“Lord Sekiei, come out.”
At dawn, a military officer in his midtwenties called to me from outside the cell.
“Wha...?”
The dim morning sunlight was starting to peer in through the window and it wouldn’t be long before the roosters started to crow. I yawned as I stood up. “Sure is early in the day. They hand out verdicts at this hour?”
Instead of replying to my question, the officer only said, “Please hurry.”
I was a little confused by the whole thing, but I obediently left the cell and followed after him. He took me down an underground tunnel that didn’t seem like it’d been used in a very long time. Another secret passage?
Halfway through our journey, the officer handed me a bottle of water and a cloth along with the order to “Please wash your face.” I took the items from him and used them without worrying about propriety. We walked down, and then up, until eventually I saw the exit. The officer was just ushering me through as I heard a loud booming voice ring out.
“You’ve finally made it, Sekiei! That underground cell was cold at night, wasn’t it?”
“F-Father?! Wait, why are you here? And with Hakurei to boot?”
The people waiting for me on the other end of the passage were a laughing Chou Tairan, an expressionless Hakurei, and a smiling Asaka. Miss Shizuka was even present as well, standing behind those three. Father was in his usual outfit, but both Hakurei and Asaka were wearing light traveling clothes. They had the reins of three horses in their hands. I looked around and saw Rinkei, covered with the morning fog, far below me. It seemed that we were standing on a hill to the north of the capital.
The officer gave my father a salute. “I’ll return to my duties, sir!”
“Good work. You really came through for me.”
“That’s far too high a praise. No one who experienced the front lines would turn down a direct request from you, General Chou.” After that, the officer saluted me as well before he returned down the passage we came from.
I had no idea what was going on. Seeing my confusion, father grinned and handed me a piece of high quality paper. “Here’s the verdict that was handed down to you. Read it well.”
I sucked in a nervous breath and took a moment to collect myself. “Yes, sir.” Then, I started to read the contents of the paper.
To Sekiei, who grew up in the Chou family,
No matter the reason, one shall not rampage on the grounds of the imperial palace. However, I understand you endured insults to your own person and only lifted your hand in violence when your adoptive father and sister were disrespected. I commend your filial piety and your sense of justice. Given these, this is the verdict I pass upon you...
As soon as I had read it all, my eyes widened. What? I looked up at my father, who beamed down at me.
“After you’re freed from prison,” he said, “you are to ‘immediately leave Rinkei and make up for this disgrace with achievements on the battlefield.’ The grand chancellor’s seal is even on this letter. He praised you! When did you have the chance to meet him?”
“W-Well, I didn’t— Ahh.” The old man from yesterday... Man, he got me good. I lowered my head and sighed. “I gladly accept my punishment.”
My father’s expression turned serious. “Good. Then I leave Keiyou in your hands; guard it well until my return.” The man standing before me was no longer Hakurei’s father but Chou Tairan, the famed general of countless battles. “Also, as you suggested, I had my men hurry and carry out an investigation. The rumors about suspicious going-ons in the west are true.”
“So then, Seitou really has...?”
Chou Tairan valued intel above all else, and didn’t ignore even the vaguest of warnings. If Seitou had truly become an ally of Gen, then...
“The details are unclear,” father said, interrupting my thoughts. “However, I can’t return to Keiyou until I finish my talks with the pacifist party. That’s why I want you and Hakurei—”
“Please, wait a moment.” I looked over at Hakurei, who was gently stroking the head of her horse. It’s times like these that I truly find her beautiful. “Hakurei’s going back with me?”
“Of course she is. Do you want my daughter to hate me more than she already does?!”
“Er, no, that’s not what I’m saying at all. I— Oof!”
“Here, for you,” Hakurei said. She’d thrown a piece of paper at my face; when I pulled it away, I saw her looking at me with an irritable expression. “Apparently, the person who wrote that letter has a very difficult time getting up in the morning. Consider my debt to you from yesterday repaid.”
I glanced over at Shizuka—who nodded—so, cautiously, I opened up the letter.
To Lord Sekiei, the bravest and coolest warrior in the land,
Congratulations on getting thrown into prison after protecting the honor of your adoptive father and sister! I didn’t expect anything less from my future husband. It may not be much, but I have prepared some horses and traveling gear. Please don’t hesitate to use them.
I’m sure that I won’t be able to make it to you to say farewell. Please, please, forgive me! Yesterday, someone from my family returned from Seitou. According to them, there were no Gen soldiers within the capital. However, as I have said to your father, goods were being traded at an unusually fast pace. Also, it seemed as if they were secretly testing new weapons. Please be careful.
PS: Make sure you do not forget about that promise we made. I look forward to the next time we meet. As soon as I find the sword and bow, I’ll send them your way.
With love,
Your future wife, Ou Meirin.
It was the start of the day, but after reading that, I was already exhausted. Meirin had so much raw talent and yet only used it on ridiculous things.
Hakurei handed me my sword and dagger. “Now, it’s time for us to leave. We’ll be going back by horse rather than boat, so I suppose it will take us that much longer. Everything that girl says and does infuriates me, but I admit that she has an eye for quality. She chose wondrous horses for us. Make sure you don’t fall behind! The loser of the race has to obey everything the winner says. How’s that sound?”
I stared at her, my mouth hanging open as I struggled to keep up with the rapidly changing developments. I hooked my sword onto my belt. Hakurei looked like she was having fun, so I hoped she would show me leniency and grant my simple request: “Can you go easy on—”
“No.”
Father burst into laughter. “Stay sharp, you two. Asaka, I leave them in your hands— Oh, that reminds me. I almost forgot the most important thing! Sekiei.”
“What is it, father?” I asked as I took a rucksack from Miss Shizuka and tied it to my saddle.
Beaming at me, he placed both his hands on my shoulders. “Thank you. Good job for protecting Hakurei! I’m truly so proud of you. I’m honored to have you as my son.”
Words failed me. I could feel something hot form in my chest and start to well up my throat, but the only sound that came from my mouth was a quiet gasp. That’s right. How could I have forgotten? This man, Chou Tairan, who found and saved me in this life, is a man among men.
“Your face is bright red, you know?” Hakurei teased.
“Sh-Shut up!” I snapped back, using my hand to hide my eyes. I jumped up onto my horse and stroked its neck. Even with the best horse in the empire, it would take about seven days to ride from Rinkei back to Keiyou. Lowering my hand I looked at Hakurei, who realized my intention immediately. We turned as one to look at Chou Tairan. “Well, then, father...”
“Father.”
Then we said in unison, “We shall await your return in Keiyou!”
My father nodded magnanimously as he ran his fingers through his well-groomed beard. “Very well. Hakurei, don’t take your eyes off of Sekiei. Make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble.”
“F-Father?!” I yelled it, uncaring of how pathetic I sounded at that moment.
“Of course, father. Hyah!” Without waiting for me, Hakurei kicked her horse and sent it into a gallop, with Asaka close behind her.
You play dirty, Chou Hakurei! You cheater! You’re the same, Asaka! I lowered my head and squeezed my horse’s sides, following after the women. The west, huh? I sure hope nothing comes to pass.