Chapter 42

Ryuya wakes up with a headache. Still at night time, he recalls what happened and saw that he's now on the shore. He looks around to see Sukehiro sitting on a stone. On the other hand, Ichika is still unconscious on the ground.

"I'm a failure as a leader. I should've evacuated everyone when Uncle said that they were attacking." Ryuya said as his friend kept looking at the sea. Sukehiro looks at him before slapping his back.

"You still got that dream?" Sukehiro asks him. "What dream?"

"The country where everyone can live and laugh together as equal?" Ryuya went silent for a long time.

"Why?" He asks. This time, Sukehiro is the one who went silent. They then hear footsteps and he turns his head around, only to see Hisashi.

"He's leaving the country," Hisashi said before sitting on a nearby stone. "I would too."

"Leaving? Why? Are you guys even sure?" Ryuya said, concerned.

"I've heard about the old man's plan to frame me and he was successful. I experienced it first hand too. Telling her the truth would be painful. Because of that, brother decided to leave and you'll take care of her. As for me, the same is true. However, I have my plans." Hisashi elaborates.

Ryuya felt dejected after hearing this. Although he doesn't want his friends to leave, he also agrees with what they said.

"What's your plan?" He asks.

"I'd go live and learn from Jeimi for a few years, can be less. Her knowledge is extremely useful. Then, I'd leave the country too. But not to live in another, but explore the world. Just when I thought that I wouldn't leave this country."

Ryuya didn't press anymore. He knows that the two siblings have already made up their minds. They watched the sea as the sun starts to rise and a new dawn has arrived.

With this, Sukehiro stood up, took his essentials, and walks to the boat. He was about to get in when Hisashi calls out for him. He walks up to him and removes one of the katanas from his waist.

"Here. I don't really need it. Also, finding a good weapon would be extremely hard in a foreign land." Hisashi said as he offer the black sword, Masamune. Sukehiro takes it with a smile as he looks at the two.

"Ryuya, take care of Ichika for me – no, us. And you Hisashi. If you need help, just call out for the sword like you did before. You better get stronger or I'll shit on you. Literally."

The three laugh at Sukehiro's corny joke. The two then watch as he rows the boat against the black cursed water and the two then left.

"What do I do with Ichika?" Ryuya turns to Hisashi.

"Go back to the capital and report this matter. You can put the blame on me or make a convincing story. Or maybe tell the truth, but only to the Shogun. Then, if you can, please take people to bury them. I don't have the time to bury them before Ichika wakes up from her coma. Also, make the gravesite beautiful.

As for mother and father, and mother and father-in-law, I've already taken care of them. You can tell Ichika where it is when she wakes up."

Ryuya became gloomy again hearing about burying the dead and his friends' parents that was like his second parent.

"Where is Koyori's?" He asks him out of curiosity. Hisashi just went silent for a second before answering.

"At our place, resting." Ryuya misunderstood Hisashi's statement, and the latter meant it in some literal sense. The two then walk to the town with Ichika in Ryuya's arms. The two reached the border and they know that it'll be their goodbyes.

"You know, our deal still stands. If you can achieve a unified Hino country, I will still be at your disposal. Like a hidden Ryuzen. Also, here." Hisashi said as he gave the red sword, Muramasa to Ryuya.

"I know what you want to say. But you don't have to use it. Give it to Ichika or someone in need of a good sword. That katana can cut anything after all, based on legends. No, wait, don't give it to Ichika. She won't accept it."

Hisashi said as he forced a smile.

"If I need help, where do I go to look for you?" Ryuya asks.

"Among us, only four people know the location of the dungeon. Me, Jeimi, Brother, and you. Just go and look for me there. Also, I would first try to explore our country for the first few years. I've heard that there are some dungeons around the north and the south."

The two look at each other. Hisashi then messes with Ichika's hair before bidding farewell to Ryuya. With this, a new chapter has started in all of their lives. Sukehiro left for another country. Ryuya takes care of Ichika as he attempts to achieve his dreams. And Hisashi is preparing to explore what the world has to offer… or is it?

…

A few days later in the Shogun's residence, Ryuya has told his father what happened. As for what to tell the others, it was his father's judgment. Luckily, he was able to find a way to bury the people as fast as possible.

After parting ways with his friends, Ryuya went hastily to the nearest town and asked for the people's help. He was able to gather people and bury the dead citizens in a day and a half. They asked many questions and were scared in case it happens to them but he managed to convince them all that they are safe.

"The Minami Clan has almost fallen. Although I can send you builders and workers to do the task, there won't be much. We have to help the Minami." Ryujin expressed the issue to his son. Ryuya stood there with a firm posture and answered in a respectful tone.

"I understand, Father. I'll take care of the rest. As fo-" He was interrupted by Ryujin from speaking.

"It's already done. We sent her to a good doctor and gave her a plentiful residence that you asked for."

"Thank you, Father."

Ryuya comes out of the room after their talk. Without further ado, he left the residence and looked for people willing to help with his project. He was also delighted to hear that his father didn't suspect Ichika and welcomed her, as per his request.

…

"You didn't tell them, did you?" Jeimi said as she saw Hisashi walking inside the dungeon. She then puffs a cloud of smoke from her cigarette. She notices the key to the dungeon on his forearm.

"Tell them what?" Hisashi asks, before taking an apple from a basket. He takes a look at it before taking a bite.

"I know that you told them that you want to explore the world, other continents."

"Isn't that what I plan to do?"

"Yeah, it is. But you didn't tell them that your other plans." Jeimi said to him.

"I don't need to tell them that I would hunt the devils. I know they're out there. Or at least contractors like that bastard. He's just a mere pawn in the board, led to destroy me. There's still the big boss out there." Hisashi said, with a hint of anger in his voice.

"I have something in my mind that I know you do too." "What is it?"

"You have a suspicion… that the story in your dreams is real, isn't it? With your brother leaving the country, a new direction for him was to become like that character in that story." Jeimi said.

"No. I know for a fact that it is true. I'm 99% sure." Hisashi said as the apple in his hand is now half.

"May I know what the 1% is?"

"It's the part of me that doesn't want to believe in a good devil." The kid simply said. The two went silent for a while before Jeimi stood up.

"Get ready. I want to start as early as possible. I know you do too."

"Ok then. Let me say goodbye first." Hisashi walks to the room where the two swords used to be. Laying there is a blue crystal block of ice. It was reflective but if you look hard enough, you will see a body of a young girl.

"Koyori. Rest for a while. I'll look for a way to revive you. Even if it takes a decade, I will wake you up. I promise."

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(End of Volume 1)