Suteko rode towards Hoji River on her horse and her army rallied and bellowed, holding up banners. Suteko's horse stopped then she got off the horse and her gold eyes shined.
"It's the Shadow Levin Empress!" An enemy officer called out.
"One of the best swordswomen in the entire land of Shihou? The wielder of four blades THAT Empress?!" Another officer turned around.
A woman of blue hair walked up and her officers looked at her in surprise then back at Suteko and her army. Suteko grabbed the scabbard of one of her four blades then held it out in front of her. She slightly drew the blade from the scabbard then glared.
"Lady Sanjo. We can't lose this battle. We have to expand if we are ever gonna stand a chance against one of the Kurenai Clan." An enemy officer said.
"Quiet..." The woman spoke.
"Inu Sanjo...I suggest you get out my way and return back to Ilasta." Suteko said then lightning began to form around her katana.
"Setuko Iwasaki...The Shadow Levin Empress or most notably the Fool of Shihou. Your pathetic dream of conquering every kingdom in this land is merely a childish fantasy. You have zero hope of completing that dream. Now I shall eliminate you with the power of my blade!" Inu bellowed and got in a battle stance with her odachi in hands. "Tsunehisa Ii! Tatsushi Inaba! Prepare for battle!"
"Ujiyori. Tadakata. Stay out of my way." Suteko tossed her scabbard aside and lightning rushed around her body.
"Yes ma'am!" All four retainers said then got in a battle stance.
A male watched the battle from a hill and gave a smirk. He felt a hand touch his shoulder then he looked beside him.
"Lord Shion...you're in this part of land watching two low classed Warlords battle?" The woman asked him.
"Kikuko. You have much to learn about The Fool and the Butterfly Maiden. Suteko Iwasaki aka the Shadow Levin Empress is one of the best swordswomen to exist in this land. Being able to wield four blades at once in battle. She also can control Darkness and Lightning perfectly to her will. Inu Sanjo aka the Butterfly Maiden is one of the strongest warriors of this part of the land. Her ability to wield a powerful blade such as that Odachi, the Butterfly Bane. Even with such a huge blade she is very swift in battle and packs a punch." Shion smirked and his red and purple eye shined.
"You surely know a lot about those two." Kikuko crossed her arms and sighed. "What's so interesting about them? We have better and stronger Warlords in our side of the land."
"Just watch." Shion said.
Suteko and Inu clashed blades and sparks flew. They both broke the clash and their battle became more heated as more sparks flew and tiny bolts of lightning flew everywhere. Inu jumped back and stuck her sword into the ground and dashed towards Suteko. She bellowed and slashed upwards then released a blade beam. Suteko dodged the blade beam and Ujiyori blocked the blade beam and grunted as he slid back.
"Keep your eyes on me!" Tatsushi bellowed and slashed from above then Ujiyori grunted as he looked up. Tadakata shoulder bumped Tatsushi aside and she grunted as she rolled on her side.
"Thanks." Ujiyori said.
"No problem.." Tadakata nodded then they gave each other a fist bump.
Tsunehisa dashed towards Tadakata and slashed down with his claymore. He dodged and noticed rock pillars emerging from the ground, coming right at him. Ujiyori dashed towards Tadakata and pushed him out the way then bellowed as his aura surged. He slashed and sliced the rock pillars in two.
"Such high level combat from people who aren't even associated with those of our land..How is this possible..?" Kikuko asked.
"That's why we never underestimate our opponents. We must know everything about our targets if we wish to succeed." Shion said.
Suteko grunted as she slid back after Inu kicked her away. She panted and lowered her blade.
"I refuse to lose.." Suteko said and gold aura escaped her eyes. Her earrings shined as her aura surged around her body. She took another blade from her scabbard and that sword emitted black aura.
"Come at me however you like! You're not winning!" Inu bellowed and butterflies surrounded her.
"The climax of the battle...what move will they use..or will they use their Kyukyoku..?" Shion smirked in anticipation.
"I will destroy you!" Suteko dashed towards Inu and jumped up in the air. She bellowed. "Lunatic Supreme Levin!"
"Falter Storm!" Inu bellowed and slashed horizontally then a butterfly tornado was summoned at Suteko.
Suteko slashed down and bellowed more. She and the tornado clashed. Suteko began to slash through the tornado and she slashed in an X-Motion then landed behind Inu. Suteko stood up and her aura vanished and Inu fell to her knees then on her side. Suteko held her sword in the air.
"Heh...let's go." Shion said and walked away.
"Suteko...one day we will have to fight her..." Kikuko followed Shion and looked at him.
"Yes...but I am not worried. I understand her fighting style now. We should prepare for our upcoming battle." Shion responded.
"Yes, My Lord!" Kikuko said.
Inu's army began to retreat and Suteko looked at her army as the raised their banners high. Suteko looked around and saw the Hoji River was hers. She smiled and stuck her sword into the ground.
"Hoji River is now ours!" She bellowed and her army bellowed in response.
This was only the mere beginning of her conquest. Hoji River was only a small fraction of the land she was preparing to conquer. While she was celebrating her victory, Zaro and his retainer, Paula, prepared to expand their army.
"Brother, everything is prepared to take on Vrara. Is mother gonna accompany us for this battle?" Paula asked.
"That's entirely up to her." Zaro said and walked onto the balcony of his castle. He looked out into the distance and smirked. "All I know is that Suteko will be my biggest threat and must be dealt with immediately."
"Right." Paula nodded and smiled. "We will take her down and you will be able to complete your goal!"
"That is the plan...but now we wait. We wait and see what happens." Zaro walked back inside.