The bigwigs at the war meeting were no longer willing to lounge around in Kagatsean's resplendent palace. At this point, their abodes were the most blessed sanctuary of all. Still, not everyone shared this sentiment. The scientist's statement earlier resonated with unassailable veracity, notwithstanding the ebbing tide of his sanity. On that very day, Taro had already mustered an additional platoon of soldiers to bring home as escorts.
"I deeply regret for I have brought danger to my castle and endangered you all," the blind shogun, accompanied by her soldiers—even the three war room automatons—bowed before the representatives of Tamoanchan, Alicia, and Wisesa. "I humbly apologise for the lapse in security and the menace to the safety of our esteemed guests, especially since you are honoured guests from beyond the land. It is my duty as shogun to ensure the sanctity of this castle, and I have failed in that regard. I bear this responsibility and understand the gravity of my actions."
The foreigners returned the gesture of honour—Wisesa and Nenexoch abstained, exchanging quizzical glances and shrugs. No one seemed to notice their movements anyway.
A gravelly voice then came from the bowing Tamoanchanese Elder, "Your Imperial Highness the Shogun, your words bespeak your honour and humility. We understand the unexpected presence of these assailants. Our country has experienced it before; every country in the world of thaumaturgy confronts the same threat. We will combat this impediment together."
"I will apportion a portion of my fortune to you as compensation. An army platoon will be sent also to your enclave should you need it. I solemnly swear this incident shall never recur. Not as long as I draw breath," declared the shogun before she and her entourage withdrew into an adjoining chamber.
As the guests of honour exited the colossal doors and descended the staircase, the elder stopped and fixed his gaze upon Alicia and Wisesa. "The Arcane wielder and the one chosen by Tlaltecuhtli. You are two courageous youths destined for greatness. I think at this moment we dare say how lucky we are to have such help." The elder placed a hand on his chest. "I am Cipac, the elder guiding the Tamoanchanese community in Kagatse. I understand you are now sheltered in our enclave. Join us as we return home via sphereship."
"Thank you for the compliment and the ride," Alicia replied, inclining her head.
"But if you don't mind, allow me a moment for a smoke," the old man was already packing a snake-shaped ceramic pipe with tobacco and mashed morning glory, "I'm not sure I can endure the chaos of recent years without the solace of tobacco."
"Damn, on second thought, I want to smoke too," Wisesa, too, produced a horse horn pipe from his pocket. The swearing, unfortunately, did not sit well with the elder's two youthful bodyguards.
"While you may be blessed by the Earth Monster, you should watch your mouth when talking to the Elder!" came Nenexoch's cold rebuke.
But he did not know the blangkon-sported lad's indifference. "Unfortunately where I come from that's the way to express familiarity," Wisesa replied.
Nenexoch giggled in derision. "Then the custom in your homeland describes savages. Where are you from?"
"From the jungle."
"No wonder."
"The one still basking in the sunlight."
Nenexoch's eyes bulged, his hand no longer hovering over the spear but gesturing towards the xiuhcoatl coiled around his neck.
"Peace, Nenexoch!" Elder Cipac reprimanded. "Do not create enemies out of people who are not enemies!"
Catching a glimpse of his leader, Nenexoch lowered his hands while muttering words in his native tongue. His murmuring persisted as he cast a more venomous glance at Wisesa before proceeding towards the sphereship.
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"Have a drag with me," the elder invited Wisesa. "Perhaps you'd like to try a concoction from Tamoanchan?"
"Don't mind if I do, then!" A spark of anticipation crossed Wisesa's face before dissipating somewhere discreet with the elder. The men and their fun.
Only the women remained gawking at the two men coming down the stairs and talking about cigarettes. "I guess your friend truly lacks respect for anyone. I pity you," remarked one of the onlookers, Izel.
Alicia's eyebrows arched at that. "No need. Ye ken that's just his way of socialising.”
Choosing to head towards the sphereship, Alicia and Izel made their path during which the former's attention was captured by some imperceptible force, causing her to fixate on a pair of luminous yellow eyes belonging to the ashen-face individual. Harada of the Itto clan, deliberating amidst a gathering of his subordinates. A malaise ran through the lass' nape. Though her little heart urged her to avert her gaze, the daimyo's tiger eyes held an arresting presence too conspicuous to ignore. They beckoned to her, with a faint smile that spoke of suspicion, or a desire to lean nearer, yet shrouded in certain coyness.
Only when the bump between Alicia's body and the Minister of Defence's became airborne did the communication sever.
"Watch where you're going, Miss!" scolded Taro.
Alicia gasped and stepped back. "Ah! S-sorry, Lord Minister!" she pleaded, bowing. Another gander was given to Harada, but cancelled due to him being missing behind the carriage’s sliding door. "It was my fault for daydreaming."
The sparse-haired man sighed. "Was it the battle earlier?"
A nod was offered for a lie.
"Did you go into shock?"
"F-fortunately not, Lord Minister."
Taro gave a likewise nod. "Never mind. I'd probably be lost in thought too if I were in your shoes. Too long, perhaps."
"I regret that they intended to destroy you and the scientist earlier."
"Five years of consistently battling strange creatures have wearied me, you know?” Taro admitted. “Warring against humans may seem more bearable because at least we know our enemy's character. We know what their principles are, what they stand for."
"I dinnae think the war against humans is as easy, sir."
"True, but that's not what I meant. These creatures have no principles other than to play us for prey and entertainment, more so than barbarians. Technically, we are more intelligent than them, yet they are always one step ahead. It's as if they want to make losing people and weeping commonplace, but you know humans can never get used to that kind of suffering." his voice then became faint. "Not to mention there are people who want it to continue. The same bunch of wretches! Everyone is tired. People like that are deserving of destruction."
Alicia stayed silent.
"Arcane here might not be the ultimate weapon we want most," Taro added. "However, Arcane... is one of the strongest forces, and we need all the help we can get. We appreciate you volunteering to help us. My only advice: don't get too familiar. I trust my scientists' word: the mastermind of all this iniquity is among us. Put your power in the wrong hands, and all of our history is ruined."
"I understand, Mister Taro." There was a moment's pause, and Alicia opened her voice again. "If I may ask. Who do you suspect of all this?"
Taro wagged his finger to bring Alicia's head closer. "At this point? Anyone!" he whispered "Even the shogun. It's even easier to accuse those with a religious background."
"Because they said something that sounded like 'May we all become gods'?" Alicia's heart felt heavy just for uttering those words.
"You know a thing or two about Rikaiha, don't you?”
"Mister Henge once explained its connection to the mystical art of Ninshu to me.”
"Rikaiha emphasises deepening oneself with various deeds to rise to the level of the 'Enlightened One'. Those damned secret societies twist the core teachings to suit their perceptions. The fanatics on the streets of the Lower City are an example. They say the mujinos are the embodiment of the enlightened ones, and call for us to receive them with our bare hands. Why do Domen and the shogun still insist those fanatics are harmless? Nonsense!" The minister's spittle shook the ground after that.
"Mister Domen himself..., is the chief priest of Rikaiha, isn't he?"
"As I said, I suspect everyone. Domen is probably the most virtuous as well as the most ignorant among the Kagatsean bigwigs." When the minister's Fame Box carriage opened, Taro began to climb the steps one by one. "He may be the advisor and moral counterweight needed for any military proposal I come up with, but he is not an exception. Don't trust anyone by what you can see. Sometimes, the evilest is the most benevolent, while the wisest are the most unhinged."
A somewhat contradictory and confusing allusion, in Alicia’s opinion, but at least she grasped the minister's underlying message.
The minister's chariot engine began to rumble and with a foot on the gas, the Fame Box travelled down the twists and turns of the mountain road outside the gate, followed by several army chariots in its wake. One by one the chariots disappeared, leaving only the sphereship and Izel who waved at Alicia to hurry up and board. []