[center][h3]Komatsu Bay[/h3][/center]
[center][b]BREAKTHROUGH[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@The Irish Tree] (LIL) ~[/center]

[quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=royalblue]"Ayu, are you sure about this? This may have...unfavorable outcomes down the line if we're not careful..."[/color][/quote]

Ayu smirked before replying, still looking at the awed crowd. "[color=red]I think they liked it.[/color]"

She then turned to face [u]Shizuka[/u] who carried the unconscious, barely-alive Na'kratz. "[color=red]We'll keep a closer eye on this guy then, since we lost the previous one. And no idea on who Serek'uar is, but the Sapphire Princes of Varjo are the most powerful spellcasters in the Varjan hierarchy. This Serek'uar must be a special one then, to be leading an entire armada. I... don't look forward to the day when we have to face him.[/color]"

"[color=red]And Lord Hideo is just in Kaneda Castle? That's... pretty close honestly. That's just at the border between Onrai and Saikoten.[/color]" Ayu was genuinely surprised at the information. "[color=red]I wonder why they hold him there...[/color]"

[quote=Liliana][color=f49ac2][b]"But I know I made Queen Titania proud today! When Alice hears about this, she'll probably say like: 'Oh my!' And...other...royal things. But I can't wait until she comes back!"[/b][/color][/quote]

Ayu chuckled at [u]Liliana's[/u] outburst of pride. "[color=red]Indeed. Madam Liliana was quite incredible in the field. The Varjans didn't know what hit them.[/color]"

A familiar, short and rotund figure then approached the gathered taskforce. "[color=aquamarine]You did it, yokai! You did it![/color]" Shizuka the swindler merchant congratulated. "[color=aquamarine]I knew you could pull something like this off. Never doubted for a second![/color]"

Ayu frowned at the merchant. "[color=red]You tried betting money against them![/color]"

"[color=aquamarine]Ahhh, but that bet never went through, did it? Which means I didn't hold true to it.[/color]" Shizuka the merchant tried to excuse himself.

Before anyone could respond, an orange light peeked from the horizon. Ayu and the other Shizuka had to cover their eyes for a second before beholding the morning sun. The night was over and the rain had stopped, the thick clouds have scattered to make way for a beautiful view of the dawn. Morning light shone brightly on the liberated port, which made Ayu chuckle at the coincidence.

She made no remarks on it as she addressed the taskforce. "[color=red]Again, you did a good job here today, taskforce. I will be contacting Lady Kyouko as soon as possible so she can get her fleet here before the Varjans even think of retaking Komatsu Bay.[/color]" Ayu started. "[color=red]You should bring the news of Lord Oja to his son immediately. That said, you guys look battered so I won't oppose to any of you taking some time to rest and recuperate. I will stay here to greet Lady Kyouko's fleet and help the people get back to their feet somewhat.[/color]"

"[color=aquamarine]Lots of bodies to clean up too.[/color]" The merchant Shizuka complained immediately.

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL), [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[quote=Eula 039][color=C48BD3][b]"It went well. Varjans had captured her, but we freed her and received some useful information. But, we still need to verify the validity of it. ...E-Excuse me, Lord Takeshi. I'm running low on fuel,"[/b][/color][/quote]

[u]Eula[/u] took off before Takeshi could respond. A moment of awkward silence passed before a concerned Takeshi spoke up. "I'll check in on Alice and see what Revuel is talking about. I'll see you all later. Do let me know if anything new comes up." And with that, the young lord also left.

[center]---
~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center]

Watching Takeshi leave, Revuel was left with the [u]Hangai[/u] sisters. "[color=cyan]...I do not oppose entering relationships even in the middle of war, but taking to the bed to consummate them is a tad bit too far.[/color]" The ex-Warlock complained, unaware of [u]Atsuha's[/u] relationship with [u]Skarsneek[/u]. "[color=cyan]I suppose monsters can't help it. Some monsters even take to battle just to find a mate.[/color]" His glowing eyes fell to the sisters whose appearances reminded he was before monsters. "[color=cyan]...No offense.[/color]"

"[color=cyan]It is also puzzling to me that Takeshi shows great concern for the Sir Alice. Are they the best of friends or something? Maybe something more?[/color]" Revuel wondered to the [u]Hangai[/u] sisters.

[center]---
~ [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL), [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[u]Eula[/u] had reached the stunned [u]Carroll[/u] first before Takeshi, who arrived shortly after. "Oh, funny running into you again, Eula. Enjoying Shizuyaman rice, I see." The young lord remarked at the rice ball in the Automaton's hands. "And hello to you too, Carroll. Is Alice awake? I just want to ask--"

Takeshi, along with [u]Eula[/u] and [u]Carroll[/u], all bore witness to the... compromising position that [u]Kerry[/u] and [u]Alice[/u] were assuming. The young lord gulped at the sight...

"..."

An arm each wrapped around [u]Eula's[/u] and [u]Carroll's[/u] necks, friendly headlocks courtesy of Takeshi. "Well, well, well! It seems our esteemed friends over here are quite busy! Why don't we leave them be for now and talk to them later?" The young lord suggested, attempting to drag the Automaton and the Cursed Sword away. "Really sorry, you two! Just pretend we never showed up, okay?" Takeshi apologized to [u]Kerry[/u] and [u]Alice[/u] as he tried to turn around with the two other monsters.

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

[hider=Breakthrough (ONGOING)]
"Lady Kyouko needs a port to dock her fleet to properly engage the Varjan armada and deliver supplies, and that port will be Komatsu Bay. If we're going to liberate the fortress, we'll need help and Ayu says she has a friend for the job. We can join her and go to this friend's house, just outside Komatsu Bay."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Past Never Passes]
"Lord Takamori's traitorous former student, Setsuna, is training Mongol archers across Shizuyama. Lord Takamori posits that she plans on attacking Omi Springs, his hometown and a refuge for villagers. We should meet with Lord Takamori as soon as possible."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Traitor]
"Sorae is on the hunt for Sogen, one of the conspirators behind her family's murder. To track him down, Sorae has asked us to speak with Ayu who may know where we can find him."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center]

[hider=Whispers In The Woods]
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.

"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."

"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
[/hider]

[hider=The Other Side Of Honor]
A peasant man eating barbecued meat on a stick was startled when the taskforce member approached. It appeared he has news.

"Yokai! You have to tell Lord Takeshi, there is another samurai noble who survived Sanjo Beach. His name is Lord Tonchiki. He's in his abode southeast of here. If you go see him, I'm sure he would join your cause."

"Err, maybe not. I guess you'll need Lord Takeshi himself to convince him."
[/hider]

[hider=Shizuyama's Freedom]
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. 

"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by that shrine priestess that started a fight here not too long ago."

"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not trained."
[/hider]

[hider=Bottoms Up]
A peasant man warming his hands on a bonfire noticed the taskforce member passing by.

"Yokai, you must do something! It's Ayane's sake brewery in Imahama. That brewery is the pride of Shizuyama, but soon there will be none left. The Varjans are taking it by force."
[/hider]

[center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Heavenly Strike]
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]