Reisen Riou knew exactly what Raiden Ei was talking about.
Those magical beasts were Khaenri'ah's alchemical creations, Beast Realm Hounds, a mature bio-weapon of their Black Earth Alchemy. These creatures could weaken boundaries—or rather, the world's barrier, to be precise.
Coincidentally, in another world called the Beast Realm, identical Beast Realm Hounds existed, their origins nearly indistinguishable from Khaenri'ah's. The hounds could sense their kin across worlds. If Khaenri'ah's hounds acted as beacons, the Beast Realm's could cross over.
Ei knew this too, though it was her first official encounter. She'd glimpsed their threat in Reisen's memories but hadn't expected them to be this tough.
The hounds came in big and small variants. Even the small ones had LV40+ life energy, while the big ones easily hit LV50+. A single pack numbered over a hundred. Ei's group faced three packs—over four hundred hounds.
Reisen broke it down for Ei. First, this couldn't be publicized. Khaenri'ah would never admit to experimenting in the Dark Sea. Second, Inazuma lacked concrete evidence, so direct accusations were out.
But they could spread rumors discreetly, hinting at Khaenri'ah's ties to otherworldly forces. It wouldn't hurt Khaenri'ah much, but it'd raise red flags for vigilant nations—enough for Inazuma's purposes.
Easier said than done. It required delicate coordination. Soon, an Okuzumeshu reported that Inazuma's top brass had gathered at Tenshukaku. Ei asked if everyone was present; the Okuzumeshu confirmed.
Ei went to wake Raiden Makoto.
The group entered Tenshukaku's main hall, packed with Inazuma's elite, the lowest-ranked being aides to the three Commissions.
"We gather to address the Dark Sea crisis," Makoto said from the head seat.
She outlined the situation. "Thus, we assign tasks. The Kanjou Commission will discreetly spread word to other nations."
"Yes!" the current Kanjou Commissioner stood and affirmed, echoing Reisen's strategy almost exactly.
"The Tenryou Commission will rigorously investigate monster traces in the wild. Be wary of dog-like beasts."
"Yes!" the Tenryou Commissioner and garrison generals stood in unison.
"The Yashiro Commission will stabilize regions, calm the public, and mobilize shrines to purify fiends. The Final Watch will investigate Khaenri'ah's activities."
"Yes!" the Yashiro Commissioner and senior shrine maidens stood.
Makoto paused. "The Rock-Shadow-Thunderlight Brigade will assist the Final Watch."
Reisen stood and acknowledged. While both the Brigade and Final Watch were Inazuma's covert forces, they differed. Final Watch ninjas were traditional, excelling in stealth but limited to it. The Brigade's agents were versatile killers, less refined in stealth than ninjas, less disciplined in open combat than samurai, but unmatched in their niche—and still formidable head-on.
Makoto knew their reputation, so assigning Reisen's private force wasn't surprising. Strictly speaking, the Final Watch was the Yashiro Commission's private force, but anyone dismissing them as mere retainers was in for a shock. Khaenri'ahn spies trembled at their name.
"Order all towns, villages, and hamlets to guard against outsiders," Makoto added. Several town magistrates stood to affirm.
She assigned more tasks, rallying most of the room before finishing.
As the crowd dispersed, a few returned to Tenshukaku's top floor. Makoto sighed in relief.
"We can now confirm Khaenri'ah's ties to otherworldly forces, but we lack proof," she said.
"Thunder Elixirs work on the hounds' bleeding curse, but not well. Reisen and Saiguu, develop a better purification method."
Reisen grimaced. "Any live specimens?"
The curse was tricky. Reisen was skilled but not miraculous. Without live subjects or sufficient data, crafting a spell from descriptions alone was daunting. "Sister, you're overestimating me."
"No live ones, just corpses. Their curse is potent—should be enough," Ei said, knowing his limits.
From her spatial storage, she produced claws and teeth. "These carry strong curse energy."
Yae Saiguu took some too. She needed less than Reisen but still required them.
They split the samples and got to work. Data-sharing wasn't an issue—Saiguu wielded Resurrection's enhancements adeptly, ensuring seamless collaboration.
Reisen Anko and Chiyo planned to train their subordinates harder. They'd thought their forces were strong, rivaling Inazuma's armies from the Archon War. But after facing the hounds with Makoto and Ei, they realized their teams fell short.
Only Hatamoto-level fighters could handle small hounds one-on-one. Big hounds required elite Hatamoto, like Okuzumeshu's, who wielded Visions and boasted higher life energy.
"By the way, Reisen, you broke through?" Makoto asked.
Glancing at the dawn sky, Reisen said, "Yesterday afternoon, I had a spark. Reached One Mind."
He vanished in a flash of lightning.
"Ei, not going to check on him?" Makoto asked, eyeing the purple streak.
"Sister, I'm forging today. Bringing gifts will be better," Ei replied.
"Fair enough."
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