Life After Death: The Strength Of Suffering

"They've gotten cocky." I mumbled to Kaede, who placed her hand on mine as she listened to the concerns of the people's representatives. They were discussing the increasingly severe food shortages that were spreading beyond our mountain and the implications it would have once it reached here.

'Those with cultivation techniques will be in high demand as this continues.' I thought with a sigh before looking over at one of the people who stood up, slamming their hands on the table.

"We won't be able to keep growing food if we get attacked!" Another person stood and yelled back.

"Who would be stupid enough to attack the people under the Eastern Bandit Leader?!" I nodded in response, agreeing with the sentiment.

Kaede spoke, cutting through the conversation. "Please keep this civil."

They turned to her then to me, and I raised an eyebrow. They nodded at her and sat back down in silence. Kaede continued seeing that the focus was now on her.

"We hear your concerns, and I believe I've come up with a solution."

'She has?' I turned to look at her as she explained. "Every place except the Eastern Region has been heavily suffering, though the Northern and Western regions have been hit the hardest."

We nodded in agreement, as Kaede and I had read the reports her clan had gathered. "I believe that we should join hands with their government in exchange for setting up trade routes directly to their land, providing them with fish, millet and other goods we can easily procure for them. In exchange, they will provide us with something of equal value once this is all over."

I frowned at that and spoke up for the first time since the meeting started. "Why not have them provide equal benefits as we provide for them?"

I saw some of the people nodding, while others frowned. Kaede responded calmly however. "Sorcerer clans might be able to provide some resources they normally reserve for their own Sorcerers, but what of the other Clans? The ones who have barely anything? By aiding them in their time of need, they will return the favour in our time of need- And it's a matter of when we are in a time of need not if, Sasaki-kun."

I closed my mouth at that and turned to the others, who were looking between Kaede and me. I rolled my eyes before sighing and nodding. "Very well. All in favour of creating trade routes to the West and North, raise your hand."

I waited as six of the eleven representatives raised their hands, before I turned my gaze to Takahiro, who sat a little further away. He too, raised his hand. Nodding, I turned back to the rest of the group. "Lower your hands, and for those who didn't agree, stand."

The five stood, and I questioned them. "Why do you not want us to aid the West and North regions?"

They frowned before turning to each other, and I gave them a moment while lightly rubbing Kaede's knuckles with my thumb. One of them spoke up, and I focused back.

"With due respect Sasaki-sama, but as of now, the only reason we haven't had anyone attack us for food is because of you. If you leave to aid with the trade routes, it will leave us vulnerable. We were lucky no one attacked us while you dealt with that Sugawara Clan."

I nodded at that and turned to Kaede. "Kaede, it was your idea. Do you have a solution for that?"

She hummed for a moment before nodding. She stood up, shaking my hand off hers. "I will be the representative of the newly formed Shinrou Clan!"

Everyone blinked at that, and I raised an eyebrow. "Shinrou Clan? Did you decide to change your clan name?"

She shook her head. "No. You have more than one clan under your protection. You have hundreds of people under your protection and you have territory. It's about time we stop being just a 'group' and become a proper clan. So what better time than now?"

I let out a small 'huh' before sighing and shrugging. "If you believe in this Kaede, then I see no reason not to. All in favor of... oh, all of you?"

When I turned, every single person had their hand raised, and I narrowed my eyes at that. 'She discussed the Clan thing with them beforehand, didn't she?'

Sighing at the thought, I stood and raised my hand towards the table. "Very well. From this day forward, we are the Shinrou Clan. We will be a tower that will weather the storms to come, with this famine being the first."

{Image of the Clan banner}

They nodded in agreement, and I gestured for the meeting to be dismissed.

~Scene Change~

"I don't want you going, Kaede." Those were the words I spoke the moment we arrived back at our home and she started to pack. She turned to me with a small frown.

"What do you mean, Ryou?"

I looked out the window where the bright blue sky stretched with no clouds in sight. "A month had passed since that nigh, and we got married a week ago. Word would've gotten out by now and people, either looking to avenge their brethren or those seeking to make a name for themselves will aim for you." I turned to her and continued. "Even if Takahiro-san goes with you, it'll still be extremely dangerous for you."

She sighed before giving me a small smile and walking up to me. "I'll be fine, Ryou."

She placed her hand on my chest, standing on her toes. I leaned down slightly. "Sometimes things don't always turn out bad, and I know you'll be there if something does happen." She kissed me on the chin before stepping back and shooing me off.

"I've got more packing to do, and you need to plan a route for the fishermen. Off you go."

I sighed and nodded. Before I left, I smacked her rear end causing her to yelp. I chuckled as I walked through the door and yelled out to her. "Love you!~"

I heard her snort as I shut the door. Sighing, I looked out at the sky again. 'Hopefully, this famine doesn't last long.' While I knew that hope was misplaced, I couldn't help but hold onto it.

~Scene Change~

'Well, that was easy.' I scratched my cheek as I looked down at the village elder, who had agreed to keep the gates open for my Clan in exchange for joining us. I had agreed to the arrangement.

"No need to bow so much. You are aiding my Clan and receiving proper compensation. Now, I must leave."

I waved him goodbye as I jumped on my horse and headed out of the village, making my way back to the mountain, which was a day away. As I rode, I thought about the two weeks that had passed. 'The fishermen now have a safe route to travel, while the farmers have expanded further, and the builders are working on a wall around certain parts of the mountain.'

I thought about Kaede and Takahiro, who had been sending me messages via birds. A few people from the West had also shown up. 'The last update I received was about the West's government increasing taxes on the people.' I snorted at the letter I had sent back. 'Maybe I shouldn't have told them to just overthrow the government.'

While I doubted they would actually do that, there was still a chance it could happen if Kaede realized that the people needed more than just food and clothing. 'Then again, I doubt she hasn't realized that and is trying to find a way with little conflict.'

I also had no doubt that Clans, normal and Sorcerer ones alike would back her up if things escalated. At the end of the day people needed to eat, and if the government became an obstacle to that,\ conflict would surely follow.

'Huh… I think I'm getting better at this Clan stuff.' Shrugging at the thought, I continued riding along the gravel path, keeping my senses sharp in case any unwanted bandits were lurking nearby.

~Scene Change~

Two months had passed since I had settled the fishing routes. The walls around the mountain's weakest points were already halfway done, farmers were reporting bigger harvests and Clan representatives from the West had been arriving via a secured route to express their gratitude for my Clan's aid. I had received reports from Kaede, who along with Takahiro and her grou, had arrived in the North and were now starting negotiations.

'All in all, this has been smooth sailing, though I could do with less paperwork.' Rubbing my eyes, I read a piece of paper before signing it off, then picked up another one and frowned at it. It was from the Sugawara Clan.

"They need a meeting with me?"

Sighing, I wrote a message agreeing to meet them if they came to my Clan then set it aside for a messenger to take. I looked back at the pile of paperwork and swore it had grown even bigger. Groaning, I picked up another sheet of paper, read it and signed it off.

~Scene Change~

Three months had passed and I was currently heading for the Fuyutsuki Clan due to a letter from Kaede and Takahiro.

"Good god, it's freezing." I snorted at the man traveling with me after the "Elders" of my Clan had practically begged me to take someone along. I had chosen a random farmer to accompany me.

'Surprising he even stuck around this long.'

"What's your name?" I asked, looking over at him as we climbed a path leading to the Fuyutsuki Clan. He looked back at me and responded.

"It's Arisawa Kaito, Sasaki-sama!"

I nodded and glanced at his robust build, black hair and grey eyes before focusing on his Cursed Energy. I wasn't sure whether to be surprised that such a gem had been hidden for so long.

"Interested in becoming a Sorcerer?" I asked lightly as I turned back to the path. A boulder was about to crush us, so I flicked it away with a touch of Cursed Energy. I heard him stumble before answering.

"Once, Sasaki-sama. But my father thought it best I focus on being a farmer."

I nodded and pressed on.

"Ever tried to use Cursed Energy?"

There was a moment of silence before he spoke quietly, but I still heard it.

"Yeah, once. It was when I was a kid... I was playing in a forest with my mother when a Curse appeared. I was so scared, I accidentally used it and two dogs appeared from the shadows and fought the Curse while my mother and I ran away."

I hummed at that.

'Think Takahiro called them Shikigami?'

"Arisawa-san, it sounds like a powerful technique. If you decide to leave the life of a farmer and walk the path of a Sorcerer, I will teach you until you're able to train without getting yourself killed."

I received a thank you in response just as we arrived at the Fuyutsuki Clan compound. A group of guards greeted me, nervous but bowing before opening the gates. We entered.

"Don't be nervous, Arisawa-san." I said with a grin. "The most they can do is freeze your balls off."

While I meant it as a joke, he didn't think it was funny. He narrowed his stance and covered his jewels with his hands, warily looking at the Clan members.

We entered a building and sat on cushions, waiting for the Clan Head. It didn't take long before he arrived, alongside what I assumed was the Matriarch.

"Sasaki-san, a pleasure to meet you."

I spoke those words back as he sat down, then cut to the chase.

"I want you to move your Clan to the Northern Region and aid the people there."

Silence followed my words before the Matriarch spoke with a frown.

"Are you joking? Do you think we would move away from the place we've called home for centuries just because you—"

The Head cut in.

"Why?"

I turned to him and answered.

"The people there need help with the harsh winters. With your Clan's techniques, you could offset the cold so the farmers can have proper harvests and reduce the risk of unrest due to the famine."

He closed his eyes, released a deep sigh and opened them again.

"We would need escorts, as we can't protect everyone without the use of the cold."

The Matriarch yelled out in frustration.

"Dear! You seriously can't be agreeing with this outrageous request! This place has been our home for centuries, what would your ancestors think of this?"

He looked down at his hands before responding.

"They would be happy that I'm keeping our Clan alive. My love, we've been receiving a decreased amount of food as the years have passed. Our farmers are struggling and are attacked whenever summer hits. If we go to the North, where the climate leans toward the cold, we will have a better chance. In any case, I will make an announcement to the Clan. Anyone who doesn't want to leave will be free to stay."

He looked to me.

"Is that fine with you? If some of my people stay here?"

I shrugged and answered.

"If they don't cause problems for my people, then that's fine."

He nodded before standing up, and I followed suit. I gestured for Arisawa to do the same.

"Then my Clan will move out by the end of the week. I hope the escorts will be ready for us?"

I nodded, shaking his outstretched hand with a small smile.

"The Shinrou Clan will support your Clan through harsh storms and clear skies."

He hummed in acknowledgment as we moved out of the building and headed for the gates.

"Having a woman in your life seems to have really changed you, Sasaki-san."

I snorted and poked my thumb at him.

"And back to you."

He lightly laughed.

"Indeed. Though she acts that way, I have no doubt she'll come with me."

I hummed and passed through the gates, waving him goodbye. Turning to Arisawa, I spoke.

"Ready to head back down?"

I received a curse in response that made me laugh.

"Fuck I hate the cold."

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{Kaito Arisawa who exactly is he? What secrets does he have? Find out next week on dra-}