Arc 1: Kumoshima Part 27
1282 Words
CHAPTER 27
“Enemies! Enemies!”
Chunan arrived along with Second Prince Yoshimura. Kazuyuki placed his hand above his heart to salute them. “Your Highness.”
Prince Yoshimura only nodded before turning to Aijin, “Lady Aijin, are you alright?”
“Yes, Young Master Kazuyuki saw the arrows early on.”
Prince Yoshimura sighed and nodded again to Kazuyuki before turning back to Aijin, “You must leave. Don’t stay here.”
“I can fight too. If I leave now, what was the use of my words before?”
Prince Yoshimura sighed, “You’re stubborn.”
“Get used to it,” Aijin drew her precious short sword.
“Princess, you don’t need to be on the front line. If the Princess doesn't mind, I would like to ask a favor. Please stay with my brother. If things didn't go well, he knew how to ride a horse.”
Aijin had an idea, “Alright.”
Prince Yoshimura left with her.
Kazuyuki turned to Chunan, “Explain the situation.”
“The arrow attacks were from enemies who snuck in. They wanted our side to lose balance.”
“Don’t give them a loophole. Our backup will arrive soon.”
“Understood.”
Kazuyuki picked up an arrow and smelled it, “Be careful of their weapons. It’s poisoned. Let’s wait for the Prince so we can leave soon,” he returned his sword in the scabbard.
“We need to pay some people a surprise.”
________
“Are you sure you would be alright?”
Nephrite looked down at Shier. He was currently tying enclosing ropes to trees, a well-known way for warding off evil. When he heard the older villagers wanting to tie wards, Nephrite volunteered to do it.
“What do you mean?”
Shier shook his head, “I just felt something was off somewhere but I can’t put a finger on it.”
“Don’t mind that. There are many unpredictable things that can happen soon.” He pulled the rope to secure it tight. He jumped down from the tree and picked up the tools. “Let’s go, the sun is about to set.”
A few days had already passed since they went back. They haven't heard how everything was with their allies. Aside from that, Nephrite could not help but worry about their friends.
Don't be a hypocrite, You know who you were most worried for, he castigated himself.
Their group didn’t waste time since they returned to Rose Valley. Working hard in every aspect, strengthening their people, or finding a way to compensate for their weakness.
They saw Kurokami observing some fireworks makers setting up for the Star Festival.
Yes, like Nephrite’s real world, there was also a Star Festival in this world. However, the legend was a bit similar yet different.
Though there was a threat of war, the people still wish to worship the Star-crossed lovers.
Shier noticed Kurokami’s frown as they approached, “Something wrong?”
Kuro looked at them, “No, I just felt like their fireworks smell different than usual.”
Shier, “You and your sensitive nose,” he chuckled.
Nephrite smiled, “The fireworks indeed smell really nice. Though, come to think of it, the smell kind of reminds me of something.”
“Come on, let’s bring those things back and find a good place to watch the fireworks,” Shier urged them.
As they were walking back, Nephrite snapped his finger. “Oh, I know. It smells like the detergent your family made,” he said to Shier.
It all happened in a blink of an eye. Kuro halted then ran back. Shier grabbed his shoulder, “Are you sure?!” Then he pulled him back and ran to where they came from.
“Wait, what is happening?” Nephrite said, confused.
But before Shier could answer, they saw Kuro running towards them at his fastest speed, “duck!”
Before Nephrite could react, Kuro already jumped towards them, bringing the three of them down to the ground as heatwaves reached them.
Thunder-like roared in different parts of Rose Valley as loud explosions brought horror to the festival.
Whatever preparation one did, it could never prepare 100% from death nor war.
Flames engulfed many parts of the town. The explosions happened in scattered areas.
Nephrite stared in horror as he saw the roaring flames surrounding them. Kuro snapped him back to reality, “Young Master, let’s go!”
Cries and screams can resonate from all directions.
Nephrite shivered. The fear crippling inside him was not only from him but from Keisuke as well. It was making his legs grow numb, Shier had to pull him to move faster.
Bara Town’s focus was farming. Now, all those rice crops and other flammable produce were adding fuel to the fire. The thick smoke almost suffocated them.
Nephrite can’t stay unfocused any longer, “We need to rescue people.”
“Young Master, we need to reach your house soon. If the center didn’t suffer like this, Lord Yasu would send us help.”
Nephrite gritted his teeth. He was too negligent! Though Keisuke knew about the fire during the attack. Even so, he had no knowledge of how it actually started. Nephrite long guessed the bandits started the fire but he wasn't able to consider every possibility.
“Okay, let’s do what we can. Kill enemies on sight.”
They withdrew their swords and rushed past the street, killing bandits or saving people from danger.
On a spur of the moment, a silver light flashed.
Nephrite dodged to his left as the dart passed on the side of his head. They didn’t stop and continued charging forward. The thick smoke made the visibility worse and staying in the open for too long will endanger them furthermore. The sneak attack stopped in a trice and a faint sound of sword clashing echoed along with the wail of agony.
Nephrite had no chance to ponder what happened. He wants to reach his mother as soon as possible.
His heart was pounding, his whole body went cold. Are all his preparations in vain? Will Keisuke’s fate repeat itself?
Two enemies attacked them. Nephrite was a bit disoriented, if not for Kurokami and Shier, he would have been stabbed already.
One rushed towards Kuro. The metals sparked as Kuro’s sword and the enemy’s dagger collided, proving the strength of the person against them. The enemy wore an oni mask. They felt a chill run down their spine. It is a bad omen connected to the Star Festival.
Nephrite paled. This was the same person Kuro faced the last time Keisuke saw him alive in the past.
“Master, get a hold of yourself!” Shier grabbed on his shoulders and shook him. “You have a mission to complete, right?”
“Nephrite looked at Kuro’s direction. The latter sensed his gaze, “Run!"
“Kuro, stay alive. This is a command,” Nephrite said, the words engraved deep in Keisuke’s memory, unsaid in the latter’s last life.
Kuro had a wide grin on his face, “I won’t fail young master,” he answered, his sight not leaving the enemy in front of him. Kuro’s eyes immediately ignited with a new desire. His master never forced him to do anything. Out of their group, he was the real slave. But Keisuke never exercised his authority, never treated him like one. Kurokami always had his free will. Now that his master ordered him to do something, he will never fail him. Once again, he attacked his opponent fiercely, this time, determined to gain the upper hand.
- Writer
