❦
Rin and Yoka stole out of the underground caves just as the sun was beginning to paint the twilight sky red.
When they arrived at the inn from before, the young mistress made a beeline for the futon and fell asleep almost immediately, leaving Yoka to settle their unfinished business alone.
She reported the failed Matsukura rebellion to the Shimabara daimyo at his castle and asked for men to be dispatched to escort the kidnapped children back to their homes.
Koriki Tadafusa followed his men and Yoka to the hidden caves of Mt. Unzen to take a look at the illegal child army for himself. She brought him all the way into the cavern where Matsukura Aoko resided and died.
The cavern had been converted into a graveyard that housed a dozen or so graves belonging to the Matsukura heir and his retainers.
The Shimabara daimyo stroked his grey beard and harrumphed to himself as he read the poorly-etched name on one of the grave markers: Fat Keisuke. 'Lord Terazawa wrote these names herself, didn't she? This girl's handwriting still hasn't improved even a little bit.'
A faint smile touched the corners of Yoka's lips. She bowed politely and remained reserved. 'I will encourage her to practice more.'
Lord Koriki waved his hand dismissively. He hadn't meant to nag. After all, the little daimyo did him an immense favour this time around. 'Is everything going well in Karatsu? How is she doing these days?'
The maid bowed again. 'Koriki-sensei can be rest assured. My young mistress has stabilised her control over the domain and is doing well.'
'That's good, that's good,' the old daimyo of Shimabara murmured, nodding to himself somewhat absentmindedly.
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