kscans

Chapter 42 - What Decides Victory and Defeat

Four hours had passed since the start of the match. The only ones still standing were Shintaro and, having taken a temporary break, Miyake and Soma. Shintaro was panting heavily as he tossed aside his wooden sword and switched to the blunted real sword. Despite the January wind, his back and forehead were drenched in sweat from having defeated ten thousand soldiers.

Around the three-thousand-man mark, Shintaro had started wielding a wooden sword in each hand. He had judged that one hand was inefficient. The two fangs mercilessly attacked the soldiers who surrounded him on all sides. No one could stop the raging dragon. Shintaro wrung out the last of his energy and danced freely across the battlefield. His powerful blade was so formidable that more than a few people seriously thought a god dwelled within it. In particular, the furious advance he had saved for the latter half proved effective, reducing the number of soldiers in the blink of an eye. And so, at last, he had brought the ten-thousandth man to the ground.

But he had paid a price. Shintaro was plagued by a fatigue he had never before experienced. He dragged his feet, which had become as heavy as lead, and raised his sword with an arm that felt like it could no longer be lifted high. He was bewildered by the sensation that his own limbs were not his own. Both Miyake and Soma noticed that Shintaro was staggering. Taking a point now would not be a victory. The winner of this match was, by all rights, Shintaro. With that in mind, they too readied their stances.

"You have fought well to come this far. However, we will not hold back." With that, Miyake leaped into range and swung his sword at Shintaro. Shintaro soared into the air. Even with his exhausted body, the power to leap high was still there. He did a somersault about two ken up and, as his feet touched the ground, shot toward Miyake like an arrow. Miyake was surprised that he still had such strength left and retreated. From the side, Soma's sword flashed. Shintaro instantly blocked it with his blade and knocked it back. He no longer had the strength to snatch it from his hand, but his defense was still superb. Miyake and Soma steeled themselves once more, realizing he was an opponent not to be underestimated even when weakened. Like a wounded wolf, Shintaro sharpened his senses, accurately tracking and dodging the two men's attacks.

It was impossible to say how many, or how many dozens of times, they had clashed and glared at each other. Miyake and Soma, panting, suddenly looked at each other and exchanged a glance. It was because Shintaro's shoulders were heaving as if even breathing was painful, yet he was desperately trying to catch his breath. Perhaps there was no need to worry, since he could still fight after defeating ten thousand soldiers. But having seen him fight without a single hitch in his breath, they had a bad feeling.

"Are you alright?" Miyake finally asked. But Shintaro couldn't answer. His lungs were screaming. And yet, he held his sword firmly. Seeing this, both Miyake and Soma turned pale. He looked as though he were possessed by a demon; it was no wonder there were rumors. Shintaro was a man who seemed to have been born for the sole purpose of swinging a sword. His piercing gaze was fierce, adding a powerful intensity to his handsome features. The hands gripping the hilt must have been channeling every ounce of power his soul possessed. His fighting spirit was indescribably immense. The two men facing him trembled unconsciously. There was fear. But that wasn't all. While they felt they could defeat Shintaro in his current state, they also felt some other force at work, preventing them from delivering that final blow. It was a sense of awe. The two men, both true swordsmen to the core, were moved by this man who showed the will to fight with spiritual power even when his physical strength was exhausted. Miyake and Soma, without a thought for their ego or pride, bent their knees in unison.

"We surrender."

*

"He's a monster," the Emperor said. There was no scorn or exclusion in his words. He simply couldn't find any other way to describe him. But even that monster, as expected, lost consciousness and collapsed after the match ended. He was currently asleep. And so, a victory celebration was being held without its main star, but everyone was having a hard time getting the sake to go down. This was because Miyake and Soma had declared, "We will not raise our cups until Lord Shintaro awakens." They were showing their respect for the one who had exerted himself the most in this match. For that reason, only Nanafushi was being plied with drinks. He was in a good mood, having had the pleasure of witnessing Miyake's defeat.

"You have a bad personality," Miyake admonished him.

"As long as you're saying it to my face, I'm fine," was the reply he got. Miyake could only look on, exasperated.

"I had no idea you wanted to see me lose that badly."

"I'm just a curious spectator. A chance to see the man they called invincible be defeated is something you don't get to see unless there's a cataclysmic event."

"I was defeated by Lord Soma as well."

"You were mostly evenly matched, and you didn't bow your head. I won't deny it was a legendary match that will go down in history, but it was a boring one." Miyake didn't know what else to say and fell silent.

*

The next day, Shintaro awoke in the evening. He had slept like a log for a full day. He had been sleeping in the Bamboo Room—a room prepared for the Tower Master's family to stay in. As soon as he woke up, Shintaro visited Sahei in the next room.

"Sorry. I'm starving." Of course you are, Sahei thought, and quickly requested a meal from the palace staff.

"We'll have it brought to your room, so please wait a moment."

"My apologies."

"Not at all. By the way, how are you feeling?"

"Ah. The fatigue is gone, I'm completely fine." Shintaro, who was lightly rotating his shoulders, had a refreshed look on his face. It was likely thanks to having fully unleashed his true power in front of Hokura Saimon. It truly felt as if a weight had been lifted. Sahei once again understood the Emperor's intentions and was filled with admiration. Forcing him to face and fight his past wounds was a drastic treatment, but it had been incredibly effective. Shintaro had completely severed ties with his past and was now looking forward. His refreshed expression shone strongly, like a lion that had become king. Sahei wanted to convey the emotion of this moment to Shion as well. If he did, she would be overjoyed. Her beautiful, still-innocent face would surely blossom like a flower—or so he was thinking. The loud sound of someone stomping down the hallway approached, and a figure appeared in the open doorway of the room.

"Sahei! Where is Lord Shintaro?! ...There you are." Saneyuki burst in, but calmed down as soon as he saw Shintaro. Sahei, on the other hand, stared with wide eyes.

"Wh-what is it? And for that matter, why are you here?"

"What do you mean, what is it? Neither you nor Father returned, and Lord Shintaro left for Kyo alone and we haven't heard a word. The three women got angry, and I was kicked out and told to go check on the situation." The three women were Kiku, Nana, and Shion.

"What a disaster."

"Don't say it so lightly."

"Well, have a seat." Sahei laid out two cushions, offering one to Saneyuki and the other to Shintaro. Saneyuki sat down without a word, and Shintaro sat down with a quiet, "Pardon me."

"So? What was it all about?" Sahei and Shintaro sighed and explained the whole story. Saneyuki was surprised at first, then exasperated.

"You should have just refused."

"It wasn't that kind of atmosphere."

"What were you going to do if something happened?"

"What could have happened?" Saneyuki looked at the unharmed and composed Shintaro and felt his energy drain away. Come to think of it, this was a man who was fine even after jumping from the Tower. He felt like an idiot for worrying unnecessarily.

"Well, as long as nothing serious happened."

"Is Shion alright?"

"Yes. Actually, she's here." Shintaro's eyes widened.

"Eh?"

"She's here."

"You didn't come alone?"

"In the end, she came with Nana. The West is fine as long as my sister is there."

"So, where is she now?"

"In the main palace." Is she in the middle of talking with the Emperor? Shintaro thought, looking out the window with some unease. He had won the match, but he had no memory of what happened afterward, and he was a little anxious.

"Do you know... what they're talking about?" Thinking it was no use worrying about it alone, Shintaro asked. Saneyuki laughed.

"You defeated ten thousand soldiers. Just sit back and act like a king." Shintaro gave a wry smile and looked away.