(16 years and 2 months after reincarnation)
[Kyrielle's POV]
(The next day at the village....)
After that night, I decided to stay at that village alongside the Uesugi people that I met in order to help the villagers there a bit.
Almost 20% of villagers died that night, but we were able to save the village and kill most of the bandits with a surprise attack. About 30 bandits were killed, with about 20 more captured. There were only 60 bandits in total, the rest of them either ran away, or went missing.
I kept on helping the people around by moving dead bodies and lesnign the village... before I know it it was morning already.
___________
(5:02 a.m.)
"Thank you, Kirie-san. It was an honor to fight alongside you against that Shinobi Hunter."
"You too, Fujiwara-san."
"I heard from Genji-sama that you are going to follow them to Niigata city and to their Castle... May I ask why are you planning to do so?"
"I am actually looking to meet with Uesugi Kenshin, the daimyo. I have something that I want from him."
"I see... He is a great man, surely he will reward you for your bravery last night."
"Thank you. Are you perhaps a Lord of this village, Fujiwara-san?"
"Indeed. Kenshin-sama granted me this small hill and asked of me to take care of it. But to think that bandits would come attack here...."
"I know.... you never expect these things to happen. Anyway, we will depart for the city in an hour, this is farewell to you Fujiwara-san."
"I see. Good luck on your journey, Kirie-san."
"Thank you. Well then, I will be off now...."
__________
(6:06 a.m.)
Soon, a main caravan of soldiers arrived at the city. Dressed in blue colored armour, many of the samurais that arrived seemed extremely skilled compared to the bandits.
The sun was barely rising up, and it is still dark. However, I could clearly see the impressive arnament that these soldiers brought with them.
Golems. Three of them.
'Thump! Thump!' (?x) They are large humanoid shaped metal dolls in the size of a small building.
"Woah! So this is a golem!" I've never seen one before in my life.
A black robed shinobi approaches me. "Kirie-san, we will set off to Niigata in about an hour. You will follow us to the city, right?"
"Yes, I'll be in your care."
"Very well."
After the man left, I continued to admire the mecha that laid before my eyes. These things are extremely expensive because of the magic enchantments used inside to make it functional, having three of them costs upwards of at least five hundred gold coins, these people are rich!
Although I have never seen one before, I know that these here are actually made for infantry support... There are far bigger ones built to act as siege engines, and they are essentially like the modern Main Battle Tanks on earth. Just one would usually cost you at least 600 gold coins, which is equivalent to 6 million US dollars in modern times.
The extremely massive ones are called 'Titans'. They were built specifically to fight against strong Demonic leaders during the Great War, and crush whatever defenses that demons can come up with, like the Sealed off city that Lynn once punched a hole into.
However, this is a story for another time.
Now, I set off and marched towards the city alongside the caravan. There are about 30 soldiers, and 20 prisoners taken in a carriage. These bandits are to be brought back and prosecuted.
The man that I met yesterday is Shibata Genji, a leader of these soldiers and samurais. He led the caravan on the road back to the city, it seems he is a noble that is high ranking.
But that Tengu old man was no where to be seen.... I wonder where did he went off to?
As we departed and headed back to the city, a few hours passed. I was getting more and more tired as I walked because I haven't slept for a day already....
(9:08 a.m.)
"....Urgh..." I started to sway around as I walked, unable to keep my balance because I'm exhausted.
"Lady, would you like a ride on the golem?" One of the soldiers who appeared to be a mage talked to me.
"Is that fine?..."
"Yes, I can control the golem to do whatever I want. How about I give you a lift?"
"I'd be grateful if you can do that...."
"Here." He swayed his arm, and the golem walking besides us stopped to lower it's body down. 'Thump!'
It seems that a seat was built on the shoulder, and a small stepping place can be used to climb up this 1.5 meter tall giant that's kneeling on the ground.
"Hmpt!" With a leap off the ground, I jumped up and landed on the shoulder of the golem.
"Phew... My leg's tired..."
"Brace yourself, I'll start moving the golem again."
'Goo!...' The entire thing shook and swayed around as it stands up again. "Woah!..."
'Thump! Thump!'
"Hahaha.... This is quite the experience!"
It was almost like when I first flew to the sky using my thrusters. When sitting on the shoulder of this fully standing golem, I am 3 meters off the ground.
My ride on this thing is relaxing, and when it started to pick up momentum it stopped shaking. It was a relaxing ride where I got to relax....
But, I relaxed maybe a bit too much....
My thoughts are getting slower....
"....Zzz...."
"Lady, are you all rested now?"
"Zzz...."
"Damn, she's asleep... she must have not slept yesterday huh?"
___________
....Before I know it, I found myself in a plane of darkness. A place where I couldn't see anything at all.
But then suddenly, the surroundings grew hotter. It seems that I'm now on a balcony of a Castle, but everything is burning around me.... the floor, the roof, everything.
The voice of an old man was heard, he is standing on the opposite end of the balcony. "Takina.... In order to honor my grandson's wishes, I must destroy you."
He said as he pulls out a black colored katana on his waist... A black lotus katana, it is what I am here for.
But Takina.... who's that?
"What are you saying?..." I instinctively readied my katana as well.
"Let us dance, Takina!"
'Thud!' The old man kicks off the ground and dashed forward, appearing like a blur due to his immense speed and closing the distance in a blink of an eye.
"Wha-?!"
'Slash!' In an instant, my right arm came off.
"Argh!!!... Genji-sama.... Why?!..."
But suddenly, I found myself in the middle of a silvergrass field, talking to another person.
"For the sake of preserving the Uesugi Clan, I'll do anything.... even cutting innocents down. I am sorry, but I have to do this."
The man dressed in a full set of samurai armour raised his sword up, and then swung down at me while I was on the ground. Everything turns black again.
The surroundings changed once more.... I am now on top of a moving car. Rather, it was actually a train.... a train in this day and age?
Standing on the other side of the train is a ragged man in a dark red kimono and a black hakama. More importantly, he has a red colored katana on his hand.
"Admit that you are a killer, Fujiwara!"
"No... I am different from the likes of you!"
"Why do you refuse to accept the truth that was laid before you on a silver platter? Why do you keep on lying to yourself?!"
"It's because I am fighting to protect the people.... I am not like the cold blooded killer that you are, Katsuyori!"
"It seems that we have less in common than I thought.... In that case, I will not bother keeping you alive anymore. Hmpt!" 'Stab!'
He jammed his red colored katana into the train's roof, and then sprinted towards me while slicing the train. 'Eekn!!!'
'Shing!' With an upper slash, his attack torn off a chunk of the train and slashed up at me. The attack launched me upwards, and I dropped down from the sky.
'Thud!' I dropped on my back, a bruising pain hits my butt. "Ow!"
"Oh my, are you alright?!" Said the mage that allowed me ride on the golem.
"Wha...." I took a look around me, and I saw that I'm in front of a gate to a Japanese city. A golem stood right besides me, standing still.
I fell asleep on top of that golem?...
"I made the golem stop but you suddenly fell down from there, I'm sorry..."
"It's alright, I'm not hurt." I said as I got up from my place, and dusted off my skirt.
It's annoying to have my nap interrupted like this but a simple 3 meter fall like this won't hurt me much. But I was just dreaming about something, and this sudden awakening made me forget what I was dreaming about....
Well, it was just a dream so it mustn't have been important anyway.
"While you were sleeping, we arrived at Niigata."
"Yeah, I guessed as much."
Around me there are countless two storied wooden houses besides the main road of the city. A few tall pagoda towers could be seen around the horizon, as well as countless people dressed in traditional japanese clothings walking around.
Lying just at the horizon at the direction we are heading to is a castle that stands pridefully in the middle of the city, the castle that the Daimyo and Sword Pioneer Uesugi Kenshin lives in.
Finally, to the north west side is a large port with countles ships docked there. Niigata is after all a port city, so this is very normal.
From the front of the caravan, Genji gave out orders loudly.
"Soldiers, bring the prisoners to jail. The Shinobis will follow me back to the castle, you should come as well." Genji remarked as he pointed at me, to which I gave a small nod to.
The caravan was disbanded. A group of 7 person including me walked off towards the castle.
"So, your name is Kirie right?" Said Genji as he slowed down to walk besides me.
"Yes."
"We are busy with the businesses back at the Tengu village so I still haven't thanked you yet. I am grateful for you taking care of the Shinobi Hunter and the Fire Monk by yourself, we would be suffered some casualties if they were present."
"Don't mind it, I am just trying to help the villagers however I can."
"I see. That being said, I noticed that you used the Shadow Styled Kenjutsu during your fights.... you must be a skilled swordswoman right?"
"I don't know about that.... I have been travelling for a long time honing my skills, but I wouldn't exactly say I am good at it."
"Regardless, it's my pleasure to meet you, Kirie-dono. My name is Shibata Genji, I am one of the retainer of the Uesugi clan."
"I am Kyrielle Buffet, and you can call me Kirie."
"What a curious name... I'll remember it."
After our little exchange, we silently went to the castle. The castle is built on a small hill, and the castle gate itself is built on the bottom of the hill.
A large river surrounds the, and a stone bridge was made for entering the castle gate.
As for the castle itself, it is a connection of five tall Japanese towers that are each 5 to 8 floor tall, with the main building being in the middle. They are surrounded by walls.
"Wow...." It was unlike any castle I've ever seen before because it is japanese styled.
Together with this group, I made my way over the bridge and into the castle. A large stone stair was made to climb the hill to the castle's intererior.
"Shinobis, you are all dismissed here. Go back to the barracks for some food and rest, today will be a break day for you all."
"Thank you, Genji-sama." (5x)
"As for you Kirie-dono, please come with me. Oji-sama would want to personally speak with you."
"Understood."
Following Genji, I was led into the castle building right in the middle.
"This place is huge..."
"This is the Shibata Castle, and it is divided into two parts. The Outer Castle is the four side towers surrounding the main building. Right now we are headed for the Inner Castle which is used for housing and political affairs."
"I see... What an impressive Castle."
"I think so as well."
Heading into the main Castle, I was immediately met with a person who seems to be an important figure....
"Oni-sama." A man with long black hair and a slim body contrary to Genji's muscular physique. He spoke to Genji, and it seems that he is Genji's little brother.
"Naganori... It is good to see you."
"Who's this young lady?"
"I'm Kirie... It's nice to meet you."
"She's a traveller, she helped us out. Oji-sama would like to speak with her, where is he right now?"
"He's at his room."
"Thank you. Are you heading to the Takedas again?"
"Yes. I was just about to ride there now, so this is goodbye."
"Good luck on your journey to Edo."
"Thank you, Oni-sama. It is nice to meet you as well, Kirie-san."
After saying that, he headed off the castle.
"...Let us go."
"Oh."
I made my way up the castle following Genji's lead. The castle itself is made mostly from wood, there are also countless maids and guards working inside the castle alongside many people who appear to be guests and nobles in this castle.
It is extremely lively, and many people recognized Genji.
"Good afternoon, Genji-sama." (?x)
"Ah. Good work everyone."
In the large open space in the middle of the Castle, I can see that there are six visible floors. Making our way onto the third floor using stairs, we walked in the corridor and headed into one of the hallways with many bedrooms...
We arrived in front of one of the many bedrooms before Genji knocked on the door.
"Oji-sama, I am here. May I enter?"
"Oh, it's you... You may enter, Genji."
'Goo...'
"Oji-sama, I've brought our guest here." Genji said as he headed into the room. I also hesitsntly walked inside as well.
"Hmm, a foreigner.... I see. Come over and take a seat, young lady."
"T-thank you...."
He was sitting behind a floor-level table, I walked up to him to seat at the opposite side.
"So, what's your name?"
"My name is Kyrielle, you can call me Kirie-"
"It's too odd of a name.... Isn't there a name you can use that's easier for us Japanese to read?"
Excuse me for using my real name!
"No. I am a foreigner as you can see, I don't have a name like that."
"Hmm, calling for you is going to be troublesome huh?... Well then, how about I grant you a new name that you can use?"
"Huh?..."
"Just go along with it, Kirie-dono... He has a tendency to give people new names."
"Hahaha, you know me well Genji! Anyway, what says you?"
To be honest, I was getting a bit tired of people calling me 'Kyrie' as well. It is my shorter given name, and it's meant to be used by close friends not random strangers I meet in a foreign country.
Having a new Japanese name would make it less problematic for myself and for others to call me. Besides if I remembered correctly, names that were granted by a Daimyo are considered as honorary title, it'd be dumb to not want such a thing.
"...I'll be in your care."
"Thank you.... Despite your outfit, you give out a demeanor of calmness and control, almost like water itself.... In that case, I shall name you Takina."
"Takina.... Haha...." How ironic. Back on earth I was called Taki which is a unisex name, but slapping a 'na' behind it gives it a feminine tone, I like it.
"You don't want that?"
"No.... In fact, I like it."
"I see. Also, you helped it the Fujiwaras to defend the village, as I heard from Genji and the Tengu. As a reward, I shall grant you the title of Fujiwara as well.... It is a high ranking family name in the Uesugi Clan, not to be given lightly to others and especially to a foreigner like you."
"Thank you... We still haven't introduced ourselves, how about we do it again?"
"Indeed. I am Uesugi Kenshin, the Daimyo of the Uesugi Clan. It is nice to meet you, Fujiwara Takina."
"It is my pleasure, Kenshin-sama."
The funny thing is, I was called Fujiwara Taki back on earth.... I am a Fujiwara as well. Somehow, is ended up with the same name in this world and I really like it.
Fujiwara Takina it is then, this will be my Japanese name.
"Of course, you will receive some monetary reward as well... State your wishes, Takina."
"....I want a katana. Not just any katana, but a very special one."
"Huh, daring are we? Very well, state your demand."
"I want a katana that is black in color and has a lotus on it's tsuba... I want the Severance blade, it is what I came here for."
"What...?!" (2x)
(Chapter end)