kscans

Chapter 36 - The Match

After Razan's party had departed, Miyake faced the Emperor.

"What is the meaning of this?" The Emperor sighed.

"I just explained it to you."

"I am asking why you only called upon the East."

"I answered that as well."

"What?" Miyake frowned, but Nanafushi, standing beside him, understood and gave a wry smile.

"You know, that part. 'I cannot give you my son-in-law.'" Miyake was exasperated.

"Then all you had to do was exclude Lord Shintaro from the selection. If the West finds out you entrusted the search for the next Imperial Court Chief to the East alone, there could be trouble."

"But we cannot select the best in the West while ignoring Shintaro." Miyake was at a loss for words. It was true. To do so might wound Shintaro's pride as a swordsman. And what was the point of adding insult to injury when he was already suffering from a wounded heart and postponing his marriage?

"I will not have Masaki complain. This is a matter of great importance concerning the future of the nation and Shion. I cannot afford to be concerned with the moods of the East and West." Nanafushi suddenly fixed his gaze on the Emperor. He had heard something he couldn't let slide.

"Princess Shion's future?" Miyake showed no reaction. It seemed only natural to him that the question of who would become the next Imperial Court Chief would concern the future of the nation and Shion. But it stuck with Nanafushi. Seeing this astute man, the Emperor laughed.

"Just you watch."

*

Meanwhile, as Razan headed toward the usual mansion where he stayed during the New Year, he tilted his head in confusion. The Emperor was seeking a candidate for the next Imperial Court Chief, a conclusion Razan himself had reached first, but somehow he couldn't believe it was that simple. Before pitting him against Miyake, the Emperor could have had him fight the best from the West, or tested him against the palace soldiers, but all of that had been skipped. If no one from the West appeared tomorrow or the day after, it would mean Razan's reading was wrong and no decree had been sent to the West. That went beyond strange; it was ominous. He could have condescendingly assumed the Emperor had no expectations for the West, but until now, it had been customary to treat both sides equally, at least for form's sake. The question of why they had been biased on this occasion alone inevitably remained.

At any rate, the match with Miyake was set. As a precaution, Razan urged Soma to be careful.

"Lord Miyake is a man strong enough to rival you. Do not underestimate him just because he is old." This was coming from Razan, who had seen his own fights. Soma took the warning to heart.

*

Razan's assessment was spot-on, Soma thought. He was now locked in a clash of real swords, a stalemate where the one to back down would be cut.

As usual, the match took place in the training grounds, but the way the two men utilized its full breadth was like a pair of arrows crisscrossing a battlefield, making it difficult for even the spectators to follow. One would leap back several feet, and the other would close the distance. Upon closing the distance, the other would leap back. A heavy blow would be parried, and a parry would be followed by a strike. Neither man would yield an inch. The motion ceased only when their swords became firmly locked, a tense situation where the one to pull back would be slain. Soma grunted. Miyake was an old man in both age and appearance, but he could move better and was more vigorous than most youths. To begin with, the fact that he could keep up with this speed meant he was no ordinary man.

Miyake, too, was astonished by Soma's unexpected strength. His footwork, which allowed him to move with a fleet-footedness that rivaled Miyake's own reputed Divine Possession, his heavy blade, his surprisingly fluid movements—all of it was superb.

"You've earned your place at the top of the East," Miyake said, glaring at Soma. Soma gave a wry smile.

"Not at all. I still have a long way to go." At that moment, Miyake put even more strength into his arms. He had grown impatient with the stalemate. Soma allowed himself to be pushed back by the force, using the momentum to leap backward. But he would be cut down if he stayed on this course. Miyake's speed was legendary. Sure enough, Miyake saw his chance and lunged forward. Now! Soma cried in his heart, taking one step forward and then leaping on the second. It was a height of six feet. Miyake came to an abrupt halt and readied his sword. Soma swung his arm with all his might.

At Soma's leap, Razan, Saimon, and the three attendants grunted and marveled once more. This surprise should have naturally caused a stir throughout the grounds. There were thousands of spectators, including the Emperor, Nanafushi, palace soldiers, and servants. But when there was no major reaction aside from the Emperor saying, "Ho. Not bad at all," Razan grew suspicious. Turning his eyes back to the battlefield, he saw that Miyake had flawlessly blocked the blow delivered from a height of six feet. He was calm and completely unshaken.

Soma, who had thought this would be the finishing blow, was shaken by the unexpected turn of events. It was a strike that combined his full body weight, immense strength, and the momentum of a six-foot drop. He was shocked that the very technique that had most electrified the crowd in the Eastern Capital was useless here. Miyake sensed his state of mind and offered some words.

"Calm yourself. Focus on the fight."

But Soma, pale as a ghost, replied, "If I can't beat you with this, I've already lost."

"Get a hold of yourself. You can win."

"But—"

"I had the advantage here. My experience spoke for itself. I haven't gotten old for nothing. Now, look ahead and fight." Soma was moved by Miyake, who was desperately encouraging his own opponent, and tightened his grip on the hilt.

"Please, let us continue."

*

About an hour later, the match was decided. Soma had scored a point by exploiting a momentary opening that Miyake had shown. In that instant, thunderous applause erupted from the venue.

"That was a legendary match that will go down in history," the Emperor said to the two men. It was praise that surpassed any other reward. Miyake and Soma shook hands firmly and breathed a sigh of relief.

After both had washed off the sweat, it was time for a banquet. The spacious audience chamber was turned into a feast hall, packed with officials. Soma had been recognized as the next Imperial Court Chief and received celebratory toasts from the palace staff. After weathering that storm, Soma took a seat next to Miyake to catch his breath and offered his thanks once more.

"Thank you for everything during the match."

"Not at all, not at all."

"It's the first time I've fought against someone on equal footing."

"Hahaha. I'd like to say the same... but no, you are strong. If you continue to train, you'll be able to defeat the likes of me in no time."

"You're too kind."

"It's the truth. I hope you will continue to strive and support the nation and the Emperor."

"With pleasure." Soma smiled and drained the sake from his cup.

"By the way, where is the Emperor's daughter?"

"Hm? Oh, she's in the West for now. Her chosen partner has work to do over there."

"...Even though she is destined to become the next Emperor?"

"Hahaha. Well, you could call it a period of mental preparation. She seemed hesitant about becoming the pillar of the nation. It will take some time for her resolve to fully solidify." Soma frowned. Was it truly alright to entrust the nation to someone with such a hesitant attitude? But if both the Emperor and the princess were fond of the man, there was nothing an outsider could say. He decided that if she was unreliable, then he, as the next Imperial Court Chief, would just have to be firm.

While watching Soma and Miyake share a drink, Razan sidled up to Nanafushi.

"How about it?" Nanafushi, offered a drink, lightly shook his head.

"No, thank you."

"Does your tongue loosen when you drink?" Nanafushi glanced at the smiling Razan, his eyes narrowing.

"What are you talking about?"

"The reason no one from the West is here—perhaps?"

"Hah. If I knew something like that, my life would be much easier." Razan's smile vanished, and his eyes widened.

"You mean you haven't been told either, Lord Nanafushi?"

"I suppose he doesn't trust me."

"Surely not."

"Ah, well, that's a joke. There are various reasons for not summoning the West."

"And those would be?"

"Things like entrusting them with Princess Shion's partner, or the fact that said partner is the finest swordsman in the West. But the Emperor's true objective is unknown to me."

"Princess Shion's partner is?" Seeing Razan's surprise, Nanafushi grinned.

"He's strong, you know. Even the great Lord Miyake admitted defeat. He wields his sword with enough force to shatter bone, even with a wooden one. I suspect even that Lord Soma would be no match for him."

"Impossible."

"Heh. A second 'impossible,' I see. But this time, I am not joking. He is a true swordsman. The strongest swordsman, one who makes light of even the Tower's height." Razan's brow furrowed.

"The Tower...?" Nanafushi curled the corner of his lip into a wicked smile.

"They say that man jumped from the very top of the Tower and was perfectly fine."

"Wh-what?! That's... that's absurd!"

"And yet, nearly everyone serving in the Tower, from Saneyuki downwards, witnessed it. There can be no mistake. They say he descended as gracefully as a phoenix. In any case, he is an unbelievable man. For the East to let someone like that go to the West... what a waste." A chill ran down Razan's spine at Nanafushi's words. Of course, he was referring to the fact that the man had originally been in the East.

"Why the West?" Why he went to the West was a perfectly natural question for Razan. If he was going to achieve the same level of success, he could have gained more fame in the East, which was superior in both population and development. But Nanafushi just shrugged with an exasperated, almost teasing smile.

"Why? You of all people are asking that? Hmm. Let's see..." Nanafushi rested an elbow on his crossed knee and propped up his cheek.

"Perhaps he could live more as himself in the West. He wouldn't have to kill his own sword. Something like that, isn't it? Well, have a drink. I'll pour for you, if you'll have it." Razan picked up his cup, his heart unsettled. If the swordsman in the West was truly the man Nanafushi described, the strongest there was... and if he was to be Shion's partner... didn't that mean the East had ceded victory to the West in all things? But perhaps it was for that very reason that the Emperor had skewed the search for the Imperial Court Chief's successor toward the East. When one side has an advantage, giving the other a chance to compete is also the proper way for an Emperor to act.