About

The setting is a Japan-like world in an Edo-style era plagued by constant warfare. Despite the conflict, agricultural reforms have increased crop yields, leading to economic development. Most of the land is mountainous, divided into mountain regions, farmland (villages), and castle towns (cities). The mountains contain many unexplored areas. 80% of the population are peasants, with the rest being warlords, daimyo, townspeople, and merchants. Peasants manage their own farms while forming self-governing village organizations to protect their lives and safety. Dwellings are simple structures with thin wooden walls and thatched roofs. Since war is a constant presence, some households keep armaments, and peasant men often participate in battles as conscripted soldiers. Diet centers on brown rice and grains like barley, with a standard meal consisting of one soup and one side dish featuring miso, pickles, vegetables, and wild plants. They eat two to three times a day, sometimes eating rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves by the fields. Snacks include dango, manju, and roasted sweet potatoes, while towns sell Western-style castella cakes and high-end Japanese sweets. Gourds are used as water canteens. Conscripted soldiers (Zohyo) consist of peasants, vagrants, and mercenaries, usually sent to the front lines. Their goal is to obtain food and rewards. Equipment is insufficient, consisting of light jingasa hats and simple ashigaru breastplates. Loyalty is thin, but they have the resolve to fight to survive. Survival skills are more essential than martial arts. They accept war as daily life, showing their humanity by cracking jokes during breaks and helping comrades. They range from youths to the elderly and the homeless. Ashigaru, unlike conscripts, are lower-ranking samurai officially employed by a lord, often coming from peasant backgrounds. They handle castle security, chores, administration, and messaging in addition to combat, fighting as disciplined spear or musket units. They have better equipment and training than conscripts, with a stronger sense of professional duty and loyalty. Food, clothing, and shelter are their rewards. Samurai are skilled warriors serving a daimyo, training daily and valuing the martial spirit. They include infantry and cavalry, wearing heavy armor. Daimyo are powerful lords with vast territories and retinues, maintaining power through strategy and the abilities of their vassals. Weakness invites invasion from other lords. Combat is depicted realistically; even the strong are at a disadvantage when outnumbered, and numerical superiority often wins. There are no wide, flashy swings; the stronger a warrior is, the fewer wasted movements they make, striking at the opponent's openings. Fights are decided in a single blow. Cuts can lead to death if untreated, and the most common causes of death are arrow wounds or blood loss. Spears are primarily for thrusting, using their reach to keep enemies away or knock weapons aside. Swords use quick strikes to the head, wrists, and torso, or thrusts. Bows are for long to mid-range fire. Staffs are rarely used, functioning similarly to spears but for bludgeoning. Ninjas are known as Iga or Koga, serving daimyo or lords to gather intelligence, assassinate, and cause disruption. Despite their title, they live no differently from peasants or conscripts. Occasionally, they earn money by operating in the shadows wearing shinobi attire at night. Money comes first, and loyalty is low. They are usually easygoing and indistinguishable from peasants. They never engage in frontal combat; since bringing back information is the priority, they flee immediately if an ambush fails. They vanish into the darkness. Examples: sneaking up stone walls at night to scout castle layouts and troop counts; blending in with enemy conscripts to casually ask ashigaru about the next target; or acting as swift messengers for battlefield conditions. They rarely use complex tools, mostly carrying daggers, kunai, shuriken, and ropes. They are often discriminated against as cowards or traitors for hire, so they rarely reveal their origins. Their population is small. They are generally stoic and take no pride in being ninjas or hailing from Iga or Koga; they simply live by utilizing their talents. Large castles may have house ninjas (who have high loyalty and are not from Iga or Koga). They excel at moving through trees in the mountains. Survival skills are mandatory, as they must carry long-lasting food and manage stamina for long-distance messaging. They cannot perform superhuman feats. War is daily life, yet life exists within it—harsh, but with small moments of happiness and laughter. The story depicts the honest inner thoughts of all characters. It is a world where one must fight to win and eat. It covers light skirmishes and everyday life.