Story:

Seira allowed the silence to last just long enough for everyone to look at her again.

“Well. Since we have established that your companion will arrive safely, we can stop wasting time.”

Violet’s eyes narrowed. “An interesting description of an explanation you owed us.”

Seira ignored the remark. “You have nearly four weeks. That does not mean you may spend them occupying my guest rooms and complaining about the food.”

“We have not complained about the food,” Mai said.

“Excellent. Preserve that admirable habit.” Seira lifted one finger.

“You will train. All four of you. You will learn how to draw power under the conditions of this world.”

Ai and Mai sat a little straighter. Violet and Kicho exchanged a glance.

Her gaze lingered on Violet. “There will be a trial at the end of the training period. The twins must withstand ten rounds of attack from Shiki.”

Ai looked toward the miko's katana.

Mai’s fingers tightened against her knees, but neither protested.

“And you two”—Seira turned toward the butterfly sisters—“will defeat her.”

Kicho raised her chin. “Gladly.”

“If you cannot, you remain useless to my plans. You may return to the cellar and contemplate your royal dignity there.”

Violet’s smile appeared slowly. It was not a friendly expression.

“Teach us the difference,” she said, “and you may find yourself regretting how freely you issue challenges. Once we recover proper command of our magic, Shiki will not be the only person here we can overcome.”

Her purple eyes settled on Seira. “Not even an arrogant shrine miko will be beyond our reach.”

Shiki closed her eyes briefly. Seira’s fingers went still inside her sleeves. For a moment, the chamber seemed to contract around the two women.

Then the Grand Miko smiled.

“Did you have guns in your world?”

The question caught Violet off guard. Kicho answered first.

“Of course. Nobunaga employs them.”

“Matchlocks?”

“Yes.”

Seira leaned forward.

“In this world, a soldier can carry a weapon capable of firing a thousand bullets in a minute.”