I'm gonna rush things with this world as I mainly started with this one because I was watching it at the time. And im getting bored.
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Thanks to the train's speed, within the next day, they arrived at the last gate before kongokaku.
And they have been met with some trouble.
They could not stay aboard the train.
At the Iwato station, its soldiers had told the residents of the koutetsujou to get off here for unknown reasons.
Numerous soldiers were there and were also pretty well equipped with numerous weapons.
Kaelis had come to the conclusion that this level of alertness had something to do with the hunters which due to the koutetsujou traveling with them got caught up in the 'crossfire.'
This conclusion had nothing to do with their actions and behavior before reaching.
But from the orders that arrived from kongokaku:
"No members of the 'karikatashu' a.k.a, the hunters are allowed in."
Orders that were only delivered to the biba's men.
How did Kaelis come by this specific information? Well… he had ease dropped on their discussion.
"The next stop is kongokaku."
"We should make it there in three days."
"That's if we're not delayed by any track maintenance."
"We're lucky to finally be separated from them, right?"
Over the numerous voices of dozens of people, takumi, ikoma friends spoke.
"Yes, for now at least."
Currently, the people of the Koutetsujou ended up in a rough patch of land just outside Iwato Station's walls.
It wasn't much—just dirt, dust, and a few scattered crates where people sat to rest.
Some had thrown together small tents or sheets for shade, but most just stayed close to the train, unsure what to do next.
With just a quick glance around, the Iwato soldiers could be seen keeping their distance, watching from behind fences and walls, rifles always in sight.
It was clear they didn't trust anyone from the train.
The whole area felt tense, like everyone was waiting for someone else to make the first move.
"Um, Kaelis. I-I don't think we should leave mumei behind with her brother. She's not safe."
Ayame was undoubtedly worried for Mumei's sake, fully knowing she is being used for whatever schemes her brother is up to.
"I know." He plainly told her. "I confronted Biba about it last night. He was pretty chill with her failure to secure the key." He reassured.
What he said was not even fully true—just partially.
He had confronted him, yes—even nearly choked the lights out of him. But it was not for Mumei's sake.
And when she brought the wrong key, he didn't shout at her or get fired up. Which means he doesn't have a problem with her right.
Though he doesn't know whether she got her ass handed to her afterwards when he left.
There's nothing wrong with his statement right?
No. He ain't lying.
Ayame and Ikoma, who was closest to Mumei, were relieved to hear this. "Really? Thank goodness."
They both breathed out a sigh.
"By the way. What happened between you and lord Biba last night?" Kurusu asked curiously.
"Oh nothing much heehee. Just gave him a good talking to. He was pretty thankful." A devious grin adorned Kaelis faces.
"Oh. Okay." Somehow he didn't buy that.
"Miss Ayame. It's time"
Suddenly interrupting their conversation, Yukina spoke up.
Ayame turned to Kaelis and the others. "Wish us luck."
They waved her off.
Elsewhere—Inside the locomotives of the kokujou…
"If this works, everyone will be happy, right brother?"
"Of course. But I'll need help. It's important that everything goes according to plan. Can I count on you, mumei?"
"You bet!" She replied with a sweet smile.
Their attention was grabbed by the sudden arrival of Suhari.
"Maeda, the master of this fortress, will meet with us. But only women and children can join you."
Biba smiled. "Just as we expected." Before turning to mumei, "Alright, get ready."
"Got it." She ran off before Sahari left as well.
The room descended into silence.
"Did you lie to get her to join you?"
Horobi, who was quiet the whole time, finally asked biba.
"No I did not." He shook his head. "I didn't have to. She'd do anything for me."
"And what about me, my lord?" Her voice is softer than before. "I think you decided to use me now because mumei came back. Am I right?"
Biba turned to her and saw an acceptant smile on her beautiful face, brightened by the sun's glow.
"Is today… the day I die?"
…
A few minutes later, inside the formal audience chamber, Ayame arrived, escorted by a handful of soldiers.
"Lord Maeda, we're extremely grateful you've arranged safe passage to Kongokaku. Thank you," she said respectfully.
"Of course! It is the duty of the shogunate to help the people. And I apologize for limiting your entourage to women and children," Maeda replied with a short bow.
"I must take precautions."
Inside the room, Ayame sat in seiza, with Yukina a pace behind her, mirroring the same posture.
Across from them was Lord Maeda himself, the middle-aged leader of Iwato Station.
"If I didn't take these measures, everyone would have opposed inviting Biba for an audience with me," he explained further.
"You invited Lord… Biba?" Ayame asked, surprise flickering across her face.
"He requested to speak with me regarding provisions. I hoped to share some with his people, but…" Maeda trailed off.
"You refuse to see just how dangerous he is," a man in the meeting interjected before Maeda could finish his sentence.
"Biba has a deep hatred for the shogun." The man added.
"I disagree. He doesn't care about that anymore." Maeda objected to those statements.
He then calmly voiced his reason. "He's loyally served the shogun. Defending the people and fighting against the kabane for many years…"
"They have arrived."
Doors slid open to reveal Biba and his companions.
~~~~(just gonna skip all the shit. If I have to sit and write about it, I'm gonna go mad with boredom. I wanna hurry up and get to the next world.)
Some shit went down while Kaelis was not looking.
During a formal meeting, Lord Maeda tries to act like he's in control, but Biba doesn't play along.
In the middle of their talk, Biba suddenly kills him without a hint of hesitation, stabbing him right there in front of everyone.
His soldiers move in right after, taking over the place while people watch in shock.
Outside, mumei opened the station's gate unknowingly allowing kabane to dance their way in.
Ikoma and others began killing Kabane.
~~~~
Inside the kokujou, Biba stood before the glowing blue membrane, holding a small vial filled with an unknown liquid.
Carefully, he slid it into a compact, pistol-like device designed to deliver precise, concentrated doses.
He turned to the woman standing behind him. "Horobi, come to me."
Gently holding her face, he spoke in a calm tone. "You're shaking, my dear."
"I can't help it… I feel scared when I'm around you. Because you're so afraid yourself," she admitted.
"I am afraid of nothing," he corrected.
"You're terrified… of me… and him," she murmured.
Biba's grip tightened slightly, just enough to press into her cheeks.
He already knew exactly who she meant.
Without wasting another second, he activated the device and injected the liquid into her.
Instantly, she went limp in his hands.
Her skin shifted, taking on a pale gray tint, while red markings began crawling across her body, spreading like veins of fire.
BOOM!
Outside where kabane were still being gunned down.
"What's that?"
As the smoke began to clear, their eyes widened—Horobi floated above the ground, her body encased in a pale blue membrane that shimmered like liquid glass.
The sphere pulsed, and tendrils of the membrane shot outward, snatching up nearby kabane corpses and dragging them toward her.
One by one, the bodies merged, forming a grotesque, growing mass around her.
Dark smoke began pouring from her form, rising thick and fast into the air.
The shape of a towering creature—something monstrous—started to emerge.
"That's—!"
"Another one!?"
"A black smoke!"
Far away, inside a separate train car filled with flickering instruments and vials, a man in a stained white coat adjusted his binoculars, grinning ear to ear.
"I've waited so long to see this," he muttered, his voice trembling with excitement.
"A superior hybrid colony… with a fierce kabaneri as its core. This is my dream made real!" He threw his arms wide, laughing manically.
"The kingdom will be ours now!"
Chapter 33 end.