Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V8Part2

Part 11 (Part 2 of Volume 8)

The bamboo sword flew through the air, spinning like a pinwheel before striking the ceiling and landing on the wooden floor with a hard thud.

Kagura, sitting on the ground, stared in shock at her fallen bamboo sword, then looked up at her opponent.

Her older brother rested his bamboo sword on his shoulder, looking down at his sister with a cold, detached gaze.

"What were you doing in the royal court? Do you think you can serve the prince with that?"

Kagura bit her lip, quickly kneeling to retrieve her bamboo sword, and pleaded with her brother.

"Brother, one more match."

With a disdainful snort, Yukihira returned to the starting line, pointing his bamboo sword at his nine-year-old sister.

At twelve, Yukihira was three years older than Kagura, and she had never beaten him in a match. Still, she had spent the last two years at the royal court, practicing swordsmanship with Prince Daitoku, who was her age. Returning home today, she had hoped to finally surpass her brother.

"Ah!"

But once again, with a single flash of Yukihira’s bamboo sword, Kagura’s flew towards the ceiling, and she ended up on the floor in the same position, her bamboo sword rolling at her feet.

She glanced at the fallen sword, then looked up at her brother, whose eyes were filled with merciless disdain. Tears began to blur her vision.

"Don’t cry. It’s unbecoming."

Yukihira sighed as he extended a hand to his sister.

"I’m not crying," Kagura quickly wiped her eyes with her arm, took his hand, and stood up. Her brother, with a face as cold and pure as snow, looked down at her.

"Swordsmanship is not for women."

"That’s not true."

"Playing with dolls would suit you better."

Being told that by her admired brother, Kagura almost burst into tears again but quickly replaced her sadness with anger.

"Why do you always say such cruel things?"

Kagura had been devoting herself to training, avoiding typical girlish hobbies to one day become strong enough to support her brother, who was destined to lead the Murasaki family, renowned as the "Clan of Darkness." But Yukihira never acknowledged her efforts. In fact, the older she grew, the harsher his treatment became.

"One more match."

Kagura picked up her bamboo sword and pleaded again.

"Don’t think you can keep challenging the same opponent. A duel is over in one strike."

"But—"

"There’s no 'but' in battle. I’ve killed you twice already. There won’t be a third time."

Kagura knew he was right, but she was too frustrated to care. Unable to hold it in any longer, tears finally burst from her eyes.

"Waaaah! Waaah!"

She sat back down, sobbing loudly as she looked up at the ceiling. The two years of hard training, completely dismissed by her brother, filled her with overwhelming frustration and helplessness.

Yukihira’s princely expression twisted into one of irritation.

"This is why women are impossible. They think they can get whatever they want by crying."

"You’re a meanie, brother! You’re so cruel! Heartless!"

Her face a mess of tears and snot, Kagura cried without any concern for her dignity.

Looking down at his crying sister, Yukihira’s expression grew more severe. The disappointment in his face slowly disappeared, replaced by an explosion of anger, like a wildfire spreading across a snowy field.

"Enough! You are a member of the Murasaki clan! Stop wailing over something so trivial!"

Kagura’s sobbing came to a halt at her brother’s rare outburst.

"A samurai must never cry! No matter the circumstance, you must remain composed! We live by the will of the heavens, and we must not let personal emotions rule us!"

Yukihira’s resolute voice echoed through the empty dojo.

Kagura forced the rising sadness back down into her throat.

Yukihira seemed to stand before her, bathed in an ethereal flame, like an immovable king. It was the first time she had ever seen her usually composed brother so angry. She realized that if she continued crying, he might truly abandon her. Desperately, she swallowed her sadness.

"Stand up."

At his quiet command, Kagura silently stood.

"That was the last time. Never cry in front of others again."

"Yes, brother!"

"If you cry again, I will sever our bond as siblings."

"I won’t cry anymore!"

Kagura swore it from the bottom of her heart. If she were to lose her beloved brother, she wouldn’t be able to go on living.

As she held back her tears and wiped her snot-covered face, steeling her expression, Yukihira’s tone finally softened.

"…You’ve become stronger. I believe you will continue to grow stronger."

Yukihira reached out and gently patted her head. Forgetting her earlier tears, Kagura beamed with a wide smile.

"Yes! I will work hard so that I can one day defeat you, brother!"

But Yukihira's smile was tinged with a hint of resignation. It was as if he had finally understood that his sister would never give up on the path of the sword, no matter how much he tried to dissuade her.

"I don’t want you to walk the same path as me."

Yukihira muttered softly, but Kagura pouted in dissatisfaction.

"Why not?"

There was a faint sadness in Yukihira’s expression as he opened his mouth to answer.

It felt as though the wind carried Yukihira’s whispered words: You will die if you follow this path…

Kagura opened her eyes.

At some point, she had fallen asleep.

The remnants of her dream faded into the bright July sky.

"Brother…"

She whispered briefly. Now, her brother Yukihira was the commander of the Imperial Guard, serving closely under the emperor.

If Kagura continued down this path, she knew her brother's sword awaited her.

"…"

Kagura closed her eyes, pushing away the pain, then stood up.

The blazing summer sun reflected off her entire body, the hot water’s shimmering surface casting scattered light onto her pure, bare skin. She placed a hand on the scorching rocks as she emerged from the bath, gazing up at the sky as she filled her lungs with the air of the rural countryside.

Listening to the distant sound of cicadas beyond the hedge, Kagura lightly slapped her cheeks to focus, preparing herself for the "celebration" that was to take place that evening at this inn.

July, 1351 of the Imperial Calendar, outskirts of the capital city of the Holy Sword Kingdom.

A year and one month had passed since Kagura had sat alone with Prince Daitoku in the watchtower of the royal court and had been struck by a "divine revelation" like a bolt of thunder.

During this time, she had faithfully served as the commander of the "Shinmei Corps," the unit tasked with guarding the royal court, and had produced remarkable results. The prince had personally ordered her to "command the Shinmei Corps at your will," and now, after nearly a year of enduring gruelling training alongside them, the 250 elite soldiers were as loyal to Kagura as they were to the prince himself, ready to follow her into life or death.

Now, thanks to the prince’s connections, Kagura had gathered "allies" who shared her cause. They had quietly convened at this hot spring inn in the countryside under the pretence of celebrating a colleague’s safe return from the southern front. But in truth, their real purpose was to finalize the draft of the "Imperial Abdication Edict" and complete the plan for the swift capture of the imperial palace.

"Yes, this is a fine draft. There are no issues."

After reading through the full draft of the abdication edict, one of Kagura's allies, the captain of the Fourth Battalion of the Imperial Guard, nodded in approval.

"Once the blank spaces are filled with the emperor’s signature and the prime minister’s seal, it will become an official edict."

Beside him, the captain of the Airborne Battalion asked, "Then, we proceed to have it declared before the prince in the royal court?"

"Yes. After receiving the signatures, we will immediately return the edict to the palace, formally announce it in the Hall of the Kirin, and distribute copies to the central ministries, local governments, and the media. The following day, we will conduct the coronation ceremony."

Kagura's calm explanation was met with a cautious objection from one of the court officials.

"Isn’t this moving too quickly? Traditionally, the preparations for the coronation ceremony take at least two months."

Though it was a valid concern, Kagura shook her head.

"We cannot afford to hold the three members of the supreme war council hostage for two months. After we storm the palace and capture Prime Minister Kuonji, Supreme Commander Minamimasa, and Foreign Minister Bakuro, we must obtain their signatures and complete the coronation within a day to solidify the abdication. The new emperor will then declare a truce and offer peace terms to the enemy. Once the treaty is signed and the enemy withdraws, I will turn myself in and take full responsibility. There is no other way to end this war. Does anyone have objections?"

A heavy silence fell over the room.

No one could refute Kagura’s words. Every person in this room had already steeled themselves for death, but the weight of the rebellion they were about to commit—the coup against the current government—was now becoming undeniable.

It was nothing less than high treason.

Kagura’s plan was clear. Either the prince would be installed as emperor, and the war would end, or they would all be executed, and the war would continue.

One of the intelligence officers of the Imperial Guard broke the silence with a voice of doubt.

"The stalemate in the war is our main concern. Forgive me for saying this, but the situation now is very different from what it was a year ago. The St Vault Empire is clearly struggling against the Harmonia Empire on the Mitterland front. They are fighting a two-front war, and there’s a growing belief within our ranks that we could win this war if we continue. So, do we really need to carry out this coup?"

The unspoken question hung in the air: Is this revolution truly necessary?

Everyone in the room understood the implications of the officer’s words, even if he didn’t finish them aloud.

"That’s precisely why."

Kagura’s voice rose with determination.

"Now is the time. A year ago, if we had offered a truce, the empire wouldn’t have given us a second thought. They would have burned our country to the ground. But now, if we extend our hand, the empire will accept. The imperial army’s priority is to withdraw their 1.7 million troops from Akitsu and shift their focus to the Mitterland front. The empire is desperate to end the war in the island seas as quickly as possible."

Another officer interjected, his tone firm as he challenged Kagura.

"Are you saying we should give up a winning battle and extend a truce? How can we face the comrades who died fighting the empire? Only by continuing this war and slaughtering the enemy soldiers in Akitsu can we truly honour their sacrifices."

Beside him, an official nodded in agreement.

"We’ve endured this far, and now the tide is turning in our favour. Why would we throw away this chance and offer a hand to a dying enemy? I find it hard to believe that this is the right course of action."

Several others in the room murmured in agreement.

"How will the lower-ranking officers and soldiers react? They’ve fought tooth and nail for their fallen comrades, hoping for victory. Now that we’re on the verge of success, why should we back down? They won’t agree to this."

It was a valid argument.

Kagura clenched her fists as she listened to the heated discussion. She had already considered the points made by those who opposed her plan, countless times before arriving at this moment. She had weighed every argument, thought through every scenario, and now, her path was clear.

Her voice, when she finally responded, was surprisingly calm.

"If we truly wish to honour the fallen, if we want to remember the dead, then shouldn’t we—more than ever—end this meaningless conflict as soon as possible?"

What purpose could there be in continuing the largest folly in human history?

"If we care for our country, our families, and the people who are still alive, then shouldn’t we lay down our arms immediately?"

Images of the aftermath of the surprise attack on Misato flashed through Kagura’s mind. The charred remains of innocent civilians, thousands of corpses floating down the river, a young boy giving a sorrowful salute after his sister was gunned down by machine fire.

Burned bodies of parents lying beside their children, a little girl crouched silently beside her dead mother, a mother wandering through the ruins, carrying her dead child on her back.

The eyes of the children, who had lost their families, their homes, their food, and their hope—those eyes drove Kagura forward.

"If we care about the future, if we care about the children, then shouldn’t we do everything in our power to lay down our weapons?"

If there was any justification left for fighting in this era, it would be to fight for peace.

"Not just for our nation, but for St Vault, for the Hydrabard Archipelago, for every living being today. For everyone who will bear the future on their shoulders."

For even the smallest sliver of hope.

"I want to end this war here, now. That is all I wish for."

Kagura’s words, though soft, spread throughout the room like a quiet prayer. As she scanned the silent faces around her, her gaze filled with unwavering resolve.

"This is the reason I offer my life."

Her eyes conveyed her sincerity, her deep truth.

The room was utterly still.

No one could find the words to respond.

The weight of their nation’s current predicament was too heavy, the path forward too treacherous.

It was Commander Haruhiko Ougiya of the Kusanagi Air Force who broke the silence, his voice sharp and clear.

"The empire may be struggling, but so are we. We’re out of resources, the treasury’s empty, the fleet’s in ruins, and even if we beat the imperial army in one final battle, what happens when Uranos shows up? They’re probably delighted that St Vault and the royal forces are wearing each other down. The more we fight, the better it is for them. Once we’re both exhausted, all they’ll need to do is step in and strike. I agree with stopping now. This is the moment for a ceasefire."

The others exchanged glances and then nodded in agreement, their faces showing determination as they looked toward Kagura.

"I also support the ceasefire," another officer said. "The Kuonji cabinet is a doomed government. They only care about dragging the nation down with them. The only way to remove these fanatics is through force."

"We must fear Uranos now, not St Vault. As long as the earthbound nations fight each other, we’re playing into their hands. I believe our true course is to lay down our arms and stand united against Uranos."

"Perhaps this is our opportunity. By stopping the fight with St Vault, we can force them into conflict with Uranos while we rebuild."

One by one, voices of agreement filled the room. What had been an atmosphere of uncertainty now leaned decisively toward the ceasefire. Kagura exchanged a smile with Ougiya, reassured by the support of the Kusanagi Air Force, crucial for the coup.

"Then, is everyone here in agreement to move forward with the coup?"

With Kagura’s confirmation, the room settled into a shared sense of resolve.

There was no turning back now.

All that remained was to carry out the plan.

To bring down the Kuonji cabinet.

To walk the path of Shura.

"Now, I will present the outline of our operation. It is still in draft form, and I’ve assigned roles to each of your units. There may be some adjustments needed based on suitability, so I welcome any feedback."

Kagura unfolded the detailed plan she had developed with the Shinmei Corps, outlining the goals and actions for each unit on the day of the coup. The group leaned forward, scrutinizing the scroll written in ink, carefully examining the strategy.

Discussions erupted, as expected.

The individuals gathered here were all experts in their respective fields—military, administration, communications. Each brought their unique perspective, suggesting improvements for the swift and precise execution of the coup, from securing the capital to storming the palace, capturing the top officials, and securing the emperor’s seal and signatures for the abdication decree.

The original plan was thoroughly dissected, evolving into a more refined, more reliable strategy. These were seasoned professionals, and their passionate debates inevitably led to clashes of opinion. But the friction only served to sharpen the final plan. They worked tirelessly through the night, revising and perfecting every detail without sleep, and by the time dawn broke, they had still not finished. It took them until midday the following day, without a break, to finalize the plan.

As some of the participants lay on the tatami mats, snoring softly after finally succumbing to exhaustion, Kagura remained awake, continuously tweaking the plan. She would wake up her comrades to seek their opinions, ensuring that no gaps or miscommunications could jeopardize the mission.

Failure was not an option. If they failed, not only would everyone in this room be executed, but hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides would continue to die, and civilians would suffer, their homes destroyed, their children starved.

The future would be lost.

The soldiers of the royal army, the soldiers of the imperial army, and the innocent civilians—all of them.

I will not allow any more deaths.

Sitting cross-legged on the tatami, Kagura meticulously reviewed the plan, again and again. Her fellow conspirators, resting nearby, were oblivious as she made her final preparations.

This has to succeed.

I will change the world.

As she prepared for the coup that would soon come, one concern weighed heavily on her mind.

Crown Prince Daitoku, leader of the Imperial Guard.

The prince needed to remain completely uninvolved in the coup.

He had to ascend the throne as a pure and untainted emperor. Anything less would render the coup meaningless.

But Kagura knew that the kind-hearted prince might refuse to let his followers bear all the burden and might take actions that they hadn’t anticipated. Worst of all, the prince might even try to take responsibility for the treasonous acts committed by his loyal followers.

That could not happen.

The prince needed to abandon his followers. Kagura’s body could be thrown into a nameless grave, but the prince had to remain seated on the throne as a great and revered ruler, or the coup would fail in its purpose.

But as things stood, the prince would never abandon her.

Ever since childhood, the prince had treated Kagura as a close friend and equal, and there was no doubt that he would try to share the burden of her crimes. But Kagura could not allow that. She had to be the only one to be remembered as a traitor, while the prince would be honoured as a great emperor for centuries to come.

In order to avoid that outcome...

I must confront him directly.

I must erase my existence from the prince’s heart.

With that resolve, Kagura made her decision.

"Let’s take a look at Misato."

After listening to Kagura’s appeal in his office, Crown Prince Daitoku stood up, inviting her to join him.

Without any attendants, the two of them climbed to the top of the watchtower they had frequented since childhood.

From twenty meters up, they had a panoramic view of the ruined capital, illuminated by a magnificent sunset. The layered clouds stretched across the sky like a furnace, with the sun caught in the hearth. Rays of golden light streamed through the clouds, soaring towards the zenith. Further from the horizon, the clouds took on soft hues of purple, pale pink, and crimson, gently drifting above Kagura and the prince.

Standing in his imperial guard uniform, the prince gazed lovingly over the city of Misato, bathed in the evening glow, and spoke without turning to Kagura.

"When we were children, I trusted you because you never let me win."

Kagura remained silent, watching his back. He’s grown even thinner, she thought.

"All my sparring partners, mindful of my status, always held back. Did they really think I wouldn’t notice? They praised me with false compliments, but I wasn’t improving. Only you came at me seriously. Only you truly challenged me. That’s why I kept you close."

A warm summer breeze, carrying the scent of grass and a faint chorus of insects, passed between them. It was a nostalgic wind, tinged with memories.

"You never cared about my title. You treated me as an equal, as someone walking the same path of the sword. Do you know how much that saved me?"

Kagura wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.

The emotion rising within her threatened to break her composure, and she feared speaking would unleash it.

So she stood there in silence, watching the prince’s frail back.

The attendants had told her that since the war began, the prince had refused to eat anything other than the same food as the common people. When they tried to serve him fish or meat, he scolded them and only accepted humble meals of potatoes, rice, and scraps of vegetables. He had renounced all luxury, engraving the suffering of his people onto his very body as he searched for a way to end the war.

It was because of that kindness that Kagura, the Shinmei Corps, and the Imperial Guard had all decided to carry out the coup.

And it was because of that same kindness that she now had to deliver her most cruel request.

She had to ask him to forsake her as a traitor, so he could stand alone as the hero.

She had to ask him to turn a blind eye to the comrades who would shed their blood, sweat, and tears for this revolution, so he could ascend the throne and lead the nation to a peaceful future.

There was no more heartbreaking plea she could make.

"I live to serve the people of this country."

Still without turning to face her, the prince spoke toward the sunset over Misato.

His voice was composed, but the anger he was trying to suppress could be felt in every word. Perhaps that was why he hadn’t faced her—he couldn’t hide the fury from his expression.

"I will sacrifice myself and offer my soul to the people so that they may know eternal peace. That is why I am a member of the royal family."

The prince’s voice remained calm, but the undercurrent of frustration was unmistakable. His pride as a member of the Keiken had been wounded.

Kagura, born into the "dark house" of the Murasaki family, who had served the royal family for over a thousand years, understood their pain better than anyone. The Keiken Dynasty had been fated from birth to renounce personal joy and freedom, dedicating their entire lives to the people. There had surely been unimaginable struggles, but they had never shown their suffering, quietly praying for peace for their people.

To Kagura, the prince’s too-thin back no longer looked angry—it seemed to be weeping.

The words of conviction were spun toward the city of Misato.

"I will abandon no one."

She had expected him to say that.

"Not a single soul shall die in vain."

Because he was, above all, a kind and compassionate person.

"I will not let you become tainted or die. After making the people suffer so much, allowing someone close to me to die as a traitor is beyond even the duties of royalty."

The tremor in his voice—was it from anger, or sorrow? The summer clouds passed through the sky, their forms shifting against the increasingly reddened backdrop.

"Are you asking me to become a beast?"

Slowly, the crown prince turned to face her.

It was a face more contorted with strain than any she had ever seen on her childhood friend.

Kagura concealed the tears welling within her heart. How many bodyguards could say they were fortunate enough to receive such words from a prince? If she could, she would have fallen to her knees right then and there, trembling with gratitude, weeping in thanks for such overwhelming kindness. It would have been such a relief if she could.

But here and now, if he were to sense her true feelings, all the efforts she and her comrades had built would be undone, crumbling to dust.

Thus, she had to laugh off his sincerity with a smile.

Steeling herself, Kagura composed a gentle smile and delivered her rehearsed reply.

"Yes, Your Highness, you will have to become a beast."

She spoke lightly, making sure her words betrayed nothing of her true feelings.

"If you say you’ve banished me, then you may very well become a beast."

Because she knew the tears he had shed for his people.

"In the grand scheme of things, from the heavens above, I will be seen as a saint who sacrificed herself for the country, while Your Highness will be a sinner who abandoned his vassal."

He had endured so much, suffered alongside his people, to the point of emaciation.

That is why I entrust my life to you.

"I will not surrender this victory. Your Highness, you must draw the short straw."

For the sake of the hundreds of thousands, the millions, who still live.

For the sake of a future of abundance.

"When your duties in this world are done and you ascend to the heavens, I will offer my apologies then. Until that day, I ask that you endure this hardship."

With a calm and resolute smile, Kagura spoke.

"The duties of this world are thankless and painful, but when you return to the skies, your burdens will be lifted. In the heavens, there are no distinctions of rank."

She spoke as playfully as she could, like a breeze in the summer wind. She carefully masked the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, ensuring they remained hidden.

"In the boundless sky, we will cross swords again. I will bear all of Your Highness’s grievances with my blade. Let your anger toward me be fully unleashed then."

For there is no one else but you who can bring an end to this war and deliver peace to the people.

Please, abandon me. Cast me into a nameless grave.

Do not offer me a single flower.

"Even if you draw the short straw, walking the path of selflessness for the people is Your Highness’s destiny. I trust you will fulfill that duty."

You are so kind, so gentle, that I trust you will even honour my selfish request.