Rina smiled when she heard those six words. "I'm ready, Kagami-sama..." she said, clenching a fist.
"Your mission will be in two parts. First, head to Shiga and confirm Rani's position with our sect. I have already made the necessary arrangements so Murasaki will come to you. When he does, your second mission is to subdue and take his seed–"
She turned pale as her smile disappeared. "WAIT, WHAT?" Rina shook her head. "The first one bad enough but the second! Why should I do that?"
"I shall tell you the reason soon, Princess. But if you wish to become Queen, that is my only request."
I wouldn't be different from her if I did that. She cringed, tasting bile on her tongue. "I don't know... He killed Papa! For that alone, the brat should die!"
Kagami smiled, facing her. "Trouble yourself not about Murasaki's demise. An even worse fate awaits him. We shall have ourvengeance in due time..."
Rina remained silent. She pondered for a moment. "Fine," she said between gritted teeth. "I'll do it."
"If there is nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Rina went to her room and prepared for the trip. She changed into a black outfit and left the palace. Every villager had their face to the ground as she walked past. After a while, she exited Kurai's border and increased her pace as she reached Tokushima.
Mountainous terrain filled the less populated Shadow Region district until she arrived at a seashore. At Tokushima's coast, Rina got ferried to the mainland by a local boatman. The trip on water was half a day and she reached Osaka port at midnight. She made a fire and rested for the night.
The next morning, she resumed her walk. She arrived at her destination at midday with the sun high in the sky. Of Nihon's eight regions, the Grass was the poorest, with no feudal or military system. It was mostly communal towns that relied on farming. They also had elders to preside over local disputes.
When Rina reached Shiga District, most locals commented on her resemblance to the Grass Witch. "Hello there," she greeted a small group of peasants. "Do you know where Rani stays?"
They all scurried away.
"You're searching for the sorcerer, right? I must say you look so much like her." One brave merchant walked up to her and pointed to a secluded cabin. "Lady Sharma helped me with my business. She stays over there... just beyond those huts."
"Thank you." Rina offered the man some money. "Can I have an apple, please?" She grabbed the red fruit and took a few huge bites. Once finished, she sauntered off to Rani's cabin. On arrival, the structure appeared to be desolate. Rina barged in and her jaw dropped. What the hell?
A young man was tied naked onto a wooden board.
Facing him stood a tall woman with a bubble ponytail and dressed in a black sari. "Don't you know how to knock like everyone else?" she turned around, revealing her youthful appearance. On her forehead, she wore a black bindi. Her eyelids and lips were painted the same to match. "Oh, it's you, Rina? What brings you to my humble abode?"
"Seven years! It's been seven whole years since you left. Is that how you greet your d–?" Rina's eyes darted to the captive's manhood. This is so messed up! What is she even doing to him? She averted her gaze, cringing. "What's going on here, Mother?"
Rani chuckled, strangling his shaft with one hand.
The man let out a high-pitched moan and blushed.
"Oh," said Rani with a slight grin. "Chikao is one of my many followers. He's helping me make some soma (Sanskrit: ritual drink). Unlike your master, no one has to die for me to look this good." She gestured at her body before turning to him. "Am I coercing you, my love?"
Chikao shook his head. "Not at all, Sharma-sama!"
Samsāra (Sanskrit: cycle of rebirth) manipulation? Rina folded her arms in disgust. Eugh! She's worse than the rumors...
"Tell me, daughter." Rani's smile vanished quickly. "What does your master want from me... now?"
"–To know if you're still doing your job. And it seems you already have your hands full... as usual."
Rani let go of Chikao's member and walked towards Rina. "Of course I do his bidding! It's not like I have a choice in the matter. None of us do," she pointed at herself and her daughter. "Even then, do you think I wanted to leave you behind?"
There was a brief silence.
"If it were up to me, I would've brought you here..."
Rina's face turned green as she cringed.
"Or somewhere better, of course..." said Rani, forcing a chuckle. "A nice place such as Chiba or Edo. Far from those sick men in Kurai."
"Actually..." Rina raised a finger and studied the room. "I'm treated well back home. I'm not so sure it would've been the same here." She paced around Also, how do I know you're telling the truth?"
Swapnabhūmi (Sanskrit: Dreamland)
Rani made the Chinmaya mudra and they were transported to her shadow plane. Memories of her leaving Kurai appeared above them. She had begged Kagami and Kagero to take Rina. After both men refused the request, they exiled her to Shiga.
"I–I didn't know any of that." Rina cried once they exited the dreamscape. She was at a loss for words. "Papa said... he said you abandoned us."
"He was probably following orders. As you can see, I had to bury those feelings." Rani gave her daughter a tight hug. "I do care about you, my child. A lot!"
After a short while, Rina sniffled and freed herself. "You can let go now… I saw where your hand was."
They both chuckled.
"So... are there any boys I should know about?"
Rina's cheeks reddened. "That's not stuff a mother should be asking her daughter! There's none..."
"Hmm. When I was younger–a few years older than you... I fancied my teacher but he rejected me." Rani wiped her eyes and smiled. "In your case, suitors probably fear your station or are power hungry."
"I don't have time for that. My goal is to be Queen."
"Even a Queen needs a consort at some point."
Rina looked away, blushing. "Well..."
"So, there's someone!" Rani's smile widened. "He must be handsome... tell me more. How tall is he?"
"He fancies the company of other men."
"Oh..." said Rani, pausing briefly. "Which reminds me, there must be another reason he sent you here."
Silence filled the air and Rina shifted her gaze.
Almost reading her daughter's mind, Rani unbound Chikao and told him to leave. When the two of them remained, she posed a question. "We're free to speak now. Why did Kagami really send you here?"
Rina remained silent. Words could not escape her lips as she pondered the question. Suddenly, she turned pale and nearly vomited on the floor.
"It's okay, you don't have to–"
"I should've just killed that fucking brat!" Rina shouted, veins popping on her temples. "And avenged Papa!" she breathed deeply and cringed. "But Kagami-sama said... he said the only way for me to become Queen is if I take the Inazuma seed!"
What twisted game is he playing at? A memory of Kazuro appeared in Rani's mind and her eyes became teary. He's had his vengeance... so, what's this all for? To taunt me? By breaking my daughter? She grabbed Rina's shoulder. "You don't have to–"
"If I don't... I won't have the throne." Rina sniffled, shrugging her mother off. "How come you're not surprised?" She asked, eyebrows furrowed. "Did Papa also do something crazy to become King?"
"He had to kill Kagemaru's mother."
Rina's eyes widened. It's no wonder aniki hated Papa so much. He knew about it all along! She paused, resuming her composure. "I see..."
"With this information," said Rani, calmly locking eyes with Rina. "Will you still go through with it?"