Chapter 192: Those Who Lie in Wait
◆ Ronin Lying in Wait at the Checkpoint ◆
“Heh, that’s a hell of a number.”
I was at the location of the sole checkpoint required to enter the domain at the foot of Mt. Amatsukami.
Already, a massive number of Ronin besides myself had gathered around the checkpoint.
Our objective: to eliminate a single brat coming here.
It was dirty work—an assassination—but perhaps because of that, the reward was quite good.
However, the reason I took the job wasn’t just because of that.
“To think we can gain employment just by killing one brat. What an easy job.”
A nearby Ronin muttered such words.
Yes, that was the true reason for accepting this request.
We were told that if we succeeded in this request, we would be granted employment in a department under the direct control of the Shogunate.
As proof, the client showed us a crest that couldn’t be used by anyone other than someone serving the Shogun’s family.
To use a crest that would result in one’s head flying without room for a trial if used without permission meant the client was undoubtedly acting on the orders of a higher-up in the Shogunate.
“I wonder if the target brat will come soon.”
The preparations to kill the target brat are complete.
As ordered by the client, the other assassins are disguised as travelers and merchants lining up to pass through the checkpoint, preventing the brat from escaping into the domain.
Furthermore, we are scattered around, pretending to wait for the line to clear out, acting as if we are eating or resting nearby.
When the target brat arrives, the plan is to pretend to line up, surround the brat, and kill him while obstructing the view of the checkpoint officials.
In short, no matter how he struggles, it’s impossible for the brat to enter the domain.
We waited impatiently for the target brat to arrive.
It was then.
“H-Hey, what’s that?”
One of the Ronin waiting in disguise looked up at the sky and raised such a voice.
“That?”
Wondering what on earth he saw, I looked up at the sky and saw something strange.
It was something with a long, thin, brown shape unsuited for the sky.
“It’s not… a bird. A monster?”
“No, even a monster would have wings.”
Just as he said, a living creature flying in the sky should have wings.
That thing gradually approached, and its full picture became clear.
“What… is it? A ship?”
Yes, it was unmistakably a ship.
” ” “Wait, what the hell is thaaaat!?” ” “
“A-A ship is flying?”
“Why is a ship flying in the sky…? Ships are supposed to float on water, right!?”
“How the hell should I know!”
The ship had approached to a fairly close position, and its shape could no longer be mistaken.
Yes, it was undoubtedly a ship.
“Wh-What is that!?”
“A-A ship!?”
Not just us, but the checkpoint officials were also surprised by the flying ship.
And then, the ship passed over the checkpoint and flew towards Mt. Amatsukami.
“…What was that?”
“How the hell should I know.”
Though bewildered by the incomprehensible sight, we pulled ourselves together, remembered we were lying in wait for the target brat, and turned our attention back to our surroundings.
However, in the end, no matter how much time passed, the target brat never arrived.
◆ Ronin Who Infiltrated the Domain ◆
“Information came in through the entrusted magic tool. Apparently, the target is heading this way riding on a flying ship.”
A communication came in from the lookout to us, who had already infiltrated the domain and were on standby near the priests’ village.
“A flying ship? What the hell is that?”
One of the men who heard the report tilted his head in incomprehension. Well, I understand how he feels.
“I don’t really get it either, but apparently it’s some kind of magic tool.”
“A ship magic tool!? What an outrageous magic tool.”
That guy raised a surprised voice, but he didn’t seem to be taking it that seriously.
Indeed, our job hasn’t changed.
“Say, how are we supposed to attack a flying magic tool? I’m not good with a bow.”
“Don’t worry. We borrowed magic tools that shoot magic from the employer, didn’t we?”
Yes, we had been lent several magic tools by the client.
All to ensure the death of the target brat.
“Oh, right. Man, to think there’s such a generous employer who’d lend us magic tools.”
“Heh, we’re different from the small fry waiting at the checkpoint, after all.”
“Yeah, we were given the role of intercepting them around the village because our skills were recognized.”
In fact, that is true.
We are skilled assassins hired directly by the client.
Everyone here is a former vassal with undeniable skill, having belonged to the Shogunate’s army or served a Domain Lord ruling a large territory.
“Even if it’s a flying ship, if we unleash fire magic with these magic staffs, it’ll turn into a ball of fire in the blink of an eye.”
“It’s just a shame we can’t cut down the Youren brat directly.”
One of the assassins muttered the name of the target brat under his breath.
Yes, I… no, every assassin here knew that the target’s true identity was none other than Youren Yukinojo, the heir to the Shogun.
Even knowing that, we accepted the assassination request.
“Ain’t that the truth! I really wanted to kill that Youren brat with my own hands!”
We used to serve the Shogun’s family.
Some belonged to families of senior vassals serving the Shogun’s family, while others were families or vassals of Domain Lords.
If asked why we are playing at being assassins in a place like this, the answer is simple.
Because we lost our jobs due to the Shogun’s family.
Those who had their positions stripped for making a major blunder, vassals of a Domain Lord whose territory was confiscated because he drew the Shogun’s ire by admonishing him… the reasons for losing our jobs vary.
But the one thing that can be said is that everyone hates the Shogun’s family.
That is why we took the job to eliminate Youren Yukinojo, the next Shogun.
To overthrow the current Shogun’s family and have the client sit on the seat of the new Shogun.
When that is accomplished, it has been promised that the path to employment will be opened for us.
Families of Domain Lords who had their territories taken are promised to have their lost territories returned, and those chased from their positions are promised to have their lost positions returned.
Furthermore, they promised to give us the positions of Domain Lords and senior vassals who are friendly with the current Shogun’s family.
The hateful Shogun’s family will be destroyed, and a new Shogun’s family will rule this Amatsumine Imperial State.
Ah, it’s like a dream.
It makes enduring a life like a cesspool up until today worth it!
“Oh, looks like they’re here.”
When one of the assassins pointed at the sky, a brown mass unsuited for the blue sky was floating there.
“Whoa, it’s really flying. What kind of trick is that!?”
“Who cares! Eat this and die!”
“Drop dead, Shogun’s family!”
The guys who couldn’t hold themselves back immediately fired flames at the ship with their magic tools.
The magical flames hit the bottom of the ship, dyeing it bright red.
“Hahahahah! Burn, burn!”
To think the Shogun’s family would end this easily!
It’s so delightful I can’t help it!
“Hahahahaha… hm?”
Then I suddenly felt a sense of wrongness.
Strange. That ship took a direct hit from the magic staffs and should have caught fire.
So why isn’t it falling? Why isn’t it burning more?
Why is it continuing to fly while maintaining its altitude?
“What’s going on? Why isn’t it breaking?”
“Then we just have to blast it again!”
Attacks with the magic tools resumed, and the others began to join in the attack.
“That’s right. I don’t know how it withstood it, but if we concentrate the attacks of this many magic tools, it won’t stand a chance!”
Attacks from a massive number of magic tools were unleashed towards the flying ship.
“Kuku, this is the end for sure this time!”
However, the ones who met their end were us.
The ship, which had been receiving attacks helplessly, suddenly began to emit light.
“Wh-? What? What is it planning to do!?”
And the next moment, a dazzling light burst, and a massive amount of light rained down on the ground.
“Uwaaaaaaaah!?”
“Gyaaaaaaah!”
The guys who took a direct hit from the light were blown away helplessly.
“I-It attacked us!?”
“Gwaaaaaaah! It hurts! It hurts!”
Even the guys who should have avoided a direct hit were lying prostrate on the ground, writhing in pain.
“Impossible!? We’re protected by the magic tool armor we borrowed from the client, aren’t we!?”
However, the guys who took the attack were writhing in pain as if they weren’t wearing any armor at all.
“D-Don’t flinch! Counterattack! It took our attacks head-on. There’s no way it didn’t work!”
That’s right, there’s no way it’s unscathed after taking all those attacks!
“Die, damn you!”
“Drop dead, you pieces of shit!”
The unharmed guys resumed their attacks while suppressing their fear with anger and insults.
But the flying ship paid absolutely no mind to our attacks and unleashed attacks from the sky.
It was like rain falling from the heavens, and the guys around me were blown away one after another.
“I-It’s no use! It’s not working at all!”
“Wh-What is going on!?”
The ground was already a picture of hell.
Everyone was injured; not a single person was unharmed.
I too took the light falling from the sky and was assaulted by excruciating pain.
What is going on!? The armor isn’t serving any purpose at all!? Did we get stuck with defective goods!?
“Damn it, wasn’t this supposed to be an easy job just killing a brat!? I didn’t hear about this!”
“R-Run! Ruuun!”
The guys with relatively light injuries hurriedly started to flee, but it was already too late.
To begin with, the opponent was flying in the sky, and we were running away on the ground, so it could never be a contest.
“Hiiih!? It’s chasing uuuus!?”
The guys who fled immediately were also caught up and blown away by the light attacks.
” ” ” ” “Gyaaaaaaaaah!!” ” ” ” “
“H-How are we supposed to defeat something like that…”
In this way, we, who should have had an overwhelming advantage, were annihilated in the blink of an eye. Thud.
◆ A Certain Priest ◆
“Now then, I wonder when the young lord of the Youren family will arrive.”
A report came from Lord Omitsu’s messenger that the young lord of the Youren family was coming to perform the Shogun succession ritual.
However, it seems Lord Sanoukouji planned a rebellion, and they are encountering interference.
“Fumu, Lord Sanoukouji… But I thought that gentleman had no interest in the position of Shogun? No, people change. If one is immersed in the secular world for a long time, even a lineage of priests can become tainted by secularism, I suppose.”
However, this is a matter that does not concern us priests. No matter who becomes Shogun, we only fulfill our duty.
And the one who becomes Shogun, upon learning the truth of this village, will have no choice but to accept our existence.
At the same time, because they will understand the reason we have no intention of appearing on the front stage, they will judge that leaving us alone is the best course of action.
Yes, just like the usurpers who stole the position of Shogun up until now.
Therefore, we did not care who took the position of Shogun.
“Wh-What is thaaaat!?”
Then, someone unusually raised their voice.
In this closed village, it is rare for anyone other than a child to raise a loud voice.
What on earth is the matter?
Looking in the direction the villagers were turning their surprised faces to, there was…
” ” ” “A-A ship is flying in the sky!?” ” ” “
Yes, a massive ship was floating in the sky.
Wait, what on earth is that!?
Moreover, the ship wasn’t just floating; it began to attack the ground.
“Uwaah!? It attacked!?”
Fortunately, the attack was fired at the ground quite a distance from the village, but the ship is steadily approaching here.
At this rate, the attacks will reach the village!?
“I-It’s approaching here!?”
“R-Ruuuuuuun!!”
The villagers run about in confusion while raising screams.
“C-Calm down, everyone! Do not panic! Do not panic!”
However, the panicked villagers are in no state to listen.
Everyone started running away in completely scattered directions.
“Wh-What is going to become of this village!?”
Oh, Gods of Amatsumine! Please save this village!!
