Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Mylord! The gate is open!
Kazuto: Good! Everyone, assault!
Wait a bit! Someone's coming out from the castle!
Huh? The people who just left are carrying the white flag?
Kazuto: Are they surrendering? That'd be good...
We don't know yet. Master and Touka-sama, keep your distance. (Well, Shion is a master archer, after all)
Eh, but...
You should do as Aisha said. Safety is first priority for commanders.
Kazuto: ...Understood. Let's fall back, Touka.
Y, yeah.
Then, me and Aisha will met the person carrying the white flag. Sui-tachi, watch the surroundings.
Leave it to me.
Please do... Well, let's go.
Sure.
My name is Kan'u. And this is Choun... Can we consider the fact that the commander is carrying a white flag as your surrender?
No, I haven't decided yet. I brought this flag to pause this battle to listen to what you have to say.
What we have to say... I don't mind, but why now?
To die for honor. Or to live or cause... to decide that.
...Understood. We'll accept that answer.
Thank you... I have only one thing to ask, that is what's Ryubi-san's aim by occupying Ekishu.
Depending on that answer... I may fight you until my life ends.
Kazuto: It should be said from our mouths after all, right? (Lol, how do I safety? And Shuri's here too)
Master!?
Heh... Well, I expected that when you agreed to back off...
Sorry, Sei-chan.
I don't mind. Do as you please.
Sigh... There's no helping it.
Hehe, thanks... Umm, Kochu-san, right?
And you're Ryubi?
Right. And he is...
Kazuto: Hongou Kazuto. A man who fights alongside Ryubi.
Hongou?... I see. So you are the rumored Heavenly Messenger.
Kazuto: Yeah. That's what public calls me.
Heavenly Messenger... A Heavenly Messenger, that Kanrou mentioned, who descended to stop the chaos, why are you attacking Ekishu? Why do you start a battle that will stir up the war?
Kazuto: You sure poke where it hurts... To be honest, we have no other choice.
You don't?
Kazuto: Yeah... This war, that started with Yellow Turban Revolution. What is needed to end it? A heart, that cares for people? Or a gentle nature that will allow to avoid fighting and solve everything by discussing?
That's...
Kazuto: ...What's needed is a power. A great power, so you won't lose to anyone. And to use that power for the people. That's Touka's, our ideal.
Kazuto: That's why I'm fighting. And I intend to continue fighting.
Kazuto: It's not for selfish goals... though well, if you call reaching that ideal a selfish goal, there's nothing I can respond with.
...Why are you attacking Ekishu?
Kazuto: The fact that people desire that might be the greatest reason.
Heavy tax is imposed and used as a funding to continue internal struggle... I think it's quite wrong.
We want to punish people, who fight among themselves and don't think of people.
Otherwise, people of this country will be involved in a greater war and will have a saddening experience.
Kazuto: ...Though if we didn't come, noone would've been involved in fighting. That's also true, no?
Kazuto: But... At the very least, I think we're better than current prefect.
Kazuto: Stop the civil war and protect people from invasion... Do people really desire someone who can't even do that?
That's...
Kazuto: That's why... we're here.
...I understand your point. Hongou-san and Ryubi-san's words hold an undeniable truth.
But, we have a duty to protect this castle and people inside it. (By using those very people as soldiers in a pointless battle? Cool story)
So that's why you fought... I respect that resolve.
Yeah. As a lord and as a general, your decision is proud and just.
That's why... We want you to submit to us. We won't treat you badly.
Kochu soldier: Ko, Kochu-sama! Civilians keep gathering at the castle walls!
Eh!?
Landlady: Ryubi-sama! You've finally arrived! (Successful propaganda is successful)
Old man: All residents are welcoming you!
Girl: Ryubi-sama!
Boy: Ryubi-sama! Welcome!
Young man: Kochu-sama! It's okay! Don't fight!
Old man: That's right, Kochu-sama! Ryubi-san, spare Kochu-sama!
Merchant: That's right! There are no lord as great as Kochu-sama! That's why, at least, spare her! (Merchant? More like a rabbitman)
Girl: Kochu-sama!
It's okay! We won't do anything violent with Kochu-san!
Touka has answered to the voice of citizens with all her might.
...Heh, it appears people are honest.
Kazuto: I think that many people pleading for you is pretty amazing too.
Yeah... I'm honestly happy about that.
Kazuto: That's why... I want you. Is that no good? (Good phrasing there... something incoming)
Kazuto: ...? Did I say something funny?
No, it just sounded as if you're seducing me.
Kazuto: Hm?... Oh, come to think of it, indeed.
Saying stuff like "I want you", makes me sound like some snobbish flirt... Am I such a flirt. Ugh, I regret it now...
...I understand. I'll entrust myself to you.
Really!?
That's what people desire, after all...
So you're not submitting, because you're convinced?
No, I am, after hearing Hongou-san and Ryubi-san's words. (Also, I bet that seduction kinda worked too)
Their vessel and intention, and the calmness to not get blinded by it... Because it exists, I can trust you.
If you were fools, who have nothing but ideal, I'd try to kill you, even if at the cost of my own life.
Saying that, she dropped a dagger, she took out of her pocket.
Ugh... You're not a woman to drop your guard with.
Heh... Women have thorns.
Kazuto: I'll keep it in mind... then, once again, I'm Hongou Kazuto. Yoroshiku.
Ryubi Gentoku, mana is Touka! Kochu-san, yoroshiku, as allies from now on.
Yeah... My name's Kochu, style name is Kansho. Mana is Shion... Those, who became my lords, I entrust my mana to you.
Shion bowed to us in a graceful way. At that moment, the battle was over...