kscans

Chapter 37 - The Reason for Staying

Two days passed in the blink of an eye from that night. And just as quickly, Saimon's dream was shattered. Soma had been officially appointed as the next Imperial Court Chief. Saimon now had no reason to remain in Kyo, but with Razan still present, he couldn't very well just pack up and leave on his own. He was still at the palace. Razan, too, could have prepared to leave once the matter was settled, but the Emperor told him to stay for a while, so he had no choice but to obey. What's more...

"I have actually summoned my son-in-law. It may take about a month and a half, but it will be worth your while to meet him." With that, there was no room for discussion. For Razan, who wanted to close the gap with the West, it was an opportunity he couldn't miss. Then, the Emperor spoke to Soma.

"This is a good opportunity for you as well, isn't it? That is, if you intend to one day work as my son-in-law's right-hand man." Soma straightened his collar and bowed his head.

"Of course, I will do my utmost to serve."

"Hmph. A fine answer. That is most reassuring. My son-in-law is close to you in age and also skilled with the sword. You should get along well. You may even spar with him if you wish. However, if you were to fight him seriously, you would be no match. If you are so inclined, you should receive instruction from Miyake."

"...Eh?" Soma looked at the Emperor, seemingly unable to comprehend what he had just been told. The Emperor laughed.

"I am not saying you are too strong and need to learn how to hold back. I am saying that with your level of skill, you cannot withstand my son-in-law's blade." Soma, who did not know the story Razan had heard from Nanafushi, frowned in displeasure.

"I was under the impression he merely 'dabbled' in swordsmanship." Seeing the young man's honest indignation at having his own skill, which he believed had been acknowledged, called into question, the Emperor's mouth twisted into a wicked grin.

"This is a man who faced a thousand palace soldiers without flinching and cut down five hundred in the blink of an eye. Even Miyake took a single blow and withdrew before the match was decided, admitting he could not fight any longer. Do you think you can win?"

"Wh-what...?" Soma turned pale. The Emperor snapped open the fan in his hand with a flick of his wrist.

"Even if you think you are the best, there is always someone better. Of course, if there is a swordsman stronger than my son-in-law, they would likely no longer be human. Therefore, you must become a demon to fight him. Do you want to try? Becoming a demon?" Soma clenched his fists in his lap and glared at the Emperor.

"I accept the challenge."

In short, he had been provoked and had taken the bait hook, line, and sinker. His pride as the man who had become the finest swordsman in the East had been exploited. Soma realized this after he had calmed down, but it would be uncool to back down now, so he ended up visiting Miyake at the guardhouse where he was stationed.

"And for that reason, I am in your care."

An unpleasant sweat broke out on Miyake's forehead and back. Behind him, Nanafushi, who happened to be playing Go, was also stunned.

"I understand what the Emperor is trying to do less and less," Nanafushi commented. Miyake turned to look at him.

"He was probably just annoyed that his soldiers were so easily defeated and wants to get back at him."

"Surely that can't be it."

"But he's keeping Kagasaki here instead of sending him home, and even summoned him. And Hokura is here with him too."

"Hmm. But in any case, they are a group that must meet face to face eventually. Besides, he might actually be pleased if we have a strong swordsman prepared for him."

"What's your basis for that?"

"He looked happy, didn't he? When he was fighting the soldiers. Facing a thousand strong opponents must have been somewhat of a challenge for him. It's not often he gets a chance to fully unleash his skills, after all." Clack. He placed a Go stone on the board, punctuating his sentence. At that, Nanafushi's eyes widened, and the corners of his mouth lifted. At first, Miyake thought he had just made a good move, but then he realized Nanafushi had figured out the Emperor's true intentions and pressed him for an answer.

"What is it? What's going on?" But Nanafushi just kept smirking and didn't answer. Beside them, Soma, who had been listening to their exchange, frowned suspiciously.

"How did you two come to serve at the Imperial Court?" Nanafushi's and Miyake's gazes returned to Soma.

"My story is not so different from yours," answered Miyake.

"I came from the countryside, my skill with the sword was recognized, and I was appointed to the position of Imperial Court Chief."

"I was born and raised in Kyo. I knew of this palace's existence, and since there were no other good jobs, I offered my services," Nanafushi answered after Miyake, then grinned again.

"Why do you ask so suddenly?"

"Well, it just occurred to me. I'm just a skilled swordsman. I wondered if it was really alright to give a position of such importance to a newcomer like me, who just arrived yesterday, simply because I won a match." Miyake laughed at that.

"When you cross swords, you come to understand a person's character. The Emperor likely took a gamble on your straightforward gaze. In any case, people with skills bordering on Divine Possession are not a dime a dozen. When you find something precious, you try to keep it around."

"And what would you have done if I turned out to be a disappointment?"

"Hahaha. We'd cross that bridge when we come to it, but what can I say? Once you settle here, it's hard to leave. Kyo has that kind of charm. That's why everyone tries their best. We've never had a single dropout yet." For Soma, who was already thinking he wanted to settle down in Kyo, it was an answer that made perfect sense. Which meant his question had been meaningless. Soma gave a self-deprecating smile.

"You're right. By the way..."

"Hm?"

"Will you instruct me, or not?" Miyake was silent for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh.

"I suppose I have no choice. I'll devise a strategy to at least make it a decent match." At this, Soma's brow furrowed again. He was displeased with the tone, which implied he had no chance of winning no matter what. Certainly, a man who could cut down five hundred soldiers at once must be formidable. But it couldn't be all brute force. If he employed advanced techniques, he was confident he could accomplish it himself. That's what he had been thinking.

"Is he really that strong?" Soma was aware of the thorn in his words as they escaped his lips. But what was said could not be unsaid. Miyake gave Soma a subtle, pitying look and averted his gaze.

"I will train you to the best of my ability. Since the Emperor has informed him about you, he will likely have high expectations." Miyake had said it simply out of a desire not to disappoint Shintaro, who was coming all the way from the Western Capital. But Soma took it to mean, "You don't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning, but you'd better at least meet the expectations of the man who will be the next Emperor." He glared into the distance and clenched his fists tightly.