Lord Of Doom!Reincarnated Into a Novel as the Strongest Side Character-Chapter 60: A Raid! :0

Gojin steadied his breath, ready to shift the game in his favor. He drew a card from the center, revealing a lantern. He placed it down, scoring a point and signaling a change in momentum.

The woman drew a card and revealed a peony. She laid it down, confident in her growing collection. Gojin noted her defects but remained focused on his strategy.

He drew again, pulling a willow. He laid it down, matching it with another willow in his hand. The tension in the air thickened as he scored again.

The woman brought out another card and revealed a crane. She placed it down, completing a set of two.

Gojin decided to draw from her discard pile, picking up a moon card that matched one already in his hand. He laid it down, earning extra point.

The woman’s expression shifted slightly.

She drew once more, revealing a butterfly, and laid it down, completing a pair. He took a deep breath and drew from the center again, pulling a plum blossom. He laid it down, matching it with another in his hand.

The woman drew again, revealing a second peony. She laid it down, her confidence rose as she prepared to reveal her cards.

Gojin watched intently as she laid out her sets: two peonies, a pair of cranes, and a moon. Her satisfaction was palpable, and she believed she had won.

Then, Gojin revealed his cards. He laid down his lanterns and then pulled out a hidden butterfly, completing a set that shifted the outcome.

The woman’s expression changed as she realized the implications of his final play. Gojin’s strategic bluff had turned the tide, securing his victory.

Gojin laid down his final card, the hidden butterfly completing his set. The woman’s eyes widened in disbelief as she processed the outcome.

"What about a rematch? Let’s go higher—1,000 coins?" she asked abruptly, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"Not today. I’ll leave you to think of new strategies."

He collected the 1,000 coins from the table.

Standing up, he glanced back at her, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You are quite talented in this..."

She stared at him as he walked out of the room, tossing the coins into the pocket of his hakama.

Once outside, he closed the door behind him and let out a sigh of relief.

She stared at him as he walked out of the room, tossing the coins into the pocket of the hakama - under the first layer of it.

Once outside, he closed the door behind him and let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank the heavens, I almost lost to her. One rematch and I’d be done. She’s too talented, and judging by her strategy, she’s learned from this. If we were to go again... that wouldn’t end well for me." Gojin muttered, glancing back at the door.

He descended the stairs to where Kenji and Sakura sat. Then, he urged them to get up quickly, relieved that the house didn’t have what the two wanted, so they hadn’t ordered anything and were just waiting.

"Let’s go! I won an extra 500, so that’s it for today. I suspect a raid will happen here soon; this place is too recognizable."

The two of them stood and followed Gojin outside.

As they got to the front, they encountered about 55 soldiers marching their way. The trio moved to the left side, trying to act as if they weren’t there at all.

Suddenly, several people began jumping out of the second-floor windows, clearly alerted to the soldiers’ arrival. Three men hit the ground and scrambled to get up when six soldiers rushed in, pinning them down with the sharp ends of their staffs pointed at their heads. The other soldiers moved in, arresting everyone they could see in the building.

Gojin thought - She surely wouldn’t be arrested. I’m certain she’s from that clan. That emblem says it all.

The three continued on, seeking a place to rest as the day began to wane.

***

The Imperial Palace.

The female, who showed up at the dungeon, likely a commander, entered a section of the imperial palace—the King’s quarter.

Quite surprising to see a female commander in this....era.

The Heian era Imperial Palace was a large complex, covering approximately 1.5 square kilometers, surrounded by high walls and a wide moat. It featured numerous buildings, gardens, and courtyards.

The King’s quarter itself was an expansive area within the palace, characterized by its impressive architecture and rare wooden structures. It housed the royal family and their closest advisors, with lavish rooms adorned with fusuma and tatami mats.

She was heading toward the throne room, which also served as the meeting place for the Emperor and his officials. She entered another expansive section - interlocking stoned floors and a broad stone staircase, wide enough for two large carts to ascend comfortably. She climbed the 19 steps to a tall and grand door, where two heavily armed samurai stood guard.

Samurais played a crucial role in the palace as protectors of the Emperor and the royal family, ensuring the safety and security of the imperial court.

The two samurai bowed slightly to her, and together they pushed the grand door open, allowing the late noon light to flood the hall beyond. She stepped inside as they closed the door behind her.

Now within the throne room, just a few meters from the throne.

The throne room was an expansive space, its high ceiling were supported by skillfully designed timber beams. Rich silk draperies in deep crimson and gold lined the walls.

At the far end, the throne stood on an elevated platform made of polished wood, inlaid with designs of mythical creatures. The throne was dressed in luxurious fabrics, layered in colors.

The floor was covered with finely woven tatami mats, soft underfoot and arranged with precision. Elegant lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle light that illuminated the room, while large windows allowed natural light to stream in.

In the center, a low table held scrolls and ink for the Emperor’s deliberations.

Seated comfortably on the throne was the Emperor. He wore the traditional garments of the time: a flowing sokutai, characterized by layered robes and elaborate king patterns. His long hair was tied back, and his expression was one of full authority as his eyes were fixed on her.

She knelt down and placed her head on the ground, demonstrating deep loyalty and respect toward the Emperor.

"Great Emperor, I have a report to make. Thank you for granting me the honor to visit you at any time. It is truly a privilege!" she greeted, her forehead touching the floor.

The Emperor frowned, crossing his legs as he placed his left hand on the throne’s armrest.

"I told you to stop doing this! That’s a command. Raise your head now and make your report, Chiyoko."

He addressed her casually like close friends.

Reluctantly, she raised her head, tilting it toward the leg of the Emperor’s throne.

"There are three Exorcists currently in the capital..."

The Emperor’s eyes widened in astonishment. They had never had Exorcists or Soul Reapers from their side, and no one was willing to be assigned to the Imperial Palace. Even the Emperor could not compel them, which was why they did not reside in the capital city.

"Tell me more, or take me to this informant."

_____

Sorry, temporary word count fill in as I’m not allowed to update less than 1500 words. Please proceed to the next Chapter and ignore all this below. Thank you! : freёnovelkiss.com

Gojin steadied his breath, ready to shift the game in his favor. He drew a card from the center, revealing a lantern. He placed it down, scoring a point and signaling a change in momentum.

The woman drew a card and revealed a peony. She laid it down, confident in her growing collection. Gojin noted her defects but remained focused on his strategy.

He drew again, pulling a willow. He laid it down, matching it with another willow in his hand. The tension in the air thickened as he scored again.

The woman brought out another card and revealed a crane. She placed it down, completing a set of two.

Gojin decided to draw from her discard pile, picking up a moon card that matched one already in his hand. He laid it down, earning extra point.

The woman’s expression shifted slightly.

She drew once more, revealing a butterfly, and laid it down, completing a pair. He took a deep breath and drew from the center again, pulling a plum blossom. He laid it down, matching it with another in his hand.

The woman drew again, revealing a second peony. She laid it down, her confidence rose as she prepared to reveal her cards.

Gojin watched intently as she laid out her sets: two peonies, a pair of cranes, and a moon. Her satisfaction was palpable, and she believed she had won.

Then, Gojin revealed his cards. He laid down his lanterns and then pulled out a hidden butterfly, completing a set that shifted the outcome.

The woman’s expression changed as she realized the implications of his final play. Gojin’s strategic bluff had turned the tide, securing his victory.

Gojin laid down his final card, the hidden butterfly completing his set. The woman’s eyes widened in disbelief as she processed the outcome.

"What about a rematch? Let’s go higher—1,000 coins?" she asked abruptly, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"Not today. I’ll leave you to think of new strategies."

He collected the 1,000 coins from the table.

Standing up, he glanced back at her, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You are quite talented in this..."

She stared at him as he walked out of the room, tossing the coins into the pocket of his hakama.

Once outside, he closed the door behind him and let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank the heavens, I almost lost to her. One rematch and I’d be done. She’s too talented, and judging by her strategy, she’s learned from this. If we were to go again... that wouldn’t end well for me." Gojin muttered, glancing back at the door.

He descended the stairs to where Kenji and Sakura sat. Then, he urged them to get up quickly, relieved that the house didn’t have what the two wanted, so they hadn’t ordered anything and were just waiting.

"Let’s go! I won an extra 500, so that’s it for today. I suspect a raid will happen here soon; this place is too recognizable."

The two of them stood and followed Gojin outside.

As they got to the front, they encountered about 55 soldiers marching their way. The trio moved to the left side, trying to act as if they weren’t there at all.

Suddenly, several people began jumping out of the second-floor windows, clearly alerted to the soldiers’ arrival. Three men hit the ground and scrambled to get up when six soldiers rushed in, pinning them down with the sharp ends of their staffs pointed at their heads. The other soldiers moved in, arresting everyone they could see in the building.

Gojin thought - She surely wouldn’t be arrested. I’m certain she’s from that clan. That emblem says it all.