As they approached the dark, unlit section of the estate's wall, the tension in the air was palpable. Shikihime's voice broke the silence, her tone resolute. "Minato, will you manage to slip the boy in unnoticed?"

Minato, ever the professional, responded with a quiet confidence. "Your will shall be done, my lady," he assured her, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of unwanted attention.

Their ascent over the wall was a quiet affair, each move calculated and precise. They were like shadows, blending into the darkness of the night. However, upon their return, they were met with a storm in the form of Kage's fury.

Kage's voice was sharp, her anger evident. "This isn't a charity, Shikihime! We can't save every child we come across." Her gaze then turned to Mai, her words laced with disappointment. "You accompanied her on this mission and didn't even think to stop her from making such a reckless decision? If this continues, you'll follow her orders blindly, even if it leads to her doom. You're supposed to protect her, even from herself!"

Shikihime, though understanding Kage's concerns, stood her ground. "That's enough, Kage," she said firmly, her authority clear in her tone.

But Kage, driven by her duty to protect, was not easily silenced. "No, it's not enough," she countered, her voice rising. "This could bring us a lot of trouble. I assume you plan to release the girl eventually, right? She can speak. Are you planning to silence her to keep our secrets? Why did you take this risk, Shikihime?" Her eyes searched Shikihime's for an answer, reflecting a mix of frustration and concern.

Shikihime, taking command of the situation, swiftly directed her attendants. "Mai, brief Yoru on our night's adventure. Sora, start treating the girl right away. And Kage, I know you're worried, but I need your support now more than ever. We have to concoct a convincing story for this girl's presence."

Mai, quick to act, relayed the details of their escapade to Yoru with precision. Kage, despite her reservations, offered a suggestion. "We could claim we found her near the servant's gate. It's not the strongest story, but it might just work."

"That might be our best bet for now," Sora agreed, already assuming responsibility for the girl's care. "I'll take her to my room and look after her there."

Kage nodded, acknowledging the plan's feasibility. "Alright, let's go with that story."

Determined to tie up all loose ends, Shikihime made her next move. "I'll go inform Torsten myself. It'll keep him preoccupied for a bit." She then looked at Akalune, Minato, and Mai. "You three, come with me. Mai," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye, "make sure to give Torsten a flirtatious blink or two. It might just distract him enough, considering how much he's been looking your way."

As they made their way to Torsten's chambers, Shikihime and her attendants encountered an unexpected obstacle. In the dimly lit corridor, a guard swayed unsteadily on his feet. As they approached, the guard, recognizing the presence of royalty, attempted to stand to attention. However, his inebriated state betrayed him, causing him to lose his balance and tumble to the ground with a heavy thud.

Shikihime paused, a mixture of concern and amusement on her face. "Isn't that Gunhild?" she inquired, her voice tinged with surprise. Akalune nodded in agreement, noting the guard's drunken state. The encounter with the tipsy Gunhild was an odd juxtaposition to the seriousness of their mission, and they quickly moved on, leaving the guard in his stupor.

They proceeded to the next room, only to find themselves engulfed in darkness. "It seems Gunhild's been here too," Shikihime remarked dryly, navigating cautiously through the pitch-black room. She surmised that in his drunken endeavor to steady himself, Gunhild must have accidentally destroyed the torches and candles, leaving a trail of darkness in his wake.

Mai, following closely behind, listened as Shikihime contemplated aloud, "He probably leaned on the walls for support and knocked down the lights." Shikihime then turned to Mai, instructing her with a tone of mild exasperation, "Inform Kage and the others to be wary of these 'dark zones' Gunhild has inadvertently created. We wouldn't want any more accidents tonight."

As they navigated the darkened corridors, the group adjusted to the unexpected absence of light. Shikihime, leading the way with a sense of purpose, couldn't help but ponder the situation. "It's quite a scene, isn't it? A guard, completely inebriated, disrupting the estate's order," she mused, her voice echoing slightly in the dimly lit hallway.

Akalune, following closely, nodded in agreement. "It's unusual for Gunhild to lose control like this. He's always been disciplined."

Mai, who was part of the group, remembered Shikihime's earlier tease and couldn't suppress a grin. She was already planning how to playfully engage Torsten, perhaps with a sly wink or a coy smile.

As they continued towards Torsten's chambers, Shikihime addressed Mai once more. "Mai, once we're done with Torsten, make sure to pass on the message to Kage and the others. We need to be more vigilant during the night, especially with guards like Gunhild around."

Mai nodded, acknowledging the instruction. "Understood, my lady. I'll make sure everyone's aware."

Mai's insistent knocking on Torsten's door was met with silence. With a shrug, she looked towards Shikihime, suggesting that perhaps he wasn't there. Curiosity piqued, Shikihime approached and gently pushed the door open. It swung ajar, revealing a disheveled and undressed Torsten, deeply asleep and emanating a strong smell of alcohol.

As they entered, Mai's eyes grew wide at the sight, and she couldn't help but comment playfully, "Well, well... he's really let loose tonight, hasn't he?"

Shikihime, seizing the opportunity for some light-hearted banter, teased Mai, "Be careful around him, Mai. He seems like he might be a handful."

Mai, a bit flustered and annoyed by the joke, tried to wake Torsten with a firm slap. He stirred slightly, groggily recognizing Shikihime's presence. Attempting to rise, he clumsily tumbled to the floor, his words slurred and barely coherent.

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"Yes, my lady, just a moment... I'll be right with you," he mumbled, struggling to orient himself.

"I'm already here, Torsten," Shikihime said, a hint of amusement in her voice despite the situation.

Torsten's attempt to speak with any semblance of dignity resulted in a slurred, "How can me hlp y, darling," which only added to the absurdity of the moment.

Minato, witnessing Torsten's disrespectful state, acted impulsively. He stepped forward, his voice stern and disapproving, "How dare you speak to your lady in such a manner!" With a swift motion, he kicked Torsten, sending him back to the ground. The attendant lay there, unconscious once again.

Shikihime frowned at Minato's action, "That was unnecessary, Minato. He's clearly not in a state to understand or respond properly."

Akalune, always quick to think on her feet, saw an opportunity in the chaotic scene. "Let's just say he agreed to everything and was the one who brought the child here. He's not going to remember a thing."

Shikihime paused for a moment, contemplating the suggestion. "That's a clever solution, Akalune," she said, acknowledging the quick thinking. "We can work with that narrative. It'll cover our tracks and keep the situation under control."

With a plan hastily concocted, they retreated from Torsten's chambers, leaving him in his slumber. As they made their way back, the night's escapade left them with a mixture of concern and relief, knowing they had narrowly averted a potential crisis.

As they approached the estate, an unsettling realization dawned upon them. The entire place was enveloped in darkness, a stark contrast to the usual well-lit paths and rooms. It was as if someone had intentionally plunged their safe haven into an abyss of shadows.

"Something's not right," Akalune murmured, her voice low but laced with tension. She instinctively reached for her weapon, her senses heightened by the unusual environment.

Mai, equally alert, positioned herself closer to Shikihime, her eyes scanning the darkness. "It looks like someone's been meddling with the lights. This could be a trap," she whispered, her protective instincts kicking in.

Shikihime, feeling a mix of apprehension and resolve, nodded silently. She trusted her team's judgment and shared their concern. "We need to be extra careful," she said. "Let's proceed with caution and stick together."

Minato, usually stoic, showed a hint of unease. "I'll take the lead," he offered, ready to confront any danger head-on to protect his charge.

As they cautiously progressed, Shikihime moved with a stealth that belied her noble upbringing. She glided through the dark, her steps so light and hushed that she seemed more like a shadow than a person. Her acute awareness of their surroundings was evident in every move she made.

Approaching a corridor that offered the shortest path to their destination, they encountered an unexpected obstacle. The floor beneath them was slick, an unusual wetness that instantly raised alarms.

Akalune, ever vigilant, crouched down to inspect the substance. She delicately ran her gloved fingers over the slick surface, analyzing its nature with a practiced touch. "It's oil," she whispered back, her voice barely audible. "Be careful, it's slippery."

The revelation of the oiled floor heightened the tension among the group. It was a clear sign that someone had deliberately sabotaged the estate, turning their familiar surroundings into a potential trap. This wasn't just an act of vandalism; it was a calculated move to catch them off guard.

In the suffocating blackness that enveloped them, Shikihime's mind worked swiftly, piecing together the clues of their precarious situation. Her instincts told her that the darkness and the slick oil were more than mere happenstance; they were part of a calculated plan to ensnare them.

With a swift, decisive motion, Shikihime drew her dagger and sliced a small section of her garment. The fabric fell away silently, a minor sacrifice in the grand scheme of things, but a necessary one. She needed to be unencumbered, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Meanwhile, Mai, alert and watchful, scanned the impenetrable darkness. Sensing the need for a tactical advantage, she initiated a silent switch with Shikihime. The two women exchanged places, a move designed to confuse any would-be attackers lurking in the shadows. Shikihime now stood where Mai had been, her hand gripping the hilt of her dagger with a calm resolve.

This switch was more than just a physical repositioning; it was a testament to the trust and understanding that had grown between them. Mai, in taking the position of her mistress, symbolically put herself in harm's way, ready to shield Shikihime from any danger.

Their group, despite the engulfing darkness, moved with an eerie synchronicity. They navigated the oil-slicked corridor with the precision of those accustomed to working in unison, undeterred by the absence of light. Each step was measured, each breath controlled, as they prepared to face whatever threat awaited them in the heart of the darkness.

Interlude: Kaito's Dilemma

In the heart of Kurayami Dynasty's intricate web of intelligence, Kaito, the head of the house, sat in his dimly lit study, his face a mask of stoic contemplation. A subordinate, a young but sharp intelligence officer, stood across from him, nervously clutching a sheaf of papers.

"Lord Kaito, the latest report on the assassination attempt on Lady Tomoe," the subordinate began, hesitantly handing over the documents.

Kaito's eyes scanned the report meticulously. It detailed the events of the attack on Shikihime's estate, the movements of the assassins, and most importantly, the trail of the mastermind behind it. His brows furrowed as he read, the lines on his face deepening with concern.

"The trail leads to the castle of General Nightblack," the subordinate added, breaking the silence. "Our agents couldn't infiltrate further. It's heavily guarded, and his gift..."

Kaito nodded, his thoughts drifting to General Nightblack - a formidable adversary known for his ruthless tactics and a gift that made him almost untouchable. "A dangerous man in a dangerous time," Kaito murmured. "And now he's possibly linked to the attempt on my daughter's life."

He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The implications were grave. An attack of this magnitude, possibly linked to a high-ranking military official, hinted at a deeper conspiracy. It wasn't just an assassination attempt; it was a move in a larger, more sinister game.

"Send a coded message to my son. He needs to be on high alert," Kaito instructed, his voice laced with urgency. "And draft a warning to Tomoe. She must know the potential threat from General Nightblack."

The subordinate nodded, scribbling down the instructions. Kaito's gaze lingered on a map of the realm, his fingers tracing the lines that marked territories and allegiances. The delicate balance of power was shifting, and he needed to anticipate the next move.

"And recall my son," Kaito added after a pause. "It's time to gather our forces. The Abyss fleet may soon be called upon."

The young officer looked up, surprise evident in his eyes. The Abyss fleet, the dynasty's hidden ace, was a symbol of their strength, a force that had been dormant for years. Its mobilization signified a shift towards open confrontation.

"Is war imminent, my lord?" the subordinate asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice.

Kaito's gaze was fixed on the horizon through the window. "Not yet. But the winds are changing. We must be prepared for the storm that's brewing."

As the subordinate left to carry out his orders, Kaito remained in his study, lost in thought. He reflected on the journey his daughter had embarked upon, the dangers she faced in a foreign land. The weight of his responsibility as the head of the house weighed heavily on him. He had to protect his family, his dynasty, at all costs.

He stood up and walked over to the window, looking out into the night. The stars were obscured by clouds, and a chill wind whispered of coming challenges. Kaito knew that the path ahead would be fraught with peril.

Closing his eyes, he made a silent vow. He would do whatever it took to safeguard his family and their legacy.

The night deepened around him, but Kaito remained a solitary figure against the darkness, a sentinel watching over his realm, ready to act when the time came. The future was uncertain, but he was resolute. The Kurayami Dynasty would weather any storm, no matter how fierce.