Chapter 53 To The Rescue

"Lady Rulu, we should soon be arriving soon to the source of the distress flare." Said Nosuri, turning to her brother, she asked him. "Ougi! Can you see any sign of them in this storm?"

With a spyglass in hand, Ougi bounded up and was now atop the carriage's roof, Ougi swept his sight across the expanse of snowy plains. Sighting an unusual sight in the distance he reported.

"No, but I see some stone walls. They must be man made as they aren't natural. We must be in the right place. I suggest we head for the wall and follow along its perimeter."

The pair of mercenaries, Ougi and Nosuri, were skilled fighters but also trained scouts from their father who took up hunting as a pastime when his children were in their youth.

Nosuri and Ougi were no strangers to navigating in the sudden snowstorm the caravan found themselves in. Using what they learned as children they slowed the pace of the caravan to ensure that they did not deviate off course to their intended destination.

Yashimu then shouted to Ougi.

"Ougi, do you see any approaching enemies?"

Taking a moment to look at the surroundings once more, he reported while keeping an eye out.

"Nothing so far at our immediate front. Give me a moment to check our rear."

Turning himself around he peered through his spyglass, the rim of the instrument chilled the skin on his face as he brought it closer to his eye.

Focusing his attention, he concentrated to peer through the snowy storm. He could make out the dark figures of some large group behind them which was approaching quickly. He could not discern what this large group was due to the snowstorm that hid the color and defined shape of what was approaching their rear. Ougi reported his findings, with a bit of a grimace.

"I see a group behind us on approach. I can't tell who they are, but they seem to be retreating from the mountain path."

"That might be an expedition on its way back to Shisayama. I will confirm, have the caravan hold position but be on guard."

Ougi nodded in affirmation and signaled the mounted soldiers at the front to stop their advance. At the same time, Yashimu ordered the mounted men at the rear to halt.

He then called out to two soldiers to join him, but before he could give the command, they noticed that the ground began to shake and tremble. They did not notice before as they were on the move.

Confused by the sudden shaking everyone was on guard, Nosuri took a position atop the carriage with her bow drawn as she scanned her surroundings. Seeing a small figure approach from the rear she noticed what it was and knocked an arrow and released it quickly.

Her arrow struck true as it impacted the head of an approaching gengiri. Its figure fell forward from its forward momentum. As it slid forward into view of Yashimu and the rear soldier, a sudden feeling of danger overcame all of them.

As one man was about to state his mind a sudden crack rang out.

Rulu popped her head out the carriage window to see what the source of the noise was, but to her horror she saw an enormous white figure at the rear of the caravan. It raised its large lobster like claws as red blood and gore dripped from it.

The sight caused Rulu to swallow back the fear that had formed in her mind and throat. As if on cue, the audible gulp Rulu made was then followed by the roar of the 3 meter tall white kengiri.

The soldiers at the rear flinched back but brandished their spear in an attempt to scare the monster away, but their fear was compounded as numerous similar figures approached behind the Kengiri. There were 2 more kengiri and they were accompanied by a swarm of smaller gengiri.

They all clacked their jaws in excitement and agitation as they peered at the caravan like hungry rabid animals.

Making a snap decision, Yashimu commanded in haste.

"Forward!! We must outrun them!!"

At the command the coachman and mounted soldiers rushed their mounts forward and attempted to flee. Some of the rear soldiers were the first to fall, in their fear they faltered which cost them precious seconds they could have used to run away.

The rear and forward positions of the caravan were protected by 10 soldiers each. Yashimu took command of the rear with his brothers while Nosuri, Ougi, and Rulu commanded the front.

Yashimu believed that they could outrun the monsters with their mounts but realized something was incredibly wrong. Unknown to him, the kengiri and gengiri were worked up and agitated by the effects of cursed bait which caused them to attack and kill whatever they deem as an enemy.

The rear soldiers got picked off one by one and with no nearby safe haven in sight Yashimu thought that things could not get any worse.

But as if to spit in Yashimu's face, Yashimu heard the sound of wood breaking. He cursed in his mind. 'Fate was a bitch.'

At their left flank came the figure of another Kengiri. The swarm that was following them was enormous enough that the caravan was almost completely surrounded. The front was still clear, but the monsters had taken the chance and charged their left flank.

Not expecting the sudden attack, Yashimu could only look in shock as the carriage of his beloved youngest sister was knocked over.

His fears were coming true and in another snap decision to save his sister, he commanded the soldier with magic amplifying his voice.

"All forward soldiers, about face and protect Rulu."

Not arguing, the soldiers at the front turned around and charged at the offending Kengiri that would dare attack and injure their princess. With a face filled with overflowing rage and fury, they charged and struck the Kengiri with their spear.

10 men ran their spears through the 3-meter tall monstrosity. Purple blood gushed and stained the snowy ground deeply. The beast fell but seeing the accompanying swarm of gengiri crawl over the corpse in an attempt to charge at the carriage, the soldiers held fast and engaged the enemy in a defensive battle. Spear and blade met claw and jaw in a cacophony of battle.

During this Nosuri and Ougi were getting themselves out from the wrecked carriage. They lifted some wooden pieces away that pinned Rulu to the ground.

With a grunt, the pair of brother and sister were successful and the wooden pieces fell away and freed Rulu. She was conscious but somewhat bruised by the impact. Accepting a helping hand from Nosuri, Rulu stood and to her side came her mount, Kokona.

Kokona nuzzled close and prompted Rulu to get on which she complied. The sounds of battle could be heard nearby and Rulu heard the familiar voice of her brother through the snowstorm.

"Rulu Run! Head to Shisayama!"

Yashimu was currently engaged with the enemy at their rear with his brothers and remaining soldiers. They were holding, but only barely as the number of gengiri and Kengiri kept increasing. All seemed lost as they were being surrounded by the swarm of monsters, so to at least save his sister he would buy the time she needed to run.

Rulu was about to refuse but was interrupted by Nosuri who moved to protect her.

Another more kengiri had approach from the right flank and there were 3 in total that approached Rulu, Ougi, and Nosuri.

Ougi and Nosuri readied themselves to fight tooth and nail to protect their ward, as their clan prided themselves for their devoted loyalty to fulfill any justice request.

As a Kengiri was about to charge the trio, a loud boom rang out. Turning their heads to the left they saw a small figure fly through the air land between them and their attackers.

In one fluid motion, the figure motioned his arms as two blue ropes of light began to emanate from each of his arms. The ropes began to split and wrap around the three kengiri, with an audible grunt he restrained the kengiri from moving a step forward. With a shout the figure commanded.

"Now Shizu!!"

In the next moment 4 kibusanshou charged the 3 kengiri with Shizu at the front.

While mounted, she swung her black umbrella as it shined red streaks through the black and white snowstorm.

Unable to react due to the strange blue ropes around its body, its face was cracked by Shizu's strike. Its head was then exploded into a ball of fire that sprayed chartered flesh and purple blood into the air. The surrounding gengiri were trampled by the other 3 kibusanshou who were mounted by an accompanying squad of 5 soldiers.

2 released arrows at the approaching enemies while the other 3 stabbed away at the swarm with their spears.

Ougi, Nosuri, and Rulu witnessed this and hear the small figure ask them.

"Is anyone hurt?"

Through her surprise and relief Nosuri answered. "No, but who are you?"

The now recognizable young man approached and turned his head to Nosuri. The goggles on his face shining a slight white gray as he introduced himself.

"Azi Montagne. Come we must get you all back to the fort. Who is in command?"

Speaking up, Rulu came forward.

"I am, thank you for your assistance but my brother in the rear needs assistance."

"Alright, I will move to support. You three regroup with the soldiers at the caravan's left flank and follow Shizu's command."

Turning away he called to Shizu who was finishing off the remaining kengiri who were a few good paces away from him.

"Shizu! Rulu is safe. I'm repositioning to assist Yashimu. Sound the retreat."

"Good work Azi, I leave it to you. Rulu! Follow behind me."

With this Azi ran to the sound of battle at the rear of the now scattered caravan party. Nosuri was about to speak up but was interrupted by Shizu who approached.

"Don't worry, he can handle himself." She then commanded. "Mount up with Rulu on Kokona. Our time runs short, the main body of the swarm is approaching."

Not wanting to waste precious seconds on retorting, Nosuri and Ougi complied. They sat on the saddle behind Rulu on Kokona who was luckily larger than the usual hororon as she stood at 2 meters tall rather than the usual 1.5 meters.

With a swing of the reins, Rulu and Shizu's parties rode in retreat away from the caravan wreckage.