Tsuki – Chapter 357: Deceiving, deceived, and deluding

TLN: Hey guys, Reigokai here!

In light of the new anime announcement, I just wanted to tell you guys that I have finally begun editing early Tsuki chapters. Just looking at those grammar atrocities, I am surprised and grateful that you guys still stayed with me for so long >-<. You guys are real fighters. 

I will be updating them as I finish editing each arc (just began so I still haven’t finished an arc yet), so it will be a slow process since I have many other things I gotta do on the side as well. 

That’s all! 

Enjoy the chapter! :DDD!


“I have already read their first move.” 

What was revealed in the war council stirred the place.

The long march was finally reaching its end.

But in this moment when the battle is right before our eyes, our morale was shaken greatly.

Tsige is still not in sight, but we were able to confirm by sight the giant wall that was only told to us from reports alone. 

The moment we began to see it with our own eyes, we had no choice but to realize the power of the opponent. 

A wall that shouldn’t be there, yet clearly exists.

Money, people, or things, or everything previously mentioned.

The power of Tsige was clearly shown by being able to create such a thing in a short period of time. 

Even if that thing is just a fake that’s just there for show, the scale of it is something that can’t be ignored. 

“I have heard that we don’t have the most recent information though?” 

“Yeah, it seems like they have finally begun to worry about information leaks. There’s no doubt about that. Information from spies isn’t the only way to know about the movements of your opponent though.” 

A young man that has never fought in actual combat answers the question in a cocky tone.

Must be royalty…from a branch somewhere.

Well, there’s no doubt that he is in an above the clouds social position, so he is someone that I won’t be involving myself with in the future anyways -as someone who only leads a single platoon. 

The Aion army gathers both conscripted and aspiring soldiers, but it is an organization where it is tacitly understood that there’s a limit to how much one can be promoted depending on your social status. 

Even within the recruits, if you are not one of those who entered the army through a designated scholarship or from the Rotsgard Academy, and on top of that are from nobility, you won’t reach the top. 

There’s obviously exceptions, but you would require achievements that would remain in history as a legend in order to break a wall or two. 

If you are a second son or third son of a noble family of not much importance, even if you have decent war records, the most you can get is platoon captain. 

You won’t be troubled in bringing food to your table, but that’s it. 

It wouldn’t be that much different from the mercenaries you can find around.

“Even so, being able to make a wall like that is impressive.” 

“As I have said, that wall has nothing to do with this. This is something that happened a while ago, but there was a mage squad of our army that made contact with them.” 

““Ooh…””

“It was truly foolish. The Tsige merchants feared our ritual magic, and tried to seal it.” 

“How can that be. Then, they were thinking of betraying?” 

“That’s right. But they are mere merchants in the end. They only see numbers. It looks like they don’t understand the placing of ritual magic in war yet.” 

“It is true that if used against opponents that have no countermeasures, it would deal a big hit, but that’s exactly why any army has those countermeasures. If it is a big army, they would even form a number of squads that would concentrate solely on shutting down the ritual magic of the enemy. There’s only a few types of ritual magic, so there are decent ways to counter them after all.” 

“That’s right. On top of that, their chances for action are plain, but their worth in the battlefield is extremely high. Therefore, the Aion army has formed ritual mage squads who are particularly patriotic, and their treatment is extraordinary.” 

“Trying to make them betray us…pft! Sorry about that. A decent tactician would never think about that, so I ended up laughing…” 

“A child would. It is true that if ritual magic activates successfully, it is the best option. Hahaha.” 

That kind of conversation unfolded brightly in the meeting, and they would mix scorn towards the other party every now and then.

It is true that putting an eye on ritual magic is the perspective of a beginner.

Just like the big shots are saying, if it could be used it would be one thing, but you rarely see ritual magic in the battlefield.

Because the moment the activation of it is sensed, it would immediately be countered with an aria of their own. 

There have been researches about it in the past, but there’s 7 attack ritual spells, and there’s also 7 counters that would erase them or bounce them back. 

If you can gather around 10 mediocre mages, you can make use of those ritual spells, and the more you gather, the stronger it gets. In paper alone, it sounds like dreamlike magic, but there’s way too many weak points and limitations.

For example; there’s not much difference in the aria length of the attack spells, but the counter ones all take less than 1/3rd of that time.

Whether it is the attack or the counter one, the magic power is completely exposed, so it is easy to detect. 

Also, the aria is damn long, and you can’t use any other aria while at it. 

If you want to use them properly, it would be in a large scale war between armies, but easy to prepare against. 

In other words, it is supreme bliss if it were to hit.

That’s ritual magic. 

Considering that Tsige has a lot less battle experience and there’s a heavy difference in numbers compared to Aion, this is a valid option though.

“However…if we are aiming for ritual magic, shouldn’t we just shoot? Even that wall would be…hm?” 

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. I had the mages fake that they are betraying us. In other words, their first move will be to chant the arias for ritual magic at the other side of that wall -thinking that we have lost our defenses against ritual magic.” 

““Ah!””

The unbelievable workload for creating that wall would be worth it if it is to buy time for when ritual magic is used.

But that will end in wasted effort, is what our General was saying.

Laughing began to slowly spread in the area.

Learning about the opponent’s plan, let them swim around, then turn it around and win.

It is the certain victory pattern of Aion which specializes in information battles.

In battles where the battlefield is faraway, a gap will be created no matter what with the army that can be dispatched as well as the speed of information that can be gathered.

However, Tsige may be a remote region, but it is within the country.

There must be plenty of spies infiltrated, and their internal conditions must be barenaked already. 

And so, we can also mobilize a large army that we have been accumulating and accumulating for a long time. 

We are invincible and victory is certain.

That’s the battle style of Aion.

It seems the General ahead, Morgan-sama, and the one here is no different from usual.

If…his son Dio-sama is still alive, he would have noticed the danger of it. 

It is true that the Aion army is big, but Dio-sama and I felt that their way of doing things is dangerous.

The battlestyle of stripping the enemy naked beforehand, and overwhelming them with numbers. 

The latter half is so simple, and it makes me uneasy to think about what would happen if  preparations were made beforehand to crush that advantage. 

Well, I am aware that I am in the minority. 

Also…

“It may be pointless, but tomorrow I will try proposing the representative of the Rembrandt Company -who we are letting swim- to do a war of words to compete for the Blessing. It won’t be hitting, but they are preparing artillery. Closing the distance as much as possible before the battle begins isn’t bad.” 

This General-dono that I don’t know the name of has some decent thinking there. 

A war of words means approaching the opponent and having a verbal clash.

You can’t do that unless you have a decent amount of courage and confidence.

We will be receiving the Blessing, so that’s a clear advantage -no, this time around, it would be certain victory itself. 

The morale that had been shaken by that wall had been raised splendidly with just a couple of words. 

Can’t say I like or dislike it, but there’s no fault in it. 

The type of people that are great to have in an advantageous battle. 

“Apologies for the intrusion!!” 

“! Ooh, speaking of the devil, looks like the messenger has returned. Go ahead and speak it here. What was his answer?” 

Patrick Rembrandt; it may be an enemy soldier, but he is not the type of man who would kill a messenger, huh. 

“Yes! Reporting! I have been entrusted a letter from Patrick Rembrandt, but I was also given an oral response and a verbal message.” 

He gave the letter to the General while fixing his breathing.

“Merchants do underhanded things with a proud face. Continue.” 

‘Dear General Flare, I thank you for the invitation to a war of words. However, we have no intentions to participate in it. If you want to cling onto the Blessing of a god, then do so as you please. Tsige won’t entrust its fate to a god’.”

“…What?” 

The General and his lackeys in the war council, as well as many others like me reacted to those words.

Give us the Blessing?

With this difference in numbers?

I heard he was a skilled merchant, so I thought he would be quite the troublesome opponent, but was I overestimating him?

I think the confusion and questions of everyone were a matter of course.

“‘A time to begin the battle was not specified, so we will be beginning the war tomorrow morning, at sunrise. We are still learning the etiquette of war, so please consider it a handicap for facing a big army. Well then, I won’t be able to serve as the guide, but I hope you have a good road to Hades’, that’s all. The other side requested the message to be given exactly as stated, so I have done so. Please forgive the rudeness!” 

“…What does ‘Road to Hades’ mean?” 

“It is apparently a saying in Lorel that means the path to death.” 

“…In other words, he is saying that he will be giving us the Blessing, and despite that, he will be winning?” 

“…”

The messenger reacted to the bloodthirst and fell silent.

Of course he would. 

He managed to return from the enemy camp, and yet, it would be no joke if he were to be killed in his own ground. 

But this is an inconsiderate messenger. 

No matter what the other party asks of you, he should have confirmed with our leader about whether it is okay to say exactly as it was told, which would have reduced the chances of being killed.

But ‘Road to Hades’ is quite the old one, and it is a phrase from a foreign country. 

No, wait…

Could it be…

“…It was tomorrow morning, right?” 

“Huh?” 

The slightly short words of the General.

His family name is apparently Flare.

Right now my head is filled with another matter, so I have no time to be caring about that though.

“Rembrandt said that he would begin the war tomorrow morning at sunrise, right?” 

“Yes! No doubt about it!” 

“Everyone, it is as you heard just now. The merchants that are trying to catch us off guard in our arrivals with ritual magic and the outer wall apparently don’t need the Blessing! As they wish, tomorrow, we will overtake that wall, and finish that impudent rebellion! Got it?!” 

Angry roars.

The war council was once again covered in exaltation.

Everyone here most likely felt as if they were mocked. 

If they have an 8th ritual magic or something, I would understand a bit why they would mock us to this extent. 

No…there’s no way that’s the case.

Even if they discovered an 8th one, it would still follow the boundaries of element, effect, and aria to a certain extent. 

More importantly, there’s something that’s bothering me. 

I watched the messenger that finished his job and left the place without hiding his fatigue, and I also left the tent that’s burning with hostility towards Tsige.

“Can I have a bit of your time?” 

“? Who are you?” 

“A captain of one of the many platoons here without a high standing family, name’s Maxon Riny.” 

“Thanks for the polite response. And so, what is it you wanted to talk about? Sorry, but I just got a heavy load off my shoulders, you see. I want to take a rest.” 

“In that case, please tell the person in charge of the second division my name. I will invite you one as an apology for stopping you.” (Maxon)

I show a gesture of holding a drink. 

“…How considerate. I like that.” 

“I want to hear out one thing. I won’t ask for your name and I promise I will forget your face today.” (Maxon)

“You are being quite reserved there. What’s the matter?” 

“I was incredibly impressed by your courage when facing the General, but something also bothered me, you see. Hey, why didn’t you confirm first whether it was okay to relay the message exactly as you heard it?” (Maxon)

If it is just mere coincidence, then that would be the end of it. 

If that’s not the case…

“…Amazing, right? I have been confident in my courage for a long time…you are making a face that’s saying that won’t be enough of an answer for you.” 

“Please, bro.” (Maxon)

“I have a higher social status than a sticks noble family like Riny. Well, it is like comparing heights between dwarfs though.” 

“…”

“That Rembrandt merchant prostrated to me -while holding a large sum of cash. I say that, but he had an extravagant house that you wouldn’t find even in Aion, and he was prostrating on top of a super fluffy carpet that you can’t hear footsteps from at all though. Honestly speaking, I received a warm reception and treatment that I have never had with any country, city, or race as a negotiator or messenger, so I might have felt a bit of compassion for him from that.” 

“…I see. He wanted the General to hear those words to such an extent?” (Maxon)

“It was apparently the obstinacy of a merchant. I don’t understand what they think.” 

“Thanks, I am feeling better now.” (Maxon)

“I see. Then it will be a feast, Maxon.” 

“Yeah, look forward to it.” (Maxon)

I safely managed to ask what I wanted to ask. 

After seeing the messenger off, I avoid the eyes of others and return to my platoon. 

There’re around 120 small platoons, but they all know each other for a long time.

I strike small conversation while returning to the tent, and put my hand in the luggage. 

In there, there’s a letter of unnecessarily fine quality paper. 

“Rembrandt Company, huh.” (Maxon)

It is written that it is okay to respond on the appointed day.

And the contents of it…

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103 thoughts on “Tsuki – Chapter 357: Deceiving, deceived, and deluding

  1. Thx for the chapter~

    Hooooo another bribe from Rembrandt…

    Also rather than Road to Hades, I think Road to Futsu is more appropriate proverbs for Goddess’s world underworld hahahaha

  2. thanks for the chapter reigo-dude…. isn’t tsuki just got heavier or it just my imagination… not that i hate it XD

  3. Damn, I finished re-reading tsuki yesterday, and I’ll say that your advance as translator was visible along the way, both in quality and in the increased support over time.

    But now you’ll make me want to re-read it again when you finish editing

    1. Evenin, bredrin. Kinda wanna ask someone who has recently reread, if u dont mind, did the ships(misuraxyuno &makotoxmio) that started sailing right after the lorel arc feels natural to u?

      1. Misura x Yuno was out of nowhere for me, but them Makoto never looks at his students, so given we mostly follow his POV it’s not exactly the first thing he missed that happened out of nowhere.

      2. Yes on both counts though honestly MisuraxYuno felt like it came out of nowhere to me. As for Makoto not only has he gotten with Mio but Tomoe as well and has finally lost his V-card. Mio and Tomoe call him a monster because of his endurance and Lime is now worshipping him because of it.

  4. Aion seems pretty damn stupid huh? They kept listing all they demerits of ritual magic yet they also are treating it like it’s their trump card with multiple squads assembled solely to cast ritual magic and they are treated so well. Then a messenger comes in with a message from Rembrandt that specifies when exactly they’ll attack and these idiots actually believe it despite how they even mentioned that merchants are people who’ll do underhanded things proudly. Why the hell would they actually believe that they’ll attack when they say they will attack?

    Meanwhile it seems that some people have been bribed by Rembrandt to betray Aion. It makes sense since they said that how far a person goes depends on things like what school they went and even what level of noble family they come from so if somebody comes from a low-ranking noble family then it doesn’t matter what sort of achievements they produce, they ain’t ever going to rise up in military rank so they won’t get any luxuries which can easily be exploited by Rembrandt. Just offer them a moderately large sized house with fluffy carpets and bam they’re ready to betray Aion.

    1. But that’s the same with nuclear warheads, usually no one use them, but they are important right? Countries spend a lot of money on them.
      But yeah I suppose Aion leadership are stupid 🙂 or maybe just to arrogant

      1. These aren’t like nukes which can still be used tactically if you don’t care about the consequences. They listed all the drawbacks to ritual magic: there are only 7 types known along with 7 magic spells to counter them, the 7 ritual magics have very long arias that need to be chanted, during the chanting it becomes very apparent what is happening and the counter spells’ chants on the other hand are only one third the length of the ritual magics’ chants so they can be quickly cast in response to ritual magic and make them useless. Meanwhile they also mentioned that the ritual magic is really only viable if used during battle where the chaos can make the other side not pay attention to the ritual magic’s activation and preferably have it be cast from the backlines of their army where they’d be protected. But Aion instead has decided that their squads of ritual magic casters will be used at the very start of battle where the other side would be able to tell that they are casting ritual magic and they’re also going to cast the spells from the frontlines with nobody to protect their casters.

  5. Sensei if you need extra hand in editing/updating your blog, I am willing to give you a hand during my extra time for free. I have experience in navigating wordpress.

  6. Why do I always read every chapter as fast as they are posted ? Now I need the next one desperately 😢
    Thx for the tl as always !

  7. Man it’s hard to believe I’ve been reading from the very beginning and yeah you’ve gotten infinitely better over time at translation. Here’s to many more chapters until the end!

    1. Honestly, I started from reading the Manga and got a bit interested at a cliffhanger and got dragged down this swamp

  8. seriously, I hope this damn arc ends already… mc should be beating trashmoki, and the bug.

    I’m expecting author to make it so the blessing gets denied.

    1. Don’t forget that the demons created items to block Bug’s powers and I think I remember that Makoto learned how to make them and refined them so there’s a possibility that he’s given Tsige those items. Of course there’s also the possibility that Tsige’s forces just end up being so strong that the blessing doesn’t matter.

      1. If I remember right the blessing was the blessed side gets 2x power boost and if the idiot that actually tries to debate with them gets power halved debuff right?

      2. If the debuffs work on the demons/opponents, hyumans with superior numbers and 2x power boost would over power them so that means the buffs and debuffs only happen when the two opponents have a “War of Words”, meaning there no merits and only burden if you lost this debate that only takes into account the person’s looks. Are they really that desperate for the goddess’s buff so they can just brute force their armies? Is that how wars between hyumans usually start off? No wonder they don’t need tactics.

        1. Yes that is exactly how hyumans have waged war since forever. It got to the point where all they’d do is have the speaker representing each side do their stupid “War of Words” which is nothing more than a speech and after whoever got the debuff would immediately surrender without even fighting once. The majority of hyumans have no idea how to actually fight. It’s why the demons have been absolutely wrecking them all these years even though they have less numbers. For example the hyumans were absolutely massacred once they had their blessing invalidated by the demons’ Bug Blocker at Stella Fort even though the hyumans massively outnumbered them and even had both Heroes with them. Another example is how they try to have fights like some stupid turn-based battle. Back in Rotsgard when they were having their tournament the matches all were the same where each side would activate a barrier item and then take turns chanting a spell to shoot the opponent and hope to break through their barrier while neither side moves and the fights would invariably turn into a back-and-forth until one side ran out of mana. That’s why everybody was treating Makoto and his student’s fighting styles like they were goddamn revolutionary. It’s also why Tsige has been able to fight against Aion when they have less numbers because their forces are actually experienced in real combat as a necessity for surviving in the Wasteland.

  9. root: attract adventurer members to protect the golden path that the goddess destroyed futsu: gives the ability of the mother of dragons (rumyaku / dragon vein) to Tomoe because Futsu manages the underworld of the superior dragon power of the earth and the soul and Tomoe inherits the power of the earth rembert: Tsige’s destiny of independence is not handed over to the goddess but the determination of desire even though “road to hades” (futsu will accept you) even if good or bad people will get the blessing of death on the battlefield dewi: my rule is makoto: come on don’t lie goddess if you are the only god then all you have to do is guide them instead of your interests of beauty daikokuten (siwa): we gave 5-6 things to arrange but it looks like we have to take it and return it to our brahma —————- Finally we see Makoto’s decision in protection and guidance The other superior dragons and great spirits are not known where they are now

  10. Ah, so this is a classic “Aim high, hit low” tactic huh: deliberately aiming and mocking the higher up and the ritual magic itself, as well as the blessing to rile them up, then while they’re distracted and divived from the actual army force, give a bribe to them so that the force get gouge out from the inside while still keeping the form, literally making a hollow shell of the opponent itself.

    Plus, I don’t doubt that Rembrandt have like 2-3 more card up his sleeve to add on to this, like that aforementioned 8th ritual magic, and the army of merchant that’s still following them.

    1. I think Rembrandt is planing to convince Makoto and Kuzunoha join in by letting him see that they are going to lose and then pretend to have given and up and prepare for his death and Makoto takes Aion’s attack on Tsige as an attack on Kuzunoha and the orphanage and move out, or is that too impossible one?

  11. Thanks for the chapter!

    I really enjoyed reading all your translations and sometimes I do see minor errors. If you need help with editing/updating your blog, I am willing to help you with my free time 🙂

    Keep up the good work!

  12. Thank for the chapter ^^

    limits how much one can be promoted depending on social status?

    A system that begs for nation decline =_=;

  13. Uh… yeah, those devotees are pretty mentally deficient.
    Well, there was that one guy who understands some amount of tactics.
    But it seems like he doesn’t mind betraying Aion either.
    Huehuehue… First goes Aion, then the Apostles, then the Hero(lol), then the Bug. Hopefully.
    I don’t particularly mind the order though. Actually, I think it’d be funnier if the Bug was removed first.

    1. *Makoto shows up on the battlefield*
      “There will be no negotiations; you can not win! We have god on our side!”
      *Reaches into a dimensional pocket*
      “You don’t mean this this thing, do you?”
      *Throws BUG at their feet*
      “. . . In light of recent developments, we have reconsidered our willingness to negotiate!”

  14. Great chapter!!!
    thanks for the reason to start reading from the begining again!!!!
    Aion has way too many death flags~
    every time I think they might be a threat they display their incompetence!!!!

    1. They’re raising so many death flags that supply of cloth for the flags can’t keep up. At this rate they’re gonna need to build a factory solely to produce cloth for the death flags.

  15. thanks for the chapter 🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱
    wild oyen appeared

    1. It annoys me to no end to see Aion be this simple minded and stupid. It really makes me want to read what happens during the war. They say they fight with information on their side, yet they bet all their hopes on some mysterious ritual magic?

      It might’ve been better if this was the double chapter instead.

  16. Thank you very much for the chapter

    ohh great translators sama please we are about to enjoy a great massacre and makoto vs the goddess apostle

    Please give us double or triple chapters to be able to enjoy to the fullest, I know that I ask too much but to endure the wait at some point of climax will be an agony

    Lastly, I knew that hyumans were subnormal but don’t exceed

    The demons have danced in front of the hyumans for years, thinking that aion learned something from the previous battles of limia and gritonia and nothing at all. Seriously having hibiki and chiya even recognizing the apostle’s actions as divine and correct shows the garbage of women that they are both.

  17. “there’s also 7 counters that would erase them or bounce them back.”
    Hang on, I’m trying to imagine a game of ritual magic based dead man’s volley.
    . . . cool.

    I wonder how many tie-ins we’ll get from the past couple of chapters in this battle. Jewel wool in the wall deflecting the magics of Aion? Some new magic of Seiren getting deployed? Supply line shenanigans? Pincer attack by Lorel?

  18. Thanks for the chapter.

    Am I the only one who have the same feelings when reading this chapter as when reading Heroes’ chapter before the battle of Stella’ fortress ?

  19. Thanks for the chapter, don’t tell me that the general is naive enough to believe that they will follow the squadule they told them, for all he knows they migth on his way to star the attack.

  20. Guys, i dropped this novel like a year ago, i was thinking what chapter the Revolution arc was? i think it was somewhere around 160+ can anyone tell me? i wanna continue reading this novel.

    To make it clearer, they planned on overthrowing the higher ups? i think?

      1. No, it was the First town that Makoto bumped in(after the orc village). i don’t know what it was called but the nobles were planning a revolution.

        Call it the first revolution or something.

  21. “It is written that it is okay to respond on the appointed day. And the contents of it…”

    ==> “My apology for having a cliffhanger like this. See you tommorow “

  22. this chapter are from several days ago…. i keep waiting and refresh the last chap i read and found none…. and i check novel update it already have 3 new chapter…. turn out at chapter 354 not have next chapter button… lol

  23. I want more Tsuki ga Michi, please update faster~ I’ve been bingeing this for two weeks now(350 chapters gave excellent entertainment for two weeks), finally got here and the battle didn’t start yet. Please update faster~

    1. We’ve had a steady pace not guided by external demands that are inconsiderate to time constraints and real life happenings. Become a patreon/donate and support Reigokai san.

  24. Do they seriously think they’ll start the attack at morning?! Are they stupid? They really are hyumans that only rely on numbers and the goddess’s favor. Seriously, they will remain spoiled brats if you don’t back off a little…

  25. In the process of catching up years of neglecting this story that I loved(sry😥) from chapter 137 (actually stopped around the last hiatus but re-reading it anyway) I’m coming! Thanks for your hard work till now! I sincerely hope to see the end of this story!

  26. Rembrandt literally spitting on them with their Shitty Goddess like “FAQ Ur goddes bruh not my problems”

    Thanks for the chapter

    1. The best part is he gave them a hint that Merchants do underhanded things with a proud face, and they still think they have the advantage.

  27. After the events of those days, general Flare mysteriously disappeared. However, around the same time, a strategist named Freya appeared from nowhere and served loyally his master.

  28. Wow planted traitor among army even to their platoon captain, i can sugest that +200k army have almost all captain have thoose letter to one that have less prospect on aion kingdom🤣, what sly wolf rembrandt

  29. Remember, rembrandt has reinforcements on the way. He even gives a hint in the message who they are. Remember a few chapters ago, dragon knights are coming. lololol

  30. You know thinks are going well for Rembrandt when rhe enemy Captain he bribes (one of them I assume) is called Masonery.

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