The time is about noon when the sun is high above the carriage I was in.

“Wow is that Iga castle?” I yell in amazement since I have finally arrived at the destination where I will begin my job

“ That’s right Silvi-nee. That is where you will be sleeping, eating and learning. To sum it all up welcome to your new home” Sayo says looking very happy now that we have finally arrived.

“We were either both lucky and unlucky right now. Luckily we have not encountered another bandit group, but unlucky because we got attacked last night. Good thing we had a healer in the group or else we may have lost 3 people.” Saya says with a complex look on her face

Sayo went in front of Saya and pinches her cheeks.

“Stop having such looks on your face. You’re ruining the mood for our new sister.” Sayo exclaims

“OW OW OW… Let GO!” shouts Saya removing Sayo’s hands from her face

“Sorry Silvi-nee… It’s just that getting attacked once will get be thinking about what would’ve went wrong yesterday even though it already passed” Saya says while rubbing her red cheeks

“It’s alright because last night’s attack got me thinking about it as well. I never got a chance to help all of you out and would only get in the way if I were to try. It really got me thinking about getting stronger and leveling up so I can help out.” I said with a smile

“Well let’s just move on. So we will have to meet with our father and mother after arriving and they will decide what you will do while in the castle” Sayo says

“we’re almost at the town our castle is responsible for” Saya adds

The carriage enters the town and heads closer to the castle gates. The town was fairly large, almost big enough for a city given about 10-20 more years. As I look out of the window I saw several people looking towards me and wave. From the look of the town it looked fairly wealthy and the citizens living there are very happy playing around and working. As the carriage approach the gates the guards asks for identification but let us through after seeing both Saya and Sayo poking their heads out to greet him. As the carriage pass the outer gate towards the inner gate I start to look around and notice another carriage going pass us towards the outer gate and inside were people who wore rich clothing. The carriage stops at the inner gate and we leave the room.

“Take the injured to the medical bay immediately!” Commands Saya

“Ma’am!” The guards yell

“Let’s go inside and meet with father and mother so we can decide your fate in this castle.” Sayo says

“Lead the way” I say and then take a big breath to calm my nerves

We walk up a few stairs and through hallways towards the top of the building where the daimyo and his wife are waiting. We reach the room and enter after Saya says if we can go in. She was answered with a yes.

As we enter the room I saw my adoptive father and mother. I feel very nervous and decided to just to smile and be cool. Talk with manners and respect since he is a lord.

“Welcome Silvia-dono, To the castle where you will be training and working. My name is Iga Gin and it is a pleasure to be working with you as your employer and now as your father” says Gin introducing himself

My first impression of the lord name Iga Gin was that he had a face of a warrior who went through many battles but, still his face was that of a noble where when you remove the scares he would be a pretty boy. His body is not buff with a lot of muscles but he is cut like someone who does not rely on strength but on speed and precision.  The air around him right now is friendly and noble.

“Thank you father, it is a pleasure to be helpful since I just started.”  I reply with the best smile I can make

“I have heard you are a fast learner in techniques and movement from my girls. You have learned what most people had to learn in about 3 months in about 2 days which is amazing.” Gin phrases

“It was only natural since I did have amazing teachers” I say while looking at Sayo and Saya  and then nodding

“Well I don’t know about Sayo but Saya I know is a good teacher” Gin laughs, but then stops and looks at me with serious eyes making me stiffen up

“Let me ask you again. Are you sure you want to sign the contract because there are dangers associated with this job since you will be officially with the Iga clan” Gin asks with a serious face and tone

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“I have already said I will take the contract with the girls and I do not want to go back on my word” I answer with a confidant smile and I think he can see it in my eyes as well

“I see well with that said the contract cannot be broken by themselves unless agreed upon my both me and my wife” Gin says with a big smile while holding out his hand for a handshake

I got up from my sitting position to take his hand but then I realised that my mother to be will not in the room. Both Saya and Sayo cheers. I start moving my pupils around to see if she was somewhere far away but the four of us where the only ones in the room.

My in-game father notices my eyes and guessed what I was trying to accomplish because he says

“My wife is not here at the moment because something big came up that caught her attention a few minutes before you entered the castle”

“Was it connected with those people with fine clothing that was in the carriage heading out?” I ask

“Good eyes! And yes it is connected but it also connects with those bandits that attacked your convoy last night” he answers

“What do you mean father? Are you saying that it was not a random attack by bandits who were after our goods?” Saya questions

“Those people who were just here came from Kyoto as messengers. It seems like a rebel army lead by a very strong general from a fallen clan. Basically an army of ronins… a very dangerous one too, because the general is none other than General Ryuuta of the fallen Hibi clan.” Gin says while looking down

“Ryuuta of the spear! Are you saying he is leading the rebels? “ Saya says with eyes wide open

“Who cares who he is right now. He is now just a rebel and a ronin general who lost his master because of the war. What I want to know is what does this person and his army have to do with us? If he wants revenge he should just go target the shogun’s army. Unless…” Sayo states

“What you are thinking is correct. General Ryuuta is recruiting men close to our territory and if left for too long he might attack so the men who were here warns us to be careful and strengthen our defences. Your mother is doing that right now” Gin says

“The clans beside us are allied with us except the Chi (Blood) clan. I am guessing that they are the ones housing the rebel army?” Saya asks Gin already guessing the answer

“You are correct as usual Saya.” Gin answers looking grim

“Yes this is indeed getting bad now” Sayo says also looking grim

‘Even Sayo is upset and in a bad mood’ I thought

“So what is so grim about the situation? Can’t we enter diplomacy with this Chi clan and then take care of the rebels? Even if they refuse to let us handle it can’t we just tell them to take care of it?” I ask with a confused face

“It isn’t that easy Silvi-nee since the Chi clan are always blood hungry wanting war but they are silent because they don’t want to fight a losing war. The Chi clan lies south of us and the castle is called Vampiric castle which is virtually almost impossible to infiltrate thus we have no map of it and attacking it will cost us 4x the men they have. If we were to attack them it would make it so that we are the aggressors and they will retaliate defending their land.” Saya answers

“Isn’t the clan small? The Iga clan should be a powerful clan right and when push comes to shove can’t we ask for help from allied clans?” I ask

“It would mean nothing if we are fighting on land that we have no map of or information plus we don’t know their exact numbers. Every time we send a scout out to look at the land they are automatically silenced by very good archers. Their land is closed from everyone so anyone who enters is trespassing and will be sent back by a warning or killed when they reach a certain distance. Going in blind would get us killed.” Gin says

I start to nod and thinking that we cannot attack with numbers alone since we don’t know anything about their land. Then it came to me… my eyes widen and look at the twins and Gin

“Right… it is just like you think. Since they allow no one to enter their territory why is there a rebel army in there?” Sayo looks at me and tells me with a grim smile

“I see…” I say looking defeated