbling, fledgling Kingdom with no sense of loyalty to their leadership and a divided citizenship of Humans and Mamono with equal hatred and fear of the others."
"That's why they need someone like me to guide them, a Mad Hatter, the bridge between Humanity and Mamono," Alice says, "I can link them, unify them, because I am them, both at once."
Alice would beam confidently, "I will whip that Takeshi into a glorious leader worthy of being called King. Then, we'll move on. Just like we have done."
Unfortunately for the duo, this temple refuge offered no store from which to purchase supplies. Their search, however, caught the attention of Revuel Arvida who approached them as soon as he could. “Looking for a store to buy supplies? Well, you’re gonna have to liberate one from the Varjans in one of the bigger villages. Fortunately, we have something that could be just as good, if not better… I think.”
The former Warlock led Alice and Carroll to the emptier side of Terauchi Temple, basically the temple’s backyard. This area was empty of pagodas, but filled with peaceful ponds and small gardens. A great tree with leaves of gold sat in the middle of this area. At the base of this large plant, there appeared to be some sort of shrine full of offerings.
“The taskforce’s reputation is growing, you know? Stories of your exploits have been reaching far, maybe even to the other regions.” Revuel said to Alice and Carroll as he led them to the great tree. “Not everybody in Shizuyama trusts you, but those who do want to see you succeed.” Finally reaching the shrine at the great tree, Revuel gestured at the offerings. “These are donations from the Shizuyamans whom the taskforce has saved or believed in you. All of these are yours for the taking.”
The offerings included supplies like food fit for long trips, raw materials for making or improving equipment and other useful provisions. Some were mementos and memorabilia, though, like necklaces, paper charms (with no magic detectable in them), small statue carvings and other collectibles.
“I’ll let the other taskforce members know about this. Do let them know too, just in case I forget.” Revuel added.
Alice hummed, as she looked over the collection of provisions and paraphernalia; supplies, all rounds by their supporters. To get cause, the rations and medical supplies would be most useful, but, as she walked around the trinkets and the like, she could access their memories of the creator of it, or the one that purchased it for transfer, and could see the intention behind it.
"No idea what's special about me," Alice says, "I don't think I've done anything..."
“I don’t fully understand your story, but it seems you are known to Lord Takeshi and to the other taskforce members and have simply lost your memories. I’ve only just arrived so perhaps your previous self has been doing some work in service to this island.” Revuel replied. “Regardless, all these offerings are for the taskforce as a whole. A taskforce that you are a part of.”
"How terrifying, that thought... the idea of another me... another Alice... no longer existing... because I exist," Alice says.
"Oi..." Carroll says, elbowing Alice. "Let's get the stuff together, and then have an existential crisis."
Alice sighed, dramatically, "Fiiinnneee~~"
As the Mad Hatter and Cursed Sword duo gathered what they needed, Revuel helped them sort through the offerings while offering commentary. “Ayu briefly told me about this shrine. How it wasn’t here before the taskforce arrived. However, as the refugees arrived here fleeing from the Varjan invasion, the thankful villagers began giving Ayu tokens of gratitude for the taskforce. Eventually, there was so many that Ayu hastily built a shrine where people can put their offerings for the the taskforce.”
“I doubt the lords of this land would appreciate their people giving monsters like you offerings for your deeds, but that is a problem for another day. I hope.” The spellcaster finished.
Alice nodded, "Problem with those in charge for too long is that they lose sight of what matters. A kingdom, no matter the size, will fall, if the leadership and the citizenship is divided, and moreso, if the citizens are divided," she says, "Humans. Mamono. There is not a lot of difference between us. Beyond what lies on the surface..."
"C'mon," Carroll says, "I think that should be enough to set out on our expedition. The rest we can secure on-site and beyond."
Alice smirked. "Indeed. Thank you," she says, before collecting what they needed and moving to the next step of waiting at the gated entrance.
Sitting atop the arched gate, the first taskforce member to greet Alice and Carroll was the infuriated Kerry. The Hornet's mood was sour, likely from her venture with Takamori, but perhaps the sight of the intimately familiar Mad Hatter could lift her spirits.
The trio would have some time to themselves before the next party arrived. A whole group of Shizuyamans approached and despite their plain clothes, they did not appear to be mere villagers and peasants. They all had weapons on them, both Shizuyaman and Varjan, and walked with a regal pride befitting of warriors. The group was headed by Kikyo, who simply gave a neutral nod at the present taskforce members at the gate as a greeting before leading the group inside the temple grounds.
Following behind this group, however, was Takeshi who appeared to be closer with the Hangai sisters than with his fellow humans.
~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~
"Lady Kyouko needs a port to dock her fleet to properly engage the Varjan armada and deliver supplies, and that port will be Komatsu Bay. If we're going to liberate the fortress, we'll need help and Ayu says she has a friend for the job. We can join her and go to this friend's house, just outside Komatsu Bay." -Takeshi Oja
~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~
~~ SORAE TALES ~~
"Lady Sorae told me that Kana, Sogen's wife, has disappeared during the attack on the temple. She wants help tracking her down as Kana is the only lead we have on the identities and whereabouts of the killers of Clan Tokinomiya." -Takeshi Oja
~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.
"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."
"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
A peasant man eating barbecued meat on a stick was startled when the taskforce member approached. It appeared he has news.
"Yokai! You have to tell Lord Takeshi, there is another samurai noble who survived Sanjo Beach. His name is Lord Tonchiki. He's in his abode southeast of here. If you go see him, I'm sure he would join your cause."
"Err, maybe not. I guess you'll need Lord Takeshi himself to convince him."
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached.
"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by that shrine priestess that started a fight here not too long ago."
"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not trained."
A peasant man warming his hands on a bonfire noticed the taskforce member passing by.
"Yokai, you must do something! It's Ayane's sake brewery in Imahama. That brewery is the pride of Shizuyama, but soon there will be none left. The Varjans are taking it by force."
~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful." -Takeshi Oja
"I guess that means we made the right call in pushing on, rather than staying back in that village. Wouldn't want to waste time if your hubby's the kinda guy who'd throw his life away at any moment, for the silliest of reason. Humans... Hah... Always so wasteful and careless with their lives... Even though they only live for such a short time. I never could understand that."
Iskah was about to speak in response, but sighed in resignation and simply decided to hang her head in contemplation. "Yeah, humans make a lot of things more complicated than they need to be. But hey, that's why we're here to show 'em how it's really done, eh?" Rie was the one who replied instead.
"Now, you asked earlier if I had any Zipanguese spellbooks or scrolls, right? Well, I'm glad you asked because..." Rie stood up and quickly went over to her fancy cart and started rummaging through her merchandise, her two short feet dangling over at the side. "Ah-ha! Here we are!" The Danuki returned to the bonfire, arms full of rolled-up scrolls and stacks of small papers tied with a string. "Because that's exactly what I'm planning to sell! I heard Ortus is magic-starved so I decided to get as many of these as I can."
Iskah frowned and had to comment. "You... do realize that Ortus intentionally starved themselves of magic, right? Ever since they broke off from The Order and the Chief God, they also broke off from the other gods. Magic, as a whole, is seen as an extension of The Order and the gods so the field is casted off too." The Lizardman said. "Only the Lot Knights seem to practice any sort of magic in the whole kingdom right now, and I don't think they're looking to buy spellbooks anytime soon."
"...Ahhh, I'm sure I'll make a killing anyway." Rie dismissed Iskah's remarks and faced Vanessa. "Anyway, wanna take a look at these? Got a specific spell or set of spells in mind? Oh, and no discounts!"
Fortunately for Iskah, she had already dismounted the summoned horse around the same time as Vanessa did although she was a bit surprised when the extra equipment she acquired for the steed did not vanish along with it. In hindsight, however, she should have seen that coming.
Iskah went about collecting the fallen reins and saddle as Vanessa sat down next to the fire and talked with their tanuki monster host.
"I don't think I've ever run into one of your kind. You were called a ... Goober Danyucky? What's someone like you doing so very far away from the far east? Oh, mind if I sit here? Thanks."
"That's Gyo-ooh-boo Da-nu-kee, you half-naked, cow-tits caster!" Rie corrected, annoyed at the name butchery. "And yeah, yeah, sit wherever you like. Just don't expect any discounts from me."
"And like what I said to your Lizardman friend, I'm here to sell exotic, Zipanguese wares to the proud citizens of Ortus. A people who have barely made any contact with the monstrous side of Zipangu, but are now opening up somewhat. It's an untapped market, and I intend to get there first and make bank before anyone does." Rie said, making wild gestures with her hands all the while. "And let me tell ya, I took a big risk entering Ortusian territory without security. Fortunately, the worst I got from the humans here, so far, are weird faces."
Iskah soon got done putting away the equipment, and the Lizardman joined the bonfire. "So! You wanna nab yourself a Lot Knight, huh? Aiming high, I see, but you ain't the first monster who makes attempts at them."
"Yes, I know." Iskah responded, curtly.
"Do you also know that those monsters' hearts get broken because those Lot Knights are quite reckless with their lives?" Rie asked, the tone of the conversation suddenly grim.
"...I know that too."
"I should've guessed so, considering you got help." Rie gestured at Vanessa.
Io surveyed the manor and found that while a huge part of the building had been destroyed by the Warlock's earlier lightning blast, there were still some rooms intact. The destroyed part was mostly the entrance, the main hallway and a couple of miscellaneous rooms. The bed chamber and the kitchen were still there, and they had plenty of windows to leave the manor with. The manor only had one floor, and the taskforce stood their ground in the kitchen. Utensils and implements were all still neatly organized here plus a bit of ingredients.
"YAAAAARRRRGGGHHH!"
The sounds of electricity crackled from the entrance, Io's magic circle setting off on somebody. But before anyone could go and investigate, the wooden wall to the kitchen exploded and sent dust flying everywhere.
Na'kratz entered the room with breakneck speed, picking up Shizuka and hurtling him toward Skarsneek. With the two taskforce members momentarily occupied, Na'kratz was fast enough to immediately tackle Io into the opposite wall. He then grabbed her on the neck to steady her with one hand and started punching her in the face with the other.
The Varjan had pieces of his armor missing and his claw gauntlets not on his fists. It appeared these had absorbed Io's trap somewhat, but Na'kratz seemed to twitch involuntarily as he struck the Lich with insensate rage.
One section of the Varjan defensive line, focused on the manor, suddenly noticed something bright and warm coming from behind them. The Warriors turned around, and were too late to react to the small tide of lava washing over them. They shrieked and screamed as they thought the lava was real and would melt them agonizingly, pushing each other as they attempted to get away. Fortunately for them, the molten rock was magical and only immobilized them as the rock hardened around their legs.
Liliana started knocking out the immobilized Varjans and thinned their numbers before a seemingly-trapped Varjan Warrior suddenly caught her sword. He was faking to catch the warrior Fairy, wrestling her to the ground and tumbling over to a puddle in the mud. Both covered in wet dirt, the Varjan Warrior dunked Liliana's under the water with the intent to suffocate her.
Fortunately, Liliana needed not to save herself. An arrow struck the Varjan Warrior's neck, falling over and releasing the Fairy, before the familiar shape of Ayu appeared. The spy woman then pulled Liliana up and wiped away some of the mud. "I know I was told to stay behind, but I got worried. Things are getting pretty intense, huh?"
"We are not barbarians like the Varjans are. We simply seek information. We are searching for the killers of Clan Tokinomiya. Do you have any information about such persons, or an idea as to where we could find information?"
You don't know her, yokai! She's insane!" Kana pleaded with Eula.
The captive was silenced when Sorae brought her naginata to her neck. "Answer her question, Kana. Do not try my patience any further." If Sorae's gaze could literally pierce, Kana would have been impaled by now.
"I swear, I know nothing!" Kana replied.
Sorae raised an eyebrow. "You swear?" She repeated. "On your life?"
"Yes! On my life!"
The last Tokinomiya then used her free hand to pat down Kana. Sorae then smiled an evil grin as she fished out a piece of folded parchment from inside Kana's clothes. The captive's eyes widened as she realized she had sealed her fate with that swear. Sorae flicked open the folded parchment to reveal a map, not detailed but full of symbols. A coded map likely used by persons of espionage.
With the sudden oath broken, Sorae sweeped Kana off her feet. "No, no, NOOOO!" Sorae stepped on the captive to stop her from squirming away before raising her naginata for a downward thrust.
~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~
"Lady Kyouko needs a port to dock her fleet to properly engage the Varjan armada and deliver supplies, and that port will be Komatsu Bay. If we're going to liberate the fortress, we'll need help and Ayu says she has a friend for the job. We can join her and go to this friend's house, just outside Komatsu Bay." -Takeshi Oja
"We almost have everything we need to save my father. However, we cannot leave the refugees of Terauchi Temple defenseless. We need warriors to fortify and defend the temple while we are away. Kikyo knows of some imprisoned warriors who can help replenish our ranks." -Takeshi Oja
~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~
"Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja
~~ SORAE TALES ~~
"Lady Sorae told me that Kana, Sogen's wife, has disappeared during the attack on the temple. She wants help tracking her down as Kana is the only lead we have on the identities and whereabouts of the killers of Clan Tokinomiya." -Takeshi Oja
~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.
"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."
"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
A peasant man eating barbecued meat on a stick was startled when the taskforce member approached. It appeared he has news.
"Yokai! You have to tell Lord Takeshi, there is another samurai noble who survived Sanjo Beach. His name is Lord Tonchiki. He's in his abode southeast of here. If you go see him, I'm sure he would join your cause."
"Err, maybe not. I guess you'll need Lord Takeshi himself to convince him."
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached.
"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by that shrine priestess that started a fight here not too long ago."
"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not trained."
A peasant man warming his hands on a bonfire noticed the taskforce member passing by.
"Yokai, you must do something! It's Ayane's sake brewery in Imahama. That brewery is the pride of Shizuyama, but soon there will be none left. The Varjans are taking it by force."
~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful." -Takeshi Oja
Iskah was getting quite uncomfortable from her passenger teasing her during the ride. She would have protested, but Vanessa was her only aid in her problem so she couldn't just mouth off. The Dark Mage's antics had her flustered, but the Lizardman only had eyes for the celibate Aun.
"Don't worry about me, I'm good to keep moving for another few hours, and the same goes for our friend. After all, as long as I still have magic energy, he won't get be tiring anytime soon."
"Alright. We'll be moving on then." Iskah replied, sounding disappointed. She had no problem living in the wilds, but she preferred the comforts of civilization. She also did not fear the humans of Ortus, despite the distrust. Her worst antics only lead to her being escorted out of the capital, after all.
On the other hand, it was also good that they try to reach the capital as soon as possible. The horse picked up speed again after leaving Sinjid and once again, the duo was in the wilderness with only the vast expanse of green before them. Now bathed in an orange light as the sun dipped below the horizon. Iskah and Vanessa continued to ride for some time after the sun had gone and night had settled, but they knew they had to stop for the night to get some rest.
It was quite the coincidence, however, that the duo ran into an unusual sight along the road. "Ho, ho, fellow travelers and fellow monsters!" Iskah and Vanessa were hailed by a girl on the side of the road. Said girl wore Zipanguese clothes, had a pair of brown-furred raccoon ears on the top of her brown hair and a brown-furred raccoon tail. With her was a fancy merchant cart full of bits and baubles as well as a tent sitting cozily in front of a small bonfire.
"A Gyoubu Danuki?" Iskah stopped the horse. "A long way from home, aren't you?"
"Brave and daring Gyoubu Danukis seldomly stay in their home isles, don'tcha know? And Mana Cages are all the rage right now in Ortus, don'tcha know?" The raccoon monster replied. "What about you? Can this humble merchant ask about others' business?"
"I'm going to the capital to seduce a Lot Knight." Iskah honestly answered.
"Wowzers. And I thought I was brave and daring." The Danuki replied, surprised. "Anyway, I'm Rie. Pleasure to meet ya! Now then, nights are cold and lonely. Typically, monsters like us have husbands to warm us up. But since none of us have one, why don't we keep each other company for now?"
In the face of being surrounded by a mob of Varjans led by someone far more dangerous than any of them, the taskforce retreated to the flaming building whose fires were dying down from the rain.
"Cowards! Come out here and fight!" Na'kratz yelled at the retreating taskforce. He then barked orders to the rest of the Varjan mob. "You all! Surround the manor and make sure none of them leaves! I'll go in there and deal with them myself." The Varjans obeyed the command and moved to form a ring of shields around the manor. Na'kratz marched to enter the manor, but his boot then bumped into the unconscious form of Merneptah. Disappointment and rage filled Na'kratz and ended the Warlock's life with claw thrust to the neck.
Na'kratz then, bravely, entered the ruined manor at the frontmost door. Or rather, where the frontmost door should be if it was still there. If the taskforce had any traps for him, he wanted them sprung immediately.
Liliana encountered nothing but rain while on her way to her allies in the manor. However, she soon hit an obstacle in the form of Varjan Warriors and Brigands surrounding the aforementioned manor. The structure seemed it was in flames recently, the rain probably putting it out far earlier than it's normal lifespan. The smoldering embers were still visible even from where Liliana was.
Her friends were likely inside the manor judging from the ring of Varjans around the building. Taking on all these Varjans may be possible for the warrior Fairy in order to give her allies an opening. Or, she could use her diminutive size to sneak past the encirclement and rendezvous with the taskforce. From there, they could plan their next course of action.
Takamori smiled and looked at Kerry, amused. "I've already suffered your aid, yokai. I can suffer this easily." He then looked away again. "Although, I will be extremely disappointed in her if she doesn't give you the fight of her life."
The master archer then turned towards the Hornet, a pose that indicated that his next words were as serious as possible. "Listen, Miss Kerry. I don't know the best time to say this, so I'll say it now: Lord Takeshi's collusion with you, yokai, has gone very deep. Once we rescue his father, there is no doubt that he will be sentenced with a harsh punishment. Perhaps he could've gotten away with exile if he were not heir apparent, but as Lord Hideo's son, Takeshi is likely to suffer something worse."
"Whatever happens, can you promise us one thing? Just one thing from the taskforce." Takamori asked of Kerry. "Do not intervene in Takeshi's punishment. Do not rescue him, or come to his defense or anything like that. Let us not make this any harder than it has to be. I'm sure Lord Takeshi himself will agree."
Sorae was about to strike down the final Varjan Warrior when the latter was hit in the back by Eula's stunning bolt. "So you did. Good job."
Meanwhile, the bound woman Kana struggled with all her strength to escape Eula's gentle grip. Even as the Automaton took her to Sorae, she continued squirming and writhing. Not once did giving up enter her thoughts. "Let me go! Let me go! Don't you know she's going to kill me?! She's crazy, I tell you!" Kana shrieked at Eula. "I don't know anything! I swear I don't know anything! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! Please let me go!"
"If you continue whining like that, I might just do exactly that." Sorae simply said that in jest, but the bloody blade of her naginata seemed to gleam at those violent words. "Now then, yokai. If you please, put her down so we can... get some explanations."
"Go to port, heard from weak Goblin got big fight."
I do believe Shizuka-san and co will be just fine. He's the captain for a reason after all! I believe we've had enough excitement for now; Heading back to Terauchi Temple sounds like a fine idea."
"I agree with Atsuha and besides, Komatsu Bay is very far from here. It might all be over by the time we get there." Takeshi said, but Gringor was adamant in heading towards his next fight and took off by himself.
The young Oja sighed, but made no effort to follow the High Orc. And neither did the Hangai sisters, leaving them and Takeshi with each other. Which, actually surprised the young lord.
"I just that bonehead doesn't get into too much trouble..."
"I hope trouble doesn't get into him..." Takeshi half-joked by reversing Hinami's sentiments. "I'll be honest, I thought you two would actually go with him. You sisters seem pretty close with Gringor and Skarsneek. I mean, I suppose that's just a given since Skarsneek is married to one of you." He noted with a sad smile.
But before anyone could point it out, Takeshi wiped it away with a sudden jovial grin. "Well, let's not waste any time then. Let's go join Kikyo and make for Terauchi Temple. "I'm sure Gringor can take care of himself. The worst thing that can happen to him is he gets to Komatsu Bay with Shizuka and the others already celebrating."
The trio then joined Kikyo in escorting the rescued prisoners back to Terauchi Temple. Takeshi had to break away from the sisters to talk and catch up things with Kikyo. The young lord expected a dressing down from the warrior woman, but they actually had a pleasant conversation regarding their childhoods. "Did you really tell the yokai about that time you dressed as a shrine maiden? You made everyone present swear never to talk about that ever again."
"Ah, well, how else would the yokai prove that I sent them?" Takeshi laughed.
"...I'm sure there were other ways."
Despite the light-hearted talk, an ominous chill went down the spines of the Hangai sisters as the two conversed.
Gringor traveled to Komatsu Bay to join the taskforce there, leaving behind Takeshi and the Hangai sisters in Fort Tanabe. Dusk had already fallen while he was on the road, and Komatsu Bay was still far away. It would likely be already night by the time he reaches the port.
Turning on a curve since the dirt path circled around a hill, Gringor happened upon a usual yet unexpected sight. A horse-drawn cart carrying several boxes had gotten two of its wheels stuck deep in the mud. There was a person attempting to push the cart out of the mud. But the cart's weight and the boxes it was carrying were too much for the strength of this poor fellow.
However, this 'fellow' had a unique appearance to himself. He wore a all-black outfit with red-lensed eyewear. He wore a sword on his hip and another one on his back. It was strange to witness who was basically an armed mercenary doing something so trivial as to be pushing a cart out of mud. It appeared this kind of problem was universal.
"Hey, you! Astolfo-lookalike! Help me out here, will ya?" The unfortunate man noticed Gringor.
"In the future, you’ll be able to repeat and refine. A sword always needs sharpening, after all."
"Heh, 'the best grindstone is experience' as my mentor says." The swordsmith chuckled. "We sure could use her skills right about now..."
Soon, the work was finished and the swordsmith presented the sharpened Benihime and Nozarashi to Carroll with a bow. At least, sharpened to his ability. "Many may disagree with your help, but many also count on you to save us, Madam Yokai. Bring peace to our island, and bring ruin to the invaders."
I’m bereft of my former memories and understanding of it, so I’m starting back at square one,
"A loss of memory, I see, but you seem untroubled by it." Katsuhiro noted. "An unusual response to such a happening, but I will trust you know what you are doing."
"But I digress, forgive me." Katsuhiro then grabbed a small candle and lit it before placing it between him and Alice. "If you are to start from the beginning, then you must begin by knowing the legend behind The Heavenly Strike."
......
"When Shizuyama was first settled, strange and terrible thunderstorms assaulted the island quite frequently. Whenever these storms struck, they heralded the arrival of Raijus; Yokai that wielded piercing lightning. These violent creatures tore through villages, causing death and destruction wherever they went.
Moving too quickly to be stopped, the people knew only one man who could possibly stand against the lightning beasts – Kenshiro, the fastest swordsman in all of Shizuyama and was said to have never lost a duel. With years of practice, he had created the Heavenly Strike, an attack that struck quicker than the eye could follow.
Kenshiro lured the lightning yokai to a desolate beach in the western edges of Onrai, where the sand would slow their movement. Their clash turned the sand to ash and bleached the leaves of trees white. Kenshiro's Heavenly Strike cut through them faster than they could move. As the final beast fell, the strange thunderstorms cleared and Shizuyama was safe again.
Kenshiro then began a life of seclusion. Few students found him, and only the bravest and most skilled proved worthy of learning the Heavenly Strike. When a storm approaches, a sword is placed at Kenshiro's Rest by a student who knows of its location to remind the defeated Raijus that the Heavenly Strike lives on."
......
"Unfortunately, the students of The Heavenly Strike have joined up with The Varjans and betrayed Shizuyama. They must be stopped, not only to protect the innocent but to protect Kenshiro's name and technique as well." Katsuhiro finished. "I heard the yokai of the taskforce have already been repulsed by the students twice now. I suggest seeking out Lord Takeshi Oja for this. He is possibly the best swordsman in this island we have. Maybe he can deal with them, with help of course."
~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~
"Lady Kyouko needs a port to dock her fleet to properly engage the Varjan armada and deliver supplies, and that port will be Komatsu Bay. If we're going to liberate the fortress, we'll need help and Ayu says she has a friend for the job. We can join her and go to this friend's house, just outside Komatsu Bay." -Takeshi Oja
"We almost have everything we need to save my father. However, we cannot leave the refugees of Terauchi Temple defenseless. We need warriors to fortify and defend the temple while we are away. Kikyo knows of some imprisoned warriors who can help replenish our ranks." -Takeshi Oja
~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~
"Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja
~~ SORAE TALES ~~
"Lady Sorae told me that Kana, Sogen's wife, has disappeared during the attack on the temple. She wants help tracking her down as Kana is the only lead we have on the identities and whereabouts of the killers of Clan Tokinomiya." -Takeshi Oja
~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.
"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."
"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
A peasant man eating barbecued meat on a stick was startled when the taskforce member approached. It appeared he has news.
"Yokai! You have to tell Lord Takeshi, there is another samurai noble who survived Sanjo Beach. His name is Lord Tonchiki. He's in his abode southeast of here. If you go see him, I'm sure he would join your cause."
"Err, maybe not. I guess you'll need Lord Takeshi himself to convince him."
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached.
"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by that shrine priestess that started a fight here not too long ago."
"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not trained."
A peasant man warming his hands on a bonfire noticed the taskforce member passing by.
"Yokai, you must do something! It's Ayane's sake brewery in Imahama. That brewery is the pride of Shizuyama, but soon there will be none left. The Varjans are taking it by force."
~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful." -Takeshi Oja
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