Chapter Four: Granny Maple’s Balancing Act

"My lords, this poor and remote village truly has nothing of value to offer you."

"These are some of our village's modest local products, as well as the only rice we have left. I beg you, my lords, please do not despise them!"

"Furthermore, these young maidens from our village shall remain here to await your instructions."

Outside Kaede's Village, within the encampment of the Hojo clan's army, Priestess Kaede led several young women and villagers, speaking with an exceptionally respectful attitude toward Hojo Akitoki, who sat in the position of honor.

However, before Hojo Akitoki could respond to Kaede’s trepidation, Akechi Mitsuhide, sitting beside him, swept a glance over the items Kaede had brought. His gaze lingered, particularly noting the absence of Kaede’s supposed granddaughter among the maidens.

"Priestess Kaede, is it?"

"Why is your granddaughter, Kagome, not among these people?"

"Is she truly your granddaughter?"

Even now, Akechi Mitsuhide remained suspicious of Kagome. Regardless of the fact that he was using the absence of Kagome as a pretext for his aggression, had she been present, he would have simply accused Kaede of trying to insult his lord, Hojo Akitoki, by sending such an improper girl. His goal was merely to find a chink in the armor of the priestess, the villagers, and the maidens.

As expected, despite Kaede having seen her share of the world, she managed to keep her expression calm, but the villagers and maidens behind her could not. In the eyes of Akechi Mitsuhide and Hojo Akitoki, the faces of the villagers and maidens changed in an instant. Some of the weaker-willed among them appeared on the verge of collapse under the hostile stares of the samurai lurking in the camp.

"My lord, please, let me explain."

Burying her head deep into the ground, Kaede—a woman who could stand to fight monsters to the death—found herself strangely unable to be firm when facing human nobility.

"That is enough, Mitsuhide. Do not be rude."

Before Kaede could rack her brain to fabricate a lie, Hojo Akitoki, who knew everything, dispelled the tense atmosphere.

"Priestess Kaede, I thank your village for these offerings. Shortly, I will have someone return the equivalent value in copper coins."

"As for these young women, please take them back with you. We have not come here to levy supplies or indulge in base desires."

"Thank you very much."

Hearing this, Kaede let out a long sigh of relief. Although she still harbored doubts, since Hojo Akitoki had spoken, she chose to accept it, if only to deceive herself. After all, facing the Hojo army, Kaede’s Village was nothing more than meat on a chopping block, with no strength to resist.

Even with Inuyasha included!

Kaede’s subtle gaze swept over the well-equipped soldiers nearby. If they could not be wiped out in one fell swoop, the survival of a single person would mean the total destruction of Kaede’s Village. Worse yet, even if they were eliminated, the Hojo clan’s next head was present; could the clan not know his whereabouts? Either way, there was no path to survival for the village.

"Respected Lord Hojo Akitoki."

With a whirlwind of thoughts, Kaede gathered her courage, attempting to understand the underlying reason for their arrival. "May I ask, what is the purpose of your visit?"

"A demon."

With a playful glint in his eyes fixed on Kaede’s white hair, Hojo Akitoki spoke with double meaning. "My ninja have discovered signs of a powerful demon on the battlefield of the Kawagoe Campaign, far from here."

"To ensure that the Hojo clan’s operations are not hindered by this great demon, and having heard that this was the village where Priestess Kikyo once lived, I came here to seek assistance. Although Kikyo has been gone for fifty years, I believe some of her legacy must remain, yes?"

"After all, as far as I know, your village is one of the few sanctuaries in this chaotic world that remains undisturbed by demons."

Kaede shuddered, her heart leaping into her throat. She had heard of the massive battle unfolding on the Musashino Plain, but what she never expected was that the reappearance of the Shikon Jewel had immediately attracted the attention of a great demon.

Was this Hojo clan head truly concerned about the war, and had he merely stumbled upon the legend of Kikyo? Or was he, too, coveting the legendary Shikon Jewel?

As her face pressed against the dirt, a storm of emotions played out in her mind. Lacking her sister's ability to handle every crisis, she found herself trapped in a dilemma between protecting the village and navigating this treacherous situation.

"Hey, Priestess Kaede, are you deaf to my lord's inquiry?"

Akechi Mitsuhide had not initially understood why Hojo Akitoki was pushing for this operation. In his view, to deal with a potential demon, summoning monks, onmyoji, or priestesses from Odawara Castle would suffice. If that were not enough, they could recruit more demon slayers from the human side. That priestess Kikyo, who had passed away fifty years ago—no matter how peerless she once was—was now nothing more than dust and bones. What use could she possibly be?

But seeing Kaede’s reaction, Mitsuhide suddenly felt that perhaps Kikyo had indeed left behind something of value.

He prepared to play the villain once more to intimidate the priestess on the ground.

"Lord Hojo Akitoki, my late sister Kikyo did indeed leave some remnants in the village. However, over these many years, in my incompetence, I have used most of those talismans to protect the village and exorcise demons."

"There are no treasures left in the village capable of opposing a great demon."

"However, for the sake of the Hojo clan’s great cause, I shall retrieve the remaining talismans, hoping to offer what little help I can."

Choosing the lesser of two evils, the elderly Kaede made her decision before Mitsuhide could press further. Forget whether the rumored demon existed; the immediate priority was to appease Hojo Akitoki and uncover his true intentions. To that end, Kikyo’s legacy had to exist, and it had to be handed over.

"Thank you."

Hojo Akitoki offered his thanks, whether sincere or not, and allowed Kaede and the villagers to depart the camp to retrieve the so-called legacy.

Once Kaede’s group returned to the village and met with the anxious villagers, Kagome, and Inuyasha:

"My lord, that Priestess Kaede is suspicious," Akechi Mitsuhide stepped forward to advise.

"It is of no consequence."

Hojo Akitoki’s eyes glinted with a strange light. Habitually picking up some roasted soybeans to eat, he formulated a plan within seconds.

"Keep whatever 'legacy' she brings later. We will have the recruited monks verify it. At the same time, as a precaution, have the soldiers prepare for a demon attack."

"Do not hold back the secret weapons originally reserved for the Takeda and Imagawa clans."

"Understood."

Mitsuhide nodded heavily and turned to relay the orders. Before leaving, he added with concern, "My lord, perhaps you should temporarily retreat to the rear? If a demon truly attacks, please allow your subordinate to take it down!"

"There is no need."

With a smile and a wave of his hand, Hojo Akitoki caressed the Muramasa blade, *Sirius*, at his waist. Having lived here for nineteen years, he was far more than just a man who relied on his wits.