Rina smiled as she listened to what Kagami had to say. She clenched her fists. "I'm ready..."
"Your mission will be in two parts. First, head to Shiga and confirm Rani's position with our sect. Second, the necessary arrangements have been made and Murasaki will to you. When he does, subdue and take his seed–"
Rina frowned. "WAIT, WHAT?" She shook her head, turning pale. "The first mission is bad enough but the second one! Why should I do that?"
"I shall tell you the reason soon, princess. But if you so wish to become Queen, that is my request."
I wouldn't be different from her if I did that. Rina cringed, tasting bile on her tongue. "I don't know–" She looked at him. "He killed papa! He should die!"
Kagami smiled, facing her. "Trouble yourself not about Murasaki's demise. I have an even worse fate planned for him. We shall have ourvengeance..."
Rina remained silent.
"If there is nothing else, I shall be taking my leave."
Kagami left the temple while Rina prepared for the journey. On the way, numerous villagers worshipped the ground she walked on. After a while, she exited Kurai's border and increased her pace when she entered Tokushima. The less populated district was filled with mountainous terrain until she reached the seashore.
At Tokushima's coast, Rina took a small ferry to the mainland. The trip on water was half a day and she reached Osaka port at midnight. She set up camp and rested for the night. Next morning, she continued and arrived at her destination during midday.
Of the eight regions in Nihon, Grass was the poorest without any feudal or military system. It was made up of communal towns that relied on farming. They also had elders to preside over local disputes.
When Rina reached Shiga district, most of the locals commented on her resemblance to the Grass Witch. "Hello there," she greeted a small group of peasants. "Do you know where Rani stays?"
They all scurried away.
"You're searching for the sorcerer right? I must say you look so much like her." One brave merchant walked up to her and pointed to a secluded cabin. "Lady Sharma helped me with my business, she stays over there... just after those huts."
"Arigatō." Rina offered the man some money. "Can I have one apple, please?" She grabbed the red fruit and took a huge bite out of it on her way. When she arrived at Rani's cabin it seemed desolate. She barged inside and dropped her apple. What the hell?
A young man without clothes was tied to a wooden board. Facing him stood a tall, dark haired woman with a bubble ponytail and wearing a black sari. "Don't you know how to knock like everybody else?" The woman turned around, revealing her youthful appearance. She had a black bindi, kajal and lips to match. "Oh it's you, Rina."
"It's been seven years, mother. Is that how you greet your d–?" Rina's eyes darted to the captive's manhood. Why is it twitching like that? She furrowed her brows, cringing. "What are you doing?"
Rani followed her daughter's gaze and chuckled. "Oh, Chikao here is one of my followers." She strangled his shaft and he moaned. "He's helping me make some soma (Sanskrit: ritual drink) and unlike your sensei, I don't have to sacrifice people in order to look like this." She grinned, gesturing at her face before turning to him. "Am I coercing you, my love?"
Chikao made a high pitched noise and shook his head. "No... not at all Sharma-sama!"
That's her version of Samsāra (Sanskrit: cycle of reincarnation) manipulation? Eugh! Rina folded her arms, making a disgusted look.
"So, tell me what he wants now?" asked Rani.
"–To know if you're still doing your job. And it seems you already have your hands full... as usual."
Rani faced Rina and raised her voice. "Of course I do his bidding! It's not like I have any choice in the matter." She let go of Chikao and walked to her daughter. "If it's still a deal, I'll tell you everything."
Rina remained silent.
"When I left the Shadow region, I was forced to leave you behind. But believe me, I didn't want you to be raised by those men."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
Rani made the Chinmaya mudra.
Swapnabhūmi (Sanskrit: Dreamland)
"I–I didn't know any of that." Rina cried, receiving her mother's memories from when she left Kurai village. "Papa said... he said you abandoned us."
"He was probably following orders. As you can see, I had to bury those feelings." Rani gave her daughter a tight hug. "I do care about you..."
After a short while, Rina sniffled and freed herself. "You can let go now… I saw where your hand was."
They bought chuckled.
"So... are there any boys I should know about?"
Rina's cheeks reddened. "That's not stuff a mother should be asking talking about with her daughter!"
"When I was younger, I fancied my teacher but got rejected. I guess in your case, I can understand. The men around you are either power hungry, afraid of you, Kagero or they fancy other men instead."
"I don't have time for that. My goal is to be Queen."
"But... there's a catch..."
Rina faced folded her arms, facing away.
The Grass Witch unbound her captive before sending him out. "What does Kagami want you to do?" she asked once they were alone.
Rina remained silent, thinking about the true mission. She turned pale and almost puked.
"It's okay, you don't have to–"
"I should've just killed the Inazuma brat!" Rina shouted, veins popping on her temples. "And avenged Papa!" She paused to take a breath. "But I have to—Kagami-sama said I have to take his seed."
What sick game is he playing at? A memory of Kazuro appeared in Rani's mind and tears formed in her eyes. He's had his vengeance... so, what's this all for? To taunt me? By breaking my daughter? She grabbed Rina's shoulder. "You don't have to do it."
"If I don't... I won't become Queen." Rina shrugged her mother off. "You looked unsurprised when I mentioned it... what did Papa do to become King?"
"He killed Kagemaru's mother."
Rina's eyes widened and she turned pale. No wonder aniki hated papa so much. She paused and resumed her composure. "I see..."
"Knowing all that... will you go through with it?"