Karmic Justice (II)

"L-lady Kusanagi… this place is…"

"Not on the map, I know. But if the informant that I paid was telling the truth, this village can provide a good place for us to stay the night."

It's nearly sunset when we called it a day and tried to look for a secure place to stay for the night.

"A village hidden inside a dried up river canyon. A natural fortress, is that right?"

"Yeah. It's well hidden and if ever we did get discovered, we can use the terrain to our advantage by forcing the enemies to go down and fight us."

As the two Ayanami sister generals are talking, I was thinking about the three settlements that we just conquered today.

"Ishigawa-nii. I have a question."

"What would that be, my princess?"

The effeminate general spoke with his unnaturally real female voice.

"What are the odds of us having to lose and retake the places we got today?"

"Hmm… by my knowledge, it would be impossible for it to not be a primary target of besieging."

"I see."

I don't know why, but these last few days, I can't help but think about my fellow lord named Iwasawa Hiroshi… wait… this phrasing is…

"Huh? You're turning red on the face, Kyoko-sama. Are you unwell?"

"Y-y-yes I am! Don't worry about me!

W-Wait! Not in that way, idiot me! His principles! It's his principles that I can't stop on thinking about!

For quite a while now, I've been thinking about how such a man with a soft and lenient approach to the people was able to raise such a magnificent place. Some of it is a given since he has created machines that eased up the processes needed by his people but one aspect of it that I've thought made all of it possible was that thing.

His principle of believing in his people and serving them.

I grew up as a princess under a clan that led our lands with blood and steel. I was told about my ancestors that vanquished bandits and pirates with our armies and defeating enemy clan after enemy clan to protect our people. In short, the Kusanagi clan is deeply respected as a higher power and authority whose main way of gaining prestige is through being the strongest people in the place.

However, this man has a different way of leading. Unlike what I would do to the soldiers that once raised their blades on me, he understood their situation and gave them a new work to earn their needs in life. Unlike what I would do to the people that once beaten me up and made me serve them like a slave, he listened to my plea and saved the life of my father. But one thing that I really cannot do is the thing that he did when he discovered the events that happened on his first battle…

"Ishigawa-nii…The rumors that was told about him…"

"It's true, your highness. Iwasawa-dono took the survivors of the ruined village and gave them a new home at his province."

Kindness… Kindness that didn't care about to whom it will be given.

The idea was… very foreign to me.

I am the Lord of Shinka. I serve the citizens of my land and will turn away anyone from outside of it that has ill intentions. However, this man listened to their plight and decided there and then to save them.

And because of that, I can't help but think…

"If you were in that situation… what would you do, Kyoko?"

I've asked myself this question for so many times while we were marching.

And yet, I still cannot think of a right answer.

"We're here. Princess."

"Oh. I see. Check the surroundings and tell the locals that we would be camping nearby. Announce to everyone that they cannot have their private times while the camp is not yet finished, am I clear?!"

"Yes, your highness!"

I went around and went down to look at the dried-up river that can only exist at the absence of water from the source of the river.

"Hmm. Strange. It should be fall now but why is the river still dry like it's the middle of summer?"

I found it strange that the place looked like it didn't see a drop of water for months already. As if something was purposefully keeping the river water out of this place.

"Whatever. It's not like we desperately need water right now… but those women who followed us would probably feel a bit icky down there with no place to wash up."

Even though I am not comfortable with having to see them and some soldiers doing that when I go out of my tent at the middle of the night for my patrol, their presence in our camps at least reassures me that no blockheads would try to assault me out of pent-up lust.

"Speaking of which… that guy banned that in his army, didn't he?"

Now that I remember, the army of the Iwasawa clan didn't have a trail of prostitutes following them. He said that new laws from Kiko have banned the trade, but it still makes me wonder about how he is keeping his men in line while they are away from their homes.

"…If he banned it personally, then would that mean…? Those that was previously affiliated and the ones he brought to his lands are now in his castle and-"

Argh! Stop thinking about ridiculous things, stupid me! Is this supposed to be the thoughts of the Warrior Princess of Shinka?! Stop it! You're not that kind of a woman!

"Argh…! Why does it always have to be thoughts about him…? I have to focus, for heaven's sake!"

"L-Lady Kyoko…? What are you talking about?"

"Ahh!!!"

"Kyaa!!!"

While I was monologuing, someone approached me from behind and spoke up which made me shout in surprise.

"L-Lady Kyoko… Quit scaring me…"

"That's supposed to be my line, Mitsuhide!"

It took me a while to process my shocked senses to recognize that it was only the younger Ayanami general who was behind me.

"W-what are you doing here anyway, L-lady Kyoko?"

"N-nothing, just taking a breather…"

I tried to recompose myself from my previously flustered expression as I don't want Mitsuhide to make a fuss about me like how it went with Ishigawa-nii earlier.

"I'm just here to report on the scouting around. The place looks safe and Mitsuha-nee already ordered the camp to be constructed. One thing we noticed though is that the village seemed too quiet and when we looked closer, it seems like the village is abandoned."

"If that's the case, no need to construct the camp. Let the men stay at the houses and rest up after their meals."

"I see… Understood, Lady Kyoko!"

Strange… why is the usually hotblooded and aggressive Mitsuhide…

"Mitsuhide-chan. Can I ask you something?"

"Mm? What would that be, Lady Kyoko?

She's acting… to strangely for the past few weeks. It almost feels like…

"Why are you acting like that? I just noticed now that your expression and words seem to not look like it used to before."

"H-huh? Umm… I don't understand… what are you talking about, Lady Kyoko?"

Her hair that used to just be bunched into a messy tie, her eyes that used to burn with anger and hostility, her posture that used to be stiff to show robustness, mannerisms that is mostly instinctual combat moves and her tone of voice that is usually raised to sound domineering…

"I-Is something wrong?"

…It suddenly became a cleanly washed and neatly combed ponytail, a gentle but firm gaze, a graceful posture that accentuates her body line, tucking her hair behind her ear and a voice that sounds tender and soothing on the ears.

"Mitsuhide… I'm sorry if this would offend you. But when did you start being so womanly?"

"E-eh…?! Is… is it really that obvious…?"

"Well, since I get to see you every day… I kind of noticed sooner than everyone…"

"I-Is that so…? Haah… that's a relief…"

Eh? Is… is this for real?

Ayanami Mitsuhide who would rather die than admit her femininity is actually trying to be a woman?!

"M-Mitsuhide… have you eaten something spoiled? Do you know anyone who hates you that they'll curse you?"

"W-what...?! L-Lady Kyoko, quit scaring me. It's not funny!"

"Oi, oi, oi! Mitsuhide, get a grip! This isn't like you!"

"S-stop already, Lady Kyoko! That's too scary!"

Impossible… This is impossible… I know that he did help out to make her less hostile but… this amount of change in just a few weeks.

"Mitsuhide… don't tell me… When you slapped your subordinate when she spoke up against Hiroshi's commander, did you do that to-"

"Mmm!"

She blushed! Oh heavens! That one thing that I've never even able to imagine seeing from her!

"Iyaaa! Kyoko-sama! Don't remind me of that, I'm still ashamed of that!"

Is this for real? Is she… is she also-

But before my thoughts can connect, an explosion sent me and Mitsuhide flying across the riverbank.

*GYUUU-!!! KA-GYAGGG!!!*

"W-what the-?!"

"Kyoko-sama! Get down-"

That night, I learned that I am yet to truly understand how low people can go when it comes to wanting to get their own way on things.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Kou-sama! A smoke cloud right there!"

"Tch! We're late, they're starting the attack!"

Without missing a beat, I forced my horse to squeeze out his remaining strength just to get me to that place where I have to help out.

"Follow the lord! Unlock your rifles, we're in hostile territory now!"

"Rules of engagement, sir?!"

"Return fire! Don't let them catch you off guard!"

Sergeant Sendai cleanly gave orders and because of it, when my brain was stuck in the feeling of spite against my own incompetency, there was no major problems in the formation of the entire army as we speed up to the riverbank there.

"Come on! Come on!"

It was unnatural for me to act like this. For someone like me who is usually level-headed, I was speeding through a place where I might die without even realizing it.

"Anyone! Is anyone here?!"

Once I entered the village, I was surrounded with building blazing on fire. From every corner of the place, there are corpses that are torn apart or burnt to a crisp.

"RAAAA!!!"

"Get out of my way!"

"GUWAGH!"

An enemy soldier hopped from a roof and tried to stab me with his sword, but I took a spear and skewered him with it.

"Anyone! Is anyone still alive?!"

I went around, not caring if the smoke and haze is making me choke and lose breath. Right now, I wanted to know if anyone here are still alive.

"My Lord! Get down!"

"Ich-!"

*Ka-Pyak!*

Sendai shouted and I instinctively dodged before he fired his rifle to kill a man trying to shoot me with a bow.

"My lord! It's unsafe here! Get out and leave this to us!"

"Tch! I'll leave it to you then…"

Begrudgingly, I followed after weighing our situation and regaining my composure. This is not a place for me to stick out my own life. If I get harmed here, the army might lose composure too.

"Damn it! Damn it all!!!"

There's a reason why I am so frustrated with this situation.

"My Lord! We've found the Lord Kusanagi and the younger Ayanami general!"

"Good. Bring them to the medic and give them some first aid."

"Aye!"

Because this situation… is almost alike that one that happened a week ago.

"Baited to an abandoned village, caught unprepared for a ploy before suddenly being blown apart by explosives…"

Is this karmic justice? Is this fate's way of telling me that I stepped a bit too much out of line?

If so, this is my fault…

"Kou-sama! Enemy reinforcements coming from the northeast! Estimated number is on tens of thousands!"

"Damn it! Tell Sergeant Sendai to get back here immediately! We're retreating!"

"Roger!"

"Everyone! Encircle the medical cart as you return fire! Protect the allied officers as we make a quick retreat!"

"As you command!"

When Kyoko and Mitsuhide has been loaded into the medical cart, the riflemen pointed their guns to the charging enemy while the cavalry swiftly swerved around us to not let us be encircled by the enemy.

"Fire! Fire! Fire!!! Don't let them get past your ranges!"

"Sergeant Sendai sure is taking his time. Come on, hurry up, old man!"

"I'm just 30 years old, you brats!"

As we heard that shout coming nearer to us, we saw the leading cavalryman swiftly running to us with an unconscious armored samurai behind him.

"Let's go! Fire back as we retreat! Open the murder hole!"

Once I shouted that, the side window of the medical cart opened, and the continuous fire of a machine gun echoed as the enemy soldiers fell one by one with its bullets.

"Don't waste the time we bought for you! Get away now while we're still holding them down!"

The chaotic retreat from that place left many of us, wounded or dead.

"They'll live. They just need to rest."

"…I see."

Back at the central castle that we are holding, I tended to the unconscious Ayanami sisters and told their now awakened lord about their situation.

"I shouldn't have trusted that informant… I thought I can buy loyal words with money, but I forgot that this province is just a huge den of thieves and swindlers."

"Have you talked to your remaining men yet?"

"I did… it's good that I left a lot of them to guard the villages we hold or else, I'll lose three-fourths of my main army now."

"How many people…"

"4,000… 4,000 of my 17,000 men died in that village."

"…"

This is my fault.

"Kyoko… I…"

Apologize.

Please just say the words, me.

Tell him that this happened because you did it first.

"You… what?"

Come on! Just say it!

"I…"

Please. Just tell her that this is your fault.

"I am thinking of pressing the attack by myself."

…Why?

"I… I see. It makes sense for you to suggest that with our situation right now, but don't worry, I'm not backing out yet."

"Understood. I'll leave you to rest for now then. Don't forget to drink this if your head feels painful."

Why can't I tell her that all of this started because of me?

Is it guilt? Is it pride?

"Kou-sama."

Once I returned to my room, Nobisuke was standing near the window and turned to look at me.

"Nobisuke…"

*BYAK-!*

"ACK-!!!"

Before I can even respond, Nobisuke formed a fist and hit me straight at the face with it.

"Gah-! Hah-!"

I rolled at the floor, squirming in pain as I held my cheek that received his powerful punch that must've broke a few of my teeth.

"I apologize for hitting you, but I just can't stop myself from reacting against something like this."

"I…"

"You're afraid, my lord. You're afraid of facing the consequences of your actions."

That's it. That's the thing that I have been feeling for a while.

I was afraid of losing that person's respect and allegiance.

"…I will be returning to the northern front. Please, if you don't want to feel pitiful of yourself again…"

He spoke some words as he opened the door.

"…please don't do something that you can't take responsibility for."

That statement stuck with me that night. Because of it, I can't sleep. I can't close my eyes without being haunted by my actions.

"…Are you there, Kuro?"

"I sensed that you're not at ease, my lord. So, I went here to check what has been bothering you."

The leader of the Crows, my clandestine espionage group, spoke from outside my room's window.

"Kuro."

"Yes, my lord?"

"I want to go out tonight."

"-!"

Hearing that, Kuro went inside and bowed low to me.

"My lord, this is not the right way to-"

"This is the only way."

"But-"

"No buts. Unless I get there and save what remains of her people, I will not stop."

I have decided. I choose to take the consequences by my own self.

"As you wish, my lord… I swear by the oath that we have made with you. We will serve your purpose and your wishes till our last breath. If this is really what you wish for, we will help you with it."

"Good."

I spoke and stood up to remove the yukata I was wearing for sleep and instead, wore a white buttoned shirt, a black pair of pants and a trench coat of the same dark shade as the Crows' shinobi garbs.

"Let's go. I have people to find and help and people to hunt down and end."

That night, a man riding a horse followed by several ninjas wearing unpainted masks rode to the east of the domain.

Many said that it was a local vengeful spirit while some told stories about a Shinigami going around to claim the souls of the fallen.

But of them all, only one was near to hitting the mark.

"That creature is riding to give peace for the dead and suffering for the living."