Book 2: Chapter 31: Mission

At night, the moonlight gradually cast a shadow as it illuminated the wooden notice board with the nameplates. A retainer advanced forward and switched the nameplate on the fifty-first position, Tsutsuis, with Lilys, and placed Tsutsuis on the sixtieth position.

This duel didnt take long. Although it put some pressure towards Lily, neither was it that shocking, and her victory was within reason.

Although this duel had raised Lilys ranking by a lot, since she hadnt broken through the ten-rank tier, she didnt get any additional reward. And at the end of the month, the dojo provided the monthly quota of 2.5 grams.

Lily returned home and was just about to take a bath and freshen up when a retainer arrived, announcing that Sakiko had called her over.

She followed that retainer and walked past a misty courtyard, arriving at an elegant house built beside a water source. It required people to cross over a stone bridge to reach the place that was on a tiny island. The pond there also raised large red carps inside it, and this place was Sakikos house in the main dojo. It was Lilys first time here.

After entering inside, Lily discovered s.h.i.+mizu was also present here.

Lily bowed towards the instructor and her training partner and sat down in a seiza beside them.

Sakiko and Lily were familiar with each other, so they didnt exchange polite greetings. She glanced at s.h.i.+mizu, You really think Lilys qualified?

Lil Lily boasts exceptional determination and courage when facing danger. Even Im not as good as her in this aspect. If we pair up my strength with Lil Lilys courage and ability to create miracles, well definitely settle this mystifying mission. s.h.i.+mizu glanced at Lily with a gaze full of confidence.

This confused Lily, Instructor Sakiko, Sister s.h.i.+mizu, just what are you talking about?

Sakiko stated, Lily, you havent been in the dojo for that long, and one thing after another has led to disturbances. So, I couldnt find time to explain some things to you.

Eh? Im sorry

Even I didnt wish for those disturbances to happen.

Instructor Sakiko isnt blaming you. Who asked you to be so popular? s.h.i.+mizu stated in an icy tone.

Lily felt evermore embarra.s.sed.1

Sakikos tone turned solemn, In simple words, the clan has given a tough mission to s.h.i.+mizu. Naturally, this is nothing to her with her strength, but she lacks experience in the outside world, and her health makes me concerned a lot. Therefore, I suggested taking along an attendant, but she didnt agree with it. She finally promised to do it after I persuaded her with my all. But the condition she placed was that if someone were to operate along with her, it could only be Miss Kagami. Therefore, I called you over. What do you think?2

Its an honor for Lily to do it, but what kind of mission is it?

Sakiko continued, This is a mission from the As.h.i.+kaga Hall thats in charge of law and order of Kabukicho. Its an urgent matter, so, s.h.i.+mizu, you and Lily should head over there directly and retire for the night.

Kabukicho? Where is that? Lily queried.

Its normal for you to not know about it, Lily, s.h.i.+mizu furrowed her brows, If it were possible, I hoped you never learned of it. That district is the darkness of Kamakura.3

The night crept up gradually and covered Kamakura City in a layer of gloomy darkness, making the lights of a few places looking especially conspicuous.

Lily and s.h.i.+mizu, two stunning samurai girls of this city, walked through the dim streets.

Lily set out donned in a red kimono patterned with big, golden leaves and white flowers. If she were to take them off and flatten them on a surface, one would find that this was a beautiful, continuous, floral pattern. Having this kind of relatively luxurious clothing was nothing to Lily now.

s.h.i.+mizu set out donned in a silky black kimono patterned with gold, white, and azure lines that didnt lose out with its magnificent embroidery and silently emphasized her beauty. They were going to As.h.i.+kaga Hall. As.h.i.+kaga was the biggest and most famous elite clan other than the Genji clan, so she couldnt dress too carelessly.

The duo carried their personal weapons with them. Lily had her Crescent Moon while it was Lilys first-time seeing s.h.i.+mizus personal weapon. It had a straight blade of a standard one-meter length with a pitch-black scabbard and a golden bamboo handle.

The As.h.i.+kaga Hall wasnt that far from the dojo. The duo arrived before the door, and the guard allowed them inside after he saw that they were samurai from the Genji clan.

Kiyos.h.i.+ was already waiting for them inside the front courtyards main house of the As.h.i.+kaga Hall.

When he saw Lily arrive, a trace of happiness revealed itself on Kiyos.h.i.+s youthful yet expressionless face.

Lady s.h.i.+mizu, Miss Kagami! As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+ rushed to arrive before Lily, How come youve found the mood to arrive at my house in the night?

The duo took seats, and s.h.i.+mizu began speaking, As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+, you were never so happy when you saw me in the past.

Eh? Hahaha. Lady s.h.i.+mizu, please dont tease me. As.h.i.+kaga ruffled his hair awkwardly while chuckling.

As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+, I know that you and Lily are acquaintances, so I wont bother with needless introductions. Its just that we havent come to chat this time, but for the mission entrusted to the dojo. Can you please tell us what happened?

Mission? Kiyos.h.i.+ blanked out, What mission? Its related to my As.h.i.+kaga Hall?

Eh? Lily interjected, Lord Kiyos.h.i.+, didnt your As.h.i.+kaga Palace entrust a mission to the dojo that Instructor Sakiko a.s.signed to me and Lady s.h.i.+mizu?

Yes. As.h.i.+kaga, what game are you playing now? s.h.i.+mizu also questioned.

No. Although Im pleased to see you ladies, Im also unaware of this mission. Kiyos.h.i.+ wore a puzzled expression.

Huh? Lily and s.h.i.+mizu looked at each other in dismay, Was it some kind of mistake?

It was me, A soothing, warm voice echoed in everyones ears. It was just like the voice of a youthful girl that had returned home.

A beautiful woman donned in a white kimono patterned with a multi-colored flower on the sleeves walked out of the dimly lit corridor. Married women of the high society wore kimonos with a multi-colored flower on the sleeve, and this was their formal attire. She had a height of 1.65 meters and appeared as if she were only in her twenties.

This woman possessed a gentle and refined bearing, yet also had a trace of bright liveliness within. Her gentle beauty melted Lilys heart into a putty.

Her dress is too mature compared to her age. Is she perhaps As.h.i.+kagas elder sister or aunt? Is she the requester?

Mother? As.h.i.+kaga s.h.i.+fted his position to the side somewhat awkwardly. Hah?! Followed by Lily, even s.h.i.+mizu felt surprised.

This girl who appears to be in her twenties is Kiyos.h.i.+s mother? As.h.i.+kagas mother, thats

Lily recalled what Sakiko had told her once. There was a female samurai within the four topmost samurai, the Furinkazan, and it was none other than As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+s mother, As.h.i.+kaga Makoto.4 An existence that stood at the top of the Eastern Nation.

This woman that hasnt even matured past looking like a girl is already a mother? In her forties? One of the Furinkazan?

The woman took a seat beside As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+ then bowed towards the duo, I apologize for not making things clear and confusing you two ladies. I am As.h.i.+kaga Makoto, Kiyos.h.i.+s mother, and also the requester of this times mission.

Although s.h.i.+mizu, who lived in seclusion, had heard of the name plenty of times, it was her first time seeing As.h.i.+kaga Makoto too. Her usual icy voice became a little softer, So, you are Lady As.h.i.+kaga Makoto, one of the legendary Furinkazan?

As.h.i.+kaga Makoto smiled softly, Lady Sakiko sent you two ladies, right? Could you introduce yourselves to me?

Mother, did you not hear our conversation just now? This is Lady s.h.i.+mizu, and this is Miss Kagami. It seemed like As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+ felt a little embarra.s.sed and didnt act vain just because his mother belonged to the Furinkazan, the four topmost samurai.

Ah s.h.i.+mizu. Ive heard of this name somewhere. Right. s.h.i.+mizu is ranked second among the Six Swords, the genius girl of the Genji clan! Thats so great! As.h.i.+kaga Makotos face flushed a little as her twinkling girly eyes opened wide.

But her words made s.h.i.+mizu wear a frigid expression.

Mother! Lady s.h.i.+mizu ranks first, not second. As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+ felt evermore embarra.s.sed now, making him wonder whether his mother even considered things before speaking them out.

Is that so? I recently heard Uncle Takeda and the others say that Uesugi Rei is the undisputed first, As.h.i.+kaga Makoto recalled her chat with the other samurai.

From As.h.i.+kaga Makotos tone, it didnt seem like she was intentionally mocking s.h.i.+mizu and was just speaking out her thoughts.

Even Lily felt a little awkward, Is this mother really in her forties? I fear her mental age hasnt even crossed fourteen?

Uncle Takeda? Is that one of the other top experts, Yama-no-Takeda, Takeda Tsunen.o.bu? s.h.i.+mizus expression morphed after she heard this. She wouldnt have minded the ridiculous things others spoke about. But in case all the Furinkazan pa.s.sed such comments, how could she ignore them?

She had such a sickly body, and it was no ordinary task for her to reach where she was now. Yet these so-called peak experts ridiculed her as they wished!

If I finish learning the seventh stage of the mystical swordplay in the mirror, then Humph!

Lily wasnt that much of a sophisticated woman, but she could feel that s.h.i.+mizus mood had turned sour. So, to ease this situation, she commented, Lady As.h.i.+kaga, Sister s.h.i.+mizu has already entered the realm of perfection. Lily can barely receive a single blow of hers. Its just that Sister s.h.i.+mizu barely goes out and hasnt left behind that many feats in the outside world. So, its inevitable that people are opinionated about the rankings. From her swordplay, its easy to glean that she has long left behind the fame and wealth offered by the secular world and devotes her heart and soul to the way of the sword. Her swordplay also contains a pure, ancient, and transcendent sword intent in it, so she pays no attention to the comments of the people and the rankings. Even Sister Uesugi Rei said that she couldnt care more about the Six Swords and all, that it was nothing more than a joke. So why would Sister s.h.i.+mizu be any different?

As.h.i.+kaga Makoto glanced at this decently dressed yet bountiful woman with astonishment, Miss Kagami Could it be that you are Kagami Lily, the new female disciple that has entered the main dojo?

Eh? Yes

As.h.i.+kaga Makoto checked out Lily from top to bottom and revealed a smile of appreciation while sending her a fond gaze, You are so beautiful!

Eh?

Hehe. Miss Kagami. Mhm, can I call you Lil Lyn?

Lil Lyn? If Lady As.h.i.+kaga finds it suitable, then Lily has no qualms about it, Lily felt that Lady As.h.i.+kaga acted at her own pace.

We arent that familiar with each other, and also, just what is the mission about?

Great. Lil Lyn, mother Ah, my bad, aunt isnt complimenting you, but the insight you just provided now has quite some depth. Who did you learn it from?

Eh? It was no such thing. Lily just spoke without thinking just now and didnt deliberate on it carefully. Theres no way it could provide enlightenment to you, Lady As.h.i.+kaga.

Hehe, Lil Lyn, youre really too modest. Just the fact that you had gleaned so many things from the swordplay tells how much of an extraordinary talent you possess. You also look so fit and pretty, with a tall height to boot. And even possess so much womanly charm Lily, youre really the perfect girl from my imagination. I It would be great if I could have a daughter like you. I can then see that happy and fulfilling smile from my dreams every day!

Mother As.h.i.+kaga Kiyos.h.i.+ forced a smile after hearing these words and glanced at Lily and s.h.i.+mizu with an embarra.s.sed expression on his face. Saying such words in front of Kiyos.h.i.+, her own son, had made him feel a little ashamed, but fortunately, he wasnt someone who cared about something like this.

This is so unexpected. Why does someone so erudite and astute like Kiyos.h.i.+ have a mother who is a little weird and so formidable that its terrifying

5

Even Lily felt somewhat overwhelmed.

Robinxen: Shamefaced.

Robinxen: Ah I see. Its a date.

Robinxen: Sorry sorry this is hilarious. s.h.i.+mizu doesnt know enough of the outside world so shes taking an a.s.sistant. Her a.s.sistant is someone that doesnt know anything about the bit of the outside world theyre going to. So s.h.i.+mizu is giving the exposition anyway? How has Sakiko not realised this is stupid?

TLN: Previously translated as As.h.i.+kaga s.h.i.+n.

Robinxen: He learned what not to do from her example.