"So, this is Enbei Town. To think that such an insignificant place would be chosen as the designated location for the Fifth War."
Christopher Enfield said this as he observed the outskirts of the town from a high mountain road. From above, the entire town looked plain and uninspiring. Even its history felt dull to him, hardly worth remembering.
The town had been founded in the late seventeenth century by local settlers during the Edo period. At the time, it was nothing more than a small village built on newly reclaimed land, granted by the daimyo of that era for rice cultivation and farming.
And that was all. There was nothing more to it.
"I wonder," he murmured, "will there be anyone capable of defeating me? Christopher Enfield, scion of the Enfield family, and wielder of the sacred sword."
Do not grow overconfident, Christopher. We do not know what kinds of weapons will appear, nor which families their wielders belong to, or what abilities they may possess.
The voice belonged to the sacred sword itself, speaking within his mind. This was a common trait shared by all legendary and mythical weapons, allowing them to communicate with their wielders for better understanding and resonance.
I am not overconfident. I am simply stating facts, Christopher replied inwardly. Still, since it is you who says this, I will take your advice into consideration.
In truth, he did not believe he would ever need such caution. There was no one in the modern world, among either the new or old generations of this era, who surpassed him in the art of magic.
He turned back and settled into his car, then spoke to the driver. "Next stop. Enbei Town."
The driver nodded. She was his assistant, or more accurately, his personal maid. A beautiful silver haired woman in her late thirties, dressed in a traditional maid outfit. She started the car, and the engine roared to life.
"Tell me, Yuri," Christopher said calmly, "would you die for me?"
Yuri glanced at him and answered without hesitation. "Yes. I would."
"Good," he replied. "Because there may come a time when I will require your assistance as a disposable pawn."
---
Enbei Shrine, southern hills on the outskirts of Enbei Town.
For Sakura, being a miko, a shrine maiden, was a difficult task. Cleaning the shrine and its stone steps, purifying the grounds and the altar, offering daily prayers to the gods, all of it demanded time and patience.
Now, that responsibility felt even heavier and more irritating after the Summoner's Mark appeared on the back of her hand.
"Sigh…" Sakura muttered, exhaustion clear on her face, as she paused while sweeping the stone stairway with her broom.
Having trouble, Sakura?
The voice belonged to her weapon, the legendary bow Azusa Yumi, once wielded by the first human ruler of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, the great grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu.
What can I say? Sakura replied inwardly. This miko job sucks. I do not even get paid well for it.
Then why did you choose to do it? the bow asked.
Why are you asking that? You already know, she snapped back. In my family, the women have traditionally served as part time miko of this shrine. I was forced into it.
Sakura hated being a shrine maiden, and she hated her family for forcing this role upon her. If it were possible, she would go back in time and give her ancestor a thorough beating for starting this tradition in the first place.
Then why not win the war and wish for your family's tradition to disappear? That way, you would no longer have to be a shrine maiden, the bow suggested, hoping to lift her spirits.
Sakura gave the idea some thought. She placed a hand on her chin and rubbed it lightly as she considered the proposal.
It is tempting, she admitted inwardly. But I do not think it is worth that much. Besides, even if I wanted to, it is not like I would win this damned war. I would more likely end up dead.
She had little hope of victory. At first, she had some. But the moment she learned that Christopher Enfield was a participant, that hope vanished entirely, like a flame extinguished by a sudden gust of wind.
Is it because of that Christopher Enfield, who so arrogantly declared his wieldership? the bow asked.
Yes, Sakura replied sharply. He is the top figure among the mages of the current era, both old and young. Some even say that when he was born, the stars themselves looked upon him and declared, "Yes, this one will become the strongest mage of the age."
That is ridiculous, the bow protested. I refuse to believe it is anything more than propaganda or exaggeration.
It could not accept the idea that a human of this era had earned the favor of the heavens themselves. Whatever other heavens might exist, it knew well that the heavens governed by the Japanese pantheon would never bestow such recognition so easily.
Even so, Sakura replied, we cannot deny that his family stands among the highest. Like my own Matsuzaka family, they are prestigious, privileged, and powerful compared to most in Japan. But even we cannot compare to the Enfields.
Then why not form an alliance? the bow suggested. Surely, among the other five wielders, there must be some who would be willing to ally with you.
That would be ideal, Sakura answered, but it would also be equally risky and potentially lethal. You never know when one of those snakes might turn on you.
As she spoke, Sakura turned around and began walking back toward the shrine. She still needed to replace the incense sticks at the altar.
That is true. Forgive me for failing to consider that as a possible variable, the bow apologized.
Sakura did not respond. She continued up the stone steps, and when she reached the shrine, she noticed someone she did not expect.
Standing there was a familiar figure. A young boy, no more than six or seven years old, wearing shorts and a short sleeved blue shirt, with dirt smudged across his clothes.
"Satou Satoshi. How many times do I have to remind you not to use the back way?" Sakura scolded him.
Satou looked at her, a little frightened. "Sorry… I just wanted to surprise you."
"I understand that," Sakura replied, "but it is still extremely foolish and dangerous. You know that dozens of people have been injured by using that path, right?"
The back way to the shrine was a narrow, hilly trail that demanded careful footing. Sharp rocks jutted out along the path, and the ground was often coated in slippery moss. Some people had even lost their lives attempting to use that route.
Satou lowered his head, tears slipping from his eyes and falling onto the ground.
Sakura walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him. "Alright. I will not be angry anymore. But you must promise me you will never do something like that again."
"Yes…" Satou replied softly.
Sakura gently wiped away his tears.
"Go to Minami's shop and get whatever candy you like. Tell her to put it on my bill."
"Really?" his eyes lit up.
"Yes. Now go."
Hearing this, Satou's face filled with joy, and he ran down the steps with a wide smile.
"Be careful. Do not fall and die on the steps," Sakura called out.
It seemed Satou did not hear her at all.
You are truly a kind woman, the bow said as it observed everything that had just happened.
What? No, Sakura replied immediately. I am not a kind woman.
Huh? What do you mean? the bow asked in confusion. From what it had seen, only a kind person would have acted the way she did.
Everything you just saw was an act.
An act?
Yes. I have to maintain this "kind shrine maiden" image for this miko job.
…And the candy?
That was an act too. Minami will give him some bad candy. He will get a stomachache for two or three days.
But why?
That kid is annoying and always shows up at the worst times. This way, I will have some peace.
The bow fell silent as it processed her words. It seemed its wielder was far more petty than it had expected.
Do not worry, Sakura added. I will send medicine to him later. Besides, the kid is an orphan.
And also rather cruel.
Still, it was not entirely surprising. Pettiness and cruelty were traits common among mages. The bow had simply assumed its wielder was different, as she appeared kind and gentle on the surface.
It had to admit the old saying was true. Appearances could be deceiving.
You know, this particular trait of yours could be very advantageous in the war, the bow remarked, already imagining the many ways its wielder's dual nature could be used to maneuver events into a favorable position.
I have to admit, taking those drama classes back in high school turned out to be a worthwhile investment, Sakura replied.
It certainly did, the bow agreed, its voice carrying something close to approval.