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A week after the battle at Sekiheki...
Sousou, after suffering crushing defeat at Sekiheki, has abandoned Koryo and withdrawn towards Gi territory.
But we won't let her escape so easily. As I suggested, we positioned Go soldiers at their estimated route and made attacks in quick succession.
Gi force was diminishing fast... due to repeated ambushes and surprise attacks, majority of Gi soldiers has escaped.
It's about time...
After reorganizing at our own castles, we depart fully prepared.
For the final battle...
Kazuto: How's Sousou?
Right now, the enemy fortified themself at the Shinya castle.
But, Shinya is too small of a castle to hold a massive army. The decisive battle will be in the fields, after all.
Kazuto: A spectacular decisive battle in the fields, huh...
Due to battle at Sekiheki and all those surprise attacks, Gi force has been reduced a lot.
Our force is about equal right now... I'm not sure if we can win, but it doesn't look like we'll lose at least.
The rest is up to us, huh... heh, I'm looking forward to it. (You don't get to fight Karin anymore, though)
I'll show off Rinrin's strength!
Kazuto: What's wrong, Touka?
Ah... no, I just thought, is there a reason to fight Sousou-san anymore... (Nope... if you fight her anymore, your Three Kingdom strategy fails)
Kazuto: A reason to fight, huh... indeed, now that our forces are about equal, you can say that everything needed for Three Kingdom strategy is in place.
Kazuto: But... it's difficult, after all. We and Sonsaku have some kind of unity. (How about you actually try to tell Karin about your plan, smart people?)
Kazuto: But, since Sousou might still want to continue her conquest, we are not allowed to hold back right now.
I understand that... But, Master, I've been thinking.
Sousou-san's idea of conquest... is because she's thinking of this country. (Yup. Finally someone is thinking in the correct direction)
And our Three Kingdom strategy is also for this country's future.
It's not our own ideas that are important, but this country is. (If you and Sheren just surrendered, it'd be waaaaaay easier there)
The country we live in... good memories, bad memories... Isn't our country, holding all of that is what's important...?
Kazuto: That's right... that's why, we need to convince Sousou. Because we must protect this country, we need to make her stop this war.
Kazuto: That's probably the purpose of this battle. That's what I think.
A battle to convince Sousou, huh. (How about you send a messenger at least)
To fight and weaken Sousou-san... And be able to speak with Sousou-san as equal...
If we're not standing at the same ground, we can't talk. (Cool reason for killing thousands of soldiers)
Kazuto: That's how it is... and the Three Kingdom Strategy is impossible unless we talk with Sousou... We must win this battle and convince her.
Kazuto: So, Touka... Touka's kindness is not needed right now. Those feelings are precious... but the gap between reality and ideal is too big.
I understand that... sorry, I was just thinking if that's okay.
Kazuto: I understand how you feel.
Unlike how we fought a powerful foe before, we are the powerful foe for Sousou right now.
I understand how Touka feels attacking Sousou in this situation.
Kazuto: But right now, our Three Kingdom method suits this country.
We cannot unite the country. But, at the current situation, we also cannot get along with Sousou.
...Then, we need to fix the situation by force, and restore the balance of power to make it peaceful again.
...That's right. Yeah. Sorry. I said something weird again.
Kazuto: It's not weird at all. I think it's Touka's good quality.
Being kind to everyone without prejustice is amazing. (She's not really kind, just naive, I'd say. And really jealous sometimes)
Kazuto: The situation will change... and I hope the country will be like Touka dreams it to be.... but we need to face the reality right now.
Kazuto: We need to deal with that reality... in order to reach the answer brought by that reality.
That's why we must fight Sousou. That's all we need to think of right now... (So shut up already, stop repeating same thing over and over)
Karin-sama. All troops are ready to deploy.
Thanks... sigh.
You look tired.
Yeah... I've looked back on the road I passed a bit.
...Do you regret it?
There's no way I would... but, it's an undeniable truth that the peak I aim for is now clouded...
Are my actions my destiny... should I keep pushing forward... or should I stop my progress... I wonder.
...Karin-sama.
What?
I always think of it like this. Destiny is not something bestowed by heaven, but something Sou Moutoku makes by Sou Moutoku's actions.
You only need to follow the road you believe in. This is the visage of the lord, dear to us.
...If you die, we'll die as well... if you live, we'll support that.
What's correct and what's wrong doesn't matter... The path Sou Moutoku decides to walk is the justice for us.
Shuuran...
I've said too much. But... Isn't it about time you begin to act not as the ruler Sou Moutoku, but just as Karin-sama?
...I hope I can do so.
Someday... the day when you can will come. Time will progress and the world will change... there's no unchanging situation.
...Thanks. I'll keep those words in mind.
But, right now I need the veil of Sou Moutoku... Let's deploy with that veil. To our final battle.
Your will... I'll follow you anywhere.
Heh... Well then, Shuuran. Let us start the meeting. Gather all the officers.
Yes!