“Ngh... What a nice day we’re having. It looks like we’ll be able to reach Rinkei on time.”
I sat down on the chair I’d brought up to the deck and looked at the birds flying above us. They seemed happy. The wind was comfortable thanks to our proximity to the river. The ship we were currently on was sailing towards the capital of the Ei Empire, Rinkei, and it was right on schedule.
It was hard to believe that the Grand Canal was man-made. Plans for its construction had started in the later years of the Tou Empire, and I heard that it took twenty years to build. The river cut its way through the continent, beginning in the north and reaching all the way to the southern border, as massive as a dragon upon the land.
Half a month had passed since Hakurei and I fought back the scouting party from the Gen Empire. My father had responded to the situation with an incredible seriousness and decided that he himself would head to the capital. His goal was to make the report of what had happened and to request the reinforcements he’d been wanting for years. He’d ordered for me and Hakurei to accompany him, along with three thousand of our finest soldiers.
Of course, I spoke to my father about the risk of removing so many troops from the front lines. He’d only replied, “This is what the elderly grand chancellor requested. Apparently the emperor is very interested in observing our forces, as well as seeing us train. You know, they originally requested ten thousand men? Though our only evidence is the vintage weaponry left behind on the battlefield, we should inform him of our plans to investigate Seitou—just in case.”
Politics were as still as annoying as they had been back in the day.
If we were to transport three thousand soldiers by boat at once, then our enemies would surely realize something was wrong. For that reason we’d split up the majority of the brigade into small groups and sent them ahead of us. We planned to meet with the full brigade on the outskirts of Rinkei. Actually, we ourselves had been going to head there on horseback as well, but...
“Whoa!”
The massive sail that had been put up caught the window and the boat gave a dramatic rock. On the sail was the single character: Ou. This ship belonged to the Ou family, a new family of merchants who had recently started to become quite prominent in Rinkei. It had just so happened that as we were preparing to leave, that particular family had been heading back to Rinkei after transporting food to Keiyou, and they graciously allowed us to board their ship.
I took out a piece of paper that I’d stuck between the pages of my book and read it: “I’m waiting for you in Rinkei. From: Your Meirin.”
Just how did she know that we were heading to the city? I pressed a hand against my forehead when I remembered the sly smile of the girl I’d accidentally saved during my first battle, which had coincidentally happened right here on the Grand Canal. I was grateful for her help, but I somehow felt like it wasn’t a good idea to put myself in her debt.
Hakurei had never been on a ship before and as soon as she boarded to take a look, she’d exclaimed, “I didn’t mind riding to Keiyou, but... Can we take the boat?” She’d looked so happy at the prospect that I supposed owing Meirin wasn’t such a big deal.
After watching the people fishing from the smaller boats, I turned my attention back to my book. “The emperor died, leaving behind his child to take over the country. After supporting the young ruler for over ten years, Ouei departed. No one saw the Heavenly Swords after that.”
Eifuu—and the Heavenly Swords—had disappeared.
So... Right after the garrison leader of Routou rescued Eifuu from his imminent execution, the second emperor of Tou died under mysterious circumstances. Then the third emperor, despite his youth, was sat upon the throne. In the twenty-odd years that followed, Eifuu returned to supervise the government affairs of the unified empire, as well as oversaw the construction of the Grand Canal. And then, after doing all that he needed to do, my sworn brother returned his position, lands, and money to the third emperor—who by that point had matured into a fine and wise leader.
My twin swords had finally become the Heavenly Swords, in the proper meaning of the title. With nothing more than those Swords and his wife, Eifuu departed the palace. No one knew where he went. That sounds like something he’d do, all right. I was lost in my solemn reminisces when I felt someone tug on my left sleeve.
“H-Hey.”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
Hakurei—today wearing light-blue clothing and having left her sword off her belt—had been enjoying the faraway sights from the deck with an innocent ease. Now, however, there was a nervous expression on her face as she searched the water near the boat. A moment later, a shiny-smooth gray beast with a long, thin mouth leaped from the water several times. The creature was swimming parallel to the ship and seemed to be enjoying itself.
Hakurei had left the gunwale and was hiding behind me, using me like a shield. “Did you see that?” she asked, her voice serious.
“Huh? See what?” I didn’t understand her question. I stared down into Hakurei’s blue eyes.
Perhaps she started to worry about the sailors or Asaka seeing her like this, because Hakurei began fiddling with her bangs and looked away. She leaned up to me and whispered into my ear, “Wh-What was that just now? I-I’ve never seen such a strange-looking fish. And...and it seems to be following us. Is it a monster?”
Her tone was dead serious. I wasn’t exactly the smartest person in the world, but I was quick on the uptake when it came to matters like this. I immediately knew what the issue was: Chou Hakurei had never left Keiyou in her entire life and she was sheltered as hell! She didn’t know about the rare dolphin that lived in the river, nor did she know about the superstition surrounding it. Apparently, catching a glimpse of the animal would bring fortune.
To be quite honest, I had asked the exact same question half a year ago. When I did, Meirin’s knowledgeable attendant told me all about it. However, I, Sekiei, would show Hakurei no mercy!
I spread an extremely sad expression across my face as I met Hakurei’s eyes. “How unfortunate. What you just saw was a fearsome monster indeed... During my time in the city I underwent a warding ritual, so I’m safe. But you... Well, don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine—barring the fact that you won’t be able to get married anymore.”