The allied forces of the Ei Sei Faction and Yo Tan Wa's Chouga Mountain Tribe descended the mountains like an avalanche, the rhythmic rumble of thousands of hooves and boots echoing through the valleys. The sheer scale of the combined army was breathtaking, a testament to the unexpected alliance forged in the heart of the peaks.
Ei Sei and Ka Ryo Ten shared a single horse, the young king's demeanor stoic, his gaze fixed on the plains below. Ka Ryo Ten, however, couldn't suppress a grin. "Look at this, Ei Sei! Your crazy gambit actually worked! This is amazing!"
Ei Sei merely offered a slight nod, his expression unreadable. "This is just the beginning, Ten. The true battle lies ahead."
From behind them, a loud, chaotic shouting erupted. Shin, mounted on a powerful mountain horse, galloped past them with reckless abandon, his wild shouts contrasting sharply with the disciplined march. Heki, struggling to keep up on his own mount, trailed behind, shouting increasingly exasperated instructions. Shin's utterly unrefined, yet undeniably spirited, approach proved quite comical, drawing chuckles from the disciplined mountain warriors and even breaking the Qin army's tension. It was a fleeting moment of levity before the impending storm.
At Boku Kou's resting place, located strategically at the mountain's base, more and more of Shou Bun Kun's soldiers were trickling back, their faces streaked with dirt and exhaustion. Many remained injured, their grimaces visible as their comrades hurriedly patched them up with rudimentary first aid. A grizzled warrior, counting heads, frowned. "Where's Lord Shou Bun Kun? He should be back by now!"
Another soldier, pointing towards the sheer cliff face above the cavern entrance, replied, "He's atop the hill. Said he'd continue watch until everyone's accounted for." Indeed, Shou Bun Kun sat silhouetted against the morning sky, a lone, vigilant figure.
A couple of his soldiers, having caught their breath, began to plead. "Lord Shou Bun Kun, please come down! We'll take over the watch for you! You need rest!" As they spoke, a number of pebbles bounced down off the cliff side above them, dislodged by the massive army descending. Shou Bun Kun, his head snapping up, was shocked. The soldiers within the cavern recoiled, feeling the ground tremble as though an earthquake had begun. "Is the mountain shaking?" one whispered in awe. Shou Bun Kun, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and trepidation, looked on intently, waiting for the return of his King and the revelation of what kind of force he now commanded.
Alex, observing the scene, met with his core allies. Erza stepped forward, her armor gleaming. "My Lord Alex, a report," she stated with crisp efficiency. "All eighteen of your men, including the new recruits, have successfully reached Page rank through rigorous training. Furthermore, Tsunade, Akame, and I have all attained Squire rank." She then glanced at Kaelen. "Kaelen, too, has demonstrated the prowess necessary for Squire. I've begun guiding him on the path."
Alex nodded, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. Their innate strength had allowed them to quickly climb the ranks. "And the skill boosts from Page and Squire?"
"Significant," Erza confirmed. "Their basic attacks, especially the Page's Thrust and the Squire's Sweep, are now far more powerful and versatile. However," she added, her voice sobering, "reaching Knight rank remains a formidable challenge. From my assessment, a single Knight is stronger than even fifty Squires. The gap is immense."
Shin and Ka Ryo Ten, having reached the base of the mountain, observed the scene. "There are a lot more Qin soldiers than before," Ka Ryo Ten noted, surprised. Shou Bun Kun had indeed managed to increase the size of the Qin army slightly while they were away, gathering scattered remnants and calling in loyal local garrisons. A number of Qin soldiers, recognizing them, approached, congratulating and thanking them for their role in helping Ei Sei acquire the formidable help of the mountain people.
The vast combined force began the slow, challenging process of trying to fit in together. Mountain warriors, with their rough, wild customs, mingled with the more disciplined, but equally weary, Qin soldiers. Amidst this organized chaos, Ei Sei and his newly expanded council of officers, including Shou Bun Kun, Alex, and Yo Tan Wa, gathered to devise a strategy to take back the throne and the capital city of Kanyou.
Suddenly, the makeshift war tent flap was thrown open, and Shin barged in, utterly oblivious to protocol. "Hey, Ei Sei! We're here!"
"Shin! Get out!" Heki hissed, mortified, rushing to reprimand him.
Shin was nonchalant, waving a dismissive hand. "Forget that! My proposal is simple: we attack the city right away!"
Yo Tan Wa, perched on a large boulder that served as her seat, gave a low chuckle. "I agree with the sentiment, young warrior. But even a headlong charge requires a plan. We must know the positions of attack. We are planning a siege of a capital, not a simple skirmish."
Shou Bun Kun nodded in agreement. "Indeed. That is why, Your Majesty," he addressed Ei Sei, "since my return to Boku Kou's retreat, I'd sent out numerous scouting forces toward and around Kanyou. They've been gathering information on the enemy forces and their movements." He produced a scroll. "The good news is, Ketsu Shi believes me to be dead, so his attention has shifted primarily toward preparing for Ryo Fui's inevitable return. The scout reports indicate that an army numbering 80,000 strong is currently defending the Qin capital."
Olivia, who had been quietly observing, gasped, rising from her seat. "80,000 men?!" she exclaimed, disbelief coloring her voice. She turned to Yo Tan Wa. "Your Majesty, how many people can you gather for this battle?"
Yo Tan Wa's eyes, sharp and piercing, met Olivia's. "Three thousand."
Olivia paled, slumping back down. "That's... that's not enough!" she whispered, her gaze frantic. She tried to persuade Alex, her voice a low, urgent plea. "Alex, you have to stop Ei Sei! This is a reckless strategy! We can't take on 80,000 with barely any men!"
Alex laid a reassuring hand on her arm. "It will be alright, Olivia. Ei Sei knows what he's doing." He then leaned closer, his voice dropping. "You are not to join this battle. Instead, travel to the capital as a villager, blend in, and spread the news of Ei Sei's return. Let word of the mountain alliance sow doubt and fear from within." Olivia looked at him, surprised, then slowly nodded, recognizing the importance of the task.
Ei Sei, having listened to all the reports, took a moment to think. Then, his voice clear and resolute, he proclaimed, "Those are good enough numbers."
Olivia opened her mouth to protest again, "It's not nearly enough—" She begged Shou Bun Kun to talk sense into Ei Sei, but the old official, his eyes gleaming with a newfound strategic fire, merely nodded in agreement with his king.
"Your Majesty is correct," Shou Bun Kun declared. "With those numbers, there is a scheme we can use to retake the throne. But there are preparations to be made beforehand. One of these requires a significant task... the making of masks."
The night passed swiftly, filled with the hushed preparations of two disparate armies becoming one. In the early morning, Alex was already training with Erza. Through the boosts he gained from his summoned allies, he had reached Page rank. However, Erza observed, "You lack the direct battle experience required to truly ascend to Squire, My Lord. Your strength is immense, but the mastery comes from the crucible of combat." Alex simply nodded, understanding.
As the first rays of dawn touched the mountain peaks, Shou Bun Kun came to his king, who had already arisen, surprisingly energized. "Your Majesty, the time is right." Shou Bun Kun escorted Ei Sei outside, where a small group of soldiers stood about Shin, who was roaring with laughter.
"Look at this!" Ka Ryo Ten exclaimed, holding up Shin's newly crafted mask. It was a crude, misshapen thing, barely resembling a human face, with lopsided eyeholes and a crooked mouth.
Ei Sei let out a snicker, a rare sound of genuine amusement. Shin, mortified, began to protest. But Ei Sei simply walked up to him, smacked him lightly on the chest. "Enough, Shin. The time has come. You must be prepared to cut down any who get in your way. A real battle awaits."
Shin, his embarrassment forgotten, puffed out his chest. "I'm ready, Ei Sei! You just watch!"
Ei Sei's gaze hardened, sweeping over his assembled forces, both Qin and mountain. "Heki! Wake the troops! Tell them it is finally time! We set out for Kanyou! We march to retake the throne!"
A roar of affirmation rose from the combined army, the sound shaking the very foundations of the mountain. The journey to the capital had truly begun.