Lost ones in the right places

In a meeting room in a military camp of Kiko province, a secret meeting was being held away from the eyes of the public.

"…I see. That explains things."

"With all due respect, general. If this continues along like this, I am not confident that our hard-won peace would remain."

"…"

"We may have stopped fighting our own, but this may turn to us fighting the entire world."

Surrounding the table where Nobisuke is seated in the head of the table are not only the other generals of Kiko but also the other military leaders of the other provinces that has now been renamed as prefectures.

Officially speaking, as he is the one leading the prefecture (Kiko) with the strongest military force, Nobisuke is the chief of staff of Japan and is only subject to his master, Hiroshi and the Shogun, Sora.

With Shogun Sora still recuperating, he led the meeting that set the lay of things for all the other prefectural generals to learn how their country stands currently. And with the report given by his subordinate, the others who only learned about this now all felt the gravity of the situation.

After a short silence, a woman's voice asked for Nobisuke's permission to speak which he shortly permitted afterwards.

"If you may allow me to speak, Sir Shimura."

"…You may do so."

"Ahem… excuse my bluntness, but I'm afraid that this situation should've been made privy to us as soon as it happened."

After that sharp jab from her, the other generals all looked at her direction with shocked expressions. While she did warn them, the sheer bluntness of the statement caused them to wonder where she got the courage to speak like that towards who is basically wielding the strongest military power in the country.

"…General Nakano Mayumi of Shintetsu prefecture, yes?"

"That I am, sir."

"I won't deny. It's true that we should've been transparent about it long before this meeting has been held. In that, you can have my apologies."

"""…"""

A sense of astonishment and unified relief covered the room as soon as they heard that instead of a reprimand, Nobisuke gave a polite apology. Yet, this sense of relief didn't last for long.

"However! I must correct your statement. General Nakano, listen well."

"Y-Yes, sir?"

"Just 3 months ago, we have finally dissolved the Northern Coalition and three years ago, we are still at war with them, and we had to start all the way in the central plains where the Imperial capital is located. While it's true that communication is key to let all of you be informed about this new threat, I must also state that this meeting could never have been held back then when it has happened first…"

"…"

"After all, we were crossing swords and exchanging gunfire back then… a far cry from what we are doing right now where there is not a blade in sight and all guns has been deposited in the front door."

Nobisuke's statement gained the embarrassment of everyone who didn't start out as an ally or neutral to the war of unification. Years ago, they sided with the enemy of the alliance and now, they have been given a guaranteed position and voice in the national government.

By all means, their past actions should've guaranteed them a date to commit seppuku or an assassination order from the alliance which has both imperial and shogunate backing.

And so, the female general, Nakano Mayumi, looked down in shame after knowing that she has asked for something that given the past circumstances, could never have been achieved.

"In any case, let bygones be bygones and let's focus on the present… as reported by my subordinate, we have completely annihilated the invading Dutch fleet of the Dutch East India company and before them, the combined British and Prussian fleet that sailed from India. We have initiated diplomatic connections with a foreigner who is living in Kiko and has proposed that Japan should open itself to international relations with the two latter nations."

"And what has been decided so far, sir?"

"…Nothing solid yet, but the shogunate advisers and the shogun himself has expressed a desire to bring Japan to the knowledge of other civilized countries to avoid another instance like what happened between us and the Dutch from happening again."

"Wouldn't that ruin our national security?"

After one of them mentioned that, the members of the meeting was divided in their opinion about the subject. On one side, it's true that initiating contact with other countries will require them to invite over diplomats and show them around Japan whilst hoping that they would be astonished and fearful enough to not start another invasion. On the other hand, avoiding contact would keep Japan unknown to the other countries and let them preserve and even improve the country's safety.

"You're right, it will. As I've said, this is simply the preliminary opinions of the shogunate. With a new government being built, it's highly possible that this can change. 

"Then excuse me if I may sound rude, but personally, what is your opinion about this, General Shimura?"

Given that question, Nobisuke looked down for a moment and pondered about what he should say. A moment later, he gave his answer that satisfied his colleagues.

"I'm in the opinion of letting the world know about us and the power that we wield… but at the same time, keeping Japan closed enough to not rid our country of its unique identity. The last thing we want at such a time of rapid change like this is to lose the way of life that belongs to us and no one else."

Until daybreak, the meeting continued as the generals spoke about their opinions and suggestions with little to no restraint. In the end, everyone in attendance agreed that it was a very fruitful conference where they learned more about their former enemies and now, can form fruitful and peaceful friendships with them.

"General Shimura."

"…General Himeji. I see that you were waiting for me."

At the gate of the headquarters building of the military base, his fellow general of Kiko and subordinate to their master, Himeji Kotori, was waiting for him patiently.

"It's a long story, but to put it briefly, my car broke down and I have no way to go back to Naka. May I ask for a lift?"

"Huh… fair enough. I am quite sore after the meeting anyway. Can I trouble you with driving us back?"

"No problem."

The fairly passive tone in their exchange may seem friendly to any other person who overhead it, but to the two soldiers who are tasked to be their assistants, it was anything but a friendly exchange.

Even before when the war has not ended yet, there was already a tense and strained relationship between Nobisuke and Kotori. First of all, they came from different backgrounds and carried contrasting motivations about being a warrior.

Whereas Nobisuke carried a burning hatred for a certain someone but keeps it away from his responsibility as Kiko's general, Kotori carries an extreme loyalty for their master, enough that she can perpetrate the most destructive and desecrating actions as Kiko's general.

Second was the fact that unlike Nobisuke, Kotori is very rarely in-tune with the mindset of their master as well as the limits of his moral compass. While Nobisuke would always think about "what would Iwasawa-sama do at this situation" before he makes a decision, Kotori would instead think "how much would Iwasawa-sama be pleased if I do this", which makes her overdo her decisions and actions, oftentimes for the worst.

Lastly, there is the issue of Kotori's unfulfilled relationship with their master. Something that may have already been settled long ago in the past when Hiroshi ended all of his other dalliances save for Chiyo whom he proposed to marry but is still hanging in the mind of Kotori.

"Just say it, will you? I already know that you've been contemplating it for so long."

"…Which are you talking about? The one regarding discharging you from military service or the one about your illegal operations in the sea between us and Korea where you hired and armed your private army to rid it of pirates?"

"Both, I guess."

"Then this drive back to Naka is not enough time for it."

As Kotori drove the car through the well-lit and smooth highway back to Naka, the atmosphere became suffocating with their shared sense of distrust with the other.

"I will say this straight, and I wish this would be the last time that I have to do this, Kotori."

"…"

"Stop bringing the entirety of Kiko, and now Japan, down with your obstinate sense of duty and loyalty."

Hearing this made Kotori grasp the steering wheel tightly to the point where her palms became white.

"We have no war to fight anymore and it's already a blessing that Shogun Amanogawa has not dissolved the samurai caste entirely. We are at a sensitive time where people are trying to forget the horrors of war and are fervently praying day by day that we will not go back to such a savage time anymore."

"Those who curse the blade in a time when it is sheathed do not deserve its edge in a time when it must be drawn."

"And those who break peace when war has ceased will not know peace when war has claimed them for the afterlife."

"Tch…"

Hearing this, Kotori made a retort in the form of a proverb, but Nobisuke was not someone to be beat even at that.

"It's over already, Kotori. There is no more need for us to fight. You only knew Iwasawa-sama when he was at the peak of his life as a warrior and leader, but I was there when he was nothing but someone that we placed on the throne that he never deserved back then… I was there when he brought a better life for the people of Kiko and brought together the hearts of everyone in the alliance for the sake of lasting peace."

Hearing all of that, Kotori spoke to him with a tone that conveyed a sense of intimidation. 

"Are you mocking my devotion to him?"

"No. I am mocking your delusion of what you want him to be in your mind."

"What did you just say---"

"The truth!"

Hearing that, Kotori sharply stepped on the brakes which caused both of them to almost be flung out of their chairs before the seatbelts brought them back.

"I'm done with this!"

"And what do you think you're doing, Kotori?!"

Kotori left the car and closed the door heavily as she stomped outside in the empty highway. Nobisuke followed and shouted at her.

"We are subordinates of equal position and prestige under Iwasawa-sama! I will not have my honor be tarnished by your slander!"

"Slander? Hah! What have I told you all this time that is slander? Is it slander if it's the truth?!"

"Khh!"

"You damned rotten brat! There is not a sliver of honor in what you have done! Iwasawa-sama trusted you! I thought I could too! So why in the bloody hell did you have to do all those horrible crimes?!"

"BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE CAN!!!"

Hearing her answer after she finally broke from her shell, Nobisuke was astonished…

"No one else was willing to do what must be done for the war to end as soon as possible and with as little human casualty! You think we won because of your tactical prowess or because we are technologically superior to our enemies?! No! We won because we are willing to be more ferocious and brutal than our enemies!"

…astonished with the fact that Kotori was just as lost as Hiroshi was back in his darkest times.

"I committed those heinous crimes and conniving schemes because that is the only way for Iwasawa-sama's will to be realized as soon as possible! I am ready to take the blame and curses for it! I am prepared to be dropped to the deepest pits of the netherworld if that would bring us closer to the world that he envisions!"

"No one asked you to do any of that!"

"Because none of you have as strong of a will as I do!"

With that reply from her, Nobisuke was stunned.

"You… You were never supposed to trade blood and suffering for the furthering of our goals! Did you not see how we placated the northern provinces after the Coalition was dissolved, Kotori?!"

"Only after Iwasawa-sama showed that resisting us any further is futile by dropping neutron bombs!"

"Those are against monsters!"

"Then where do you draw the line, Shimura-dono?! We fired nukes against monsters back then, but can you guarantee me that we will not eventually drop one against humans?!"

Nobisuke was once again stunned after being faced with that question.

"Hah… I'm not going to live in utter hypocrisy, Shimura-dono. I am a warrior, born and raised. I drew a bow as soon as my arms allowed it and rode a horse as soon as I was able to reach its saddle. I know what the price of victory is."

"Don't you dare lecture me about things that I did before you even pledged your allegiance to Iwasawa-sama. I am more than willing to do anything if that would mean---"

"She's alive, isn't she?"

With that question alone, Nobisuke lost their feud.

"What were you about to say… 'Anything if that would mean the fulfillment of Iwasawa-sama's dream'? You're saying that yet you can't even fulfill yours."

"H-How did you---"

"The same way I've done things in order to do those so-called "horrible crimes" that you are holding against me so much."

As Nobisuke stood there, mouth ajar in utter shock, Kotori looked away and spoke with a hint of poison in her words.

"You say that we no longer have any war to fight and I should give up on things now… but you're wrong, Shimura-dono… no, Nobisuke. You're utterly wrong. The war hasn't ended, at least, that is true for me."

"Kotori… you're making a big mistake."

As Kotori walked back into the car, Nobisuke felt as if he is staring at a monster that all of them has missed while they fought their enemies.

"The only mistake I have done is failing to do this sooner than I should have."

At that moment, Nobisuke knew that no one save for their master can stop her anymore. Her eyes say it all, she has changed for the worse.

"Iwasawa-sama will have his dream fulfilled… even if it must be built atop mountains of corpses and oceans of blood."

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

Later that night, at dinnertime, the household of Naka castle assembled at the dining hall where servants, officials, retainers and the closest of confidantes of Hiroshi came to dine with him as they used to do whenever they are gathered together.

Given all that happened in the last war and the time that passed during it, new faces took on the seats of those who have either retired or has left the world of the living. The last time that a complete gathering like this happened is almost 5 years ago when the alliance finally kicked off the war that rid Japan of their enemies.

Everyone was here and seated around the table.

At the left side of the seat of honor is Akizuki Hisako, the priestess of Kaiho sanctum and effectively, still the princess of Kiko. Next to her is her brother, Akizuki Minori or in his covert life as the director of Kiko's espionage and intelligence agency, Kuro. Although he had his inheritance and right to inherit the lordship removed after their father was deposed, his reappearance has come with the title of the prince of Kiko, although he has profusely opposed it.

Next to Minori are the nobles and ministers. First was Nagisa Masami who has returned to her post as the Internal government minister after her long maternal leave. Beside her was her husband, Shinju Kazuya, the owner of a multitude of businesses in the military industry.

Next to the two was the Kurogawa family consisting of Kurogawa Toshinori, the minister of trade and industries, alongside his wife, Asuka and their child, Aki, who is now the full-fledged auditor of Kiko.

Next to the family of three is Fumikage Rie, the minister of public works and roads who was given the position after her massive contributions in the war as one of the masterminds of the logistics network of the alliance. Beside her is her brother, Fumikage Ryuusui, who appeared in a formal Kiko navy uniform without any insignias in order to hide his identity as the commander of the submarine force. Although he is officially considered dead after the sinking of Ashigara, the people gathered there are aware of his survival but save for a few, were misled to believe that he has retired from military service, hence his navy uniform that bore no rank insignias.

At the end of the main table, three adolescent ladies, sat together with an air that exudes dignity and refinement. Right beside Ryuusui was Misanagi Rinne, followed by Handa Yukari and her sister, Imai Chito. All three of them are now teenagers who carry themselves with refinement befitting their noble blood.

At the end of the left side of the table were the close confidantes of Hiroshi and people that he worked with ever since he became the lord of Kiko. Right next to Chito was Asada Kahono, the chief chambermaid of Naka castle who has retired after being married to the man beside her, Kaminari Tatsu, who is among the few non-noble retainers of Hiroshi. Next to him is Kurayama Kaguya who has now taken over the position of chief chambermaid after her services as Rinne's maid has ended. She was joined by her mother, Kurayama Rie, who is the most renown master chef in Japan and one of the first friends that Hiroshi made after his reincarnation.

On the other side of the table are the active military men of Kiko. Beside the seat of honor is Shimura Nobisuke and followed by Himeji Kotori, each of them being the highest-ranking generals of Kiko, separated only by their respective command structure wherein the former controls the active military of Kiko and the latter controls its auxiliary side such as logistics, engineering and other functions.

Beside Kotori is Ishida Takeo, the commander of the Kiko defense corps that protects the province from any attempt or intentions of invasion. Next to him are the two samurai retainers of Hiroshi who doesn't have a position in the Kiko army, Ayasaki Ayato and Namikaze Souichirou. These two chose to not enter into the military, stating their reluctance to enter since they are "outsiders", although they are still made to sit at the right side of the table given their place as subordinates of Hiroshi.

There are a few more notable military officers are present at the right side of the table, but three seats are noticeably empty. These seats were reserved for three men who were also invited but turned down the invitation stating their "age". Those three men are Aoyama Takeshi, Fumikage Ryuujin and Hikigaya Haranosuke, the trio who used to rule Kiko during its hard times before the establishment of the Iwasawa lordship.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"…A while it is, indeed."

Nobisuke can't help but speak in such a way when he saw almost all of the people who used to be here before and a lot more of new friends and family gathered once again around the table. Hearing that, Minori (Kuro), replied with the same hint of nostalgia.

"Back then… it was just us and the Kurogawa-san and Nagisa-san. Now, we have to add another long table to accommodate the new members of our family."

"Indeed. I could've never imagined that a time like this would come… when we can dine without talking about war or how to get things done."

"Right… but now, we're missing someone."

Hearing his statement, the woman sitting at one of the two seats at the head of the table turned to Nobisuke with a disappointed expression.

"You didn't have to say that, Nobi-nii."

"Sorry, Chiyo… but as you can see…"

"…"

The one who popularized such a gathering like this that made away with the "decorum" and "caste" of the old traditions was not here.

"I guess it would be another supper where I'll be the one to lead our gathering."

"I can take over if you want, Chiyo."

"No, no… I have to do this. I'm the one at the head of the table after all."

Chiyo stood up from her seat and the people around the table that was filling the room with their conversations promptly went quiet and awaited her words.

"Everyone… I am glad that you have come here today for a gathering that hasn't happened properly given what we all have just went through. Some of you went to war, some of you helped win the war from all the way back here and some of you… are no longer with us."

Chiyo mentioning those who lost their life in the war or during the time when the war raged, caused some to look down as they remembered the friends and family they lost in the war. However, her next words brought solace to their minds.

"However, as we gather here today, celebrating our victory and remembering our friends and family, both here and no longer here, there is one thing that we have stated before and are now the very thing that are keeping us together. I wish to raise this toast for the peace of Kiko…"

Chiyo raised her wineglass and so did the others. Seeing that, she was about to declare the beginning of the banquet when someone beat her to the words.

"…and for our blessed and fruitful lives."

"Who did---"

Chiyo turned to the direction where the voice came, and it was no other than the person they were waiting for.

"Hello everyone… it's been a long while."

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

In the shogunate palace in the capital province of Yamato, Shogun Amanogawa was already asleep despite the night still being young. Beside him was his wife and daughter who has made it their habit to keep the Shogun company as he slept, due to what Sora went through during his comatose state that may end up giving him terrible nightmares.

At a meeting hall, Shogunate generals Garou and Endou met with their subordinate who attended the meeting held in Kiko yesterday and after he finished his report, he was dismissed for the night.

"The formation of a national army, isn't it…?"

"Right. The terms given by Kiko is more than satisfactory, but it also exudes a sense of weakness. Before, they were cunning enough to cover all of their bases and put into paper every possible scenario where they eliminate their disadvantages and maximize their strengths."

"That should be normal since those are made by Iwasawa-dono with the help of his subordinates."

"Exactly… now that he is effectively gone from the picture, Kiko might be a strong blade, but it has lost its spine. Little by little, the edges would become dull and the blade would rust and chip away."

"…Why are you speaking that way towards the only people who accelerated our plans decades ahead of what we initially expected?"

"I'm just being pragmatic, Garou-san… It's a line of thought that we have to address in one way or another."

As Endou pondered about the subject, Garou looked at the city outside the window that has now returned to how it used to be after every festivity has ended. It's darkened due to sparse road lighting and quiet because of the regular curfew and noise ban.

"Now that things are settled, I guess it's time for me to hang my mantle and return to being nothing more than good ol' Garou-san, the chemist."

"You've really set yourself a good retirement plan, didn't you?"

"Of course, I do. It's just because I owe Sora a lot from back then and even here that I accepted being his military man. I told him that I'd get out of this thing as soon as Japan has attained the peace it needed."

Garou sighed with a pleased expression, thinking about how he's going to live now that he's no longer burdened with the position of being the main general of the Shogunate. This made him turn to the only Otherworlder that comprised the core people of the shogunate so far.

"How about you, Endou? Do you have any plans now that all of this is over?"

"That…"

The reply that he received from Endou would end up making him realize that this peaceful world may not be a fit for some who was literally born to belong to a chaotic and war-like world.

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

I wanted to remember for what reason did I do all those atrocities. Why I declared war, sent people to fight my battles and brought hundreds of thousands of people to their demise. All of those memories are in my mind yet none of what should justify it was retained.

It was as if I awoke, holding a bloodstained sword amidst a room of corpses, knowing that I was the one who did it yet none of the reason why I have done this.

And yet, the people that I love supported me in my confusion. They gave me time and space to sort it out and only demanded that I appear as if nothing happened to me so that everything that we have worked together so far wouldn't come to waste because of me.

And yet, even when I try to convince myself that I did all of these things to ensure the peace of this nation and the safety of my loved ones and those that I am responsible for, I cannot be at peace.

"I cannot force myself to accept it… my conscience keeps on telling me that this is a sin that I have to suffer from if I am to attain internal peace."

Knowing of my crimes and the people I have sacrificed to get here, it scared me… It scared me that this is something that I am forcing myself to justify to myself despite the fact that I should suffer the most because of it.

And yet, I have no choice… I have no other option to choose because I am still alive.

This guilt…

This horror…

This very life that I am leading…

It is all something that I have no other choice than to live through because there is still something that this world and its people demand from me.

Thus, I came to the special dinner that was being held in the castle's dining hall, much to everyone's surprise, and I addressed them… probably for the last time as their master.

"Iwasawa-sama…"

"H-Hiro-kun…"

"…"

I walked towards the empty seat and pulled it outwards to let myself squeeze into it. Once I was standing in front of the seat of honor, I raised the wineglass in front of me and looked at everyone gathered around the table.

"I apologize if I must state this at an occasion like this that should bring happiness and togetherness, but there is no other more opportune time than this."

"H-Hiro-kun, what are you trying to say---"

"Right, Iwasawa-sama. What do you wish to tell us that you wanted everyone to be personally here for this?"

I breathed in slowly, still tense and filled with anxiety about whether this is truly the right time to state this. 'Would I end up regretting this? Would this be a total mistake after all?' I asked myself those things and yet, my loyalty, love and promise to these people still grips my heart enough for me to dismiss my personal fears in order to be fully honest with them.

"I wish to retire as the lord of Kiko. Now that there is no more war to be fought, I believe it is right that there should also be no more need for Lord Iwasawa Hiroshi."