Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 409: Lord Mosuke

Chapter 409: Lord Mosuke

Kazi inclined his head. Was that praise? Sasaki Kojiro, the great samurai that faced Miyamoto Musashi. He could feel the tension boiling upon the introduction of his name. The name itself fluttered about here and there. If they spoke of him, it was of his greatness and nothing else.

Ha, perhaps that was what made them so alike.

Lord Mosuke’s expression shifted, the faint smile disappearing as his tone became more serious. "It is fortunate that you are here, Otherworlders. The land of Matsue is young, and though we have built walls and raised our banners, there are threats that we cannot yet face alone."

The room seemed to grow quieter. He was the Lord and their actions would follow as he saw fit.

"A yokai lies deep in our precious Lake Shinji, the Bake-kujira. It is no ordinary specter. Legend says it is the vengeful spirit of a whale, harpooned by fishermen long ago, and its curse has lingered ever since." The Lord’s eyes darkened with the memory of past failures. "Many have tried to slay it. None have succeeded."

"When does it come?" Kazi asked.

"We do not know. No pattern, no absolute rule for its arrival. It simply arrives."

Hm. If history and mythology was any indication, the root cause was obvious.

"The Bake-kujira hunts humans who hunt whales, its own kind. It comes for revenge. And have you noticed?" Kazi pinched and rubbed his index finger and thumb. "This smell in the air..."

"It’s messing up our magic a little," Samantha said. "Must be the Class Effect."

The Class Effect was the technical term for the phenomenon of Class Five entities and the trail of immense magical energy they left behind. In this case, however, there was something more. During his walk to the castle, he noticed a very specific effect. More than negativity or magical weakness.

"Magic has properties. Fire, water, wind, or something as simple as density. What is the property here? It’s the plague. Sickness is running rampant and will continue to run rampant."

"So the sickness is already here." Lord Mosuke closed his eyes, then opened it with resignation. "Are you certain of what you saw?"

"Very. While you’ve been preparing for the next assault, your civilian population have been growing sick. Your soldiers especially. By the time the Bake-kujira does attack, you will already be defeated."

Lord Mosuke was quiet. "I will send my people to confirm." He beckoned a servant. "Wear masks. Famine and plague have been well documented in previous attacks."

"If you have the resources, soak it in vinegar, onion, and garlic," Kazi advised.

The servant ran off as did the escorting samurai who Lord Mosuke insisted leave so that he may discuss further details with Kazi and the Otherworlders.

"You mentioned vengeance. That the Bake-kujira kills because we hunt whales. But at this point, it does not matter. Even if we stop hunting, it will return once its injuries are healed," Lord Mosuke said.

"Injuries?"

Another one of Lord Mosuke’s servants arrived with an illustrating scroll in order to compliment his speech. "The Bake-kujira mounts its attacks near the shores. It has been sighted by fishermen and villagers, always accompanied by strange, monstrous creatures—birds that spit fire from their beaks and fish that swim with steel. They say its bones shimmer like ghostly pale ivory in the moonlight, and no spear or sword can pierce its bones."

Samantha smiled. "Until now."

"Until now," Lord Mosuke agreed. "The students of Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro worked together to fend it off. The Bake-kujira’s fin was lobbed of. We have carried it here under the castle."

"U-under the castle?" Caleb repeated, his hand on his docile pet Hellhound. "I-isn’t that dangerous?"

Samantha clapped a hand to silence him, a smile on her face. "What he means, My Lord, is whether this fin has any use. If we move it, will the Bake-kujira follow?"

’Will we be able to manipulate its movements?’ Because if they could guide the freakish monster’s movements, then the beginnings of a plan were emerging in his head.

"We do not know. We are in uncharted territories here. Never has anyone injured the Bake-kujira."

"Ah." Samantha’s smile did not wane. "Allow me to inspect it then. We can figure out a weakness if we analyze its flesh."

"That is possible?"

"For us who have been blessed by the gods, yes."

Lord Mosuke glanced at her, then Kazi, then nodded. "You are not Japanese. You are not my soldiers either. I do understand that you come as a gift from the gods. As my guardians. Do I have your word that you will do everything in your power to protect my land?’

Hotoke no Mosuke, the Saint of Mosuke, asked for his loyalty. Kazi lowered his head to the floor in reverence and respect.

"I will."

"Do you swear to protect the House of Mosuke and its Lord?"

"I will."

Lord Tadauji, who had been mute and shy this whole time, looked up the moment Kazi’s eyes did. This whole time, the sixteen year old had been afraid. Hearing Kazi, a divine gift that looked the part, brought some comfort and that in turn brought a smile to the brown man’s face.

"Please," Lord Tadauji spoke at long last, "if we are to defeat the Bake-kujira, we must find them again."

Ah, right. Them. The students.

"The four students of Miyamoto Musashi. The great samurai who protected us at death’s door. Only they may lead you in this battle. They are the best samurai of this land. They are the best samurai I know," Lord Tadauji said, proud and child-ish. "I believe we can save this world with their help. I know we can."

As childish and young as he may have seemed, Lord Mosuke agreed. His expression was that of a proud grandfather. Lord Tadauji spoke his heart and he spoke it well. To speak with childish wisdom was better than no wisdom at all.

"The five samurai are Mikinosuke, Kurōtarō, Iori, and Yoemon." Lord Tadauji was almost muttering. "I shall split you all up to search for them. Bring them here."