"…"
Two weeks after the conclusion of the war against the Satou clan, Hiroshi, Nobisuke, Ishida and Kuro had been wordlessly sitting like this for the last six hours inside the Lord's Office.
"Kou-sama…"
"Tell me, you three…"
"Sir?"
"Have you met anyone else except for me who is an Otherworlder?"
The three men looked at each other and spoke.
"No sir. I believe the last Otherworlder in Kiko died way before I was born."
"I have not met any Otherworlder before. I was just a farm slave before anyway."
"I have only heard of some when I was still a hired killer, but I haven't directly met one."
Hiroshi sighed as he looked at his retainers who suddenly shed cold sweat from his gaze alone.
"My and Lady Daigo's suspicions was confirmed back at that day… Our enemy is an Otherworlder like me."
"That…"
"Do you get it now? Why even though the Satou clan will not benefit from attacking us, they still did it and even went as far as going on the offensive unlike their usual defensive war doctrine?"
"Now that you say that…"
"Even from when I was still an assassin, I already knew that the Satou clan isn't one who goes for open offensives… so I knew that something fishy was really happening under our noses."
"And how can you say that, Captain?"
"I've worked for the main and branch families a few times before. One of them is to monitor Gojo-dono and report to the traitorous Ishigawa clan that they are being chased while they are running to the lands of the Satou clan who sheltered them."
"There sure are perks when you've worked in the dark before."
As Kuro and Ishida was talking, Hiroshi looked at Nobisuke whose eyes went wide after each exchange between the aforementioned two.
"Do you get it now, Shimura-kun?"
"Y-Yes… to think that all of it will connect like this…"
Hiroshi sure is a benevolent leader who prioritized the welfare of his people and would rarely withhold information from them. But when he does keep secrets, it's a secret that might spell the rise or fall of their plans.
"It's time for all of you to tell the secrets that I told you three to keep between me and you… Kuro, go first."
"As you wish… I learned something while we were chasing the self-appointed heir of the main Daigo clan line named Aiko. At first, I didn't report it since I thought it wasn't related to our search, but following the events in Hatsu province, I can confirm that the enemy has been working in the area way before we have expected them to."
"What do you mean, Kuro?"
"While my men are asking around in taverns and tea houses, one of the locals mentioned that a bunch of merchant caravans passes by the city to resupply and their carts are always tightly sealed. One time, one of the carts had its wheel broken so it had to be repaired. The wheelwright who narrated this said that the owner of the cart watched over him all that time, seeming like he didn't want the worker to even have a peek of what was inside, but with his curiosity getting the better of him, he reasoned that he had to look at the axle under the wagon and from the gaps at the floor, he saw that the cart has metal cans inside."
"Metal cans… Is that-?!"
"Yes, I believe it was the poison gas that was used in Yuki city."
After this admission, it was Ishida's turn who cleared his throat before speaking.
"There was something strange that I noticed after the naval attack in Naka harbor. Normally, even in rainy conditions, our coastal defense bunkers and outposts are supposed to see them from the mist using their scopes and auditory radio radar. But when I came to the islets to investigate, what I found was traces of struggle and fighting with our border guards laying dead on the ground yet the buildings were intact."
"I heard some skeptical officers who talked about it too. For them, it would've been an impossibility for there to be a struggle as our guards can see them from afar and prepare their selves."
"Yes, unless there was another way to approach the bases… I believe that before sending their ships through the sea strait, they made their people to swim to the bases even if the weather was unwell and succeeded in denying any kind of advanced warning for us."
"It was a coordinated and planned attack."
"Indeed."
The last one to speak was Nobisuke who also had the most disturbing secret to keep.
"There is a traitor among us."
"W-what?!"
(T/N: Don't you dare comment a walking jellybean spaceman here now.)
"It's just like I said… There is a high probability that an enemy has infiltrated Kiko's governmental or military official sector."
"How can you say so… General?"
"I know only a few words after reading the books of Iwasawa-sama and hearing Sister Camilla's native tongue, but the folder we found at the cave in Yuki city made me conclude that there is indeed someone in Kiko who has been affected by brain washing."
"Brain washing?"
"The simplest explanation is that they've been charmed to follow someone's orders. The folder had a list of names and three of the 214 people in that list has names that may belong to Kiko's local family names."
"Have you found them then?"
"Yes. A day after we arrived, I trailed those three men who are local merchants here and in a single second where I didn't see them, they were stabbed inside a tight crowd."
"A contingency plan?"
"Yes. To minimize the possible leaks to their plans that they have to cover. They eliminated the people they were controlling to cut their ties and appear invisible again. I believe they have other people here except for those disposable three men."
Hearing all of that, I explained what I really wanted to say.
"Our enemy is an Otherworlder who either learned the MK Ultra brain washing project from our home world or created his own method through trial and error. With their contact with Aiko, they provided resources for her as she was a perfect weapon and sacrifice to send to wreak havoc in Kise. Having known the splendor and prosperity in Naka harbor, they took several brainwashed sea workers and bombarded the city. It would be the only thing that makes sense if they swam to the islets and handled the soldiers stationed there. Last one is the one spoken by Shimura-kun… The range of intelligence about us that the enemy uses to hamper our efforts are apparent in their efficiency and readiness to counter us."
"That means?"
"The fire in Ikki city and the gas attack in Yuki city. Both of them needed a lot of time to prepare, but when we are about to move in to conquer the cities peacefully, the enemy moved in and killed the people and officers."
"That also explains why I had to use white phosphorous shells during the counter-attack to Kaiji castle. At first, I was baffled how a small province can send out such a large amount of soldiers, but when I asked my men to conduct an in-depth investigation, they found out that many of the soldiers aren't even locals but rather, people from other provinces."
"Brain washed too?"
"Yes."
At this point, Hiroshi sighed and leaned back to his chair. He was thinking about their next moves and that is when an idea came up to his mind.
"Let's rest for now. Let's meet again with everyone in the meeting chamber after dinner."
"As you wish, my lord."
"We will inform the other officers."
Later that night, the meeting chamber was filled with the people of high rank that Hiroshi has under him. It included the ministers, the secretaries of Chiyo and the three military officers along with Misanagi Jirou who was in Naka castle to visit his granddaughter.
"Everyone. I have a big favor to ask."
"What would that be, Your Highness?"
Hiroshi sighed before speaking out his decision.
"I will be away from Kiko for a year or two."
"""W-What?!?!?!"""
His words truly were a surprise. Almost all of the officers jumped out from their seats because of it.
"My lord! This is not a good joke!"
"Your Highness! I respect your opinion, but this is too much!"
"We can't have you away from the city, my lord!"
While they are scolding him, he simply stayed silent until they have settled down.
"I have a reason."
"Sir?"
"The things we found in that basement changed everything that I believed in since I became the leader of this land… Back then, I thought that I just have to do my best for all of you and everything will go smoothly, but now that I discovered that someone who came from the same world as I am will not stop until I am dead, I have to make my choice."
"Iwasawa-sama…"
Hiroshi stood up from his seat and scanned the face of everyone in the room.
"All of you are here because you believed in my dream. Now, I ask that you believe in my decision. For the sake of Kiko, for the sake of the future, for the sake of our people… Let me go away from this land for a while to find out who is our enemy and what can we do to stop him."
The others looked down in disappointment as they saw Hiroshi's eyes that was firm on his words.
"To be a leader is to seek the path that no one has crossed yet and decide if it is the right place for his people to pass through. A leader isn't the one who sends his people through dangerous straits and passes later when he finds out which is the safest one. But even with that, he has to be cautious about crossing such dark paths or else, his people may lose their leader."
"Jirou-dono, those words are…"
"It is, Nagisa-chan…"
The old man stood up and looked at Hiroshi on the eye.
"Do you think this is the best way, kid?"
"I don't know if it is the best, but it is one that will lead us to the right one… I believe."
"Hrm!"
The old man sneered and tapped Hiroshi on the shoulder.
"Then go. Go and light the path for them."
He sat down as Hiroshi digested the words before looking at his retainers again.
"I will go to the central plains… maybe even try to go to the Capital just to find a clue about our enemy. I will go with a handful of men, but not enough to be considered as a military force."
"You will disguise yourself?"
"Yes. I think the travelling doctor version of me is back in business again. It's good that I actually have a profession."
Even with the words of Hiroshi, his subordinates was still wearing a worried expression. It was unfortunate, but he really can't do anything else.
"Since I'll be leaving for a while, I want to assign a goal for all of you."
"""…"""
They rose their heads and forced their selves to forget about their worries and listen to his words.
"Minister Toshinori. I want Kiko's current 10% industrial capability to rise to 25% to 30% before I get back. Both applies to the military and civilian factories. To add to that, I also want our current 20 foreign ports to be doubled. With that, we can support any research and production that we need to make."
"As you wish."
"Minister Nagisa. I want Kiko's towns and cities to have access to electricity and running water before I get back. There's also the accessibility of schools and hospitals. If we can raise the standard of living and comfort in Kiko, that should also invite more visitors and immigrants in our land. But do keep an eye out for those who want to live here. We can't be too careless against spies."
"Yes, my lord."
"Shimura, Ishida… Train more men and produce the appropriate equipment for them. In the future, I believe that war will break out once again after I get back with enough intelligence against the enemy. At that point, we can't be too weak against them or else we might be crushed. dditionally… I will allow the formation of the Land Guard's Sparrow units. I'll personally write a letter to the Nobles and Commons chambers to temporarily suspend the National Secrecy Law to allow our policing force to investigate freely. But watch over them so they won't abuse this new power."
"As you wish, Iwasawa-sama."
"And to all of you… I wish you'll be able to run the province even without my constant leading. I will contact you through the Military communications command and the embassy in Yukogahara would receive your letters addressed to me."
"Understood sire."
With his commands received, Hiroshi looked down and left one last word.
"When I come back, everything about me and Kiko would've changed. The people may think that I have abandoned them and ask all of you for the reason of my absence. When they do ask you about it, tell them that this is all for their sake."
"If you know that it will cause them dissatisfaction to not see you, why do you insist to leave Kiko?"
"The enemy's target is me. Bringing all of you to this would only make me feel bad… So, I decided to make myself a bait that he has to chase around while I am also gathering enough information to catch him later."
"Will you actually be able to defeat him?"
Those questions asked by old man Jirou just acted to reinforce Hiroshi's resolution.
"Trust me, old man… I've never had any opportunity to go all out against someone. And if this guy shares the same world of origin as me, I'll wring out any kind of information from him as I can."
His words was calmly spoke yet his retainers had a chill run up their spines as he coldly spoke those words.
"I might be kind and understanding to my people, but I sure know how to be merciless to my enemies."
After the meeting was concluded and Hiroshi has retreated to his bedroom, he was surprised to see someone sitting at the edge of his bed.
"Chiyo? What are you doing here?"
"…"
However, instead of answering his question, the young woman stood up and walked towards him. She then opened her arms to embrace him while sinking her face to his chest.
"…"
"I'm sorry."
"I understand."
Without letting go of him, Chiyo stepped back as Hiroshi walked forward until they sat at the side of his bed. Only then did she let go and looked straight into his face.
"I know that this is unfair. You are the person that I am supposed to not keep secrets to, but here I am, suddenly deciding to do this without asking for your opinion."
"Nn, Nn… You don't have to apologize, Hiro-kun. I understand that you are just thinking about our own safety."
She was saying these words while smiling brightly, but Hiroshi knew her enough to know that she is not alright.
"No need to hide it. I know that you're forcing yourself to smile."
"…"
"See? I am really unfair, aren't I?"
As he embraced her tightly, tears filled Chiyo's eyes as she sobbed and wept to release the pent up pain in her heart.
"I'm sorry for making you cry."
"No… please don't apologize. I… I am simply worried about you once you leave…"
"I won't tell you to not worry about me. But I also don't want to leave you heavy-hearted and longing for me for too much. So…"
He took a small box from his sleeve pocket and showed it to her.
"Once I come back, I will announce our relationship and I will marry you and only you."
"Ah!"
"I promise that upon this ring."
At his hand was a pair of golden rings that has a small sapphire inlaid in it. It was a wedding ring.
"Hiroshi… this is…"
"The symbol of my promise to you."
He spoke and took her hand to slip it to her right ring finger.
"How does it feel?"
"It's… it's perfect!"
He smiled and swept his fingers to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I'll be away for a long time. But I want to do this before I leave. Even if we can still contact each other through letters or the radiophone, this one thing and one thing alone can only be done when we are together."
After saying that, he leaned closer to her and kissed Chiyo's moist and soft lips.
"Will you be alright about not seeing me for a while?"
"Of course… I believe in you, Iwasawa-sama… No, Hiroshi!"
That night, the two enjoyed each other's company until the sun rose tomorrow. After all, a year or maybe two is still a very long time to not be with each other.
But these two… they are a cut above everyone else when it comes to their loyalty and dedication for each other. Hiroshi loved Chiyo and Chiyo loved Hiroshi too, that kind of trustful love that is rarer than anything else in this world, is something that only a very few can possess.
"Are you ready now, Miyazaki-san?"
"Miyazaki Hiro… my old name from my old world that was given to me but not truly mine… how painfully nostalgic."
At the train station of Tohou, Hiroshi spoke as another young man asked him. He was dressed plainly while riding his trusty horse named Shinzuke, an appearance that he used to have when he was still a travelling doctor.
"How about you Kuro… or should I call you by your name now? Akizuki Minori."
"I'm still getting used to it myself…"
The young man who had an unnaturally silver-white hair spoke after sighing.
"Still, I was surprised that the guy who was supposed to be the prince of Kiko is serving the man who deposed his father. It kind of made me feel uneasy about this."
"Trust me, my lord. I didn't really care about it at all. My father was insane so I had to be hidden while my mother just left me in fear that she might be killed for giving birth to a possible heir. To me, all these nobles and heir thing is just bullcrap."
"How about Hisako? Why didn't you even tell the truth to your beloved sister?"
Hearing that, Kuro, whose real name is Minori, sighed and looked away before speaking.
"Hisako depended on our father to have her own purpose in life. Now that she is slowly gaining her own reason to live and goals to pursue, the appearance of another family member would just make her efforts crumble and make her the girl who is too dependent on those around her."
"I see… even though she hasn't known it yet, she has a truly caring and capable brother."
"Thank you, my lord."
"Hey. It's just Hiro now. Get used to it."
"Y-yes… sorry."
The two trotted their horses forward and saw the group that Minori assembled for their long journey.
"Men! We are now starting our journey to go to the central plains and gather information against our enemies. During this one-year long mission, our master will depend on us to protect him and at times, gather information behind enemy lines. With that, feel elated to know that you were picked because you are the best of the best amongst your peers and comrades. And with that, we expect nothing but the best performance form you."
""Yes, sir!""
Hearing them, Hiroshi spoke about their disguises and fake identities.
"Starting from now, our group of 12 people will be called as the Wayside Wanderers. Travelers who go around to trade and sell their technical services. With that cover, I believe that we can enter any province with minimal problems and also provide for ourselves through our own earned incomes. Another thing, our master-servant relationship will be private from now on, I am just a doctor who stays with you guys, a merchant-fighter band."
"Understood, doctor!"
After their briefing, they went on and crossed the bridge to Shinka and taking the alternative route away from Fumetsu where their faces are known, it took them several days to arrive at the occupied city of Shime which will be their base of operations during the investigation trip.
"Are you ready now, my lord?"
"Of course! This will surely be an exciting journey!"
And the first province that they entered, was the Mercantile republic of Hashidate province.
A place where businessmen deal with gold and grain in just the same manner as the lives of their business opponents.
What fate awaits him in this place? No one knows. But one thing is for sure.
"I'll find who was responsible for all those tragedies. And I will make him answer my questions."
The young man is dedicated to find out the person who did all the horrible things that he saw.
(T/N: Read the Author's note. Author Rai asked me to write this.)