Book 4: Chapter 2: As.h.i.+kaga Camp

s.h.i.+mizu sat in seiza in front of s.h.i.+ba.

Although s.h.i.+ba had never seen Lily, no samurai woman from the East had ever come looking for him over these past few years and he had just obtained information about the mirror girl journeying to the west, so he was quite alert right now.

State your name, samurai woman, the round-faced shaved samurai beside s.h.i.+ba, Hatoyama Aki, asked sternly.

Im called Minamoto no s.h.i.+mizu, s.h.i.+mizu answered in a courteous and humble fas.h.i.+on with a bow.

Oh, s.h.i.+ba looked at s.h.i.+mizu with some conceit and nodded at her, feeling disappointed yet delighted internally. He presumed that she wasnt the mirror girl and even if she were, s.h.i.+ba was also a little afraid of unfolding a ma.s.sacre right in front of his eyes. s.h.i.+ba looked down on samurai because of his pride as a court n.o.ble, and looked down on samurai women even more, so he held some contempt for s.h.i.+mizu within his heart1.

Hmm? However, s.h.i.+ba was taken aback a moment later and withdrew his arrogant expression, stretching his neck forward to observe s.h.i.+mizu, Y-You say youre Minamoto no s.h.i.+mizu?

As there was less and less contact with the East over the past few years, s.h.i.+ba only managed to recall this information just now, Could it be that youre the First Sword of the Six Swords of the East, Minamoto no s.h.i.+mizu?

Although s.h.i.+ba and his retainers hadnt heard about Lilys tales, they were informed about the matters of the East from a few years ago when information exchange was still un.o.bstructed. As such, they knew about Easts famous samurai, like the Six Swords of the East and the Furinkazan.

Minamoto no s.h.i.+mizu lifted her head and wore a faint, leisurely smile, It can be said that I once was.

Why so? s.h.i.+ba and the retainers looked at s.h.i.+mizu in doubt.

We live in chaotic times these days. Ive long left the Minamoto clan and have defected to the Land of Hundred Demons, s.h.i.+mizu answered.

What?! s.h.i.+ba thundered suddenly, but he didnt throw the fan down and placed it aside instead before drawing out half of his katana, What a bold demoness you are! How could you defect to the Hundred Demons side as a member of the Minamoto clan and even dare to come looking for me? Men, come and arrest this demoness for me!

s.h.i.+mizu, however, remained unmoved in response to s.h.i.+ba and his retainers indignance and just chuckled softly while covering her mouth gracefully, Hehehe. Lord s.h.i.+ba, we both know how things work these days. Is there a need to scare me like this as a charade?

s.h.i.+ba furrowed his brows, What do you mean?

Lord s.h.i.+ba, Ive gone through the trouble of traveling a long distance from the Endless Demon Mountains under Haihimes orders in order to aid you, but here you are trying to arrest me. What is this if not a charade? It couldnt be that youve forgotten about all the gold, esoteric books related to the Revenant Pathway and charms youve received from Haihime via the Kai province now, have you? Although I dont have the account book with me, Ive long memorized the exchanges and am willing to recite them for you if you dont believe me.

s.h.i.+ba and his retainers wore embarra.s.sed expressions after hearing s.h.i.+mizus words.

You received 300 liters of gold dust from Lady Haihime in the 11th year of the Nijo reign, and 50 pieces of grade 3 charms in the 12th year. You sent ten boxes of Owari pottery as a return gift in the 1st year of the Go-Toba reign and received ten blocks of grade 4 tamahagane As a thorough woman, s.h.i.+mizu had long made the preparations since she was coming to visit s.h.i.+ba, and it was also true that she was under Haihimes command on this occasion.

E-Enough s.h.i.+ba couldnt take it anymore, You neednt recite any further, Miss s.h.i.+mizu, please.

s.h.i.+ba wiped the sweat off his face as the commoners werent aware about high-level matters like collusion with the Hundred Demons and even Lord Kamakura of the East, the Emperor of Kanto had no time to deal with such things without evidence. s.h.i.+ba was also unwilling to publicize these matters as he wasnt actually a member of the Hundred Demons. However, he wouldve been long killed by the Great Demons if hadnt colluded with them.

You were from Genjis prime lineage once, so I was just trying to feel you out. I hope you can understand this, Miss s.h.i.+mizu, s.h.i.+ba stated anxiously.

I understand your worries, Lord s.h.i.+ba.

Well then, may I know what advice you have for me, Miss s.h.i.+mizu?

Mhm, although you cant exactly call it advice, Ive come to aid you under Haihimes orders after hearing about the trying situation in Owari, Lord s.h.i.+ba, s.h.i.+mizu bowed.

Hahahahahaha, s.h.i.+ba broke into a burst of reverberant laughter specific to n.o.bility, I see. Its my pleasure to have the aid of a powerhouse under Haihime who was once known as the best samurai in the East, Miss s.h.i.+mizu!

s.h.i.+ba bowed to s.h.i.+mizu after stating this in spite of his ident.i.ty2.

Men!

s.h.i.+ba summoned his servants, Arrange for a banquet to welcome Miss s.h.i.+mizu.

He then whispered into the servants ear in a low voice, Tell Tanaka to withdraw the soldiers lying in ambush.

s.h.i.+muzu and s.h.i.+ba sat side by side at the banquet tables head seats and enjoyed the kabuki performances.

All kinds of sas.h.i.+mi, as well as sake, were served to them.

s.h.i.+mizu sipped the sake graciously while hiding the wine cup with her kimonos long sleeves.

s.h.i.+ba nodded when he saw this. Although he looked down on samurai clans, this didnt apply to the Genji n.o.bles. Their ancestor was bestowed the imperial household name of Minamoto by the Emperor, so they were true descendants of the imperial line.

Could you offer me some advice regarding a question since youre here now, Miss s.h.i.+mizu? s.h.i.+ba inquired.

Feel free to ask, Lord s.h.i.+ba.

I wonder if youre familiar with a samurai woman called Kagami Lily in the East, Miss s.h.i.+mizu? How strong is she?

s.h.i.+mizus thought wavered momentarily but she still responded in an unchanging fas.h.i.+on, Kagami Lily. Theres no one in the East who doesnt know this name. This samurai woman emerged in power recently and is highly valued by Lord Kamakura, even obtaining the status of a liege lord by him along with the land of Izu.

Oh! s.h.i.+ba nodded.

Kagami Lily is a devastatingly beautiful and vivacious woman whos the dream lover of most n.o.blemen in the East and also possesses great strength. Its even rumored that Lord As.h.i.+kaga has a crush on her. Could it be that youre also interested in her, Lord s.h.i.+ba? s.h.i.+mizu probed.

No, its not that! Sigh! s.h.i.+ba sighed deeply.

Why do you sigh, Lord s.h.i.+ba?

I shant hide it from you, Miss s.h.i.+mizu. I received a secret order from that eminence recently and it instructs me to kill Kagami Lily when she pa.s.ses through Owari.

Oh? s.h.i.+mizu quivered internally, the wine cup in her hand shaking slightly. She thus decided to drain the cup in one gulp and questioned further, Could this eminence youre referring to be Lord Kibu, Lord s.h.i.+ba?

A layer of sweat formed on s.h.i.+bas forehead and panic filled his eyes as he followed up, I shant hide it from you since youre aware of it, Miss s.h.i.+mizu. I was indeed referring to Lord Kibu.

Lord Kibus intentions mean a lot to us Hundred Demons, so theres no need to worry much, Lord s.h.i.+ba. You just need to have Kagami Lily executed with a blade when she comes and youll be fine, s.h.i.+mizu stated intently.

Sigh! I dont even know how this Kagami Lily looks, so how would I know where she is even if she actually pa.s.ses through Owari? I wonder if you can provide me with some information, Miss s.h.i.+mizu.

You can obtain information about Kagami Lily easily if you send someone to inquire about her in the East, Lord s.h.i.+ba. Its said that she possesses the looks of a G.o.ddess yet also as curvaceous as a seductive demoness. Shes even equipped with the best martial arts in the East and also wields an excellent katana along with many magic items, s.h.i.+mizu stated insipidly.

The more s.h.i.+mizu narrated, the harder s.h.i.+ba sweated, Equipped with the best martial arts in the East as well as an excellent katana and many magic items?

Isnt that the same as a beautiful walking fiend? Im barely able to defend this Kiyosu Castle with my strength, so how can I handle such a person?

s.h.i.+ba placed the wine cup down and looked at his retainers embarra.s.sedly, Would we really be able to kill such a fearsome woman if she comes our way? The samurai of this Kiyosu Castle of mine are no match for the heroes of the East and this Kagami Lily sounds like the heroes among those heroes. This order from Lord Kibu is really troubling indeed!

Hehehe, s.h.i.+mizu smiled sweetly, You neednt worry much, Lord s.h.i.+ba. Im here to help you.

s.h.i.+bas eyes lit up after looking at s.h.i.+mizus exquisite face, Is that true? Youre willing to help me, Miss s.h.i.+mizu?

I was sent from Haihimes faction to aid you originally, Lord s.h.i.+ba. The Owari province and the Hundred Demons are on the same side now, arent we?

I-Indeed! It is as you say, Miss s.h.i.+mizu! Hahahaha! Come, lets offer a cup of grat.i.tude to Miss s.h.i.+mizu! s.h.i.+ba urged his retainers.

You neednt worry that much, Lord s.h.i.+ba, s.h.i.+mizu continued, Its not my first time hearing about this secret order. I believe that Lord Kibu has sent this order to all the city protectors along the way to Kansai.

s.h.i.+ba contemplated for a moment, I see. If that Kagami Lily is really that fearsome, its likely that Lord Kibu isnt hoping for me to stop her from journeying west all alone. I was also wondering why Lord Kibus order sounded so unreasonable this time.

That makes things easy then! Tanaka added, Since that mirror girl is the best samurai in the East and also possesses a lot of magic items, well suffer disastrous losses if we besiege her with our army. Its better for us to dispatch an a.s.sa.s.sin to a.s.sa.s.sinate her instead. Even if shes lucky enough to survive, we can just let her pa.s.s through since weve already tried our best and let the Viper and Witch Momiji in Mino handle her! The mirror girl would be doomed for sure then even if we dont go all out to kill her. To be frank, we might not be the mirror girls match even if we go all out against her.

The bearded Tanaka seemed to have drunk too much and began blabbing his mouth, all of which reached s.h.i.+mizus ears clearly.

Tanaka! Enough with the nonsense now! Dont mind the ramblings of that drunk fellow, Miss s.h.i.+mizu. We must do our best to carry out Lord Kibus secret order.

s.h.i.+mizu nodded.

Who are Viper and Witch Momiji? s.h.i.+mizu wondered internally3.

At the same time, Lily had long exited the mountain woods and circled around Okazaki Castle, crossing past the border of Mikawa to enter the borders of Owari.

Although Lily wasnt afraid of Mikawas Tokugawa at all, she didnt want to cause trouble for no reason before leaving the East, so she chose to take the side streets and avoid that region.

The terrain of Owari was much leveled in comparison to Mikawa and it was originally a region abundant with water sources, plants and fertile land.

However, the river channels had all dried up now, the land cracked, and the vegetation wilted. The streets were filled with eerie skeletons and depicted a desolate picture.

The border of the so-called Endless Wastelands had begun to extend to this Owari as well now.

It was Lilys first time seeing such a ma.s.sive plain in this alternate Heian world and all she could see was the wide horizon no matter where she looked.

Lily saw an army camp in the distance and saw banners of the As.h.i.+kaga clans twin dragon crest flying over the camp with her excellent vision.

That should be Kiyos.h.i.+s army camp which Madam Makoto spoke about. The madam has treated me quite well and since she has requested this of me, I might as well visit the camp and advise Kiyos.h.i.+ in pa.s.sing, Lily soliloquized, still oblivious to why the madam believed that Kiyos.h.i.+ would lend an ear to her words.

Thus, Lily traversed the wasteland alone and made for the army camp. This region was close to Mikawa and was also the route taken by the As.h.i.+kaga army, so there werent any monsters present. Even if there were, Lily presumed that they got scared away by the army recently.

Lily arrived in front of the army camp surrounded by a white enclosure that was guarded by a few Ebos.h.i.+-hatted soldiers.

Stop right there! This region is the stronghold of the As.h.i.+kaga camp, outsiders arent allowed to come close!

The As.h.i.+kaga clans army was strict in discipline and even though the soldiers gazes were fixed on Lilys beautiful looks, they didnt try to hara.s.s her even though she was alone and just questioned her like usual.

Lily praised them internally and chuckled, Im Kagami Lily. Can I trouble you to report to General Kiyos.h.i.+ that Im here to meet him?

L-Lady Kagami?! The soldiers directed complicated gazes at her, which were mixed with astonishment as Lilys name was well-known within the As.h.i.+kaga army. Even the low-ranked soldiers had heard rumors of the Kagami Lily that their lord had a crush on and her arrival was the same as their lords future wife for these soldiers.

Robinxen: Ah, hes male, of course hes an idiot. Why did I consider otherwise.

Robinxen: So hes only like 99% of an idiot. Big woop.

Robinxen: Sisterly bonds are powerful.