After three days of relentless riding, the combined forces of Ei Sei and Yo Tan Wa arrived at the precipice of their grand objective. Shin's crudely fashioned mask, still a source of endless amusement for the soldiers, continued to entice chuckles, its absurdity a strange, welcome counterpoint to the grim purpose of their march.
As the first light of dawn painted the sky, Ei Sei's army crested a final cliff, and beneath them, in all its colossal glory, lay Kanyou, the capital city of Qin. Its immense walls, towering and seemingly impenetrable, snaked across the landscape, dwarfing everything Shin had ever known. His jaw dropped. "It's… it's so big!" he breathed, his first encounter with such a massive, imposing construction.
Yo Tan Wa, riding beside Ei Sei, her masked face tilted slightly, murmured, "A wondrous sight indeed, plains dweller."
Shin turned to Ei Sei, disbelief in his voice. "Is it even possible to take this place? It's huge!"
Ei Sei's gaze remained firm on the sprawling city. "The rebellion is not yet known to the general public within these walls, Shin. Our objective is not to conquer the entire city, but to retake the royal palace. That is where the throne lies." He paused, his expression hardening. "However, it will not be an easy task. The palace stands at the very center of Kanyou, surrounded by numerous layers of walls and dense housing."
Meanwhile, atop the formidable inner walls of the royal palace, Ketsu Shi's temper flared. "Only 80,000 men?!" he roared, his voice echoing in the stone chamber as he backhanded Shi Shi, sending the cowering official sprawling. "It's not nearly enough!"
Shi Shi scrambled to his feet, rubbing his bruised cheek. "Lord Ketsu Shi, with all due respect, without the royal seal, which we still haven't found, this is the best I could do! Troop loyalties are divided!"
Ketsu Shi sneered. "80,000? With 80,000 men, I could defend Kanyou against Ryo Fui's supposed 200,000 army for weeks! But I don't merely wish to defend against Ryo Fui, Shi Shi. I intend to completely obliterate his army when he returns! I demand you find at least another 100,000 men! Do not fail me again, you incompetent fool!" With a final, chilling glare, Ketsu Shi stormed out of the chamber, leaving Shi Shi trembling in his wake.
Back on the cliff overlooking Kanyou, Ei Sei explained their audacious scheme. "We will trick Ketsu Shi. We will make him believe we are allies, here to fight against Ryo Fui."
After donning his own simpler, royal mask, Ei Sei gave the order, his voice ringing with authority. "Forward! To Kanyou!"
The combined army, a river of steel and mountain hides, began its descent towards the city gates. From atop the surrounding walls, a sentry's cry pierced the morning air. "Mountain people! An army approaches the gates!"
News reached Ketsu Shi swiftly, and he hurried to the palace gates. He questioned the messenger, his mind racing. "Their motive? Why have they come?"
The messenger, bowing low, replied, "They wish to aid us, Lord Ketsu Shi. They hope to revive the ancient alliance between Qin and the Mountain people. They pledge to fight for the rebellion's cause against Ryo Fui!"
Ei Sei, observing the reaction from a distance, felt a surge of confidence. "They'll take the bait," he murmured.
"No doubt," Shin added, eyeing the massive gates. "Especially with an entire army rushing out to meet us!"
Within the palace, the gathered officials deliberated. Many believed this sudden appearance of the mountain people to be a scheme. "It must be a trick!" one councilor exclaimed. "Ei Sei must be with them!" But Ketsu Shi, blinded by his grand ambition to crush Ryo Fui, scoffed. "If it's a trick, then let them come to us! We'll turn their scheme into our own!" They swiftly devised a counter-scheme: they would allow the mountain army entry, then send an army of 30,000 men to massacre them within the outer walls, a "warm-up exercise" before Ryo Fui's impending return.
Outside the walls, Ei Sei and his company waited before the immense gate. With a deep, grinding groan, it slowly began to open.
As the colossal gates of Kanyou opened, a handful of messengers stood inside, heads bowed in feigned deference. One of them spoke, his voice surprisingly welcoming. "Welcome, mountain warriors, and all who accompany you. You may enter."
Inside the palace, Sei Kyou was livid. He slammed a fist on a table. "Ketsu Shi! You dare allow the mountain people entry without first consulting me?! This is an outrage!"
Ketsu Shi, remarkably calm, explained, "It is all for the sake of forging a crucial alliance, Your Majesty. An alliance that will have them fight for our rebellion's cause against Ryo Fui. You granted me the power to handle all political affairs, remember? Bear with it."
Sei Kyou, fuming, reluctantly agreed. "Fine. But I will not meet with these... savages."
As Ei Sei and his entourage passed underneath the first gate, then the second inner wall, Kaelen rumbled, "This siege is progressing remarkably easy." He looked up at the towering layers of stone. "The thought of having to break through each of these walls individually gives me chills." Ka Ryo Ten nodded, agreeing.
As they entered the city proper, the sheer, overwhelming size of Kanyou began to make sense. The walls towered high above them, and immense buildings loomed in the distance, stretching as far as the eye could see. Many people, gathered atop the walls and along the streets, stared down at Ei Sei and his mountain warrior entourage as they progressed through the winding streets.
As they passed under awnings with people gathered above, Erza's keen senses pricked. Something felt off. "Alex," she murmured. "Something is amiss." Shou Bun Kun, equally perceptive, agreed, his gaze scanning the crowds. Together, he, Akane, and Erza began to notice men in black, subtly positioned among the seemingly ordinary citizens. Enforcers.
Shou Bun Kun's eyes narrowed in realization. "They are here to keep the civilians quiet," he explained, his voice grim. "While Sei Kyou and his conspirators work towards making the rebellion a success, anyone caught talking about the coup is arrested and never seen again."
Ei Sei, his face a mask of grim determination, spoke quietly. "This is just the beginning of Ketsu Shi and Sei Ketsu's tyranny. They would resort to any means to achieve their goals."
Finally, Ei Sei's army reached the final walls, the formidable barriers surrounding the royal palace itself. Shin looked up at the towering structure, his hand tightening on his sword. "Ei Sei," he said, his voice low, "the time has arrived."
Ei Sei turned to him, a solemn strength in his eyes. "Shin, do you remember Hyou? His dream? This is where it truly begins for you. Do not die here."
Shin met his gaze, a fierce resolve burning in his own. "I won't. This is my first step to becoming a Great General!"
Alex turned to his summoned warriors. "Listen up, everyone! Get ready for battle! Win this, and you will all gain immensely!" He looked directly at Kaelen, his voice ringing with a subtle hint of the Dragon Element that connected them. "Kaelen, this battle will bring you great benefits. Make sure to perform exceptionally well. For now, you don't need to guard Ei Sei. Erza and Tsunade, with a few guards, will protect the King. Kaelen, you take some guards and push forward with the vanguard. Akane and I will attack from the other side, creating a pincer. This is it, everyone! This is the push to secure the throne for Ei Sei!" The royal palace, the heart of Qin, awaited its reckoning.