❛❛No, not at all.❜❜Lu Xun was a commander in this camp, right ? So why was he speaking to Katsuie as though the two of them were equals ? Lu Xun could enter and exit the tents whenever he liked, and without any prior warning. Besides, the green samurai was an outsider. Lu Xun had no reason to trust him and give him privacy.
❛❛Warriors who have set aside their differences ? What do you mean… ?❜❜It sounded like many warriors with different affiliations fighting together under one banner. But…how was that possible ? Even the Land of the Rising Sun had never been united by one leader. The Mikado may have once ruled over them all…but not everyone had wished to serve him. How stable was this supposed alliance ?
❛❛I see. I…may speak with him later, once my condition improves. Although…why does he call himself ‘Gan Ning of the Bells’ ? Is there some significance behind the bells which he carries ?❜❜Brash and reckless…those were not words which Katsuie would use to describe Toshiie as he was now. However, he could imagine that Toshiie had once been such as a youth. The green samurai glanced away from Lu Xun as he continued to speak, though.❛❛No. I believe that the results of my actions were too minuscule to save your life. If anything…it was my survival that was the result of your efforts. I suppose that I should thank you for that. Although…yes. I appear to be healing at a reasonable rate.❜❜
“Ah, my choice of words simplifies matters, though I only wish they were simple. While most have chosen to work together, some grudges withstood the bending of time. Others have continued their tyrannical ways with little regard for our cause. Quite a pity, truly…” Xun brushed aside the words in favor of cautious optimism (mainly for his sake).
“There is no need to thank me - I am glad you are here with us,” the strategist smiled whether or not his ally noticed it. “Once you recover, you can find him by listening for these bells,” Xun confirmed Katsuie’s inquiry. “Back in my homeland, Master Gan Ning and his men wore them to warn enemies of their impending doom. He compensates for his lack of stealth with brute strength, making him a valuable asset to our forces. I appreciate his action when my mind stalls.” Sharing details of his comrade reminded Xun of his harrowing experience as one of the last remnants of Wu. Stationed at Hefei, news about his kingdom gradually dwindled, and he assumed the worst. He last witnessed that strange army in blue overwhelm his forces before he succumbed to darkness. Whatever powers these mystics held, he was grateful to reunite with his second family.
“Forgive me, I have rambled on about a fellow comrade, but what about you? Have you encountered someone from your own era?”