The Emperor and Empress of Jinwa

We were invited to the pagoda this time around and asked to bring Pino and Theo. I didn't need to bash a hundred heads to get there, and neither did Bishamonten look like she wanted to fight. She sat atop the throne with Yonnu in her lap, the frown on her face flipped to a subtle smile when she saw her eye-candy.

"Theo!" The emperor waved ecstatically from above.

Second Prince Theo was just as excited to see his friend safe and sound. It was kind of heart-warming to see kids act like kids. Something Yui and I didn't often get a chance at.

"Can I show Theo the new sword you gave me?" Yonnu asked of Bishamonten.

"Of course," she said.

Before hopping off the throne, he leaned up to kiss her on the lips, and I could have sworn I saw some tongue action. Yui, Anya, and I had to turn away and swallow the urge to laugh. The rumors about Bishamonten being a shotacon was true, but I guess even the most vicious girl in the world's got a soft side.

Yonnu raced down the steps and bowed to us. "Thank you for saving me. I thought you were bad people at first, but I know now you're all very kind. So please, don't think bad of Kaoru for what she did last time."

"Damn, kid. If you're gonna be so earnest about it I'll give it some thought," I said, pushing Theo forward.

Both of them took off in the direction of the stairs. A tall, muscular man and ninja girl I recognized were waiting for them. They regarded me with a respectful nod, then led the two kids upstairs.

"Yo, Kaokao. Betcha didn't expect to see me in this world. Gotta say, I'm hurt you didn't think to bring out some drinks for us," Anya said.

Bishamonten rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I'll have you know, I've abstained from alcohol in anticipation to be wedded to Yonnu— as is tradition for consorts in Jinwa."

"Whaaaaat? You're gonna marry that kid? But he's so young, and you're so ol— mmph!" Yui couldn't finish her sentence thanks to Anya putting a hand over her mouth.

"It's unfortunate that I have to wait until he's of age. Yonnu insists we follow tradition and even challenged that if I truly loved him, I would wait. Sometimes it's so hard to resist…" The shotacon empress cleared her throat and recomposed herself following a deep breath.

Yui broke free from Anya's grasp and asked, "But didn't you badink Pino? So aren't ya cheating on the emperor?"

"Jinwan imperial culture encourages the empress and emperor to seek multiple concubines. Yonnu pledges himself only to me, but has given me the greenlight to pursue others. That's why… I shall create for myself a harem." She clenched a fist in front of her, eyes glinting.

This bitch was whack. Just yesterday she was about to outright murder me and Yui.This morning, she pretty much slaughtered a bunch of traitors herself and tortured the rest. Kaoru Makinohara was a delinquent yakuza who climbed the ranks of the Tono Clan and became feared throughout Kyushu— was a fucking shotacon.

I lost to this?

"With that being said… Pino, it's a pleasure to see you again. Could I persuade you to be in my company again tonight?" Bishamonten asked, a devilish grin flashed across her face.

The cavalry-captain turned bright red and hid behind me.

"Likewise, b-but I think I shall pass on that offer, your m-majesty!" Pino stammered.

"Alright, we didn't come here to play matchmaker for your shotacon ass. Your people invited us here, then you sick your lap dogs at me for a welcoming party— poisoning me ain't enough? What the hell's your game?" I fought back the impulse to walk up those steps to slug her with Sacchan.

I probably could. The venom was out of my system and Sacchan had been repaired. Even got a little upgrade. I still might not be as strong as her, but I could sure as hell put up a better fight.

While still in her seat, Bishamonten summoned Kamigoroshi. The three of us tensed up. She struck the ground with the base of her spear three times, the harsh clattering echoed across the throne room until a shuffling of footsteps filed in.

A group of guards paraded four men before us and the throne. What were once colorful textiles decorated with gemstones and beautiful stitchings that they wore, were now ruined and stained like it was picked up from a dump. They reeked of shit and piss, faces bruised just barely beyond recognition. But I knew them alright.

Hoomei and Yunjin were among the eunuchs below the pagoda. The other two were Ranyi and Honwu, the geezers who came to Cynderace as envoys.

"These four plotted to usurp me, and used you as an unwitting pawn. They thought to set the new champions of the Lannarkis Ring on the tyrannical empress," Bishamonten revealed.

I stared at the four of them with the fury of the sun burning inside me. "The azure venom? The ambush with the Ramaleiks?"

"Conspired with the very four men before you. I suspect they had stolen some from my coffers in their previous tenure here. Pino and Anya should know very well that the Sultan and Ramaleiks are not on good terms with me. Especially not at the moment," she said.

"Oh, yeah! Ya got a fat army mobilizing in the north, and you're buying up all the magic ore that even the black markets are emptied out. The hell are you doing?" Anya asked.

Bishamonten glared. "That's for me to know, Viceroy of Ash'tar."

Anya clicked her tongue.

There was some political power play going on behind the scenes I didn't want to get involved with. But if Anya and Bishamonten were part of this shit, it was going to affect Scoth whether I liked it or not. Which meant I'd get roped into it eventually… whether I liked it or not.

The four men who were responsible for almost killing Kawa and ruining my body whimpered as I walked up to them with Sacchan in hand. It felt like just yesterday I was traveling through Tamakanui with Loraine and Kawa. Everytime I thought back to how much danger they were in— for a lack of a nicer way to say it— fucking pissed me the fuck off.

"I hope you got a healer ready for them," I said to Bishamonten.

"Do as you like."

The guards carried the limp bodies away. A fresh coat of blood on Sacchan lasted only a minute before it was soaked into the wooden. It seemed alive now, after infusing it with the power of Fade's relic and a dryad seed. Even though I got my revenge, nothing could describe how disappointing it was to no longer have a reason to square off against Bishamonten.

No— It wasn't over. Not by a longshot.

"Micchi, you can't be serious?" Anya asked.

"Ooooh. Anego's raring to go!" Yui exclaimed.

Bishamonten, who had been looking painfully bored this entire time, at last took interest in me. "Hoh? You want to go again?"

"Yesterday was a fluke. You know something about Chika that I don't. Yui and I need answers." I pointed Sacchan at Bishamonten and was met with the Kamigoroshi's speartip in return.

"Very well. But it shall be a battlefield of my choosing. Are you ready? Kaminari?" she asked.

"Bring it on." I grinned.

The next moment, I was sitting across Bishamonten on a small table with a shogi board between us. She was deep in thought considering her next move while I was clutching my head in mental anguish.

"What the fuck is this?!" I flipped the table, board, and pieces all together.