Arc 1: Kumoshima Part 29
1553 Words
CHAPTER 29
Leaves rustled as the cold wind blew. The murky forest concealed the movement of those lurking in it. Predators hunting under the embrace of its shadowy presence, enhancing the dangers above the heads of those unguarded.
Underneath this blanket of darkness, the forest hid seven sinister human beings—if they could still call themselves one—escaping from the scene. Once they reached their destination, then their mission would be completed.
Compared to their previous mission, this one was probably the easiest. It did not matter if the target died. So as long as the enemy’s preparation got disrupted was all that matters!
As they approached the secret meet-up place, the leader signaled the other members. Without words, four of them hid while two of them followed the leader.
“Old Man Kaze, it was good to see you,” a honeyed voice resounded in the quiet forest.
The darkness made it hard to see, but as the person walked out from behind the tree, Kaze recognized him. He saw this person many times before. They were not acquainted but both of them have one thing in common—love of good wine..”Katsuhiro, what are you doing here?” Despite the greeting, they raised their swords, eyes vigilant.
“What else?” Katsuhiro raised his hands, revealing a wooden seal, wind symbol engraved at the center.
“It was you?” Old Man Kaze did not hide his surprise, “I did not expect you to be this type at all.
Katsuhiro did not answer. Old Man Kaze continued, “Anyway, mission’s done. Could you hand over the money? Just causing disturbance in their formation was alright?.”
“I can’t believe you accepted a job without knowing the whole details. You just committed treason and yet, you expect to continue living?”
“What do you mean?”
Within seconds, two objects flashed on his right side. It was almost invisible to the naked eye. Blood dripped on Old Man Kaze’s cheek. Shocked, he raised his hand to touch the wound on his check. Then slowly turned around to look at his now dead subordinate. “Wha-what just?”
“Old Man, what happened to you? You can’t check your people’s loyalty anymore? That person intended to kill everyone on your team including you once the mission was over.”
Old Man Kaze slumped. He did not expect such a thing to happen.
“So, would you mind telling me who recommended you this job?” Katsuhiro smiled menacingly.
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Prime Minister Idjimo rubbed the hand rest of the wolf throne. Soon, this territory would be his alone. Those two Princes will vanish in this world and they could obtain the resources they hoped for.
He painstakingly plotted everything for seven years. If only the assassins he hired killed Prince
Zhuangjin successfully, then this throne had long been his. Even if he could not sit on it right away, at least he could use Prince Huaixian as a puppet.
Back then, who would have thought Prince Zhuangjin could fight as well as the beginner shadow guards? Now he could not even get near both of them without making an elaborate plan.
The plan progressed smoothly. Though there were mishaps on the alliance’s side, it did not affect him that much. As long as they win this war, he would reap all the benefits he sowed.
All he had to do was to wait for the other party to completely weaken the inner circle inside Kumoshima and he could destroy the walls completely. Helping that person to usurp the neighbor country’s throne had plenty of benefits. As to how he would deal with such a traitorous ally in the future, he was also well-prepared.
A guard rushed in all of a sudden, “Your Highness, urgent report!” the Prime Minister waved his hand on the guard to continue. “Our second armory in Kumoshima had been seized!
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“Reporting to the Young Master, their second armory was now completely under our control.”
Kazuyuki nodded, “Very well. Go find the Inner Minister and inform Prince Zhuangjin.”
Kazuyuki went on his way to the secret armory along with some soldiers. It was good that they confiscated this. The enemy’s tactic was very good. Destroying the inner defense using their allies while attacking the outer defense at the same time. Distracting their sub force while giving calmness to the main force in the capital. If they did not have the tactician called Katsuhiro, they might have really fallen apart.
The second armory turned out to be disguised as a perfume shop. The scent smells of flowers that seemed familiar to Kazuyuki.
He went to see the blacksmiths that were detained by the Great Lang Prime Minister but they allied with after finding out the truth about their Princes. The kind of leadership and loyalty these people had were truly admirable.
As he inspected the remaining items, Hiro arrived.
“This was the second armory?!”
“Yes, what’s wrong?”
“This was where the detergent I told you came from. Anyway, let’s see the items remaining here.”
An unexplainable feeling got down on Kazuyuki. It was like he was near enlightenment but could not achieve everything clearly. And just like that, it all got down on him. “The fireworks!”
Without delay, he ran outside and went to get his horse. Startled, Hiro ran after him. “Yuki! Where were you going!”
“I need to go! Rose Valley is in danger! Deploy soldiers to Rose Valley. The Festival today would be in chaos! Please excuse me to both of his highnesses!”
Hiro could only sigh as he waved the other goodbye.
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Nephrite struggled standing on his two feet. He could feel all his broken bones. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. Did they make it to safety? He still did not receive a notification for his task. What’s left to do
Nephrite held his half broken sword and aimed it at Dekai. It doesn’t matter anymore. He kicked off and dashed toward Dekai, launching consecutive attacks at the other party’s leg.
It’s Nephrite’s only way of survival.
But mother luck was not on their side today. Just as Nephrite raised his sword for the last time, he did not expect the large hammer heading straight at him.
“Ack!” Nephrite flew straight, hitting the holy tree.. Everything white out.
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Consecutive kicks landed on different parts of Kazuyuki’s body. His body, hands, and feet were all tied up. All he could do was take blows. However, he never looked at his cousin’s eyes.
Masatomo pulled his hair, “Are you still pretending to be tough? Come on, beg and I will let you ask the prince for forgiveness.”
Kazuyuki chuckled, his voice a bit muffled because of the blood in his mouth, “Shameless. Using the prince like that. I’m amazed,” he mocked.
Another bunch of abuse landed on his body.
Kazuyuki did not know how much time had passed since he fainted.
His memory was blurred. What happened before I passed out?
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Kazuyuki was on the road when someone handed him a strip of paper.
He paled the moment he saw the message written on it, saying Masatomo was kidn*pped. When he saw this, he did not think twice and readied to change route. Kazuyuki did not know where his cousin was. But he could ask help from the manor this cousin was currently staying in.
He was hoping that person could grow responsibility, however Masatomo did not change.
But he still cared about his cousin despite the bullying he received most of the time.
It seemed like these people weren't content with the situation and actually wanted to lure him, too. The message they left for Kazuyuki contained the location. Dragging two guards from the manor, Kazuyuki went to the lake.
Thinking he was running after time again, he could only sigh.
“Brother! I received a message from Katsuhiro. Was it true that you ran off. He said he’s going to punish you…” Said one of Katsuhiro’s guards as he passed on the way.
“Someone kidn*pped Masatomo. Please tell Hiro.” Without delay, he sped up to the lake. As he reached the place, he looked around to find Masatomo but to no avail.
Kazuyuki was about to give up when he suddenly felt a sting at the back of his nape. Within a few seconds, his heavy eyes became heavy until it closed on its own as he lost his consciousness.
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“Masatomo, I’m a fool to trust you.”
“You were always a fool.” His cousin gave him a cunning smile. Cold enough to freeze his blood. “Don’t worry, cousin. Once you’re under the water, your body might turn into a dragon water spirit. Don’t forget to bless me with fortune for helping you.”
With that, Masatomo dropped Kazuyuki in the middle of the lake, slowly sinking under the bright moonlight passing over the water.
And for a brief moment, the past and the present collided as he sank to the bottom of the lake, darkness enveloping him, “N-Nephrite.”
- Writer
