Enshou, Enjutsu, Kousonsan, even Batou of Seihou...
quite a list of famous names lined up.
I heard that people cry under Totaku's oppression and their curses
reach the sky. There was a major cleanup at the court in Totaku's name...
And our lord, grieving about that, to correct the world,
to the heroes, who hold power to defeat Totaku...
Kazuto: She's an example of forced speech...
Enough with the roundabout speech. Knowing Reiha...
I bet she just didn't like Totaku holding all the power?
And that major cleanup, isn't it just a cleanup
of Han that was being festive in the capital?
Doesn't she just make it sound as if everything that
uncontrolled officials do is Totaku's fault?
...You sure know it well.
I don't really want to. How about it, Keifa?
Yes, Ganryo-dono, are there people who already decided
on participating in the list of the lords you gave just now?
All whom I listed. And there are more minor lords
or lords with ties that keep joining right now.
Hey. Is there someone named Sonsaku there?
Sonsaku... you ask? Bun-chan, do you know?
Hmm. Is it the scary Nee-chan at Enjutsu-sama's force...?
Oh, that's it!
She will probably participate along with Enjutsu-sama.
Karin-sama!
Shunran, calm down. It's unthinkable to participate to repay private debt.
Keifa, What should I do?
I think our best option is to participate...
What! After crushing my opinion into the dirt, we're still participating!
...Of course. Karin-sama, I doubt there'll be another event
that gathers so many heroes. If we gain merit there, 
Karin-sama's name will spread amongst the lords.
Kazuto: But that Totaku is not doing anything bad? 
Should we really attack someone like that?
Even if Totaku herself is not bad, it's no different, since she can't 
restrain Han. And, even if we don't move, others are already.
In that case, going with that is one of our options.
Right. Ganryo, Bunshu, tell this to Reiha. Sousou will participate in that alliance.
Yes!
Thank you! We won't have to get punished by Reiha-sama with this!
...So Enshou is planning to punish Bunshu-tachi.
Is this what this conversation is all about?
Kazuto: Umm, I heard it's around here...
As I walked through the woods, I heard clashes from behind the trees.
Those are not sounds of wooden or training swords...
those are obviously sounds of clumps of metal clashing.
How is it going?
Ah, Karin-sama. It's as you see.
Kazuto: If you're doing it, do it thoroughly, huh...
they are seriously at it full force.
Wanna hear how many times I thought I'll die?
Kazuto: ...I don't really want.
As we were talking about that, their clashes kept going on...
or actually, those are real deathblows they are throwing.
...Ruru, I'm hungry.
...I'll make something, so give up already.
...No. I'll beat up Ruru and force you to make it!
You said it! Then, I'll make Kii cry and apologize!
Kazuto: ...They're still at it.
Ah. A tree was sent flying.
They kept it at this pace for a while already.
That's fine. Better than them having grudges left.
Kazuto: When this battle is over, only one of them
will remain alive... is not happening, I hope.
They are both holding back. It'll be fine.
(So trees fly DESPITE them holding back...)
Kazuto: With this!?
So, Captain. How did this meeting go?
Kazuto: Ah. We'll all head towards the capital after this.
I told Nagi and Sawa to make preparations already.
Capital, huh...
The status of capital will probably be completely lost after this battle.
And the continent will get into chaos even further...
Kazuto: ...Even more than during Yellow Turbans?
That will seem like a calm sea to you.
What...!? Then, why would Karin-sama go to such a battle?
Isn't it better to gather more strength for protection?
Because I prefer to ride the wave of change than to get swallowed by it.
...Sorry, I never seen the sea.
Kazuto: Rather than seeing chaos from outside,
it's better to suppress it from inside.
Well, that's about it.
...Ah. If you put it like this, I kinda understand.
And the trembles forest never knew is rocks it.
Kazuto: A draw, huh...
(Given Kii already has battle experience... not bad, Ruru)
Well, well. It seems they finished.
...Sorry, Ruru. I wanted to fight alongside with Ruru sooner...
so I didn't write the letter properly, I guess.
...It's okay. I also wanted to hurry up and work together with Kii...
though I got kinda surprised you were an officer of shuboku...
Then, will you make me food?
Yeah. Let's eat it together.
So you finally came to a conclusion.
Oh, Karin-sama...
Sousou-sama...
Stand up, Teni.
Yes.
I'll invite you once again. Will you lend me your power
alongside Kii? Not as a cook, but as a warrior... officer.
Understood. I met Kii... and if it's a place,
where Kii works so lively, I'll also do my best.
Then, I'll allow you to call me Karin. Kii, that promise... I fulfilled it, okay?
Yes, thank you!
Promise...?
A promise to fulfill a wish of Kii.
So, I... asked if it's okay to call for Ruru.
However, if I knew it was someone as great as you,
I'd invite you even without something like that.
Thank you... Karin-sama.
Kii. I'll leave Ruru to you. Ruru, ask Kii if you don't understand something.
(I don't remember Ruru entrusting HER mana to Karin though...)
Yes!
(Though I guess lords automatically can use subordinate's manas)
Understood!
A few days later. We mobilized the army and were
on the road. But our destination wasn't the capital...
Kazuto: The meeting point sure isn't close...
It's still pretty close. Batou of the west will have to cover
many times longer distance than us, and fast.
Kazuto: Well, the western people are all born riders...
Don't put me together with people who ride from the birth.
Ugh, my butt hurts...
You are as knowledgeable about weird parts as always.
That habit is why you can't ride horses well...
You're sloppy, Nii-chan.
That's right, Nii-sama.
(Another one. Only one more step into the Sister Princess left - Fuu)
Even if you say so...
Kazuto: ...Or actually, Ruru, I've been thinking.
What?
Kazuto: Why Nii-sama?
Eh? I thought if you're Kii's Nii-sama, I should go with that too...
(Unlike Kii or Rinrin, Ruru doesn't have that "dangerously loli" feel)
Kazuto: Well, yeah, I'm at fault for being sort of Kii's aniki...
...Can't I?
(Therefore, this is nice...)
Kazuto: ...Well, call me as you please.
Yes! Nii-sama.
Nii-sama, huh... Well, it doesn't feel bad, so sure.
Kazuto. Your face is getting stretched? Shall I trim it to a correct length?
(He's older than you, so how about you also join the imouto team?)
Kazuto: No, no, no...
(Though if Karin calls Kazuto "Onii-chan" or something, everyone will have BSOD)
Karin-sama! We see Enshou's camp! And a lot of other banners!
Oh, we're finally here... well, well.
Sousou-sama! Welcome!
Ganryo. It's been a while. Is Bunsho still lively?
(She hates Reiha, but sure is friendly with her subordinates. Nice)
Yes. A bit too lively.
That's a good thing... so, where should we 
position ourselves? Please lead us there.
Understood. And, Sousou-sama, Reiha-sama is planning to
 hold a meeting right away, so can you come to the main camp?
Understood. Nagi, Sawa, Mao, follow Ganryo's instructions
and position troops. And Keifa, find out what lords are here.
Your will.
Understood!
I'll go to meet Reiha. Shunran, Shuuran and Kazuto, come with me.
Yes!
Understood.
Kazuto: ...Me too?
Isn't I'm more suited for doing chores here?
You should meet other officers. There's some gain in it.
Kazuto: ...Understood.
