Chapter 19 - The Errant Samurai
Mariko Takeuchi stood silently at attention, one hand propping up her prized naginata, while the other rested comfortably on the hilt of her katana. The very air of the Admiral’s war room was tense, filled with the loud rebukes of the Admiral himself, as well as the pathetic whimpers of the fools not disciplined enough to face the punishment for failure properly.
“Three days!” shouted the Admiral, his boot colliding with the stomach of an unfortunate samurai. The woman in question was a Tiefling, stripped down to her small-clothes, her skin covered in bruises. “Three days, and still nothing? No word on my beloved concubine whom you swore to safeguard and protect?”
“My failure shames me, Admiral…” The Tiefling kept her head down, her gaze fixated on the floor. “She alluded me of her own accord. I should have been more vigilant.”
“Indeed…” The Admiral took in a deep breath, then sighed. He held his hand out for one of the servants, who set a vial of some strange liquid in his hand. Downing it, the Admiral appeared to relax. He smiled, then kneeled down to be level with the samurai. “It is good you feel shame, and luckily for you, I am not without mercy. I believe in second chances. That is the principle on which this very city was founded upon!” He cupped her chin in his palm, and lifted it up so that he could look her in the eye.
Still smiling, he leaned in close enough so that she could probably feel his breath. “Oh, dearest Hana… loyal Hana… you must forgive my outburst.” He laughed. “I was just so angry! You understand, don’t you? Losing someone you care about… not knowing whether they live or not…”
She nodded. “Of course, Admiral…”
“You have a little brother, correct?” He frowned in thought. “What was his name again?”
“Junpei, sir…”
“Ah…” He grinned. “A bright young thing. So eager to put a blade in his hand. To take after his older sister’s example. Now, how would you feel if he just… disappeared? And the ones meant to protect him had no answers for you. How would you feel?”
Hana’s eyes widened. She tried to shake her head, but the Admiral’s grip forced her head still.
“I asked you a question, Hana…”
“I would be scared, sir! Angry, even!”
“Exactly…” He released her and patted her head. “Good girl. Of course, you understand… without Lady Xuefeng I have certain needs that aren’t being met. Therefore, until she is found… you get what I’m saying.”
“Yes, Admiral…” Hana said, nodding. “I will pay a visit to the pleasure houses an-“
“No!” The Admiral suddenly exploded, his backhand colliding with the samurai’s cheek. “Are you saying a common whore is comparable to my wonderful songbird? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, sir…” Hana gritted her teeth.
The Admiral sighed. He stood up, taking in a few deep breaths before speaking again. “Ah, I lost control of myself again. You must forgive me, Hana. Dearest Hana... I realize I should have been more specific. I was insinuating that you take her place… at least for the time being.”
Mariko felt a surge of disgust rush through her. Though it may have been a clear breach in protocol, she stepped forward, tapping her naginata against the wooden floor to catch the Admiral’s attention. The terrified and shameful look on Hana’s face told her that this was the right thing to do.
“My lord,” Mariko spoke plainly. “Forgive me boldness, but would it not be more efficient for her to fully dedicate her time to finding your missing concubine? Hana’s loyalty and dedication is something to be praised, and while I am certain she will do her utmost to… please you… such focus would be better suited to her investigation, no?”
The Admiral glared at her, his smile fading before suddenly re-appearing again. He stepped towards her, arms clasped behind his back. “Do not apologize for being brazen, my lady. It is a trait I expect from my samurai.” He glanced back towards Hana. “Alas, but I am still a man with needs… unless you would prefer to take her place?”
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Mariko resisted the urge to impale the man, but stayed her hand. Her knuckles tightened around her weapons as she spoke. “Allow me to assist her, my lord. We will have Lady Xuefeng brought back to you by tomorrow night at the latest.”
“I do not think so,” The Admiral said, waving her off. “I have other plans for you.” He turned his back to her, then called over his servants. “Have Hana cleaned up, and delivered to my chambers.”
Bastard…
Truly, the biggest tragedy of the previous Admiral’s death was circumstances that led to this man taking power. Of course, it is the right and duty of any leader to punish the failure of their subordinates, else one may breed complacency in their household, but to Mariko, there was a fine line between discipline and degeneracy.
As the servants escorted Hana away, the Admiral wandered over to the large map table at the center of the room. “Unpleasant business, that…” He murmured to himself. “May I offer you a drink, Mariko?”
“I don’t drink.”
“Really?” He chuckled to himself. “That’s a shame.” He unfurled a map of the city and spread it across the table. “As I have mentioned earlier, I have a special task for you. You come highly recommended… a veritable hero of the Jade Sea, therefore I must thank you for your continued service in keeping our waters safe.”
Mariko approached the table and stood across from the Admiral. “I merely do my duty.”
“Humble, modest, and beautiful!” The Admiral grinned. “Quite the combination… as you are aware there are pests that infest this city. I am determined not to underestimate these pests as my brother did. Therefore, I seek your assistance in cleansing this city. With foreigners encroaching on our waters, unfortunately most of my samurai, and your family’s ships are elsewhere, and as much as I would like for you to be out there on the front lines…we must secure the home front.”
“An astute strategy, my lord.”
“Thank you,” the Admiral smiled. “Have you heard of a hag they call ‘The Pallid Lady?’”
“I have heard she is an information broker of sorts. Why?”
“I have it on good authority that she seeks to undermine me,” the Admiral said, frowning. “The bitch has eyes and ears all over the city as well and furthermore, poses a security risk. I want her head delivered and served to me on a golden fucking platter.”
“It will be done.”
“Good.” He set a carved wooden piece, representing an Estrellan soldier, on the map. “One of her main bases of operation is here in the Imperial District. The locals here are quite protective of her for whatever reason, therefore I suggest a show of force. Furthermore, she leads a cult of blood magi.”
“Am I to face this witch alone?”
The Admiral shook his head. “You will lead a contingent of samurai into the district and pacify any local resistance you face. Do not be afraid to show force. It is about time that the people in this city start to fear the Syndicate again. Flush the witch and her cult out. If that requires heads on pikes, then you have my authority to do so.”
“Are you not worried the guilds may see this as a breach of trust?” Mariko asked. “Much of the Imperial District overlaps with their territory.”
“Fuck the guilds,” the Admiral said, chuckling. “Fuck the guilds, fuck the clans. Issei cannot operate at their behest anymore. We are no longer an unknown backwater of criminals and pirates. With jade coral in our waters, the world has turned their eyes on us… no… the guilds would see this city sink into the depths before they acted against their own selfish interests. The city must be ruled and led with an iron fist. My fist, and you, my fierce Mariko… shall be the spear I wield against our enemies!”
Though the Admiral’s actions against his own samurai were vile, there was a gem of truth to his words. Her experience over the past two years, fending off a seemingly endless wave of foreign ships all rushing for a piece of the Jade Sea, had proven to her that changes needed to be made. If a true invasion force were to sail towards Issei, they wouldn’t have the ships or manpower to fend it off. Furthermore, the guilds would surely buckle under the pressure, and surrender the city to whomever demanded it.
She had seen how bickering clans and houses led to the downfall of her own homeland, when legions of Imperial troops marched into the Ashlands. She saw how bickering clans and houses led to the downfall of her homeland, and Clan Takeuchi barely survived the fall; she and her family would rather face death than be defeated in another conquest.
“Very well,” Mariko said, bowing. “The Pallid Lady is as good as dead.”
“You truly are a beacon of loyalty, my dearest Mariko!” exclaimed the Admiral. “To ensure your success, I will also send one of my favorite adventurers to accompany you…” He snapped his fingers at his servants. “Send him in!”
Moments later, a tall, muscular Orc stepped into the room. His verdant green skin was almost completely covered in intricate tattoos, and his chest was entirely bare, aside from a torn sleeveless coat that was the color of volcanic ash. His stark white hair was tied into a bun, and he carried no obvious weapon. Although, if the wrappings around his fists were any indicator, he didn’t have to. There was a strange otherworldly heat that seemed to emanate off of him, appearing as a barely visible and translucent cerulean flame rose from the black lines of his tattoos.
“Dearest Mariko,” the Admiral said, waving extravagantly towards the Orc. “This is Rangi… the finest killer the adventurer’s guild has to offer.”