《Summoned to the Eternal War》


 Ghost in the Demon Castle

    Morning on Suisei arrived in gentle stages. The darkness lifted so gradually that Haruto Watanabe was almost uncertain whether he was awake at all. One moment, the garden¡¯s towering rows of hinoki cypress loomed like silent sentinels; the next, a thin gray light revealed the dew shimmering on the grass. He took a step along that dew-soaked path, but felt no pressure from the ground. It was as though he were a ghost, floating through someone else¡¯s dream. When he reached out to brush a branch, his hand slipped through needles and twigs as if they were nothing but moonbeams.


    On his shoulder perched a tiny tsubame¡ªa bird bright-eyed and mischievous. She leaned close and whispered, ¡°Hey, Haruto. I take it you¡¯re feeling a little unmoored? Like you¡¯re about to wake up and realize your alarm¡¯s been buzzing for half an hour?¡±


    Haruto stayed silent, half from wonder and half from not knowing how to answer. The tsubame laughed, her voice like wind chimes in a summer breeze. ¡°No dream this time,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯re the first of the earth-born to cross into Suisei. And you and I? We¡¯ll see all of it¡ªits lands and seas, ancient mountains and hidden cities. But don¡¯t get too excited about making yourself known. In this form, you can¡¯t so much as knock over a teacup, nor will anyone here see or hear you. We¡¯re specters in this world, you and I.¡±


    They came then to a white marble stairway leading up to a broad terrace. The gate of the castle beyond was shut tight with iron bolts the width of a man¡¯s thigh, but the tsubame fluttered her wings dismissively. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat the locked door. You and I, we¡¯re intangible, remember?¡± And with that, they slipped straight through. Haruto noticed how everything in this fortress radiated a subtle aura, as though he could glimpse some shimmering detail not visible to normal eyes. He wondered if this was the famed system window he¡¯d heard about in the stories¡ªsome hidden display that would reveal the levels and classes of those he might meet. If it existed, it stayed silent for now.


    Inside, they emerged into a presence chamber so grand it could have rivaled any emperor¡¯s throne room in Haruto¡¯s old life. The walls were alabaster, traced with veins of tiny rubies and pink topaz that caught the earliest rays of sunlight. Columns lined either side, carved from white stone and crowned with monstrous visages cut from single, gleaming gems: a gargoyle rendered in honey-colored topaz, a scowling oni face in a chunk of velvet-dark sapphire. The ceiling soared overhead in mother-of-pearl, refracting morning light until it looked like the chamber itself glowed from within. Jewels hung in rows from the roof-beams: seven massive escarbuncles giving off a faint rose-colored luminescence, and nine moonstones on silver pedestals, shining in a pale hush. Meanwhile, the underside of a golden canopy at the far end depicted the twelve constellations of this world in diamonds. Haruto thought of the planetarium in Tokyo¡ªonly this was infinitely more wondrous, and centuries older.


    When at last the sun¡¯s first beams speared in from the eastern windows, the gloom of night fled to the corners. Servants¡ªwho, at first glance, looked startlingly human save for the horns sprouting from their hair¡ªentered with brooms and cloths to clean. Haruto¡¯s gaze darted to the tsubame. ¡°Oni?¡± he asked softly.


    She nodded. ¡°Indeed. You¡¯re on Onikawa now, and these are the proud Oni who rule here. But pay attention. They¡¯ll be preparing for a big festival soon enough¡ªbirthday celebrations for one named Lord J¨±s¨­, plus his brethren, Lord Homura and Lord Kinryu. By the way, in these parts, Oni earn their levels and skills through countless battles and proud deeds. Most of them are capable fighters¡ªeven the ones who look like simple servants.¡±


    And as if on cue, a glowing prompt flickered in the corner of Haruto¡¯s vision:


    [Name: Oni Castle Servant] [Class: Castle Retainer (Lv 14)] [Skills: Polished Sweep (Rank C), Service Etiquette (Rank C)] [XP to Next Level: 1,200/1,700]


    Haruto caught his breath. This was it: the famed system readouts he¡¯d only imagined in half-lucid dreams. The numbers and words slid away into the periphery of his sight, but the realization lingered¡ªthere were rules here, an underlying game logic shaping every life.


    Before long, guests began filling the chamber: powerful Oni warriors in rich kimonos or embroidered tunics, horns decorated with plumes of feathers. They carried swords or polearms that shone with menacing brilliance. A few Oni women circulated as well, each one so radiant that Haruto¡¯s mind scrambled to compare them to the mythical beauties of his own world. In the swirl of color and chatter, Haruto noticed levels popping up over each new face. Some were formidable¡ªhe spied a [Lv 37 Oni Swordsman], a [Lv 42 Oni Huntress]. Others boasted epic classes he¡¯d never heard of.


    ¡°Take a look near the door,¡± the tsubame said. ¡°The burly one in the sea-green robes? That¡¯s Lord Daisetsu (Lv 45 Naval General). He¡¯s known for his cunning at sea. Served all of Onikawa valiantly in the last war against the Yurei.¡±


    Haruto¡¯s attention shifted to a square-jawed Oni with an easy smile. ¡°What about the serious one, standing just behind him?¡± he asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s Lord Tatsuo (Lv 46 Strategist). A bit wealthier than most, second only to the three great brothers we¡¯re about to see¡ªand Lord Daigo.¡±


    Then another Oni stepped into view, greeting Daisetsu with a sly grin. He was lean, long-nosed, and looked to have endless swagger. The prompt above him read: [Lord Zeki (Lv 38 Beast Tamer)]. The tsubame flicked her wings. ¡°He¡¯s the famed horse-tamer, beloved among the Oni. Half comedic relief, half deadly warrior on the battlefield.¡±


    That mention was cut short as the far curtain swayed open. Enter Lord Daigo (Lv 53 Sword Dancer) with a gait like a lazy cat that¡¯d just woken from a dream. He wore a tunic of wild-rose silk embroidered with golden thunderbolts, his horns tinted saffron and filigreed with gold. On his belt hung a blade that flickered with an inner fire, its name¡ªHaruto couldn¡¯t read it fast enough, but it flashed like something out of legend. A swirl of system text scrolled by: [Daigo¡¯s Crescent Edge (Epic Weapon: +30 AGI, +25 STR, Hidden Ability: Storm Waltz)]. There was a cold dignity in Daigo¡¯s eyes, but also a flicker of restless energy.


    ¡°Is that¡­?¡± Haruto began.


    The tsubame cut in with a little laugh. ¡°Easy. You¡¯re half-right to be impressed. That¡¯s Lord Daigo. Some say he¡¯s the third-greatest fighter in Suisei, right after Lord Kinryu and the old King Goritsu X. from Majokawa¡ªthough Daigo personally ended that Witch King¡¯s tyranny in a duel nine years ago, so maybe he¡¯s second-best now. Watch him closely, or you¡¯ll miss something fantastic.¡±


    At that moment, music bloomed from an unseen source¡ªstrings, flutes, drums, all weaving a haunting melody that drifted beneath the vaulting roof. The tapestry parted again, and in strode three Oni who each radiated enough presence to hush the entire hall. The tsubame hovered near Haruto¡¯s ear and whispered breathlessly:


    ¡°In the center: that¡¯s Lord J¨±s¨­ (Lv 55 Oni Warlord). Observe that olive-green cloak, rumored to be woven by celestial spirits. They say it grants good fortune as long as the wearer remains steadfast and fearless. Note that quiet confidence in his posture. He knows a little magic, but Oni believe in pure might over arcane arts, so he rarely uses it.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    She motioned to the second figure. ¡°On J¨±s¨­¡¯s left stands Lord Homura (Lv 52 Flame Champion). Every bit as fierce as he looks. His eyes are sharper than drawn steel, and if you glimpse that faint glow in his breath, that¡¯s his signature skill, Embersoul Fury.¡±


    Her voice dropped in awe as her gaze locked onto the giant Oni flanking J¨±s¨­¡¯s right side. ¡°That¡¯s Lord Kinryu (Lv 56 Heartseeker). Legend claims no swordsman is stronger. See the two-handed blade on his back? That¡¯s rumored to be an Elven-forged weapon from the dawn of time. He¡¯s unstoppable in single combat.¡±


    The grand ritual of greetings and ceremonial toasts followed. Great gems shaped like cups were filled with wine older than any mortal¡¯s memory. The Oni toasted the day of J¨±s¨­¡¯s birth, with Homura and Kinryu at his side. Then, as was their custom, they would spend the day in hunts, sports, or friendly contests across the castle grounds¡ªtests of skill to earn more XP and chase new achievements. But just as they were ready to disperse, a resounding trumpet blast cut the air.


    Homura stiffened. ¡°We have a visitor,¡± he said, glancing at J¨±s¨­ with a wry tilt of his brow. ¡°Bet you my next level-up it¡¯s a killjoy. No one blasts a horn like that for good news.¡±


    Kinryu let out a low chuckle. ¡°Could be the Witch King¡¯s men from Majokawa. They like to claim they stand above us.¡± He flexed a broad shoulder. ¡°Haven¡¯t seen them do it up close since we crushed the Yurei.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± J¨±s¨­ said, his own voice smooth. ¡°Bring them in. Might as well get it over with before we return to the day¡¯s festivities.¡±


    Servants hurried out and returned, announcing in respectful tones that an Ambassador from Majokawa had arrived. A hush settled over the guests, all eyes fixed on the wide silver doors. J¨±s¨­ took the central seat, carved in the likeness of a kirin wrought from black opal, while Kinryu and Homura claimed their own dazzling thrones to his right and left. Daigo and the others fanned out behind them, tension simmering in the air.


    Presently, the Majokawa Ambassador appeared, cloaked in scarlet velvet lined with ermine, embroidered with motifs of crawling insects. He seemed small and pallid, arms far too long for his body. Haruto¡¯s system readout flashed:


    [Name: Ambassador Shigezane (Lv 20 Dark Envoy)] [Class: Majokawa Courtier] [Skills: Poison Tongue (Rank B), Diplomatic Shield (Rank B)] [XP to Next Level: 5,000/6,000]


    The Ambassador paused a few strides away from the dais. The hush turned oppressive. Then, with a croak of a voice that carried surprising force, he declared, ¡°I speak for the Great King Goritsu XI of Majokawa, Overlord of Buteny, Estremerine, Commander of Shulan, High Warden of¡ª¡± He rattled off titles that made half the Oni roll their eyes. Finally, he drew breath. ¡°His Majesty charges me to remind the lords of Onikawa that it has been far too long since they honored him as rightful ruler of these lands.¡±


    A ripple of anger coursed through the crowd. Homura looked ready to surge from his seat. ¡°He calls us a province?¡± he said, voice as sharp as a drawn blade. ¡°That serpent dares? I¡¯d like to see him set foot here in person and repeat that in front of my sword.¡±


    Zeki leaned in from one of the side benches, smirking. ¡°Easy, Lord Homura. Let¡¯s not stain the marble with an ambassador¡¯s blood, at least not until we hear the last of his nonsense.¡±


    The Ambassador mustered more confidence in the face of these dangerous glares. ¡°King Goritsu XI demands the lords of Onikawa come to his fortress at Kasei, kneel, and kiss his toe¡ª¡±


    A roar of disgust went up, silenced only by Kinryu¡¯s booming laugh. ¡°Kiss his toe? The old snake has jokes.¡±


    J¨±s¨­ put up a hand. ¡°Hold,¡± he said in a calm, clear voice. ¡°Go on, Ambassador. Is there more?¡±


    The little man offered a tight grimace. ¡°That is the core of our king¡¯s summons. Obey¡ªand perhaps you spare yourself his retribution. Refuse, and he¡¯s already mustered a fleet to cross the sea and remind you of his claim.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than Homura rose, eyes blazing. ¡°Did you say retribution? Our ships alone finished off the Yurei menace. Majokawa¡¯s fleet fled like cowards. If your king wants to test us, let him. I¡¯ll personally carve open every last hull in his armada and line the harbors with their bones.¡±


    Daigo placed a gentle hand on Homura¡¯s arm, smiling in a lazy but lethal sort of way. ¡°Let¡¯s not skewer the messenger, cousin. Still, we owe him an answer. Quick and decisive.¡±


    They withdrew to a side chamber, leaving the Ambassador to shift uneasily by the dais. Once in private, Homura spat, ¡°We should sail at dawn with what ships remain. Surprise them in Kasei before they know we¡¯re coming. Let¡¯s see if Goritsu XI squeals for mercy when my flames scorch his palace walls.¡±


    J¨±s¨­ shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s your unstoppable passion talking. You realize they have double our vessels. They¡¯ll be on guard. No, we mustn¡¯t be rash. But we also can¡¯t sit on our heels.¡±


    Kinryu arched a brow, leaning against the wall. ¡°What about a challenge? Something that gives them no choice but to face us on equal footing.¡±


    J¨±s¨­¡¯s eyes glinted. ¡°Exactly. Let¡¯s see how bold King Goritsu XI really is when challenged to single combat.¡±


    Homura smirked. ¡°He¡¯d never agree to fight you with swords. He¡¯s no fool.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t plan to offer swords,¡± Kinryu said, fists flexing. ¡°He¡¯s famed for his wrestling. Brags about all the champions¡¯ bones he¡¯s collected. Let¡¯s see if he can throw me. I¡¯ll pit my Heartseeker skill against his grapples, and we¡¯ll see who¡¯s left breathing.¡±


    A hush fell among them. Then Homura gave a clipped nod. ¡°All right, I like it. We propose a duel¡ªyour wrestling against his. If he loses, he drops this farce about ruling Onikawa. If he wins, he can come try to press his claim¡­ though even if he won, I doubt we¡¯d roll out the welcome mat. Still, it keeps our honor intact.¡±


    J¨±s¨­ looked to Daigo, who simply shrugged with a half-smile. ¡°Count me in,¡± Daigo said. ¡°If Goritsu wants to see real Oni might, let him measure it in the ring.¡±


    When they filed back into the presence chamber, the Ambassador seemed to stiffen under their gazes. J¨±s¨­ took his seat once more, his voice echoing in the marble hall. ¡°On behalf of all Onikawa, Lord Kinryu will speak our answer. You will deliver it in full, without any embroidery.¡±


    Kinryu stepped forward, every inch the champion. ¡°Tell King Goritsu XI we scorn his claim. The Oni remember his cowardice: how he abandoned us in the fight against the Yurei, letting us shed blood on behalf of all Suisei while his fleet crept away. Now, we offer him a duel. Let the matter rest on our might. I, Kinryu, challenge him to three falls of wrestling at the court of the Red Takuma, who stands neutral in this quarrel. If I prevail, he abandons his claim forever and leaves us in peace. If he wins, let him enjoy that victory and come test his fleet¡¯s mettle against ours, if he dares.¡±


    A scribe recorded every word on a scroll. The Oni lords sealed it with their signets. The Ambassador took it in trembling hands. ¡°Foolish,¡± he managed at last, spitting the word. ¡°King Goritsu XI has broken warriors mightier than you. He won¡¯t show mercy. You¡¯ll be the hundredth champion whose bones he keeps.¡±


    Sparks seemed to dance in Homura¡¯s eyes. He clenched his teeth, but Daigo¡¯s touch on his shoulder kept him still. The Ambassador retreated a step, then nearly scrambled away down the hall, his attendants scuttling in tow. Outside, the Oni throng jeered and hurled insults, catcalling about his long, awkward gait and hidden tail. He flung himself onto his waiting ship at Mihara Bay, raising sails as though the hounds of all Onikawa snapped at his heels.


    When the Ambassador¡¯s vessel vanished into the horizon, the crowd in the castle¡¯s courtyard began to disperse. Homura exhaled and said, ¡°Well, that¡¯s done. Now we wait for King Goritsu XI¡¯s answer.¡±


    J¨±s¨­ straightened. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to celebrating. We¡¯ll handle Majokawa¡¯s fury soon enough.¡±


    Haruto hovered behind them, invisible, intangible, his mind aflame with questions. He watched the Oni lords¡ªJ¨±s¨­, Homura, Kinryu, Daigo¡ªeach radiating an aura of power and confidence. The system¡¯s text flickered at the edge of his vision, hinting at future developments. The festival would continue, sure, but Suisei had a dark horizon now, and Haruto could almost taste the tension on the wind. He had come here a stranger, a level-one Wanderer with nothing but the clothes on his back and an unknown destiny. But already, fate seemed to be drawing him into conflicts far beyond anything his old world could have conjured.


    At his shoulder, the tsubame fluffed her feathers. ¡°Looks like your real adventure starts now, Haruto. Ready?¡±


    She laughed before he could answer, and the echo of that laughter accompanied them into a day that promised both celebration¡ªand the distant drums of war.

 The Wrestle for Onikawa

    Haruto Watanabe felt the salt wind sting his cheeks as he blinked in confusion at the endless downs rolling toward the sea. One moment, he¡¯d stood in Lord J¨±s¨­¡¯s soaring presence chamber, where King Goritsu XI¡¯s Ambassador had been shown in. The next, he was out here in the open air, the sun glaring down on him. He shuddered at the sudden change in scenery and muttered, ¡°This is ridiculous. How¡¯d I drift off mid-audience? Where¡¯s the Oni castle? Where¡¯s everyone else?¡±


    Perched on his shoulder, the little black tsubame fluttered her wings and fixed him with a bright, knowing eye. ¡°Your confusion¡¯s understandable, Haruto,¡± she said. ¡°My Kirindrake doesn¡¯t just cross distance¡ªit crosses time too. Weeks have flown by in the blink of an eye for you. Now you stand in the Takuma Isles, beneath the domain of the Red Takuma, on the day King Goritsu XI of Majokawa is set to wrestle Lord Kinryu of Onikawa.¡±


    Haruto rubbed at the back of his neck. His system interface flickered faintly in his peripheral vision, as if scanning the environment. ¡°Wrestling match, huh? Sounds like a big deal,¡± he said. ¡°But why does everything about it feel¡­grim?¡±


    The tsubame¡¯s voice dropped low. ¡°Because it is. Lord Kinryu is unbelievably strong¡ªno one¡¯s beaten him in open battle. But King Goritsu XI is rumored to be even more terrifying when it comes to raw grappling. Strength, cunning, cruelty¡ªhe¡¯s got it all. And to top things off, the winner gets the right to declare the other side subjugated or left alone. If you ask me, this is a recipe for broken bones.¡±


    Haruto exhaled. Below them, a deep rocky ravine sloped down to the sea. Jutting out over the ravine was the palace of the Red Takuma: a low, rambling fortress built from the same stone as the cliff so that at first glance it was hard to tell where the rock ended and the palace began. A wide meadow stretched beyond, neatly clipped turf that had been turned into a makeshift arena. Tents dotted the north side¡ªMajokawa¡¯s forces¡ªand the south side¡ªOnikawa¡¯s. Dead center lay a roped-off wrestling ring measuring sixty paces square.


    Only the keening gulls and the rush of the ocean wind broke the silence, except for half a dozen men pacing before the Majokawa tents. Their gear shone under the sun: bronze armor, matching shields, and visored helms. One man among them stood a full head taller than his companions, a streak of gray in his beard but a dangerous vitality in his posture. Haruto¡¯s system display lit up:


    [Name: Korudo (Lv 47 Royal Spear of Majokawa), Class: Majokawa War Champion, Special Skills: Overpowering Thrust (Rank B), Iron Will (Rank A), Current XP: 22,400 / 30,000]


    ¡°That¡¯s Korudo,¡± said the tsubame, nodding at him. ¡°He¡¯s older than the rest, but he¡¯s got the highest strength stat in that group. And you see those younger soldiers? They¡¯re his sons¡ªand each one¡¯s trouble on two legs.¡±


    Haruto watched them prowl back and forth like caged tigers. Then Korudo halted, gestured to one of his sons, and spoke in a low voice. The son ducked inside the largest tent, returning moments later with a lean, sharp-eyed figure wearing a dark violet robe. Haruto¡¯s system flickered again:


    [Name: Gurou (Lv 42 Arcane Tactician), Class: Exiled Strategist, Special Skills: Mind¡¯s Eye (Rank A), Calculated Deceit (Rank B),Current XP: 16,700 / 22,000]


    Gurou¡¯s nose curved like a sickle, and the rest of his features were delicate and pale, contrasting the carefully curled black beard that glinted in the sunlight. At Korudo¡¯s silent signal, he followed the older man a few steps away from the tents.


    Korudo¡¯s voice was rough, the words driven by urgency: ¡°All right, Gurou, don¡¯t mince words. How¡¯s the King holding up?¡±


    Gurou exhaled. ¡°He¡¯s itching to start. And while he waits, he¡¯s passing the time with dice against Koren. Luck¡¯s been¡­unfriendly.¡±


    At that, Korudo barked a humorless laugh. ¡°Dice can¡¯t tell the future. War doesn¡¯t often mirror gambling throws. Still¡ªmakes me uneasy.¡±


    He clapped Gurou on the shoulder with a familiarity that spoke of some alliance forged over the years. ¡°Look,¡± he said, voice dropping. ¡°Don¡¯t keep secrets from us, not now. We¡¯ve all stood together these last four years. If you know something about the King¡¯s mood¡ªsome dire omen¡ªcome clean.¡±


    A ghost of a smile flickered across Gurou¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one who sees storm clouds brewing,¡± he murmured. ¡°But if we start proclaiming doom, we¡¯ll just topple a tree that¡¯s already swaying. Let¡¯s hold on to what hope we have.¡±


    Korudo let out a low rumble in his throat. ¡°We had plenty of warnings: that raven circling Kasei the night the King accepted Lord Kinryu¡¯s challenge. His near-misstep boarding our ship to these islands. The creeping bravado he shows whenever he¡¯s had too much wine. None of it bodes well. Feels like the gods themselves want him undone.¡±


    Gurou nodded grimly. ¡°I won¡¯t deny it. My own dreams turn black as pitch. But there¡¯s no stopping him now.¡±


    Before Korudo could reply, the palace gates opened wide, and a procession emerged. There was the Red Takuma himself, riding in a lacquered ebony carriage pulled by six black horses. In front, pipers and drummers filled the meadow with a haunting melody, while fifty of the Red Takuma¡¯s personal guard marched in tight formation behind, clad in crimson-stained armor that gave the illusion of being drenched in fresh blood. The Red Takuma¡¯s scarlet skin and silver diadem, along with his layered robes trimmed in sable, made him an otherworldly sight.


    He raised a hand, and a horn blasted three sharp notes. From the south side, the Oni of Onikawa appeared: Lord J¨±s¨­ (Lv 55 Oni Warlord), Lord Kinryu (Lv 57 Heartseeker), Lord Homura (Lv 52 Flame Champion), and Lord Daigo (Lv 53 Sword Dancer). Rank upon rank of Oni fighters followed, though Kinryu himself wore only a gold-embroidered cloak with crimson hearts stitched upon it. Haruto¡¯s display scrolled:


    [Name: Lord Kinryu (Lv 57 ¨C Heartseeker), Class: Oni Champion, Special Skills: Dragon¡¯s Grip (Rank S), Earthshatter Throw (Rank A), Current XP: 49,900 / 60,000]


    Kinryu¡¯s presence filled the meadow as he strode forth, every muscle set with the confidence of one who¡¯d never known defeat. Meanwhile, the Majokawa forces emerged from the north side. Their own champion advanced¡ªa tall figure wrapped in black silk lined with bearskin, a cloak patterned with diamond-crusted crabs. His crown, shaped like an enormous jeweled crab, caught the sun¡¯s rays and refracted them in dazzling bursts.


    [Name: King Goritsu XI (Lv 58 ¨C Iron Serpent), Class: Majokawa Overlord, Special Skills: Titan Crush (Rank S), Serpent¡¯s Maw (Rank A), Current XP: 55,500 / 70,000]Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    At the King¡¯s left elbow towered Korudo (Lv 47), whose stride seemed half a step behind his liege. On the right, a younger warrior in bright armor¡ªthe cocky Koren (Lv 43 Royal Blade), all swagger and smirking glance. King Goritsu¡¯s eyes gleamed green as a wolf¡¯s beneath his cropped black hair.


    The Red Takuma, standing in his ebony car, called for the horn to sound a second time. When silence fell, he recited the terms in a voice clear as crystal: ¡°Hear me, King Goritsu XI of Majokawa, and Lord Kinryu of Onikawa. By your sacred oaths, you shall wrestle three falls. If King Goritsu wins, he secures his right to press claims against Onikawa. If Lord Kinryu wins, Majokawa shall never again assert dominion over the Oni. Both of you have sworn to wrestle fairly under my judgment. Let neither side violate these conditions, on penalty of dire shame and the wrath of the gods. Are you agreed?¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± King Goritsu said, low and menacing.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Lord Kinryu echoed, unflinching.


    They each cast aside their cloaks, revealing physiques that might have been chiseled from stone. Goritsu was marginally taller and longer of limb, but Kinryu¡¯s proportions were flawless, his chest broad as a smith¡¯s anvil, his arms thick with cords of muscle. A murmur of awe rippled through onlookers.


    King Goritsu¡¯s voice cut the hush. ¡°You Oni have grown too proud. Let me educate you. This ring is my classroom. I won¡¯t stop until I hear your bones break¡ªuntil your body¡¯s ground to dust under me. After I¡¯ve sent your soul scurrying into the shadows, I¡¯ll mount your skull as the hundredth trophy to adorn Kasei, a testament to my unstoppable might. And then¡­¡± He shrugged as if bored. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll pay a visit to Onikawa and show your brethren how easily I turn them into slaves.¡±


    Kinryu gave a tight, mirthless smile. ¡°Hey, Red Takuma,¡± he said mildly, as if ignoring the King¡¯s threats, ¡°I¡¯m not here to trade insults. Let¡¯s get to it. I¡¯d rather let my strength do the talking.¡±


    At the Red Takuma¡¯s signal, bronze cymbals clashed. Round one began. The two men seized each other in a crushing grip, right arms below, left arms above. Their feet dug furrows in the turf, legs braced like ancient oak trunks in a storm. Haruto watched, breath caught in his throat, as neither champion yielded an inch. At last, Kinryu summoned his monstrous strength, managing to lift the King an inch off the ground. But Goritsu, face reddening with effort, lashed out a heel to hook Kinryu¡¯s calf, forcing him to loosen the hold or risk being toppled backward. The crowd gasped at the technique.


    They held fast, arms digging into muscle, until welts rose on their shoulders. Suddenly, Goritsu twisted sideways, hooking his own leg inside Kinryu¡¯s. He tried to pull Kinryu backward, aiming to fall on him like a collapsing avalanche. Kinryu, however, leaned forward with unstoppable power, so both men crashed to the ground side by side. Neither had gained a decisive advantage.


    The Red Takuma called it a draw, and the two parted to catch their breath. Haruto noted something on his system interface:


    [Lord Kinryu has gained 500 XP for battling a formidable foe. Current XP: 50,400 / 60,000]


    At that moment, a small batlike creature flitted from the Majokawa tents, circling the ring once, then slipping back inside. Gurou, watching from the sidelines, pressed his lips together in apprehension and turned to whisper urgently to Korudo.


    Then Gurou approached King Goritsu, bowing. ¡°My lord,¡± he said under his breath, ¡°forgive me, but you¡¯ve already demonstrated your superiority. Everyone saw how you nearly threw him. Let¡¯s not risk another round. Command us to launch a sudden strike on the Oni while they¡¯re unsuspecting. The Takuma''s here are meek enough to be cowed when they see us dispatch Onikawa¡¯s champions.¡±


    The King¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Gurou,¡± he said, ¡°that¡¯s your cunning mind talking, not your loyalty. Don¡¯t undermine my chance at personal glory.¡±


    Gurou ventured a quiet protest. ¡°There are¡­omens, my lord. My dreams have been grim.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about these dreams,¡± the King said.


    So Gurou laid it out: a vision of blood, the sky ripped open, a bearded star trailing fire, an unearthly screech warning ¡°Majokawa undone, O King!¡± Goritsu only scoffed.


    ¡°You¡¯d have me forfeit the kill so you can swoop in like some knight in shining armor. That¡¯s not how I do things, fox. Now slink back to your corner and watch me finish off the big Oni.¡±


    Gurou bowed, troubled, but dared say no more. The horn blared again. Round two commenced.


    The King lunged like a panther, driving Kinryu nearly past the boundary ropes. Kinryu tried to hoist him off the ground again, but Goritsu shoved him down in a crushing hug, threatening to snap Kinryu¡¯s spine. The Oni champion, face contorting, summoned all his might. He twisted, first to one side, then the other, loosening the King¡¯s grip. Then he attempted a sudden flip, sliding behind Goritsu¡¯s center of gravity to fling him overhead. But for all his raw strength, he couldn¡¯t budge Goritsu clean off the ground. On the fourth attempt, the King threw him forward. Kinryu landed on hands and knees, and Goritsu locked both arms beneath his armpits, ready to clasp his hands behind Kinryu¡¯s neck.


    Korudo, watching intently, said in a hushed tone, ¡°This is it. The King¡¯s used that hold to destroy over sixty champions.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s taking too long,¡± Gurou muttered. ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    Goritsu grunted, breathing hard, sweat running down his temples. Try as he might, he couldn¡¯t quite lace his fingers behind Kinryu¡¯s thick neck. With a growl of disgust, he let go. ¡°Stand up,¡± he spat. ¡°I refuse to wallow in the dirt with you.¡±


    They squared off again in grim silence. Goritsu feinted a repeat of his earlier twist but, at the last second, jammed his fingers into Kinryu¡¯s nostrils, clawing viciously. Kinryu recoiled in shock, and the King leveraged that moment to slam him flat on his back. The impact rocked the arena. Goritsu fell atop him, and Kinryu lay motionless, momentarily stunned. The Red Takuma, clearly fearful of the King¡¯s glare, ruled it a clean win for Goritsu.


    On the Majokawa side, cheers erupted. Goritsu stalked away, flexing his fingers in triumph. Gurou spotted blood on the King¡¯s nails and grimaced. ¡°He stoops to that,¡± Gurou whispered, ¡°only when he¡¯s desperate.¡±


    Meanwhile, Kinryu rose shakily to his feet. Daigo and Homura rushed in, checking him for injuries. Kinryu¡¯s eyes blazed with wrath. ¡°He fouled me,¡± he declared loudly. ¡°He jammed his fingers up my nose. That¡¯s no fair wrestling.¡±


    Shouts and curses rang out from Majokawa, calling Kinryu a liar. The Red Takuma, obviously torn, wavered. Korudo lingered behind the King, while Koren stepped up to whisper threats in the Red Takuma¡¯s ear. Pale with indecision, the Red Takuma finally declared the match would continue. The third bout would settle everything.


    Another flittermouse soared out from the Majokawa tents, circling the ring once again. Haruto saw the tension climb with every beat of its wings. Kinryu realized the official wouldn¡¯t overturn the foul, and his face contorted, fury radiating off him like heat shimmer. When the final round began, he exploded. With a wild roar, he seized Goritsu¡¯s arm, pivoted, and hurled him overhead in a single fluid motion that defied belief. The King slammed headfirst into the ground. A dull crunch echoed over the meadow. Blood dribbled from his nose and ears. Goritsu XI, King of Majokawa, lay twisted and broken, his spine crushed by the devastating throw.


    Silence. The Oni champion sagged forward, energy spent, and Lord J¨±s¨­ and Lord Homura hurried to steady him, draping his golden cloak around his shoulders. On the Majokawa side, men rushed in, faces aghast. Korudo bent, lifted the King¡¯s limp body, and discovered, in that dreadful moment, that there was no breath left in him.


    Without speaking, Majokawa¡¯s warriors formed a solemn litter from their spears, laid their King upon it, and placed his jewel-encrusted crab crown back on his brow. Grim-faced, they carried him away to their tents. The rest followed in silence, as though any sound might profane this shocking defeat. The Red Takuma, eyes wide with alarm, stepped down from his carriage and stared after them. But no one spoke.


    From his vantage high on the downs, Haruto caught his breath, a strange mix of awe and dread filling his heart. He¡¯d never witnessed anything like it: the raw power of two unstoppable forces colliding in this savage contest, with the fate of entire nations hinged on every hold and throw. His system display flickered at the edge of his vision:


    [Lord Kinryu has gained 20,000 XP for vanquishing King Goritsu XI. Level Up! Lord Kinryu: Lv 57 ¡ú Lv 58]

 The Red Takuma

    The Red Takuma returned to his palace and sat upon his high seat. When he sent word for the lords of Majokawa and Onikawa to attend him, they came without delay. The Oni of Onikawa took their seats along the western benches, while the Majokawa nobles claimed the east. Their armed retainers lined up behind them, poised for trouble despite the outward silence. Pale light from Suisei¡¯s descending sun gleamed on the polished bronze and steel of Majokawa¡¯s armor. The Oni wore more colors, but the mood in that hall was as tense as a stretched bowstring.


    The Red Takuma¡ªhis slim figure dressed in robes of deep carmine¡ªspoke in a measured tone, as though coaxing children back from a fight. ¡°It¡¯s done, my lords. A mighty warrior has fallen in fair combat. By the sacred oaths you swore¡ªand which I keep in trust¡ªenmity between Majokawa and Onikawa must end here. You of Majokawa are bound to abandon forever your claims of sovereignty over the Oni. Now, to seal this covenant, we would do best to share in the arvale of King Goritsu XI, most fearsome in all these lands, who perished this very day. Let us set aside our disputes in a communal feast, then depart home in peace come morning.¡±


    The Majokawa lords gave a solemn nod of assent, but Lord J¨±s¨­ rose from the Onikawa benches. Tall, regal, and burdened by heartbreak behind eyes that still burned with resolve, he wore the aura of a champion. The [System] prompt flickered over his head:


    [Name: Lord J¨±s¨­ (Lv 55 Oni Warlord), Class: Master of Onikawa, Special Abilities: Warcry of the Storm (Rank A), Iron Resolve (Rank A), Current XP: 48,300 / 60,000]


    He let his gaze sweep the Majokawa side before addressing the Red Takuma. ¡°You speak of sworn oaths. The Oni keep their word. Peace is ours, provided Majokawa commits no new treachery. But I won¡¯t break bread with these men who betrayed us in the war against the Yurei, nor will I drink to King Goritsu XI, who resorted to a dishonorable trick in his wrestling with Lord Kinryu.¡±


    Lord J¨±s¨­¡¯s voice, calm yet edged with iron, made it clear there was no room for negotiation. Korudo, the veteran War Master of Majokawa, leaned in to whisper something to Gurou, who stood beside him. The Red Takuma tried to dissuade J¨±s¨­ from this refusal, but found the Oni unshakable.


    ¡°We¡¯ll remain in our own tents,¡± Lord J¨±s¨­ said, ¡°and depart at first light for Onikawa.¡±


    Beside him stood Lord Kinryu, clad in full war gear¡ªgolden helm with horns, mail set with ruby hearts, and the famed two-handed sword said to be elf-forged, the weapon that slew the dreaded sea beast in ages past. The [System] flared again:


    [Name: Lord Kinryu (Lv 58 Heartseeker), Class: Oni Champion, Special Abilities: Dragon¡¯s Grip (Rank S), Earthshatter Throw (Rank A), Recent Achievement: Kingslayer - Defeated King Goritsu XI (+20,000 XP), Additional Effect: Bonus XP till Next Level Threshold, Current XP: 10,400 / 80,000]


    Lord Homura, eyes burning like coals, lurked nearby. His presence flashed:


    [Name: Lord Homura (Lv 52 Flame Champion), Class: Oni Lord of the Ember, Special Abilities: Embersoul Fury (Rank B), Phoenix Rebirth (Rank A), Current XP: 37,900 / 50,000]


    Lord Daigo hovered at the fringes, a lazy half-smile on his lips and a hand idly resting on the bejeweled hilt of his sword:


    [Name: Lord Daigo (Lv 53 Sword Dancer), Class: Oni Master Duelist, Special Abilities: Storm Waltz (Rank A) (Epic Item Granted), Mirage Step (Rank A), Current XP: 41,100 / 55,000]


    He pointedly returned the glares of the Majokawa lords, none more fierce than Koren, a tall, swaggering youth who glowered back. Koren¡¯s details danced across Haruto Watanabe¡¯s vision:


    [Name: Koren (Lv 43 Royal Blade of Majokawa), Class: Valiant Spear, Special Abilities: Flash Strike (Rank B), Thrill of Battle (Rank B), Current XP: 29,500 / 40,000]


    At last, J¨±s¨­ inclined his head to the Red Takuma, then turned and swept from the hall. Kinryu followed, still arrayed in glittering gold, as did Homura and Daigo, all with their squads of Oni warriors at their backs.


    The Red Takuma heaved a small sigh. He ordered servants to bring wine and food to the Oni in their pavilions, to lighten the atmosphere for all. He also sent them a minstrel and musicians to grace the evening with tales of ages past, hoping to avert new conflict. Then he commanded his own staff to set out the silver cups and wine jars for the Majokawa lords, that they might honor King Goritsu XI¡ªslain earlier by Kinryu¡¯s unstoppable throw.


    The great table was soon crowded by Majokawa captains and the Red Takuma¡¯s men. Korudo lifted a brimming cup as the Red Takuma said in a formal tone, ¡°Shall we offer a dirge for the King? Let us not forget his power or the cunning that has shaped many a story in these lands.¡±


    They murmured assent. The Red Takuma requested a solemn piece from his musicians. A Theorbo plucked out a soft lament, joined by a wailing Hautboy. Beneath those sorrowful notes, the Red Takuma leaned forward in his high seat and chanted a mournful eulogy for King Goritsu XI. His voice echoed against the rafters of that grand hall, speaking of how even the mightiest must one day taste death. Torches flickered, and shadows danced as though the gloom itself were paying respects.


    But while this dirge filled the air, a side table erupted in sudden conflict between Koren and one of Korudo¡¯s sons over a dice game gone wrong. Koren, losing coin by the fistful, accused the lad of foul play. Insults flew, dice boxes were hurled, weapons half-drawn. The hall rang with cursing until the Red Takuma¡¯s guards stepped in. Explanations were demanded, the dice proved fair, and the boy grudgingly offered an apology. Tension simmered, but the fight ended short of blades crossing.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Hastily the Red Takuma called for fresh wine and more entertainment. He raised his goblet, forcing cheer into his tone. ¡°To Majokawa and the memory of King Goritsu XI. And to a future, I hope, that finds us at peace.¡±


    At his command, dancers paraded into the hall: a regal Kagu bird with soft gray plumage and a delicate crest like a fan, stepping daintily to a Coranto played by flutes, lutes, and dulcimers. The bird glided between the tables, bowing to the Red Takuma and flouncing her feathers in precise timing with the music. Her large golden eyes seemed both wary and childlike, winning laughter and applause from the onlookers.


    Then came the Cat-bears, with russet fur above and black bellies, bright amber eyes, and tails ringed with stripes of cream and red. ¡°We¡¯d love to see the Gigue,¡± the Red Takuma told them. And the instruments changed tempo, building into a lively beat. The Cat-bears whirled, their padded feet drumming out the Gigue in perfect unison. Majokawa¡¯s soldiers roared approval, enthralled by the flurry of motion. Next, white Peacocks, Golden Pheasants, and other glorious birds performed the Pavane, moving in stately arcs as the music soared to a solemn grandeur. Ribbons of flute melody wove around a steady pulse of drums, capturing the watchers in an almost enchanted hush.


    Yet not all were enchanted. Lord Gurou of Majokawa slipped from the throng, that same shadow of worry clouding his face:


    [Name: Gurou (Lv 42 Arcane Tactician), Class: Exiled Strategist, Special Abilities: Mind¡¯s Eye (Rank A), Calculated Deceit (Rank B), Current XP: 26,100 / 35,000]


    He sought open air. The swirl of dancers and chatter felt stifling. Outside, the evening sky draped the Takuma Isles in a gentle hush. Far to the west, the sea caught the last red glimmer of sunset. Gurou turned, saw the Red Takuma himself had slipped away from the hall, apparently lost in his own brooding. Neither man spoke at first as they gazed into the gathering night.


    Eventually, Gurou spoke. ¡°You¡¯re thinking of what happens next, aren¡¯t you? Majokawa¡¯s power is reeling¡ªour King is gone. The Oni suspect all manner of betrayal. Tell me, have you considered the consequences for your islands if Onikawa decides revenge is simpler than conversation?¡±


    The Red Takuma¡¯s face was thoughtful as he looked out over the silent water. ¡°I dread war. I see no good coming from more bloodshed.¡±


    Gurou¡¯s voice dropped low, as though confiding a secret. ¡°They have no interest in peace. Lord J¨±s¨­¡¯s own words made it plain he distrusts Majokawa¡ªand, I might add, your rulings. You gave victory in that second wrestling bout to the King despite clear evidence of foul play. Lord J¨±s¨­¡¯s not going to forget it, or your closeness to us. If he wouldn¡¯t so much as drink with us, why would he spare you if the mood strikes him?¡±


    The Red Takuma drew in a measured breath, the last rays of dusk burning dull red along the horizon. ¡°Still, I¡¯ve no desire to see Oni and Majokawa shed each other¡¯s blood on my land. We agreed to these terms of peace, however uneasy. I won¡¯t be the one who breaks them.¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± said Gurou, allowing the words to hang. ¡°But perhaps we should speak of oaths. Sometimes it¡¯s not so simple. Oaths are broken by slight or by stealth¡ªby the other side, not by us. Do you imagine the Onikawa lords won¡¯t plan your downfall when next they sail?¡±


    The Red Takuma cast him a sidelong look. ¡°Even if that¡¯s true, I fail to see your solution. I won¡¯t permit a midnight slaughter of my guests. That¡¯s the edge of reason.¡±


    Gurou offered a thin, catlike smile. ¡°No midnight assaults, then. But if you¡¯re serious about your loyalty to Majokawa, you¡¯ll do one thing more¡ªhelp us depart these Isles quickly, while you delay the Oni. Let them remain three days. By the time they sail, we¡¯ll be safely beyond their reach.¡±


    The Red Takuma regarded him, tension rippling across his brow. Yet, after a moment, he gave a grave nod. ¡°A fair request. I¡¯ll see to it.¡±


    Inside the Majokawa pavilion, the atmosphere was thick with the smell of burnt candle wax. They¡¯d lain King Goritsu XI on a bier made of spear-shafts, his black-lacquered armor inlaid with gold, the famed crab crown atop his brow. Four tall candles set the scene in a wavering half-glow. Korudo, Koren, and others hunched gloomily, drained of the earlier bravado. Some looked up at Gurou with simmering resentment. One of them, evidently deep in his cups, sneered. ¡°Here¡¯s the crafty fox who made us lose our chance. You said, ¡®Wait till night,¡¯ and now we¡¯re guarded like animals. Are you proud of yourself, Gurou?¡±


    Korudo, that burly War Master:


    [Name: Korudo (Lv 47 War Master), Class: Majokawa Champion, Special Abilities: Overpowering Thrust (Rank B), Iron Will (Rank A), Current XP: 32,000 / 45,000]


    He glowered a moment but then raised a big hand to silence the man. ¡°Let him speak.¡±


    Gurou stood tall, meeting every narrowed gaze. ¡°You want me to blame myself? Fine. But let me remind you: this arrangement with the Red Takuma is the best we can manage. If we¡¯d attacked the Oni in his hall, the Takuma warriors would¡¯ve joined them, and we¡¯d be standing in a blood-soaked ruin or lying in our graves. Now we¡¯ve at least secured an alliance with the Red Takuma¡ªhis signature is right here.¡±


    He showed them a scroll, unrolling the articles of treaty. The Red Takuma¡¯s sign and seal glistened by candlelight. ¡°Is that worthless? No. We might one day find these Isles crucial in controlling the seas. What if the Oni used them to blockade our trade routes? War would be at our door. At least now, the Red Takuma¡¯s pledged to side with us. So you see, the plan stands. Tonight, at midnight, we slip away to Kasei. Let the Oni be stuck here three more days. By the time they realize we¡¯re gone, we¡¯ll be leagues away.¡±


    Koren gave a short laugh. ¡°And the dead King?¡± He jerked his chin toward Goritsu¡¯s body. ¡°We¡¯re bringing him, what, as a trophy to bury in Kasei¡¯s catacombs?¡±


    ¡°Carry him we must,¡± Korudo said, voice thick. ¡°And if the Twelfth King of the line of Goritsu now rules in Kasei, he¡¯ll want the remains back for proper rites.¡± He glanced at Gurou. ¡°That¡¯s all we can do?¡±


    ¡°It is,¡± Gurou replied. ¡°But we do it swiftly. And once we¡¯re home, the new King¡ªGoritsu XII¡ªwill chart our next steps, possibly a blow to humiliate Onikawa in turn.¡±


    A hush fell, but for the guttering of the candles.


    Midnight arrived. The Red Takuma, accompanied by a handful of quiet-eyed guards, came to lead the Majokawa lords from their tents down a narrow path to the sea. They bore the King on his spear-shaft bier, armor still encasing his lifeless form. In that moonless dark, the glow from a single torch made the cliffs and winding trail appear spectral and menacing. The water rushed soft and ceaseless along the combe. On they walked, trudging carefully so as not to drop the King. The war-scarred men of Majokawa cast uneasy glances over their shoulders, half-fearing the Oni might appear. But the Oni camps lay silent. The Red Takuma¡¯s expression never changed as he led them away into the chilly night.


    And in the gloom at the top of the slope, a lone Kirindrake soared overhead, bearing a small black tsubame and one Haruto Watanabe. Haruto watched from above, the [System] window quietly analyzing the movements below. He felt the tension in the air, saw the flicker of torchlight off Majokawa¡¯s armor. Another chapter in Suisei¡¯s savage dance of loyalties and betrayals had been set in motion, and Haruto felt an uneasy certainty that he, too, stood on the precipice of conflict¡ªno matter how earnestly he wished to remain a mere observer.

 The Midnight Conjuration

    When the Majokawa lords finally boarded their waiting ship, every oarman in place and the cargo stowed for travel, they offered the briefest farewell to the Red Takuma, then pushed off into deeper waters. Mists clung to the dawn, while overhead the stars spun their slow wheel. As morning¡¯s light paled the eastern horizon, the sun rose on their port bow, a crimson orb reflecting off Majokawa¡¯s coastline. They sailed thus for two days and two nights. On the third morning, overcast skies and low fog gave the eastern sun a dim, fiery glow as they made landfall at last. By midmorning, the tide was favorable, and so the Majokawa vessel paused briefly off Tenmy¨­ before negotiating the bar, gliding upriver along the sluggish flow of the Dorima. They slipped past dunes, mudflats, and the misty expanse of the Eregasumi Marsh until they saw it: the black fortress of Kasei, looming from a bluff that reared over marshland as far as the eye could see.


    Kasei sprawled like a monolithic nightmare on the southern face of that bluff. Fashioned of coarse-cut black marble, its outer walls enclosed acres of yard and cypress trees, and the inner defenses¡ªbearing a tower at each corner¡ªrose still higher, culminating in a dark palace perched above the water. At the southwestern corner, the keep itself soared seventy cubits, iron-clad and unyielding, the carved crest of the crab of Majokawa repeating endlessly below the parapets. Sable cypress stood about it like black flames. A water-gate opened to the Dorima below. From a fortified bridge and bridge-house near the keep, turrets and battlements loomed over the murky river. It was a sight both desolate and fearsome, embodying an age-old violence that darkened the forlorn marsh.


    As the ship drew alongside the water-gate, the Majokawa lords disembarked with grim faces. Their fighting men followed, bearing a solemn burden: the body of King Goritsu XI. in his royal wrappings. The fortress gate grated open, ushering them along the steep path to the palace halls. That evening, by flickering torchlight, they laid the dead King in state in the grand hall of Kasei. Yet there was no word from the new monarch, King Goritsu XII.


    Night had nearly settled when a chamberlain found Lord Gurou pacing the western terrace. With hasty bows, the man said, ¡°My lord, His Majesty requires you in the Iron Tower. He bids you carry with you the royal crown of Majokawa.¡±


    Gurou¡ªtall, lean, tension in every line of his body¡ªfollowed at once, retrieving the iron crown set with priceless gems. He walked behind the chamberlain up a winding staircase in the fortress¡¯s highest keep. At the first landing, the guard at a thick oak door let them pass, but the chamberlain only waved Gurou onward, murmuring, ¡°His Majesty awaits you in the secret chamber at the tower¡¯s summit.¡±


    The last King to use that chamber¡ªGoritsu VII.¡ªhad perished under strange, whispered circumstances. Folk said that for generations, no King had dared practice the black arts once invoked there. Yet Gurou, a figure draped in midnight-blue robes, felt a pulse of dark excitement. He was [Lv 42 Arcane Tactician], cunning and ambitious, boasting Special Abilities: Mind¡¯s Eye (Rank A) and Calculated Deceit (Rank B). His [System] screen flickered in the corner of his vision as he ascended, steps echoing on dusty stones. At last, he reached a small door, rapped lightly, and heard from within a deep voice say, ¡°Enter.¡±


    The secret chamber spanned the entire top floor of the round keep, its walls thick with gloom. Outside, night¡¯s final glimmer was fading, and the faint glow of a banked furnace threw flickering shapes across retorts and crucibles, hourglasses and astrolabes. Strange vials glowed on shelves, glass tubes twisting into monstrous three-necked alembics. Under the northern window, a massive table bore heavy tomes bound in black leather and sealed with iron locks. In a great chair beside them sat King Goritsu XII. He wore a conjurer¡¯s robe of black and gold, lean cheeks resting against an eagle-claw hand. Lamps were unlit; the only light was the furnace, dancing on the King¡¯s shaved upper lip and the dark cut of his brows, glinting off eyes an unsettling hue of wolfish green. As Gurou entered, the door closed silently behind him. The hush of the tower, broken only by the low purr of the fire, pressed in on them.


    After some moments, the King spoke. ¡°You advised King Goritsu XI. to take a certain course, urging him mightily. I see now he rejected that final counsel. Do you wonder how I know?¡±


    Gurou bowed his head but let none of his inner tension show. ¡°Your Majesty,¡± he said softly, ¡°I can only guess that the departed King¡¯s spirit endures in some realm, or perhaps there are ways for you to glean what transpired in the Takuma Isles.¡±


    The King¡¯s thin lips twitched. ¡°Your tongue is quick. Keep it in check, Gurou¡ªrealms beyond death are perilous to name. I have called you here because your counsel was good. Goritsu XI. spurned it, and now he¡¯s gone. We¡¯ll not repeat that mistake.¡±


    Gurou cast an eye around the chamber. The texts, the retorts, the heavy hush. A slight dryness seized his throat. ¡°I stand ready to serve,¡± he managed. ¡°What will you have of me, King Goritsu XII?¡±


    Rising from the chair, the King moved with the spare grace of a hawk. He laid both hands on Gurou¡¯s shoulders, his voice low. ¡°Are you afraid to meet me in this tower at night, among all these¡­tools? Do you know the history of this place?¡± He gestured at odd flasks and implements that reeked of forbidden alchemy.


    But Gurou, swallowing the hard knot of anxiety, answered quietly, ¡°I suspected from your summons that we¡¯d not be passing a quiet evening. I¡¯m no master of black sorcery, but I know enough to keep my wits. If this is what we must do to preserve Majokawa¡¯s future, so be it.¡±


    A flicker of approval ignited in the King¡¯s green eyes. ¡°Good. Because we have no time for faint hearts. My father¡ªGoritsu XI.¡ªtrusted in raw strength. He fell to that Onikawa savage, Lord Kinryu. And now the Oni sail home unchallenged. But I am not cut from the same cloth. I intend to strike them with more subtle power. We will call forth a sending, hammered from the depths of hell itself, and set it upon them at sea.¡±


    The King motioned for Gurou to place the crown of Majokawa on the table. Then he flipped open an immense black tome, each page veined with symbols that glowed faintly like embers. ¡°This is the dreaded Book of Summonings, used by King Goritsu VII. decades ago. Its magic devoured him, for in the final moment he lacked the will to finish the incantation. He died under the claws of that which he had summoned. I will not share that fate. But you must stand by me, lend your own skill¡ªshould I falter.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Gurou felt a thrill of alarm. ¡°If you want me to recite the incantations in your stead¡ª¡±


    ¡°Only if you must,¡± the King snapped. ¡°Pray it doesn¡¯t come to that. Let me be absolutely plain: these spells drain one¡¯s essence. If my strength slips, if my voice wavers, you take up the next page. You speak the words. If you blunder, we both die. Or worse.¡±


    Gurou¡¯s system window pulsed with a new prompt:


    [New Quest: The Midnight Conjuration, Objective: Assist King Goritsu XII in a forbidden ritual to strike against the Oni, Risk Level: S, Reward: Unknown XP / Favor of King Goritsu XII]


    A muscle twitched in his jaw. ¡°Your Majesty, I understand.¡±


    So they spent the next hour laying out apparatus: colored powders, crucibles, retorts where strange fluids bubbled and hissed. The King commanded, ¡°Observe well. First the Unholy Distillation, then we fix it in the Earthseethe.¡± By the furnace¡¯s glow, King Goritsu¡¯s tall shape loomed, chanting near-silent words as he drew three pentacles within a seven-pointed star. Then, pointing to a crab symbol, he uttered a first incantation from the seventy-third page. At once, the air stilled, temperature dropping as though the tower were locked in eternal winter.


    Gurou¡¯s breath shuddered. He felt cold seep into his bones, but steeled his nerve. He recalled how, in his wide travels, he had once walked alone across the Moruno Morana in Upper Imaraku, a place of haunted winds and malicious spirits. He had survived that ordeal. This was no time to fail. Following instructions, he snapped the tail from a black glass droplet, letting the fragment crumble into pitch-colored dust. When he tossed the powder into a roiling green solution, it turned a violent red, sparks dancing in the vapors. Even as tension rose, the King scrawled a swirling Uroborosu around the star, and pronounced the next incantation.


    Now the air grew colder still, stinging like knives. Outside, the midnight sky turned a sickly hue from all directions. Candles burned pallid and flickered as if frightened. The King¡¯s voice rang out in a second, harsher chant. The shadows trembled, and an unnatural glow flooded the chamber. Gurou¡¯s lips parted in silent horror¡ªthis light was no dawn, but a hateful luminescence from some nether plane. Everything in the tower¡ªevery instrument, every page, every man¡ªstood etched in savage relief.


    The King, sweat beading on his brow, forced a final phrase. A wave of soundless concussion crashed through Kasei. Gurou half expected the keep to crumble. He glimpsed swirling shapes of black wings, heard the wind shriek through unseen caverns. The reek of brimstone stung his nostrils. King Goritsu roared, ¡°By these figures and spells, by wolf¡¯s gall and serpent¡¯s fang, by the devouring crab that stands in the sign of Cancer this hour, hear me! Become my instrument¡ªgo forth against my enemies, the Oni, before they reach Onikawa¡¯s shores!¡±


    A laughter, sweetly sinister, filled the chamber. Gurou heard it in his mind more than with his ears. The entire fortress quaked. The King strove to speak a concluding word¡ªone last command¡ªbut exhaustion weighed him down. His lungs failed to push air. He shot Gurou a panicked look, pleading for him to read from the grammarie. Gurou scrambled across the rocking floor, the swirling wings of a half-manifest fiend buffeting him with hurricane force. The Book of Summonings lay open to page ninety-seven. One specific word was underlined. With trembling fingers, Gurou slammed a palm onto the pages, pronouncing that final command: ¡°TSURAMIKO-SEKAREN!"


    An ear-splitting thunderclap followed. The black swirl of wings vanished, leaving only the faint reek of smoke and sulfur. Gurou felt his body give way, consciousness plunging into darkness.


    When Gurou awoke, sunlight raked across the tower from a high, narrow window. It was well past dawn¡ªnoon by the look of it. The room lay in utter ruin, strewn with shattered retorts and spilled exotic substances: lethal extracts of yew and monkshood, plus precious potions rumored to grant perfect vigor or dissolve any metal. Sorcerous volumes had tumbled from their stands. The King lay slumped near the furnace, unconscious but breathing. Gurou nursed an aching head, rising slowly to check on his monarch. At last, King Goritsu stirred, propping himself on an elbow.


    ¡°That,¡± the King croaked, ¡°got out of hand. But we did not fail. The sending is loosed upon them.¡±


    Gurou exhaled in relief. ¡°We survived. If that¡¯s our measure of success, let¡¯s call it a triumph, Your Majesty.¡±


    A grim smile played on the King¡¯s lips as he rose, scowling at the devastation. ¡°Crown me. The line of Goritsu stands unbroken in Kasei, and I mean to see that all of Suisei knows it.¡±


    So Gurou took up the battered iron crown, encrusted with jewels that caught the midday sun, and placed it upon King Goritsu XII¡¯s brow. With staff in hand, the King swept from the tower, Gurou trailing behind. Below, in the courtyard, lords of Majokawa had assembled¡ªKorudo, Kozu, Koren, Gando, and many others who had served the old King but now swore fealty to the new. And among the gathered throng, half-hidden behind a row of banners, Haruto Watanabe stood as a silent observer, drawn here by the currents of fate. The [System] display flickered in the corner of his vision, though it showed him no path, no class¡ªmerely the swirling question of what role he might eventually play.


    They formed up, leveling halberds in salute as King Goritsu XII emerged from the gate. He stood clad still in his conjurer¡¯s robe, crowning himself in front of them all. A hush stole over the courtyard. Then, with a regal nod, he spoke, voice echoing off the black walls of Kasei.


    ¡°Men of Majokawa, behold your King. I, Goritsu XII, declare the Oni of Onikawa my sworn enemies. Let no man speak of the oaths sworn by Goritsu XI. He paid with his life at their hands. Now they must learn fear. I have unleashed a power to haunt them upon the seas, even as they sail from the Takuma Isles. Let that be their last voyage.¡±


    Korudo, a stalwart War Master of Majokawa and [Lv 47 Royal Spear], stepped forward. ¡°Lord, your will is a comfort. Last night, the fortress shook as if to topple into the Dorima. We feared some cataclysm.¡±


    King Goritsu gave a short laugh. ¡°I tested the black arts¡ªyes. Soon enough, you¡¯ll see how fruitful that test proves. Now, come. Let us gather in the banquet hall and pay final respects to our fallen Goritsu XI.¡±


    As they made for the hall, the King laid a hand on Gurou¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Gurou sits at my right hand this day,¡± he announced. ¡°I owe him a debt for services rendered under the darkest of nights.¡±


    Many of the Majokawa lords frowned at the favor shown to an exiled tactician, but King Goritsu¡¯s glare stifled their protests. He spoke in a low voice that carried the weight of command. ¡°Let any among you who serves me so well earn such honor in turn.¡±


    Glancing at Gurou, he added quietly, ¡°When we¡¯ve consolidated power, you shall have rank beyond measure. Perhaps you shall rule in Zae Zakuro, or even some greater fortress, if we drive out Y¨­kawa¡¯s Katsuragi. I do not forget loyalty.¡±


    Gurou bowed with carefully masked pride. ¡°I live only to expand Majokawa¡¯s glory.¡±


    No further words were spoken. They filed inside the black palace to feast, to drink, and to plan the vengeance now riding the seas at King Goritsu XII¡¯s bidding. The sun shone outside in a clear spring sky, but within those marble walls of Kasei, shadows of new wars stretched long across Suisei¡¯s horizon.

 The Tempest Thief

    Morning cast its first timid rays on Suisei, and with it began a new page in the lives of those who sailed its seas. On that day, Katsuragi, King of Y¨­kawa, cut through the open water, steering seven proud warships on a southwesterly tack. Each vessel boasted bright sails and fierce emblems, but none matched the glory of Katsuragi¡¯s own flagship. Painted azure like the summer sea, it bore the towering figurehead of a great sea wyrm, gold-plated scales overlapping in a majestic flourish. Seventy-five elite Y¨­kawa warriors manned her decks, each wearing glittering mail and carrying swords or poleaxes. Their shields, bearing bold personal crests, hung along the bulwarks.


    At the high stern stood Katsuragi himself (Lv 47 Storm King), thick-muscled hands clutching the steering paddle. Sunlight glanced off his bronze complexion, accentuating a strong jaw, a slight hook to his nose, and keen dark eyes that hinted at bottomless energy. He wore a Tyrian-purple tunic, plus golden wristlets woven in intricate loops. Nothing about him suggested rest or quiet reflection; he exuded a relentless vitality, like a stag on an autumn morning, fueled by the wind and the promise of new horizons. Beside him stood Teshimaru (Lv 31 Sea Skipper), a broad-shouldered sailor with a short beard. His skill [Master Navigator (Rank B)] kept them on course even in uncertain currents.


    Katsuragi raised his voice, which carried over the sea breeze. ¡°Tell me, Teshimaru. You ever see a sight finer than a warship charging forward like a queen at court, scattering the foam in glittering arcs from her prow?¡±


    The skipper flashed a grin. ¡°Never, my lord. Though if you¡¯re asking for the second and third wonders, I¡¯d wager they¡¯re sights you haven¡¯t yet told me.¡±


    Katsuragi¡¯s grin broadened, revealing dazzling white teeth. ¡°One I missed yesterday: news that Lord Kinryu battered King Goritsu XI. That must have been a duel for the ages. The third?¡± He hesitated, glancing at the horizon. ¡°I¡¯d guess it¡¯s the wedding in Zae Zakuro, once Kinryu weds my young cousin, the pride of Y¨­kawa.¡±


    Teshimaru nodded. ¡°You¡¯re a lucky man, Katsuragi. Alliances with Onikawa bring peace and power. Everyone calls that princess the very mirror of beauty.¡±


    Katsuragi¡¯s voice lowered, intensity creeping in. ¡°Yes, the day can¡¯t come soon enough. Demons¡ªpardon me, Oni¡ªhave saved my throne more times than I can count. That kind of debt weighs heavy. But¡­there¡¯s more. I¡¯m itching for real conquest, Teshimaru, something that¡¯ll leave a mark on Suisei like the Oni did when they rid the land of the Yurei. It¡¯s time Y¨­kawa made its next bold move.¡±


    He broke off suddenly, attention snapped southward by Teshimaru¡¯s urgent whisper. ¡°Something¡¯s off, my lord. Look there.¡±


    They spotted a single warship drifting as though stunned, sails half in tatters. Her rowers made only feeble strokes, staving off an aimless drift. Char and soot marred her once-proud timbers. Mast and forecastle stood battered, and an acrid blackness clung to the wreckage.


    Katsuragi steered toward her. The mood aboard changed, men gripping their weapons. As they drew close, the battered ship¡¯s name remained unclear, but soon Katsuragi made out familiar faces among the Oni on deck. He froze at the sight of three lords he recognized: Lord J¨±s¨­ (Lv 55 Oni Warlord), Lord Homura (Lv 52 Flame Champion), and Lord Daigo (Lv 53 Sword Dancer). Yet what overcame him most was their dismal, haunted demeanor. Their party, once unstoppable, stood blackened with soot, all sense of triumph snuffed out.


    When they brought Katsuragi¡¯s flagship alongside, he leapt aboard the crippled vessel and climbed to what remained of the poop deck. Haruto Watanabe stood quietly at the rail of Katsuragi¡¯s ship, [System] flickering faintly around him, offering no class, no skill readout, just the echo of faraway possibilities. He watched in silence as Katsuragi confronted the Oni lords.


    ¡°Lord J¨±s¨­.¡± Katsuragi spoke softly, alarm etched on his face. ¡°Tell me. What happened here?¡±


    J¨±s¨­¡¯s eyes glistened with unfamiliar grief. Twice he tried to speak, but words refused to form. The Oni leader sank onto the charred remains of the deck, burying his face in his hands. ¡°Katsuragi,¡± he managed at last, voice trembling, ¡°nothing in the world is mine anymore, not since they tore my brother from me. Not just a brother. Kinryu was¡­my heart, my strength. My kingdom¡¯s soul.¡±


    Katsuragi felt J¨±s¨­¡¯s powerful grip clenching his rings so tight it bruised his fingers. But no pain equaled the horror that must have befallen these proud Oni. All around them, battered warriors wept, some staring blankly at the ravaged sea. Katsuragi understood this was no ordinary maritime accident.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    He gently questioned them, coaxing halting fragments of the story: that dawn two days past, a monstrous sound like colossal wings overshadowed the sky. The sea had convulsed, roaring as if all waters crashed in a single moment. An unnatural tempest battered their ship, yet somehow left them afloat, though ruined. When calm returned, only three of the Oni lords remained where once four had stood: Lord Kinryu was gone without a trace.


    J¨±s¨­¡¯s voice caught. ¡°Goritsu¡­He¡¯s conjured something. We all heard the rumors¡ªKing Goritsu XII, a sorcerer without peer. This must be his vengeance for what we did to Majokawa in the Takuma Isles. Kinryu was singled out by that fell magic. We can¡¯t even guess where they¡¯ve taken him.¡±


    Homura ground his teeth, sparks faintly flickering at his breath. ¡°He¡¯s out there. I¡¯ll chase him into every corner of Suisei if I have to.¡±


    But J¨±s¨­ shook his head. ¡°Where do we start, cousin? The oceans¡¯ depths? The starry void? We can¡¯t know.¡±


    Katsuragi steeled himself, voice low and urgent. ¡°My guess is Kasei. For centuries, that fortress has been the seat of Majokawa¡¯s darkest deeds. If King Goritsu wants to torment Kinryu, I¡¯d wager that¡¯s where he¡¯d do it.¡±


    J¨±s¨­ gave no immediate answer, and Homura¡¯s eyes blazed with silent fury. Daigo paced restlessly, his sword rattling in its sheath. Finally, J¨±s¨­ found words. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. But Kasei¡¯s a fortress beyond any normal siege, especially with only your handful of ships. Let me be sure: you propose we sail straight there and burn it to the ground?¡±


    Katsuragi¡¯s grin was wolfish. ¡°If you¡¯ll have me. I¡¯ve got near five hundred men who¡¯d love to see Majokawa cower. That¡¯s more than enough to catch them off guard. Laxus¡ªthe best sea commander they¡¯ve got¡ªsailed east with forty ships to raid the Beshtrian coastline, so Kasei might be nearly empty. If the two of us strike now, we might end this quicker than you think.¡±


    J¨±s¨­¡¯s eyes narrowed, torn by sorrow. ¡°Katsuragi, my friend¡­you¡¯re generous. But Majokawa is cunning. They¡¯ll have devils aplenty behind those walls. This can¡¯t be a casual smash-and-grab.¡±


    Behind him, Homura shot a scowl that practically screamed betrayal. ¡°You¡¯d sooner walk away from a chance like this? We¡¯re done crawling in the dark, J¨±s¨­. We have to do something.¡±


    In that moment, Daigo stilled his pacing. ¡°I¡¯m with Homura¡ªthis inaction is eating me alive. We¡¯re Oni, not mice. If our brother¡¯s in Kasei, we tear down Kasei. Simple equation. Or do we just go home and¡­water the daisies?¡±


    J¨±s¨­ rubbed a hand across his brow. ¡°Enough. You¡¯re not mice, nor am I. But we cannot rely on Y¨­kawa¡¯s forces alone to topple Kasei. Not to mention we don¡¯t truly know if Kinryu¡¯s even there.¡± His voice trembled with anguish. ¡°I can¡¯t risk the entire realm of Onikawa on a guess. Not yet.¡±


    A hush fell. Katsuragi caught the furious glances from Homura and Daigo. A single slip in leadership might break this alliance. But then J¨±s¨­¡¯s gaze flicked toward the wreckage of their once-proud vessel, the men groaning from wounds still fresh. He took a breath.


    ¡°Here¡¯s what we do,¡± J¨±s¨­ said at last. ¡°We can¡¯t charge half-cocked. One of us has to sail home¡ªrally a proper fleet, raise Onikawa to war. Then we¡¯ll storm Majokawa with our full might.¡± He paused. ¡°We draw lots. Whoever loses must take our battered ship back to Onikawa. The rest of us sail with Katsuragi for Kasei¡ªscout the place, see if it really stands half-empty. Perhaps we do find our brother caged inside.¡±


    No one looked pleased with a plan that forced them to part ways. But the Oni lord was resolute. They removed signet rings, each marking one, and dropped them in Katsuragi¡¯s helm. He shook them. Homura, Daigo, J¨±s¨­¡ªthree glittering tokens. The one that tumbled free was Homura¡¯s. Homura hissed in frustration but stifled it, set in his duty.


    ¡°It¡¯s decided,¡± J¨±s¨­ said, softly. ¡°Homura, you gather a thousand Oni if you can, maybe two thousand. Build new ships. Suisei¡¯s about to see war like none since the Yurei. Katsuragi and I will be waiting to strike from Kasei¡¯s doorstep, or at least find out if Kinryu¡¯s truly there.¡±


    Homura bowed stiffly, glaring at no one in particular, as though furious at fate itself. ¡°So be it. I¡¯ll come with an army that¡¯ll shake Suisei.¡±


    They exchanged gear, transferring men from the battered Oni ship to one of Katsuragi¡¯s better vessels, leaving Homura to limp west under a patched-up sail. Meanwhile, J¨±s¨­ and Daigo joined Katsuragi¡¯s own dragon-headed flagship. Their few uninjured Oni fighters boarded with stoic determination, some checking that the [System] displayed incremental XP for surviving the dread sending. As Haruto Watanabe hovered in the background, he noticed a faint window appear:


    [Homura gains +200 XP for accepting the Burden of Command.]


    Once the sails were unfurled, Katsuragi¡¯s warship swung east, followed by six others, their bright banners snapping in the salt wind. The parted waves gleamed under them like a promise of vengeance, forging a new campaign that might overturn Majokawa¡¯s illusions of safety. Far astern, the Oni vessel bearing Homura inched away, battered but unbroken. Shadows grew on Suisei¡¯s horizon as the two forces set off on their divergent paths¡ªone to gather strength, the other to gamble it all on an audacious attack.


    And in the midst of it all, Haruto watched from the deck rail, silent, untested, and overshadowed by champions of legend. He felt the tension, the heartbreak, the raw thirst for retribution. The story had become a war saga around him, and though he had yet to discover his own class or special skills, the path ahead lay open, fraught with peril. He closed his eyes against the swirling wind, wondering how long he would remain a mere bystander in this land of Oni lords, Storm Kings, and conjured terrors. The wind offered no answer, only the rolling sea beneath a sky that promised storms yet to come.

 The Claws of Majokawa

    Dusk slid over Suisei like a conspirator. Katsuragi, King of Y¨­kawa, let his ships idle off the Majokawa coast, sails furled and oars muffled. Beyond the twilight, the fortress Kasei brooded inland¡ªdark walls rumored to bristle with hidden powers. It was the third evening since they¡¯d left the Takuma Isles, and they wanted no word reaching King Goritsu XII too soon. Their plan was straightforward: slip ashore two leagues north of Tenmy¨­, then cross the fen on foot and strike Kasei under cover of night.


    So it was that Katsuragi (Lv 47 Storm King) commanded his forces: five hundred Y¨­kawa warriors, plus a smaller contingent of Oni from Onikawa. He gave charge to leave fifty sailors behind to guard the ships. The rest of them¡ªnearly two hundred Oni under Lord J¨±s¨­ (Lv 55 Oni Warlord) and Lord Daigo (Lv 53 Sword Dancer), plus Katsuragi¡¯s own main body of Y¨­kawa¡ªtook up arms. Among them marched Haruto Watanabe, a figure half-lost in the hush of preparations, glimpsed only when a torch flame outlined his still form. The [System] readout over Haruto¡¯s head flickered uncertainly, as though this world were poised to assign him a role he had yet to comprehend.


    Because most of the force was Katsuragi¡¯s men, the three lords¡ªJ¨±s¨­, Daigo, and Katsuragi¡ªagreed that Katsuragi would lead the vanguard. They advanced across barren dunes into the marsh, a bleak stretch that turned treacherous under the drizzle that began soon after nightfall. The fen was passable so long as they trod carefully, skirting moss-hags and murky pools. Though the damp stung their pride, Lord J¨±s¨­ counted it a boon that the weather might cloak them from watchful eyes atop Kasei¡¯s ramparts.


    Yet as midnight fell, their first glimpse of Kasei¡ªits black towers looming in silhouettes¡ªbrought a chill that cut deeper than the drizzle. The fortress rose huge and silent, as though it slept or lay abandoned altogether. Katsuragi¡¯s eyes gleamed in the torchlight, for in his mind¡¯s eye he pictured Kasei¡¯s defenders nodding off over half-emptied wine cups, celebrating Majokawa¡¯s rumored victory against the Oni. ¡°We strike now,¡± he insisted, voice low. ¡°A direct rush around those walls. Catch them dreaming, cut them down before they can rouse.¡±


    Lord J¨±s¨­ exchanged a worried glance with Daigo. ¡°Katsuragi,¡± he said, ¡°my gut says we scout first. If Kasei¡¯s garrison is smaller than we fear, we still want the advantage of surprise. Let¡¯s not trip the alarm with a reckless push.¡± But Katsuragi¡ªfired with the memory of the Y¨­kawa capital nearly falling to Yurei years before¡ªspurned caution. ¡°There¡¯s no time for that. We do this the same way Yurei once took my palace in Zae Zakuro, with speed and nerve.¡±


    J¨±s¨­ sighed. Nerves still raw from losing Lord Kinryu, he chose not to battle Katsuragi¡¯s eagerness. So they pressed forward, splitting into three columns that curved around the fen, drawing nearer to Kasei¡¯s north side. The Y¨­kawa vanguard outpaced the Oni behind them, and Teshimaru (Lv 31 Sea Skipper)¡ªKatsuragi¡¯s second¡ªled a rowdy band that rushed perilously close to the fortress walls. J¨±s¨­ and Daigo hissed warnings, but Teshimaru¡¯s men ignored them, surging along the high ground.


    Without warning, torches blazed atop Kasei¡¯s battlements, the sudden glare revealing the intruders like deer in a lantern¡¯s beam. A hail of arrows, stones, and spears rained down. Amid the confusion, a postern door crashed open. Koren (Lv 43 Blade Captain) burst forth at the head of one hundred fifty Majokawa warriors. ¡°Let¡¯s crack these nuts open,¡± he roared, hefting a two-handed axe. ¡°He who dares to sup of Majokawa¡¯s Higan Kani must deal with the nippers first!¡±


    Chaos ignited in the dark. Koren¡¯s men struck Teshimaru¡¯s Y¨­kawa from the flank, splitting them in two. Teshimaru lunged for Koren, missing narrowly. Koren¡¯s axe came around in a brutal arc, decapitating Teshimaru. The Y¨­kawa lines faltered. Katsuragi, leading the main group beyond the postern, turned back upon hearing the clash, calling his men to rally. But Koren barreled onward, unstoppable, though wounded. More Witches poured from the gates, led by Korudo (Lv 50 Iron Bulwark). The newly combined Majokawa force hammered the Y¨­kawa from the rear.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Seeing half his company melt into panicked rout, Katsuragi cursed the night. He was battered by a blow that might have killed him had it not glanced off a helm gifted by Lord J¨±s¨­. Dizzy, he collapsed, unconscious. Word spread: ¡°Katsuragi is down!¡±¡ªsapping Y¨­kawa¡¯s morale even further. Soon it became a massacre, the would-be ambush turned slaughter. Barely three-score Y¨­kawa escaped back to the ships to set them aflame, retreating with only one vessel spared to ferry them home.


    Meanwhile, the Oni¡ªLord J¨±s¨­ and Lord Daigo at their head¡ªmanaged a measure of composure. They refused to break, meeting every Majokawa charge with disciplined ferocity. Daigo¡¯s dancing blade flickered like silver lightning. Witches fell by the dozen. Koren or Korudo would move in, only to reel back each time Daigo¡¯s sword found a gap in their guard. J¨±s¨­, eyes cold with fury, swung a massive spear that beheaded soldiers in a single blow. The [System] flickered for them, awarding incremental XP for each kill, but the numbers hardly mattered with the avalanche of Majokawa that poured onto the field.


    From above, King Goritsu XII himself (Lv ? Warlock King) watched from Kasei¡¯s ramparts, clad in black armor inlaid with gold. Next to him stood Gurou (Lv 42 Arcane Tactician), eyes reflecting the torchlight. The King¡¯s lip curled in scorn. ¡°Are we witnessing my men cower before two Oni? Goritsu XI fought these same lords¡ªdid we learn nothing from his mistakes?¡±


    Koren, nursing a wound, forced a laugh. ¡°Majesty, no mortal steel bites them. They fight like devils in mortal shape. We¡¯ve got them outnumbered, but they¡¯re¡ªmonsters.¡±


    ¡°Hah.¡± Goritsu dismissed the protest with a sneer. ¡°So you¡¯ve turned squeamish. Fine. This bores me. I¡¯ll end it.¡±


    He barked orders to Kosu - who dispatched a squad armed with weighted nets. By sheer numbers and cunning, they cornered the Oni lords, tangling them as they pivoted to fend off new attackers. J¨±s¨­ and Daigo fought like enraged boars, but their swords found no purchase through layers of ropes and netting. At last, Majokawa dragged them inside Kasei¡¯s walls, battered yet still defiant.


    In the courtyard, they flung the Oni¡ªstill swaddled in nets¡ªdown like crates of unwanted cargo. Guards ringed them with spears. Freed at last from the press of battle, Korudo half-limped, half-stumbled up to the King. ¡°We have them, my lord. I trust that¡¯s a consolation for the casualties.¡±


    King Goritsu cocked an eyebrow. ¡°It¡¯s something.¡± He gazed with cold satisfaction at J¨±s¨­ and Daigo, pinned under knots of rope. ¡°Throw them in the corner¡ªmake sure they wait for morning. Then we¡¯ll see how proud Onikawa stands.¡±


    Meanwhile, from the battlements, Koren glimpsed a glow along the coast. ¡°They¡¯re burning their ships, must be. So the pitiful survivors can¡¯t be followed by sea.¡±


    His voice carried down to the courtyard, where Daigo, bound and helpless, still managed a snarl. Koren strode over and gave him a spiteful kick in the ribs, safe now from that lethal blade. ¡°Next time, demon,¡± Koren muttered, ¡°don¡¯t come skulking in the night if you can¡¯t seal the deal.¡±


    At the fortress¡¯s edge, torchlight glinted off Haruto Watanabe¡¯s eyes. He had slipped inside unseen, drawn by the tumult, a silent witness to how quickly an invasion can become a disaster in this dark land. The [System] offered him no guidance, only a dim reflection of stats and statuses for those locked in the dreadful corners of Kasei. And so ended the night¡¯s doomed assault, with Majokawa triumphant, the Y¨­kawa undone, and two of Onikawa¡¯s mightiest lords in chains, left to greet the cruel dawn of Kasei.

 Chains of Loyalty

    The next morning broke bright over Kasei, the royal fortress of Majokawa. No one stirred in the courtyards until the sun stood well above the horizon; all were spent from battle¡¯s labors the night before. Near midday, a company dispatched by King Goritsu XI (Level 50 Warlock King), arrived at the fields outside Kasei to gather up the spoils of war. They bore away the fallen¡ªMajokawa Majo, Oni from Onikawa, and the Y¨­kawa alike¡ªand gave them a shared burial on the right bank of the Dorima River, half a mile downstream, raising over them a single mound.


    The sun¡¯s heat grew fierce, but the shadow of Kasei¡¯s tallest tower still fell across the terrace just beyond the western palace wall. The terrace of red jasper gleamed: flowers of draconic teeth, and bitter moon-seed grew in the cracks. Arbor vitae shrubs stood in neat rows near the balustrade, squat and round like sleeping dormice, with clumps of choke-pard aconite between them. The terrace stretched hundreds of feet. Flights of black marble steps at each end descended to the ward below, ringed by an ancient battlement.


    Benches of green jasper, piled with velvet cushions of every color, lined the palace wall. Upon the bench nearest the Iron Tower of Kasei, a lady took her ease, breaking her fast with cream wafers and a quince tart. She was the Lady Mizurana (Level 35 Moonlit Enchantress) class, famed for her special skill, ¡°Lunar Bind.¡± Tall and slender, she was endowed with a lethal grace, her tawny hair pinned by silver pins topped with anachite diamonds. Her cloth-of-silver gown, embroidered in black silk and decked with moonstones, shimmered beneath a mantle dyed the greenish-gray of a wood-pigeon¡¯s wing and shot through with silver threads. Her skin shone white, and her green eyes glowed with an under-flicker like flame. Her waiting-women served her in pale gold dishes, while one maiden sat at her feet, strumming a seven-string lute, singing softly,


    ¡°Ask me no more where Jove bestows¡­¡±


    With a graceful wave of her hand, Mizurana signaled an end to the lute song. ¡°No more. Your voice cracks this morning, and you¡¯re entirely too sweet for my head. Is no one stirring who can tell me what truly happened last night? Has everyone gone to attend my husband¡¯s gate while I¡¯m here left with rumors?¡±


    ¡°Someone approaches, my lady,¡± said one of her maids.


    Lord Gurou (Lv 43 Arcane Tactician), stepped along the terrace dressed in a dun velvet mantle, collar embroidered in gold over silver purl. He smelled of orange-flower water and angelica, a light perfume that hinted at cunning. Haruto Watanabe¡ªthough none present quite knew his place¡ªobserved from the far end of the terrace in silence, as though a lost traveler in these dangerous lands. He took in every word, his gaze curious yet unreadable.


    Mizurana dismissed her women so she could speak privately with Gurou. ¡°My lord, I¡¯m ravenous for tidings. I slept as though in a tomb until dawn stained my windows. My dreams were of torchlight and clashing steel. I awoke to find my lord, Korudo, stumbling to bed, refusing to speak, only dropping into slumber like the dead. He¡¯s scratched here and there, nothing more. I¡¯d not wake him, for his wrath at being woken is seldom pleasant. But the rumors swirl: some claim Oni from Onikawa landed at Tenmy¨­, that King Goritsu and Koren led a night assault that left the Oni annihilated. Others say Lord J¨±s¨­ used a vile charm to lure the entire Majokawa fleet into treason; that Kinryu and Daigo were all slain save for one or two survivors. Or¡ªI can hardly speak it¡ªthat it was my brother Rairaku turned traitor against King Goritsu, uniting with Katsuragi from Y¨­kawa, and both have been taken prisoner. Which rumor, if any, rings true?¡±


    Gurou¡¯s smooth voice was tinged with a sorrowful amusement. ¡°Your thirst for knowledge is well founded. There was indeed a great conflict last night, my lady. And yes, the Oni had a hand in it¡ªsome four or five hundred strong, led by Katsuragi of Y¨­kawa. But the King¡¯s fury overcame them all.¡±


    Mizurana leaned forward. ¡°Korudo¡ªdid he truly achieve this?¡±


    ¡°He contributed mightily,¡± Gurou said, ¡°though Koren claims much of the credit. Yet one must allow that Korudo commands respect in any fray. The King himself was at the height of his power¡ªhis special ability ¡®Blood Seal Dominion¡¯ can sap the morale of entire armies.¡±


    ¡°Were there no one else but Oni?¡± asked Mizurana, quiet menace creeping into her tone.


    Gurou paused. ¡°The Oni only¡ªso rumor claims.¡±


    She scrutinized him. ¡°But you, my lord, you have kin in Y¨­kawa, do you not?¡±


    He smiled darkly. ¡°Indeed. It fell to me, standing at King Goritsu¡¯s side, to feign delight while our own warriors butchered my brethren from Y¨­kawa. Such is strategy in the game of dominion.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunate,¡± she murmured, her eyes stormy. ¡°What of Katsuragi?¡±


    ¡°Word says Koren struck him down. Though we uncovered no sign among the dead. Perhaps he¡¯s escaped. There are conflicting accounts, as is usual.¡±


    She offered him a dish, ¡°You must eat, my lord. I see you¡¯ve come from a long morning. Let me hear every detail.¡±


    He recounted all: the Oni landings, the midnight ambush, the terror that ended with Oni corpses strewn outside Kasei. When he finished, she asked, ¡°And Lord J¨±s¨­? Lord Daigo? Are they locked away?¡±


    Gurou¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Aye, locked indeed¡ªif you can call that pitiless contrivance a lock. The King has pinned them in the Iron Tower¡¯s old banquet hall, hung them spread-eagle against the wall, shackles and all. They¡¯re a trophy for him. The King took savage joy in commanding all to mock them.¡±


    Mizurana rose from her seat, slender fingers curling around the stone parapet. ¡°A great king might kill swiftly, like a lion. This is more a cat¡¯s cruelty.¡±


    Korudo (Lv 50 Iron Bulwark, Signature skill: Adamantine Roar), emerged from the tower behind her, calling for wine. Mizurana filled his goblet from a sparkling bottle. He drank deeply and then spoke, ¡°In truth, it¡¯s simplest to cut their heads off, no? Sleep is precious, and I¡¯d not lose it over enemies rotting in a cell.¡±


    She eyed him. ¡°You should have been at that council, not abed.¡±


    He scoffed. ¡°If that¡¯s the worst of my omissions, I¡¯ll sleep easy. The King¡¯s solution is short work¡ªthough apparently he¡¯s opted for theatrics with shackles and banquets.¡± He leaned closer, lowering his voice. ¡°But, my lady, as I rode from my vantage tower, I saw a train of horsemen approaching from Hiyori lands¡ªsome sixty or more. We must be prepared. That may be your brother, Prince Rairaku, that faithful and volatile soul.¡±


    Mizurana¡¯s expression flickered. ¡°He must not discover we hold J¨±s¨­ and Daigo in these dungeons. You know his life-debt to J¨±s¨­.¡±


    Korudo gave a grim nod. ¡°The King gave strict orders that none speak of the Oni, nor mention the true nature of last night. Let them believe only that Katsuragi¡¯s Y¨­kawa attacked and were beaten.¡±


    They found King Goritsu XI atop Kasei¡¯s battlements, scanning the horizon for Prince Rairaku. The King¡ªtall and clad in black chain mail with dull gold plating set with obsidian¡ªstood in cold command, the iron crown of Majokawa shaped like the claws of a colossal Higan Kani curling above his brow. When Korudo hinted that Rairaku must be kept in the dark about the Onikawa captives, the King waved a dismissive hand. ¡°My men have it under watch. He will hear no mention of J¨±s¨­ and Daigo.¡±


    They turned to see how many riders approached. Korudo narrowed his eyes. ¡°Sixty. No fewer.¡±


    A shadow passed over the King¡¯s face. ¡°He is early. Koren, how many remain in fighting trim?¡±


    Koren (Lv 43 Blade Captain, Signature skill: Dragon Fang Thrust), was still stiff from the night¡¯s combat, his arm in a sling. ¡°Fewer than fifty. The rest wounded or scattered. Even I¡¯m short-handed.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    King Goritsu chewed his lip. ¡°One of Korudo¡¯s sons must ride to muster reinforcements. Go, and go swiftly.¡±


    ***


    Late that afternoon, Rairaku and his retinue¡ªsixty cavalry, all battered from traveling but fresh with the possibility of action¡ªarrived. They brought tribute from Hiyori and were duly welcomed. That evening, the King hosted a lavish feast in the great banquet hall of Kasei, an imposing seven-sided chamber of dark green jasper flecked with spots of red, each corner supported by a towering caryatid carved like a three-headed giant bearing an enormous sculpted Higan Kani on its shoulders. Weapons and trophies from conquests abroad adorned the walls, including the bleached remains of those who dared challenge the King in bygone days.


    The King took his seat at the head table, flanked by Korudo and Koren. Opposite him sat Rairaku in the seat of honor on the lower bench. Alongside Rairaku¡¯s retinue, the Majo lords and ladies¡ªKosu (Level 39 Heavy Bruiser, Signature skill: Bone-Shaking Blow), and others¡ªjostled for place. Mizurana, radiant and contained, dined with them, her eyes ever watchful.


    The thralls served food as the guests drank a honey-hued sparkling wine from large golden ladles. Koren, who¡¯d grown bold with drink, eyed Rairaku with a crooked smile. ¡°Well met, Prince. The roads from Hiyori must be dull indeed if you¡¯ve time to ride with sixty men merely to pay courtesy calls.¡±


    Rairaku smirked. ¡°Hiyori must pay homage, and pay it well. But you, my lord, appear to have greeted other guests last night. I see the bandages on your wrist. Perhaps those ¡®guests¡¯ left a memorable impression.¡±


    Koren bristled. ¡°A minor scrape. The real question is why you¡¯d arrive with an escort of that size, especially if peace reigns.¡±


    A hush fell as King Goritsu, half-lidded eyes glowing from behind his crown, tapped the table for silence. ¡°We have peace indeed. I root out small threats as a gardener prunes weeds. If any dared to break that peace, they¡¯d find Majokawa¡¯s retribution swift.¡± He drank, then addressed Rairaku with forced cordiality. ¡°I trust you find Kasei¡¯s hospitality to your liking, dear Prince.¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± said Rairaku, leaning back, ¡°though I expected fewer bandages at your table if all was as peaceful as you say.¡±


    They continued in that uneasy tension, but fresh trays of lobsters and roasted kid provided diversion. Soon, Kosu reeled under the table¡¯s weight of wine, chanting half-songs about devils and monstrous illusions he once saw in Imaraku. Others engaged in forced revelry, uneasy about the talk of last night¡¯s violence.


    Amid the swirling talk, Haruto Watanabe stood by a pillar, silent as a ghost.


    As the night deepened, Rairaku questioned the King. ¡°What is truly new in Majokawa, Your Majesty? Word from Onikawa seems dire.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard no tidings,¡± said the King, sipping from his carved ruby cup. ¡°Though I did hear that Katsuragi of Y¨­kawa was fool enough to strike at my gates last night. He paid dearly.¡±


    Rairaku¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°Strange he¡¯d attempt that. Unless¡­he thought you kept Oni from Onikawa locked away?¡±


    Koren laughed too loud. ¡°Katsuragi always was a rash fool. That¡¯s why he¡¯s lying in the dust, and we¡¯re enjoying prime cuts of goat. Some men never learn.¡±


    Mizurana, uneasy, tried to divert him: ¡°Katsuragi is known for his reckless leaps. It¡¯s always flamboyant. Next topic, perhaps? Or is talk of Higan Kani more appealing?¡±


    Kosu, so deep in his cups his eyes were nearly closed, blurted, ¡°They all get swallowed in the end, just like those¡ª¡± But he trailed off into a drunken murmur.


    ¡°Charming,¡± muttered Rairaku. He cast a sharp glance about. ¡°Majokawa prides itself on cunning, but I sense something else. You test me, perhaps?¡±


    The King¡¯s voice grew heavy with warning. ¡°When you speak of cunning, Prince, watch your own tongue. You ride here accompanied like a threat, you cast suspicious eyes on your hosts, and you speak of Oni illusions. I prefer a simpler custom of conversation with my sworn¡­friends.¡±


    Rairaku¡¯s face colored. ¡°Friendship, yes. Though your brand of hospitality feels brittle.¡±


    Suddenly Koren, who had drunk far more than was wise, slammed his cup down. ¡°Enough illusions. Perhaps the Prince would like to see how we treat Oni who come to Kasei uninvited. We have two special guests pinned to the wall¡ª¡±


    ¡°Koren,¡± growled the King in abrupt fury, ¡°stop.¡±


    But Koren staggered upright, eyes blazing. ¡°I see no reason to hide J¨±s¨­ and Daigo from him. Didn¡¯t we swear just last year that Onikawa was beneath us? Enough playing nice. We have them, Prince. And by now, they¡¯ve lost at least half their HP.¡±


    Rairaku rose from his seat, knocking over his goblet. ¡°Lies.¡±


    King Goritsu¡¯s voice turned to iron. ¡°Koren is drunk and speaks nonsense.¡±


    Rairaku remained unmoved. ¡°I was there when Lord J¨±s¨­, using his Sky-Piercing Blade, saved me from the savage Imaraku hordes. And I owe a debt to Lord Daigo, who orchestrated our victory in the Koshita Hibaraku pass. If they are caged here, rotting at your pleasure, I demand you release them.¡±


    The King¡¯s eyes glinted like embers. ¡°You cannot demand a thing, Prince. My sworn foes are mine to do with as I see fit. They will remain in torment, hung like trophies. Rot is too pleasant a word for their fate.¡±


    Rairaku¡¯s rage erupted. ¡°Then you have my answer,¡± he said, and hurled his crystal cup. It struck King Goritsu¡¯s forehead with a sharp crack, the fine glass shattering, the blow dropping him senseless. Blood trickled from beneath the crown.


    Like thunder, the hall exploded in chaos. Korudo drew his broad-bladed sword with a roar, Koren staggered forward, cursing, and Kosu¡ªsloshed beyond reason¡ªtoppled face-first into the spilled wine. Rairaku, through level-headed skill and the advantage of sobriety, whirled to direct his Hiyori men, all around Level 25¨C30 ¡°Hiyori Scouts¡± with a shared group buff ¡°Wind-Whisper Coordination.¡±


    Koren advanced, but he was wounded, unsteady from drink, and lost his footing in a puddle of wine. He crashed backward, striking his head against the table. Kosu, in a stupor, slid into him, and both collapsed. Korudo, though formidable at Level 50, could not fully rouse his usual strength. He too had drunk freely, and the wine clogged his veins, dulling his reflexes.


    Rairaku, mindful of his sister Mizurana¡¯s love for Korudo, shouted orders: ¡°Hold them, but kill no one if you can avoid it! No lethal strikes, not on Korudo or any Majo!¡± He commanded some men to douse the drunken Majo lords with jars of cold wine, soaking them until they blinked helplessly. Within minutes, Rairaku¡¯s sober cavalry controlled the great hall.


    ¡°Kiru! Guard the doors!¡± Rairaku barked to one of his captains. ¡°No one leaves until we find J¨±s¨­ and Daigo!¡±


    Kiru (Level 28 Hiyori Spear Adept), saluted, and Rairaku led a small band through Kasei¡¯s corridors, flaming torches in hand. At last, they forced open the doors of that dismal old banquet chamber, discovering Lord J¨±s¨­ and Lord Daigo shackled high on the wall, arms and legs chained and spread apart.


    Daigo, half-lidded yet defiant, gave a soft laugh. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t the Stormblade Hiyori himself. This day is looking up.¡±


    J¨±s¨­, though pale from hunger, offered a small nod. ¡°Prince. I feared you would rush blindly into the King¡¯s jaws. Perhaps I should have known better.¡±


    Rairaku¡¯s men snapped the chains, freeing them. Rairaku spread out his arms. ¡°Friends, I¡¯ll get you out. But we must flee now, or we drown in Majokawa¡¯s vengeance.¡±


    Daigo, though stiff with pain, grinned. ¡°I¡¯m in your debt, Rairaku. But let¡¯s not leave empty-handed. This place teased us long enough with its extravagant spread. I¡¯m half-starved.¡± With that, he grabbed a side of cold turkey from a loaded platter and wolfed it down, regaining a trickle of HP. J¨±s¨­ contented himself with a few plovers¡¯ eggs, only smashing the shells in caution against curses.


    When they were armed again, J¨±s¨­ said, ¡°Prince, you risk everything to rescue us. Know that from this night forward, your enemies are ours. That is the code of Onikawa.¡±


    Daigo raised a copper flagon. ¡°We¡¯ll drink a proper toast once we¡¯ve cut King Goritsu from his throne¡ªand it won¡¯t be from a vantage pinned on a wall.¡±


    They sped into the courtyard, where Rairaku discovered Mizurana above on a balcony, nightgown fluttering. Like an apparition, she hovered in the torchlight. ¡°Brother, your illusions are undone. You have chosen the Oni over Majokawa. Is that truly your wish?¡±


    He called up to her. ¡°I choose loyalty. Let King Goritsu be told: I never sought to draw blood, but my hand was forced.¡± He paused, voice low. ¡°Forgive me, sister. I pray we remain on speaking terms.¡±


    Her voice quivered. ¡°Then go. Now. Hakmon rides from the south with reinforcements. If you don¡¯t vanish into the night, you¡¯ll be caged by dawn. I fear we stand at the edge of a calamity for all of Suisei.¡±


    J¨±s¨­ bowed to her. ¡°Lady Mizurana, your brother¡¯s cause is ours. I vow on the blade of Onikawa, we will stand with him.¡±


    She drew in a trembling breath. ¡°He was right to save you. But from now on, the lines are drawn. May you outrun Hakmon. And may you outrun fate, though I doubt either is possible.¡±


    Rairaku saluted, his men close behind. They thundered onto the Way of Kings under the coppery moon, the Oni lords astride stolen mounts, forging ahead into the darkness. In a far corner of the courtyard, Haruto Watanabe, who had watched all in silent perplexity, followed after them.


    Long after the hoofbeats vanished, Mizurana stood at the window of Korudo¡¯s chamber, gazing at the horizon and the rising moon. When new hoofbeats rattled the bridge, she knew it was Hakmon and his force returning to Kasei. She closed her eyes, recalling the hush that fell after Rairaku fled with J¨±s¨­ and Daigo, and how the illusions of harmony had shattered. All she sensed now was the swirl of powers racing toward inevitable conflict.