Chapter 526:
Shift
That much was within what she forecasted. ‘Aya was finished with the man, so she was having anything unnecessary removed. Though the tension in the air feels so much worse…’ She looked around at those that still hovered about carrying mixed expressions. “What else happened?”
“Everyone is dead.”
She paused at the statement. “What do you mean everyone?”
“His entire family, the servants, retainers, anyone that was in the estate last night. They were all slaughtered. It was a grim sight.”
“This is far worse than I imagined…” she muttered.
“Yes, no one foresaw this.”
Her uncle’s voice slowly faded away from her mind as she processed everything that she heard. Images formed in her mind of what the mansion looked like. Blood soaked through the tatami and stained the walls. Innocent lives all praying to be given mercy only to be cut down. Screams echoed through the halls and chambers as a shadow systematically went through cutting down anyone that moved.
Yumi had seen enough blood and death to craft an unsettlingly good image in her mind. An image that still managed to churn her stomach a little. She didn’t know him very well, but that didn’t change the way she felt. It was made only worse knowing that Aya didn’t even care. She wanted this to happen and planned it all out to end in this manner. Her cold calculating performance led them to this road.
She returned her attention back to her uncle. “What was Lord Takasugi talking about? I only caught part of it.”
“Mostly just posturing. He was saying that he found proof that Lord Kumasaka had Akira killed and the death of Lord Kumasaka was justice for the betrayal.”
“But he didn’t say he did it?”
“No, probably too gutless to say he did.”
“But he pretty much is saying that he did it.”
“Yeah, everyone already has that figured out, but since he’s not saying he did, no one is making any accusations.”
“They’re worried that if they say anything against him, that he’ll kill them next.”
“So we’re in a stalemate then.”
“That is the picture of it. Ironic him taking that action has basically cooled everyone off.”
‘So no one else will die for now…’ Yumi couldn’t hope for a brighter future just yet. She knew that Aya had higher goals than just this simple game. But it was a good thing that the fighting stopped. With the war coming soon, the last thing that they needed was a possible civil war on their hands.
What was the war going to bring to them?
Chapter 526 – Blood Carved Plot
Yumi returned to Aya and her friends to relay the news to them. Little more than acknowledgement came from her. More of an expected reaction came from Yuki and Saki, though more strongly in Yuki. They were foreseeing their Lord dying, just not the entire clan.
Once everyone accepted what had happened, Yumi went over to Aya. “What arrangements have you made with Lord Matsushina?”
Yuki stepped forward a little bit cautious of what Yumi might be trying. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m relieved to see that all those years of training haven't been a waste.”
“What’s going on?”
“She would not have made her move without securing a new supportor. You need to defend yourself from any potential attacks by Lord Takasugi. Since you were Lord Kumasaka’s mistress and assistant for a brief period of time. That you survived probably bothers him. You needed to keep him from making any moves. Someone that he wouldn’t risk. You’ve been visiting Lord Matsushina quite a bit recently.”
“Did you become his mistress now?” asked Yuki.
“No, if you did that it’d be harder for you to be on the frontlines where you want to be. A mistress to the head of the Matsushina Clan would be expected to stay back and be sheltered and have children. Advisor is it?”
“The Lord’s uncertain who he can trust right now. He’s watching everyone and how they handle this situation.”
“And you’ve convinced him?”
“Mostly, he’s naturally being cautious, but I’ve got what I need from him.”
That piqued Yumi’s interest more since it had been what they were working on now. “He’s let you be the strategist?”
“It’ll be announced at the next time we meet. We’ll be marching soon.”
Yumi looked back at Yuki remembering the role that Aya gave him. She wondered how the Lords were going to take the news. Many were long established with Matsushina and likely had plans of their own for the war. But they lacked the creativity and foresight that Aya possessed. This was something that the Lord probably saw and why he agreed. Though he probably was also scared of her, a smart person would be.
Hopefully, this meant that the war wouldn’t drag on for long. The information she already provided her should make it a much more decisive attack. She just hoped that there wasn’t someone as talented on the other side to challenge her.
‘I pray for a swift end to this war…’
It was another three days before the council was called by Lord Matsushina. Yuki and Saki kept a constant vigil over them during the nights but nothing further happened. They weren’t certain if the assassin had been recalled or just couldn’t track them. It wasn’t something that they felt was too likely. Skilled assassins would be difficult to lose. But they considered themselves lucky.
Lord Matsushina stood up from his knelt position at the head to begin his address to the Lords. Everyone held their eyes on him. Some had an idea what he would say while others could only guess. “It’s been a troubling time for us. We’ve lost two from this room that can’t be replaced. However, as I’m reminded, I can’t undo what’s been done. We must still move forward.
“That being said, I want an oath from all you no more in-fighting. The enemy is out there beyond our borders, not in this room. If you can’t accept that then I’ll personally strike you down right here. I have no time for bloodletting.” As a promise of his words, he withdrew his sword from its sheath and bore its fang to the room inviting any protest.
Silence filled the room. It was unlikely anyone had an interest in testing his words. There was no one in the room that could challenge his skill at the blade as well. He would have no protests. Matsushina sheathed his sword. “Good. Now for the next agenda. For the coming war with the Komagata Clan, I’ve seen to assigning Lady Aya Kamata as the strategy advisor for the war.”
That announcement still made some murmurs through the council. There were some looking to protest this sudden change, but the Lord placed his hand on the hilt of his sword once more and that silenced the disgruntled. It certainly made Aya a target now by the Lords, but they couldn’t do anything to her for the time being if they valued their lives.
Yumi could see the looks in their eyes. Many were making plans to see her dead on the battlefield or somewhere beyond the reach of the Lord. ‘Yuki and Saki are going to be working harder than ever to keep Aya alive after this…’
Once the Lord finished giving his intense stares to everyone in the room, he stepped back and invited Aya up to the front. She directed them to the map and began to discuss the current layout of troops. The border had an even number of troops, roughly. The Komagata had a slight advantage, but also a deeper reserve. They had the Okamoto reserves to fill in their own ranks, but it wouldn’t be enough to fight an outright battle against them.
She explained the outlined strategy to them and answered their questions. While they tried to poke holes in her plan, nothing came of it. The council eventually ended near noon and everyone split off to their rooms once more.
When they returned to Aya’s room and motioned over to Saki. She sat down at the desk going through papers until she found a folded set to hand over to her. “This is your mission. I’ve detailed everything you need to know.”
Saki looked down at the thick stack of papers folded together. ‘A mission for me? She didn’t mention anything like that before. Did something happen in the meeting?’ A quick glance over at Yumi told her everything that she needed to know. “What’s this all about?”
“The war is going to begin in a month’s time. So we’re going to be making a lot of preparations until then. Each of you has a different role to play in this war.”
Nodding back, what she was saying made sense. Fighting a normal battle with nothing special or supernatural to aid them, the fight would be won by tactics and well trained soldiers. It did make her wonder how well Yuki would do in his role. Would the people even listen to him? He didn’t have much experience beyond being a guard. It didn’t make a poor resume, but soldiers could be a picky sort.
She looked back at Yuki, who had worry painted over his face at the news. “Hey, it’ll be fine.” Holding the papers, she focused back on Aya. “Where am I going?”
Aya longer looked at Saki already getting back to work on her papers. She no doubt had plenty of work still to do. Even with Yumi aiding her, it had to be a lot of planning and strategy. And now she would be part of that as well. “You will be going behind enemy lines and executing the missions outlined in those documents.”
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