Horizon:Volume 10A Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Absent One at the Delivery Site

Let my words reach the endless sky above

And ring loud there

Let my heart manifest its power

Before my very eyes

Point Allocation (Then I Shout the Name of My Special Attack Spell)

●

Takenaka understood. She finally understood. She nodded in realization of the truth.

She belatedly realized her opponent’s objective and the means they were using to achieve it.

…They’ve realized we don’t have an Anayama Nobutada here, haven’t they!?

So by providing data showing the existence of Anayama Nobutada, they could make one who existed with them.

If Musashi had an Anayama Nobutada, then all of Takenaka’s plans would be a waste of time.

Now she understood why Musashi had agreed not to address the other theories. Without an agreed-upon theory, they would have a harder time establishing the existence of Anayama Nobutada. In other words…

Butcher: “Musashi! You do not have an Anayama Nobutada, do you!? But you are trying to sound like you do by providing false information!”

That was it. Musashi did not have an Anayama Nobutada either.

Butcher: “Musashi! Inventing falsehoods to create a nonexistent Anayama Nobutada will not work!”

Greengrocer: “Oh? Whatever are you talking about? We do to have an Anayama Nobutada. We’re in the middle of interviewing Anayama-kun. How can you deny such solid facts?”

Takenaka noticed something about this response.

…I recognize this!

The speaker was negotiating based on the existence of the nonexistent.

She had faced someone like that before. She was no longer speaking with the Musashi Vice President. The person on the other side of her lernen figur was…

Butcher: “You are Musashi’s Secretary, aren’t you!?”

She sent out a question. After a pause, she received a response. A response that provided the identity of who she was speaking to.

Greengrocer: “Don’t be ridiculous. I am a greengrocer.”

Can I do some full-on ero-ing now?

●

Horizey: “That was a close one, Neshinbara-sama. But I used my well-trained customer service skills to step in and get you out of danger.”

Gold Mar: “Wait, couldn’t this mean this all gets thrown out as a discussion between a greengrocer and a butcher?”

Novice: “Heh. She’ll never realize who I am. Now, I need to enjoy this as a strategist. …She will pay for the crime of eliminating my Seventh Fleet!”

Art-Ga: “Ugh, nothing worse than a guy who holds a grudge.”

Me: “Did anyone notice the role I played in the charade? Anyone at all?”

Silver Wolf: “My king, I think you are asking a lot to expect someone to know you were crossdressing and answering the interview questions in the guise of Anayama Nobutada.”

Vice President: “Well, now I know what happens when I let you participate without showing your names…”

Wise Sister: “Heh heh. They saved you that way, so you should be thankful! And when my foolish brother asked Asama for help, she even did her ‘oh, you’re just hopeless’ routine while immediately helping him!”

Asama: “H-hey! Kimi, running away like that is dangerous on the edge of the deck!”

●

“Whatever the case, this is not good, realized Takenaka.

After all, she had no way of proving them wrong. And it sounded like they had someone playing the role, so they might even get away with it for the time being.

Llaf: “What will happen if we can’t stop this?”

Kiyo-Massive: “Won’t their history recreation ultimately not count if they really don’t have someone?”

Kuro-Take: “In this case, Musashi intends keep this supposed person closed up. And since their history recreation would have ended, the other nations will have no way of interfering. So as long as it doesn’t influence any other nation, it will count as long as they meet certain conditions.”

That was how internal history recreations worked. It was the same in P.A. Oda.

Tsurugi: “We were preparing to complete the Honnouji Incident internally, so it makes sense Musashi can do the same thing.”

The Boy: “If Musashi escapes to Mikawa, they just have to say they submitted a request for an inherited name to complete Anayama Nobutada’s history recreation, but the recreation ended before the request was approved. But as long as they meet the general conditions, that won’t be much of a problem.”

Before Takenaka could consider what they would do in that case, the greengrocer spoke again.

Greengrocer: “Okay, our interview is nearly complete, so how about we end this discussion of Anayama Nobutada?”

Butcher: “Wait!”

Takenaka reflexively shouted the most important argument they had.

Butcher: “Your Anayama Nobutada is our Anayama Nobutada!”

●

Kimee: “Yeah, I had a feeling Takenaka’s brain was just about fried.”

Kuro-Take: “H-huh!? Why!? Why would you say that!?’

6: “Scroll up a bit.”

AnG: “Yeah, but it was a fairly impressive leap by Take’s standards.”

●

Butcher: “Your Anayama Nobutada is a fake! We have the real one!”

Takenaka decided it was worth at least trying. From her right, “Azuchi” gave her a look without simulating any kind of expression, but she ignored that.

Butcher: “Divine transmission restrictions prevent us from sending an image, but we have already received a statement from the real one. And you have already admitted that Anayama Nobutada belongs to P.A. Oda! We have the real one!”

Greengrocer: “Huh? Keep lying and I’ll yank your tongue out.”

…That was harsh and direct!

But she appreciated that she wasn’t being ignored.

Butcher: “I am not lying! I can’t show you or let you hear at the moment, but Anayama Nobutada’s name inheritor is here!”

Greengrocer: “That’s weird. You do know no name inheritor for him has been registered, don’t you?”

Doing the same thing they were doing would work, so she didn’t hesitate to respond.

Butcher: “We are in the process of submitting a name inheritance request!”

Greengrocer: “Really? How strange. We submitted a request three days ago.”

Butcher: “Oh? Well, too bad! We submitted ours a week ago!”

Greengrocer: “Oops. Looks like our Representative Committee made a mistake. We submitted ours 10 days ago.”

Butcher: “Oh! Ours made a mistake too. We made our submission before summer break! Ah ha ha!”

…“Azuchi”, that look is really painful!!

Stop, stop, stop. I really don’t have time for an ero break right now.

But after a slight pause, Musashi sent over a question.

Greengrocer: “How very strange… Do you really have one?”

Butcher: “Yeeeeeesssss! Anayama Motonobu really is right herrrrrrre!”

AnG: “Why does Take sound like she’s a public official making a tearful apology to the press?”

Kuro-Take: “Do you want to take my place!?”

She really hoped Angie did. But Musashi was still talking.

Greengrocer: “You say that, but we’ve already finished our interview over here. We have a photo, an ID, and all the character-building data you could need. I really think anyone would conclude that we’re the one with a real Anayama Nobutada.”

Butcher: “Yours is a fake! Ours is real!”

Greengrocer: “Oh, really? Then what do you call this character sheet here?”

She wanted to say it was nonsense, but that would only lead to more meaningless quibbling.

…That was close!

●

Takenaka noticed “Azuchi” had started to reach a hand out toward her.

…That was much too close!

She just about lost everything in a single statement.

Yes. Earlier, she had avoided discussing the different theories to avoid a quibbling argument.

They would be unable to prove anything either way and reach an impasse. She had wanted to avoid exactly that happening. This was all over if she began arguing over the validity of Anayama Nobutada here.

This was entirely…

…A trap set by Musashi!

Just like she’d thought before. Musashi had pretended to agree with her elimination of the other theories and then used it to lay a trap for her.

That had been close. It had worked for the enemy because they were such good actors. They had put so much effort into it, it had to have been their primary plan.

Thank goodness she had caught on. And…

Kuro-Take: “I was fortunate enough to be with someone who noticed.”

Azuchi: “I understood the logic you were using against them, so I concluded I needed to warn you if you were throwing away that very logic. Shaja.”

She appreciated it. This was her role, but she could relax a bit knowing she wasn’t doing it alone.

“Now, then.”

She said what she needed to say. She spoke the words that would defang the enemy trap.

Butcher: “Of course your character sheet contains all the necessary information. Because you stole it from us.”

●

…Now they’ve done it!

Neshinbara crossed his arms in front of the sign frame.

This was one of those things – an unverifiable lie.

They had attacked each other using them when discussing the Azuchi’s coming and going in Kantou.

Takenaka had used the unverifiable lie of “we are carrying a dangerous dragon line reactor, so stay away” and he had countered with the unverifiable lie of “we have a way to defuse it”.

The situation had ultimately been settled by the code provided by Christina.

Still unable to read it, he had shown it off as plans to a dragon line reactor to see Hashiba’s response, but Takenaka had in turn claimed the code was in fact a marzipan recipe.

…But since we couldn’t read the code, we couldn’t know if it was a recipe or not!

He had settled it by saying he had sent out “the seventh fleet in stealth mode” to get them to counterattack, but, fearing the intervention of Mouri Terumoto, Masazumi had ended the discussion there.

They had ended up in a fight, but he had lost his valuable imaginary Seventh Fleet.

That meant Takenaka here was the opponent he hadn’t been able to argue to a draw.

And now she was again using an unverifiable lie.

She claimed the data Musashi had had been stolen from Hashiba.

Novice: “Not bad at all.”

Silver Wolf: “What does this mean? Oh, and keep it short.”

It was simple, really.

Novice: “If she calls our data fake, she’ll be dragging us into an endless argument, but she didn’t do that. She instead claimed our data was stolen from them.”

What would happen then?

Novice: “Even if they don’t have the data, they can claim they had the original. That would mean any data we have would automatically back up their claims of data.”

Vice President: “Could we ask them about the contents of ‘their’ data and, when they can’t answer, accuse them of lying?”

Novice: “They would only have to make up an answer. Since they have the original, whatever they say instantly becomes the correct answer. And if we say ours says otherwise, they can call that proof that we’ve never even seen the original data and ours is fake.”

As before, this was using an unverifiable lie as an attack. This time, Hashiba was doing it intentionally and stacking their act atop his own, so they had an even greater advantage than before.

“But,” said Neshinbara, striking a pose. “I’ve got them.”

●

“Hm? Hmm?”

Asama mentally and physically tilted her head trying to figure out how Neshinbara had them.

She and the others were on their way to Okutama’s bridge for what he had called “harassment”.

On the way, she had stopped by the former site of the Asama Shrine to confirm it had been purged and a few confirmation sign frames were rotating in its place.

Asama worked with Hanami to check those while collecting the spells and charms her father had left for them. She wondered if she should have stopped by here before taking a break at the academy, but she also decrypted the message left by her father and displayed it on a sign frame.

“Tomo, it sounds like the Honnouji Incident is taking some surprising turns, but I take my work seriously and I will be going to the location I was instructed to. Make sure none of you push yourselves too hard. And make extra sure you all don’t push Toori-kun too hard. Okay? Got that? Also, tell Horizon-kun that we are all pleased the memorial we made for her came in handy. -Dad.”

…Oh, he must be considering my position at the Main Blue Thunder.

She could sense that much. Looking back, she had a feeling Mito’s mom’s frequent visits had been for a similar reason, so it meant a lot to be in the kind of environment they wanted.

But…

“Heh heh. Asama, what do you think he meant by ‘not pushing Toori-kun too hard’!? Well!?”

“How did I know you were going to ask that? But in all seriousness, Musashi’s ether conduits are a little different from before, which will somewhat change how Toori-kun’s ether supply spell works!”

“Asama-sama. I do not see how that explains the warning being about ‘you all’ pushing him too hard. Oh, and Kimi-sama is likely not included in that and I personally only do what will be funny because I have an entertainment focus.”

“Why are you all looking at me!?” Why!?” protested Mito.

“Hey, hey,” he said, shrugging and relaxing. “Calm down and we can find something that works for each of you. The needle is already turning and we can’t stop it now, so it just comes down to the mood and how we’re feeling.”

“And some of you are going to need an excuse.”

“Yes…” The two tenants could only agree.

However, none of that would be happening now. It wasn’t clear how long they would have after dealing with the current issue, but Westphalia would likely be the turning point.

…We don’t even have two months left!

It was suddenly starting to feel a lot more real and Asama felt an odd sweat forming. She once more appreciated how Horizon had nerves of steel to act with so little hesitation.

But even as they prepared for their “harassment” while talking, the situation was underway.

“Asama-sama, shall I shove your things behind me?” asked Horizon.

“Oh, everything I won’t be carrying with me, if you don’t mind.”

She handed over the charm case in a bag just as something happened on the sign frame.

Hashiba had more or less taken control away from Neshinbara, but he still sounded triumphant, possibly as no more than a bluff.

Novice: “I will now pay them back for what happened in Kantou. …Just watch, everyone.”

Horizon clenched her fists and stared at the sign frame, but Asama felt it was best not to expect much.

●

Takenaka told herself not to let her guard down.

…I just did again what I did in Kantou.

She had taken control in a clash of unverifiable lies. She claimed Musashi had stolen their data on the fictional Anayama Nobutada name inheritor.

Majority Rule: “Saying they stole it is an interesting twist. You could have just said they copied it.”

Kuro-Take: “With a copy, we would have to have the original. So if they demanded to compare data, we don’t have the data and wouldn’t be able to insist we were right even if we wanted to claim theirs was wrong. But if they stole it…”

Black Wolf: “We no longer have the original, so we don’t have to comply if they demand to compare data?”

AnG: “Eh? Take…you seem to be sparkling. What’s going on?”

Kuro-Take: “Oh, I just ero’d down from above, so maybe that’s glittering in the moonlight?”

Almost Everyone: “Ewwwwww!”

“Azuchi” turned toward her and handed her a towel.

“I will not be washing it, so throw it away later, Takenaka-sama. Shaja.”

“You’re not being as hospitable as before, are you?”

She decided to be thankful for the towel anyway.

That aside, she was in control now.

However, she knew this was essentially a type of game.

They had only stacked up their unverifiable lies to see whose were stacked higher or deeper than the other’s.

Musashi had bragged about how much data they had, so she had said “that’s ours actually” to take it all to her side. That had worked because they had already established that Anayama Nobutada belonged to P.A. Oda. Without that, she likely would have lost.

To put it another way, the game could always go the other way at any time.

If her opponent could read the cards in his hand and the playing field and find a way to claim what she had said for himself, then it was over.

…Is there any way he can do that?

She opened Three Thousand Worlds and searched for the possibility, but it was a challenge. Three Thousand Worlds worked by combining different patterns and the predictions made with them, so it had trouble with the leaps in logic needed for short-term confrontations like this. Maybe it was best to say it was great at leading you to the best plan that anyone could carry out, but it had trouble reaching genius insights.

That was a lot like her in a way. She too was bad at leaps in logic. Her steady way of thinking was what had led her to the high damage, high return strategies that seemed so absurd to her.

If she could think up that kind of thing in the normal way, she would think of it as “doing her usual thing” instead of high damage, high return.

Being ordinary is a lot of work, she noted. And…

Greengrocer: “Judge. I have a question for you, butcher. May I ask it?”

●

Takenaka took in a breath.

She had a feeling this exchange would lead to the end of the discussion.

Butcher: “Testament. What is it?”

Greengrocer: “Let’s end this. We don’t have much time.”

●

Vice President: “If you get that, then wrap it up!!”

Flat Vassal: “Um, he paused to think for a bit there. What was that about?”

Laborer: “Oh, that!? He received a divine mail from Shakespeare saying, ‘What’s this I hear about you having a lengthy divine chat with a long-lived in glasses?’, so he was sending a response!”

Almost Everyone: ‘Eek!”

●

There was a fairly long pause before the response about ending this. But Takenaka did see the response while “Azuchi” turned back toward her.

Greengrocer: “I just noticed that some of Anayama Nobutada’s data is missing. Since you claim this was stolen from you, then would you know what the missing part says?”

At first, she didn’t know what he meant.

…Something is missing from the stolen data?

Mostly because the data never existed in the first place and she hadn’t considered what kind of condition it would be in. But then it hit her.

…Is he testing me!?

He would have some kind of data. A profile of and interview with Anayama Nobutada. And he said a part of the data was missing.

It was a confusing premise, but he was definitely testing her. But…

Kimee: “What’s the point of that?”

Kiyo-Massive: “If their data doesn’t include whatever it is, they can’t dispute what we say, so we can say whatever we want, right?”

Azuchi: “Furthermore, we can decide whether or not that part of the data existed in the first place, so we can even say that data never existed. Shaja.”

If so, this gave them a considerable advantage. But…

…That leads to carelessness.

Takenaka couldn’t rush into this. She could even refuse to answer. So with that in mind…

Butcher: “So…what data is missing?”

Greengrocer: “It’s a small part of the interview.”

The greengrocer asked his question.

Greengrocer: “The interviewer asks ‘have you had any recent problems related to becoming a name inheritor?’, but her answer is missing.”

●

…Recent problems related to becoming a name inheritor!?

Oh, I’m the wrong person for this, Takenaka’s intuition told her.

Kimee: “That she would have to be killed during the Iga Crossing, maybe?”

Kohime: “Is a little thing like that really worth calling a problem?”

Kiyo-Massive: “And it says ‘recent’, right? Then it’s probably about something that changed about her life after becoming a name inheritor.”

AnG: “But if you think about it, isn’t this a hard one to answer? I mean, what you consider a problem in that situation is different for everyone.”

That’s right, agreed Takenaka, realizing why her intuition had warned her.

…This came down to personal opinion.

It wasn’t so easy to know what someone else would think about something. Also…

“Before they were saying they had submitted for her inherited name, but that question implies she already has it…”

“Sounds like a plot hole.”

She agreed with that, but could she just come out and say it?

The one thing she could say was how tricky a question this was.

Tsurugi: “No matter what you say, they’re going to say you’re wrong, you know?”

Kimee: “Even though they said the answer was missing?”

Tsurugi: “Even though. Because this isn’t just about us providing Anayama Nobutada’s answer. It’s seeing if we can come up with an answer that fits the personality of the Anayama Nobutada they have created.”

“Do you get it?” continued Hirano.

Tsurugi: “We had the original data stolen from us, but they have it. That means they can determine Anayama Nobutada’s personality. But since we claim to have created the initial data, we’re supposed to know her and should be able to provide an answer based on that personality.”

Azuchi: “I have recorded all of the irregular statements they have made regarding Anayama Nobutada. Would you like to review them as reference? Shaja.”

Takenaka gave it a look. The others appeared to be checking it at their various posts. And…

Kimee: “Wow, what an unrealistic creation.”

Kiyo-Massive: “Do boys like this kind of thing?”

The Boy: “No, only the weird ones! I hope!?”

Kuro-Take: “I do sometimes speak my thoughts aloud and paint with a broad enough brush to even include myself as a target…”

But this was an extreme case.

Kuro-Take: “We’re talking about an athletic girl who is a somewhat light eater, has trouble with hot foods, and is shy, but can be outgoing when necessary, yet has trouble expressing herself plainly. Does anyone know what kind of problems someone like that might have?”

6: “Why does this sound so criminal?”

AnG: “Hmm, Shouroku? I don’t think that’s the best way to put that!”

The real problem was Takenaka didn’t know the answer.

Kuro-Take: “How should I know what problems she would be having after inheriting her name?”

Azuchi: “Why not imagine yourself in that position? Shaja.”

…What problems would I be having?

Kuro-Take: “I was ero-ing before that, I’ve always been a bad cook, I’ve been getting a belly whenever I let my guard down ever since my mental age passed 20, and my lack of a boyfriend was more of a lifelong issue…and an ongoing one at that.”

Black Wolf: “Takenaka! Takenaka! You’re leaking a whole bunch of your personal information!”

But she was surprised to find she couldn’t think of any problems that had started after getting her inherited name. But that was only in her individual case.

Kuro-Take: “But what answer would they be looking for with Anayama Nobutada?”

Speaking that thought aloud led to three realizations.

…There was something!

First, inheriting her name had led to a problem for her. And she recalled it being a much bigger “problem” for her than for the rest of the Ten Spears.

Second, she had been thinking about her opponent incorrectly.

And third…

Kuro-Take: “There is a safe answer!”

Tsurugi: “Can you provide an answer that matches their fantasy notebook?”

Kuro-Take: “No, none of that matters! Anayama Nobutada has something that works as a personal problem after receiving that inherited name while also having nothing to do with their individual personality!”

She typed out the answer instead of saying it aloud. Once she finished writing the text, she reviewed it, and nodded to “Azuchi”.

●

The answer had arrived.

Neshinbara felt like everyone was focused on his keyboard.

He was on Oume’s stern with a burning pile of his inventory in front of him and a bucket of firefighting water to his right. Fire is a wonderful thing. Truly wonderful. Helps psyche you up.

Everyone was watching. The only ones nearby were Noriki and Persona-kun as they managed the fire, but he knew everyone was watching. Noriki and Persona-kun were in charge of the fire and so had no choice but to be focused on that. It was part of their public duties. But everyone was watching. Yes. He was sure of it.

Me: “Huh? You still not done, Neshinbara?”

Horizey: “Toori-sama, just leave him alone. He is in position to take all responsibility when this doesn’t work.”

Art-Ga: “C’mon, we’re watching, so just do something. We don’t care what.”

Novice: “Y-you all never do pull your punches, do you!?”

Regardless, he showed the others Hashiba’s response.

Novice: “Have you had any recent problems related to becoming a name inheritor?”

The butcher provided Anayama Nobutada’s answer.

Butcher: “When people see my name, they think it says Anayama Nobu-kun.”

●

Brilliant…! thought Neshinbara.

That was an answer that only applied to Anayama Nobutada but had nothing to do with the name inheritor’s personality.

…Because it’s people other than her making the mistake!

But that was what made it a problem for Anayama Nobutada.

“Brilliant…!”

●

Has he lost his mind? wondered Masazumi.

That was an answer that only someone like those two could come up with, but what did any of this have to do with the Iga Crossing anymore?

…I feel like we’ve lost our way somewhere, but maybe that’s what happens when dealing with crazy people…

But that was what made it a problem for Masazumi.

“Does that really count?”

●

Oh, realized Mitotsudaira.

Silver Wolf: “Horizon can decide if it counts or not!”

Wise Sister: “Heh heh. You’re right, come to think of it! Musashi is a warrior nation known for being a harsh joke critic! So we just need Horizon to decide if we’ll accept that one! Horizon! You’re up!”

Mitotsudaira turned to see an armless Horizon seated in a cross-legged meditation pose below one of the few trees still remaining alongside the Okutama street. Her arms were positioned on either side of her, one holding a “yes” flag and one holding a “no” flag.

“Nwahhhhhhhhhh!”

Sweating profusely, Asama tried to stop her with a deeply meaningful expression, but Mitotsudaira intercepted her from the side.

“Tomo! Stopping her would be meaningless!”

“Yes, I know what you mean… I had a strong feeling I was wasting my time…”

Meanwhile, the right arm raised its flag.

The “no” flag. But a moment later…

“This ooooooone!”

The left arm raised its “yes” flag and jumped straight up.

My, thought Mitotsudaira as the right arm caught the falling left arm and raised it up while running side to side. That was likely meant to better show off the chosen flag. At the center, Horizon let out a heavy breath and mostly shut her eyes.

“That was a terribly, terribly difficult call… Hashiba is our enemy, so I personally thought I should choose ‘no’ to obstruct them, but I realized Musashi’s harsh joke criticism must include self-judgment and I had no choice but to make a very painful decision as Vicereine!”

Almost Everyone: <Applause>

“Yes, thank you very much! Thank you very much! I intend to preserve our transparency and impartiality as a harsh joke critic!”

That’s Horizon all right, thought Mitotsudaira, but then she realized something.

“Wait, doesn’t this mean Hashiba now has control over Anayama Nobutada?”

●

Yes, sighed Takenaka.

Musashi had sent a response to her answer.

Greengrocer: “Brilliant. I accept your answer.”

That meant Hashiba had control over Anayama Nobutada.

Azuchi: “You did it! Even though you didn’t need to! Shaja!”

That couldn’t be more true. Still, she had just defined Anayama Nobutada, who died during the Iga Crossing, as theirs and obtained control over the name inheritor. That meant…

Butcher: “We now possess all rights related to Anayama Nobutada.”

Vice President: “Congratulations. I suppose this means Musashi lost this round. So now you can define the situation for us. We will have to consider a different future from now on.”

“Testament,” agreed Takenaka.

Her opponent was showing her name again and had accepted her claim of victory.

A plain reading of the situation said the same thing. They had successfully obtained full control over Anayama Nobutada. So…

…We are now headed toward a future where their Iga Crossing fails.

Did this mean Musashi had prepared themselves for that? If so, they were sure to respond quickly and prepare for battle.

She needed to be careful. After all, they saw the opening of hostilities as the moment their Iga Crossing had ended. That would be when she declared Anayama Nobutada’s rights under the Kuro-Take name.

She would not let her guard down.

She switched Three Thousand Worlds’ focus and shifted it into anti-Musashi combat mode as she made her announcement.

Kuro-Take: “Then we now have full control of Anayama Nobutada.”

●

Takenaka realized she was needlessly tense as she faced the lernen figur.

“Azuchi” had been making “stop” gestures and trying to say something for a bit now, but she ignored that. She had to focus on the Musashi Vice President speaking to her through the lernen figur.

She had just defeated Musashi’s Secretary again. And their Vice President responded with…

Vice President: “Judge. I accept that. We agree to grant P.A. Oda all rights concerning Anayama Nobutada.”

…Yes!

Now what would Musashi do? Knowing their Vice President’s tendencies, there was a good chance they would declare war. But in terms of high damage, high return, Takenaka liked the sound of that.

…Bring on the war!

That thought was immediately followed by Musashi’s response.

Vice President: “Okay, since everything related to Anayama Nobutada is up to you, you can do that part of the Iga Crossing. We’ll focus on the main Matsudaira part. …Thanks for agreeing to split up the history recreation like that.”

Kuro-Take: “Not so fast, Musashi Vice Presideeeeeeent!!!”

Her shout received a quick response.

Greengrocer: “What are you yelling about? We are nothing more than a greengrocer. And it’s late, so come back tomorrow.”

Takenaka split her lernen figur with a headbutt and collapsed to the floor.

●

Vice President: “Hey! Mukai! I bought you some time! So get us out of here!”

Tachibana Wife: “Vice President, I may not be an officer, but I do think you can phrase these things better.”

Tonbokiri: “Masazumi! The English term for what this makes us is a ‘runaway’! A runaway! Isn’t that right, Gin-dono!? Or would you prefer Spanish? What is the Spanish word for it!?”

Gold Mar: “Wow, I can imagine just how mad Gin-chan must be right now.”

Bell: “U-um…I’ll hurry as much as I can…so here we go.”

●

“Azuchi” possessed enough kindness to watch silently as Takenaka performed a sideways-lying floor ero.

“Dammiiiiit…”

The voice she heard coming from the floor was well within the bounds of what she could identify as “resentful”.

“At P.A. Oda’s Lake Biwa Azuchi, the greengrocers are open 24 hours a day…”

That didn’t seem like the main point, but Takenaka really had tried. Valuing the process more than the result seemed acceptable for an automaton because it expanded the breadth of what one could search. That didn’t change the fact that the result here had been bad, however.

But, while ignoring the way Takenaka started to hum an oddly sad melody…

Azuchi: “Now then, everyone. Please prepare the Musashi pursuit team!”

The Three Thousand Worlds that Takenaka had prepared just before taking this blow indicated their next plan.

Simply put…

Azuchi: “We must land an attack on the Musashi to stop their Iga Crossing! Shaja!”

●

Suzu noticed the enemy’s movement.

The Azuchi was currently maintaining a “not too close, not too far” distance behind them and the great expanse of the Mikawa bay lay ahead of them.

…We’re…here.

Could she call this the place where it all began for them?

Her senses showed the still sky and the sea as plainly divided into clear air and a wavy surface. She could also pick up the slight heat provided by the moonlight, but that was too vague to tell her much.

All she could really say was that Mikawa had become a place of sea and sky.

The sky was freedom. There was no meteor shower here east of Honnouji.

She could also sense the large watery surface that connected to the ocean, but that would likely become more prominent as they approached. She knew how large the bay was after sensing it from above before.

They were going there.

The terrain below was beginning to slope down from the Kii Peninsula’s mountains toward the bay coast.

She hoped they could pull further out ahead here.

That was when the Azuchi slowed down.

…Huh?

Just as she was wondering why, the answer presented itself.

“The Azuchi…just launched a transport ship!”

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