Volume 11 - Yamata no Orochi: Chapter 4 – What is True, What is False

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 racc.o.o.n named Yuuta.”

The mention of Yuuta’s name 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 messages. The temple was a sanctuary exclusive to racc.o.o.ns. 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 moment.

“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 ama.s.sing their forces, the number, or their potency?”

The kunoichi hesitated, prompting Kotoka to command an immediate investigation.

Young Kimiko, although deep in thought, portrayed a naive innocence, contrasting her usual cunning demeanor. 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 timely intervention, the a.s.sault was thwarted. With Ayaka’s addition of a labyrinthine formation, Cherry Blossom Valley had become 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 a.s.sault on Suno, but to his surprise, Shuten met 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 numerous monsters and demons from the underworld also emerged in Ashihara, sowing chaos and devastation.”

Haihime 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 some 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 something far more significant than confronting them.

Could he have altered the world?

Lily inquired of Yukiko and Mayumi, “By the way, where’s sister Haihime?” Her absence since their arrival puzzled Lily.

Mayumi replied, “Sister Haihime has embarked on a mission.”

Lily, filled with concern, pressed, “Now? Where to?”

Both Yukiko and Mayumi were in the dark regarding Haihime’s whereabouts. An uneasy silence enveloped the chamber.

Seeking to rea.s.sure her, Ayaka said, “Lily, if Haihime ventured out, she would have prepared adequately. She isn’t someone 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 a.s.sault likely hinges on two factors: his prior engagements 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 agreement with Rei’s a.s.sessment.

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 circ.u.mstances.”

All nodded in agreement. Given the uncertainty of the enemy’s maneuvers, they resolved to remain reactive. For the time 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 someplace 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 meeting 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 mettle.”

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 agreement, her thoughts racing, “Madam Shizuka Gozen, when will you arrive? Are we to merely 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-hime, she has arrived!”

“Who has arrived? Could it be Shizuka Gozen?” The door swung open to reveal Haihime, dressed in a female bar uniform. It was evident she’d been in disguise.

“Sister Haihime!” While it wasn’t Shizuka Gozen, Lily’s face lit up in joy. Haihime, 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 Haihime, Heian-kyo is perilous now. Why venture there?” Lily expressed her concern.

“Haihime, please sit and then discuss,” Ayaka interjected, offering Haihime a cup of tea.

Haihime’s stern expression suggested she wasn’t in the mood for tea. “There are things you can’t grasp from mere 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 transformed into monsters.”

The group gasped. Recent reports had only highlighted Yoritomo’s movements. The anomalies in Heian-kyo were mentioned in pa.s.sing, 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 medicine to the ma.s.ses,” Haihime continued, her eyes reflecting her distress. “Days after its consumption, individuals undergo grotesque mutations. Some become more terrifying than actual monsters. They’re no longer recognizable as humans.”

Lily, her voice filled with frustration, exclaimed, “Minamoto no Yoritomo, what have you done?”

“I secured a sample of this medicine.” Haihime handed a pouch to Ayaka, elaborating, “The court claims this medicine 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.”

Footnotes:

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   Robinxen: I would be cautious if I was facing a protagonist too. But I’d much rather not face them at all.