"Wow, it's huge!" Kaede murmured in astonishment, observing the sprawling camp of the united armies of the west, east, and south. It resembled an enormous, lying beast that breathed rhythmically, sending up streams of black smoke from numerous fires and filling the surroundings with the clanging of dozens of mobile forges. The people bustling among the tents-intestines seemed like blood flowing through veins.
Despite Stas and his companions standing on a relatively high hill and a part of the tents being located in a small valley, they still couldn't see the beginning or end of this encampment.
Moreover, the visible size of the camp was by no means the limit. Caravans with food and new recruits continuously streamed towards it.
Besides samurai and warmasters, there was also a large staff of servants who needed something to eat and somewhere to live.
Indeed, the army assembled here consisted almost exclusively of prana users.
It wasn't due to some sentimental folly or a desire to save ordinary people. Simply put, in the scale of the upcoming war, regular warriors could do little.
In theory, they could have clashed with countless hordes of tainted peasants, but... Even so, the proficiency of the commoners in military drills was woefully inadequate.
This world inherently had too diverse and numerous a "magical community" to allow ordinary people a chance to evolve into anything remotely serious.
Why invent phalanxes, spear walls, cheap armor, or firearms when a supreme warmaster could destroy such armies with a snap of their fingers?
In fact, there was no need to mention supremes, for even an ordinary warmaster already posed a threat to a couple of dozen fighters.
That's why, right now, only warriors capable of using prana were gathering here. On the other hand, considering how much food and supplies they required, the army still included many laborers. After all, warmasters and samurai ate as much as several ordinary people.
In total, the number of prana wielders had already approached twenty thousand, and it continued to grow.
Just as the daimyo offered lucrative contracts for the smaller countries, Sumada and Mizuno encouraged the smaller warmaster clans.
Traveling across the country, Stas personally heard heralds proclaiming the inevitable glory and riches that awaited those who joined the united army of warmasters.
Watching the proceedings, Ordyntsev felt satisfaction. He was glad that the inhabitants of this world were sensible and experienced enough to negotiate and organize an army against the "forces of evil."
It would have been very disheartening if convincing the daimyo had required assembling an international council, capturing chaos servants, and then displaying them shackled to the skeptical rulers.
As they say, what could possibly go wrong if all the leaders of the nearby countries, who couldn't stand each other, were gathered in one place?
Besides, it's not like yokai, onmyoji, or dragons stayed on the sidelines.
They, too, became part of this gigantic camp, though they were assigned locations on the periphery, which generally matched their preferences.
For instance, in their arrogance, the dragons didn't even want to breathe the same air as the humans. Food and supplies were delivered a few hundred meters from their encampment, where they collected them.
In the case of the yokai, there was another reason. Most spirits regarded humans more as toys and sources of entertainment. The other part, especially the ancient and evil ones, might even consider them as food.
The onmyoji requested to set up their camp between the rest of the troops and the yokai, so they could rein in any spirits that went mad if necessary. The command accommodated this request. After all, the warmasters and samurai didn't trust the yokai, regardless of what was said about them. In contrast, onmyoji were still humans, albeit with their quirks.
Jishin was not in the camp; he was still at the Citadel. So, Stas decided that one of the many Sumada encampments could certainly accommodate him and his companions.
However, as soon as they settled, an unexpected meeting occurred.
Katsuya decided to follow Stas and Kaede. She demonstratively ignored Minoru, and the latter didn't rush to start a conversation.
But as it turned out, there was someone else who wanted to talk to the Kumo.
"Katsuya, I'm so glad you're okay!" Hearing the lively conversation, Stas emerged from his tent and saw a touching reunion between Ketsumi and Kansei.
An unattractive, chubby merchant and a deadly beautiful spider woman - their union looked incredibly unnatural, but they didn't care.
Holding hands, they were completely lost in their feelings, lovingly gazing into each other's eyes.
"Why haven't you been around for so long?" Kansei lamented, examining Ketsumi as if afraid to see that she had been harmed. "After you warned me about the chaos servants and when they almost caught me..."
"What?!" the yokai snapped out of her reverie, now scrutinizing the man, trying to ensure he was unharmed. "What happened?"
"As you instructed, I left that city, but I was unlucky enough to encounter them in a completely different place..."
"Hey, Kansei," Stas's voice interrupted the merchant's tale and drew his attention to the earthling emerging from the tent.
"Oh, Shiro, you're here too? Glad to see you're in good health. I've heard you've been quite occupied. Stories of your exploits at Mizuno reached even my humble ears."
"Yeah, things happen," Stas grimaced but quickly overcame his irritation. "Glad to see that this mad world hasn't affected you. If there's something constant in this world, it's you, my friend."
"Your sweet words bring a true relief to my troubled heart," the Sly smiled. "I see you have a certain request for me, as always?"
"You're as attentive as ever, but I won't distract you," Stas smiled, nodding towards an unhappy Ketsumi. "Come by later. We'll be here for a while, and I would prefer to pass this time comfortably."
"I understand you perfectly. After losing my last cart, I had to struggle quite a bit to find a replacement. So, where was I?" the merchant continued, turning to the spider woman. "The chaos servants almost caught me, but Sly Kansei isn't so easily captured!"
Ordyntsev shook his head, leaving them alone.
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As for the long stay, he hadn't lied. Fortunately, they could afford to spend the time gathering as many troops as possible.
As it turned out, Stas's actions had led to the collapse of that part of the chaos plan that involved the southern lands.
Listening to Kaede, comparing rumors, and pondering the information received, Stas concluded that those who had planned the campaign against this world were clearly not prepared for his scanning technique.
More specifically, for its high quality. Yokai could detect chaos but only from a certain level of strength, which allowed warlocks to feel safe, but now this loophole was eliminated.
According to the plan, while the forces of chaos destroyed dragons and yokai, simultaneously trying to pit them against each other, the same was to be done by agents among the Sumada and Mizuno. Thus, when chaos finally reached these lands, it would encounter only the warring remnants of the great clans. From there, it would be a mere technicality to finish what had started.
But, due to the rapid cleansing, the southern countries had a chance to preserve their forces and prepare for the future invasion while the chaos servants recovered from the two previous campaigns.
Curiously, in the second week of their stay in this place, the camp was shaken by fresh news.
A diverse crowd gathered to watch the newcomers. The rich, heavy armor of samurai and the lighter, more garishly decorated, and tasteless attire of warmasters were visible. There were even yokai and onmyoji, who prudently kept their distance from each other.
All of them watched with great interest the procession of cleanly shaven people, their bald heads gleaming in the sun, dressed in spacious multicolored robes.
Some of them carried heavy steel staves, while others constantly fiddled with large wooden prayer beads.
The reclusive monks, who rarely interacted with the world, had decided to leave their monasteries to take part in defending this world.
Standing among other spectators, Stas watched the monks with considerable curiosity.
In all the years he had spent in this place, he hadn't learned much about what was perhaps the most mysterious group of sentient beings.
In terms of structure, they somewhat resembled onmyoji. But while the latter used spiritual energy to convey their wishes to the world, monks somehow connected to this planet directly.
The similarity was that while the world openly disliked warmasters, it was indifferent to onmyoji and favored the monks.
And if one were to continue the logical chain, it was easy to understand that the power used by the monks was precisely that deadly natural energy.
Spending months and years in meditation, monks somehow convinced the surrounding world that they were not its enemies, which gave them access to an infinite source of power.
However, they used this energy only for a few things. Monks were known for their healing powers, which made them revered, and their services were often used by nobles and samurai. Moreover, like onmyoji, monks occasionally traveled, healing and helping everyone they met along the way.
But one shouldn't think that monks were completely defenseless.
The natural energy passing through their bodies, though not making them equal to warmasters, helped them rise far above human limits.
Ordinary people certainly couldn't carry those steel staves for long, let alone wield them in battle.
And as much as Stas was interested in the principles of monk magic, he understood perfectly well that this path was a dead end.
Too many restrictions and requirements were imposed by the world on those who took power from it.
Should a monk start to "sin" by forsaking his vows, the natural energy would instantly lose its harmlessness, killing the renegade. A sort of voluntary leash that one places upon oneself.
Nearby samurai were happily sharing their thoughts. The surrounding people considered the arrival of the monks a good omen.
One thing could be said for certain. If even these bald fellows had joined the fray, a truly fierce battle lay ahead.
*****
"Welcome, my friend," without standing up, Katashi raised his hand in greeting as Ordyntsev entered. "I haven't distracted you from anything important, have I?"
The head of the Mizuno clan had decided to be the first to visit the combined forces. And among his first orders was to send for Stas, inviting him for a meeting.
And whatever the relationship between them, ignoring a meeting request from such a person would be the height of foolishness.
"Not at all, esteemed clan head," Stas politely nodded as he entered the tent. "Any of my affairs hold little weight in comparison to meeting with you."
"What are you talking about?" Katashi frowned. "I told you to call me by my name; we're friends now!"
"Sorry, Katashi," Stas smirked slyly. "The desires and motives of the powerful change so often that sometimes it's better to be cautious."
"As if I believed you, Serpent," Katashi chuckled, settling more comfortably on his pile of cushions. "Sit down, some tea? Or would you like to eat?"
"No, no, I'm full," the earthling shook his head, obediently sitting down opposite the head of the water clan. "As for business, I've almost figured out why the chaos servants can use such an amount of chaos."
"I still can't fully grasp what exactly we're up against," Katashi shared after a brief silence. "And the fact that such invasions have been repeatedly happening blows my mind."
"The most interesting thing is that there has never been such a quantity and quality of warlocks before," Ordyntsev began to explain enthusiastically. He had spent a lot of time solving this puzzle and now wanted to share what he had learned.
"Because previously everything happened according to a single scenario, which this time did not occur. Chaos simply couldn't sustain such a number of warlocks without an archdemon. And if an archdemon had appeared, such a number of magic-wielding demon worshippers would be unnecessary. No matter how strong they are individually, together, they represent a formidable force that not even an archdemon would dismiss lightly! And since their minds are influenced more weakly to avoid a decline in their strength, their loyalty is very shaky."
Katashi, who had been listening intently, nodded in agreement with Stas's thoughts.
"But I won't tire you with theoretical musings, Katashi. You called me for something specific?"
"Straight to business?" Katashi chuckled. "Alright, let's do that. I'm quite concerned about our new allies."
"Dragons and yokai."
"Yes. Especially since I know nothing about them," Katashi noted discontentedly. "I'd be grateful if you told me what to expect from them and what they want."
"Hmm, alright," Stas slowly agreed. "As a friend," he emphasized the last word. "I'll tell you."
The warmaster simply nodded, ready to listen.
"Dragons' demeanor, as far as I understand, stems from their own longevity. Their elders are clearly over several centuries old. I'd even say their age is counted in thousands. Considering the lifespan of humans, we are nothing more than ants to them."
Katashi snorted disdainfully, expressing his view on the matter.
"The situation is complicated by the fact that dragons apparently once ruled over mankind in ancient times. And they quite remember those days. Some of them wouldn't mind bringing them back at all. Of course, among them, there are reasonable peo... Heh, reasonable sentient ones. But there aren't many of them. Fortunately, there are enough to offset the radicals. Therefore, I would suggest limiting contact with them. Too risky. Better to return to this after the war with chaos."
"I see. Thank you, Shiro. This is very valuable information. I was told there might be difficulties, but I didn't know their scale," Katashi shook his head in astonishment. "And what about the yokai? It seems the kitsune have once again driven several warmasters and a whole host of servants to their wit's end by secretly dyeing all their belongings. Now, their clan's emblems are not red, but dirty black. Quite a nasty color they've made."
"Yokai," Stas drawled, choosing his words carefully. "As you know, yokai are not born in the usual sense of the word. They emerge from a great amount of intense emotions. Often from the most negative ones, as they are the strongest. Of course, yokai are sometimes born in theaters and even temples. But that's rare."
In the distance, something thumped, and cursing was heard.
"Nevertheless, the way they emerge explains why their personalities, even despite quite impressive age, can be very chaotic and unstable. Yokai are creatures of emotion, and because of this, they, too, are very emotional. I would advise treating them impartially. Do not provoke them needlessly, but also do not let them get away with too much. Do not indulge them, and keep your distance."
"Once again, I realize that Jishin doesn't understand his luck," Katashi chuckled. "Listen, why don't you join my clan? Although, considering upcoming events, it's not that important."
"You mean the war with chaos?"
"If only," Katashi grumbled, involuntarily piquing Ordyntsev's interest.
"After hearing that, I won't rest until you tell me everything," Stas narrowed his eyes.
"Ah, Jishin has proposed a marriage with his sister to me. Damn, I'm still too young for that!"
"Actually," Stas corrected reflexively, pondering what he had heard. "Usually engagements are made even in..."
"I know, I know. Aoi has been buzzing my ears off," Katashi waved dismissively. "Just tell me about her. What does she like or dislike? Demons, this is even harder than clan politics!"
Ordyntsev suppressed a smirk.
Now, the reason for the earthling's summons became clear.
All these talks about dragons and yokai were just a diversion from the real question that interested Katashi the most!
It turns out, the powerful and influential head of the Great Clan was simply afraid of getting married, so he was trying to find out as much as possible about his betrothed through roundabout ways.
"Well, what can I say," Ordyntsev hid another treacherous smile. "I myself haven't met her that often. And it was a long time ago. But I can tell you now that she's quite a calm girl..."