Chapter 350 (Patreon)

Kana's nose twitched before her eyes even opened.

She yawned, wrinkling her nose as she instinctively breathed in the rich aroma drifting through the room. It was warm, savory, and filled with spices strong enough to cut through the lingering haze of sleep. Her head turned toward the scent almost on its own.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Everyone else was already gathered around a long dining table, enjoying what looked like an extravagant meal. She blinked a few times, letting her vision adjust before taking in the unfamiliar room. The walls were lined with expensive paintings and finely crafted decorations, each piece looking valuable enough to belong in a noble's estate rather than an office.

Then she noticed the elderly man sitting among the others, laughing warmly at something Boris had said.

Kana quietly climbed off the couch and walked over, still rubbing one eye. "Uhm..." she mumbled. "Where are we?"

Suri nearly sprayed the drink she had just taken. She stared at Kana as though she had witnessed a miracle. "How did you wake up this early?"

Chelle covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. "It must be the food."

Kana tilted her head before finally noticing the table in front of her.  Her gaze drifted toward the elderly man, who greeted her with an amused smile. "I am Sanki Espada," he said. "Governor of this city."

His smile widened. "To be honest, I expected you to wake up tomorrow."

A faint blush crept across Kana's cheeks. She gave a small bow. "I am Kana... from the Northern Kingdom."

"I know." Sanki gestured toward the empty seat beside the others. "Please. Sit."

The moment she reached the table, the aroma became impossible to ignore. The dishes were unlike the meals back home. Their scents were richer, layered with spices she couldn't immediately recognize. Every bite carried a bold flavor that lingered pleasantly.

She paused in the middle of eating.

Garlic? The thought surfaced without warning. For some reason... she had missed it. She couldn't remember why. Heck, she did not have any idea besides the fact that she was sure it was some sort of spice. Kana frowned for only a heartbeat before deciding it wasn't worth thinking about. She simply took another bite.

Across the table, Rose Light finally brought the conversation back to its purpose.

"Kana," she said in her usual cold voice, "Governor Sanki wishes for you to participate in an exhibition match three days from now during the King of Kings Festival."

Kana lowered her spoon.

"An exhibition?"

Sanki nodded. "Indeed. It will simply be a friendly duel against one of our own. There is no need to win, nor to seriously injure your opponent." He folded his hands together. "The audience wishes to see skill, not bloodshed. A brief exchange of techniques, swordsmanship, and perhaps a few abilities will be more than enough."

Kana considered the proposal for a moment. Truthfully, she was curious. The swordsmen of the Empire were unlike those in the Northern Kingdom. Their techniques were cleaner, more disciplined, and built upon generations of refinement. She had already experienced that firsthand.

Even so...

They still weren't equal to the sword style she carried.

That realization came to her as naturally as breathing. She couldn't explain why she knew it. She had never compared every sword style in the world, yet deep inside, she possessed an unwavering certainty that the style she inherited had already reached perfection. There were no wasted movements. No unnecessary flourishes. No flaws she could find.

It's simply... was.

Kana gave a small nod. "I understand."

Rose Light glanced toward the governor. "I believe that's her answer."

For the briefest instant, something unreadable passed through Sanki's eyes.

Disappointment?

Perhaps. It vanished so quickly Kana couldn't be certain. The old governor's warm smile returned as though nothing had happened.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice," he said as he rose from his chair. "While you're here, enjoy the capital. The streets will be crowded over the next few days, but I hope you'll see that as part of the city's charm rather than an inconvenience."

He inclined his head politely.

"If you'll excuse me, I have matters that require my attention."

With that, Sanki quietly left the room, leaving the visitors to enjoy both the meal... and the peaceful silence that quickly followed once Kana resumed eating with complete concentration.

….

Suri let out a loud, thoroughly satisfied burp as the group descended the broad marble staircase of the governor's office.

Several officials carrying stacks of parchment paused just long enough to glance in their direction before breaking into quiet laughter. Kana instinctively lowered her hood a little farther over her face, while Chelle covered her forehead with one hand as though trying to erase the moment from existence.

Suri, on the other hand, looked immensely proud. She wiped the corner of her mouth with exaggerated elegance before placing both hands on her hips.

"I won."

Kana blinked. "Won what?"

"The eating competition." She puffed out her chest. "I ate more than Boris."

A few steps ahead, Boris remained blissfully unaware that he had apparently participated in a contest. He was too busy balancing Thorne on one palm, gently tapping the little lizard's nose while the creature snapped playfully at his fingers.

"I don't think Boris even knew there was a competition," Kana muttered.

"Exactly." Chelle nodded. "Which somehow makes Suri even happier."

The government building bustled around them. Officials hurried through the corridors with rolled documents tucked beneath their arms, guards stood motionless beside polished pillars, and scribes darted from office to office with the urgency of people whose entire lives revolved around paperwork. The place felt alive in a way that battlefields never were. Here, wars were fought with ink before they were fought with steel.

Chelle stretched her arms. "How about we visit the public baths?" she asked brightly. "I heard they're famous for their cold water."

Suri immediately rejected the idea. "No." She proudly unfolded a folded piece of parchment from her pocket.

"I already have today's schedule." 

Kana leaned closer. "...Is that a list of food stalls?"

"It is."

Chelle counted the names.

"Twelve?"

"Fourteen."

Boris sighed. "We literally just finished eating."

"Exactly," Suri replied without the slightest hint of irony. "Now we'll have enough energy to walk."

Chelle's eyes lit up. "What if we visit the baths first, then the food stalls afterward?"

Suri's expression brightened."You are a genius!"

She immediately wrapped an arm around Chelle's shoulders. "We're definitely becoming better friends."

Then Chelle frowned. "Wait..."

She looked around. "Where's Commander Rose?"

The cheerful atmosphere vanished.

Rose Light stood several paces behind them. She hadn't moved. Not a single step.

At first Kana thought Rose had simply stopped to think.

Then she noticed her hand. It was trembling. Ever so slightly.

Rose's fingers slowly reached toward the hilt of the sword resting across her back. Her grip tightened until her knuckles turned pale beneath the leather glove.

Yet...

She never drew it. Kana followed Rose's line of sight. Someone was walking toward them.

The man wore fitted black clothing that clung closely to his lean frame, almost like a second skin. There wasn't a single loose thread to catch the breeze. His steps were unhurried, almost lazy, yet each one carried an unsettling certainty.

People naturally moved aside for him. Not because he demanded it. Because something about him quietly insisted upon it. Kana's attention drifted to the sword at his waist.

It was impossibly thin.

Long enough to resemble a dueling blade, yet so narrow it looked as though a strong swing should snap it in half. The black cloth wrapped around its worn hilt had long since faded with age, and the sheath bore scratches from countless battles.

It looked ordinary. Far too ordinary. Which somehow made it even more unsettling.

The man approached without ever looking directly at Rose.

When he reached her...

...he slowed.

Only by half a step. His shoulder nearly brushed hers. He leaned just enough for only Rose to hear. His voice was calm. Almost gentle.

"I must admit..." A pause. "...you survived far longer than I expected."

Rose's breathing caught.

"I thought you would die before my tenth strike."

Another pause. "So..."

His lips curled into the faintest smile.

"...I'm glad you lived."

He added, “Do not worry. I cannot kill you inside the empire’’s capital city. My head will probably roll the next day.”

The words carried no warmth. No kindness. The certainty of someone discussing unfinished work. Then he continued walking as though nothing had happened.

Rose remained frozen. Kana heard the faint scrape of leather as Rose's grip tightened around her sword. For a terrifying heartbeat, Kana thought Rose might actually draw it.

She didn't. Instead… Rose slowly released the hilt. Her breathing became uneven.

Her other hand rose almost involuntarily toward her neck. Her fingertips rested against the skin just above her collarbone.

Kana recognized the gesture immediately. Rose wasn't checking for a wound. She was remembering one. Remembering the sword that had nearly ended her life.

The color drained from Rose's face. Her confident posture…

The posture every knight admired...

Collapsed for only an instant. Kana quietly walked back toward her. She reached out and gently held Rose's trembling hand.

"He was the one." Rose blinked. "The swordsman from the grey world who might almost killed you.."

Rose slowly turned toward Kana. "...How?"

Her voice was barely louder than a whisper. "How could you know that?"

Kana glanced toward the staircase where the mysterious man had already disappeared.

"I heard everything."

She hesitated. "My ears are sharper than most people's."

Then she looked back at Rose.

"And..."

"Your eyes told me the rest."

For several long seconds, Rose simply stared into empty space. Then she forced herself to breathe. Once. Twice. A third time.

Each breath steadied the trembling in her hands until the commander everyone knew slowly returned. She straightened her back, though Kana could still see the lingering fear buried deep beneath the discipline.

"I'll explain later," Rose said quietly.

Her gaze never left the staircase.

"But listen carefully." The warmth left her voice. Every student instinctively straightened.

"That man..." She gulped.. "..is more dangerous than every opponent we've faced combined in that grey world."

Even saying the words seemed difficult.

"If you ever see him again..."

Her eyes met Kana's.

Then Boris'. Then Suri's. Then Ryle. Then Chelle.

"By any means, do not approach him."

Silence settled over the corridor.

Post note:

Yes. It’s Hora Espada-(no one knows the identity of the heavenly Jhings.)

Fourth chap of the week.Hope you enjoy the chap! 🙂

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