"My men will control the part of the castle in question and the gates in just a week," Akiro said after being asked when it would be possible to go outside.
By the same time, both Roku and the lieutenant promised to find escorts.
The lack of need to listen to other people's conversations and keep an eye on the servants' schedule freed up quite a bit of time for Stas.
And every minute of it, Ordyntsev decided to spend on developing his magical powers. Yes, for now, it was just observing the prana channels, but, as they say, the beginning is the most difficult, and Ordyntsev was resolutely set on succeeding.
In addition to this, he had seriously begun to improve his interaction with Leviathan. The snake had grown so much that to hide her, he had to wrap her around his chest and stomach several times.
A little more, and even the loose local clothing won't be able to completely conceal her.
However, while such an opportunity was still there, Ordyntsev, with a heavy heart, began her training as one of his last trump cards. Considering the dangerous situations the man regularly found himself in, it would be foolish to neglect Leviathan's combat readiness.
Her remarkable ability to learn only aided this.
The training involved various commands through which the snake was supposed to act in different situations.
For example, after "attack," Leviathan would abruptly stick her head out from under the kimono and latch onto anyone standing in front of Stas.
Seeing how effortlessly and quickly Levi's fangs pierced the fabric of a training cushion, Stas unwittingly came to respect the new power of his favorite. And when he found traces of poison inside, he was utterly ecstatic.
'Where could the poison in her body have come from?! Could the local natural energy somehow mystically accelerate the processes of viable evolution and mutation? After all, in ordinary life, mutations tend to have a negative impact. Here, however, it's a precisely calibrated and effective change. Or conversely, did it awaken some deep-seated memory of generations? For instance, Leviathan's ancestors could have been quite venomous.'
These thoughts only made Stas more determined to master prana.
In addition to attack commands, Stas taught her the command "grab and hold," which she demonstrated on Roku.
Now, Ordyntsev was working on the third command, "search." Having brought an object to the snake and letting her "smell" it with her tongue, he quickly retreated to the next room and hid it.
Leviathan's goal was to find the object in question.
But there were a couple of conditions that had to be observed. For example, the snake couldn't rush to search for the object immediately after Stas let her smell it. She had to wait patiently for the command.
This took some effort, but Levi eventually understood what was expected of her. Though Stas literally saw his pet's dissatisfaction.
To appease the angered snake, Stas reinforced each such training session with a couple of mice.
The snake's appetite not only didn't weaken, it grew. For the three-meter Leviathan, small mice were already too little, so he had to take them in quantity, feeding several at a time.
However, Ordyntsev already anticipated the moment when he would have to feed the snake proper chunks of meat.
Come to think of it, what if her growth continued and even accelerated? Would Stas literally have to work to feed his pet? For example, driving whole herds of cows to a carnivorous, salivating snake.
'On the other hand, there are also benefits,' Stas involuntarily noted. Before his eyes, a vivid picture came to life.
There he stands on the head of a gigantic Leviathan, rising a couple of dozen meters up. Her thickness allows her to easily swallow a small house. Levi cheerfully crawls forward, and on her path, stones crumble, trees splinter into chips, and bridges collapse.
But Ordyntsev doesn't care. He laughs loudly and villainously, watching Sansa and Kiatto warmasters run and fall under Levi's belly.
And Levi crushes them more and more, and Stas laughs and laughs.
At that moment, Ordyntsev even wiped away a small tear that had formed from such a pleasing scene.
Having finished with Leviathan's training, Ordyntsev was switching to his own exercises.
In recent weeks, Stas had finally come to terms with his unusual prana. Yes, it still disturbed him, especially when he was closing up enough to discern the snakes, but now he could calmly look at it without losing concentration.
Having confirmed that the stage of observing prana could be considered complete, Ordyntsev went to Jishin for the next piece of information.
But before that, he updated Sumada on the situation with the forces in the palace, and who was now friend and foe.
The prince took the earthling's words stoically, only sighing deeply, and Stas thought he might have mentally counted to ten. Or maybe repeated some local counting rhyme?
"Am I right to understand that you, risking both your life and mine, brazenly managed to make all the servants of this palace, the guard, and even some higher-ranking samurai work for you?"
"Well, not all the servants, and the guard only under the command of one lieutenant, but that's all we need for our plan."
"That's all we need, you say," the prince mimicked Stas. "I'm curious, if you stayed here a bit longer, who would be the next to dance to your tune? The treasurer? Nobles or, to think big, even Nobunoro himself? The help of a daimyo's son wouldn't hurt us," Sumada joked.
"I'm not interested in power, Jishin-sama," Stas chuckled. "My passion is to learn to control prana and master the techniques associated with it. Power and ruling people, compared to the possibility of commanding the forces of the elements..." Ordyntsev barely swallowed the words 'and life and death.' "Completely loses out."
Jishin thoughtfully nodded at Ordyntsev's sincere words.
"Tell me, Shiro. Do you have a family? Relatives?" the prince unexpectedly asked a personal question.
"No, prince," Stas responded, puzzled by such a sudden shift.
"So, you're an orphan. I'm starting to understand why you're so bold and fearless. You simply have nothing to lose but your life. You don't have friends or family, colleagues from work or guild. You're an absolute orphan, and it's up to you to decide your place in this world, right?" Sumada asked insightfully.
"You're right, prince. But does it change anything?"
"No. But my father taught me not to trust people I don't understand. To me, you, Shiro, are one big mystery. Yes, I'm grateful to you, and I'll try to repay you, but your thoughts and actions are mysterious. Now I'm starting to understand you a bit better."
"May I then ask my question in return, Jishin-sama?" Stas chuckled, inadvertently breaking several local traditions. But he had already realized that the prince was quite a character himself, one who didn't particularly like to follow traditions either.
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"You may," the prince said with interest.
"What does it mean to be the second son of the head of such a great clan as Sumada?"
"What does it mean," Jishin echoed. "Such interesting questions you ask, a healer from a village. But I will still answer you. Being the second son means always showing your loyalty to your older brother. There are always those dissatisfied with the policy of the senior family. They swirl around, looking for weaknesses, so the family must be steadfast. Although my brother will become the head of the clan, in case of his death, I will inherit the title. This imposes serious responsibilities and restrictions on me."
"Is that why you didn't want to be captured?"
"Yes, with my actions I have not only brought shame to my honor but also to the honor of my brother and father. And to the entire senior family. Our opponents will not fail to take advantage of this. Right now, I am sure, my father, brother, and my whole family are very, very unhappy that I am still alive."
"But that's not fair," Stas remarked cautiously.
"And that concerns no one," the prince chuckled sadly. "The only hope is to escape using your plan. Because if, by some miracle, my father really does get me out of here, then I will have no choice but to settle scores with life to remove the dishonor from the family."
"Seppuku?" Stas found a similar term in the local language.
"No. Only samurai do that. Warmasters use poison or special techniques."
"Do I get this right?" Stas spoke slowly, feeling anger rising within him, and his face turning stone-like. "Even if we successfully escape and return to your clan, we will not be welcomed with joy?"
"You're right, healer," Sumada said with a sad smile. "Most likely, the elders and my father's opponents will start whispering among themselves that my captivity and my further life are a disgrace that will stain the entire clan."
A heavy silence hung in the air.
"So, have you already started thinking about whether you need this, healer?" the prince suddenly spoke. Stas looked intently at Jishin but saw no malice in his eyes. Rather, there was... Understanding and grim anticipation. "One thing is a prince of a great clan and quite another, almost an outcast who no one is waiting for. Have you reconsidered helping me?"
Ordyntsev did not immediately assure his interlocutor of his loyalty and honesty. The prince wouldn't have believed it. After all that was said, Jishin had already formed an opinion of him as a cunning and ruthless man.
Stas did what he did best – he began to think. About his prospects in this world and the role that a certain rebellious second son of a great clan could play in all this.
He weighed the pros and cons of leaving, then did the same regarding staying. And finally, he drew a conclusion.
"And what would you say," Stas spoke slowly, allowing Sumada to comprehend his words fully. "If I propose to silence all these dissatisfied mouths? To spit on public opinion, to forcefully break the disdain towards you? To fight fate against all odds and do everything possible to win? Will you agree to accept the help of a humble healer, who, despite anything, will help you achieve this? But this healer will expect a comparable reward for his actions."
Neither the prince nor the earthling interrupted each other's reflections.
"If this very healer is ready to go with the prince to the very end," Sumada said detachedly. "To help him win and restore his reputation, then... This prince might call this healer his friend and allow him to address him by name."
"However, the prince must be prepared for the fact that some of the ideas of the humble healer might seem immoral and against centuries-old traditions," Ordyntsev's voice became smarmy. He wasn't going to hide potential problems from Jishin. Sumada had to fully understand the consequences of his choice. "Is the prince willing to accept this healer's help in that case?"
"Willing," the prince's voice slipped with a wave of hatred. "I'm not going to lie down and die to the delight of the old farts. If the healer's actions may seem cruel... So be it. In great matters, as they say, there is no consideration for small flaws."
"Then, Jishin, I would be grateful if you tell me how to develop prana further," the earthling's eyes gleamed cunningly. "After all, isn't that what friends are for?"
"Oh, merciful kami!" the prince rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "I feel like I've made an irreparable mistake."
"Should I go back to the previous form of address?" Stas clarified.
"No," Jishin shook his head. "Sumada do not take back their words. However, still remember that I am a prince, so behave accordingly."
"Understood, Jishin," Ordyntsev smirked.
"As for your question, am I right to think that you've actually managed to feel your prana on a constant basis? Can you feel it at any moment?"
"Yes," Stas evoked the familiar sensation, examining the pulsating network of magical capillaries that appeared all over his body.
"Excellent," the prince nodded. "As I understand it, you have an abnormally high level of sensitivity to your own prana. You can see all your channels. But have you seen the prana nodes?"
"Nodes?" Stas frowned, scrutinizing his prana system. But despite all attempts to peer into the calmly flowing energy, it brought no results. At one point, he even thought that the slithering snakes were eyeing him in bewilderment.
"Stop bulging your eyes!" the prince bellowed, losing his composure and disrupting Stas's concentration. "You see prana channels not with your sight, so there's no point in trying to make your eyes pop out!"
Sumada regained his composure.
"Khm, it would've been surprising if you could've noticed them. It requires a very high level of prana control, possessed only by the best warmasters. They work towards it for decades, and it would be foolish to hope that you could do it in just a couple of weeks."
Sumada settled more comfortably on the cushion.
"Prana nodes or points are like little dams that direct your energy where it's most needed. It's through these nodes that warmasters are able to steer their prana to different parts of their body, say, muscles, and concentrate it near the skin surface."
Stas involuntarily imagined little switches in his mind that jump back and forth, constantly redirecting prana throughout his body.
"Besides controlling the life energy within your body, they are also capable of releasing it outward."
"That's how various elemental techniques are produced?"
"Absolutely right," the prince nodded. "For this, the prana points located in our limbs are best suited. They're the closest to the skin surface, so they're almost always used."
Jishin started to raise his hands to demonstrate, then winced and lowered them, seeing the shackles.
"Damn Sansa! Well, a warmaster concentrates prana in his hands, then forms the required image of the technique in his mind, follows the required gesture, and shouts the technique's name."
"And why is that last part necessary?" Stas shook his head, vividly imagining the act. "He's warning his enemies about his attack, isn't he?"
"Because if you exclude vocal concentration, then not everyone will be able to create a technique," Sumada shrugged. "Pronouncing the name of the technique helps to focus better on it. In fact, it's possible to eliminate even hand movements or different stances altogether. However, only the strongest warmasters of our time and the past are able to create techniques with sheer willpower and hurl them at their enemies in the blink of an eye."
The prince squinted, remembering.
"I heard about a warmaster from a small but old clan. He faced off against ten advanced warmasters and a couple of dozens of ordinary ones. They had to retreat hastily then. And this master didn't even move from his spot. They say fire burned around him, and the earth melted, but on that patch where he stood, green grass still grew. But of course, most warmasters can't do that, even if they live to old age."
Jishin waved his hand.
"Besides, the name of the technique is pronounced very, very quickly, and considering the speeds at which battles are fought, the words do warn, but not everyone will be able to dodge in time. For example, an ordinary person wouldn't even understand what was said if a prana-enhanced warmaster spoke quickly. To them, the words would just blur into an indistinct sound. The difference between strong and weak warmasters is just as overwhelming."
"You said shout," Stas noted an interesting point. "But what prevents pronouncing the name of the technique in a whisper? Then surely no one will hear it, and the attacker will have the advantage."
"Don't think you are the smartest, Shiro," the prince's voice easily conveyed irony. "As I already said, weak warmasters, who are not good at handling techniques, have to shout them out to make the technique work properly. Advanced warmasters can say some techniques in a whisper. They've mastered them enough over the years. But supreme warmasters have a mandatory repertoire of techniques, the knowledge of which allows them to use them without words at all."
"And the best of those warmasters can even attack instantly without any movements?" Ordyntsev summed up the lecture.
"You got it right. Now that you've mastered sensitivity to your own prana, we'll move on to the next exercise."
Stas even leaned forward slightly. At that moment, he felt like a child told that a truckload of candies had just overturned on their street.
"First, you need to learn to control prana within your own body. It's a difficult process, but everyone can master it sooner or later. Meditations will help you best with this. Embrace the prana flowing in your channels with consciousness and force it to move faster. Don't be afraid to strain with all your might. You won't be able to accelerate it enough to harm yourself anyway. When you can speed it up at least twice, come to me again. Until then, don't you dare disturb me."
"Thank you, sensei," Stas, despite the "friendly" relationship, did not neglect to bow. He felt that by making this decision, the prince had given him an immeasurably large credit of trust for this world. Such things were not taught to recent acquaintances.
It became clear just how desperate this young man was if he was ready to take such crazy steps.
And the funniest thing was that even though Stas Ordyntsev could not be called a good person, in this particular case, he really did intend to help.
Whether he was doing it for profit or by the dictates of his soul, everyone can decide for themselves.
The main thing was that Jishin Sumada was no longer alone. Behind him, a dark and cruel shadow emerged, one that, for the sake of knowledge and survival, was ready to go very, very far.
Author's note: yes, some readers don't like characters shouting out spells, techniques, etc. However, this is just one of the ways to shape mana in fantasy. Plus, it's a great way to find out how strong and experienced a warmaster is. And as we can see, the fact that someone voiced the technique's name doesn't help their opponents much in a real battle.