Stalling Game

Wearing traditional Japanese armor that she had seen in museums or period films didn’t have the sort of feeling that she imagined. Though she had a little trouble recalling when that might have been. It seemed like something that Yuki might have thought about and no doubt probably did given his imagination.

A curious smell came from the helmet that she couldn’t readily identify as anything more than stinky metal, which felt ineffective in describing the odor. She just hoped that she would get used to the sensation before it mattered. They didn’t give her much time to adjust. The end of their war wouldn’t wait for Yumi to have a weak stomach.

On top of that she had to get on a horse, which her father only gave her a handful of lessons. He made sure that she could ride one and feel comfortable on their back, but it went no further. Given the rarity of her need for a horse, he wasn’t about to put his daughter in that much risk. And that was without armor weighing her down and making her movements slow or clumsy.

With help from her servants, they both rose above the ranks of the soldiers. Yumi could see ahead of her the sea of men and the light bouncing over their armor. Further down, she could see the city that Yori defended with the last of his men. It looked just like the city that she had come to know as a home. That realization shouldn’t have been surprising, but it hit her heavier than she would have thought. ‘Perhaps this world has turned me more than I thought…’

Slowly recalling her riding lessons, she moved the horse forward following with Aya. She could tell from the atmosphere that Aya’s presence on the battlefield did more than she expected. While Yuki had eventually managed to capture their attention and respect, Aya, who had never been before the men apart from delivering the call to war speech, shouldn’t have even been acknowledged.

It would have been like if one of the Lords under Matsushina came riding out. Everyone would have done their job, but not found it worthy of their attention. They would have been someone that refused to step out on the field to get dirty and bloody. They would never lower themselves to be with the commoners. Aya was no different in being a Lord now thanks to everything she made happen, but they accepted her. She seemed to give them courage and confidence.

Yumi didn’t understand what made her so different. Watching her and learning from her would be the only thing she could do. And it was part of the point of it all, as she understood, even if the reason remained unknown to her.

Turning to focus her mind on the coming battle, she looked forward once more. ‘Be safe you two and keep our friends safe too…’

Chapter 536 – Stalling Game

Yuki looked to the right towards the distant familiar sounds of battle. A small bit wished that he could be there with the men that he started to know. But his mission was ahead of him and one that he found rather fortunate. There was no better opportunity to save his friends, though there still was the risk of Aya, but he felt good about things.

The streets were empty with things thrown about across the ground. It felt like a storm came through sweeping everyone up. A bit of relief and comfort came from not finding anyone. That meant innocents were outside of their battle. Though it would make things difficult as sneaking about the city would be obvious.

He motioned quietly to his men as they moved forward. They ignored any form of stealth on the outer edge of the city. Most of the men stood outside fighting Aya’s forces as a distraction. The only ones remaining would be those protecting the Lords as they attempted their escape. ‘We’ve got to end this war here. I trust Saki’s got things handled…’

Approaching the mansion of Komagata, he sensed a looming presence ahead. ‘There’s enemies ahead!’ Yuki grabbed the hilt of his katana and slowly began to push out in front of his squad. Once he had narrowed down their location, he dashed forward flashing out his sword in an arc of light and blood. Before his men could even react to what happened he already slew three men and met blades with a fourth.

They knew what to do without orders from him. The fighting ended within a minute as the advance guard lay dead on the ground. Only losing one of his men, he considered it a good encounter and moved forward.

A little ingenuity was required of him at the gate before he could enter. However, inside didn’t meet him with further enemies as he thought might have. No ambush or trap lay ahead. They hurried onward towards the main building to locate the Lords.

Before he could do that, Seiji charged straight at him, clashing swords with Yuki once again. Over the length of the campaign, he ran into Seiji multiple times, always being allowed to return. Neither of them had intentions of killing the other, though they made efforts to make it look good.

This would be no different Yuki figured, but an out of sight attack took down two of his men. He glanced around while trying to maintain what he could against the pressure of Seiji. ‘It’s not Seiji’s style to attack from the shadows. I’m surprised that he supported this sort of tactics… Nerine no doubt…’ Yuki backed off and whipped his hand letting his sword spin on both sides to deflect incoming projectiles, kunai. “Spread out and track the shadows. The General’s mine!”

Space cleared out for the two of them as they stared each other down. “You standing in my way?” Yuki started to circle to the left as Seiji mirrored his movements. It didn’t matter how many times he met him in battle, Seiji’s strength surpassed his ability with the sword. If he had perhaps trained more, he might have a chance in a head to head fight.

“Until the surrender I still have my duty.”

“But the war’s over. It’s only a matter of time now.”

“Probably, but that doesn’t change what I have to do.”

“You’re making things more difficult than you need to.”

“It’s playing out how it should.”

“If you’re not careful people could die.”

Seiji made the first move charging back at him. The power behind his attack felt stronger than he ever experienced from him. His muscles whined at him and his hands burned holding his sword. “You’ve been holding back. Damn…”

Close enough now to Yuki, Seiji leaned in as his applied pressure. “Saki’s already cut off the retreat?”

Quickly realizing what Seiji was doing, he leaned in while carefully monitoring his men. “Yes, we figured some of the Lords would try to make a retreat.”

“Only low ranking Lords remained behind, Komagata left with his men before the first battle.”

“What?!” Yuki nearly collapsed at the shock of the news, weakening his strength for a moment. He snapped back quickly once he felt the give in his body. “Then this is all pointless!”

“We stayed behind claiming to give their retreat time. Though I think some thought that Komagata would return with allies.”

“Aya’s not going to be happy…”

Battle had largely been a fairly foreign concept to me since arriving in this world. There had been conflicts and fights, but nothing too serious. I could always get out of it with a little tact. However, it would seem that I was still no match for her cunning. It was beyond frustrating that years later I could still fail to beat her at a single game of shogi. She’s an annoyingly obnoxious woman.

Ahead of me, the last of the men that Komagata entrusted to me fought and died. Nowhere on the field was her General, likely as I suspected, she sent him into the city after the Lords. But with Seiji there, nothing will happen to them. No one but myself will be captured. Though I wasn’t very sure how she’s going to feel about seeing me again.

Even with her armor, I could tell that she was in the back of her men. No doubt one of her favorite quotes. ‘Sometimes it is necessary for the General to fight on the frontlines.’ Given that it was the final battle, it only made sense that she would want to be present. I’d normally say that she was being too reckless, but I was only delaying things. She had already won.

Once the evacuation was complete, the war would be over. That was the only reason that any of the men still followed me despite constantly losing this war. Even when we thought we won, it was only a ploy by her. I was surprised that they still were following me so loyally.

I failed them.

Behind me, a signal fire went off in one of the watchtowers. I recognized it immediately as the sign from Nerine. Everyone was safe. I wasn’t really sure why I cared about them. They’re all fake people that just exist within this virtual space. Guess, I couldn’t remove my heart from the equation.

I nudged the horse forward to the frontline. As I came my men parted for me, already knowing the plan. My subordinates started to pull men back from the fighting the best that they could given the circumstances.

The intensity of the fighting started to drain away. Ahead of me, I could see Aya starting to move forward. I knew her well enough to know that she would understand things. It was the only good thing in battling someone so intelligent and observant.

Without words, the soldiers seemed to understand what was happening. Perhaps, Aya briefed them on what was happening, I wasn’t really sure. But things went the way I hoped and sort of expected. Aya was a very accommodating woman.

Meeting at the front, our men pulled back as a gap of the dead appeared. My horse trotted around finding the ground to be not entirely stable with all of the blood. No battle was bloodless, even one in the name of safety.

Aya came alongside me, pulling her horse calmly and removing her helmet. It might have been a revelation for anyone else and surprise, but it did nothing to me. We both knew who each other were, otherwise she wouldn’t come down to meet me. I lowered my helmet in kind, holding it against the saddle. “It’s been a while, Aya.”

“You’ve become an adult, Norio.”

“As have you, I see.”

“You’re more talkative.”

“Growing up will do that. So you’ve come back for revenge then?”

“I’m here to claim this land for Lord Matsushina.”

I looked around at the men still slowly backing away. Each side cautiously watched the other to see what move they would make. Peace held for the moment. “You can’t hide the real reason from me. I know you too well.”

“That is irrelevant.”

“Either way, I surrender to you. You’ve won your war.”