Heavenly Swords of the Twin Stars: Volume 3 E-Book

Riku Nanano

• Herausgeber: J-Novel Club
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Serie: Heavenly Swords of the Twin Stars
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 351

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

An invasion from the powerful Gen Empire is on the horizon, and after the ill-fated Seitou battle left the Chou family army as the only military force able to defend Ei, Emperor Adai Dada plans on completely wiping them off the map with a final attack. Unfortunately for Sekiei and Hakurei, overwhelming external threats aren’t the only thing they have to deal with; spies, conspiracies, and corruption are flourishing within Ei’s borders. These are the worst odds they’ve ever faced, but that won’t stop them. With just a genius merchant, a strategist, and the unwavering loyalty of their outnumbered soldiers, this undefeated general princess and reincarnated legendary hero must stand between Ei and total destruction. The stage is set for the final showdown.

Leseprobe

Prologue

“We’ve arrived, son of the Jo family. Get in.”

At the sound of the young prison guard’s cold voice, I, Jo Hiyou, raised my face. I gritted my teeth in a combination of fear and shame; before me was a dim underground cell. The air was filled with a terrible stench and a fat rat raced along the floor before disappearing into the walls. This was not the type of place that one would take the eldest son of the Jo family, which had protected the southern regions of the Ei Empire for generations and generations.

When we invaded our former ally, Seitou, some time ago, my father—the Phoenix Wing, Jo Shuuhou—died on the battlefield. During my escape, Blackblade, the strongest general from the Gen Empire, which ruled the lands north of the great river, gave pursuit. I might have suffered an overwhelming defeat at his hands, but that didn’t mean I should have to put up with this sort of humiliation!

My body trembled from sheer rage and I tried to fight back from being led into the cell, flexing my arms in an attempt to break free from the ropes binding them. However, the muscular guards pushed me down onto the stone floor, kicking and hitting me with their clubs without mercy.

“Gah!”

“Don’t make more work for us.”

The agony was intense and the young prison guard’s voice sounded like it was coming from far away as my consciousness started to fade. The violence stopped and they shoved me into the cell. They cut my ropes with a dagger before they walked out, shutting the metal door, with its one small window, behind them. With trembling hands I dragged myself along the ground, coughing and panting. The sleeves of my robes were dirtied with fresh blood.

After the Seitou invasion had ended in a crushing failure, I, along with the few surviving soldiers, managed to crawl back to Nanyou. Nanyou was one of the biggest cities in the southern regions, the Jo family’s base of operations.

My mother and elderly grandparents welcomed me back with warm, open arms. During the winter I was able to recuperate, healing from both physical and mental wounds. However... I thought back to the summons that had been sent to the city last month, signed with the emperor’s own seal.

“During the Battle of Ranyou, Jo Shuuhou and U Jouko, unable to contain their bloodlust, charged before official orders were given. This action caused the Ei army to lose and flee from the battlefield. Jo Hiyou suffered a total defeat during the retreat, causing the deaths of numerous generals and officers, before he escaped to his homeland of Ranyou. Surrender yourself at once to Rinkei and report on your failings. If you do not make an appearance, we will charge you with conspiracy.”

Even thinking back on it, the contents of the letter were so different from the actual truth that a shiver ran down my spine.

“You mustn’t go. We must first discuss things with the U family in the west and the Chou family in the north,” my mother had said. But now that my father was dead, I was the only person left who could lead my family. So it was with that conviction in my heart that I arrived at the capital, Rinkei, as the head of the Jo family. But then...

From outside the door, the young prison guard started to speak to me in an exhausted tone, saying, “I sympathize with you. Even us prison guards have heard of the Phoenix Wing and the Tiger Fang, said to be the National Shield’s equals. None of us believe the verdict leveled against you, which is precisely why I’m begging you: please don’t try anything funny. If you resist, we’ll have no choice but to hurt you even more.”

A storm of emotions raged in my chest. Ignoring the pain in my body, I slammed my fist against the door, causing the dim flames lighting the cell to shake. “My father...Jo Shuuhou did not fight in a manner that would sully his name when he was at Ranyou, the capital of Seitou! The reason we lost was because the lieutenant chancellor Rin Chuudou relinquished command of the troops out of his own cowardice and the marshal of the royal guard, Ou Hokujaku, tried to promote himself!”

I raged on. “My father and General U fought bravely until the very end, and for what?! How come Chuudou and Hokujaku, who survived the battle that day, received no punishment?! Why must my father and the others’ deaths be insulted and the Jo and U families’ honor stripped away?! I was the only one who lost during the retreat! If someone must be punished, then I am the only one who deserves it!”

The guard stood there in silence for a few moments before I heard him walk away. Body still smarting, I limped towards the stone wall and pressed my back against it.

“Why?” I murmured, my breath hitching as tears leaked down my face, falling onto my knees. “How did things turn out this way?”

I covered my face with both hands. As I did, the faces of the black-haired, red-eyed boy and the silver-haired, blue-eyed girl—the ones who never lost hope even when the war seemed hopeless, and who saved both me and the Jo family army from the devastating battlefield of Ranyou—came to mind.

“Hiyou, you should come with us!” They’d both said it after they helped us defeat an enemy scouting party. If only I hadn’t separated from their group, too caught up in maintaining my foolish sense of pride, more of my soldiers might have made it back to Ei. I wouldn’t have lost as many of them to Blackblade, my father’s murderer and the one who’d pursued us during the retreat.

Weakness and regret weighed on my shoulders as I kept my face covered with my wrecked hands. “Lord Sekiei, Lady Hakurei, Father, what should I...what should I do?”

Of course, no one answered me. The judge hadn’t given me a detailed explanation of the punishment I would receive, but I’d been forced into this underground cell without even the chance to explain myself. Any idiot could understand what was coming next.

“How pathetic, Jo Hiyou.”

I sucked in a breath as the sound of a man’s cold voice hit my ears. It sounded familiar, as if I’d heard it at some point in the past, but...

It was hopeless. I couldn’t place it. “Who’s there?” I asked in a curt voice, not bothering with caution.

Judging by the size of the shadow, the person behind the door was not one of the earlier guards. “That’s a rather meaningless question, but hmm. I suppose if I had to give you an answer, I am someone who understands you.”

“Someone who understands me?” My echo was suspicious. Someone who understands me, who’s about to die after being forced to take responsibility for a loss?

The man came closer, continuing in a calm voice, “During the Battle of Ranyou, the Jo family army and the U family army fought bravely. The lieutenant chancellor who should have taken command of the whole army never showed his face on the battlefield. A mass attack from the catapults and the heavy infantry of Seitou crushed the royal guard, and yet none of you, including the horsemen from the north, retreated a single step.”

Rin Chuudou, the lieutenant chancellor who had been the supreme commander of the invading army, and Ou Hokujaku, the royal guard marshal who had ordered that reckless charge... I would never forget them or this hatred festering inside of me for as long as I lived. I bit my lip to control the anger.

“Even though your loss was clear, the Phoenix Wing and the Tiger Fang never stopped encouraging their men. They fought and died with courage. We might have lost in the end... No, our loss is precisely why their reputations shine with such brilliance! At least, among those with a heart and conscience such as myself. It is far too ironic that the lieutenant chancellor and the royal guard marshal—who have displayed nothing but cowardice, laziness, and envy—were the ones to make it back alive.”

“Those with a heart and conscience...” Was he saying that even in a viper nest like Rinkei, there were those who could still be considered human? As I sat there, confused, the man approached the door, though I still could not see his face.

“Jo Hiyou, if nothing changes for you, you will die,” he said. “They’ll force you to bear the responsibility of their loss and kill you. Not only that, but the Jo and U families will lose all of their privileges and will eventually become destitute.”

“Impossible! I-If that happens, then there will be no more peace around the borders!”

Both Jo and U families used their scarce forces to secure the southern and western regions of the Ei Empire. They were already at their limit. If barbarians and rebels sensed any further weakness, they would not hesitate to attack.

In the near future, the Gen Empire would launch a southern invasion. At the focal point of the Grand Canal, which bisected the continent into north and south, was Keiyou. The waters around Keiyou directly connected it to Rinkei. If the Jo and U families didn’t send reinforcements to Keiyou, then even with the National Shield, Lord Sekiei, and Lady Hakurei, we would lose.

The man slammed his hand against his chest in a mighty salute. “I will not permit anyone to kill you! Please have faith in me.”

That was when a thought hit me. This man was able to come to this place despite the dangers he’d be in, as well as send the prison guards away. “Are you by any chance working for the grand chancellor?”

Lord You Bunshou was the grand chancellor of the Ei Empire. He, alongside the Three Great Generals—my deceased father, General U, and Chou Tairan—was one of the cornerstones of this country. I’d heard that the grand chancellor had opposed the Seitou invasion until the very last minute. If this man was working for him, then it wouldn’t be odd for him to approach me and—

My thoughts were interrupted with loud laughter, the sound echoing off the walls of the cell. I could see a gecko near the moths gathered around the lights, its tongue darting out and capturing them.

“What’s so funny?” I asked, my voice low in suspicion.

“Ahh, orphan of the Jo family. You know nothing of the vile world of politics, nor do you have any idea as to how frightening You Bunshou can be.” The footsteps came closer still until they stopped right by the door. I could hear him flicking the bars of the cell a few times with his finger before he said in a cheery tone, “The grand chancellor was the one who used his authority to summon you to Rinkei. He was the one who set the lieutenant chancellor up to do so.”

It was as if his words were a bolt of lightning, the shock traveling from head to toe. My body started to tremble and I couldn’t gather my thoughts.

“Wha—?! N-No way! He would never do something like—”

“If not him, then who else could have summoned the heir of the Jo family at this point in time? Who could have called you away from Nanyou, which lost the Phoenix Wing and the elite soldiers in its army, and even showed hints of rebellion? If I recall, the summons had been stamped with the emperor’s personal seal. Very few people can convince His Imperial Majesty to use it. You Bunshou is the chancellor of a vast empire; of course he’s capable of both morality and corruption. The deaths of your father and U Jouko have been used as tools in a game of politics, all in order to centralize power in this country. He’s even planning on offering Keiyou and the northern shores of the Grand Canal to Gen in order to broker peace, you know?”

“Y-You’re lying! I’ll never believe something like that!”

The people in the capital cared about nothing save for their political power struggles and their own entertainment. Among them, the grand chancellor was one of the few whom General Chou, General U, and father trusted. Yet he was the one who lured me to the capital and captured me?

My thoughts were a mess in my mind, and I couldn’t sort through any of them. A man wearing a fox mask peered in from the small window in the door before he turned on his heel. The sight of him sent yet another shock through me and I jumped to my feet, forgetting the pain my body was in.

“W-Wait!” I yelled. “You’re Denso, the right-hand man to the lieutenant chancellor!”

“I’ll come see you again. Allow me to repeat this one more time: I am on your side. I promise to free you from this prison.”

***

I, Denso, walked alone through the hall, the path before me dark with the veil of night. As part of the Senko, a secret organization that had guided the continent from behind the scenes ever since the start of its history, my presence in Ei was due to a mission. For now, my job was to return to the foolish lieutenant chancellor’s manor before morning came.

In the vast and frigid space, I could see a stone pillar with a dragon and phoenix carved into it, as well as the magistrates’ seats. I was in the court, the place which had cast judgment upon countless people over the years. That could be why the air here felt so much colder than anywhere else in the imperial palace.

I stopped walking and stared up at the symbolic obsidian boulder right in the middle of the room. No matter how many times I gazed upon it, I could not fathom the sheer size of the stone. It didn’t seem like something from this mortal realm. The people of Ei referred to it as...

“It’s the Dragon Jade,” a voice sounded out.

“Oh! If it isn’t Master Ren.”

A person wearing a fox mask and dressed in a raggedy coat that covered even their head stepped out from behind a stone pillar. Upon seeing them, I bent a knee to the ground. I hadn’t sensed them at all. Is this their way of telling me that they can kill me at any time should they judge me incapable of fulfilling my duties? A cold sweat broke out on my brow at the thought.

Seven years ago, Master Ren, an ascendant shrouded in mysteries, was chosen to serve as the field commander in order to replace our elderly chief. Now, they reached out and placed their hand on the boulder, the foreign blade at their waist making a soft sound with the motion.

“The Book of Sai, put together years ago, wrote about this as well. It’s one of the most prominent boulders on the continent. I heard that when the false emperor of Ei lost the lands to the north and became the ruler of this place back when it was nothing more than a desolate village, he used this rock as a symbol of his superiority. He called it ‘proof that a dragon, the personification of the heavens, watches over the land of Ei.’ I also heard that even after he built a palace, he kept this rock here on purpose, and that he has doled out sentences to numerous criminals in this very spot. That’s why even the soldiers on night guard avoid this area. Of course, there is no proof that any of the legends are true. I even heard that the great Kou Eihou used his Heavenly Swords to cut apart a similar boulder in the northern land of Routou, but I doubt the rumor’s veracity.”

I couldn’t even make a sound. I hailed from a tribe that joined the Senko after the Ei Empire lost the lands north of the great river. That was all I was. Even the name Denso, which I’d been given after joining the organization, was taken from a mouse. If I didn’t obey the fox—and not just any fox, but a great fox spirit—I’d be eaten. I couldn’t even work up the willpower to resist.

Master Ren turned around, the movement revealing some of the hair underneath their coat. “At the same time, no matter what land or country they live in, people are prone to superstition. I cannot fault them for harboring fearful respect for a boulder that a human cannot move or shatter, much less slice in half. So then, how are things going? Do you think the juvenile hatchling of the Jo family will be of use?”

“He’s very shaken. I doubt it will take long.”

“I see.”

The ascendant’s beautiful lips twisted with some hint of desolation. Perhaps they pitied Jo Hiyou, who was trapped in the web of the fearsome emperor of Gen, Adai Dada.

“As soon as the winter passes, the White Wraith in the north will recommence his southern campaign,” they continued. “The majority of Ei’s bravest generals and officers were culled in the earlier conflict. Our only remaining obstacles are Chou Tairan in Keiyou and...” Master Ren’s small hand traveled to their waist and they touched the hilt of their sword. “And the elderly You Bunshou. I’m sure that by now, he’s yelling at the cowardly false emperor for the injustices he meted out upon the Jo and U families. Ever since the invasion’s overwhelming failure, the citizens of the city have been whispering, ‘The lieutenant chancellor and royal guard marshal are fools, but the emperor who gave them permission to go is an even bigger fool!’ To think that things could have progressed this way just because his favorite mistress told him about those rumors. Sometimes a hardworking and kindhearted person does more harm than a lazy and villainous one.”

“Yes, Master Ren!”

The Three Great Generals of Ei would never come together again. There was no army left in the city that could serve as reinforcements for Keiyou, and rebellions were sure to occur after the people saw the Jo and U families’ punishment. This country was done for. Not even the great hero, the National Shield Chou Tairan, could do anything to stop it.

Master Ren drew from their vermilion-lacquered scabbard a foreign sword with a beautiful wave pattern on its blade. They pressed it against my neck and said, “Denso, we sent you to that ugly and foolish Rin Chuudou because the chief predicted the current state of affairs. Hasho became too excited in the earlier battle and got the Gray Wolf killed. If you succeed here, you will surely rise through the ranks of the Senko. At the same time though, if you fail...”

I purposefully steeled my will and ignored the icy blade biting into my skin. If Hasho’s job was to puppet Seitou, then mine was to puppet Ei. I would show that annoying ersatz strategist, who’d lost himself in his own arrogance and talent, what I could do.

“I swear that I will bring the Jo fledgling to our side.”

“I look forward to your work.”

Master Ren returned the blade to the sheath in a movement that could only be described as refined. Then, with no effort at all, they leaped into the air, kicking from pillar to pillar as they made for the entrance of the hall. No human was capable of such a movement.

“Ah, I almost forgot to tell you something.” Master Ren landed on the ground without a sound and then turned their gaze over their shoulder to look at me. The glow of moonlight enveloped their slight frame. “Gather information on Chou Tairan’s son and daughter. They killed the Crimson and Gray Wolves—wolves that are the pride of the Gen Empire. I am positive that they will stand with Chou Tairan against the White Wraith in the upcoming conflict. Adai is a pain in the ass, but until he unifies the lands under the heavens, we cannot risk his death.”

***

“Your Imperial Majesty, if I may be so bold as to pose a question, why did you sully the deceased Phoenix Wing and Tiger Fang’s honor? And as if that wasn’t enough, why did you throw Jo Hiyou into jail? Not only that, but you did so while this humble servant was on a ship in the Grand Canal, discussing matters with Chou Tairan! I cannot accept it.”

In the heart of the imperial palace, where the emperor’s bedroom was, I, You Bunshou, stood interrogating my sovereign. By all rights, I shouldn’t even be here, as men weren’t allowed in this part of the palace—but desperate times called for desperate measures. I had even pushed past the exhaustion of my trip away from the capital in order to come here and meet with him.

The emperor was dressed in his sleeping robes and I could see how pale he was, even in the dim candlelight. In response to my questions, he replied as if trying to give excuses. “B-Bunshou, quell your anger. Are sure punishments and rewards not the way of this world? Yes, Chuudou personally advised me on this matter, but I also heard from Hokujaku that the Jo family army and the U family army were the reasons that we lost this battle.”

Though I was in front of the emperor, I desperately wanted to tear my white hair from my head. News of our defeat must have disturbed him a great deal if he placed this much trust in the words of just two men, even if one was a favored subject and the other a member of his consort clan.

“Yes, I agree that those who have done well should be rewarded finely for their work, and those who have failed should be severely punished.”

“In that case—”

“However!”

I interrupted the emperor and looked him in the eyes. I’d raised him ever since he was young, and even offered him more affection and care than I gave my own children. I could see how his eyes kept darting back and forth, as if he was so shaken that he couldn’t look at anything for too long.

“However, that does not make sense in this case,” I said. “The invasion of Seitou ended in a failure, but what crime would that fall under? What sins have the deceased generals and Jo Shuuhou’s orphan committed? I don’t know what you’ve heard from those two. However, if you are going to punish anyone, it should be Rin Chuudou, who immediately fled for Rinkei instead of taking command at the final battle, and Ou Hokujaku, whose reckless order led to the royal guard’s defeat! He even had the nerve to come crawling back alive, even though he was the one who caused so many allied deaths in the first place! The reason that the royal guard soldiers under Chuudou’s command returned alive is that they retreated without ever fighting in the actual invasion. I confirmed this myself during my meeting with Chou Tairan.”

The emperor turned away, a look of guilt on his handsome face. Despite that, I drew closer to him and continued without a hint of mercy.

“The Chou family army fought through the Battle of Ranyou, as well as against the vicious pursuers that chased them from Seitou. They were even the ones who killed the Gray Wolf in Bourou Gorge. None of them said anything negative about Jo Shuuhou or U Jouko. While retreating, Jo Hiyou fought against Blackblade, a Gen general. Yes, he lost, but he did well to gather the Jo family army’s survivors and return to Nanyou. To place him in jail...why, it’s utter insanity. Using the deceased generals’ deaths as the reason to strip their families of a portion of their privileges and assets will only lead to rebellion! We can see the truth of these words in how the U family did not respond to your summons.”

“Y-You have a point.”

My master trailed off, murmuring something under his breath. I figured that his most beloved concubine, who was part of the same family as the lieutenant chancellor, had whispered something into his ear, and he was only doing what he thought best. However, these choices were unforgivable.

In a quiet voice, I informed him of the cold reality we faced. “Of course, part of the responsibility lies on my old shoulders. It will be impossible, mind, to silence the people. Rumors that the emperor is listening to the advice of a corrupt official and is obsessed with punishing his loyal subjects are already floating around Rinkei. In time, the entire country will hear of your awful reputation, my emperor.”

The emperor’s face grew even paler and he started to shiver. “B-Bunshou,” he said, his voice high and begging for help. “What should I...what should I do?”

I thought for a moment before I replied, “Since your seal was on the summons, it will be difficult to take back the punishment, especially since it was only carried out yesterday. The populace will only have a lower opinion of you if you deal with the matter swiftly.”

Forgive me, I thought to Jo Shuuhou and U Jouko, who’d perished in that fateful battle at Ranyou. It will take some time before I can restore your honor to you.

I placed my wrinkled hand over my heart and continued, “Your Imperial Majesty, leave everything to this old man.”

The emperor bowed his head low. “Thank you.”

He wasn’t a bad person and because of that, I should be able to guide him back onto the right path. I kicked my old bones into action and took out the papers I needed to continue my report. This was what I really wanted to discuss with him. If we made the wrong move, it might lead to a total collapse of this country.

“Next, I would like to report on what Chou Tairan and I discussed. There is great movement to the north. We believe that they will wait for the snow to melt and then cross the river in order to inva—”

“Your Imperial Majesty, it is I, Uto.” A woman’s sultry voice sounded from outside the room. “I have come for you tonight. May I open the door?”

We’re discussing matters that have to do with this country’s future! I looked towards the door to yell at the person behind it, but a white hand appeared in my field of vision to stop me. I was shocked when I saw the emperor’s face, for there was clear relief in his expression.

“It is late, Bunshou. We can continue this discussion tomorrow at the imperial court. You should rest as well.”

There were many things I wanted to say, but I finally decided on “Very well.”

I give up. If the emperor ordered me to leave in such a manner, then as his subject, there was nothing more that I could do or say. I pushed myself out of the chair, lowered my head in a bow, and then dragged myself out of the room. As I did, the favored concubine Uto—who boasted unparalleled beauty on top of her status as the lieutenant chancellor’s adopted daughter—walked past me. The fragrance of flowers wafted from her pale lilac hair. She entered the room and closed the door behind her.

The moment she did, I heard a conversation that made a chill run down my spine.

“Ohh... Uto, Uto...”

“Your Imperial Majesty, I’ve wanted to come to you ever since the sun rose in the sky. Oh, if only the moon could shine forever.”

I staggered down the hall and used my hand to support myself against one of the pillars. My heart ached. Even standing was too much for my frail body. I glared up at the dark northern sky, where the twin stars glittered, and spat, “So once again, I must rely on the National Shield? If only the Phoenix Wing and Tiger Fang had made it back... No, even if they made it back, this country is already...”

I trailed off and my muttering disappeared into the darkness of the night. The only sounds remaining were the sweet nothings of the emperor and his precious mistress.

Chapter One

“All right! We’re done packing everything into the ships. Have we forgotten anything?”

I—Sekiei, the adopted son of the Chou family, which was dedicated to guarding Keiyou, a major city in the Ei Empire’s Koshuu—turned around as I dusted off my coat. This berth, situated in the east of Keiyou, was full of conversing people and patrolling soldiers. It was built along the Grand Canal, the waterway that split the continent into north and south. Due to the bad weather during the winter, this was the first ship in a long time that would be heading towards Rinkei, the capital of the Ei Empire.

Many people had stopped to stare at the docked paddlewheeler—the wheels on both sides of the ship made it a rare sight. However, they could also be looking for the opportunity to let their women and children escape from Keiyou, which was the front line between Ei and Gen. After all, it had only been three months since we suffered a crushing defeat during an invasion of our former ally, Seitou. Gen, a country of cavalrymen who ruled the lands north of the river, was a force to be reckoned with; everyone knew that.

“Grr, Lord Sekiei?”

“Uh, huh?”

As I’d lost myself in thought, a girl wearing clothes dyed orange came marching up to me, a dissatisfied look on her face. The hair poking out from the sides of her hat was sticking up. Barring her large breasts, this girl—who was actually older than me—looked like a child. But this was Meirin, the teenage heiress of the affluent Ou family, merchants who had quickly made a name for themselves.

Meirin closed the distance between us and said, “Lord Sekiei, don’t you feel sad that you’re going to be separated from your future wife, who just so happens to be the cutest girl under the heavens?! I feel so lonely and so pained thinking about it that I’m about to burst into tears! Ahh, if I knew that things would turn out this way, I wouldn’t have stayed in Keiyou during the winter. Sniff sniff!”

“The cutest girl under the heavens? And my future wife to boot?” I echoed on purpose, ignoring her terrible fake crying.

This little prodigy, who loved to propose marriage to me, was supposed to have returned to the city already. However, she ended up staying for around three months, using excuses like the bad weather or supervising the import of materials for fortifying the city. As a result though, Keiyou’s defenses were far better than before, which I was very grateful for. I would have to pay back this debt some day—of course, I would never say any of that to the pouting girl before me.

“Why do you seem confused?! Jeez!” Meirin yelled, frustrated. She didn’t notice my gratitude and crossed her arms.

When I looked behind her, I saw a young woman wearing black-and-white clothing and carrying a foreign dagger in her belt. She was Miss Shizuka, Meirin’s attendant. Shizuka held her hands together in an apologetic gesture. Her long black hair, which was tied up, reflected the early spring sunlight.

My own black hair is so much rougher than hers... I didn’t get to think more on the matter because Meirin pointed at me, the tip of her finger grazing my nose. It seemed that she was standing on her tippy-toes in order to reach my face.

“In! Any! Case! I know it’s not something I should be bragging about, but I worked really hard this time! I worked my fingers to the bone to strengthen Keiyou’s defenses and limited myself to hugging Lord Sekiei only three times a day! And yet...and yet!”

“Ahh.”

I watched, at a loss of what to do as Meirin pouted. This girl was supposed to be older than me. For starters, I think three hugs a day is still a lot. Yeah, it’s way too much. As a result of those hugs, the silver-haired and blue-eyed heiress of the Chou family, who happened to be my childhood friend, had spent the past few months in a terrible mood! When I asked my blonde-haired, emerald-eyed strategist for advice, all she’d said was “It’s your own fault though.” How cruel!

Despite that, I had no intention of brushing off the girl before me. Even when I thought back to the foggy memories of my past life as the undefeated great general Kou Eihou, who had lived a thousand years ago in the Tou Empire, Eihou always had a soft spot for people he accepted as his own. So this softness from my past life stayed with me in this one? I haven’t matured at all.

I didn’t reveal any of my self-deprecating thoughts as I placed my hand on Meirin’s hat and said, “Yeah, you really did a good job here. I’m thankful for your help. You especially did well on the...uh, I can’t remember the name right now. What’s that thing that you use to dig up the earth?”

The name of the tool was on the tip of my tongue, but it wouldn’t come out. I moved my hands as I explained it as if that would help. Under the orders of our self-acclaimed ascendant of a strategist, we were building bulwarks and moats in the west of Keiyou. This was far too strenuous a task for our plows and hoes. After a few discussions with Meirin, she had used her connections to import several foreign tools and we’d finished the work in a blink of an eye. Apparently, they were items from a country filled with deserts, far to the west.

Meirin blinked and tilted her head to the side, her finger resting on her chin. “Um, do you mean a shovel? The broad, bladelike tool that has a long stick attached to it?”

“Yes, that’s it! I only used them a few times during my patrols, but they were amazing. The soldiers were delighted, saying that the shovels were far easier than plows and hoes when it came to stacking dirt or digging ditches. It’s embarrassing that I never thought of something like this. Ou Meirin, I truly believe you’re a girl of unparalleled talent, always delivering exactly what we need when we need it. I can’t thank you enough! You’re amazing!”

Since these were my genuine thoughts, the words flowed out of me like water. If Meirin hadn’t provided such excellent tools for the job, we wouldn’t have finished even half of our preparations.

“Heh, eh heh heh! ♪ I-I’ll feel embarrassed if you compliment me like... Oh! H-Humph! A few compliments aren’t enough for me to forgive you! I’m not that easy of a—” She was in the middle of shyly twisting her body, her hands on her cheeks, when she interrupted herself with a sneeze. Though it was technically spring and the days were getting warmer, it was quite cold.

“It’s because you don’t wear enough clothes, you know?” I drawled. “It gets really windy on boats too.”

“Grr! This is when you should say, ‘Are you all right, my adorable Meirin?’ and express some worry for— Eh?”

I took off my coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. Feeling a little embarrassed for some reason, I looked away and explained in a rush, “Wear it. I wouldn’t know how to face your parents if you ended up catching a cold.”

After a few whinnies from the horses, I heard people cheering. They made it in time for the boat’s departure? I breathed a sigh of relief and then saw Meirin grip the sleeves of the coat with a small smile.

“Thank you. Hee hee! ♪ Lord Seeekiei! ☆”

“Whoa!”

She jumped against my chest and I hurriedly supported her. O-Oh no. If she sees us like this...

Ignorant of my fears, Meirin looked up at me, her big eyes sparkling. “I knew that you’re the only man who could be my husband, Lord Sekiei! I’ll treasure this coat for the rest of my life.”

Oh, she’s serious. That coat was just one mass-produced for the army though. I scratched my cheek and then said, “You know, you... Oh, here she comes.”

Meirin’s response was a frustrated groan.

The people’s cheering grew even louder, signaling the arrival of the two beautiful women who’d been supervising the work in the western districts of Keiyou. One of them had tied up her long silver hair with a scarlet ribbon, and her blue eyes were as sharp as a blade. She was wearing the same coat I had been and the sword hanging from her belt was the White Star, one of the Heavenly Swords. Her name was Chou Hakurei—my childhood friend and the only daughter of Chou Tairan, the National Shield.

The other girl had blonde hair, which was rare even in the Ei Empire, and she’d tied it up with a blue ribbon. Her left eye was hidden away behind her long bangs. This was Ruri, my strategist. It seemed like she’d rushed over here, as she was fanning herself with her blue hat.

As soon as they reached us, Hakurei crossed her arms and glared up at me. “Sekiei? What do you think you’re doing in front of all these people?”

“I’m sure this is an everyday occurrence for you two, but you’re really standing out,” Ruri added. Unlike Hakurei, whose anger was in part genuine, Ruri seemed like she was just having fun and stirring up the situation.

Th-This strategist and her love of pranks! Without a choice, I looked over to the furious princess of the Chou family and explained, “Uh, this isn’t of my free will—”

“Here you are, Little Miss Third Wheeler!” Before I could finish, Meirin butted in. “Coming all the way here to interfere in my relationship with Lord Sekiei... Why don’t you read the room a little?! Ruri, you agree with me, right? Right?!”

Oh? This seems like the perfect opportunity to get away...

“Don’t drag me into this,” Ruri complained.

“Would you care to repeat that one more time?” Hakurei asked Meirin in a cold voice. “Whose relationship with whom, did you say?”

As expected, Hakurei had fallen for the taunt, and they started fighting over who would have Ruri on their side. Heck yeah. Holding my breath and concealing my presence, I started to move away from the three girls when I heard someone calling out to me.

“Lord Sekiei, Lord Sekiei!”

When I looked in the direction of the voice, I saw Miss Shizuka calling from the shadows of some boxes. What a considerate young lady! I hid there with her.

“Lord Sekiei,” Miss Shizuka said, “thank you so much for taking care of Lady Meirin. She seemed quite depressed this morning, but it looks like I won’t have anything to worry about now.”

In the face of her gratitude, I hurried to say, “Ah, please raise your head! It was nothing...is what I’d like to say, but you and Meirin really helped us out these past few months. We should be the ones thanking you.” I hadn’t heard how Miss Shizuka had ended up as Meirin’s attendant, but this beautiful woman who hailed from a foreign country had a wide range of knowledge. She often offered me, Hakurei, and Ruri advice when we were troubled.

We bowed to each other and then started giggling as one. We could still hear Hakurei and Meirin’s argument; it was impossible to tell if their relationship was a good or bad one.

Hakurei narrowed her eyes as she sighed, saying, “I can’t believe you would hug someone like that in public. Why don’t you conduct yourself in a more demure manner?”

“Ohh? So based on what you said, it’s all right for me to hug Lord Sekiei as long as we’re in private? Hee hee! ♪ It looks like the Chou family’s heiress has finally gotten with the program! Once Lord Sekiei and I become man and wife, you’ll be my little sister-in-law, so— Mmrgh!”

Hakurei reached out and covered Meirin’s mouth. Then she looked at me, even though I should have been hidden away by the shadows of the boxes, and pouted. Uh, what do you want me to do? I remained silent.

In response, Hakurei said in a voice so loud it could only be on purpose, “Please be quiet. Otherwise, I’ll tell Sekiei that you’ve been coming to Miss Ruri and me these past few nights, crying about how you don’t want to return to Rinkei!”

“Mmrgh?!” Meirin’s face flushed red.

“Won’t he hear you if you yell it like that?” Ruri asked in an exasperated tone, placing her hat back onto her head.

Meirin managed to break free from Hakurei’s hold and was bravely attempting to attack her. Miss Shizuka, watching her mistress with an affectionate gaze, murmured, “Ever since she was a child, Lady Meirin has displayed her talents both publicly and privately. As a result, she wasn’t able to make any friends her age.” She sat up straighter and then looked at me, her eyes glittering like black pearls. They housed a strong sense of worry. “Ever since we came to this city, she seems to have so much fun every day. As her attendant, I know of no greater joy. Lord Sekiei...”

“I know. I won’t let Hakurei or Ruri die.”