Volume 3, Chapter 114 – Hachiman Palace Under the Extended Night

Volume 3, Chapter 114 - Hachiman Palace Under the Extended Night

Translator: Aoi

It was morning in Kamakura already, but unfortunately, it was an extended night yet again on this day. Geett the latest novels on no/v/elbin(.)c/om

The streets seemed more crowded than at night, they were also bleaker than the usual daytime.

A few samurai were patrolling the streets as usual while carrying lanterns.

“The occurrence of recent extended nights is really a lot higher than last year, Lord Motohashi.”

“You’re right, Brother Tsuchiya. Even rural samurai like us have been drafted to patrol Kamakura, but there’s nothing we can do about it since there aren’t enough people. I heard that monsters have been frequenting Kamakura a lot at night.”

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. The people have all fled their homes and we aren’t even capable of paying the annual agricultural tax. We can at least get an official’s wages by working here, 50 kan a year!”

“That’s also true...”

Two short-heighted yet well-built samurai chatted with each other while patrolling the outskirts of Kamakura City.

“Whoosh!”

A massive silver shadow flitted past them under the cover of night, just like a ray of light!

“What was that?!”

The samurai’s hair and clothes were blown back by the strong wind.

They turned around hurriedly but only managed to catch the shadow of a wolf-like creature disappearing into the street’s horizon.

“W-What was that, Lord Motohashi?”

The other middle-aged samurai kneaded his eyes, “It was too fast to see clearly. It’s probably a monster?”

“You’re a really kind and wide-bosomed girl. I really regret being unable to meet such a good woman like you when I was young.”

“Eh?”

“Hahahaha. It was just a joke... You’ve shown exceptional results in Kai province, Lily. I’ve heard all about it. I only sent you to investigate it, but I never expected you to actually settle the whole issue alone. You’re the most dazzling samurai woman in the East right now and it’s quite astonishing that you’re a young talent who began blooming just half a year ago,” Lord Kamakura stated with gleaming eyes.

“Tell me, Lily. What kind of reward do you want from me? Although there’s no surplus land to give you in the East, with your current strength, it’s easy to make Owari and Mino yours as long as you invade them.”

“I’m not interested in annexing large territories for now, Lord Kamakura, as I don’t possess the means to protect them even if I win them over in battle. I actually heard about a certain matter and came to request your help in regard to it, Lord Kamakura.”

“Hahaha. So you also have something you need my help with, Lily? Tell me what it is.”

“I received pressing information that Uesugi Rei, Minamoto no Kenki and Taira no Seina have left for Kansai’s Mt. Ooe to subjugate Shuten Doji.”

“Subjugate Shuten Doji?” Even Lord Kamakura’s ever-calm expression twitched a little.

“Although I’m lacking in experience, even I’ve heard that Shuten Doji is a Great Demon who has existed for over a thousand years in the Heian Empire, Lord Kamakura. Although Lady Uesugi is powerful, it’s too dangerous to fight Shuten Doji right now and is quite a worrisome matter. However, they’ve long left Mino and their current whereabouts are unknown. Even if I wish to stop them, I don’t know where exactly to go. I wonder if I can request you to summon them back, Lord Kamakura?” Lily bowed deeply and almost pressed her forehead to the floor, but her bosom had touched the floor first.

“Lily,” Lord Kamakura tilted his head and furrowed his brows slightly, revealing a somewhat troubled expression on his unwavering face, “Although I might have such a method, I’m afraid that I cannot help you regarding this matter.”

“Why?” Lily raised her head. Although she knew it was quite rude to speak to Lord Kamakura like this, Lily still questioned him, “Sister Uesugi is the liege lord of Echigo, which acts as the northern barrier of the East, and is an important retainer under your command. Are you not worried about her at all, Lord Kamakura?”

“How dare you question Lord Kamakura like this?!” The handsome bald youth, Kamakura Maruzaki, who acted as Lord Kamakura’s sword-bearer at his side, chided Lily.

Lord Kamakura, however, raised his massive hand to stop the youth from chiding Lily.

After a moment of silence, he looked at Lily with a sincere yet resolute expression and answered her, “I understand that you’re worried, Lily, but even if I do this, it will actually tarnish the samurai’s heart even if their life gets saved.”

“Lord Kamakura...”

“A samurai is someone who needs to advance bravely even when they’re aware it’s simply impossible to accomplish a task sometimes. The samurai of the East will be able to propagate endlessly as long as we have such samurai no matter what the outcome is and live on strongly in these dark times. I know you care about Uesugi Rei much more than the other samurai of East, Lily, but do you really understand her intentions? Have you wondered whether a woman like her would want you to intervene in this matter?”

“Sister Uesugi’s intentions...” Lord Kamakura’s words stumped Lily as she was fixated on ensuring Rei’s safety and hadn’t actually taken her intentions into consideration.