Inazuma, Narukami Island, Tenshukaku.
Mr. Faxun ascended the steps.
He surveyed the Shogunate residence before him, a strange feeling he couldn't quite place.
It was... very quiet.
So quiet it made one inexplicably uneasy.
And those Shogunate Army soldiers...
The number of garrisoned troops was far greater now than when Mr. Faxun first arrived at Tenshukaku, as if they had been specially transferred from the barracks.
The men stood ramrod straight, gripping their long spears tightly, each one with a serious expression, as if something major was about to happen.
Regarding this, Mr. Faxun casually asked the Shogunate Army commander beside him, "Um... what happened?"
The commander politely replied to Mr. Faxun, "Mr. Faxun, nothing at all has happened."
"We are merely following the Shogun's orders to strengthen the patrol forces at Tenshukaku."
"Please rest assured, Mr. Faxun, you will be very safe in Tenshukaku."
As he spoke, a Shogunate Army soldier rushed over to report.
"Sir, we have already invited all the renowned doctors from Inazuma."
"They will stay here, ready to save lives at any moment!"
"Renowned doctors? Saving lives?" Mr. Faxun was very puzzled.
The Shogunate Army commander explained to Mr. Faxun, "Yes, the Shogun ordered us to invite all the famous doctors in Inazuma to Tenshukaku."
"The Shogun didn't say who was ill, only arranged for renowned doctors to be stationed here for any unforeseen needs."
"Although we don't know the deeper meaning behind the Shogun's arrangements,"
"But the Shogun must have her reasons for doing so; as subordinates, we only need to obey orders."
With the Shogunate Army commander's explanation and such a grand display,
Mr. Faxun suddenly felt that things were not so simple.
What kind of situation would require dispatching a large number of Shogunate Army soldiers and having doctors on standby?
Could it be that Ei was going to cook, and that's why there was such a fuss?
Aside from that possibility, Mr. Faxun genuinely couldn't think of a second one.
Previously, when Yae heard that Mr. Faxun was going to teach Ei how to cook, she told Mr. Faxun that he wouldn't be seen the next day, with a tone of farewell.
At the time, Mr. Faxun thought Yae was joking.
Now it seems this is a road of no return.
At this moment, a room in Tenshukaku opened from the inside.
The end of the deep, quiet corridor was the kitchen.
Raiden Ei's voice came from within: "Is that Mr. Faxun? Come in quickly."
The Shogunate Army soldiers stepped back, making way for Mr. Faxun.
Mr. Faxun's mood was also complex; he had promised to cook, and he would see it through, even with tears in his eyes.
He strode towards the kitchen, each step exceptionally firm, as if going to his death.
A true man should face Raiden Ei's cooking head-on!
...
In the distance, many residents also noticed the changes at Tenshukaku today.
After all, with a sudden increase in military presence, it was hard not to notice.
The common folk gathered, discussing animatedly.
Someone stroked their chin and sighed, "Tenshukaku has deployed so many troops again? It's exactly like last time! Oh, and this time many renowned doctors have come too?"
"It won't be like last time again, will it? We ordinary people should hurry home to hide, lest we suffer!"
Those in the know already showed expressions of fear, subconsciously moving away from Tenshukaku.
Meanwhile, some people still looked utterly confused, not knowing what was going on.
"Excuse me, what happened at Tenshukaku before? Why are you all so afraid?"
"It's understandable for Tenshukaku to strengthen its forces, right? After all, it's the Shogun's residence. Aren't you perhaps a bit too nervous?"
Fortunately, some informed individuals stopped to explain to those who were completely bewildered.
"One day before, a loud boom came from inside Tenshukaku. That boom was comparable to a muffled clap of thunder in the sky, startling all the common folk."
"Every household came out to check the situation, looking towards Tenshukaku in the direction of the sound,"
"At that time, Tenshukaku was ablaze with fire, shrouded in black smoke, and the originally clear sky was swallowed by lightning!"
"You outsiders don't know how terrifying that scene was; it scared all the witnesses out of their wits at the time!"
"Some said it was the Shogun researching the ultimate martial arts, and that ultimate strike, when unleashed, even the indestructible Tenshukaku couldn't withstand it!"
"Others said it was the Shogun displaying her unparalleled divine power to deter demons and protect the people of Inazuma."
"In short, don't just stand there, hurry and retreat,"
"We ordinary people simply cannot withstand the Shogun's might!"
As they spoke, every household had already closed their doors and windows.
The streets were empty, not even a dog could be seen.
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