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***
On the other side, at Tenshukaku—within the headquarters of the Tenryou Commission.
This grand building stood beside the Tenshukaku itself, its roof covered in deep blue tiles, and its eaves adorned with exquisite carvings like works of art.
In the inner courtyard, numerous weapon racks were arranged neatly. Several Tenryou Commission members were engaged in weapons training, honing their combat techniques.
The main building of the estate was tall and spacious, decorated with grandeur. Along the corridors and entrance halls, samurai armor and swords were on display, their gleaming edges a testament to the Tenryou Commission's martial strength and authority.
At this moment, the atmosphere within the estate was heavy with tension.
Kujou Sara knelt on one knee, clutching the wound at her abdomen, her head bowed low as she recounted the events of the previous night.
Standing before the family shrine, Kujou Takayuki gasped as he heard of the fall of the Kujou Encampment, the decimation of the majority of the Shogunate army, and the death of his eldest son, Kujou Masahito. He clutched his chest in disbelief, unable to accept the reality.
"Sara, what did you say?!" Kujou Takayuki cried out in shock, his voice trembling with emotion. "The Kujou Encampment was taken by that Shao Yun fellow alone? How is that even possible?!"
Kujou Sara nodded solemnly, her voice filled with guilt. "Yes, Lord Patriarch. I was incompetent. I led the army to ruin. I have shamed the trust the General placed in me. Please, punish me."
Kujou Takayuki was struck as if by lightning. The room spun. His entire world was collapsing.
He forced out a breath, his voice trembling as he asked, "And… what of Masahito? Is he truly… gone?"
Kujou Sara lowered her head, remaining silent.
She could still clearly remember dragging her wounded body into the Kujou Encampment and seeing the scene for herself.
Kujou Masahito's chest had been torn open, viscera spilling onto the blood-soaked ground. It was undeniable.
Seeing Kujou Sara's response, Kujou Takayuki's last shred of hope shattered.
His eyes widened, filled with despair as he stared at her. Then everything went black, his body slumped, and he collapsed with a thud onto the floor.
"Lord Patriarch!"
The servants beside him cried out in panic.
They rushed to support him, one pinching his philtrum, another bringing tea, while others frantically massaged his limbs.
After a while, Kujou Takayuki slowly opened his eyes, his gaze vacant.
As consciousness returned, he took a deep breath. His face twisted with grief and rage as he cried out toward the heavens, "My son!"
Kujou Sara raised her head at his anguished cry, her eyes falling on the devastated patriarch. She spoke softly, "Lord Patriarch..."
Kujou Takayuki's eyes flared open. He glared at Kujou Sara, his expression a storm of anger and heartbreak.
Supported by the servants, he pointed a trembling finger at her and roared, "Give me back my son Masahito! Why wasn't it you who died at the Kujou Encampment?!"
His words struck Kujou Sara like a hammer. Her eyes widened in shock.
She opened her mouth as if to speak, but in the end, she fell silent and bowed her head again.
A close retainer of Kujou Takayuki stepped forward, attempting to calm him. "My lord, please restrain yourself. Lady Sara's survival is, in some sense, a stroke of fortune amid disaster."
"If our Kujou Clan were to lose both heirs, our standing within the Tenryou Commission would be in grave danger."
But Kujou Takayuki could no longer control his emotions. His grief over the death of his firstborn had driven him nearly mad. He lashed out at everyone, saying whatever came to mind.
"As long as I live, our Kujou Clan's status won't be shaken! I want Masahito back!"
At that moment, Kujou Kamaji, who had been waiting outside, could no longer contain himself. He strode in quickly and knelt beside Kujou Sara.
Looking at his maddened father, Kamaji spoke with genuine conviction in defense of Kujou Sara.
"Father, elder brother's death has grieved Sara deeply. But this tragedy was not her fault—it was entirely because the enemy was too powerful. Sara didn't flee; she too suffered grave wounds in battle!"
Kujou Takayuki's fury turned toward his second son as he pointed and wailed, "I know what you're thinking, you unfilial child! With your brother gone, now you can inherit the clan! Don't think I don't see through your heart!"
"You're hoping I die soon so you can take the seat of clan head and marry that cursed woman who will bring ruin to our family!"
At the slander against his beloved, Hiiragi Chisato, Kujou Kamaji was overcome with fury.
He jumped to his feet and shouted back, "Father! Please calm yourself! Stop blaming everyone else for this!"
Beside him, still clutching her injured abdomen, Kujou Sara tugged at Kamaji's sleeve and shook her head. "Enough, Kamaji. I lost the battle through my own weakness. I led the Shogunate to ruin and got our brother killed. The Patriarch's scolding is deserved."
Kamaji stared at his stubborn father with frustration and helplessness, unsure how to respond.
He could only take a deep breath, steadying himself, and said to Sara, "Come, Sara. Let's leave for now. Father is too angry."
With that, Kamaji turned away, doing his best to suppress his fury as he walked out.
Kujou Sara watched him go, guilt and remorse weighing heavily on her.
She knew this failure had brought devastating losses to the Shogunate. As a commander, the responsibility was hers to bear.
She accepted her guilt. But Shao Yun's final words had also planted a seed of doubt in her heart.
"Lord Patriarch, I suspect that the Orobashi slain by the Shogun a millennium ago has returned! Otherwise, how else could Shao Yun alone defeat so many of us? There's something strange about this."
Kujou Sara had been shaken by Shao Yun's words. She even began to wonder… was Shao Yun truly the resurrected Orobashi, coming back for revenge?
But Kujou Takayuki, lost in grief, took her words for nothing more than excuses, forgetting she had already accepted punishment moments before.
He roared in fury, "Get out! I don't want to see you again, you liar! You're full of nothing but excuses!"
His rage only deepened. In the end, he tore off his wooden sandal and hurled it at Kujou Sara.
Thud.
The wooden sandal struck her head with a heavy sound.
Kujou Sara flinched but clenched her teeth and didn't utter a sound.
Clutching her wounded abdomen, she slowly stood up and left the Tenryou Commission estate without another word.
Kujou Takayuki let out a long, ragged sigh and raised his head to the sky, tears streaming down his face.
His voice rang out with immeasurable grief and despair.
"Masahito! My son!"
...
Outside the Tenryou Commission estate, Kamisato Ayato stood holding an elegant gift in his hands, chatting with the earlier-departed Kujou Kamaji.
Ayato's gaze suddenly shifted as he noticed Kujou Sara walking out of the building.
He immediately stepped forward, gave a slight bow, and said sincerely, "I heard the unfortunate news that the Kujou Clan's eldest son has fallen in battle. I've come on behalf of the Yashiro Commission to offer condolences. I hope the Kujou family can find strength during this difficult time."
Kujou Sara stopped, her eyes cold as they swept over Ayato and the gift in his hands. She replied coolly,
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Kamisato, but I have other matters to attend to. If there's anything you need, please speak with Kamaji."
With that, she pressed her hand to her abdomen and hurried off without another word.
Ayato watched her retreating figure, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes before his expression returned to its usual calm.
He turned back to Kamaji and presented the finely wrapped gift, speaking gently, "This is a small token from the Yashiro Commission. I hope it brings some comfort during these difficult times."
Kamaji accepted the gift, his eyes filled with gratitude.
But when he thought of everything that had happened, he sighed deeply.
"Sigh... Thank you for your concern and support, Lord Ayato. The situation has become dire. We're under immense pressure."
He then began to pour out his woes, recounting everything that had happened to the Kujou Clan.
"The Shogunate army has been wiped out, the Kujou Encampment lost, my brother is dead, and Sara is wounded... The tide of battle has turned against us. If this continues, the resistance might really reach Narukami Island."
Ayato nodded slightly, his expression calm as ever. "You've all worked hard. I'll begin drafting a compensation plan for the families of the fallen Shogunate soldiers as soon as possible. However, I'll need to submit it to the Shogun. Is Her Excellency's condition well?"
Ayato was trying to lull Kamaji into a sense of ease—and subtly probe for news of the Raiden Shogun.
Kamaji shook his head, helplessly replying, "Apologies, Lord Ayato. I don't know much about the Shogun's condition. My father claims she's no longer in danger, but she requires complete rest and won't see anyone."
Seeing that he could extract nothing about the Shogun's state, Ayato chose not to linger.
"I see. Then I'll make use of the time to complete the compensation arrangements."
"I'll take my leave now. Please pass along my condolences to Lord Kujou Takayuki."