The journey to Kosei’s grand city was long, but as we crested the final ridge, the sight that greeted us was nothing short of breathtaking.

  Towering white stone walls stretched for miles, reinforced with glowing blue barrier sigils. Unlike Kagetora’s fortress, which relied on traditional defenses, Kosei’s capital was a marvel of both military and mystical engineering. The barrier shimmered faintly, a testament to the powerful magic keeping lesser demons at bay.

  A massive torii gate stood at the entrance, its wooden beams inscribed with ancient Onmyoji wards, humming with unseen energy. Beyond the gate, the city sprawled out in carefully pnned districts, its people bustling in orderly, disciplined fashion—the mark of a highly structured military state.

  "Welcome to Kosei," the armored rider beside us said, his voice steady. "Follow me. The Shogun is expecting you."

  Masanori and I exchanged a gnce.

  This was where we would plead our case.

  Where we would warn them of the coming war.

  Or so we thought.

  The inner pace was a grand hall lined with ornate banners of gold and bck, the sigil of Kosei’s ruling family dispyed prominently at the center.

  At the far end of the chamber, seated upon an elevated ptform, was the Shogun of Kosei, an older man with piercing hawk-like eyes, his hair streaked with silver from years of war.

  To his left stood General Inoue—a man in his forties, his steel-gray armor polished to perfection, his stance rigid with an air of unwavering discipline. His face was unreadable, but I could already feel his scrutiny piercing through me.

  To the right of the Shogun was Onmyoji Master Nagai .

  Nagai was not what I expected.

  Unlike Rin, who carried herself with a quiet, sharp presence, Nagai was a man of excessive refinement—his purple silk robes embroidered with talismanic symbols, his long jet-bck hair tied into an immacute topknot. His face was sharp, his lips curved into a polite but vaguely smug smile.

  His eyes flickered to Rin first, and something in his expression darkened ever so slightly.

  "Takahashi Jin, Masanori Taketsune and Amakusa Rin," the Shogun addressed us, his voice measured. "You bring urgent news?"

  Masanori stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Yes, my lord. We come on behalf of Shogun Hoshikawa, bearing vital information regarding demon activity beyond the borders."

  I followed suit. "There is movement in the Demon Realm. The factions are stirring. We recently encountered and fought a Majo and Oni from Akagawa Kaida’s War Cn on our way here."

  Murmurs rippled through the gathered council members.

  The Shogun’s expression remained neutral, but I saw the slightest narrowing of his eyes.

  "You cim the War Cn’s forces are actively terrorizing human vilges?"

  "Yes," Rin confirmed. "We engaged in battle and barely managed to defeat them. This was no isoted attack. The demon factions are preparing for something bigger."

  There was a long silence.

  Then—Inoue spoke.

  "And what proof do you bring of this?"

  His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of skepticism beneath it.

  "We fought them ourselves," I insisted. "The vilge was in fmes. The Majo spoke as if they had a purpose beyond mere destruction."

  Nagai exhaled softly, shaking his head. "I do not doubt you fought demons," he said, his tone almost condescending. "But you expect Kosei to act on mere testimonies? No physical evidence? No captured demons? Only the word of an outsider, a soldier, and a young Onmyoji?"

  Rin’s fists clenched at her sides.

  "Master Nagai," she said coldly, "you doubt my credibility?"

  Nagai smiled thinly. "Not doubt, dear girl. Merely questioning the convenience of your story."

  I was beginning to understand.

  This wasn’t just about the information we brought.

  This was about politics.

  "Kosei is a strong nation," Inoue said, crossing his arms. "We do not act rashly. We have remained untouched by greater demons for decades. Why would they move now? Why would we trust Kagetora’s people when it is his nds that have suffered, not ours?"

  "Because it is only a matter of time before they come for you too," Masanori shot back.

  Inoue’s lips pressed into a thin line.

  "You assume much, captain."

  Nagai stepped forward, his eyes glinting with something unreadable.

  "And, forgive me for asking… but how do we know you are not the ones working with demons?"

  Silence fell upon the room.

  I felt my pulse spike.

  "What?"

  Nagai sighed dramatically, waving a hand. "I mean no offense, of course. But the timing of your arrival is… suspicious, is it not? You bring tales of demon activity, yet bring no proof. And—" he turned his gaze to Rin, his voice soft but cutting, "—you cim to have fought a Majo, and yet, dear Rin, I sense… a taint upon your spiritual energy."

  Rin’s eyes widened. "What are you implying?"

  Nagai pced a hand over his heart in mock concern. "Only that, perhaps, the demons you fought did not attack you… but welcomed you."

  The accusation hung heavy in the air.

  Masanori’s hand went to his sword. "Watch your words."

  "I merely ask the necessary questions," Nagai continued smoothly. "You arrive from Kagetora’s nds, ciming demons are stirring. But is it not possible that you yourselves are the stirrers? What if you are the ones provoking war for your master’s gain?"

  I clenched my fists.

  "That’s absurd—"

  "Absurd?" Nagai tilted his head, his voice silky. "Then tell me, Jin. What exactly is your retionship with the Demon Queen, Tachibana Reika?"

  The world went still.

  I felt my breath catch in my throat.

  Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

  "Ah," Nagai breathed, his smile widening. "You thought we did not know? We know what you are. The Demon Queen did not kill you when she had the chance, you returned from her unscathed. That alone is evidence enough."

  The realization hit me like a cold bde.

  This wasn’t an inquiry.

  This was a trap.

  And it was already too te.

  The Shogun’s eyes darkened. "Seize them."

  Before I could react, Kosei’s guards moved in, bdes drawn, spiritual chains glowing with suppressive magic.

  Rin tried to resist, but Nagai’s own talisman magic surged, binding her arms in golden threads.

  Masanori fought back, taking down two guards before he was overpowered.

  And me—

  A soldier grabbed my shoulder, and I felt the cold snap of iron against my wrists.

  We had come to warn them of the coming war.

  Instead, we had been thrown into a cage.