Chapter 105: A Way Out
For the past few days, I've been having quite the peaceful sleep. At first, I was surprised too as I am out here in an unfamiliar place that is also an active war zone.
"We meet again…"
"Yeah."
There are nights when I just have a plain and pleasant sleep… but sometimes, I come across a dream that feels so real and tangible… as if I am being brought to another world while I am resting.
"Do you have any new stories to tell me?"
"Well, just like I told you before, I don't run out of stories if that's what you want."
"Ehehe… that's something nice."
Here, in this world of dreams, I met a girl who cannot remember her name. Whenever I open my eyes, she is the first one to appear as she is sitting at a swing under a tree with wide branches and shady leaves.
"…then we opened the casket to see what's inside and suddenly, a spider jumped out and Chiyo shrieked to the top of her lungs!"
"Ahahaha!!!"
I don't know if it was because everything felt unrealistic and dream-like, but here, my heart and mind are at ease, and I can freely speak with her stories that I have long considered as either annoying or unappealing to remember.
"Hey… I have a question."
"Mm? Of course, I'll try to answer it if I can."
That's why today… I asked her that question to confirm if this is something true or really just a dream.
"Who… are you?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"I can see it now. Come on, just a tad bit closer."
"Okay, let me adjust the sail a bit…"
By daybreak, we arrived at the floating port point at a minor sandbar that appears during the low tide. The place used to be frequented by local sailors and fishermen as a way to spend hot summer middays when it's too hot to fish or if there is a storm and it is too dangerous to go home.
The port used to just be a bunch of boulders in the middle of the sea, but as the place became known more and ways to spend time in there spread out of dice games and shogi, the few boulders were used as the foundation to lay out wooden planks and supporting logs to make it into a full-fledged stop-over in the sea.
"You could've just left him alone after you paid the parking toll."
"He pissed me off with that tone while clearly ripping us off. He deserved that one."
After we moored our small boat into the wooden harbor and Eichi was able to haggle the scummy toll collector to a fair price with his… not-so-peaceful fists, he climbed up to the main harbor area and walked through the port.
"Weapon shops selling knock-off rifles… Drug dealers selling opium by bulk… Whores there and on the next alley… Damn, they're doing it at the street without care for onlookers."
"Come on, Eichi. Stop staring at them or you'll give away our cover."
"Sorry, this place is just making my blood simmer. I hate it here."
"Just hold on to it. If luck would have it, we won't have to stay here for long."
After passing through some rough places and almost bumping against some ruffians who wanted to fight, we eventually arrived at the building whose outside has a line of half-dead drunkards or sluts who are offering their selves to escort the patrons going inside.
"Karai no Tantsubo… this must be brothel mentioned in the report."
(T/N: That can be translated as Salty Spittoon. Yes, from that particular SpongeBob episode.)
"Hey there, mister~! Are you here to enter the brothel?"
"…Yes."
A woman with loose clothes and flushed face approached me and softly touched my shoulders as if seducing me.
"Oh~? You're a new face… are you perhaps looking for some fun~?"
"…"
"Come on… I don't charge too high for newcomers~."
I don't know what other men see in these women that overrides their sense of reason and cause them to lay their hands at them, but I sure aren't feeling that at all.
Instead, the particular grimy texture of her hands on my shoulder, the flowy way of her speech that can only come from continual smoking of opium, the stench of her body that comes from being repeatedly used by many men and the bottomless sense of hopelessness and lack of self-worth that she gives off makes my skin crawl in terror and anger.
"Come with me then. I have one rule though, never touch or look at this guy. He's not as adaptable to new places as I am."
"Gotcha~!"
After she wrapped her arm around mine and leaned her head on my shoulder, we walked inside the brothel whose each and every corner exudes the smell of Sake and stench of sweat and piss.
"Eichi, don't lose sight of me. We can't be split apart now."
"Roger."
From under his trench coat, I heard the audible click of his handgun being unlocked and I slowly reached out for mine inside my chest holster to unlock it as well.
"What can I get you?"
"A bottle of Sake and some sushi."
"We don't have wasabi. Is that fine?"
"Yes. I don't like spicy food anyway."
We sat in front of a table as a grouchy and seemingly overworked waiter took our order. After he stated that their sushi doesn't have wasabi, I was slightly disappointed since it will make the raw fish a bit less palatable, but I shouldn't expect much right now.
"Hey~! Can I ask for my client's name?"
"I'm Kaminari Koji from Kise."
"Oh~ I see… Koji-dono, it is then~."
"…"
She held onto my arm tighter and tighter, sandwiching it between her sagging breasts. It irritated me, but I can't show it right now.
"Sir. Look right there, my two o'clock."
"Got it."
I took out a small mirror to look at my face, but I turned it sideways to see some people entering the brothel with one person in their midst. It was Daigo Aiko, our target.
"Hey~! That looks good! What is that?"
"Shh!"
As she tried to reach out for it, I closed the mirror and slid it to Eichi who tucked it inside his coat before I scolded the noisy woman.
"Hey~. What's with the feisty attitude~. I like pushy men, but there's no need to scold teeny-weeny me, wight~?"
"Shut up for a moment, will you?"
We shot some gazes towards the group surrounding Aiko as they walked past us and climbed up some stairs leading to a closed off portion of the brothel.
"Here's your order. Anything else you want?"
"…What's in there?"
"Huh? Oh. That's the private area. Only invited people by the master can enter."
"Is that so? Thanks, here's for the food and some tip."
"Tip? H-hey, aren't you being too kind? If anything, people here love to rip me off by threatening me."
"Just take it as my thanks for answering my random question."
"T-thanks, I guess…"
After he walked away with few gold kan that I gave as tip, the woman poured us the Sake and knocked back the first cup.
"A-Ah~! That hits the good spot~!"
"Sir… should I-"
"Go on, you need the energy for later."
Eichi used his chopsticks to start eating the sushi. Since he has been fighting since last night and he even helped me drive the sailboat, I wanted him to relax and eat his fill so he can have the strength for later.
"Zzzz… Agh… Zzzz…"
"Sir."
"Yeah."
After three bottles of Sake, the woman was finally drunk, and she fell face-first at the table and began snoring loudly. With that, we paid for the rest of the food and went out of the brothel to enter into the backdoor.
"Hey! Take that bitch outside! I don't want her skanky ass in here and blocking off tables!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
From behind some barrels, we heard the master of the brothel ordering his men to take that woman outside in order to let more customers into his bar. With them busy with the task and the store master distracted, we slipped by into the exclusive area and climbed to the upper floor.
"Change of clothes, Eichi."
"Copy that."
We were following two waiters at the hallway when I gave a concise order to him and we simultaneously strangled the two attendants and brought them into a storage room to exchange our clothes with theirs.
"Ah, drat. I think I snapped the shoulder stitch."
"You're too muscular for that guy's yukata size. Just accept it and let's move on."
Eichi took a bucket of water and a floor mat while I took some bad sheets from a shelf in the storage room. After that, we walked to the room guarded by the same men that we saw earlier.
"Stop right there! Who are you and why are you entering Her Holiness' room?"
"Well, I feel shy for saying this thing in the midst of fellow faithful like all of you but…"
"We are also devout believers of Daigo-sama, and we feel that letting Her Holiness to stay in a room that was used by sinners without any cleaning will be very disrespectful for her."
Reading my cue, Eichi followed with the act and both of us pretended to be her believers.
"Well, I know that this place reeks of sin and filth. But for the sake of Daigo-sama's security, we cannot let you in."
"I understand that to be your concern… but would it be wrong to ask for her side as well. After all, it wouldn't be noble-like of Her Holiness to just accept to live in the room previously stayed at by commoners."
"Right, it will shame all of us if she has to endure such humiliation."
"A-Argh… wait a moment."
"Let them in."
With a heavy sigh, the leader of the guards gave up and knocked at the door three times before the person inside replied and spoke to let us in.
"I'm glad that such thoughtful believers exist even in this filthy cesspool of sinners."
"We are honored."
After we went in and the door was locked behind out backs, we finally came face to face with her.
"Argh… thank the heavens that you cleaners finally appeared. These sheets smell like piss and the floor is so sticky with… man juices that it's disgusting to even step at it."
"…"
"What are you guys staring about? Clean up, damn it!"
"While we are cleaning, mind listening to us, Daigo Aiko-san?"
"-!"
After hearing my voice, her eyes went wide as she seemed to take a step back, preparing to poise into a charging attack towards us with her metal finger claws.
"Stop right there and calm down, lady… we are not primarily here for your life."
"…"
"We want to talk if we can. Shall we talk, then?"
After Eichi drew out his gun and warned her not to make sudden moves, I went with diplomacy and asked if she is willing to talk with us.
"First of all… who are you two anyway?"
"Shimura Nobisuke, I am the Kirin Lord's right-hand man."
"Hanamichi Eichi, his shadow warrior."
"I see. I think I remember your face. You're among the ones who shot down my men back at Kingo castle."
"I am."
"Then why are you here and asking me to talk with you? Aren't we supposed to be enemies?"
Before she begins to back out from this conversation, I took my chance and showed her something that I have been keeping in my person since I found it in the cave laboratory.
"This blue iris necklace… what is this?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Our conversation became deeper as the same went for our trust and calmness towards each other.
As the sense of hostility and wariness wore off while we are exchanging information, Eichi's hand that holds his gun eventually holstered the weapon and instead of standing there, poised to jump to us and slash us with her claws, Aiko and I sat in front of a table while Eichi ended up actually cleaning the floor and changing the bed sheets to pass time. Perhaps he is a clean freak?
"In any case, that is the latest news that I got from my master after he met up with a supposed informant at Hashidate province. His and his current aide's suspicion is that the Shogun is behind all of this."
"Wrong, wrong, wrong! Why are you idiots barking up the wrong tree?!"
"…"
She held her forehead in pain while complaining about what I just said.
"The Shogun was the one who started Project MK Ultra EX, but he wasn't the one responsible for weaponizing it!"
"What… do you mean by that?"
She looked around her belongings and finally found a book that has the same cover as the one we recovered back at that experimentation lab in the land of the Satou clan. She went through the pages and by the middle, found a page that she turned towards me.
"Shogun Sora used MK Ultra's various therapies to reprogram human minds. This might be unknown for a southerner like you, but the almost year-round winters of Niijima province carries a curse that the locals call: "The Yukihime's voice.""
"What is this curse about?"
"It's about how some people end up being mentally deteriorated or flat out crazy while dealing with day-to-day activities during the province's 9-month long winter season. The Shogun aims to use brain washing as a method to cure this illness and let his people to live healthily again… but one guy saw it as something beyond that."
"…"
"When the Shogun rose to power and he left Niijima's leading to a subordinate, this guy used the same tricks at his subordinate… and what happens when a mentally healthy person is treated with it? They become subservient dolls that only follow their master's call."
I see… things are connecting up now.
"The Shogun became aware of this just months ago. That's why he is planning to go to Myoko province soon to check the people that this guy sent to kill him and other troublesome opponents to the throne."
"So, even the Shogun is in danger? This is getting more complicated."
"That's not the only thing, we also have the issue with the massive hole to the Otherworld that is beginning to appear over the Imperial Capital of Hitachi…"
"H-hole to the Otherworld?"
"Yes. As one born from the Daigo clan, I have the ability to see things that are beyond human understanding. And when I once came to Hitachi to meet up with this guy, I saw a massive hole to the world where the Otherworlders come from looming over the Imperial capital."
"What could be causing that?"
"My best guest is that the priestess there is conducting unannounced summoning rituals without stop. Normally, the 5-year cycle of rest for each Shrine is implemented to not overexert the Ki lines that makes summoning the Otherworlders possible. But if such a huge hole has already been ripped into the sky over the capital, it can only mean that whatever is happening inside Kyoga Sanctum will endanger the country's Ki balance…"
"I see… I-I know that we are still not in good terms… but to be honest, I can't really fully trust that…"
"I am aware. But with my honor as a noble on the line, I attest that I am not lying about this… Whatever is happening, I will be on your side… Especially now of all times."
"What do you mean?"
"…I will tell you the name of the person who is sending killers to your master… if and only if you are willing to agree to what I desire in exchange for it."
"Let me hear it first and I'll think about it."
She cleared her throat and asked me one thing.
"I want to seek asylum under Kiko, and I want you to bring me along once you arrive at the main temple of this island's Star Goddess Cult."
"Ah… h-hey…"
"What?"
"Why do you have that statuette in here?"
I can hardly believe my eyes… that thing… that stone figurine of a familiar-looking girl that she just placed on the table.
"So, I'm not the only outsider who is getting that dream again and again, huh?"
"You too? So, you know that girl at the swing who-"
"-who can't remember her name, holds some flat piece of metal near her chest and wouldn't let go of it, is always asking to hear stories and would joyfully laugh at any stories you tell."
"Yes, yes! That's right!"
Finally… after that dream was cut off before I can hear it… I finally found the true reason behind why I keep on dreaming about that girl.
"That is the Star Goddess of Mizuki Island's Star cult. She's recognized as the sleeping goddess that came from the heavens about half a year ago."
"Why do you want to get close to her?"
"My claim of being the true descendant of the Daigo clan will have more credit if I get recognized by that goddess of sorts. I wanted to go here, but that guy from Niijima is sending warning after warning towards me to not go here. But I still did and now, he is sending people not to warn me but straight up kill me. I was happy that I still have loyal followers protecting me, but I can't depend on them to do everything."
"So, the reason for seeking asylum will be-"
"Immunity from my past crimes to the provinces in the alliance and protection against those assassins."
"I understand. We're clear there for now."
"Then will you help me go to the main temple?"
"With any clinch. You have a deal."
We shook hands to finalize our deal and with her safety assured for now, she sighed and gave me the mastermind's name.
"The mastermind's name is Miyazono Keiji. He is an Otherworlder who was summoned in Kyoga Sanctum nine year ago. To say that he is extraordinarily talented will be an understatement. His physical strength and stamina exceed everyone else's, he is knowledgeable in many things and has played tricks against the sharpest of minds in the country… but the thing that made Reika banish him from Kyoga Sanctum and diminish his influence as an Otherworlder is due to the philosophy laying beneath his genius."
"Miyazono Keiji… Miyazono… Miyazono… Wait, Eichi!"
"Yes, sir?"
"Do you still have that notebook that I gave you while we are in the boat?"
"Ah, yes. Here it is."
He handed me my journal and after quickly going page by page with it, I finally found my journal entry that I wrote the day before Iwasawa-sama left on his journey.
"He came from the Otherworld, where he was killed by people serving the Miyazono Conglomerate who wanted him and his family dead."
"Are you talking about your master?"
"Yes. According to him, he was reincarnated to this world."
"Then if the Miyazono person that he is talking about and our guy here are connected, that means-"
"-that means that even to the next world, Iwasawa-sama is in danger."
With the bulk of our current information now solved, connected and proved, I decided that its time to move on to the next step.
"Aiko, my men doesn't know that I am here. The Special Agency was planning on arresting you and handing you over to Priestess Daigo, that's why I slipped out and tried to find if we can talk this out and save you."
"Then what's your plan now? Don't tell me that you're planning on leaving me behind now that I've told you everything."
"Don't say that, I'm not that kind of a lying jerk… Since your former boss is the only one who is actually after your life, I guess we can go back to Kiko and put you on house arrest… but of course, that's after we finish this war and visit the Star Cult's temple."
"I'll accept that if that is the only scenario where I am still alive."
Before we can discuss our escape plan though, a massive explosion rang from the tavern below.
"Aiko-sama!"
"Your holiness! Escape now!"
"We will cover your back!"
From outside the room, the sound of clashing swords and fired flintlock pistols echoed as the assassins sent to dispose her and her followers fought.
"No! I will not leave you behind!"
"Please, my lady! Just leave and be safe!"
"Come on, Aiko! We need to get out of here!"
Even though she didn't want to leave them, Aiko gritted her teeth and accepted the situation we were in.
"Tch! I will pray for your souls! I promise you, my men!"
"Eichi! Window!"
"Got it!"
Eichi kicked open a paper panel window that leads to the alley behind the pub before being the first to hop down.
"Come on! We can't be caught here!"
"Kyaa!!!"
Since we are being chased by our enemies, I made a split-second decision and lifted Aiko over my shoulder as we jumped down to the alley.
"Eichi, weapons free! Protect us until we get to the boat!"
"Roger!"
As soon as I gave the order for him to freely use his gun, he took it out and immediately shot three hooded men trying to charge at us with knives and swords.
"Hey! Let me down! This is a great disrespect to a noblewoman!"
"Shut up! Those wooden clog shoes sure look fashionable but it's bullcrap for running!"
I drew out my revolver and handed it to her by placing it over my shoulder.
"If you want to be helpful, use my gun and shoot those bastards that are chasing us!"
"O-Okay!"
*Byak-!*
"Argh!"
"Ah! I hit him!"
Our chase went on and on across the wooden harbor. At every other corner, there were enemies and there are even some occasional arrows that miss us by a hairbreadth.
"T-This gun is out!"
"Don't worry, we're nearly at the boat now!"
As we made the last lap towards our vehicle, a group of men appeared from a ship next to us and pointed a volley of muskets towards us.
"Fire!"
*Pitak! Pitak! Pitak! Pitak! Pitak! Pitak!*
"Shit!"
"To the water!"
"No! Not at the water!"
With no solid places to hide at, I pushed Eichi to the water and hopped in too along with Aiko who shouted a complaint before we plunged to the sea and dodged the bullets aimed at us.
"…"
"Mm! Mm!"
While underwater, I pointed my finger upwards and showed three fingers outstretched to Eichi, telling him that we will be climbing up to the boat in three seconds.
"-!"
"Buwah!"
"They're alive!!!"
"Get them!"
After they saw us emerging from the water and climbing up to our boat, they scrambled to disembark from the ship and shoot us again. We are still in danger.
"Eichi, unfurl the sail and wake Aiko up! I'll defend our backs!"
"Got it!"
I lightly placed the unconscious woman down as Eichi slashed a rope that unfurled our sail down.
*Clank-! Fyuk-!*
I slashed our mooring rope with my sword which let us disconnect from the harbor line and letting us move forward to the water.
"Shoot their sail!"
"Don't let them get away!"
"Aim!"
Another volley of muskets formed behind us, aiming to shoot our sail to disable our ship from travelling away. However, we are now in home base.
"Eichi! Crowbar!"
"Here!"
With the tool on hand, I plucked out the loose seat that I intentionally kept as like that and brought out something that I kept here for a very specific last-ditch effort if we get caught.
"It's Rambo time."
*Brrrrrrrttttttttt!!!!!!!*
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"
"GET AWAY!"
*Brrrrrrrttttttttt!!!!!!!*
With the machinegun that is attached to the boat's stern firing away at the harbor, our enemies were mutilated in seconds, and we were able to gain enough distance to safely escape from our pursuers.
"Aaahhh… crap… I thought I was gonna die."
"Likewise… We shot a lot of enemies there. The harbor must be quite damaged."
"At least it didn't explode."
As if I jinxed it, the store behind the enemies I shot just moments ago was a weapons store and where there are bootleg weapons, there sure are gunpowder barrels being mishandled.
*KA-CHAK!*
"Ahh… drat."
"…Well, look at the bright side, general. At least we saved the navy the ordeal of cleaning up the place."
"Shut it, Eichi… This isn't funny."
As the harbor slowly disappeared from our view, we found ourselves floating around the sea towards the bay of Shouki island where we plan to stop over where some of our forces are staying to defend the important accessway.
"Kak! Gak-!"
"Good morning…"
"Shut up."
After a while of being unconscious, Aiko finally woke up and coughed out the sea water that she breathed in.
"A-are we… safe?"
"Yeah, we're out of the harbor now. We're heading to Shouki bay where the Cruiser Ashigara is staying at. Since I'm bringing a wanted person with me, it's good that the captain of that ship is a distant cousin of mine."
"Yeah, yeah… I'm in probation right now but at least I am alive… thanks."
"Mm. Ah, by the way…"
I took out our spare sail from the compartment and handed it to her.
"W-What?"
"Umm… your clothes…"
As she slowly looked down at her Shrine maiden outfit that was wet from the seawater, she saw her chest bindings that was visible from the white clothes and quickly snatched the dry cloth to cover herself.
"Pervert… I can't believe you didn't cover me until I woke up."
"…Whatever."
"Leave for a moment. I want to pray for my believers who sacrificed their selves for me."
I left her alone as she knelt down to pray and walked towards Eichi who is looking at the main Mizuki island from the mast of our boat.
"Something on your mind?"
"Ah… not really much. Just…"
"?"
"I can't wait to set foot at that island again."
"Again? I know you slipped in there to provide us with intelligence reports, but why do you sound like you're being nostalgic?"
"Because… because Ume was from Mizuki."
After he spoke about his wife, I let go of the formal and serious tone and sat beside him to talk about it.
"I didn't know that she wasn't from Kiko."
"Yeah. She came from a port village there whose main commerce is trading with other provinces. It was when she came to Kiko and was scammed by selling her wares in a low price did we meet each other. Her case was given to me and after some detective work, I caught the scammers and got her wares back. That's when we began to have a more personal and later, romantic relationship."
"That's a beautiful story."
"Yeah… that's why when I heard that her fellow residents of Mizuki were the ones who killed her, my blood boiled. And now, I want to avenge her."
I lightly patted his shoulder to comfort him, wanting to make him to not think much about it for now.
"We're nearly there, let's just wait for a bit and… uhhh…"
"Sir…? Sir!"
*Pyuk!*
Suddenly, I felt nauseous, and my vision dimmed until it fully disappeared before I fell from the boat and into the dark sea.
"Uuuuggghhhh…"
[Hey.]
"What?"
[Hey, wake up!]
Suddenly, I was beckoned by a familiar voice as I felt all of my senses going back. There were warm sunrays on my skin, the wind blows cool and gently across my face, and I wasn't surrounded by water, but is laying on newly mowed grass.
"Hey, wake up!"
"H-huh?"
"Do you have more stories to tell me?"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ephraim_Chronia
Ephraim_Chronia "Author Rai is writing quickly nowadays."
-Editor KEY
"Reader support is going well. He's motivated."
-Editor ZERO
"I can't believe I am fully connecting COMA's story to this one's."
-Author Rai
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone