Kiana and the Captain's Bizarre Adventure

Chapter 114 Nine Sara: The Clown Is Me

Not long after, Bronya and Sora arrived at the Wooden Leak Tea Room, led by Zayu. Upon entering the Wooden Leak Tea Room, Paimon's first task was to find Thomas, who had been hiding inside.

"Kong, what brings you all here?" Thomas asked in surprise, looking at the group before him. "Have you seen the rebels? What's the situation on the battlefield? Can I get out of here?"

Although he didn't want to discourage Thomas, this was a serious matter, and Paimon said frankly, "It's probably not ready yet... We saw people patrolling nearby when we arrived."

Thomas wasn't disappointed after hearing Paimon's words. After all, if they could really get out, Ayaka Kamisato would have happily run over to tell him the news long ago.

"Looks like it's not over yet... So you're here because you have something to discuss with us. I'll go get someone to call Miss over. Please wait a moment."

A short while later, Ayaka Kamisato arrived. Bronya and Sora exchanged a glance and then told Ayaka Kamisato and Thomas about the current situation.

"I understand the situation. The key is to find evidence of the Heavenly Territory's rebellion. Let me think..."

Ayaka Kamisato recalled carefully, then opened her eyes and said, "Now that you mention it, there is indeed something that bothers me. The Shogunate army and the rebel army have been fighting for a long time, but the Shogun has never asked about this matter. I used to think that the Shogun didn't care about this matter, but now it seems that perhaps the memorial submitted to the Shogun by the Tenryō magistrate was problematic from the beginning. The Tenryō magistrate is in charge of domestic military affairs, and if they had the intention to conceal information, we would have no way of knowing."

"As a result, General Thunder misjudged the dangers of the Eyehunter's Order and continued to act unilaterally," Bronya said.

Ayaka Kamisato nodded and suggested, "Yes, if we can get our hands on the official document from the Heavenly Territory Envoy, we'll know the answer at a glance."

“But I remember that only Kujo Takayuki had the authority to access official documents,” Thomas said. “Moreover, the area was heavily guarded, and even with Hayato’s help, it would be difficult to secretly take the documents away.”

“If there’s anything that can attract the guards’ attention, I can help you bring out the official document,” Bronya said. “Although I’d ​​like to say that, not knowing the way is a real hassle. Usually, I need to spend some time scouting before I can infiltrate, but there’s obviously not enough time now. Besides, I haven’t done an infiltration mission in a long time, so I’m a bit rusty with my stealth skills.”

At this point, Bronya revealed a sly smile: "However, I could launch a direct assault from the front to get what I want, then shake off the pursuers and return here. What do you think?"

"No, no, no! This is impossible!" Paimon quickly refused. "Think about it, even if you have the strength to launch a direct assault, there's no way you could sneak back here after the whole city is searched!"

"Haha, Paimon, you're underestimating me. Even without using the Eye of God, I could easily infiltrate and assassinate all the ordinary guards with just a sock. This is a piece of cake."

"No matter what, killing someone with socks is too far-fetched, no way! Besides, you're just saying this because you think infiltration is too troublesome."

"Paymon is right."

Ayaka Kamisato also disagreed with Bronya's proposal, while Thomas, standing to the side, expressed his own thoughts.

“We can use the fireworks of the Night Palace to attract the guards’ attention. As for the infiltration, you can handle it yourself. Miss Bronya, you really don’t need to risk your life.”

"It's possible, but I still suggest that I steal the official document. It's impossible for Zaoyou to forge the document in such a short time, right?"

"After all, the paper and seal used for official documents are specially made, and it is difficult to forge them under normal circumstances, let alone complete the forgery under a time-sensitive situation. Does Miss Bronya have a way?"

As she spoke, Ayaka Kamisato glanced at Bronya with a meaningful look.

Bronya shrugged and said, "I can definitely do it, but the method is a secret. How about I take you along if it's not a bad deal?"

"If Miss Bronya's words are true, then of course it is possible."

In the end, Ayaka Kamisato agreed to Bronya's request. After agreeing on the location for the fireworks, the group first enjoyed a delicious late-night snack, and then got up to go to Hanamisaka to ask Yoomiya for the fireworks.

Fortunately, just two days ago, Xiaogong made a particularly powerful firework. However, it was so powerful that they couldn't find a suitable place to test it.

Just then, Sora came over and asked if there were any extra-large fireworks, so Yomiya simply gave them to Sora, which also helped Yomiya check out the effect.

The only thing to be careful about is running away quickly after it's lit, and being careful not to set your clothes on fire as well. Ideally, cover your ears as well.

After receiving the special fireworks, Sora arrived at the designated location to meet up with Yuzu and Bronya.

Just as Zaoyou had predicted, there were many guards patrolling inside the Heavenly Territory, and they had to find a way to distract them in order to successfully infiltrate.

So, after evading the Shogunate army's night patrol, Sora led Paimon to a secluded spot under the Thousand-Armed Hundred-Eyed Statue.

Even though Kong had prepared himself mentally, he was still startled when the fireworks were lit. But that was exactly the effect they wanted; the nearby guards, and even the guards patrolling inside the Heavenly Territory, were all drawn to the scene.

Taking advantage of the moment when the guards' attention was focused on the fireworks, Sora suddenly rushed towards the wooden clock teahouse. After dodging the guards along the way, Sora stood safely in front of the wooden clock teahouse.

After confirming that no guards were following him, Kong opened the door to the wooden tea room and went inside.

Inside, Ayaka Kamisato saw that Sora had returned and stepped forward to ask with concern, "How was it, Sora? Did the plan go smoothly?"

"I don't know either. I ran away after I lit the fireworks."

Seeing this, Ayaka Kamisato didn't blame Sora, but comforted her, "You've worked hard. Now let's wait for news from Hayato and the others."

After some time, a panting Hayato brought Bronya back to the wooden tea room. Bronya, who had accompanied Hayato, stood calmly to the side, as if she had simply gone for a walk, rather than looking like she had just escaped from the Heavenly Territory. Once she was sure they were safe, Hayato immediately relaxed.

"Although exercise helps you grow taller, it seems like I've overdone it... I'm dizzy... Everyone... is spinning... I can't take it anymore... The memorial to the emperor is in Miss Bronya's hands. Since I didn't even know what the memorial to the emperor looked like, I just took all the documents. I... I'm going to sleep now."

After saying that, Zaoyou ran outside and transformed back into her roly-poly toy form. A moment later, a soft snoring sound came from the doorway.

"Miss, these are..."

Thomas looked at the documents on the table and asked a question. After checking the documents, Ayaka Kamisato gave an affirmative answer.

"These are all official documents that the Heavenly Commander is to present to the General. For example, this one is the next batch of documents to be presented to the General, but it has already been opened."

"After all, if you want to make a good forgery, wouldn't you be discovered immediately if you didn't know what was inside?"

"It's truly astonishing that you completed all the forgeries in such a short time, Miss Bronya..."

“I told you, it’s a secret,” Bronya interrupted. “But your ninjas really know how to give me trouble. Even though time was tight, they insisted on taking all the documents, almost causing us to be discovered.”

Ayaka Kamisato asked anxiously, "Really? Were your faces seen? Have you shaken off the pursuers?"

"Don't worry, we haven't been discovered. It's just that we had to forge a lot of things, so it took a little longer than expected. Besides the official documents, I suggest you also take a look at those letters, since they are correspondence with the Fools."

Bronya's words struck Ayaka Kamisato like a thunderclap, and she hurriedly returned to the table to pick up the letters and examine them one by one.

As Bronya had predicted, these letters were indeed correspondence between the Lord's Order and the Fools in secret.

"It seems that the judge Yae no Kami was right. The current conflict in Inazuma is indeed the result of their instigation."

Although she didn't want to admit it, the reality before her eyes pierced Ayaka Kamisato's heart like a needle. In the end, Ayaka Kamisato put down the letter in her hand and sighed.

"Sora, this should be enough evidence. Please take it to Yaegami Tsukasa. I believe she has a plan. I will also gather people to try to uncover more of the Fools lurking in Inazuma."

At this point, the Kamisato family, which had previously maintained neutrality towards outsiders, completely sided with Yae no Miko.

“However, we still need to be careful of the General. Just thinking about how she wielded her sword before gives me goosebumps,” Thomas said.

"We can only trust Yae-no-miya. She has a close relationship with the Shogun; perhaps she can find a way..."

And so, the group returned to Narukami Shrine with the evidence, awaiting the appointed day.

Two days later, Kujo Sara arrived at Narukami Shrine as promised. This time, she did not bring any attendants, and no one would know about her meeting with Yae no Miko.

"I knew you would keep your promise, and I bet... you've been quite upset and unable to sleep these past few days, haven't you?"

Yae no Miko's guess hit Kujo Sara's weak spot. Just as Yae no Miko said, she had indeed been troubled and unable to sleep these past few days because of this matter. Thus, in this conversation, Kujo Sara's aura was naturally weaker than Yae no Miko's.

“I…I wouldn’t doubt the patriarch and the others like that; you’re overthinking it. So, where is the evidence I need?”

"Here I am."

Mei, who had been hiding nearby, came to Kujo Sara with the evidence that Bronya and Sora had collected a few days ago and handed it to Kujo Sara.

"This is..." Kujo Sara stared in disbelief at the official document in her hand. "The resistance, the Sangokushima Palace, the events at the front—not a single word mentioned... The soldiers who died on the front lines, the suffering of the people here—are all of that insignificant?! This is such a disregard for human life! Why are you concealing this like this..."

"Of course, it's to ensure the smooth implementation of the Eye Hunting Order," Yae no Miko said, coming up behind Kujo Sara. "Otherwise, what if the Shogun changes his mind if we write these things down?"

"The Heavenly Commander... can he really deceive the General?"

"Yes, think about it again, who benefits more from the implementation of the Eye Hunting Order?"

“There’s another secret letter here.” Mei handed over the letter in her hand. “It’s a correspondence between the Tenryo Magistrate and the Fools, and it was deliberately hidden by the head of the Kujo family.”

"How about it? What you want to see, and what you don't want to see, are now laid out before you. You wouldn't... still want to run away, would you?"

Yae no Miko's words were like daggers to the heart, and even Kujo Sara, who had appeared before her at some unknown time, no longer cared about Sora.

"All that I've upheld until now... how could they... how could they... How despicable! Their betrayal is unforgivable... I must confront the patriarch face to face!"

After saying that, Kujo Sara ran off without looking back. It seemed that the plan to turn her into a traitor was going very well. Now, as long as he followed her, he would have a chance to meet General Raiden. Just as Sora was about to follow, Yae no Miko interrupted him.

"Wait a minute, Sora, I have something else I want to tell you. The first time you entered the Pure Land of One Heart was in front of the Thousand-Armed and Hundred-Eyed Statue, right?"

“That’s right,” Kong replied.

"You must find a way to recreate that scene. If you can get General Raiden to open his heart again in front of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed Statue, then there will definitely be a chance..."

"I will try my best."

"Keep this with you as a farewell gift. The amulets of Narukami Taisha Shrine are always very effective, so I specially left one for you. If you encounter a crisis in the South Street, take it out and look at it, and the crisis might be easily resolved. Of course, you can also take it out when you miss me, okay? Maybe I'll suddenly pop up to see you?"

"Don't joke around at a time like this, Miss Fox," Paimon retorted.

"Hehehe, sorry, then I'll leave my dull-witted friend to you."

After receiving the amulet and thanking him, Sora left. Watching Sora's departing figure, Yae no Miko turned her gaze to Mei beside her.

"Now that Sora is gone, and Kiana and the others are helping the resistance infiltrate Inazuma Castle, what about you? What are you planning to do? 'Raiden Mei,' or perhaps it would be more appropriate to call you 'Raiden Shin' now?"

“Since you’ve already figured it out, why beat around the bush? Divine Child,” Shin said with a sigh.

"Hehe, I was just worried I'd be wrong!" Yae no Miko laughed. "But I didn't expect that Sister Shin would wake up so quickly this time. I thought it would take another ten or a hundred years."

"You, you don't learn the good things, you only learn the bad ones. In your speech, you do have some of the characteristics of the Fox Palace."

"Doesn't this show how well Lord Fox Palace has taught you?" Yae no Miko laughed, then she asked seriously, "How long will you be out this time?"

"It won't be long. After all, I'm just a fragment of consciousness, and I'll probably dissipate naturally after a while. So I'll fall back into slumber soon and wait for that moment to arrive."

Yae no Miko sighed, "To be honest, I wish you could just pull her out directly. That would be much faster than having that stranger pull her out first and then let her grow up slowly."

Makoto gave a bitter laugh: "Divine Child, I think I've already said this. Makoto is already dead, and I'm just a fragment of her consciousness that could dissipate at any moment. It's easy to persuade Kage to leave the Pure Land of One Heart, but I no longer have that much time to guide her..."

"But aren't you worried that the traveler won't be able to defeat the shadow?"

"But didn't you give him an amulet? You said it yourself, that the amulets of Narukami Shrine are very effective. Now that he has the blessing of Narukami Shrine, isn't that traveler about to return in triumph? Let's wait and see."

"Please, don't make fun of me here. Don't you know what the situation is with that amulet? But as you said, let's wait and see."

Yae no Miko looked at the sky, which was gradually darkening, and said.