Akatsuki Translations

Shuou, who had been led to a neat room that was probably a guest room by the person who had rescued him from his predicament, took a detailed look around.

The room was of a suitable size, with a ceiling high enough to practice swordsmanship if one felt like it. Pleasant sunlight poured in through the spacious window frame, and a comfortable breeze flowed in from the open window. Judging from the signs of habitation on the bed and the items placed around, Shuou deduced that this was the room used by the old soldier.

The old soldier who had brought him here, with a tense expression still on his face, offered Shuou a chair.

Shuou let out a sigh of relief as he felt his body relax into a comfortable position.

The old soldier stood in front of him with a good posture and stroked his impressive white beard.

Unable to hold back, Shuou asked, “I’m not sure whether I should be happy about being saved or not.”

The old soldier made a bitter face.

“Hmph, indeed, things have turned out strangely.”

Saying that, he placed a chair opposite Shuou and sat down.

“I am Ba Ryouki, a general of Shanoa. Due to certain circumstances, I find myself in the camp of our ally, Coral. As a courtesy between warriors, I would like to exchange names.”

Being addressed in such an upright manner, Shuou straightened his back in response.

“My name is Shuou.”

Nodding once, Ba Ryouki lowered his voice.

“Shuou, huh? Are you a hired hand?”

In this case, he was probably asking if Shuou was a mercenary. Shuou immediately shook his head.

“No.”

Ba Ryouki let out a surprised voice.

“Then, are you a citizen of Murakumo?”

“…Yes.”

It wasn’t an accurate answer, but Shuou felt hesitant to discuss his personal circumstances in this situation.

“I’ve heard that the people of the east, who do not know God, have little attachment to pure bloodlines. I see, it makes sense now.”

Ba Ryouki calmly stood up and swiftly drew the hefty sword on his back. At first glance, the sword might have appeared ungainly, but it exuded a unique aura that was so black it seemed to draw one in.

The sword held by Ba Ryouki traced a beautiful, flowing trajectory and was pressed against Shuou’s neck.

“Let me make this clear. I am not a merciful man. The only reason I sought your protection was out of a desire to determine victory or defeat in a fair and square manner. Therefore, I ask you, do you have the will to fight me?”

Strong eyes that belied his age stared intently at Shuou. The heavy blade of the sword, leaving a cold sensation on his neck, did not move an inch.

“From the way you put it, it sounds like I have the right to refuse.”

“That’s right. But if you don’t accept, I will cut you down right here and now.”

It was obvious. Recalling the situation when this old soldier had rescued him, it was clear that he had pushed through against all odds, and going to such lengths to secure the person of Shuou, a stranger, must have been an act driven by Ba Ryouki’s own desires.

To stay alive, Shuou prepared the expected answer.

“I accept the challenge.”

“…Very well.”

Ba Ryouki sheathed his sword and nodded with satisfaction.

“There is still some time before our match. Until then, you should have a proper meal and stay in this room to rest and prepare yourself.”

Without any warning, there was a knocking sound on the door.

“Libi?”

The voice that responded to Ba Ryouki’s question was that of a young woman.

“It’s me, Sword Saint.”

Upon hearing this, Ba Ryouki hurried to open the door.

“Lady A Shara, what are you–“

“Don’t ask such trivial questions. How could I keep quiet when you’re doing something so interesting?”

The owner of the voice pushed into the room without heeding Ba Ryouki’s attempt to stop her. When she saw Shuou, who was sitting and craning his neck to assess the situation, she bounced in front of him.

“I am A Shara!”

The person who declared this with a beaming smile and crossed arms was the same girl Shuou had caught a glimpse of in the corridor on the way here. She had a cheerful aura about her and a dark complexion.

As Shuou was taken aback, Ba Ryouki introduced him instead.

“This man is called Shuou. Despite his appearance, he claims to be a citizen of Murakumo.”

“Oh, so he’s a person worthy of the Sword Saint’s attention. How interesting. Moreover, I heard this person bit my father. When I heard that, I couldn’t resist the urge to see him for myself.”

“F-Father…?”

At those unexpected words, Shuou involuntarily asked for clarification.

Shara smiled.

“A Zan, the commanding general of Uzumi and a monk general, is my father.”

Shuou found himself gaping in surprise. This Shara, brimming with confidence, bore no resemblance to A Zan, who had a somewhat dark and self-deprecating air about him. However, upon closer inspection, it seemed possible to find similarities between the two, such as the shape of their eyes and mouths.

Despite having just rebelled against her father and attempted to take his life, Shara, who openly declared herself to be his daughter, gazed at Shuou without any hint of negativity.

“But still, you look terrible. You’re covered in soot all over, and your mouth is drenched in blood. Ba Ryouki, you’re still a man after all. You don’t pay attention to such things.”

Shara dipped a handkerchief into a water jug placed in the room and reached out to apply the moistened cloth to Shuou’s mouth.

“Hey!”

Shuou recoiled, turning his face away.

“I’m just trying to wipe it for you.”

Although they had just met, he could somehow tell that she meant no harm.

Shuou stopped resisting and entrusted himself to her. Even so, he felt resistance to letting an unfamiliar person touch his face.

“There, that should do it.”

The sticky sensation around his mouth disappeared, and a refreshing feeling brought him back to his senses.

While Shuou hesitated to express his gratitude to Shara, who was washing the blood-stained handkerchief with her back turned, his stomach growled softly.

“It seems you’re hungry. Your face looks gaunt, too.”

With her back still turned, Shara spoke to Ba Ryouki.

“I have already instructed them to prepare something. There’s no need to worry.”

“I see.”

Although he didn’t show it in his demeanor, this was good news for Shuou. After all, he hadn’t eaten anything for five days. His stomach was so empty that saliva had overflowed the moment he bit into the neck of that greasy A Zan.

“Lady A Shara, please refrain from going too far. If it were to be known that I allowed your presence here, your father would surely be angry.”

“Why? Because that man bit my father?”

“Indeed. This person may not appear to be a great man at first glance, but he undoubtedly harbors the spirit of a fierce beast within him.”

“As he should. He’s someone who crossed the barriers of birth and tried to survive even if it meant biting a transcendent being to death.”

“If you understand that, all the more reason to keep your distance, don’t you think?”

“I thought you knew well what kind of person I am.”

As Shara spoke while wringing the handkerchief, Ba Ryouki fell silent.

The silence in the room was broken by a voice from outside the door.

“Lord Ba Ryouki, I have brought what you requested.”

“That was quick… It seems the food is already prepared.”

Upon hearing that exchange, Shuou secretly swallowed his saliva.

When he saw the man who appeared from beyond the open door, holding simple provisions, Shuou felt a strong sense of discomfort and unease in his demeanor.

The slippery movements, the sticky movement of his eyes darting around in search of something the moment he entered the room. The instant those eyes caught sight of Shuou sitting in the chair, the expressionless face was tinged with rage.

“Uaaaahhh!”

The man threw away the food he was holding, drew a dagger hidden inside his clothes, and began to charge with tremendous force.

Taken aback by the sudden turn of events, Ba Ryouki stood still. Shuou, relying on his own judgment, kicked the floor and leaned back with the chair just before the blade of the dagger could reach him, escaping unscathed.

Unable to break his fall properly, Shuou received an impact on his back and coughed violently.

Immediately after, there was a sound of objects scattering, followed by a painful scream from the man.

A glance to the side revealed the man with his neck stepped on by Shara, glaring at Shuou with bloodshot eyes while foaming at the mouth.

“L-Let go! That guy killed my brother!”

Shara instantly shouted in a strong tone.

“I understand your motive, but that was an extremely foolish act. You should know your place.”

“Shut up! Let go, let go! I saw it, I saw him slash my brother’s neck and kill him, right in front of my eyes! Why are you keeping him alive?! After killing so many of our brethren, there’s no way God will forgive him! That’s right, isn’t it?! Please say it is!”

“You’re not making any sense.”

As Shara spoke in an exasperated tone, she skillfully kicked the man’s chin. The man spat blood from his mouth and lost consciousness, his eyes rolling back.

Shuou was helped up by Ba Ryouki and positioned himself in the corner of the room.

“I was careless. Considering the previous battle, I should have anticipated that something like this could happen.”

Faced with the man who had fainted while tightly gripping the dagger, Shuou witnessed the consequences of his actions firsthand.

Slaughtering many people. It was fundamentally different from hunting mad demons or beasts. Each person killed had someone who cared for them. He didn’t feel like properly considering how much resentment he had incurred with the sword he held.

To Ba Ryouki, who was solemnly pondering something, Shara spoke in a cool voice.

“I have a proposal. Let me take this man under my care in my room.”

Both Ba Ryouki and Shuou widened their eyes at Shara’s suggestion.

“This is no joking matter.”

“Surely no one would have the audacity to cause such a disturbance in the room of the castle lord’s daughter. Besides, the food brought to me is tasted for poison to the point of being excessive. As the Sword Saint who desires a match with this man, you must also wish for the safety of your opponent until that day.”

“…I see.”

Ba Ryouki’s face showed that he wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea.

–Is she serious?

While astounded that Ba Ryouki seemed to be easily swayed by the girl’s absurd proposal, which anyone would recognize as outrageous, Shuou simply observed the situation he found himself in as if it were someone else’s problem.