The kunoichi elaborated, “Our sources indicate that Suno is also a target in Minamoto no Yoritomo’s campaign.”
“Can we trust this report?” Lily inquired.
“It’s sourced from a raccoon nad Yuuta.”
The ntion of Yuuta’s na instilled confidence in the sisters, yet it also brought a wave of concern. If Yuuta relayed the information, its reliability was beyond doubt. Despite Ayaka’s captivity and the communication barriers erected, Yuuta’s group found a way, aided by the Mita Temple, to relay ssages. The temple was a sanctuary exclusive to raccoons. Even the Imperial Court’s forces were barred, unless they yearned for conflict with the Taira clan. Yoritomo, calculating the balance of power, steered clear of antagonizing the Taira for the mont.
“Minamoto no Yoritomo,” Kotoka sighed, her forehead creased in a frown, “as expected, he’s relentless.”
Ayaka sought further clarity. “Do we know where they are amassing their forces, the number, or their potency?”
The kunoichi hesitated, prompting Kotoka to command an imdiate investigation.
Young Kimiko, although deep in thought, portrayed a naive innocence, contrasting her usual cunning deanor. Perched on Lily’s lap, she blinked, absorbing the conversation around her.
“So, we’re uncertain about Minamoto no Yoritomo’s primary objective,” Lily mused.
Yoritomo had once dispatched an army to besiege Cherry Blossom Valley. However, thanks to Lily’s tily intervention, the assault was thwarted. With Ayaka’s addition of a labyrinthine formation, Cherry Blossom Valley had beco virtually untraceable to the outside world. Subsequent to that event, the valley had been left undisturbed. But Yoritomo, being the shrewd strategist that he was, never forgot about the valley.
Mayumi shared, “From what the reports say, when Lily managed to free Ayaka from Minamoto no Yoritomo’s clutches in Heian-kyo, it wasn’t just a minor setback for him. He later orchestrated Shuten Doji’s assault on Suno, but to his surprise, Shuten t his demise. Since then, he’s treaded with caution
1.”
Yukiko interjected, “Subsequent to those events, Minamoto no Yoritomo’s main body disappeared for a period. His whereabouts remain unknown. Strangely, the world began to shift after he vanished. Not only did the native monsters grow more potent due to a surge in dark energy, but nurous monsters and demons from the underworld also erged in Ashihara, sowing chaos and devastation.”
Haihi had ascended to lead the kunoichis, with Mayumi and Yukiko as her deputies. Together, they compiled reports from the kunoichi network. However, due to the gravity of Yoritomo’s impending onslaught, this particular information was relayed directly.
“The global alterations are undeniably linked to Minamoto no Yoritomo!” Lily declared with conviction.
Deep in thought, Ayaka remarked, “Minamoto no Yoritomo is enigmatic and inscrutable. While he lacks the power to influence the heavens or reshape the world, he is unquestionably connected to these changes in so manner.”
“Where could he have vanished to? And to what end?” A concerned Lily pondered aloud. She knew the man wouldn’t simply ignore them. The lack of any recent moves from Yoritomo since Shuten’s demise indicated he was occupied with sothing far more significant than confronting them.
Could he have altered the world?
Lily inquired of Yukiko and Mayumi, “By the way, where’s sister Haihi?” Her absence since their arrival puzzled Lily.
Mayumi replied, “Sister Haihi has embarked on a mission.”
Lily, filled with concern, pressed, “Now? Where to?”
Both Yukiko and Mayumi were in the dark regarding Haihi’s whereabouts. An uneasy silence enveloped the chamber.
Seeking to reassure her, Ayaka said, “Lily, if Haihi ventured out, she would have prepared adequately. She isn’t soone to act recklessly. You needn’t worry.”
With a reluctant nod, Lily accepted her words.
Ijuin, seeking clarity, posed, “What should be our course of action?”
Ayaka glanced at little Kimiko, and with a touch of exasperation, explained, “The paths to both Suno and Cherry Blossom Valley are intertwined through the formation. Our best strategy is to hold our ground and decipher Minamoto no Yoritomo’s true intentions.”
Rei weighed in gravely, “The reason for this impending assault likely hinges on two factors: his prior engagents and the news of Lily’s return to Ashihara. Had Lily and Ayaka not returned, Cherry Blossom Valley might have been overlooked. But with their presence, the true threats to him are Lily, Ayaka, and Kimiko.”
The sisters nodded in agreent with Rei’s assessnt.
Rei added, “I surmise that Minamoto no Yoritomo is unaware of Lily’s exact location and the formation that links the two regions.”
Ayaka instructed, “Alert Suno to be on high alert. If Minamoto no Yoritomo’s forces strike, we will mutually support based on the circumstances.”
All nodded in agreent. Given the uncertainty of the enemy’s maneuvers, they resolved to remain reactive. For the ti being, little Kimiko would stay in Cherry Blossom Valley alongside Nariaki. Suno’s defenses were mainly composed of local demon foxes and monsters, while communication was overseen by the kunoichis. The primary defensive bastion remained Cherry Blossom Valley.
In Heian-kyo’s Shogun Palace, Minamoto no Yoritomo studied a map of Ashihara, deep in thought.
“Kagami Lily, after returning to Ashihara, it seems she headed to Suno. But after that, there’s been no news. Where could she be? Suno, Cherry Blossom Valley, or soplace else?”
A few days later, news arrived. An army of twenty-thousand black-armored troops had set out from the Musashi Province, journeying north. By now, they had reached the forests and mountains of the Kai Province, making their way towards Cherry Blossom Valley. The vanguard, however, lost their way in the maze as they neared the valley. It took them days to find their way out. Once they did, they hesitated to get closer, setting up camp in the nearby forests instead.
In Lily’s residence, a eting was convened. Present were Rei, Ayaka, Kotoka, Yukiko, and Ijuin.
“So, Cherry Blossom Valley is the target after all?” Rei pondered.
Yukiko added, “The leading general is Kato Keiren, commanding an army of twenty-thousand black-armored elites.”
Rei snorted dismissively, “Kato Keiren is just a throned monarch. I could easily defeat him. By sending him, Minamoto no Yoritomo is probably unsure of Lily’s whereabouts and is testing our ttle.”
Ayaka weighed in, “If they’re testing the waters, let’s give them a challenge. The maze formation isn’t easily broken. Though now that they know about it, with Yoritomo’s expertise, he might deduce the valley’s location within the formation. If he decides to go all out, the formation won’t hold.”
Lily nodded in agreent, her thoughts racing, “Madam Shizuka Gozen, when will you arrive? Are we to rely defend the valley? Or should we confront Minamoto no Yoritomo directly? We can’t possibly match him unless both Ayaka and Kimiko regain their full powers.”
Suddenly, a kunoichi burst in with news, “Lyn-hi, she has arrived!”
“Who has arrived? Could it be Shizuka Gozen?” The door swung open to reveal Haihi, dressed in a female bar uniform. It was evident she’d been in disguise.
“Sister Haihi!” While it wasn’t Shizuka Gozen, Lily’s face lit up in joy. Haihi, without changing her clothes, still carried the scent of alcohol. “Lily, I first went to Suno. After setting up a teleportation talisman, I infiltrated Heian-kyo.”
“Sister Haihi, Heian-kyo is perilous now. Why venture there?” Lily expressed her concern.
“Haihi, please sit and then discuss,” Ayaka interjected, offering Haihi a cup of tea.
Haihi’s stern expression suggested she wasn’t in the mood for tea. “There are things you can’t grasp from re reports. One has to witness them personally.”
Rei inquired, “How dire is the situation?”
“It’s worse than I imagined in Heian-kyo. Many officials, samurai, and even ordinary civilians have transford into monsters.”
The group gasped. Recent reports had only highlighted Yoritomo’s movents. The anomalies in Heian-kyo were ntioned in passing, noting only their severity. Perhaps Yuuta, being a demon, was more concerned about Lily and her company than the ordinary residents of Heian-kyo. And Lily, for her part, hadn’t pressed for specifics.
“The Imperial Court distributes a peculiar dicine to the masses,” Haihi continued, her eyes reflecting her distress. “Days after its consumption, individuals undergo grotesque mutations. So beco more terrifying than actual monsters. They’re no longer recognizable as humans.”
Lily, her voice filled with frustration, exclaid, “Minamoto no Yoritomo, what have you done?”
“I secured a sample of this dicine.” Haihi handed a pouch to Ayaka, elaborating, “The court claims this dicine helps people adapt to the world’s changes, bolstering their vitality and resilience. While it might alter their appearance, without it, they might not live to witness the forthcoming era.”
Ayaka inspected the contents of the pouch, her brow furrowing in thought. “This isn’t a simple concoction.” All eyes turned to her. “Though the ingredients aren’t costly, crafting such a potent drug with them would’ve necessitated nurous trials. The human toll taken to devise this vile formula is unthinkable!” Ayaka’s sense of justice shone through, her visage revealing her deep-seated anger.
Footnotes:
Robinxen: I would be cautious if I was facing a protagonist too. But I’d much rather not face them at all.
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