Chapter 352: Alaya's Teleportation
Under Alaya's manipulation, a vortex of light opened. Unlike the perfectly square white light portals of the White God, Alaya's passage was a diamond-shaped pillar of light. Inside was a glowing sphere with a rotating blue-white swirl, surrounded by a seven-colored radiance. Lines and particles of light in various hues darted and drifted back and forth, appearing both ethereal and divine.
Shirou was sucked into the light sphere and transported to another location. On a vast, desolate wilderness, an opening suddenly appeared.
It seemed Alaya had mischievously set the exit of the tunnel three or four meters up in the air.
However, this was not enough to cause any trouble. Shirou sensed something was wrong immediately. He decisively adjusted his posture, straightened his waist mid-air, performed a flip, braced himself with one hand, and landed steadily on his feet.
Shirou shook his head irritably. Had the Alaya possessing the little girl become childish and prankish as well? Or was the personality she manifested essentially this malicious?
Shirou stood up and surveyed the surroundings. He seemed to be on a desolate hill in the middle of nowhere; there was nothing but wild grass and trees.
Alaya had been so intent on teleporting him that she hadn't told him anything. Shirou decided to head down the mountain first. Whatever matter the Counter Force needed to resolve, he reasoned, wouldn't likely be happening in a place devoid of people.
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On the other side, beneath the vortex of light.
"What a touching parting between master and disciple," Alaya remarked casually, looking at the tear-streaked Hachi.
"Waaaah, Master Shirou! You're so heartless, just leaving like that! Waaaaah!" Hachi was sprawled on the ground, wailing piteously. It was truly a sight to make any listener sad and any beholder weep.
However, none of this affected Alaya, who did not understand the human heart. She waved a small hand at the woman, preparing to leave as well. "Well then, I'll take my leave too. Goodbye, big sister Hachi!"
"Wait! What is the method to meet Master again? You haven't told me yet!" Hachi suddenly raised her head and shouted urgently.
"No, I still prefer bossing Shirou around. if I dragged you in, he might get angry, so let's forget it!" After Alaya finished speaking, she didn't wait for Hachi to respond. She transformed into a streak of light, drifted out of the little girl's body, and was sucked into the vortex.
The rotating vortex of light in the sky closed and vanished. Only then did Hachi realize the surroundings had suddenly grown dim. The sky was dusky; the setting sun painted the clouds with a final layer of orange-gold. Crows cawed as they flew over the countryside. Everything from before felt as if it had never happened.
"Eh? Why am I here? Big sister, who are you? Ah... wait, are you sister Heihachi?" The little girl with the bob cut had completely changed her demeanor now. She rubbed her eyes with a small hand as if she had just woken up, looked around, and called out in confusion.
Alaya had already left the girl's body, and she had reverted to her original self. When the girl lowered her hand from her eyes, Hachi instantly recognized her and cried out in surprise.
"Ehh! Kame-hime! Why are you out here!"
The girl in the luxurious red kimono was the eldest daughter of the Matsudaira young lord, Ieyasu—the biological granddaughter of the Matsudaira patriarch! Because of the attack by the Demon God Toyotomi and his army of monsters, the ladies of the inner palace had taken her and other family members of the castle lord to flee outside for safety. They had unexpectedly encountered monsters midway, and she had accidentally become separated.
In reality, Alaya had sensed the situation here and possessed the girl, controlling her to stay away from danger and walk to this spot. Under the great tree, she had waited for Shirou's arrival.
The girl now remembered her family, and seeing the completely unfamiliar environment, she became very unsettled. "Where is this? Where did Mother go? Is Father alright?"
The girl clutched her sleeve with her small hand, looking like she was about to burst into tears.
Hachi hurried to comfort her, laughing loudly, "Ahaha, it's fine, it's fine! The monsters in the city have already been defeated by me and my Master! The Lady must be safe and sound."
"Really? Then I want to see Mama right now. Mama wouldn't leave me here alone." The girl looked up at Hachi, still appearing very uneasy. The more she thought, the more worried she became; her well-developed tear ducts were already starting to brew a river.
Hachi screamed internally that this was bad. She remembered that as the eldest granddaughter of the castle lord, the little girl was cute when she wasn't acting up, but once she lost her temper and started a fuss, she was a lawless little demon—even scarier than the previous Demon God Toyotomi Hideyoshi. She could actually go up and fight Hideyoshi, but she couldn't hit or scold this little demon.
Tears were about to fall from the girl's eyes, and her mouth opened to let out a wail.
Hachi was anxious but didn't know what to do. At that moment, she recalled how Master Shirou used to speak to the women at home.
Hachi crouched down, pressed her hands on the girl's shoulders, and imitated Shirou, showing a friendly and healing "boy-next-door" smile. She said softly, "Hime, you're so cute, how could I have the heart to lie to you? What I said is of course true."
The little girl stared at that smiling face, momentarily stunned. A blush appeared on her small face, and she said delicately, "Mmh... I believe you."
Hachi felt a weight lift from her shoulders and sighed in relief. She said with a smile, "Good! I'll take you home right now. Come, let me carry you."
"Mmh." The little girl gazed at Hachi's face, which was quite heroic and handsome for a woman—somewhat androgynous. She thought, 'Haven't seen her for a few days, but I feel like she's become so much cooler!'
"Alright then, sister is taking you home now!" Hachi held her spear in one hand and used the other to support the little girl's lower body, lifting her up so she sat on her arm. She then strode back toward Mikawa Castle.
She had learned more things from Master Shirou than she had imagined, and they were unexpectedly practical. Hachi became even more confident about the future. She would definitely prove herself and become a stronger, more beautiful, and excellent woman!
Suddenly, the girl remarked out of the blue, "Sister Heihachi, I always feel so safe by your side. It would be great if you were a man."
Hachi furrowed her heroic brows. Why did she feel like her "battle was lost before it even began"? Even if it was just a child's innocent remark, this was uncalled for.
Hachi puffed out her chest and shouted at the little girl in protest, "What are you saying! I'm a woman! A woman! Look, based on my figure, I'm definitely a 'good woman,' right?"
"Tsk... that kind of excess meat should just be cut off," the little girl said, clicking her tongue.
A shiver ran down Hachi's spine. She said, "You're just a child, do you even understand what kind of terrifying things you're saying! You would definitely die if you did that!"
"I don't care. I won't look down on you then," the little girl said affectionately, looking at Hachi who was carrying her.
"I'll care, okay!" Hachi yelled, exasperated.
And so, arguing back and forth, the two returned to the city. As the primary hero in the subjugation of the Demon God Toyotomi, and having brought back the lost eldest princess, Hachi had completely maxed out the favorability of the Lord's family.
The future of Honda Heihachi Tadakatsu was set, her prospects limitless. She would surely inherit the official position of the old General Honda within the family.
In the days to come, relying on the spear techniques that returned to simplicity through daily persistent practice and the incomparably sharp Tonbogiri, she would serve as the primary general of the army under the succeeding Tokugawa Ieyasu, achieving great merits. She would become a legend who fought in over fifty battles, winning every time and never once sustaining an injury.
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