General pov
The three ladies and Salem had been shown the rooms they will be temporarily staying for the mission and were now all sitting by a big traditional Japanese table with cups of green tea on our hands provided by the maids.
"Morrigan-san Supiwa-san I thank you for accepting this request."
"Yeah, Marella told us about how this creature is causing diseases around some areas in the country." Morrigan stated.
"Yes, it is the first time I encountered it when I passed the small village of Hana. It was spreading diseases and a good number of people were getting killed. I had slain the creature but it took some time and skilled healers from the Shigemi sector to help the people recover." She drank her tea and continued talking.
"Later I heard an issue about a strange feminine type monster spreading diseases in Hinoki town but the local guild took care of it 'barely'." She muttered the last part. "But it seems this thing keeps coming back spreading more diseases and cures. I fought it a good number of times now but after every defeat it keeps coming back stronger."
"Yes, but recently another problem arose." She sighed. "There have been reports of many powerful monsters causing destruction around the country but I have yet to hear more news on it."
"Huh, it looks like a case against our ally." Morrigan commented.
"Yes Marella-san told me you two constantly deal with these situations that's why I asked for your assistance before things go too far."
"Wait Ms. Raiden, what about Cerberus aren't there any reports about it?" Salem asked.
"No, which has me even more worried. If that thing could possibly travel to the underworld like Marella-san said during the meeting than we might have a bigger problem on our hands." Harumi rubbed her forehead a little.
"Supiwa-san do you know where this cursed creature is now?" She asked.
"Yeah, I can track it down." He nodded.
"Good. Then we shall leave tomorrow morning as you all need to rest after your long trip. Dinner will be ready at 7:30 pm." Harumi told them.
"Raiden-sama, if I may ask, do you have a training room specifically for sword training?" Kagura asked.
"Kagura, you seriously want to train now, shouldn't you relax a little." Salem commented.
"No, I relaxed enough during my trip here. I need to get to training." The teen said earning a slight interest from the older purple haired woman.
"Well okay if you say so I'm-HEY!!" Salem was interrupted by Morrigan wrapping her hands around him and squishing his face in her curves.
"Actually, you're coming with me Junior, we have something to talk about." The green-eyed woman said and headed off to her room.
"Raiden-sama I shall escort Mikazuchi-sama to the training room." The maid offered.
"There's no need I'll escort her myself." Harumi said, getting up. "Please follow me Mikazuchi-san." The girl nodded and followed the older woman.
A little while later
The two purple haired females were now in the outdoor area of the estate. It was a big open space with pink filled with training dummies meant for swordplay and some Wooden swords and some talismans or ruins to what Harumi told Kagura when she asked, all around.
"Wow you mostly train area is beautiful Raiden-sama." Kagura commented.
"Thank you there is one on the inside too but I like this one the most because the nature around makes me feel at peace when I'm training." Harumi breathed in the fresh air.
"Raiden-sama I have a request to make."
"Well say it young one." Harumi, seeing the fierce determination in her eyes, could already guess what the young girl wanted.
"Will you please spar with me?"
"I don't see why not."
"Really?" Kagura was surprised how Harumi just accepted the request.
"Yes, I am a bit curious about that sword of yours and since Marella-san vouched for you to come on this mission so I want to assess your skill level for myself." Harumi then let go of the leaf. "So, are you ready?"
'Okay she wants to test to see I'm truly worthy to be on this mission and since the master vouched for me, I shouldn't disappoint.' Kagura thought as she got into her stance. "Yes, I'm ready."
'She isn't unsheathing her blade huh foolish.' Harumi then made one of the Wooden swords fly to her hand and got in her stance.
"Radien-sama, why aren't you using your blade?" Kagura asked.
"This will be enough for you." The older woman answered coolly, making Kagura's right eye twitch in slight annoyance.
Kagura was not a very arrogant person but she took high pride that she was a very skilled swordswoman, especially someone her age and the fact Harumi thought she was only worth a Wooden sword really rubbed her the wrong way.
Kagura quickly dashed at Raiden and clashes her weapon with Harumi's wooden one making a small shockwave. Kagura was trying hard to push back Harumi who was not fazed. The two then began a clashing weapon at superhuman speeds and while they looked evenly matched Kagura was having trouble keeping up with Harumi's movements.
'She's really fast.' Kagura thought as she tried to break the older female's guard to no success. Kagura backed away as she was getting overwhelmed and quickly attacked the slashing form but Harumi intercepted it.
Harumi then quickly began an onslaught of strikes at Kagura which the young girl could not properly counter. Not long after, Harumi disarmed the girl and quickly put the Wooden sword by her neck.
Harumi then delivered a fast fluid strike breaking Kagura's guard and disarming her and putting the wooden sword on her neck. "Good job you got the basics down but still need improvement." She moved the wooden sword away from the girl's neck.
"All I can say is you need to train more in proper defence as your form focuses too much on dealing heavy attacks but leaves you wide open making it easier to land hits on you or break your guard." Harumi advice.
"Thank you for the advice, Raiden-sama." Kagura nodded, taking the advice. She felt very dissatisfied with the way the brief spar turned out though. She had trained rigorously to in the arts her the former master of mermaid heel had taught her and for her to beaten so easily really stung her pride
"By the way, why didn't you unsheathe your blade?"
"It's personal Raiden-sama but let's just say I'm saving for a special occasion." Kagura brought the sword close to her chest.
'Hm okay I won't pry. I should leave and let you get started on your personal training" Harumi began to leave. She noticed the girls' eyes darkened so there are a couple of reasons Harumi can think of the occasion she will unleash her blade. 'She obviously wants to kill someone or something.'
"Wait Raiden-sama may I ask you something?" Kagura called out to her, making her turn her attention back to her. "Um I-I was wondering if you can teach me more of a thing or two on swordplay." She asked bashfully.
"I'm sorry Mikazuchi-san I don't really teach." Harumi turned around with a distant look in her eye.
"Okay I understand. Thank you for your time." Kagura bowed and started her solo training but using one of the Wooden swords and used her magic to increase her personal gravity thus making her heavier. She struggled for a little bit but got on her feet and began training.
She had been developing it with Salem for the past week.
Harumi left the girl and continued on inside her home.
With Morrigan and Salem
The duo was currently seated in Morrigan's room as they discussed private matters.
"So how many are here?" Morrigan asked her fellow shapeshifter.
"About 16 now." Salem said, looking at his phone.
"Damn looks like you got your work cut out for you." Morrigan chuckled. "Does this employer of yours pay you at all?" She asked, amused.
"It's complicated." He sighed.
"But to be frank with you Junior I wanted to tell you to keep that thing to yourself. I don't really know this country all that well like the countries in the west so I don't know what to expect so keep that lacrima on the low not to risk sticking out like a sore thumb." She advised her m.
"Yeah, I'll remember that." Salem nodded and looked at the phone again and noticed some monsters were together in some areas. 'Its similar to what happened in Bellum." He thought to himself."Hey we have a problem."
"What is it?" Morrigan asked.
"The viper queen seemed to have found as ss-class friend." He revealed.