Immediately after deciding on facing this interesting threat in the east, Siegfried and Daiji headed out of the study and straight for the never-ending hallway.
Dragon-kin are a rare species, being half human and half dragon. And this one had characteristics unlike all previous records. Four arms and fire breath was not something they possessed. They had longer lifespans, dragon-like appearances and their sturdy scales. But that was it.
This anomaly piqued Siegfried's interest greatly. Being a collector of artifacts and knowledge on all things, there was no way that this development wouldn't interest him.
The plan was simple: go to Azuma and confront him. And based on the description of him, he was quite powerful. This would be a difficult opponent even for Siegfried. Like facing a walking natural disaster. Eating away at humanity's eastern front, the archipelago known as Azuma.
A nation consisted of five major clans that rule their own territory with many vassals under them. Constantly at odds with each other. Because of that people rarely visited the land, only residents leaving for the larger continent. If one wanted to head even more eastward from Azuma, they would have to cross the "Serpent Sea" to reach the Dragon Continent.
And because of the closer distance to the Dragon Continent, the clans were adept at battling dragons, which they had done for generations. Some of the most skilled Dragon Slayers. Birthing national legends like "One man Katsuragi" and "Odd Seigo". However, one "man" has crushed that pride by destroying two of Azuma's oldest clans.
This battle will be the most fun inages, Siegfried thought, grinning as he headed toward a new adventure.
Nearing the hallway, they spotted Mikael and Alice. Approaching them, Siegfried threw out some quick words.
"Mikael! How good are you at shaping Light now?"
"Huh? -Somewhat decent. I think?"
"Good... Alice! I'm gonna be away for who knows how long. In the meantime start combat training with Mikael."
"Okay! See ya!"
And with that quick conversation finished, Siegfried and Daiji continued to advance unhindered. Daiji only stopped momentarily to cast another glance at Mikael's eyes. Many thoughts forming in his head. Speculating.
Going through one of the many doors in that infinite hallway, a green and sunny landscape opened before them. In the distance a small city could bee seen, and further beyond many hills and tall mountains. Its architecture the signature style of the eastern nation. And by the door stood a large, thick tree, covered in pink leaves, blowing gently in the wind. This was Azuma, situated on the edge of the human world.
The two of them went from that peaceful hill to the city where Daiji ruled as lord. In need of reinforcements, he had gone to Siegfried for aid. Now, it was time to plan for the upcoming war.
...
In the war council, the vassals of Daiji sat on each of their own pillows in two rows and had a long table situated between them. The yellow walls around them painted with pictures of nature. All of them were clad in expensive and noble clothes with many different crests upon them. Geometrical shapes, animals and more were on their backs, displaying proudly who they were for all to see.
Many of them were old men, but some were quite young. Each of them the head of their clans. All of them following the Iiyama clan. Their expressions bore anxious faces, determined faces and quiet faces. The fate of the nation would be soon decided, and they looked to be on the losing side.
What they needed was a tie-breaker. Someone who could turn the situation around into their favor. While their lord was strong, this opponent seemed stronger. Prompting almost all that was left of Azuma to rally together. Even with that, what they needed was a miracle.
Among the vassals was a rather young one in his twenties. Short black hair reflecting in the light. A white shitagi with blue stripes and a light blue hakama. Upon his back was the crest of a heron. He sat there, emotionless, thinking about what was to come and what the lord was thinking.
He says he has a reliable ally...? Some foreigner... An outsider who isn't part of our ways. What a disgrace. Having to grovel for a stranger's help rather than fix it ourselves or die trying. I refuse to accept that. When this person shows up I'll see just how strong he is.
When Daiji entered the room together with Siegfried by his side, currently taking off his hat and coat, the majority of the vassals glared at him with contempt. An odd looking foreigner they had never seen before who would supposedly help them in their crisis.
Walking by the young vassal who glared just like the others, Siegfried cast a single glance at him. It was a neutral look. A look of one who just happened to see you. Indifferent. A look that could easily be confused as being looked down upon.
Daiji took his seat at the end of the long table where Siegfried sat down beside him casually. The glares grew stronger with surprise at the foreigner's lack of respect for their lord. Frowning and clenching their fists, they silently endured.
Siegfried was introduced to the vassals as reinforcements who would help them solve the current crisis. However, the people did not seemed pleased in the least at the man's existence. But he didn't care. What he wanted to see was not here, but out on the battlefield.
How outrageously rude! Who does he think he is? There is no way I can sit here silently.
Thinking this, a young man stood up, a crest of a heron on his back. Doesn't matter that the meeting hasn't started. He hates the foreigner who dares to look down upon the brave and proud warriors of Azuma.
"Excuse my outburst Iiyama-sama, but, who is this "man"? Is he truly all the aid we require? One single man is enough to turn the tides? I apologize, but that is quite hard to believe."
He voiced what everyone was thinking. There was no way they could accept the foreigner as their savior. They didn't want to believe any of it.
"Kenjiro... Siegfried is a powerful mage. His experience and power will be valuable against the Dragon-kin."
"Even so... Azuma has many a number of great warriors who can fight. I will not stand idly as this man's mere existence mocks our history and culture. How can we trust in a stranger's strength?"
The room fell silent. Daiji knew this would happen. While the warriors of Azuma were strong, their narrowness was their biggest weakness. Not willing to accept alien concepts that opposed their own little viewpoints.
"Then how about I show you a little magic trick or something then?"
It was Siegfried who spoke up towards Kenjiro. He stood up and cast the same indifferent look upon the vassal. It only served as fuel on the fire. Enraging him all the more. Thrusting his arm forward, pointing at Siegfried, the vassal Kenjiro shouts a loud declaration.
"Duel me, you barbarian! That way we can see how much greater we warriors are!"
The room is curious to see how this development goes. Many vassals cheer Kenjiro on. Their pride and prejudice blinding their judgement. There is no stopping them now. The only way is to beat them down before bringing them back up. All Daiji can do is rest his face in his palm, sighing at the stupidity and stubbornness of his vassals.
"Fine then. Even though I just sat down, it might be fun to teach you to respect your elders."
Siegfried accepts without the slightest worry.
Just have to do the quickest way so that the show can go on. Just you wait Kagutsuchi.
...
The entire group moves outside to a courtyard where the duel was to be held. Daiji as the lord would act as a referee and stop the match if he wanted to. The vassals all stood around, eager to watch the foreigner be knocked down a peg. Although, one in particular watched in complete silence.
His own long black hair flows in the wind. A black haori with white clouds and a gray hakama. In silence he watches as the two contestants takes the stage. Ashina Kenjiro. From a line of skilled swordsmen, they have always been important allies in the Iiyama clan's battles. Siegfried. A mysterious foreigner and a mage (?), whatever that may be.
Kenjiro wields his katana while Siegfried has nothing-!? The silent observer is shocked just as much as the other vassals at Siegfried's lack of a weapon. Of course this action leads to further enraging Kenjiro as his eyes fill with even more hatred. Almost as if they're ready to bulge and pop out of his head.
"Where is your weapon, huh!? Don't you underestimate the warriors of Azuma!"
In response, Siegfried shrugs.
"I told you."
Kenjiro narrows his eyes. Rage and confusion filling his mind as he waits for his opponent to finish speaking.
"-That I would show you a little magic trick."
With a smile, he waves his hands, taunting the already enraged bull.
"Fine then! You can just die a fool!"
Sword ready, Kenjiro leaps forward with an overhead slash aimed at Siegfried's left shoulder. The next moment, as the blade makes contact with its target, all it cuts through is smoke.
Shocked and alarmed, Kenjiro leaps back, creating distance, but, mid-leap Siegfried is already right beside him. Kenjiro wildly swings his sword at Siegfried only for it to cut through more smoke. His breathing grew more rapid and his eyes searched all over for where the real Siegfried was.
He soon noticed that Siegfried stood right beside the spot he stood at the start of the match. How could he, Ashina Kenjiro, have completely missed him!?
He roars in anger.
"What the hell was that!?"
Looking at the warrior who stood there, panicked, Siegfried's mouth formed a small grin.
"Magic."
"...?"
"It can do all kinds of interesting things- like this-"
Something suddenly shoots towards Kenjiro at a speed so fast he can't clearly see it. Quickly moving his head slightly to the side, barely dodging it, he feels a slight pain in his left cheek. Carefully touching it, pain emerges. A burn.
The others exclaim in awe at the bullet of fire that singed Kenjiro and left behind a black, smoking spot in the wall behind him.
Kenjiro's eyes moves back at Siegfried. His eyes narrow, his breathing slightly heavy, sweat beads forming on his forehead. However, with a deep breath, ha calms himself somewhat. Weaving energy, Ki, into his blade. Turning hate into power. Refining it further and further into the sharp edge of a shining white blade overlapping his katana.
This foreigner is no joke. He can fire his "magic" fast and effortlessly... I just need to be faster then.
Putting both hands firmly on the katana, he lowers his stance, pointing his head towards the ground, placing the katana horizontally on his left. His eyes gleaming of determination. Focusing only on his enemy in front of him. Everything but him is white. The ground, the sky, the birds, the wind, his fellow vassals, his lord, everything but Siegfried, who is brimming with energy.
I think I'll have to take this a little more seriously.
Noticing the sudden change in Kenjiro, Siegfried holds out his right hand in front of him, positioning his fingers ready to snap. Behind him, three large Fireballs appear. One above him and the two to his left and right. They start as small sparks before quickly birthing many flames that are formed into orange spheres the size of cannonballs.
The crowd around them have gone completely silent. Even the birds, trees and wind hold their tongue. They all know how skilled Kenjiro is, but Siegfried is no lesser from what they have seen so far. Many have anxious faces, sweating from the intense battle being fought. Who will win?
They question this, question their own understanding of the contestants, question their own eyes, everything. The duel has only lasted a mere ten seconds, but it already draws close to its finale. The vassals and their lord, Iiyama Daiji all know. That it will all come down to this one exchange. This one final stroke.
Tensing his leg muscles, Kenjiro kicks off of the ground, shooting straight towards Siegfried. Intending to win with a horizontal slash to his torso. He begins the motion right away in the blink of an eye. Only the ones on the same level or above are able to perceive it.
~Snap~
Just as Kenjiro closes in, the attack half finished, the Fireballs come crashing down on him. Two to his sides and the last one behind him. The heat of the crimson flames are strong enough to be felt at a distance. Dancing in the shape of a ball, they aim to burn, to leave nothing behind.
Forced to abort his finishing move, he spins around, continuing his slicing motion. The Fireballs are cut cleanly a moment later and the flames are scattered into nothingness just as quickly. Kenjiro once again hurriedly turns to face Siegfried with a new attack, but is too slow.
Once he has found Siegfried, he is halted midmotion.
Right in front of his face, a hand in the shape of a finger gun is pointed at him. Siegfried is standing there, completely unfazed, the same grin on his face. He is somewhat enjoying this very short duel, which was decided long before it even began. Surrounding the both of them many Icicles float, their tips pointed at them.
The rage inside Kenjiro has been completely snuffed out. Breathing heavily, all he can do is stand there in that awkward position. At the complete mercy of Siegfried's magic. He can clearly feel the pulse of his heart in his fingertips, each bead of sweat running down his body, his eyes unfocusing and refocusing over and over.
What is this? It hurts. My lungs, my heart, head legs body fingers- all of it.
~Huff~ ~Huff~
My breathing won't calm down. Is this, Fear? Me...? I'm one of the strongest warriors in the Western provinces. And he didn't even try...
Nothing went as planned. Siegfried crushed all the hopes, pride, and prejudices that the eastern warriors held. Done by the single snap of a finger. And while talking about fingers, Siegfried's grin died down to a closed smile. And in a silent voice-
"Bang."
At the quiet signal, the Icicles that have waited patiently thrust violently out at incredible speed. However, each and every one of them misses Kenjiro. He is instead now kneeling there in an icy field of flowers. The hands gripping his blade has long since gone numb, just as his mind had.
Facing an opponent who outclassed him by so much shattered his pride and nearly break his sense of self as well. Ridiculed in such a way, just to be spared. Beaten in half a minute.
While this would be a life-changing event for Ashina Kenjiro, for Siegfried... This was easier than dealing with a non-combatant like Kendrick Kruckow.
"Guess I win... Now you guys can't say shit! Okay!?"
...
Afterwards, all present would silently return to the war council. Each with a different emotion inside of them. Unable to explain anything. Just, "huh?". Out of them there were some who didn't change at all. Those who could understand Siegfried's strength. Those who could accept him as Strong. The silent observer in particular couldn't take his eyes of Siegfried.
"Now. Let us return to the crisis at hand."
It is by Daiji's words that his confused, bewildered and "sleeping" vassals can return to a somewhat elevated state of normalcy.
"Tsurugi, would you please?"
"Certainly, Iiyama-sama."
One of the older vassals stands up. Surprisingly, he still has some black hair left in that body of grey and wrinkles.
Basically everyone has black hair here. Almost no diversity at all, huh.
"The three remaining clans will each fight their own battle from different directions. Pincering the enemy. The forces under the Iiyama clan will engage the enemy at "Seigo's Shackles". -A valley surrounded by steep mountain cliffs, Siegfried-sama."
Filling Siegfried in on the context, Tsurugi continues.
"And we must note that the enemy forces are an unknown quantity. We do know that bandits and such have joined them, but even warriors previously serving the now-destroyed clans have shockingly allied with the dragon-kin."
The enemy may very well outnumber them. But quality triumphs over quantity. With Siegfried coming to their aid, the odds may very well strongly tip in their favor as long as there are no strong individuals in the dragon-kins' ranks.
The war council went on for quite a while. Discussing tactics, troop placement and more. While Siegfried wasn't that adept in war tactics, he understood the gist of it: Luring the enemy army into the valley and eliminating them from above with arrows while strong fighters keep them at bay.
However, unexpected situations can arise at any moment. While the others were bickering with each other about who should have the honor to lead the vanguard and all that nonsense, Siegfried was deep in thought, thinking about the foe they were facing.
It's odd... I know I don't keep tabs at this place all the time, but, the conflict just started almost out of the blue.
Serious thoughts. Suspicious thoughts welled up in his mind. Questioning the state of things. Attempting to make sense of things.
Dragon-kin come from the Dragon Continent... But how did they get past the barrier? They would have to take a detour into uncharted territory... I already knew they were dangerous, but things could be and probably are worse than what I'm thinking.
The only who noticed Siegfried's intense silence were Daiji, the silent observer and Tsurugi. Kenjiro isn't even present mentally. He just stares emptily in the air. His hair somewhat ruffled and a little lighter shade than before.
...
On a balcony that same evening. A man leans on the guardrail while gazing at the city from high above in the warm breeze. Even in the black night many sections are completely lit and people are present. Wandering around in the night. Enjoying their evening eating, drinking or fooling around despite the current situation.
Tomorrow, the Iiyama clan marches for war. Many of those who are enjoying themselves will fight in that war, and many may die. So in these last moments of normalcy, they enjoy themselves to the fullest, knowing they may never get another chance.
"Siegfried! I brought us some sake."
From behind the man, Siegfried, Daiji enters the room in a long red robe and wet hair. Siegfried is wearing a similar robe, though his is a blue-grey with vertical stripes. Both of them have had an evening bath and now it was time for some enjoyment.
In Daiji's hands, he holds a tray with a large bottle and two smaller cups. He has also brought some rice crackers for snacks while they drink. Casting one final glance at the city below, Siegfried joins Daiji in the room where they sit down and start the evening festivities.
The time flies by and the sake deplenishes. The room lit by some candles and the bright moon above is filled with conversation and occasional laughter between the two friends. And as time goes on, their speech grows more slurred.
"So~ Siegfried...?"
"Hm?"
"About that... son of yours... How is it?"
Clearly drunk, Daiji speaks in a casual tone that was never present earlier.
"How is what?"
"His untapped potential is immense... Must be hard raising him, eh...?"
Fiddling with his empty cup, Daiji sets a more serious mood. A subject that a parent can't avoid.
"To be honest... I, I don't really know how to raise a child."
Confessing his true thoughts and weakness, Siegfried glances downwards at the sake in his cup.
"I'm trying, you know? Teaching him magic -Hoping he doesn't fall into the same trap of stagnancy as so many others. His growth is amazing, and while I'm here, helping you, Alice is gonna train him in actual combat. And... I'm not really that much of a parent. If anything Annerose is the dominant one while I'm basically a deadbeat father."
With a short and silent chuckle, he gulps down the rest of the cups contents, thinking about Mikael. Trying to change the topic, he hurriedly speaks up.
"Oh yeah! As promised, I'll supply a portion of your troops with magical artifacts and some magic -And your guys' will also have their National Treasures and such, right? Some of the weapons here really have interesting effects you know-"
"It's okay..."
"Huh?"
An unexpected reply came from the lips of Daiji's mouth. Leaving Siegfried bewildered for several long seconds.
"I said it's okay. Raising children isn't easy. And it's especially hard for someone like you... Even though I had three sons, they've either died like my wife or left the country to who knows where. That's why the current heir is my nephew."
"Ah. The one who kept staring at me, right?"
"Yes. Just like the rest of my family, my brother and his mother died at an early age for him... He's probably a couple years older than your son."
A somber mood comes over Daiji's face as he talks about his only living blood-relative. He takes another cup of sake in one shot to forget his sadness.
"Even though he's so young, his skill is real and he's been constantly pestering me about the upcoming battle. No matter what I do, he'll fight. I just don't want him to die at such a young age."
The mood takes a turn for an even worse. But even so, Siegfried has a smile on his face.
"Well. Then we need to fight like beasts tomorrow so that he doesn't get the chance."
Daiji smiles back at Siegfried's sincere and caring response. A laughter comes over the both of them, silently echoing through the dark night.
Tomorrow will decide if Azuma crumbles or is allowed to live another day.