"So you're the new captain of the Swordfish Second Platoon, huh? Lady Kokomi already gave us the heads-up."
Inside the camp of the Swordfish Second Platoon, a Resistance soldier stood with arms crossed, looking down at Lumine and Paimon from his tall frame.
"There've been plenty of rumors about you in the army. Your letter of appointment checks out, but I still have one concern…"
Lumine narrowed her eyes.
"Oh? And what's the issue?"
Another Resistance soldier stepped forward.
"To put it simply—are you really someone worth following?"
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Paimon scratched her head.
Even she could tell the atmosphere was getting a little tense.
"Normally, we'd settle this the straightforward way—with a good fight. But lucky you, we've got better targets at the moment."
"We're stationed here because a bunch of wandering ronin have been causing trouble lately. If you can take care of them, we'll acknowledge your strength."
Lumine rubbed her head.
"Just like Kokomi said… these people are full of pride."
Paimon puffed up her chest.
"Hmph! Then we'll show you what we're made of—you'll be totally convinced!"
Not far from the camp, over a dozen wandering ronin were hunkered down, warily setting up camp.
Armed to the teeth, their eyes were sharp and alert, like hawks scanning for the storm to come.
Suddenly, a streak of motion shot across the landscape like lightning. The figure moved with the speed of a gale, reaching the ronin's camp in an instant.
It was Lumine.
With the power of Anemo beneath her feet, she glided effortlessly through the air like a nimble swallow. Her Dull Blade shimmered with Geo energy, the sword encased in a rugged layer of stone, like an unbreakable fortress.
Orbiting around her were magatama formed from Electro, crackling with elemental energy. They whirled and pulsed, releasing a menacing surge of power.
The magatama danced like thunder dragons, fierce and unrelenting.
By the time Lumine landed in the camp, the ronin were just snapping out of their daze. But it was too late.
She tore through them like a tiger through a flock of sheep.
Her Dull Blade slashed through the air with ferocity, each strike sharp and decisive. Sword shadows danced like a torrential storm, leaving the ronin reeling.
"Drift with the wind!"
With a sharp shout, her strikes grew even more ferocious. Whirlwinds of Anemo spiraled around her, weaving into the crackling Electro, forming a deadly elemental vortex.
The spinning currents cut through everything in their path like blades.
The ronin watched in terror as their attacks proved useless against her overwhelming force. When their weapons met her Dull Blade, a violent shock surged up their arms, numbing their fingers and making their hands ache.
Those who dared get close were swept away by the storm of wind and lightning—vanishing without a trace.
Within moments, over a dozen ronin were defeated, sprawled across the ground groaning in pain.
Lumine hadn't even broken a sweat. To her, the skirmish was nothing more than a warm-up.
Paimon proudly puffed up her chest, as if she had done all the work herself.
"Well? Impressed yet?"
The two soldiers who had challenged her exchanged a glance and swallowed hard.
"Y-You're not bad… Not quite like the rumors, but still pretty amazing."
"Guess it's time we introduced ourselves."
"I'm Yukinari—used to be the acting captain of the Swordfish Second Platoon. This here's Kajiu, one of our veteran fighters."
"And now, I officially hand over command to you. Swordfish Second Platoon, standing by and ready."
Kajiu nodded.
"Captain, thanks for helping us vent some frustration."
"We've been sick of those ronin for a while now, but Yukinari never let us take action."
Yukinari bristled.
"Huh?! You say that like you guys could've taken them down without a captain. I was just looking out for you!"
"Tch, more like you were scared."
"What was that?! Say it again and I'll take you on one-on-one!"
Seeing the tension, Paimon quickly squeezed between the two.
"Hey, hey! No fighting, okay?"
Both Kajiu and Yukinari let out cold snorts at the same time.
Lumine sighed and rubbed her temples.
"Let's just head back and report to Kokomi."
"Alright, alright…"
…
"Lumine, you're back."
"Since you've returned, I assume the ronin invading Watatsumi Island have been dealt with?"
Paimon patted her chest.
"Of course! We knocked them flat—they didn't know what hit 'em!"
Kokomi smiled and nodded.
"That's excellent. As long as we post guards there, they won't be causing trouble again anytime soon."
She lowered her gaze in thought.
"You've worked hard, and such efforts deserve a reward. Let me think… a promotion is too soon… maybe higher pay…?"
Paimon glanced around.
"Wait a second… where's Teppei? I haven't seen him at all."
Kokomi looked up.
"I assigned Teppei a mission too—he's leading a surprise attack on the Shogunate's navy."
"He didn't want to stay behind, and I respected that choice."
Lumine nodded in understanding.
Then, as if recalling something, Kokomi handed Lumine a document.
"By the way, there's a special task I want to entrust to you."
Lumine tilted her head.
"A special task?"
Kokomi nodded.
"Yes. Between Watatsumi Island and Tatarasuna, there's a relic of a god. It's surrounded by small islands, and they're often used as transfer stations for supplies."
"However, lately… the food supplies stored there have been mysteriously vanishing."
"But whenever our soldiers pass through, they report no sign of danger. I'd like you to investigate and uncover the truth."
"This isn't urgent, so don't rush. Spend the next few days getting familiar with the troops and exploring Watatsumi Island if you'd like."
"Once Teppei's back, you can talk with him and head out to sea on a clear day."
…
"So? Getting along with the Swordfish Second Platoon?"
A few days later, Teppei returned a hero and found Lumine and Paimon at the training camp.
Lumine nodded.
"They're alright."
Teppei crossed his arms with a grin.
"Heh, then let your senior teach you a few tricks on leading troops!"
"You'll want to raise their pay, post bounties, enforce discipline… what else was there…"
Paimon scratched her head.
"Where'd you hear all that?"
"From a novel published by the Yae Publishing House. It was years ago—I had to bribe a friend with several dango just to borrow it."
Lumine squinted.
Teppei…
Was his hair grayer than before…?
_
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