(16 years and 7 months after reincarnation)
[Takina's POV]
A week has passed by, it is time for us to depart for Kyoto.
(7:21 a.m.)
(Shibata Castle, Inner Castle)
"Sora-sama! Sora-sama, where are you?"
Come on, where did that brat ran off to when it's time to depart?! The caravan will leave on 8 a.m. straight, I don't want to be left behind because of him!
"Sorry, I'm here!" The boy jogged up to me from one of the corners. He is dressed in a normal brown kimono with an orange cloak that comes with a hood, and he is carrying a small bag of luggage.
"There you are! You shouldn't run off without telling me.... Did you went to get these travelling clothes?"
"Yeah, I paid for it using your money!"
"....."
"Don't worry, I only took 2 silvers."
"....There is no next time." I look at him with a stern face.
To be fair, I wasn't particularly poor because my odd job as a dancer pays really well... But still, this kid ought to learn not to steal from someone else. Being a noble's kid is no excuse for acting this way.
"....I'm sorry."
"Good. I'll carry your luggage for you, let us go now Matsumae-sama, the crowd wouldn't wait for us forever."
"Mmn..."
With a little awkwardness between us, we headed out of the Castle. Departing the stairs of the the hill this Castle is built on, we went through the front gate of the stairs where a few guards were stationed on.
"Hello there, are you departing for Kyoto as well?"
Asked one of the guards.
"Yes, is something the problem?"
"My brother is amongst the guards there.... Since you are Kenshin-sama's bodyguard, you must be skilled. I want you to at least take care of my brother if a fight ensures, people call him Takehito if you don't know who he is."
"Right.... I'll keep that in mind."
"Thank you, Dancer lady."
I continued on my way out of the Castle with Sora following me closely behind. Departing onto the streets, I headed towards main gate of the city where the caravan is gathered at.
Our route will lead us directly through a large street known as the 'Market Street' where a large number of stalls were set up on. Because it was the morning, the market streets were completely crowded, it is very difficult to walk without being separated....
"Sora-sama, give me your hand."
"Hmm?"
I grabbed and held the boy's hand as I walk down the streets, taking care not to lose him amongst the crowd.
"Umm.... Is this really necessary?" Asked the boy.
"What is the problem?"
"It feels embarrassing to walk like this...."
This boy is getting shy now of all times?
"Just be glad that you have a big sister to hold hands with.... I never had such luxury when I was small."
From the sides of the street at one of the stalls, I smell a very faint but aromatic sweetness. It came from a stall on the sides that sold rice balls.
"Buy two free one Sweet Rice balls! Only 2 coppers for each!"
"Mmm...."
I went to the stall and purchased two Rice balls and got one for free. A pretty sweet deal, if you know what I mean.
"Have some breakfast, Sora-sama." I handed him two of the Rice balls and started munching on my own....
It's warm and sweet, it taste delicious.
"Why did you give me two?"
"You are a growing kid, you should eat more than me. Besides, I need to cut some weight or else I'll grow into a fat lady...."
"Hahaha, there's no way an active person like you will become fat!"
"Maybe.... Maybe..."
As I ate breakfast and walked more, I had soon reached the main gate of the city after about 20 minutes of walking.
A large crowd of people gathered at the front gate, most of them are samurais, and some of them are nobles alike.
But what's odd is that this caravan has no carriages.... I thought we were going to Kyoto this way?
In the midst of them all is Genji, dressed in a black set of travelling kimono.
"Genji-sama, I'm here."
"You're a bit late."
"Well, I was caught up by something...." I said with a sarcastic tone as I looked at Sora.
"I see.... Well, you aren't too late. At least the boy is safe."
"Indeed.... I noticed that there aren't any carriages, what happened? How will we depart for Kyoto?"
"Ah that.... Well, we had a change of plans. We will be departing with a train."
"A train...?!"
Wait wait wait, this is medieval Japan that has just discovered guns right? Where the hell did a train come from?!
"Well, we had just received the news yesterday noon so even I was a bit surprised. But regardless, I think you may have no idea what a train is right? I can explain-"
"There's no need to.... I know what a train is. So where is the train station?"
"It's located just below mount Fukushima. The train station is a fortified rail road base where people can safely travel to without fear of being robbed by bandits."
"Do we have soldiers there?"
"Not at the moment, that is what this entire negotiation is about anyway.... For now, soldiers from the Oda Clan has permission to occupy the space and protect that station."
"I see.... We are ready to move."
"Good. It's 7:48 now, let's wait until it's 8 before we move."
_____________
After the time is up, the entire group of people departed on foot towards the east where Mount Fukushima lies.
Following the main highway towards Edo, we were half way to the train station before something happened....
_____________
(2 hours later....)
On the walk, I strolled just behind Genji who lead the front of the entire caravan of 100 or so people. Sora-sama followed me on the sides.
"Can you walk properly, Sora-sama? If you want, I can carry you."
"Don't treat me like a little kid, I can walk by myself!"
"What do you mean you aren't a kid?"
"That umm... Well, I can handle myself!"
"Whatever you say...."
This kid sure is a pain sometimes. Well, I guess most boys his age is like this so I shouldn't be too annoyed.
As the group of people walked towards the mountain following this trail, we left the city's outskirts and headed into the forest. At first there are countless animal noises in the forest from birds chirping to insects calling, but gradually we started hearing less of them in the forest until it's just pure silence besides the marching and talking of the caravan of people.
"....Genji-sama."
"What is it, Fujiwara-dono?"
"I have a feeling that there might be monsters nearby.... The forest is too silent."
"Then it seems I am not the only one to feel this way. But fret not, our numbers are in the hundred and we are only 10 or so minutes away from the train station. I don't think any lesser monsters will be brave enough to attack us-"
'Thump...' A small shook was felt from the ground.
"Genji-sama, you just jinx'ed it!"
"....What a headache. Soldiers, get into defensive position! None Combatants shall stay behind the soldiers at all times!"
I crouched down and looked at Sora.
"Go, Sora-sama. I'll be here with Genji, you should be safe so long as you don't wander off."
"Mmm.... Just be careful, alright?"
"Alright. Now go!"
As Sora ran off to the crowd of people gathering to form a line, Genji and I pulled out our katana and got into the line of defense as well.
While the soldiers pulled out their swords and sidearms, the shaking of the ground gradually got bigger....
'Thump! Thump! Thump!'
Just how big is this thing...?
'Thump!!!' The monster finally stepped out from the trees, pushing down the trunks as if they were weed.
What came out of the woods is a giant beetle the of a 3-ton truck, half the size of a bus. It has thick exoskeleton that shines black in color, and a pair of large clamps acting like giant death scissors.
It's leg is unlike the usual beetle's, what is in it's place are four legs that appeared like a boar's. It's entire body except it's head looks like a boar.
"Phew...." Luckily, it's just a beetle....
"This thing is massive!" Yelled one of the soldiers.
Genji did a hand gesture to have the soldiers lower their weapons.
"Relax, it's just a Giant Boar Stag. Although it's a dangerous greater monster, it won't hurt us so long as nobody-"
'Boom!' A small fireball was shot towards the beetle, blowing up on it's body....
"-disturbs it...."
"Uuuu..... Uuuu!!!" The beetle screamed out in a thunderous roar, shaking the very earth itself.
"Urgh...!" (?x) My ears!
"Everyone run for the station, now!!!" Yelled Genji as he readies his weapon.
As all of the soldiers and civilians ran away from the fight, only a handful of people stayed including myself.
"Here it comes!"
The giant beetle opened and lowered it's fangs close to the ground before it kicked off the ground and started charging towards us. 'Thump!!!'
Everyone jumped away to the sidelines while I stood in place....
"Uuu!!!" The beetle closes the distance until I got within range of it's two clamps.
I jumped backwards to avoid the attack, and just seconds later the clamps slammed shut on the place that I was just on. 'Thump!!!'
The momentum carried the beast forward as I dropped onto it's back. Now it is my turn, One Line!
'Tank!' I swung my katana on it's back, but my sword bounced off it's armour. "Wha-?!"
'Thump!' The beetle stops it's momentum by slamming into a nearby tree.... This sent my body flying away. "Woah!"
'Thump!' My back crashed onto one of the trees, hitting the back of my head. "Argh!..."
My head is in deep pain and I feel disoriented, I got a concussion.
"Uuu...." The beetle repositioned itself, and prepared to charge at me...
I need to stand up and dodge it.... 'Thud!' My leg slips and I fell down to the ground once again. This is bad....
"Uuu!!!" The beast screamed out as it charges forward once again.
I picked up my katana and tries to somewhat mitigate damage.... But I don't think this can stop it's charge. This might be it for me.
The beetle ran forward, closing it's distance in mere seconds and right as it was about to get within attack range....
'Clank!!!' A man drops from the sky, and slammed his sword onto the head of the beetle. Coming with the attack is a shockwave that bends the air in it's swing, a wind attack.
The beetle loses control once again, crashing to the sides. How powerful, that attack managed to stop the charge of this beast like it's a normal boar!
"Are you alright?!"
"Genji-sama...."
"Can you stand?" He reached out his arm, and I grabbed on to stand up.
"Urgh.... I'm alright, I feel better now..."
"Good, I need your help to kill this thing. I don't think anyone besides us can do it at the moment."
The beetle slowly rises up from it's place....
"It's no use, my sword bounced off of it's shell, I can't make a dent to it."
"I used wind magic to power up my One Line just now, it should've made some damage into it's head."
"Huh?"
I looked closely at the beetle who is still getting up.... Cracks formed on the head of it, revealing white colored meat underneath and leaking out green colored liquid.
"I see... Can you use that wind attack again?"
"I used the enchantment on my right arm.... I can still do it once more with the enchantments on my left."
"Good.... I want you to trip it to the ground, I will deal the finishing blow."
"Easier said than done.... But I have a bow, I will try to shoot it's legs."
"Very well, I'll be counting on you...."
Genji ran off to the sides once again, leaving just me to face off with the beetle.
"Uuu...."
"Come!"
"Uuu!!!"
The beetle once again lowered it's fangs close to the ground and charged forward at me.
"Here it comes, go for the legs!" I yelled as I ran off to the sides to direct the giant beetle away from me.
The beetle changed its direction and charged forward at me. Like a speeding rhino, it's quite fast for it's size and this means that I'd basically be dead if I were to be rammed by it.
Sprinting away at the fastest speed, I didn't dare to even look behind me. Just a few seconds later however....
'Tank!' A sound of metal hitting it's legs were heard.
"Is it down?!" I turned around....
'Thump!!!' The beetle crashed down into the ground and starts sliding towards me with dangerous momentum behind it.
"...!" I turned back around and continue running....
As I ran, a giant tree stood in my way and it's too late to dodge to the sides before the beetle will hit me.... I'll have to do a wall jump.
'Thud!' I kicked off the ground and brought my legs up to my body's height, aiming my feet for the trunk of the tree....
'Thump!!!' The giant beetle rams into the giant tree right as I land my feet onto the trunk. I kicked off the tree and jumped backwards with a backflip before landing on the ground. 'Thud!'
"Phew, that was too fucking close...."
"Uuu...." The beetle once again stood up, and right before it can continue charging I closed the distance between us.
Now I stood about 3 meters away from it's head, close enough to not have to worry about it's charge.
The beetle stared at me intensely....
"Come on, big guy.... I know you want to kill me...."
"Uuu!!!" It roared out as it put it's fangs to the sides...
'Fwuom!' Rushing forward at me, the beetle swung it's two clamps at me like a hammer.
'Tank!!!' Blocking the strike with my blade sent me sliding on the ground and knocked my blade off my hand.... "Urgh!"
I quickly reached for the companion katana that I had. 'Stab!' Stabbing my blade into the ground manage to stop my body from sliding backwards.
As I barely manage to stop my momentum, the giant beetle has already lowered it's jaw to the ground and comes directly at me with it's clamps open. It's going to bite me!
'Clank!!!' As the beetle slams shut it's fangs like a scissor, I jumped up to the air and managed to avoid it's bite.
"I've got you now!" I pointed my katana downwards aiming for the crack in it's skull....
'Clink!' I missed my stab and hit the side of the crack.... "Fuck!" Another one!
As my body slides down the skull of the insect, I pulled my katana up and jammed it right at the crack, this time connecting my strike. 'Stab!'
"Yes-"
"Uuu!!!" The beetle shrieked in pain as it flung it's head around violently. "W-woah!"
I grabbed onto my katana that is stuck in it's head to try to keep myself on it's head.... This causes the blade to twist around inside the wound, making the insect feel even more pain. "Uuu!!!"
My hand loses grip and my body was threw out with dangerous momentum. "Owah!!!"
'Thud!' Someone jumped up and caught my body before landing safely on the ground.
"Genji!"
"You alright?"
"Yeah.... Let me down."
Genji puts me back down on the ground.... It was then when I noticed that he now had a bow strapped onto his back. Did he take it from a soldier when I was fighting the beetle by myself?
"Uuu!!!"
"Urgh...!" (2x) The beetle roared out even louder than before, shaking the very ground itself with just it's voice alone.
"Uuu...." The beetle once again lowered it's fangs to the ground, and got ready to charge at us....
"Genji, that thing is-"
"Let me handle this." He said as he pulled out the bow from his back.... In his waist strap is just a single arrow, he has to hit this shot.
"Don't be ridiculous Genji! My sword could barely scratch it's shell, how are you going to shoot it to death?!"
"You underestimate me...." He said as he pulls out the arrow and tucked it into the bow.
"Uuu!!!" The beetle started charging forward at us while blood leaked from the wound in it's head. Only 3 seconds before it'll reach us!
"Hoo.... Hah...." Genji took a deep breath and then pulled on the strings of the bow.
It was then, his left arm started to glow with blue light underneath the sleeves. A vortex of wind started to form on the arrow of the bow....
What... is this?
"...Wrah!"
'Fwuom!!!' The arrow shot forward at blinding speed with the wind magic that he used. I could barely see the projectile itself as the it shot forth exceeding even the speed of sound....
'Thud!!!' His arrow punched right at my katana that was stuck in it's head. This sent the katana deeper into it's skull while the arrow breaks into multiple pieces.
"Uuu!!!..." The beast crashed down to the ground, once again sliding towards us.
"Run!" We both jumped to the sides and managed to avoid the flying body of the beetle....
'Thump!' It finally stopped once it's body slammed into yet another tree, breaking that tree apart.
"What in the world...." The accuracy of Genji with his body is terrifying to see.... He managed to hit my katana with the arrow at around 20 meters range, this is extremely precise especially because the beetle was charging at us.
But the most incredible part of it all was the magic that he used to power up his arrow.... He didn't chant for any magic, but what I saw was blue lights shining underneath his sleeves like magic crests.
"Ashes to ashes...." Said Genji as he straps the bow back to his body.
"What was that magic...?"
"That was what you are concerned about...? See for yourself."
He pulled up the sleeves of his robe, revealing a pattern of tattoos. What's incredible is that the tattoos on both of his arms are made up of runic words that formed magical crests in magic.
"This is..."
"The newest form of Enchantment." Said a boy from behind me...
"Sora-sama?! Why are you here?"
"I was worried about you...."
"That is reckless! If I told you to run, then just do what I said!"
"I'm sorry...."
Genji tapped my shoulder from behind.
"Fujiwara-dono.... He was the one to bring this bow to me just now, without it we wouldn't have been able to take that thing down so easily."
"What...? Sora-sama, you did this?"
"Mmm...."
"And it was also him that told me to get ready to catch you when you were being flung around on that beetle's head. It was only with his advice that I was able to actually catch you mid air."
Well.... Now I feel bad.
"....My, Sora-sama.... Sorry that I shouted at you just now, I was just top harsh on you."
"...." Sora ignored me and looked to the sides.
....Oh, I think I know what he wants.
"Thank you as well for making these decisions... Without you and Genji's help I wouldn't have been able to take down that thing so easily."
"...Heh, guess that will have to do!" Sora turned towards me again with a smirk on his face.
Man, childrens sure are easy to please.
"Fujiwara-dono, we must get out of here immediately. Our fighting must've made a lot of noises that attract other kinds of monsters, let's go before anymore of these things show up."
"You have a point.... Let's go. Oh before that...." I walked over to the beetle and took my sword from it's wound....
'Splash!'
"Shucks, it's broken...." The arrow completely destroyed the handle of my katana, and the blade's tang was torn off because of this, remdering the blade effectively irreparable without a reforge.
"That's fine, we will find a replacement for you."
"Yeah.... Hmpt!"
I twisted the tip of the beetle's fang and took it as a battle trophy before continuing onto the train station.
(Chapter end)