XElenea
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CA : 89 Bright Future
🕑 Added 2025-01-06 16:00:01 +0000 UTCThe next morning, after developing the antidote, Altair instructed Kenshou to gather the samurai. As before, the samurai assembled in the square of the lord's manor, awaiting Altair's appearance. While they waited, they murmured among themselves, wondering what Altair had summoned them for this time... perhaps to continue fighting the Kabane, or maybe something else.
"Silence!"
Kenshou, acting as the steward, arrived first as usual, calling for order among the samurai.
"Altair-sama is about to arrive."
After speaking, Kenshou stepped aside, making way for Altair, who appeared with his usual entourage... Ayame and her bodyguard.
"Good morning, my dear dogs."
The samurai had grown used to this greeting by now. After so many days, they no longer flinched when Altair addressed them this way.
"I've called you here today to deliver some good news."
Altair signaled to Kenshou, who nodded and ordered the others to bring forward the supplies. When they returned, each person was carrying a tray, and on each tray were ten vials.
Altair casually picked up one of the vials and held it up so all the samurai could see.
"Do you see this? This is called an antidote. Just like its name suggests, it can counteract the Kabane virus and prevent someone from turning into a Kabane after being bitten."
The samurai's eyes widened. In this world, the most terrifying thing was the Kabane. A bite usually meant certain death. But now, there was an antidote!
Ignoring the eager looks from the samurai, Altair placed the vial back on the tray.
"I'm the only one who can make this antidote. Unfortunately, because of limited materials, I've only managed to make twenty doses. So now, I need to select twenty of you to receive the antidote."
The samurai began to stir, eager to be chosen. This antidote was a game-changer... it meant they could face the Kabane without the fear of death.
"Don't worry, this is only the first batch. The twenty people selected today will not only receive the antidote but will also be given enhanced weapons. Their mission will be to hunt Kabane and bring them back alive, so I can create more antidote until eventually, all of you can be treated."
Upon hearing this, the samurai's excitement grew. If everyone could eventually receive the antidote, they would no longer need to fear the Kabane.
But how would they handle the Kabane?
"Kurusu!"
Altair called out, and Kurusu immediately moved to Altair's side, kneeling on one knee.
"Kurusu here."
"Do you want to be part of the first group to receive enhanced weapons and fight against the Kabane?"
"I do!"
As an elite samurai who valued his honor above all else, Kurusu did not hesitate in his response.
"Good. Now, take a few men and go to the training grounds. Kill the Kabane that's being held there. Remember, cut off its limbs and head, then bring the rest to me."
"Yes!"
Kurusu selected a few samurai and went to the training grounds, where they quickly dispatched the captive Kabane, severing its limbs and head with ease. Without Altair's skill, the bound Kabane was much easier to kill. Soon, they returned to the square carrying the mutilated Kabane.
"Altair-sama, the rest is here."
"Good."
Altair calmly looked at the gruesome scene, then pulled out his high-frequency vibrating dagger, turning to Kurusu with an outstretched hand.
"Give me your sword."
"Yes."
Kurusu unsheathed his sword and handed it to Altair, who took it with his gloved hand. Using the dagger, Altair quickly skinned the Kabane, removing its steel membrane and wrapping it around Kurusu's sword. The moment the sword was coated with the steel membrane, it fused with the blade, transforming it into a blood-red weapon with golden patterns.
Kurusu's eyes widened as he looked at the transformed sword.
"This…"
"Kenshou, bring one of the Kabane we captured from Aragane Station."
"Understood!"
Kenshou and a few men fetched a Kabane from the iron cages beside the training grounds. They chained it up and brought it before the samurai.
"Watch closely."
In front of the gathered samurai, Altair took the newly enchanted sword and drove it straight into the Kabane's heart. The steel membrane, which had previously made the Kabane impervious to regular weapons, was effortlessly pierced by the enhanced sword.
The samurai gasped in amazement.
"Here, take it."
Altair pulled the sword out and tossed it back to Kurusu. Removing his gloves, he dusted off his hands.
"I'll give each of the twenty selected samurai a weapon like this, and after receiving the antidote, I want you all to go out and hunt Kabane. Aside from Kurusu, who else wants to be part of this first group?"
"I do!"
"I do!"
"Altair-sama, I'm willing!"
All at once, the square erupted with samurai eager to volunteer.
Altair scanned the crowd and noticed that, apart from a few who hung back, the vast majority were enthusiastic about joining the mission.
The earlier they received the antidote, the sooner they could face the Kabane without fear. As for capturing Kabane? With no risk of infection and enhanced weapons, the Kabane were nothing more than powerful humans to them.
"Good. Kurusu, choose the most capable samurai, including yourself, to form a group of twenty. For the rest, wait for the next batch."
"Yes!"
Honored to be given such a task, Kurusu was thrilled. While serving Ayame had been rewarding, as a samurai, he longed to prove himself in battle.
As the samurai turned their attention to Kurusu, Altair nodded in satisfaction and turned to Kenshou.
"Carry out the rest of the plan as we discussed. Understood?"
"Yes, Altair-sama."
Altair had already given Kenshou detailed instructions, so there was nothing more he needed to handle personally.
"I'll take my leave then."
Waving goodbye to Kenshou, Altair left with Ayame by his side.
Watching Altair's retreating figure, Kenshou took a deep breath.
His decision to submit to Altair had been the right one. While he was no longer the Lord of Aragane Station, he still wielded the same power, only now under Altair's command. Thanks to Altair, Aragane Station had avoided destruction and now possessed the antidote to the Kabane virus.
As one of Altair's retainers, both Kenshou and Ayame had already received a dose of the antidote. They no longer feared infection... only the danger of being overwhelmed by Kabane remained.
As Altair and Ayame disappeared around the corner, Kenshou looked back at the excited samurai in the square. Smiling with satisfaction, he knew that both the Yomogawa Family and Aragane Station had a bright future ahead!
