Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V8Part5

Part 14 (Part 5 of Volume 8)

Like ascending the river of stars, three large transport planes flew in formation, their wings in perfect alignment.

The colossal shadows of the thirty-meter-long aircraft cut through the flickering thousands of silver specks, flying west with their radios strictly silenced. In the midst of the predawn darkness, relying solely on the wingtip lights of the other planes, they flew single-mindedly toward their target.

Inside the three planes, a total of 240 soldiers were packed.

The thunderous roar of the four-propeller engines was the only sound transmitted to the 80 members of the Divine Light Unit on each plane. All of them bore tense expressions, parachutes strapped to their backs, sitting in four rows within the fuselage. Not a single one spoke, as they solemnly prepared for the decisive battle.

October 19th, Imperial Year 1351, en route from Misato to Kyonagi Palace.

Kagura Murasaki sat in the cockpit of the lead plane, occupying the captain's seat behind the pilot, her eyes scanning the flight chart being filled in by the navigator.

Dawn was about an hour away. Outside the window, the sky was a pitch-black canvas, but as she leaned closer to look east, she saw the edge of the horizon faintly tinted with purple.

"Less than five minutes until we reach our destination."

The navigator, who had been keeping a close eye on the airspeed indicator, reported, and Kagura nodded, rising to don her parachute.

"You’ve done well. When we return to Misato, please convey my thanks to Captain Ougiya."

"Yes, ma'am. May fortune be with you."

After exchanging pleasantries with the pilot dispatched from the Kusanagi Air Squadron, Kagura moved past the partition to join the soldiers waiting for their descent.

As Kagura stepped into the fuselage, the gaze of all eighty soldiers instantly locked onto her.

These were comrades she had lived and trained with for the past year and four months, enduring near-death experiences together. Close-quarters combat, low-altitude jumps, night infiltration, and communications blackout training—all to prepare for this moment, at the cost of several lives during the gruelling drills. Now, the day had finally come.

Kagura walked between the rows of soldiers, stopping just before the rear hatch, and turned to face them.

"There’s no need for excessive words. You’ve endured harsh training until now, and today, you’ll simply put that to use. I believe in our ability to achieve our mission."

The soldiers remained silent, listening to Kagura’s words. Every one of them had been honed to the point where they could infiltrate and secure targets within the Kyonagi Palace and Prime Minister's residence without maps or plans, and return successfully.

"We must not stain the succession with blood. Only engage if absolutely necessary. The principle is to neutralize the enemy without being detected, disarming them with precision. I understand this is a difficult task, but our goal is a bloodless revolution. All of your training was for this purpose."

As Kagura spoke, the rear hatch began to open with a low hum.

The sky slowly appeared behind the plane, wind howling loudly. The October night air flowed in, chilling the soldiers in the narrow space.

Raising her voice to be heard over the wind, Kagura continued.

"We fight for the people without sin. We fight to overthrow the Kuonji Cabinet, which has turned the Emperor into a puppet, and to end this needless war."

With those words, the pre-dawn sky appeared beyond the open hatch.

The eastern sky was painted a pale violet, about to burst into flames. It was by this faint light that they would make their descent.

Kagura's resolute voice signalled the start of the mission.

"First Divine Light Unit, prepare for deployment. Our target is the inner sanctum of Kyonagi Palace. Remember, unnecessary bloodshed is forbidden. We must not desecrate the sacred ground with blood."

A chorus of acknowledgment followed, as all the soldiers stood up and moved in unison toward the now fully open hatch.

Kagura, leading the charge, looked down at Kyonagi below.

The palace was guarded by the Imperial Guard, whose captain was none other than Kagura's brother, Yukihira Murasaki.

The two siblings, sharing the same bloodline, had diverged in their destinies the moment Kagura became the personal guard of Prince Daitoku and Yukihira the guardian of the Emperor. Today, they would face each other as enemies.

Brother, today will be the first time I defeat you.

Steeling herself, Kagura focused her senses.

The altitude difference between her and the ground was roughly 400 meters. From the rear of the plane, she could see two other large transport planes following closely. By now, the commanders of those units were likely finishing their final briefings and preparing to leap out into the sky.

The sprawling city of Kyonagi lay nestled among the mountains below, with the terrain fully studied and their drop zones meticulously chosen.

The mission was simple: land directly inside the Kyonagi Palace, secure the Emperor, and seize the imperial seal with lightning speed. That was the task of Kagura's First Unit. The Second and Third Units were assigned to take control of the Prime Minister's residence and the homes of the War Council members, securing key figures of the highest war leadership. This airborne drop would prevent any counterattack, disarming the enemy before they even realized what had happened.

Kagura looked back at her trusted comrades one more time. Not only the eighty soldiers present, but every member in the following units as well. Her heart swelled with gratitude. Rather than delivering a rousing speech at this late stage, she wanted to offer a smile of appreciation to the comrades who had stood by her until today, knowing that not everyone would survive to see the morning.

"It’s a fine morning. The wind feels good. Let’s go. For the future we seek."

The soldiers responded with bright smiles. Having endured hellish training together, the 240 members of the Divine Light Unit were now one family. Each one had chosen to trade their lives for peace, a foolish yet incredibly brave group.

If foolishness brought us to this point, then we’ll see it through with even greater foolishness.

With that thought, Kagura stepped into the dawn.

The ground beneath her vanished.

Heaven and earth reversed.

Simultaneously, the white canopy of her parachute shot upwards.

As she fell, Kagura watched as her comrades followed her out of the hatch, their white parachutes blooming like flowers in the sky.

On either side, the soldiers of the Second and Third Units also blossomed into the sky with their white canopies.

They had already notified the palace guards that transport planes would be arriving with supplies. The guards likely assumed these planes were delivering food and ammunition, unaware that they were actually carrying soldiers.

Gripping her harness, Kagura focused on her landing zone. The gardens of Kyonagi Palace rushed toward her. She spotted figures below, likely palace guards gazing up in confusion at the sudden appearance of so many white parachutes.

No.

In one corner of the garden, sandbags were piled, and behind them was the barrel of a heavy machine gun pointed toward the sky.

The Imperial Guards were calmly adjusting the angle of the gun with the aid of a tripod.

"…What?"

The moment Kagura froze in disbelief, she heard the heavy crack of gunfire.

Searing tracer rounds shot past her sides, piercing the parachute behind her.

"…!!"

Through the infinite sky, Kagura saw the withered canopy of a comrade falling helplessly.

Amidst the gunfire, faint screams reached her ears.

Her widened eyes caught the sight of more tracer rounds streaking upward from the ground.

It wasn’t just one position. From three separate locations within the palace grounds, streams of fire shot skyward, tearing through the parachutes of the Divine Light Unit.

Two, three, four… Elite soldiers, trained to perfection for this day, were being shot down mid-descent, unable to do anything as they fell helplessly from the sky.

As if anticipating Kagura's every thought, the Imperial Guards rained relentless fire on the helpless paratroopers. Exposed in the air, the soldiers couldn’t dodge, and one by one, their parachutes were punctured, sending them plummeting to the ground.

They had thought they’d outsmarted the enemy, only to be completely outmanoeuvred.

There was only one person capable of this.

"…Brother…!!"

It could only be Yukihira Murasaki, Captain of the Kyonagi Imperial Guards.

Before Kagura could even process her despair, her feet hit the ground.

She had landed in a gravel garden with little cover. Amidst the roar of the heavy machine guns, the shouts of the Imperial Guards rang out. Kagura quickly unhooked her harness, discarded the parachute, and sprinted like a leopard toward the shadow of a building, taking cover and surveying the battlefield.

Her comrades had been scattered by the unexpected gunfire, unable to maintain their formation as they landed in various parts of the palace grounds.

There was no longer any time to pursue a bloodless revolution.

If they didn’t return fire, they would all be wiped out.

If they didn’t stain the sacred ground with blood, the imperial succession would be lost.

Kagura should have known better than to think she could disarm Yukihira through a simple surprise attack.

I was too naive.

It was too late for regrets. Now, all she could do was fight.

With only thirty to forty minutes until sunrise, they had to make their move. Although visibility was limited, they had chosen dawn precisely for this reason. However, that very decision had backfired. The enemy had full visibility of their movements, making stealth nearly impossible. Yet if they delayed any further, Yukihira would surely move the Emperor and the imperial seal into hiding.

Gunfire echoed throughout the palace. Just minutes ago, the serene mountain air had been shattered, transformed into the cacophony of a battlefield filled with screams, shouts, and gunfire.

Kagura calmed her thoughts and planned her next move. Without radios, there was no way to communicate with her team. Each soldier had to rely on their own judgment, infiltrating the palace and neutralizing the enemy. They had trained for this. The Imperial Guards were said to number around one hundred, while Kagura’s First Unit had seventy. She could only hope Yukihira hadn’t reinforced their numbers as she stealthily made her way toward the back of the heavy machine gun emplacement.

The battle had become a chaotic melee, with no clear frontlines. It was impossible to predict where the enemy might appear, and friendly fire was a constant threat. Careful aim would be essential.

Somehow, Kagura needed to seize control of one of the machine gun positions to rally her comrades. The surprise ambush had thrown them into disarray, and it was up to Kagura to inspire them once more. Armed with only a sword and a dagger for close combat, her only option was to charge the machine gun nest, cutting down the two soldiers stationed there.

If my sword must be stained with blood…

Kagura had never killed anyone before. She had shot down enemy planes in aerial combat, but she had never used a blade against a human being.

But now, she had no choice.

I will cut them down.

Kagura had no choice but to steel her resolve. If she did not cut down her enemies, her comrades would die. They would fail in their mission, leaving behind only a tainted legacy as traitors. The Prince himself would not escape punishment as the figurehead of the coup. If they lost this battle,

everything would end. They had no choice but to win. And to win, Kagura would have to kill those who stood in their way.

I will walk this bloodstained path.

Kagura bit her lip and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. The back of the enemy gunner gripping the heavy machine gun’s firing handle was fifteen meters ahead, behind some shrubs. Her eyes darted around, catching glimpses of other Imperial Guardsmen in dark blue uniforms firing at her comrades from behind the shadows of buildings.

The risk is great, but it must be done.

Kagura inhaled deeply, exhaling to release all unnecessary human emotions with her breath.

Then, she opened her eyes, cold and sharp like a beast’s.

All sins will be borne by me.

She decided and, like a panther, she dashed from her cover toward the machine gun emplacement.

The loader glanced back at her suddenly, his mouth parting slightly.

At that moment, Kagura’s blade, reflecting the sky’s colours, flashed free from its scabbard.

There’s no need to forgive me.

The thrust pierced the loader’s throat.

A dull, heavy sensation passed through her hands.

It was the feeling of taking a life.

Curse me.

Kagura withdrew the blade. Crimson sprayed onto her pale face. Without pause, she swung horizontally, slicing through the gunner’s neck.

A fountain of scarlet gushed forth.

Two more enemy soldiers behind her, realizing what had happened, shouted angrily and aimed their rifles at her.

Drenched in blood from head to toe, Kagura grabbed the lifeless loader by the back, using his body as a shield.

Two, three, four shots rang out.

The sound of bullets thudding into flesh filled the air as Kagura threw the body forward, vaulting over the sandbags to take cover. She waved to her scattered allies, signalling them to join her. Four comrades, assessing the situation, dashed toward her, crouching low and nodding close by.

With bullets still tearing through the sandbags behind them, Kagura took stock of the situation.

"Is everyone alright?"

"Both Ito and Takahashi were shot during the descent."

"…I see."

They had been her senior comrades, experienced soldiers who had supported her in leading the team. They were reliable officers who had lent their strength to her command.

There was no time to mourn. Kagura had to succeed in this mission for their sake. She steadied her voice, keeping her hands from shaking.

"There are two more machine guns. We need to take them out."

"Yes. Our allies are spreading out now."

Despite the ambush, they had trained rigorously for this—repeated infiltration drills in the palace grounds. They wouldn’t be caught off guard for long. Kagura decided to leave this task to her comrades while she focused on her primary objective.

"I will find the Emperor and the imperial seal. Oyodo and Momiyama, come with me. Kato and Kobayashi, secure the machine guns and call for reinforcements."

"Yes, ma'am."

She took a deep breath. She had to erase the image of herself reflected in the loader’s dying eyes and forget the sensation of taking a life with her hands. Kagura forced herself to focus, looking toward the direction of the inner palace.

By now, her brother Yukihira was likely with the Emperor, issuing orders. His mission was to protect the Emperor, while hers was to capture him. The siblings, bound by blood, were destined to clash head-on.

Even if it’s my brother, I will cut him down.

I am a warrior of war.

Wiping the blood from her cheek with her sleeve, Kagura cleaned her sword in a single motion, exchanged a glance with her two subordinates, and nodded. With Kato and Kobayashi providing covering fire, Kagura leapt from behind the sandbags.

Bullets kicked up gravel at her feet as she sprinted like a wild hare, darting into the shadow of a nearby building. She had memorized the palace’s layout. To her left was the main hall, connected by a corridor to the inner palace. If the Emperor was anywhere, he was likely in one of these two places.

Kagura bet on the inner palace.

Without hesitation, she peered around the corner, surveying the path to the inner palace.

There were no visible enemies, but she was certain they were hidden, watching her. If she dashed out now, she would be shot immediately.

"Commander, I’ll go," Oyodo whispered, offering to reveal the enemy’s position by making himself a target.

He was an excellent officer. She didn’t want to lose him here, but there was no time left. Kagura could only feel gratitude.

"Thank you. I’ll owe you for this."

"Momiyama, watch my back."

"…Leave it to me. And forgive me."

The two were close friends from the same village. Their brief exchange carried the weight of a lifetime’s understanding. Kagura knew that everyone here was ready to lay down their lives for the mission, but her heart still silently wept for them.

"Then let’s go."

Oyodo gave a final word and sprinted out from cover toward the inner palace. He covered twenty meters in an instant, his target only ten meters away when—

Two flashes of gunfire erupted from behind the garden bushes.

Sharp cracks echoed through the crisp autumn air.

Oyodo’s body was violently flung to the side.

Kagura stifled the scream that almost escaped her throat.

In an instant, Momiyama’s rifle fired into the bushes, sending a hail of bullets.

"Commander!!"

With Momiyama’s signal, Kagura bolted forward.

I won’t forget you, Oyodo.

Watch over me. I will win.

Without pausing, Kagura ran past Oyodo’s bleeding form, her eyes catching the lifeless bodies of the enemy soldiers as she leaped onto the porch of the inner palace. There would be time to cry later.

Momiyama rushed after her, suppressing his own grief as he leapt over his friend’s body and took position behind Kagura. He wiped away the tears welling in his eyes and followed Kagura as she kicked open the wooden sliding door, stepping into the palace.

The room beyond was a polished wooden hall, empty of people. The sky, a deep violet-blue, spilled in from the open doorway.

There was no need to conceal her presence anymore. Kagura quickly crossed the hall and grabbed the handle of the next sliding door. There was no lock. Leaving her fate to luck, she slid it open.

A short corridor. To her left, a wall; to her right, two doors, likely leading to chambers. At the far end, the corridor bent to the right.

The exact layout of the inner palace had remained a mystery during their reconnaissance. It was a place of daily life for the Emperor, not a formal audience hall. However, Kagura knew there couldn’t be too many places to hide.

Without hesitation, she kicked open the closest door.

Immediately, she was met with the muzzle of a rifle.

Kagura ducked and lunged forward just as the soldier fired.

Her hair scattered in the air. Someone screamed.

Her blade connected. The sensation of life extinguishing tainted her hands. If she let her guard down, her body would dissolve as if it were being unwoven from the inside.

I don’t care.

I am no longer human.

Soaked in the spray of blood, Kagura stepped into the room.

"Uwaaah!!"

Someone screamed, scooting backward on the floor in fear, their voice shrill and piercing.

Kagura looked down at the Imperial Guardsman she had just slain with a thrust through the neck. It wasn’t her brother, Yukihira. Feeling a bitter sense of relief at her luck, Kagura kicked the corpse deeper into the room.

"You insolent wretch! Do you realize where you are!? To spill blood in the sacred grounds…!"

The man shouting, leaning against the wall of the study, was none other than Lord Ryosou Kuzuha, the chief chamberlain. He had noble lineage, but he had always been a sycophant, following Prime Minister Kuonji’s orders without question.

Covered in blood, Kagura had abandoned all remnants of humanity.

Without hesitation, she pointed her sword at the aging chamberlain’s throat.

"Take me to the Emperor."

"Y-you think I would…"

"The Imperial Guard has surrounded Kyonagi. Can’t you hear the artillery?"

Kagura made sure the chamberlain could hear the distant sound of exploding grenades. The grenades were portable, but their loud noise could easily be mistaken for the sound of large-caliber artillery by someone unfamiliar.

"If I don’t secure the Emperor in time, our 24cm artillery will destroy both the main palace and the inner palace indiscriminately. That’s the plan. You’d better lead me to him if you want to protect the Emperor."

Of course, it was a lie. The Imperial Guard was still stationed in Misato, and there were no artillery units. The claim that portable grenades were large-caliber ship guns was pure bluff, but it didn’t matter. So long as Kuzuha could later claim that Kagura had tricked him, that would be enough.

"Wh-who would ever..."

"The Imperial Guard Division has already surrounded Kyonagi Palace. Can't you hear the sound of their cannons?"

Kagura let the chamberlain listen to the distant sound of mortar fire. A mortar is a portable grenade launcher, but its firing sound is so loud that ordinary people can't distinguish it from the sound of a large-caliber cannon.

"If we fail to secure the emperor in time, our 24 cm artillery will destroy the main palace and inner sanctum without distinction. That was the arrangement. There’s no time. If you want to protect the emperor, guide me immediately."

Of course, this was a lie. The Imperial Guard Division was in Misato, and there were no artillery units. Claiming that the portable mortars were the same as large-caliber guns mounted on heavy cruisers was a ridiculous bluff, but it served its purpose. As long as the chamberlain could later claim, "I was fooled by Kagura's lies," it would be enough.

The chamberlain, Kuzuha, was likely half-skeptical. Or perhaps he didn't believe it at all. But if he fell for the bluff, at least he could escape the immediate threat of the sword before him.

"Wait, I understand. Th-this way..."

Kuzuha forced his trembling legs to move and led Kagura and the others down the hallway.

With Kuzuha at the front, they passed through several rooms that seemed to be bedrooms. A few trembling handmaidens peered at Kagura with fear. Covered in blood from head to toe, with blood still dripping from the tip of her sword, Kagura walking through the sacred halls must have looked like a demon. Ignoring them, Kagura followed Kuzuha to the end of the corridor, where they stopped.

Kuzuha removed several floorboards, revealing a hidden door beneath. When he lifted the trapdoor, a narrow ladder leading underground appeared.

Kuzuha turned back and said, "Down here."

"You go first."

"P-please, spare me."

"Go!!"

Kuzuha bit his lip, knelt on the floor, and shouted into the darkness below.

"I-it's me! Don’t shoot! I must urgently report to His Majesty! Time is of the essence, do not shoot!"

Kuzuha's voice echoed down the stairs and then faded away.

Kagura made Kuzuha descend first to ensure it was safe, then placed her foot on the ladder.

The space was cramped and damp, with no escape routes. Her heart pounded in her chest. With each step down the ladder, she could almost hear the turning wheels of history.

Ahead, the emperor awaited. The imperial seal awaited. The fate of the nation was about to fall into her hands.

As she descended the ladder and set foot on the cold ground below, the dim light of a naked bulb illuminated the underground tunnel, casting an orange glow on the wooden beams reinforcing the walls. The low hum of the ventilation system echoed eerily through the shaft. The ceiling was low, and the corridor narrow—two people could barely pass by without one pressing against the wall.

"Don’t shoot!! Do nothing, it’s me! Don’t shoot!!" Kuzuha waved his hand as he led the way. There was no doubt an Imperial Guard was lying in wait. Kuzuha was the only one they could rely on. Kagura hid behind him, with Momiyama following close behind as they walked deeper into the eerie tunnel.

Suddenly, from a recess in the wall ahead, an Imperial Guard pointed the muzzle of his gun in their direction.

When Kuzuha shouted for him to stop, the guard only partially revealed his face. Kagura pressed the tip of her sword against Kuzuha's back.

"Make him drop his gun."

"D-drop your gun!! The battle is already decided! There's no need for more bloodshed!!"

Though the fierce fighting above ground continued, Kuzuha parroted Kagura's bluff. Just as he had easily obeyed Prime Minister Kuonji, it seemed his top priority was self-preservation. He truly was a convenient lackey, Kagura thought, as she watched the guard toss his gun to the ground.

As they advanced, they disarmed two more guards in the same way. Each time, Momiyama handcuffed the guards and gagged them, leaving them on the floor. Initially, the plan had been to storm the barracks, capture the entire Imperial Guard, and stage a bloodless coup without giving them any chance to retaliate, but by now, such measures felt hollow.

"It’s further ahead."

After advancing about 200 meters underground, Kuzuha stopped and turned to Kagura.

The walls were earthen, reinforced with wooden frames, and there was an iron door embedded in the wall.

Without a word, Kagura nodded toward the door, signalling him to open it.

Kuzuha took a deep breath and knocked.

There was no response. Traditionally, the emperor would come out of his chambers to receive visitors for official business. But now, there was no sign of the door opening.

"His Majesty appears to be indisposed. Let’s come back later."

"Go in."

"I cannot. No one but His Majesty and the Empress are allowed into the royal chambers."

"This is not the time to say such things! Go in!!"

"Please understand, I cannot violate the imperial decree. We should check elsewhere."

It was clear Kuzuha was stalling, hoping the Imperial Guard would return while they argued.

Kagura, deep in thought, turned to Momiyama.

"You go back and bring reinforcements."

"But—"

"You must inform the others of the route to this place. Please, go back."

Momiyama's face was filled with anguish. If both of them entered the room and were killed, the location would remain hidden once again. There was no time to waste. Biting back his personal feelings, Momiyama saluted.

"Stay safe, Commander Kagura. You are vital to this nation’s future."

With those words of respect, Momiyama turned and retreated down the tunnel.

"Choose—either die or break the decree."

After confirming Momiyama had left, Kagura pressed her blade to Kuzuha's throat and threatened him. Resigned, he called out for permission to enter with a trembling voice.

"It is I, Kuzuha. Your Majesty, we are in a critical situation. May I come in?"

Kagura found the formalities agonizingly slow, but there were customs within the imperial court. Even a chamberlain could not enter the emperor’s chambers without permission.

There was no response. Kuzuha’s trembling hand reached for the door handle.

"Excuse me..."

The loud creak of the hinges echoed through the hall. The door opened inward. Pushing Kuzuha inside first, Kagura cautiously nudged him toward the direction in which the door had opened. Leaving her feet in the corridor, she surveyed the room, ensuring no one was hiding, then slowly stepped inside.

If anyone were hiding, it would be behind the door. For now, Kuzuha’s body acted as a shield, protecting her from any surprise attack.

Holding her sword pointed at Kuzuha, Kagura entered the centre of the room and made him close the door. There was no one in the only blind spot. Kagura sighed with relief and calmly surveyed the small underground chamber.

For a royal chamber, it was bleak. The room was about 12 tatami in size, with only minimal furnishings. The light came from a single naked bulb. The only thing that stood out was a large vault embedded in the wall. A curtain hung at the back of the room, but it was dark beyond it.

The emperor was supposed to be sleeping behind that curtain... but.

There was no trace of a human presence.

With her sword still pointed at Kuzuha, Kagura boldly called out to the figure behind the curtain.

"I am Commander Kagura of the Shinmei Division. Your Majesty, though it may be impolite, I have come to humbly report."

There was no response.

Something was definitely off. If the emperor were bedridden, there would normally be attendants such as the Empress or handmaidens, yet no one was here.

"Is he really here?"

"He is sleeping. Please don’t disturb him any further."

Kuzuha's words had a faint scent of deceit. Kagura’s gaze turned sharp.

"Open the curtain."

"Please, stop this. Do not go any further."

"Open it!!"

"Mind your tongue, you are in His Majesty’s presence!!"

As Kuzuha screamed in desperation, Kagura responded with a slash of her sword.

With a powerful swing, the blood flew from the blade, splattering across Kuzuha's face.

"Hiya...!!"

“This is the last chance… Open the curtain.”

Her voice carried a genuine threat. There was no more time. If need be, she was prepared to cut off one of Kuzuha’s limbs.

Kuzuha’s cheeks trembled as he muttered something unintelligible under his breath. He staggered like an old man as he approached the curtain and, with shaking hands, lifted it.

As expected, there was no one behind the curtain. Not even a futon on the bed.

“I told you to guide me to the emperor.”

“...He was here. The emperor was here…”

Kuzuha suddenly lost all vitality and, shockingly, sat down on the bed as though collapsing. The once strict adherence to courtly manners was completely gone. If any of the Imperial Guards were present, they would have swiftly separated his head from his body for this reckless behaviour.

“The emperor is no longer here. He passed away a year ago. No matter how thoroughly you search the surface, you won’t find him…”

Kuzuha covered his face with both hands, speaking weakly.

That’s a lie. He’s lying in a desperate attempt to keep the emperor and the imperial seal from being taken. Kagura pinned Kuzuha’s right arm to the bed and pressed her blade to his elbow.

“Tell the truth. If you don’t, I’ll cut it off.”

“It’s the truth…!! Prime Minister Kuonji hid the emperor’s death. To preserve the national polity, to continue the war, the emperor’s body was secretly buried.”

“Don’t push your luck...”

“If the people had learned that the emperor died at the same time as the Imperial forces landed on the mainland, the nation would have collapsed. To prevent further chaos, the Supreme War Council decided to keep the emperor’s death a secret for a year. I had no choice but to follow Kuonji’s orders…”

Kuzuha’s words, though shocking, were spoken haltingly.

Kagura was left in confusion. She wanted to believe Kuzuha was lying, but did this coward really have the guts for that? Could it be true? Could the emperor truly be dead?

“If maintaining the national polity was the goal, they could have just transferred power to the Grand Prince. Isn’t that the simplest solution?”

“The Grand Prince is anti-war. He despises Prime Minister Kuonji. Kuonji feared that if the Grand Prince seized power during the chaos a year ago, the war would end immediately…”

Kagura’s breathing quickened. She was torn, unsure how to decide.

A year ago, in October of the Imperial Year 1350, the St Vault Imperial Army had landed in the Kingdom of Keiken and conquered the Kanan River region. It was a time when the country had to choose between a decisive battle or surrender. If the Grand Prince had taken control at that critical moment, as Kuzuha said, the country would have surely chosen surrender. If Prime Minister Kuonji had hidden the emperor’s death to avoid that outcome, then it would make sense why the emperor was no longer here.

But there was still a possibility that Kuzuha was lying. The emperor might be hidden elsewhere, and Kuzuha could be trying to deceive Kagura with a premeditated lie to protect the emperor.

There was no way to determine the truth right now. But first, she needed to achieve one of her objectives.

“…Where is the imperial seal?”

“It’s over there, in that vault…”

Kuzuha pointed toward a large vault embedded in the wall.

“Open it.”

She lifted the blade from his arm, and Kuzuha, staggering, slowly approached the vault, turning the dial. With a heavy creak, the vault door swung open, and he retrieved a gold and silver decorated fukusa silk wrapper.

“Th-this is it…”

Inside the opened fukusa was a small box, intricately engraved with gold. Inside, there it was—the object she had been searching for.

A golden seal adorned with cherry blossoms and a spiralling dragon, with the words “Imperial Seal” engraved on it.

The authority to turn personal will into national policy.

“This is the imperial seal…”

She took the heavy gold seal into her hands.

Kagura began to understand the obsession that had consumed Prime Minister Kuonji. Such immense power, now resting in the palm of her hand… its dangerous allure…

There was no time to be mesmerized. She returned the seal to the box, wrapped it back in the fukusa, and placed it into her travel bag, then turned her attention back to Kuzuha.

“You’re coming with me. If it’s true that the emperor has passed, you will testify before everyone.”

“I-I understand.”

If the emperor’s death was true, then only three members of the Supreme War Council and Kuzuha knew about it. Kagura needed to verify the truth and, if it was confirmed, ensure that Kuzuha testified in detail. Therefore, it was necessary to take him into custody.

“Move…!”

She prepared to leave the chamber with Kuzuha leading the way, but then—

A shock ran from the top of her head to her lower abdomen.

Instinctively, she shoved Kuzuha aside.

The space where he had stood split apart.

Without thinking, Kagura’s finely-honed body jumped back.

Emerging from the split space was Yukihira Murasaki, drenched in blood.

The tip of the sword he held at the ready swung upward, aimed at Kagura.

—Brother…!!

A diagonal slash from his side to her shoulder.

The flash of his sword, like a bolt of lightning, Kagura narrowly avoided it at the last moment.

Her back hit the earthen wall. There was no room to swing her sword horizontally.

Yukihira showed no hesitation.

Even as he recognized his opponent as Kagura, his expression didn’t change, and now he was charging again, preparing another lethal blow.

“Brother!!”

Her brother’s sword, raised high above, was poised to strike down again.

From the reverse kesagiri diagonal cut, to a downward kesagiri.

With movements so fast she could barely blink, Kagura dodged by twisting her body, then swung her sword down toward Yukihira’s legs.

With a loud clang, their two swords clashed.

At the same time, Kagura leaped to the side near the curtain, positioning herself in a low right stance.

“The emperor is safe. Kill her, Yukihira!!”

Kuzuha quickly circled behind Yukihira and shouted in a raspy voice.

“She stole the imperial seal! It’s in her bag—get it back!!”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Upon hearing Yukihira’s reply, Kuzuha stumbled toward the exit of the chamber, casting a sneer at Kagura.

“The emperor is alive!! At this moment, he is safe and sound in his hidden refuge!! You’ve been completely fooled, you little girl—now, die here!!”

With those words, he disappeared into the tunnel.

Is the emperor alive or dead? The truth remained unclear. But Kuzuha could not be allowed to escape. Kagura wanted to chase after him, but Yukihira stood in her way.

“…!!”

She raised her resentful eyes toward her brother, whom she hadn’t seen in years.

Yukihira didn’t say a word.

There was no reprimand, no questioning, no lament for his little sister.

He simply stood there, his entire body radiating a cold, burning intensity. With his left hand gripping the hilt, he held his sword horizontally, pointing the tip directly at Kagura.

It was a stance she had never seen before. They had faced off hundreds of times, and she thought they knew each other’s techniques inside and out, yet here was a form she had never witnessed from him.

Her brother was serious. As she realized this, a chill of fear ran down Kagura’s spine.

Out of the hundreds of times they had sparred, she had only won a few. And even those victories were purely due to luck and favourable circumstances.

And now, in this situation—far too close to engage in proper combat.

The space in the royal chamber was too confined to allow for any dramatic swordplay. If her blade missed its target and struck the earthen walls or the furniture instead, her body would be sliced in two in an instant. She had to win with the smallest number of moves, minimizing any waste of effort.

As she shuffled sideways, calculating the distance between them, she observed her brother.

The blood on his face, hair, and chest was still fresh, not yet dry. It was new. Whose blood was it?

—Momiyama...

He must have encountered Yukihira while passing through the inner palace and was cut down. There was no escape for Momiyama in the narrow corridor when facing Yukihira.

Staring intently at Yukihira, Kagura thought of the comrades who had fallen on the way to reach this point.

She remembered her comrades who had been shot down during the paratrooper drop, those now fighting against heavy machine-gun nests, Oyodo, and Momiyama.

She channelled the weight of their entrusted hopes into her blade, directing it toward her beloved brother.

Sentimentality wasn’t needed.

Only her conviction mattered.

If there was anything she possessed that surpassed her brother, it was this conviction.

Friends, comrades, lovers, family—all people who should love one another were killing each other, and innocents were dying. She carried only one wish: to end this war.

—I must defeat my brother. No matter what method I use.

Kagura’s eyes burned intensely, piercing through Yukihira.

This body, honed through years of training, was her weapon.

Not just through her practice with Prince Daitoku, but also through her time at the Air Hunt Officer Academy, with the Voltec Air Unit and the Kusanagi Air Unit, where she had relentlessly pursued swordsmanship training with like-minded comrades. All of her discipline and training had surely led to this very moment.

The longer the fight took, the more disadvantageous it would become for her. Now that Momiyama was dead, there were no allies who knew of this royal chamber’s location. But the enemy did know. The more time passed, the greater their numbers would swell.

At the moment Kagura resolved that it didn’t matter if she lost one or two limbs, Yukihira’s sword tip began to move.

Slowly, it traced a circle as if to bewilder her.

Kagura steadied her breathing, entrusting everything to her body. Her resolve was clear: to cut through flesh and sever bone. She let that resolve sink deep into her instincts.

Like a ghostly flame trailing behind—

The circle became a spiral.

“...!!”

Suddenly, Yukihira’s steel blade curved around, aiming for Kagura’s neck.

Kagura barely managed to block it with the back of her sword. The deflected blade spun through the air, this time slashing downward at her thigh.

—You can have it.

Kagura didn’t care. As long as it wasn’t a vital area, she would sacrifice it.

She swung her sword overhead and aimed for her brother’s temple with all her strength.

Blood splattered.

A searing pain shot through Kagura’s right leg.

She groaned involuntarily as her stance faltered. Yukihira immediately jumped back, effortlessly evading Kagura’s desperate swing.

Kagura mustered all her strength, shifted her weight onto her left leg, and took a half-crouching stance.

Yukihira was unscathed. A quick glance at her wounded leg revealed that blood was gushing from the gouged flesh, forming a pool on the floor. Her right leg was nearly useless now. Facing Yukihira with such a handicap would make the fight nearly impossible.

Yukihira did not miss his opportunity.

He suddenly launched a rapid succession of thrusts. Kagura managed to parry them, but without the use of her right leg, she couldn’t react in time to his second and third strikes.

She retreated.

Pressed back to the wall, she scraped against the earthen surface, desperately fending off his continuous attacks.

It was like the fencing techniques of a St Vault Imperial soldier, wielding a rapier.

The fifth thrust grazed her left upper arm, drawing more blood.

“Ugh…”

She bit back her groan, using a defensive strike to deflect the blade while sidestepping away from the wall, repositioning herself closer to the centre of the royal chamber.

“Hah… hah… hah…”

She barely managed to catch her breath as she locked eyes with Yukihira. She reminded herself to remain calm. Losing Oyodo and Momiyama had stirred a boiling anger within her, but she had to stay focused.

Once again, Yukihira gripped the hilt near his right eye, leveling his blade horizontally and pointing the tip directly at her.

—The narrow space makes him rely on thrusts…

Keeping a wary eye on Yukihira, Kagura let her thoughts cool.

—The walls and furniture limit his ability to make wide slashes…

She couldn’t win with a clean fight.

But perhaps if she fought dirty, exploiting the situation, there might be a slim chance of victory.

Now that she had injuries on her thigh and upper arm, she had no choice but to use everything at her disposal to defeat her brother.

“Why, brother?” Kagura suddenly asked. Yukihira didn’t respond. His gaze, as sharp as steel, remained fixed on her every movement.

“What are you protecting, brother? Do you not know that the emperor has passed?”

She tried to unsettle him with words.

“You’ve been deceived by Kuonji and Kuzuha. Please, sheath your sword. I can show you proof of the emperor’s death.”

Of course, there was no such proof. But for the first time, Yukihira’s brow furrowed slightly.

“We have no reason to fight. Now that the emperor is gone, isn’t it only logical for the Grand Prince to ascend to the throne? What you’re protecting is Kuonji, not the nation. You’re being deceived. Please, wake up.”

Yukihira, who had remained silent even while wounding her, finally spoke.

“Enough with your nonsense.”

“Then answer me. Have you seen the emperor at all in the past year?”

Still poised for combat, Kagura asked her question.

Internally, she prayed desperately that her bluff would work. If Yukihira had seen the emperor, everything would end here.

Yukihira didn’t respond. But in this case, his silence likely meant “no.” Perhaps Kagura’s words were beginning to reach him.

—If my brother still thinks of me as the Kagura from long ago…

—Then I might have a chance.

The way of the samurai condemns cowardice. A dishonourable warrior must pay for their sins with their life.

But during her studies in the St Vault Empire, Kagura had learned that, no matter how dishonourable the tactics, the victor is the one who is right. It wasn’t about who was right or wrong—it was simply a difference in philosophy.

—I’m fine with being a coward.

If she could defeat Yukihira, she would even sell her soul to the devil. She wouldn’t regret sullying both her body and mind. Because if she didn’t defeat Yukihira and deliver the imperial seal to her comrades, the future would be forever sealed away.

“Please, sheath your sword. I have documents proving the emperor’s death in my bag. I’ll show them to you. Once you see them, you’ll understand. Please, brother, stop this.”

With a face that looked almost ready to cry, Kagura pleaded. As she spoke, she shuffled her feet, positioning herself with the curtain at her back.

Yukihira’s gaze wavered slightly.

“Throw the proof on the floor.”

His voice was devoid of any emotion as he gave the command.

Kagura nodded, still holding her sword in her right hand as she opened her travel bag with her left. Inside, there was only the imperial seal.

It didn’t matter.

She was betting the future of the world on this.

With firm resolve, Kagura slowly pulled out the fukusa holding the imperial seal, raised it meaningfully in front of her brother, and then let it fall from her hand.

The small box struck the wooden floor with a dull thud. The sound was loud, owing to the heavy golden seal inside.

“…”

Yukihira’s eyes briefly flicked to the floor.

In that split second—

Kagura grabbed the curtain behind her, ripping it down and throwing it at Yukihira.

“!?”

The curtain twisted and flailed like a wave, obstructing Yukihira’s vision as he looked up.

A flash.

The curtain, now sliced in two, fell to the floor.

Blood soaked into the curtain, spreading rapidly.

The pool of blood expanded in an instant.

The fukusa Kagura had thrown also absorbed the blood, turning crimson.

Yukihira collapsed to his knees. The sword he had been holding dropped beside his knee.

His knees and the sword were drenched in blood. He glanced down at Kagura’s wakizashi (short sword), which had pierced his abdomen, watching as his blood spilled across the royal chamber floor.

Kagura retrieved the imperial seal, placed it in her travel bag, and kicked Yukihira’s sword to the corner of the room.

Then, she knelt beside him and bowed her head.

“…The emperor’s fate is unknown. The words I told you, brother—I don’t know if they are true.”

Yukihira’s hand touched the hilt of the wakizashi, then his eyes turned to Kagura.

“You threw it?”

In the Murasaki family, even the wakizashi was considered the soul of a samurai. It was a strict rule to grip the hilt until death; throwing it was an act of dishonour.

“You have been tainted, Kagura.”

“I will soon follow you, brother. I’ll face the consequences then.”

“I will not forgive you.”

With these bitter words, Yukihira, still on his knees, collapsed face-down onto the floor.

Kagura etched his curse deep into her soul and left the royal chamber.

Dragging her wounded right leg, her body covered in blood—her own, her brother’s, and others’—the now blood-soaked Kagura ran.

—I will accept any punishment.

As she ran, she silently apologized to the lives she had taken.

—I will atone for it all.

—But until the Grand Prince ascends, please let me do as I must.

By now, the second and third squads were surely detaining Prime Minister Kuonji and the two high-ranking officials. After imprisoning them, she would use the imperial seal to issue a forged decree and conduct the enthronement ceremony. Then, she would bear the entire burden of her sins alone.

The soul she had polished so purely until now had long since fallen, becoming that of a coward who had killed her own brother.

Now a rebel who had stained the sacred grounds with blood, a heinous criminal who had murdered her own flesh and blood through treachery, Kagura ran toward a future without war, abandoning even her humanity.