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Meanwhile...
We silently kept working and the tombstone became completely clean... I can't say it's perfect, but at least it looks dignified enough now.
Kazuto: That's about it?
Yeah, right... it's finally clean.
Kazuto: Right... think your mother is happy now?
She's probably angry... thinking "You took too much time, you idiot". (I'm even more interested now)
Kazuto: Haha, I heard a lot... but Sonken was an amazing person it seems.
She was. Right after raising army at Koutou, she conquered Koutou and Konan and built a foundation of Son Family.
Kazuto: She was a hero...
Yeah. Mother was a hero indeed. But... as a daughter, I can say she was a failure of a mother.
Kazuto: Is that so?
She brought me to a battlefield when I just learned how to walk... I'm really surprised I'm still alive.
Kazuto: That's true... but you love your mother, right?
You see. She was my mentor too... I really loved her.
As she says that, Sheren kneels before the tombstone.
Mother... we finally made it this far.
Our homeland... that you raised and we couldn't abandon.
This homeland has returned to Son family and the people of Go...
Are you watching? Mother... the road to the long-cherished wish of Son family begins now.
Kazuto: Long-cherished wish of Son family... unification of the land.
It's not like unification is our real wish. Honesly, we don't care about it.
I just... want an age where people of Go and my allies could live in smiling. I'm not interested in conquest or political power.
Kazuto: Age where you can live smiling... it's hard to do in the current age.
Mob uprising. Power struggle between the lords... those things threaten the lives of civilians everyday.
That's why we need the unification... if we unite the land and there'll be only one force on this continent, we'll be able to give civilians peace, right?
Kazuto: That's why we need the unification, huh...
Right. This is the wish of us, Son family... that's why I'll keep fighting.
When we fight, it's not just soldiers. Civilians die too... smiles disappear... I understand that.
I'm contradicting myself... but, I think we can't acquire anything without fighting... (Basically, you're Touka that isn't all talk)
Kazuto: ...There's no point seeking logic in anyone's way of life. Contradiction or not, isn't it fine to just do what you think is the best...?
...You think so?
Kazuto: I do. And I think I'll support you.
Kazuto: How strong I am. How can I help Sheren... I don't know that.
Kazuto: But I want to do everything I can to help Sheren. (In that case I suggest you bring her away from here right now)
...Heh.
Kazuto: W, what? Did I say something strange?
No... I just thought again that it was a mistake to make Renfa my heir.
Kazuto: That again... (Yeah, why not both, Sheren?)
Well, Kazuto, you're a good man... maybe I should've monopolized you?
Kazuto: Haha... Sheren, are you a bit jealous too?
Of course. I'm quite a monopolizer.
Kazuto: Seriously?
It's true. But... it's okay. Kazuto belongs to everyone. I'll just be satisfied with being able to monopolize you once in a while... or Renfa will get angry.
Sheren laughed with her throat vibrating as she said that.
Well then, let's go back. Or Renfa will really come yelling at this rate.
Kazuto: Are you done already?
Yeah. It's enough.
Sheren nodded strongly and kneeled before the tombstone again.
We'll get going now, mother.
I think we'll get busy, so I won't be able to visit often...
But, your daughter will fight to the last of her life... for mother's dream. For the future that people of Go are striving for...
Mother... watch us from the heaven.
How your daughters fight. And the bright future of Go...
Ugh!?
Kazuto: S, sheren!?
What... is this...?
Kazuto: It's... an arrow! Damn it!
Kazuto: Who's there! Show yourself!
Unsheathing my sword, I run in the direction the arrow came from.
Soldier: H, hii!
Several soldiers appeared from the bushes, turned away and ran away from me. (Kazuto managed to scare the soldiers?)
Kazuto: Wait, you ***!
Kazuto! Don't chase them!
Kazuto: Sheren... why!?
If something happens to you... Renfa will get angry, right...?
As she said so, Sheren tried to stand up slowly... and almost collapsed.
Kazuto: Watch out!
I drop my unsheathed sword on the ground and support Sheren's body.
Ugh...
Ugh... ah... ah... that was my miss. At this rate... mother will scold me in the other world...
Kazuto: D, don't talk! How's the wound? Not very deep? Right!?
I don't know... but...
Nee-sama! There's an emergency at the castle...! (Not just at the castle, Renfa...)
Kazuto: Renfa! Over here!
Nee-sama!? What happened!?
Haha, I kinda made a mistake...
Mistake... Kazuto, what happened!?
Kazuto: Assassins shot Sheren with a bow...!
What...!? We need to find the culprits right away and butcher them!
Calm down, Renfa.
But!
A king of Go should never panic... and the wound isn't as deep as I thought... it'll be okay.
Really...?
Yeah... anyway, what was the emergency?
Y, yes. Sousou passed the border and invaded our country. She's already approaching the stronghold.
Kazuto: What...!? What about messengers and lookouts?
They were all intercepted it seems... one brave messenger brought us information at the cost of his life. So I came to tell Nee-sama...
I got the situation... I'll get back to the castle right away. Renfa, go ahead and make preparations to deploy.
B, but! Onee-sama, you should get treated...!
This wound is no big deal... come on, go already.
But...!
Son Chuubo!
...!
Does a king that doesn't deploy when enemy invades has a right to be called a king!? No! Absolutely not!
Don't forget! People of Son Family always stand in the vanguard and run in front of the troops!
Because of that bravery, people support Son Family and lend us their strength! Never forget that motto!
Y, yes... b, but!
Hurry up and give orders to deploy!
Yes!
Geez... she keeps troubling me no matter how old she gets...
Kazuto: But, Renfa is right! Sheren, you should get treated soon!
That's no good...
Kazuto: Don't you "no good' me! Ignoring it is even worse!
Kazuto: This country needs Sheren's strength right now! I don't care about your motto or anything, Sheren's life is more important!
Kazuto: I'll carry you to the castle! Sheren, you don't need to deploy, so get treatment...!
That's no good...
Kazuto: You're still...!
That's not it...
It's... too late.
Kazuto: Wha...!?
That arrow... was poisoned, it seems... my innards are burning...
Kazuto: No way... can anything be done!?
No way. It already affected some of my vitals... I can't be saved anymore...
Kazuto: Can't be saved, don't say it like it's none of your business...!
Heh... I guess that's because I lived as a king... I got a habit of looking at everything calmly...
But... it's okay, Kazuto. It's too late for me... that's hard to accept.
But... before that, I want Renfa to see my back.
As a king. And as a member of Son Family, my pride and how I live...
That's why, Kazuto. Keep this a secret from everyone...
Kazuto: But, then Sheren will...!
...It's okay. This is the end of my destiny. You and Renfa will inherit after me... (So he's an unofficial king now... though I can't be very happy about it)
Kazuto: That's wrong, it's just wrong...
There's nothing wrong here... that's how people made history. Me too... I'll just become a single piece in the long long history...
Kazuto: Kuu... why... can you say it so calmly...!
Kazuto... are you crying for me...?
Kazuto: Of course! Something... something this unfair, can't be... accepted...!
Heh... right. Reality is so cruel... I wanted to live more... I wanted to spend more time with Kazuto...
But... don't be sad, Kazuto. I... think.
...All the fun days we spent until now. That's what's really important... (Nah, living in the past sucks)
Death is an obvious outcome for people... no matter what kind of death that is... (Nope, I plan to live forever)
Kazuto: That's... no way I can accept that! (I guess that's one of the reasons Moeshouden happened)
You don't want to accept it... but that's the reality...
Accept that truth... and I want to leave it to you too...
The way I lived... and because it existed, the way I died...
Kazuto: Sheren...
...Kazuto, give me your hand.
Kazuto: Y, yeah...
Sheren reaches out her hand weakly, I take it and embrace her.
...Heh... you're warm, Kazuto.
As she whispered that into my ear, I could feel warmth leaving Sheren's body.
...She must be suffering. She must be sad. Sheren's forehead was sweating, but she strained her muscles to stand on the ground with her own legs.
Well then... Son Hakufu. This is your once in a lifetime scene...
Karin-sama. We met up with Shuuran's squad at the right wing... that makes all preparations finished.
Thanks... it's finally a decisive battle with the hero Sonsaku... I'm so excited.
Our enemy are soldiers of Go famous for their bravery lead by the hero Sonsaku... I'm a bit interested in how long our vanguard made of recruits will last.
To motivate spineless recruits, it's best to promise them a reward.
We gave them a notification that anyone who kills a Go officer will get a reward in gold. That will make them a bit braver.
Soldiers won't fight for cause alone... that's to be expected. (Your crappy Gi soldiers won't. Go's badasses will)
But one squad show some faults. We need to be careful.
Hmm... a squad that even Shunran can't handle... which squad is that?
A squad that defected from Go at Kyosho. I think it's led by someone named Kyokou...
Send some soldiers to watch that squad closely. I don't want a battle between heroes to get defiled by tasteless ***.
Your will. (Too late)
However... I can't read Sonsaku-san's actions... why is their reaction so slow?
Right. That bothers me too... I don't want her to disappoint me.
...Defeating a great enemy fairly will make this Sou Moutoku's conquest bloom... Sonsaku. I hope for a good battle.
Yes.
Karin-sama! Movement ahead! Go force started deploying!
About time...
Their deployment is too slow...
I don't think this is all Sonsaku's got, yeah.
We can assume something happened...
Something? Like what?
No, I don't know that much... but something bothers me.
...Heavens are being tasteless in a battle between two heroes.
But, if that's the result of their own actions, that's also fate... (The irony burns)
All circumstances are fate... if you think about it like that, there's no reason for us to hold back due to enemy conditions.
Fuu is right... Shunran, Shuuran. Deploy the troops. With pride and dignity. To have a fair fight with Sonsaku...
Your will!
Kazuto: Sheren, everyone's outside! They're waiting for Sheren!
...I can see it... Kazuto, get away from me.
Kazuto: Eh, but...
We're about to deploy, I can't show anyone the pathetic sight of their king having to walk by leaning on someone else...
Kazuto: ...Will you be okay?
I will... I'm the king of Go... that pride will keep me standing.
Onee-sama!
Sheren...!
...You two. We're deploying.
So after all... you refuse treatment?
I'm the king of Go... I need to show you the weight behind those words.
Nee-sama...
It's okay. I'm still fine... I'll do as Renfa asks after this battle.
It's a promise... okay?
Yeah... well then, go back to the troops. And look at my back with everyone.
Yes... Nee-sama...
...So. How long will you last?
...Did you notice?
Yeah...
...Just a bit more, I guess?
...Poison?
Yeah.
...Got it.
Meirin nodded and turned away to return to her troops.
Kazuto: W... what the hell, don't say it like that! There are better words... (Kazuto, are you stupid?)
Heh... it's okay, Kazuto. Meirin... cried for me.
Kazuto: Cried...?
In her heart... that is.
A single silhouette stepped out in front of the army... who is that?
That's Sonsaku. She's going to give a speech to inspire her troops and demotivate us, the invaders... that's a common strategy.
How much will that speech touch my heart... I'll listen silently. (The irony is breaking all limits now. Way more than you think, Karin)
Hah... hah... ah...
Kazuto: A, are you okay...?
...Heh... I'm about to run out of time.
Kazuto: No way... after all, let's go back...! (No, seriously, Kazuto, I know you're sad and all, but are you stupid?)
Don't make that sad of a face... troops are looking.
Kazuto: That's impossible... after all, of course I'm sad...!
And still. Hide your expression. You're already... a proud officer of Go...
Keep looking only forward so that soldiers won't know what's on your mind...
Kazuto: Sheren...
Heh... we should stop chatting soon.
Look closely, Kazuto... the way I lived... and... the way I died...
Soldiers of Go! My companions!
We have reclaimed the land of our fathers from Enjutsu!
However!
There is an enemy that foolishly desired that land and invaded with a large army like some sort of bandits!
Enemy cowardly sent an assassin to dispose of me and poisoned my body!
Violated by the cowardly poison, my body has no choice but to perish!
However, this Son Hakufu won't die that simply!
I will become a spirit and stay with you forever!
My spirit will become a shield and protect everyone!
My spirit will become a spear and defeat all enemies that dare to attack Go!
Brave soldiers of Go! Your fierce hearts! That proud behavior! Show me your courage!
I'll burn that sight into my memory and display before my mother Bundai!
Soldiers of Go! My friends!
My lovely allies! My dear people!
Son Hakufu, burning the last of her life, will give you her final order!
Roar at the heavens! Roar from the depth of your hearts! Roar with the pride within your chests!
And with that roar, step over my corpse!
What's going on here! Who ordered Sonsaku's assassination! (Feeling moved yet, Karin? I am, where do I enlist?)
T, there's no way we would do something like that!
Then why! Why is Sonsaku poisoned! Why did this happen!
K, Karin-samaaaaa!
We've found out the situation! A squad formed of Kyoko's remnants assassinated Sonsaku!
Behead them!
Eh!?
Don't tell me you can't understand the anger of a holy battle between two heroes getting defiled by the ***!
Behead all of them!
Y, your will!
Shunran!
Y, yes!
Send Go a messenger! We're falling back! (Okay, you've once again failed as a king with that)
H, however, Karin-sama! If we were to retreat in this situation, we'll suffer severe casualities!
Then are you telling me to fight!? (Yes. That will bring peace sooner and reduce losses greatly)
There's no point continuing this battle, defiled by ***! There's no cause here! (So, basically, you sacrifice your soldiers for some crappy pride? Cool story)
There's no point in this battle anymore and the cause is gone too! If you don't make our army retreat, I'll...!
No! The enemy army is charging!
Ugh... what he hell is this! Noone desired that kind of battle...!
Karin-sama! Make the main force retreat! We'll be the rear guard!
Kii, Ruru, go with Karin-sama... protect her even if it costs you your lives!
Yes!
Don't fight pointless battles with pursuit! This defiled battle... let's at least escape it safely!
Yes!
Advance! Advance! Advance! Advance!
Massacre Sousou's soldiers! The blood of king of Go... Nee-sama's blood! Make them pay for it with their lives!
Keep killing! Those *** with their rotten souls! Feed the soil of Go with their blood!
Make them repend! With the blood of *** flowing within their bodies! Make them repend with it for the life of our king!
So she goes before my old bones... heavens sure can be cruel...
Soldier: Kogai-sama! Let's hurry! Let's exterminate them and spill their blood for Sonsaku-sama!
Soldier: Our hero... bring death to cowards that took Sonsaku-sama's life!
Yeah!
Kogai squad! Don't let a single enemy escape! Kill them all!
Got it!? Slice the ears off the enemy! Rip off their noses! Gouge out their eyes and pierce their throats!
Trample the enemy corpses and show heavens the anger of Go!
Show our anger to the heavens that took our hero! Our sadness! Our hatred! Display all of it!
Sonsaku-sama... Sonsaku-sama...! (Oh, as expected of a strategist, at least someone's calm)
Everyone, do your best! So Sonsaku-sama can rest in peace!
That we can manage...! So she could see us doing that! (My brain can't form a better phrasing here...)
Kill! Kill! Keep killing! (...I'm glad she's on our side)
Beat our anger into those animals!
King... make them repend with their lives the sin of defiling our king!
Kill those who surrender! Kill those who escape! Feed the soil with their blood so they would never dare to oppose Go again...!
Kill everyone in our way! Don't let anyone escape! (Minmei is pretty much saying the same, but more politely)
Enemy... the people who robbed us of Sonsaku-sama! Make them taste the hell on earth!
...Hongou.
Kazuto: ...What?
This situation won't last long... let's use the whole army and make a staggering blow to their rear guard.
...Don't lose your cool... don't drown in madness... don't get swayed by emotions. (That's why Meirin is awesome, that's pretty much my motto)
That's what it means to be a strategist.
Kazuto: Meirin, you...! (Kazuto, shut up. No, seriously, just shut up)
...Surely, Sheren desires that as well.
Kazuto: ...!
The war won't end here... unless we end it well, we'll lose our chance of surviving in those warring states.
That's... I don't desire that. Sheren doesn't desire that as well.
Her desire is...
Kazuto: ...To make a world where everyone can laugh in peace. (Welcome back to the sane side, Kazuto)
And for that... we can't stop.
Kazuto: ...Got it.
After nodding to Meirin's words, I took a deep breath.
The air of the battlefield... my nose breathed in the air smelling of blood.
However... I managed to calm down my boiling head a bit.
I have something to do right now. And that's to end this battle safely.
Kazuto: I see...
That's right... help me.
Kazuto: Yeah... so Sheren can rest in peace.