Hunting: Memories (I Transmigrated as a Memory Hunter)

Arc 1: Kumoshima Part 16

CHAPTER 16

(A/N: Some of Hiro and Kazuyuki's conversation here has double meanings. I placed the real meaning inside the parenthesis)

Kazuyuki sat on the bed inside his sleeping quarters. It was just a makeshift tent but he added curtains, the same material of the outer sheet of tent.

It will prevent people from seeing what they do inside, or more likely, spike up their audience's imagination, especially with the flickering light from the lamp.

It was like they were about to make a perfect shadow play.

To make their acting realistic, he prepared a bath for Hiro inside the tent. The other person was bathing at the moment so he took his time to read Hiro's analysis.

But his conclusion still surprised Kazuyuki. Even he and his father can't find answers as bold as this.

"Are you done looking at my painting(analysis)?"

Hiro lifted the side of the curtain. He was only wearing his trousers, while bare from the waist up.

With tacit understanding, they both started acting like lovers again.

"Come, let me dry your hair," Kazuyuki patted on his side. As Hiro sat down, he added, "Your painting was so bold," his voice laced of unobvious fake tone of seduction.

"Of course, who do you think I am," Hiro answered proudly. This person can't stop when praised about himself.

Kazuyuki chuckled. He leaned to his ear and whispered, "Are your shadow guards ready?"

Hiro giggled. He was naturally ticklish. If someone was peeking on them, they would only see two people flirting before making love.

Hiro also whispered on the other's ear, "Of course, the mouse trap is ready. They're waiting for the signal," he moved his face near the base of Kazuyuki's neck, as if he was kissing that sensitive place.

Kazuyuki grabbed his shoulders, "How will I dry your hair?"

It was a secret question. If he answered 'alright, dry my hair first', it means their 'audience' was not watching anymore.

But Hiro answered differently. "My hair will get dry if you push me down already."

Damn, was that spy waiting for a live performance?

Kazuyuki pushed down Hiro on the bed and topped him. For onlookers, it gaved an illusion as if his 'dragon' was touching the other man. But under Kazuyuki's kimono, there was still a few centimeters of space between them. They had perfected this action many times.

"Why not tell me the information first," he said, sounding deceitful.

Hiro was ready to reveal some information, "Alright, lay down, I'll tell you."

Kazuyuki followed suit, "What did you find out?"

"The Princes of Great Lang were attacked near the northern boundary of our Empire. Then their Prime Minister took control of the Kingdom. Now, why would someone from our country offer assistance? It was treason to steal our country's raw materials for personal gain. Because whether or not the enemy country will get caught, They will have some gains. They wanted to start a chaos in our country."

"We still don't know how the enemy learned about Aijin. Though they probably encountered some secrets while looking for the two brothers' whereabouts.

"Anyway, the enemy learned about Saikyu Keichi's involvement with the brothers. Now, to weaken a country's military force without catching too much attention, the best way was to cut-off food supply."

Kazuyuki agreed. A hungry soldier cannot fight after all. "So this was why they aimed at Keichi? Didn't they already cause trouble using the bandits?"

It was one of the questions lingering in Kazuyuki's mind. He didn't understand why the enemy aimed for a bigger sacrifice.

"The bandits probably don't want to compromise on destroying the fields. When you investigated, you found out that there were many Lords aiming to govern over Rose valley because of the resources, right? However, the main culprit didn't care about it."

"This time, how to deploy soldiers to your targets without linking anything back to you? Make someone do the dirty job for you."

"Though we've known Lady Aijin for a long time, we never linked her to the Minister of the Right because there are very few people who knew his deceased wife's appearance."

"One of their leader's allies guessed about Lady Aijin's real identity, at the same time, Saikyu Keichi's involvement with the Princes made him the perfect escapegoat. Now, all that's left was lure those two at the same place. Then everyone would be happy. But Saikyu's son arrived earlier than expected because of your help."

Kazuyuki stiffened at the mention of Keisuke. Hiro was oblivious to it and continued, "Did you ask him how he discovered the a*******n?"

Kazuyuki nodded, "He said one of the victims told him about it."

"That victim wasn't innocent. He was an accomplice to lure the older Prince in the woods. They needed him dead because the Prime Minister already informed their citizens about Zhuangjin's death. Anyway, that fake victim followed the plan as he was told. Unfortunately, he didn't realize that their third target arrived earlier which ruined the whole plan. If you tried to look for him, you might not find him anymore."

Hiro's words sent chills down Kazuyuki's spine. That citizen possibly got fooled by money or blackmailed to do the enemy's bidding. Kazuyuki may have bloodied hands but his heart wasn't made of stone. Some people use human lives as if they were disposable pawns.

"Anyway, I've talked a lot. Why not make me happy already?"

When Hiro said it aloud, Kazuyuki knew it was the first signal.

When Kazuyuki topped him again, Hiro whispered, "Why was that spy still peeking? Was he that thirsty?"

"Maybe he wasn't a spy? Well, you haven't said the important part yet."

Hiro touched his chest, "Do you really want to top me this time or should I ride on you(Will you really act that part)?"

Hiro didn't wait for his answer. The former knew all along that he can't act that part and at the same time, Hiro LOVES doing that part.

Soon, creaking bed, Hiro's provocative moans, and fake s****l screams surrounded their tent. Kazuyuki faked heavy breathing as he watched Hiro while doing their 'second signal'.

After a while, they heard someone, "What were you doing there?! Scram!"

At last, the third signal, Kazuyuki thought. As if nothing happened, both he and Hiro sat up.

Hiro reached for his clothes and started dressing himself. "Yuki," he said, his tone back to his normal, friendly tone, "Be careful, that cave was a decoy."

Suddenly, sounds of swords clashing echoed from outside. However, the two of them ignored it.

"A decoy?"

"Yes. Based on the previous situation, there was a high chance that it was a decoy. Their real armory was elsewhere. Also, which town was also closer to that decoy cave aside from Silver Rain?"

"Rose Valley, why?"

Hiro looked worried, "Then it's possible. Kazuyuki, they probably want to destroy both Silver Rain City and Rose Valley. You said Lord Fei locked the two Princes and planned to give them to the Prime Minister of Great Lang in exchange for a reward. But I think it's just part of the truth. They probably thought of using those two to continue framing Saikyu Keichi. And even if they failed, they could still use the left-over preparation for revenge. If his son wasn't there when the younger Prince got taken and if no one learned about it, then most probably..."

"He will replace his father as a sacrifice," Kazuyuki said under his breath, his hands turned numb.

"Yes. But this next plan was again ruined and the existence of the decoy was reported to the Emperor. Now, their only way was to act in advance. The decoy was supposed to cause a rift between these two places. If you didn't discover Lord Fei's involvement, who would you first assume as a culprit?"

Of course, It's the one nearest the border, Kazuyuki thought.

"But," Hiro added without waiting for his response, "you already build trust with them so their next step would be planting doubts"

"ㅡplanting doubts," Both Kazuyuki and Hiro said at the same time.

That was exactly what happened. Now, his father believed there was a spy among his friends.

This was why he asked for Hiro's help.

"Let's go out and see which seeds were planted in this place," Hiro told Kazuyuki.

They saw less than thirty of their men bound by ropes as they left the tent. Most of them had confusion in their eyes, while some had fear.

When the shadow guards noticed them, they all kneeled and bowed their heads to greet them.

"Did all of you heed on my request," Katsuhiro asked.

"Yes, Inner Minister," They said in unison.

Kazuyuki noticed that Hiro wanted to refute it but just let it go in the end. He couldn't help but ask, "Did he come along?"

Hiro looked dejected, "Yes, of course I won't leave him alone without his Shadow Guards. But when he was around, these people kept calling me Inner Minister when I didn't even attend that post. Also, it is bad for my image(disguise)."

Kazuyuki gave him a smile.

"Anyway," Hiro continued, "keep all the suspicious people, however minimal the suspicion. The rest, untie their rope but everyone will remain here."

The guards questioned the remaining people one by one. Kazuyuki felt sadness as he saw some of his former comrades whom he could joke around with before were also included in the lot.

Few hours later, one of the shadow guards arrived, panting. Despite his covered face, his tension was visible in the eyes, "Reporting to Lord Katsuhiro."

"Speak," Hiro frowned, "Where is your target?"

"Lord Katsuhiro, this subject abandoned the target to report an urgent matter. A group of more than two hundred people were gathering four kilometers away. The front lines were all in complete armament."

Almost everyone paled. Whether it's Kazuyuki or these men, most of them had family in Silver Rain City. Even if their place wouldn’t be the first to fall in the hands of the enemies, they would still be greatly affected.

Katsuhiro didn't waste time, "Yuki, we need to report this as soon as possible. I will inform him. But it is already late, you should get some rest first and leave early next day."

Kazuyuki nodded, "We don't have much time. I still need some help with other things. There was still no direct evidence of our main suspect's involvement."

"Don't worry about it but be careful of your uncle. I'm not stopping you now cause I can see you want to go to that person but return as soon as possible."

Kazuyuki was surprised. But he didn't ask how his friend guessed the change inside his heart. "Thanks for the reminder. I'll take my leave and come back as soon as I deploy people."

He went back to his tent. Despite the loud commotion, he decided to get enough rest.

Kazuyuki talked to the person originally in-charge of this post and told him to do whatever Katsuhiro commanded to them before he left the next morning.

As Kazuyuki galloped back to Silver Rain City, he couldn't help but worry. If Katsuhiro’s guess was right about his uncle, how deep was the latter involved in all this?

But he was sure of one thing. His uncle may be greedy but he would never voluntarily attack their own territory.

Therefore, his aim probably was to eliminate his father, who was a risk on his uncle’s position and favored by some higher ups.

So, if that group attacked, their highest probability target would still be Rose Valley.

Memories flooded Kazuyuki's mind. The worry-stricken face of Keisuke when his father got abducted. Kazuyuki's fear-stricken feeling when he thought he wasn't able to save Keisuke.

The fear of losing Keisuke.

Kazuyuki didn't know when the person inside his heart changed. His unexplainable interest and attraction to him. It wasn't all a rebound. He was sure of what he felt.

He doesn't care if he's a man. He love him

Keisuke's happy face flashed his mind.

Yes, he thought, I will protect that smile.