"The name Peppa is quite famous in my hometown. It has a status akin to a guardian deity for a lot of households! Therefore, from now on, Kurusu Konochi, your code name is Peppa."
"A guardian deity... is it?!"
Kurusu was startled, feeling a wave of overwhelmed gratitude. "If I use this as a code name, will it tarnish the mighty reputation of Peppa?"
"No, you can do it. Believe in yourself."
"...I will not fail your trust, Lady Mika! I shall never disgrace the glorious name of Peppa!" Kurusu straightened his back and gave a solemn guarantee.
Though he didn't know why Mika wanted to keep him and Ikoma by her side, he was certain she had her reasons. He only needed to obey.
This was also Lady Ayame's wish.
Seeing Kurusu's dead-serious expression, the image of an abstract pink piglet flashed through Mika's mind.
Comparing it to the man standing before her, she almost lost her composure.
"Ahem..."
Mika cleared her throat before shifting her attention to Ikoma. "As for Litchi, although it is a fruit, it symbolizes logic and reason. In my hometown, it is equally famous, a legacy passed down through generations. This is your code name from now on, Ikoma. I hope you can change your reckless nature. In the future, try to be a bit more Litchi!"
"I will try..."
Ikoma responded in a heavy voice. He wasn't entirely sure he could change his temperament.
If not for his hot-headedness, he wouldn't have clashed with the head of the Yomogawa family just to stand up for someone else, leading to his imprisonment on a nonsensical charge.
The surrounding people cast envious glances at the duo.
To be personally granted such meaningful code names by Mika was an honor they could only dream of!
"You two, come over here. I don't mind having a couple more hands to help out. But let's get the ugly talk out of the way first: if you dare betray me, I will make you regret ever coming into this world."
Mika hadn't forgotten the sliding dogeza duo in the crowd, who were looking at her with desperate anticipation.
The duo shuddered, shrinking their necks in a mix of excitement and fear as they stepped forward.
"I swear my life and loyalty to you!"
"Me too! Your subordinate would never dare commit any act of betrayal!"
Standing to the side, Kurusu's expression turned as sour as if he had swallowed a fly. As a samurai who took pride in loyalty, he despised traitors and fence-sitters most of all.
Specifically, these two were swearing fealty to another person right in front of him.
The thought of operating alongside these two fellows in the future made Kurusu feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Yet he could do nothing about it. He turned his gaze away, following the principle of 'out of sight, out of mind.'
Mika then randomly assigned them code names. "Your code name is Zako One, and yours is Zako Two."
"Yes!"
The pair, having successfully evolved from the sliding dogeza duo into the Zako Duo, nodded excitedly in response.
Though being called Zako—small fry—didn't sound particularly prestigious, it was a name personally bestowed by Lady Mika.
This was an honor worthy of its own page in their family genealogy! How could they not be excited?
Ignoring the reactions of the others, Mika pondered to herself.
'Kurusu and Ikoma, plus two expendable Zako... that's more than enough to cause headaches for Amatori Biba.'
Biba was destined to stand in opposition to her, so she naturally wouldn't make things easy for him. As long as they didn't officially tear off the mask of civility, she could lead Ikoma and the others to annoy the man to no end.
Suddenly, the harsh screech of brakes echoed from outside. The Koutetsujou's speed plummeted so sharply that everyone in the carriage lost their balance, pitching forward.
Fortunately, they all grabbed handrails in time; no one was injured.
Just as the crowd wondered what had gone wrong, a samurai ran up quickly and stopped before Mika, bowing respectfully. "Lady Mika, Yatsushiro Station ahead has been overrun by Kabane. However, we have found survivors. Lady Ayame intends to launch a rescue operation, so she sent me to inform you."
"That works out. I happen to want to head out for some fresh air."
Mika had no objections. She motioned to Ikoma and the others. "You all come down with me as well."
The group exchanged looks and nodded in agreement.
The Koutetsujou slowly rolled into Yatsushiro Station, pulling up to a platform.
The doors of the various carriages opened, and samurai stepped out to secure the perimeter.
"Taking a stroll in a fallen station... only Lady Mika would dare do that."
Sukari watched the departing figures of Ikoma and the others, his eyes filled with envy. "Damn, I want to be by Lady Mika's side too!"
Mika was beautiful and possessed such overwhelming power; there wasn't a man alive who wouldn't want to be near her.
He admitted he was a bit jealous of Ikoma.
"Don't think too much. A lot of survivors might be coming aboard soon. I wonder if the Koutetsujou's food reserves are sufficient."
A trace of worry flashed through Kajika's eyes.
Elsewhere.
"Lady Ayame, the estimated number of survivors in Yatsushiro Station is significant. To feed so many mouths, our current food reserves are simply not enough."
Arakawa Kibito spoke with a grim expression, delivering the bad news.
"Even with the freshwater fish Lady Mika provided, it's still not enough?"
"Correct. There are simply too many people on the Koutetsujou now. Should we go and ask Lady Mika to grant us more food?"
"No!"
Yomogawa Ayame refused without hesitation. "If we trouble Lady Mika for everything, her goodwill toward us will eventually be eroded by our endless demands."
"This..."
Kibito understood this point. He glanced at the map and analyzed the situation. "With our current reserves, we can barely make it to Iwato Station for resupply."
"However, that requires the Koutetsujou to pass through Yatsushiro Station, and the tracks happen to be blocked by a fallen elevated bridge. We need to use the central crane to pull it away."
"The samurai aren't skilled at operating such machinery, so we need the assistance of the steam smiths."
"The good news is that the Jet Bullets Ikoma developed are a success. The samurai can pierce Kabane hearts from a distance, greatly increasing kill efficiency."
"I suggest sending a squad of samurai to protect the safety of the steam smiths."
After listening, Ayame nodded seriously. "We will formulate a clear plan first. After that, go select suitable candidates..."
She then began discussing the details with several retainers.
"Do you need help..."
"Eh? Mumei, when did you wake up?"
"Not long ago. I was probably woken up by your noise. I heard you're in urgent need of help?"
"That's right. If you're willing to help, Mumei, that would be wonderful. Oh, right..."
Seeing Mumei approach, Ayame suddenly remembered something. She took a bamboo tube from her pocket and handed it over. "Here. This is your lunch. Lady Mika specifically gave instructions for it."