kscans

Chapter 44 - A Glorious Return

"I leave things in your hands," the Emperor said to Miyake and Nanafushi before departing with his retinue. It was a momentous journey, said to be the one and only time the Emperor would ever leave Kyo. Soma, who had decided to settle in Kyo and was accompanying them on the pretense of picking up his father, felt a growing tension as he kept a careful watch on the horses carrying the engagement gifts.

There were six horses in total. Two carried luggage—one was led by the horse Soma rode, the other by the one Saneyuki and Nana shared. As for the rest, Shintaro rode with Shion, and the Emperor rode alone.

To protect them from bandits, the gifts were wrapped in white cloth to conceal their contents. That said, any would-be thief who dared to attack this particular group would deserve pity for their abysmal luck. After all, their protectors were the greatest swordsman in the country and the greatest swordsman in the East. They should count themselves fortunate to escape with their lives and challenge them with that in mind.

Apart from such baseless worries, Shintaro sighed as his horse trotted along. The sheer volume of the engagement gifts was the cause. He'd managed to have the amount reduced significantly, but it was still enough to require two horses.

Shintaro was worried about his mother's reaction.

Two years ago, his mother, Tae, had ignored the betrothal money and looked Saimon straight in the eye.

"Let's keep the gifts as a mere formality," she had said. "Please take this back with you. As long as you cherish him for many years to come, that is all that matters." In other words, she had made it clear that she had no intention of selling her precious only son for money. Sincerity was all that mattered.

Was Saimon's attitude the problem, or was her own pride the obstacle? In any case, she was a difficult woman, strict with both herself and others. He could feel it in the words she had always used to lecture him.

"You must never be ashamed of being poor. Our poverty is proof that we live honestly and pay our taxes properly. Walk with your head held high."

Shintaro, who figured that at least his posture was good thanks to her, looked up at the sky, his thoughts on his distant home.

*

More than a month passed on their journey. His hometown was now close.

Shintaro's heart was heavy. He was anxious about his mother's attitude, but there was something else that concerned him even more.

The fact that to reach his village, they had to pass through the Eastern Capital.

It was a place he had once vowed never to return to. What's more, not much time had passed. For Shintaro, who had met Shion, traveled far and wide, and come this far with the support of many, the two years felt substantial. But for those living unchanging lives, it was as if it had happened only yesterday.

No matter how much he himself had moved on, he was sure the familiar streets and faces would reopen his healed wounds. The thought alone was enough to dampen his spirits.

Sure enough, as they rode down the main street, several people he knew looked up at him with surprise. Some pointed, while others nudged their companions.

Bathed in curious stares, Shintaro grew a little pale.

He wasn't the only one drawing attention. Shion had covered her hair with a cloth that draped from her head to her waist before entering the city, so she wasn't as conspicuous. The Emperor, however, rode his horse proudly with his head held high, attracting a great deal of notice.

And then there was Soma. His large build was eye-catching enough, but he was also famous as the greatest swordsman in the East, so his face was widely recognized.

"Hey, isn't that Kawara Soma?!"

"Yeah, the best swordsman in the East?"

"What's he doing with that man?"

"Who knows," came the whispers from the townspeople all around them.

"That man," of course, was Shintaro. They were wondering why such a famous figure was with a man who had been driven from the capital. It was a natural question, but their stares were so blatant that Shintaro felt his spirits sink.

Just then, the Emperor guided his horse closer to Shintaro and spoke.

"Let's take a break around here. Is there a tea house you'd recommend?"

"...In that case, Yamano Chaya."

"Then let's go."

The group soon arrived at the tea house and tied their horses out front. Soma was on luggage duty. When it came to guarding six horses and their cargo, the task fell to either Shintaro or Soma, the most skilled swordsmen. But Shintaro's position excluded him, which made Soma, even as the future Imperial Court Chief, the right man for the job.

When they entered, the owner—a man in his mid-fifties—recognized Shintaro immediately.

"Well now, Shintaro-san! It's been a while." After greeting him, the owner glanced at his companions and suggested a table large enough for all of them. As he handed them the menus, he leaned in and asked Shintaro quietly,

"I heard a rumor you'd left the capital. Are you back for good?" Shintaro's expression soured.

"No, just passing through."

"Ah, that's a shame. But it's been two years. Now that things have cooled down, how about it? My daughter, for instance..." Shintaro stared at the owner, surprised.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. If you married into the family, this tea house would be set for life."

"I'm afraid things are already settled. I'm on my way to my family's home for the formal greetings right now."

"Oh my." The owner's gaze shifted to the young woman sitting behind Shintaro, and he was struck dumb.

"Ah. Well, I'll be. She's a real beauty. My apologies for saying something so strange."

"No, it's fine."

"Well then, just call me when you've decided on your order." The owner said his last line loud enough for everyone to hear before backing away. But Shintaro's relief was short-lived, as the eyes of everyone—except Shion—were now fixed on him.

The Emperor was smiling mischievously. He had apparently overheard everything.

"Quite the catch, aren't you?" the Emperor teased. Shintaro gave a wry smile.

"He was just fishing for information."

"Half of it was," Saneyuki interjected.

"He may have been probing for your current situation, but it wasn't a proposal you'd want to accept. There's no doubt he was hoping for the best."

"For a man with a bad reputation?"

"Hmph. Who can say? The one whose reputation was ruined was the Hokura family, not you. At least, that's what I think."

Regardless of the rumors and his reputation when he left, it was a fact that the townspeople were buzzing now that Shintaro had reappeared after two years.

It was only natural. There he was, the same imposing, handsome, and virile Shintaro as ever, accompanied by a lovely young woman, with none other than Kawara Soma guarding their horses. They were all dressed in fine clothes, and their horses were of excellent stock. The people whispered amongst themselves that he had surely returned in triumph.

Even after they left the tea house, it wasn't Shintaro leading the packhorses. It was clear to everyone that Soma was the one following his lead.

What no one could understand was how this had come to be. Kawara Soma was the greatest swordsman in the East, but that was a title gained through the Tower's influence. If the Tower was taking Shintaro in, it would make sense. But to assign Soma as his subordinate was baffling. After all, if Shintaro had stolen Soma's fiancée and been driven from the capital, it would be human nature to want him kept away forever.

For Soma, too, dedicating the honor he had worked so hard to earn to a mere swordsman was absurd. And yet, he did so without a single complaint, even looking proud. The townspeople could only scratch their heads in confusion.

But as they stared blankly at the group, sensing that something was different but unable to pinpoint what, they slowly began to understand. They saw Shintaro's face as he held the beautiful girl's hand, a look of pure happiness on his face. The companions watching over them were also bathed in that same joyous light. And so, they realized.

Somehow, somewhere, Shintaro had regained everything he had lost in this capital. And he had triumphed over the Tower that stood as if to pierce the very heavens.