Win Without Fighting

Just across the sea lies Izana... My homeland, yet not. What a strange feeling...

There you are, Shion.

You get such a nice view from these docks. Blue stretching out as far as the eye can see.

And the nostalgic scent of the east coming from all those traders. A ship arrived from Garulea before, and people bowed to me when they saw how I was dressed.

They must be relieved to see someone from their homeland here.

If my presence contributes even just a little to their peace of mind, then I'll be happy.

Though... Despite similarities in our dress, my home is much, much further away.

Ahh!

I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me.

No need to apologize.

I just hope you're not hurt.

There's no point in a secret message if you get the wrong person.

What are you talking about?

Oh, I got this letter. I haven't checked it yet, but it would be a shame if they got the wrong guy.

Did that hawk, what was its name, Tamazusa, deliver it then?

Something like that. I'd like to read it. Would you mind?

...... Honestly. Scum is scum, even here.

Shion?

I'm sorry to do this to you, Aldo, but would you mind if we took a break from our travels together?

That's fine by me. But is something wrong?

This letter is addressed to a "Shion" from the lord of the Land of Mi, but unfortunately, it's the wrong Shion.

Do you think they mistook you for the other Shion?

You may not dress the same, or even have the same hair, but your faces are near-identical.

Do you think they mistook you for the Shion from this time layer?

You two are technically the same person, so you do look pretty much identical.

Oh. I guess that could happen if you share the same name with someone...

I'd love for it to be a simple misunderstanding, but this letter is pretty suspicious.

Suspicious? In what way?

No! But this is an instruction to assassinate King Miglance!

Well read. It would seem the lowly lord of Mi wants the western king's head on a platter.

Genshin! He's still up to his old tricks, is he?

If I leave this be, Migleina might again be ravaged by the flames of war.

That would be terrible!

Well, there's the details for you. I can hardly sit idly by, knowing what I do now. As a tactician of the Land of Mi, I must rake this contemptible lord over the coals for this.

Then I'm going, too. I know from before that you like to keep people at a distance so that they won't get dragged into anything. But I can't let you be burdened with such a huge task all on your own.

Besides, we're friends, right? So let me help you.

Friends...

Plus, the other Shion is a dear friend of mine. If there's anything I can do to help, I want to do it.

Fine. To Izana we go then.

What's taking Shion so long? He said he wanted to check something out alone... But maybe that was just a ruse to get rid of me?

Sorry for the wait.

What's with your hair?!

I was asking around about the other Shion, and I heard he sports a different hair color from mine...

If I want to pretend to be him, I should at least look the part.

I guess this is a sign that you're ready to go?

I am indeed. Let's use this charming face of mine to get us a meeting with Lord Genshin.

Thank you for granting me this audience, my lord.

What are you doing here? I thought I already told you your job. And why are you dressed like that? This isn't your usual attire.

This outfit is better suited to the orders you have given me, my lord. Aldo here is known as a hero in the western continent, and he has many royal connections. During our travels, we may be invited to an audience with the king. Hence, this outfit.

Why are you here? I heard you were wandering the land or some such... No, wait.

I think my attendant told me the reason before... ......

Ah, I remember! He said we sent you to the west on a secret mission!

......

......

Ahem.

So what brings you here?

I have counsel for you.

You want to give me your opinion? Whatever next? Perhaps spears will start raining from the skies.

Very well. Talk.

Uh... Okay, I'll begin.

I would like you to reconsider the mission you gave me. The western king is a great man. We should avoid provoking them unnecessarily.

I don't know what you're talking about, but let me be frank with you.

I heard that his great castle fell, with no hopes of being rebuilt. The symbol of his country, laid to ruins. There's no way his people are content with him as king. So I would like to take his place.

What?! We don't want any king other than King Miglance!

Hold your tongue, Aldo. You're in the presence of a lord.

......

You're quite right, my lord. The fall of his castle brings dishonor to the whole country. But rather than looking to the west, we should be strengthening defenses in our own territory. When I looked around town, both land and sea routes were poorly defended, and the soldiers poorly trained. Many in the castle have loose lips, and it's only a matter of time before they start spilling secrets.

It is folly to legitimize an invasion of a foreign land right now. Handled poorly, our land could perish.

Nonsense! My castle is impregnable. It would never fall!

If I may, my lord, such arrogance could very well be what leads to its downfall. Kurosagi Castle in its current state could easily be taken. Why, I could do it, all on my own.

Would you allow me to demonstrate?

Sh-Shion?

You're delusional. But...this could make for an entertaining diversion.

Here are your orders. Take over this castle. If you are successful, I will reward you.

If you fail, you must spin around three times and meow like a cat. And even that may not be enough.

As you wish.

I shall endeavor to keep you entertained, my lord.

Shion, are you sure about this?

We'll be fine for now. Lord Genshin loves his distractions. But I'll have to act quick. He could realize I'm not the other Shion at any moment.

We'll be fine for now. I'm pretty sure that was his body double, so he won't risk doing anything the real Genshin wouldn't. Hopefully.

Lord Genshin really can be pretty unreasonable.

But his attendants could realize I'm not the other Shion at any moment. I'll have to act quick.

So what do we do now?

Why don't we take a leaf out of your book and go help some people in the castle?

That seems...random. Why are we doing that?

One good turn deserves another. If we are kind to others, then they will surely help us out in return.

Oh, what am I to do with all this? Fry them? Boil them? Steam them? Roast them? Serve them raw?

Something troubling you?

People keep sending his lordship gifts of fish, but I don't know what to do with them all.

Can't you share them with everyone?

It's not that simple. It could be seen as disrespectful to be eating the same food as his lordship.

I don't want to get on the wrong side of Lord Genshin, but he'd hate me just as much if I let them spoil.

(That sounds about right.)

Have you considered smoking the fish? They'll keep for longer dehydrated.

Good idea! I'll try that. Hey, aren't you that famous swordsman of Lord Genshin's? How come you know so much about cooking?

My parents died when I was young, so I had to step up to keep my little sister fed.

But she's the type to like absolutely everything she eats, so I had no real incentive to push myself.

How your face softens when you talk about her. She must be really important to you.

She is. She is my everything.

Darn it! It got away again!

What's with all the shouting?

Shion? And a visitor from the west? You've caught me at a bad time. There are mice scurrying around all over the castle and I can't seem to catch them!

Ah. Lady Ageha hates mice, doesn't she? If Lord Genshin catches sight of them, he will not be happy.

He may not be the nicest of men, but he really does care about his wife.

Lady Ageha's confined herself to her chambers today, so I'm safe for now. But still, I don't know what to do!

Why don't you get the cats to catch them?

That's not a bad idea, but it would be faster to burn a mouse-repelling incense.

That could work, but it might scare the cats away.

This is quite the conundrum. They say it's near-impossible to stay healthy in this castle without cats around.

They do?! That's...an extreme theory.

Though, you don't want to fall from Lord Genshin's good graces. Perhaps you should prioritize your duties.

Then I guess I'll have to get the cats out of here and burn the mouse-repelling incense.

Honestly! How many times do I have to tell them? Don't hide the broken equipment, report it.

You don't seem best pleased.

No, I came to check on the weapons, and someone's put broken ones back on the shelves.

Whoa, just look at this one! The crack goes all the way down it!

They look beyond repair. I suppose you'll have to dispose of them?

*sigh* Maybe I can at least use them as firewood or something. In slightly better condition, I could have used them for his lordship's latest obsession, Karakuri weapons.

Karakuri weapons?

Yes. Our craftsmen are modeling them after the technology of the Land of Ro.

That's stupid.

Shion?

If you're getting rid of them, then hurry up and burn them. It won't be safe after sunset.

Reluctant as I am to do so, you're right. There's no point in putting it off.

So we've gone round and helped a few people, but I don't get what this has to do with your plan? How exactly are you going to take over the castle?

Isn't it obvious? As a strong wind blows, business comes to barrel makers. Sometimes small, seemingly inconsequential events will lead to huge outcomes.

I think I follow? Maybe?

But why did you even propose something as crazy as taking over the castle in the first place?

I thought I told you at the start. I intend to rake Lord Genshin over the coals.

Aldo, let me tell you something. In the art of war, winning 100 out of 100 battles isn't actually the best strategy.

But you'd have won everything? Sounds pretty incredible to me.

Numerically, sure. But it doesn't give you the whole picture.

All the lives lost in battle. All the fields and houses scorched. All the anger, sadness, hatred, despair... Fighting comes at a price. It creates a breeding ground for future problems, for both friend and foe. The moment battle commences, you have already lost. To a tactician, true victory is to destroy the opponents' morale and win without ever having to fight.

And yet, he wants to ignite the flames of war just for fun!

Shion?

Sorry about that. Emotion has no place in the mind of a tactician. Okay, let's head back to the audience chamber. Time to make a fool of Genshin.

What, back so soon, are we? Seemed you were trying to gain allies for a rebellion, yet only the western adventurer accompanies you here? The much-adored Lord Genshin will always be more popular than some pathetic conman.

Well? What have you to say for yourself, imposter?

......

Ah, you found me out, did you? Shucks, I thought my disguise was fool-proof.

Shion is a calm man. He would never look at me with such rage in his eyes.

I'll bear that in mind for next time.

Next time? What next time? You're going to rot in jail for conspiring to overthrow my castle! Guards! Arrest this villain!

Oh no! We don't stand a chance against all his soldiers!

......

There's smoke coming from inside the castle! Get out of here, now!

Look! There's black smoke coming from the kitchen!

Come on, let's get outside!

Hm? Why isn't anyone coming?

Oh, that. They're all too busy panicking, thinking that the castle is on fire. The fact that no one's coming to rescue you...is all the proof you need of your own popularity.

So they've left me to fend for myself, have they?

Shion, surely you've won already? Then...

What? You think the scummiest of scum like me wouldn't be prepared for his own soldiers abandoning him?

Time to use my secret weapon. Feast your eyes on this!

Well, this isn't very nice of you.

Aldo, wanna help me out? Let's smash this thing to smithereens!

Got it!

Victory has been decided. Time to take your head.

Wait! I thought you just wanted to take over the castle and teach him a lesson!

In our culture, he who loses the war must also lose his head.

Shion, stop! You don't need to...

Hot, hot, hot! Please, I don't want to die! Don't do this! I'm begging you! W-Wait... I-I'm not burning?

No, that was just an illusion.

Oh, thank goodness! I thought you really had set him on fire!

This man, lowly as he is, is still ruler of this land. If he were to die, his people would suffer. But you understand now, don't you, my lord?

It's all too easy to take over your castle. I could do it in my sleep. The orders you gave Shion would give justification to others to invade our land. And if Izana were attacked right now, it would fall without much of a fight.

You're nothing but a coward, taking this castle by foul play and declaring yourself the victor.

I didn't expect you to be so proper, my lord. War is deception. You can't win without cheating, plotting, and manipulating. And now, I believe you promised me a reward?

What is it you want? Treasure? Money, land, status?

All I want is for you to promise not to get Izana dragged into some miserable war.

I beg of you, too. Please, don't have King Miglance assassinated.

Really? THAT'S what you desire? Are you trying to make me go back on my word?

Fine, if that's what you want!

I will grant you your reward! For I, Genshin, would never tell a lie! Muahaha!

You have my thanks. But if you ever go back to your old ways, I will take your castle and your head, for the good of the realm.

Fine. I hear you loud and clear.

Then let's get going, Aldo.

How could I be rebuked? Me! And made to change my mind! Oh, the shame of it!

He acts all sharp and shrewd, but perhaps he's just a naive pushov...

Is that smoke?

Owww! My eyes! The smoke's stinging my eyes! Someone open a window! Someone help meee!

I like to hope he'll reflect on this for a few weeks...but I guess that's wishful thinking.

So about all that smoke... There wasn't actually a fire, was there?

No, the castle isn't on fire, and there shouldn't be any casualties. Well, the stragglers may have gotten some mouse-repellent incense in their eyes, and that can sting a little.

Oh, well I'm glad your plot to take over the castle didn't get anybody hurt. I'm guessing you carefully calculated this whole thing?

Please, it was all just a coincidence. I hardly did anything. I just mentioned Genshin's favorite fish to a few influential figures and let Tamazusa play near the castle.

So people started sending copious gifts of fish, and the mice fled indoors. Happenstance, nothing more.

Whoa, I don't ever want to get on the wrong side of you!

I'm glad to hear it. I wouldn't want to have to cross swords with you, either.

Come to think of it...

If you're from another time layer, why did you care so much about thwarting Genshin's plan?

From what I could tell back there, you don't work for Lord Genshin. So why did you do all that? He's the most powerful man in the land. He could have had you killed!

I guess...I just didn't want to see this land ravaged by war.

What do you mean?

Why don't we go to Inanari Plateau? As thanks for your help today, I'll tell you one of my secrets.

This place hasn't changed a bit. Golden fields stretching on forever, a gentle breeze rustling through the grass. Just like when I was little.

It is beautiful here. But eerie, like you could get lost forever in those tall grasses.

Lost? You know, you're more right than you think.

Have you ever heard the old ghost stories about Inanari Plateau? Like, if you come here at twilight, you'll meet your future self, or be taken away by specters of the vortex. Or disappear altogether.

What are you talking about?

Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a young boy who dreamed of being a samurai.

One day, his cat went missing in Inanari Plateau.

The boy searched high and low for the cat. When he finally found it, it was nearing sunset.

Tama! Don't go running off like that! You really scared me.

Come on, let's go home. Akane will be worried sick.

Oh...

What is that thing? It's so scary...

No, I can't be scared. With Mom and Dad gone, I've gotta try to be brave now.

Huh? Nothing's happening? Did I just imagine that?

A-Are you okay, mister?

Huh? His hand's all slimy... And red... Is that...blood? Is he...dead?

Argh!

Hfff...pfff... N-No...

I... I've gotta find Tama!

Tama! Time to go home! We can't stay here!

Tama! Get behind me!

Ngh!

Wait... Y-You're my...

A warrior must never raise their hand to a child...

Wait? It doesn't hurt? And where'd that scary thing go?

Huh? Isn't that father's kimono? And that face.

N-No, this can't be happening. That's impossible. She's still so small.

Aka...ne? Aaargh! Waaagh!

I don't remember what happened next, but when I came to, Inanari Plateau was back to normal.

Her hair was devoid of all color. White, like the first frost of the year. Her blood-stained hand clasped onto the Karakuri device that killed my sister.

Then what you saw...

Was likely the future of my homeland, yes. To be honest, I don't know that for sure, but it's certainly what my younger self believed.

And so, I vowed to change the future. I would do all in my power to kill this future that took her from me.

Shion...

I've been haunted by that dream or illusion or whatever it was my whole life. It's the reason I chose to be a tactician, and influence the war in a much grander scale.

And, it's why I chose to journey with you, since you travel through space and time.

I want to know if that future still awaits me or not. And so, I befriended you, for my own selfish reasons. I bet you hate me now, don't you?

Not at all! I'm no different from you.

In order to save my friends, I ruined Professor Chronos' alternate history.

And in order to save Eden, I let history change, and Migleina fall under eastern control. It was a selfish decision, and I'll never be able to make it up to King Miglance or the others.

But when the lives of those you love are at stake, nothing else matters.

......

And even if you're only here out of selfishness, you've more than pulled your weight. Take today, for instance. You stopped a war from breaking out!

No one can ever really say for sure what might have happened... But it seems pretty likely to me that what you did today actually saved the world!

The world?

Heehee. You really are an interesting man.

I feel I should ask you once again, after what has passed. Would you allow me travel with you? Let's work to ensure the despair that awaits me, and the hardship that awaits you, never comes to pass.

Of course! I know I can count on you!

Then let's stick to my plan. To kill that future. And to preserve the future where everybody gets to live.