The next day… in the forest path east of the Kamisato Estate, a cluster of ethereal Electro particles gradually converged within the shadows.
Zzzzt—
The purple radiance grew denser, finally taking shape as a slender woman—clad in a short purple kimono, with violet hair cascading down her back, and a face of exquisite beauty.
Today, the Shogun had not come in casual attire; she wore her usual regalia as the Raiden Shogun. Not wishing to attract attention when leaving Tenshukaku, she had deliberately transformed into lightning and traveled here directly—her movements swift, her trail concealed, her actions clean and precise.
Gazing upon the Kamisato Estate she had not visited for quite some time, a trace of nostalgia and tenderness flickered within her violet eyes. The decorations within the estate seemed unchanged. She wondered how that child was doing now—it had been nearly two years since their last meeting.
Two years meant little to her… but to the other party, it must have felt much longer.
The first year, she had been far too busy to make time for a visit. The second year—well, that had been during the Vision Hunt Decree.
Now seemed a good time to pay a visit, to reminisce… and perhaps to see how much that child had grown in grace and bearing.
The thought stirred a faint expectation in her heart. Yet when she recalled what the Traveler had told her about his connection to a servant of the Kamisato household, her expression turned slightly complicated.
Tap, tap…
Casting those thoughts aside, she began walking along the main road, intending to enter the Kamisato Estate. However, things were not so simple.
"Hey… is that…?"
"Sh-Shogun-sama?!"
From a distance, Tenryou Commission soldiers secretly stationed near the Kamisato Estate spotted her and immediately grew anxious. What—why had the Shogun suddenly come to the Yashiro Commission in person?
Wasn't this exactly what Kujou Takayuki had feared?!
No, this couldn't be allowed—under no circumstances could the Shogun meet Kamisato Ayaka!
Kujou Takayuki's previous order had been clear: if the Shogun came, find an excuse to divert her elsewhere. Thus, the soldiers sprang into action, hurrying toward the Shogun's position.
And so, before the Shogun now stood several Tenryou Commission soldiers. Well—perhaps "stood before" was too strong a word. None of them dared truly block her path. They merely stood in front of her respectfully, trembling slightly.
"Sh-Shogun-sama… are you here to—"
The leading captain began to speak, but before he could finish, she interrupted him with her cold, commanding voice.
"Why is the Tenryou Commission present on the Yashiro Commission's territory?"
Her violet eyes narrowed slightly, her tone calm yet piercing. She had sensed it—the moment she appeared, these soldiers had rushed to surround her. Such perfect timing could only mean one thing: they had been lying in ambush here all along.
In other words… these men had been stationed near the Kamisato Estate for quite some time.
Highly suspicious.
"Uh… w-well, we came to see Lady Kamisato as well. The recent Vision Hunt Ceremony was also… conducted with the help of the Yashiro Commission. We were ordered by Lord Kujou Takayuki to come and express our gratitude."
For soldiers, they lied without the slightest shame—but fortunately, they were quick-witted enough to make it sound convincing.
Of course, the truth was that the Yashiro Commission had not been involved in the Vision Hunt Ceremony at all; it had been initiated solely by Kujou Takayuki.
"…If this is merely a visit of gratitude, why bring so many troops?"
She questioned them suspiciously.
"O-of course, it's for Lady Kamisato's safety, Shogun-sama. You need not worry."
Cold sweat trickled down the captain's face as he forced out the excuse.
"Enough. I intend to speak with the White Heron Princess within the estate. Step aside."
Her arms crossed, the Shogun issued her command coldly. She had no time to waste on these people.
"Uh…" ×N
The soldiers exchanged awkward glances, none daring to move.
"…Is there something else?"
Her half-lidded eyes swept over them, her voice quiet yet carrying the weight of thunder.
"N-nothing at all, Shogun-sama…"
The captain stammered, his voice trembling under her oppressive gaze. His heart felt as though it had leapt into his throat.
"Then stand down."
She spoke once more, her tone final.
"Shogun-sama—" ×N
"Speak."
She allowed the next words to come, her expression still utterly cold.
"Shogun-sama… before your arrival, we had already gone inside to meet with her, but… it seems Lady Kamisato had some business to attend to and is not presently in the estate. So… there is no need for you to trouble yourself over this."
The captain quickly came up with a plausible excuse, explaining as calmly as he could. His only goal was to prevent the Shogun from meeting Kamisato Ayaka, even though none of them had ever set foot inside the Kamisato Estate.
"Whether she is present or not shall be determined by my own eyes. I require no report from you. It is but a few steps… hardly something to be called 'trouble.' Step aside."
She sighed faintly after saying this, then made to continue forward.
"!"
But the men before her paled, their expressions tightening with panic.
"Shogun-sama!" ×N
As she moved, several of the soldiers immediately stood together, forming a line before her once more.
"...I believe I have made myself perfectly clear."
Her violet gaze narrowed dangerously, her tone laced with impatience.
"..." ×N
The soldiers stood silent, trembling. The Shogun's orders could not be disobeyed—but Kujou Takayuki's command could not be ignored either. What were they to do?
"…Could it be that you intend to stop me?"
Her voice grew deathly cold, and the oppressive weight of her presence rolled over them like a tidal wave. It felt as though she might draw her blade at any moment and strike them down.
"W-we would never dare!!" ×N
At once, goosebumps ran over their bodies as they stammered in fear. In that instant, Kujou Takayuki's orders were completely forgotten. This was someone they could not afford to offend.
"Stand down!"
Her voice rang out like a thunderclap, sharp and commanding.
The shout was so forceful that one soldier in the back fell flat onto the ground, nearly losing control of his bladder.
"Y-yes!!" ×N
Clatter, clatter…
In an instant, the soldiers scrambled aside, leaving a wide path open for her to pass through.
Tap, tap…
Without sparing them another glance, the Shogun walked calmly into the courtyard of the Kamisato Estate, her back straight and unwavering until her figure vanished from sight.
"..."
The captain's expression twisted with dismay as he watched her disappear.
"Captain… what do we do now?"
One of the soldiers asked in a low voice once the Shogun had gone.
"What else can we do? Withdraw, of course!"
He barked impatiently.
"B-but didn't Lord Kujou Takayuki say—"
"Then you go tell her! Will any of you?"
"N-no, no, no…" ×N
They all shook their heads vigorously, like frightened dogs. The oppressive might they had just felt from the Shogun was something none of them ever wished to experience again.
"Then quit talking and move! We'll go back and report this to Lord Takayuki!"
"Y-yes, sir!!" ×N
And so, the group of Kujou Takayuki's lackeys—who had been stationed to watch over the Kamisato Estate—gathered their things in a fluster and hurriedly left the area. Who knew what sort of reaction that old man would have once he learned of this?
Clack!
With a crisp sound of wood sliding against wood, the gates of the Kamisato Estate were pulled open by her with a light touch.
"..."
Her violet eyes swept over the familiar décor of the entryway, a faint sense of nostalgia rising within her. She stepped inside and gently closed the door behind her.
The faint, elegant fragrance of the Kamisato household lingered in the air—a clean, natural scent that matched its owner's refined temperament. Despite the absence of perfume, the estate carried an understated grace that had always been uniquely its own.
Tap, tap…
She walked forward until she reached the folding screen adorned with patterns of white herons and camellias. From beyond it came the faintest of sounds—subtle, delicate movements confirming the presence of the person she sought. The shoes neatly arranged by the entrance were further proof. Clearly, those soldiers had lied to her. They were hiding something… and Ayaka surely knew it.
She shifted her weight slightly, slipping off her shoes. Her elegant feet—wrapped in thigh-high stockings—freed themselves from the restraint of heeled sandals and touched down softly upon the pale tatami mats. Her steps were so light they made no sound at all. The shoes she removed happened to rest neatly beside those of the room's owner.
Moving forward with quiet grace, her arms folded loosely as she walked with the ease of someone visiting a close acquaintance. She gently rounded the screen and stepped into the main hall.
"Shogun-sama… it truly has been some time since you last came to visit Ayaka. May I ask, what brings you here alone today?"
One did not yet see the speaker, but the voice—refined and melodious—carried an air of mystery. The Shogun paused momentarily upon hearing it, her lips curving into the faintest smile. She could tell from the tone that there was a touch of reproach—almost as if to say, 'You haven't thought to see me all this time, and now suddenly you remember I exist?' The teasing undertone bordered on a gentle, playful complaint.
Stepping further in, she finally saw the girl before her.
Not in her usual attire of armor and formal dress, but instead wearing a kimono the Shogun herself had gifted her long ago. The light blue fabric, patterned with white herons and camellias, complemented by the white thigh-high stockings beneath the hem, made Ayaka appear both elegant and radiant.
She knelt gracefully in the center of the hall, holding a folded fan that half-concealed her lips. Her eyes, lowered slightly, shimmered beneath long lashes, and the small beauty mark by her eye only deepened her allure. It was as though she wished to show the Shogun her most captivating side.
She had grown. Seeing her like this, the Shogun could not help but feel quietly pleased. Two years apart had changed her greatly—from a beautiful girl into a refined, graceful woman.
"..."
Ayaka felt the Shogun's gaze upon her, lingering, almost studying her after so long apart. Yet she felt no discomfort—only quiet happiness. Still, a faint shyness stirred within her, and her icy-blue eyes dipped modestly as she endured that gaze.
"Though I am honored that Shogun-sama seems so captivated by me, surely your visit today is for more than to admire Ayaka's beauty?"
Her tone was soft and elegant, yet carried a hint of playful teasing.
The Shogun turned her eyes aside slightly.
"…You misunderstand. This one is not captivated by you—"
"When Shogun-sama lies, your eyes tend to look away."
"..."
She gave a small sigh, unable to hide her amusement, and met Ayaka's gaze once more. Ayaka, still covering her face with the fan, laughed softly—clearly pleased at having caught her off guard.
"Haah…"
The Shogun let out a quiet breath, a sound somewhere between resignation and fondness. She lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, composing herself before speaking again.
"…You knew I would come here, didn't you?"
She knew Ayaka well—the girl's mind was sharp, her foresight keen. It would not surprise her if Ayaka had anticipated her visit long in advance, perhaps even since the Vision Hunt Ceremony itself.
Ayaka nodded gently. "Indeed. Knowing Shogun-sama's nature, it was not difficult to predict."
"Including… the matter of that traveler?"
Her tone carried a trace of subtle inquiry.
"..."
At that, Ayaka lifted her eyes briefly to meet hers before looking away again. Slowly, she rose from her kneeling position, closing her fan to reveal her serene and beautiful face.
"Shogun-sama… how is Thoma?"
Turning her gaze toward the soft sunlight streaming through the window, Ayaka spoke softly—her question deliberate, though it left the Shogun's previous one unanswered.
"He is unharmed. I had intended to confiscate his Vision, but the Traveler intervened first. During the Vision Hunt Ceremony, he caused a senseless commotion… injured my soldiers, acted with insolence before me, and thus I was compelled to give him a brief lesson."
Arms folded, she recounted the events calmly to Ayaka.
"..."
Ayaka's eyes flickered with confusion before she turned toward the Shogun.
"Insolence… before you? Did he not mention 'Kamisato Ayaka'?"
"Not a single word. He simply barged into the ceremony and stirred chaos on his own. However, he did say that Thoma was his friend."
"..."
Ayaka lowered her gaze, deep in thought.
"Since Thoma is your house retainer… it stands to reason that the Traveler is connected to the Kamisato family. Therefore, I came to see whether you were perhaps… hiding him away."
Hearing this, Ayaka raised her eyes to meet the Shogun's gaze. Fortunately, there was no anger in those violet eyes—only her usual calm expression. She let out a small sigh of relief… though she would have accepted punishment if it were to come.
"Haah… Shogun-sama worries too much. I have not hidden him."
Though things had not unfolded exactly as she had anticipated, the outcome was still favorable. Most importantly—the Shogun had finally come to see her. That alone made her heart light.
"Is that so… but he is connected to you, is he not?"
"Indeed, Shogun-sama. If you wish to know the truth, I will tell you everything. However… before that—"
Ayaka turned and walked toward the sword stand beneath the folding screen. Her delicate hand reached out and lifted her blade, Snowswept Sakura, bringing it before her as her graceful steps intertwined, her movements fluid and elegant like a celestial maiden.
Click—
With a gentle motion, she drew the blade halfway from its sheath. The pale pink steel reflected against her snowy face as her lips curved into a breathtaking smile.
"Shogun-sama, it has been far too long since we last exchanged sword techniques. Might you indulge Ayaka in a friendly spar today?"
Her voice was soft and sweet, yet carried the clarity and resolve of ice itself. The Shogun couldn't help but think, this child truly hasn't changed at all.
"Haah… so you lured me here just to spar with you?"
She teased lightly—but there was no irritation in her tone, not even the faintest trace of displeasure.
"Hehe… how could that be? There are still many things I wish to do together with you, Shogun-sama. The spar is only the beginning~"
Ayaka smiled faintly, then reached for another sword from the stand—a splendid violet-bladed katana—and offered it reverently to the Shogun.
"My, you've grown… and far more glib with words."
The Shogun replied fondly, accepting the weapon—Mistsplitter Reforged—and attaching it to her waist, still within its sheath.
"Does Shogun-sama prefer how I was as a child, then?"
Ayaka stepped back gracefully, creating distance between them, her lips curving as she asked.
"Not at all… the you before me now is even more radiant—pure, and elegant."
Zzzzt—
With that flirtatious tone lingering in the air, she unsheathed Mistsplitter Reforged in one smooth, fluid motion. The exquisite violet blade resonated faintly, its song harmonizing with her presence. The Shogun's posture—poised, slender, yet commanding—radiated an aura both graceful and formidable, her stance perfectly balanced as the blade rested by her side, its tip brushing near her ankle.
"…My thanks for the compliment, Shogun-sama."
Ayaka's face flushed with a delicate shade of red, her smile soft yet determined. The icy blue of her eyes grew sharp as frost as her refined voice whispered quietly:
"To spar with the Shogun requires the utmost precision and care."