“They’re from the Shogunate! Everyone, get them!”
With just a few words, Gorou had come to a conclusion.
The two people in front of him were definitely from the Shogunate—and judging by their attire, they seemed to be of some rank.
If they could capture them, it might serve as leverage in negotiations, or at the very least, they could exchange them for some of their own captured comrades.
At his command, the elite resistance fighters surged forward, spears raised, surrounding Luo Qing and Teresa.
From their perspective, Luo Qing looked like an official—dressed in a kimono with no visible weapons. Clearly, he was no warrior.
“Hey, isn’t it a bit rude to just attack like that, General of the Resistance?”
Luo Qing didn’t seem to mind the soldiers encircling him, his gaze drifting lazily to Gorou.
“Hmph! We can talk about manners once you’re captured! Attack!”
Gorou had no intention of showing mercy on the battlefield. The moment he confirmed that the two were with the Shogunate, they were his enemies.
And he would not go easy on an enemy.
At his signal, the resistance soldiers charged at Luo Qing.
But in the next instant, their spears vanished from their hands, flung away, and their stomachs were struck with a force that sent them to the ground. They cried out in pain as they collapsed.
Watching his subordinates drop to the floor, Gorou tightened his grip on his shortbow, eyes fixed coldly on Luo Qing.
Everything had happened too fast—before he could even react, his soldiers were downed.
This is a powerful foe. I can’t take him head-on, Gorou thought, sizing up Luo Qing.
He whistled sharply, and the scattered resistance fighters regrouped around him. In moments, the elite force of about eighty men completed their encirclement, tightening the formation around Luo Qing and Teresa.
With so many elite fighters, he refused to believe this “Luo Qing” could handle them as effortlessly as before.
“Did you only bring this many people for an attack?”
Luo Qing looked around, counting their numbers. Including the soldiers he had just defeated, there were no more than eighty in total.
This is what they call a resistance?
Oh, right—this was Inazuma, where the population was smaller.
“Charge!”
Gorou ignored Luo Qing’s taunts, drawing back his bow and firing several Geo arrows in quick succession. The other fighters readied their formation and lunged at Luo Qing.
“Well, since the main force is still on its way, I might as well have some fun with you,”
Luo Qing mused with a faint smile, a plan already forming in his mind.
In the next moment, his figure vanished.
Then, just like before, all the resistance fighters collapsed simultaneously, each writhing on the ground in agony, just like the initial wave.
Only Gorou remained standing, staring in disbelief.
“You… how…”
Gorou’s eyes were wide, stunned beyond words.
How had this man named Luo Qing managed to down his entire force in an instant?
“Well, you’re the only one left. Do you have any reinforcements?”
Luo Qing asked casually.
Not that it mattered to him—more reinforcements just meant more Frustration Value to collect.
“Hmph! I’ll take you down myself!”
Gorou roared, drawing his bow and releasing a barrage of Geo arrows, then charging forward in a desperate rush, hoping to catch Luo Qing off guard.
But the next moment, Luo Qing appeared directly in front of him.
“Alright, little doggy, no more struggling now~”
“You…”
Before Gorou could react, he felt a sudden weight in his eyelids. His vision went dark, and he lost consciousness.
…
When Gorou awoke, he found himself tied up along with the rest of his captured fighters, dumped behind the Shogunate’s defensive line. Shogunate soldiers patrolled back and forth, keeping a close watch on them.
He attempted to manipulate the Geo element and break his bonds, but despite still having his Vision, he found himself completely powerless.
“Lord Gorou, you’re awake?”
“Lord Gorou, what should we do now?”
“Should we make a break for it?!”
The resistance fighters, seeing their general awake, began to murmur anxiously.
“Don’t act rashly. Let’s assess the situation first.”
Gorou spoke quietly, studying his surroundings.
Soon after, Luo Qing approached them, a casual smile on his face.
“Well, well, looks like everyone’s awake.”
He stood before the prisoners, eyes locking with Gorou’s.
“Do you want to go home? I can give you a chance~”
“Hmph, as if I’d believe you! The Shogunate is full of liars!”
Gorou spat.
Luo Qing’s smile didn’t falter. Instead, he chuckled lightly.
“These men are some of your finest, aren’t they? If they die here, how heartbroken would your Lady Sangonomiya be? Would you really make her watch you all perish?”
“What do you want?”
Gorou’s voice was tense.
“Just a small favor~ If you cooperate, all of you can go home. You can keep resisting the Shogunate if you like.”
Luo Qing’s tone was teasing.
“Never! I won’t make a deal with you!”
Gorou’s rejection was firm.
“Tsk, well, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Luo Qing signaled to a nearby guard.
The guard barked orders, forcing the captured resistance fighters to their feet, arranging them into a neat formation.
Teresa stepped forward, dragging out a large gramophone with clear reluctance. She pressed the play button, then positioned herself in front of the prisoners.
A familiar, catchy tune began to play.
“Dun-dun-dun-dun, dun-dun-dun-dun-dun! In the vast expanse of the world, flowers bloom beneath the mountains…”
Luo Qing’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“Alright, everyone, follow her and dance! Those who refuse will face severe punishment~”
“…”
The resistance fighters fell silent, their expressions incredulous. Who on earth would dance for you?
“What kind of joke is this?! I’m not dancing to some ridiculous song!”
One of the soldiers yelled, but his defiance was short-lived. A pale yellow rock pillar struck him square on the forehead, knocking him out cold.
Luo Qing continued to smile at the rest, his expression seeming to say, This is what happens when you don’t dance~
“Lord Gorou…”
Helpless, the other fighters looked to Gorou for guidance.
“…”
【Frustration Value from Gorou +1】
Gorou’s face twisted in reluctant frustration. Finally, he ground out,
“Everyone… just dance. We need to preserve our strength if we’re to continue fighting the Shogunate…”
With a stiff, awkward motion, he began to mimic Teresa’s dance steps.
The others had no choice but to follow, joining in the humiliating routine.
For a brief moment, the Shogunate’s defensive line was filled with a bizarrely cheerful dance, though the expressions of the dancers were nothing short of mortified.
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