Hunting: Memories (I Transmigrated as a Memory Hunter)

Arc 1: Kumoshima Part 12

Chapter 12

Nephrite glanced at Ging, the man kneeling in front of Chunan, worried.

When Kuro looked for other exit paths, he noticed the scent of explosives. He followed it and saw this man about to lit the stack of explosives.

Kuro didn't waste time and tried to stop him.

As a blacksmith, Ging has a strong body. However, he isn't as fast as Kuro. They were able to hold him but he tried hard to resist, resulting in the three's injuries.

But when he saw Chunan, all the rage he had in his heart vanquished.

Snot, tears, and dried blood mixed on his face. He looked pitiful as he begged for forgiveness.

According to him, Prime Minister Idjimo announced that the King and Prince Zhuangjin died while protecting the Crown Prince. The Prime Minister also announced that the whereabouts of the Crown Prince were unknown.

Weeks after, they informed the public that the neighboring country abducted the Crown Prince. They showed bunches of evidence and stated that the Kumoshima Empire desires the advanced farming and smithing of the country.

Since ten years ago, the development of farming and smithing were ahead of other countries thanks to the former king, Chunan, and Shuijing's father. He and the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and the Royal Weaponry to train farmers and smiths. share the wonderful knowledge.

It would have been already thriving if not for the bad geography of their country.

Though the smithing developed well, they don't have many fertile lands to cultivate.

Both of the Princes are compassionate children. Especially Zhuangjin who willingly studied blacksmithing with the common people.

"We demand revenge for you, Your Highness. But the Prime Minister said he was negotiating for the Crown Prince's release and that we have to focus on his safety. After two years, he said he found someone's help. And that these people are willing to aid us with raw materials for the weapons and armors.

We wish to avenge you all those time. So when they said they needed our cooperation, we cooperated right away.

Though it took a year for the travel preparation.

We traveled in a large caravan with guards, not letting us see the way. We almost thought we are being sold to slavery."

W-we worked hard. They keep saying, telling us to finish fast, we don't have much time. The life of our Crown Prince hangs on a thread."

Still the same job but we are not allowed to go home. W-who would have thought, this place is a-already out of our boundary?" He paused, "So that's why! Some of our brothers escaped after feeling homesick. They never returned. If we are not in the Great Lang, how can they return?"

Eyes filled with confusion like a lost cub, Ging's aggression left no trace. "We are complete fools."

Everyone in the room fell into complete silence, all of them having multiple thoughts in mind.

They built a hideout between two territories and brought over people from the enemy land. It is obvious the enemy behind this is hell-bent on rebellion. But what purpose did they spend so much effort on doing these things? Unless...

He snapped out of his daze and looked at each of the people's eyes.

Seems like it is not just him who realized what happened. Most of them still have frowns on each forehead. Soon, their expression shows how grave the truth is when they realize one thing after another.

Except, of course, for Yukiya. He already figured out exactly how things happen. But he wanted to see if the kids understood everything.

As to why Yukiya decided not to utter a word, Nephrite had a vague idea.

Seeing the spark of understanding from all their people's eyes, Yukiya finally spoke.

"Since we don't know the enemy's goal, it is better to start preparing yourselves. Most of you have no proper combat training but we still have to further investigate. In order to do that," he took an empty scroll. Kazuyuki automatically reached out and mixed the ink for his father.

Yukiya wrote a series of orders for their group and his men, the letter now serving as an official seal. As the head of the Miyazuya Clan, and the direct vassal of the Ouchi Clan for the region, he has the power to send out people to initiate their plan.

A few minutes later, he handed sealed letters. He gave one for each of his team leaders from his own men, and one each for Kurokami and Kazuyuki.

"Kurokami, return to Rose Valley and bring this letter to Lord Yasuwari. Follow whatever decision he makes after this." He turned to Kazuyuki. "Son, bring back the two Young Masters to Silver Rain," he said, pertaining to Nephrite and Shier. "Train and observe them properly."

Lord Yukiya stared at his son's face. There is one message clearly written on his face: Doubt.

Kazuyuki rolled his right hand in a fist and put it in front of his heart, "As you wish, Father." He vowed, eyes completely devoid of emotion, not giving away anything.

Yukiya nodded, satisfied. His eyes shimmering, as if he found a new interesting toy to play with.

Nephrite lowered his eyes and bit his lower lip, trying to hide his amusement.

A little joy full of pride rose inside him. Glad that he was able to understand the atmosphere despite his lack of experience.

"I will pick a few men to patrol around the mountain area. As for the princes and everyone else, we have important things to do," Yukiya said mysteriously.

With that, he concluded his set of commands and everyone headed their way.

_________________________

Streaks of lights slowly broke down the darkness of the sky as dawn came.

The cool breeze enveloped the three people as they galloped through the main road of the forest. The blanket of fading stars shining weakly above them.

Nephrite watched the road in front of him as they passed by, his brows furrowed. If someone could see his face right now, it seems like something will suddenly block their way.

However, it is far from what is on his mind.

If Nephrite just knows how to ride a horse, he won't be in that awkward position right now.

Kazuyuki isn't in better shape either.

Though this isn't the first time he rode on a horse with someone(he let Aijin rode Tochi with him many times before), this is the first time he will be riding with a man.

Kazuyuki did not give it much of a thought at first. After all, it is just riding a horse and they have an urgent mission. What is the need to think of useless stuff?

Until his hand was already stretched out, holding Keisuke's hands as he pulled him up on Tochi's back. He helped him sit in front of him the same way as Aijin does, with both of his legs on one side. As Keisuke's shoulder accidentally touched his chest, both Nephrite and Kazuyuki realized something felt... weird.

Weird as they both don't know what to name the sudden feeling rushing through them.

Nephrite is still wearing the poor-quality kimono he wore as a disguise the day before. The thin fabric, though layered, isn't enough to block each body's heat.

It has been almost 24 hours since he left the Miyazuya Manor yesterday. He stood on the street under the sun selling cabbages, even slept on the floor while unconscious. Feeling Kazuyuki's hot breath on his ear, he can't help but wonder if he smells bad right now.

Contrary to Nephrite's belief, Kazuyuki is at his limits because of the other's permeating scent. He is trying to pull all restraint he could muster to hold himself back from sniffing the young man's sweet scent.

The paralyzing effect of the powdered perfume Nephrite used to trick Lord Fei earlier was long gone. But the aroma still lingered on Keisuke's body, giving him a very sweet flowery fragrance.

What makes matters worse, the horse's movements made their bodies rub on each other, stimulating some 'chemical reaction'.

An unwanted flame ignited inside their bodies without warning.

Kazuyuki could only do his best not to let his lower body touch Keisuke's thigh.

Both of them feel cautious of each other's presence. They have no idea why these things are happening right now. They could only quietly blame themselves for neglecting their bodies' physical needs.

On the other hand, Shier is also silent. When the usually loud Shier chose silence, he was contemplating on something. The two decided not to bother him.

Nephrite decided to cut through the awkwardness, "I don't know your father is a good actor."

Kazuyuki chuckled. He leaned closer to Keisuke's ear, afraid he won't hear him, "If he is a good actor, then why did you see through him?"

The action sent shivers down Nephrite's spine but ignored it.

"Do you think I'm not perceptive?"

"For someone inexperienced, you are actually quite good."

Nephrite shook his head, "I don't think so," he said, carefully reminiscing the events earlier.

He still can't remove that bugging feeling inside him, as if there is something wrong but he can't put a finger on it.

Nephrite saw Shier glanced at him.

"Care to share a piece of your mind?"

Kazuyuki suddenly spoke. He pulled Tochi's rein a bit, slowing the horse's speed down, his arms moving closer to Nephrite, almost hugging the latter.

Nephrite's heart thumped. Is my original soul's emotion affecting me? He wondered.

Feeling a lump building, Nephrite cleared his throat, "About your offer before, is it still up?"

"Offer?"

"Will you still teach me how to fight with the wooden staff?"

Yukiya ordered Kazuyuki to train Shier and Keisuke but hearing the latter ask it personally, he felt a sudden intimate warmth in him, as if Keisuke asked for a different private lesson.

A cold wind blew, snapping Kazuyuki's thoughts back to reality.

"Of-of course! Like my father said, I will teach you two how to fight. I heard Shier is already proficient with bow and arrow. Though he wields a sword, he doesn't have enough strength but since he has those poisons he made, it can help him a lot."

"We will be in Young Master Kazuyuki's care," Shier said.

___________________

Dust scattered in the air as Nephrite intentionally dragged his left foot while he dodged the guard's sword. Taking advantage of the wind, he used the dust to disturb visibility.

However, the well-trained guard, with his senses sharper by countless battles, managed to block Nephrite's attack from his peripheral vision.

In a split second, the counter-attack became a ruthless offensive. Nephrite back away.

"W-wait, wait. Let me take a breath," Nephrite gestured to stop and slumped on the floor.

"Really, Chunan and Kuro spoiled you so much," Shier handed Nephrite some water.

Nephrite took it and drank the water carelessly, letting the water flow down to his neck.

Kazuyuki caught this scene. He stood there as if nailed. His eyes followed the droplets of water to the edge of Keisuke's kimono. He swallowed hard.

"Young Master," the guard saw him and greeted him first.

He nodded at the guard as he walked to Keisuke while gesturing for Shier to come.

"I brought my father's letter. Read it."

The sky was already bright when they arrived at the Miyazuya Manor. Worn out, they decided to set aside everything and take a rest for a few hours.

When Shier woke up Nephrite four hours later, Kazuyuki was nowhere to be found. Later, they learned Kazuyuki instead reported to the Ouchi Clan about the incident.

The servants and guards know their situation. After having a light meal, Shier and Nephrite went ahead to the training courtyard. The guards volunteered to assist them.

They walk to the pavilion nearby. Nephrite found it amusing. The Pavilion has a small man-made stream flowing around it. Decorated with a few lilies on the side, it also has smooth stones common to a zen garden. Some hydrangea were blooming on both sides of the pathway.

Shier took the letter and handed it to Nephrite.

After reading, Nephrite isn't surprised with the contents. With Lord Yukiya's reaction, he anticipated it.

They settled down to the pavilion. Kazuyuki told the servants to bring the meal over.

After one of the servants poured them tea, Nephrite spoke, "It is to be expected. The situation is very unusual. From the locations, the guards, the blacksmiths, and all. If you think about it, if I were not taken there, I doubt we could find it earlier."

Shier felt conflicted, “Does that mean there was a spy among us?”