A samurai in a full armor with a helm is guarding the garden a beautifully decorated building worthy of the shogun of Kai’s biggest party. The guests are also wearing fine clothing; they are all enjoying the foods and drinks in the garden. Not long after, the two main people in this party arrive from the gate: The bride and the groom. The bride, the shogun’s daughter, is wearing a traditional white wedding dress, while the groom is wearing black oriental clothes and hakama.
The bride and the groom walk slowly towards the main building, witnessed by members of the groom’s clan in the garden. When the two of them are walking, something happened at the gate, as people are yelling in panic.
A woman in a black outfit and long hair just killed the outer guards and one guest near the gate. That assassin quickly kills one more guest. Before that assassin can do anything more, the samurai already rushed to the assassin and swings his sword. The assassin evades it before attacking back.
The samurai and the assassin engage in a fight, both of them looks to be equal in skill. The samurai’s sword cuts the air as the assassin danced while evading and countering his attacks. After some time exchanging attacks, the samurai is overwhelmed, and he’s knocked down, his helmet fell to the ground. After that the assassin charges to the groom, with a sword pointed at him.
The sword missed its target as the bride throws herself in front of the groom, the blade stabs her right in the heart. She fell to the ground; her white dress stained with blood.
Samurai: “Princess Tomoko!”
the samurai rushes to the fallen princess.
Samurai: “Princess Tomoko! Please open your eyes! Princess!”
After that, the samurai’s world turns to darkness.
Elder 1 “Why can’t you protect her? You’re supposed to be her private guard, her safety is your priority!”
Elder 1 “It was only one assassin, how come you failed to protect her!?”
Elder 2 “The Takanobu clan has never seen such failure, such humiliation!”
Clan chief “You are banished from the clan! Don’t expect to come back. Not without restoring your honor.”
Samurai “This can’t be happening... I promised to protect her. How could I make a mistake? Forgive me, Princess Tomoko!”
Morning comes, a drunken ronin woke up in a cheap tavern. His head hurts, he shakes his head, swaying his ponytail as he does so.
Ronin: Ugh… did I drink too much last night?
Waitress: Yes, you did, Asata-san. You drank quite a lot.
Asata: Darn it, did I cause trouble again like last time?
Waitress: It’s your first time here after two years, and no, you didn’t cause any trouble.
Asata: Whew, at least that’s good news. Anyway, if it’s morning then I gotta leave.
Waitress: Please drink this water before you leave. Master insisted that you drink it.
Asata: How kind of him, give him my thanks later. Um… the water tastes good.
Waitress: Will do, be careful on your travel. Please come again.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Asata grabs his katana and walks outside of the tavern. Morning sun in Su empire shines on his red kimono and black hakama. People in this town just start with their daily routine in this town, stores opening, wife going to the market, and other similar activities. As a traveler, Asata always travels from town to town without a clear direction other than his whims. He just hopes he can get to the next town before night.
Asata: Well then, off to the next destination. Hm? Who is that guy that just walked into an alley. Judging from his hair color, he must be from Brirene. But it’s weird to see a guy from Brirene without his woman.
Asata sighs.
Asata: it’s just a hunch, but something is off. Maybe I should follow them.
Asata quietly follows the guy in a dark alley that is still not completely lit by the morning sun, the width of this ally is only enough for two people to walk side by side, until he takes a turn in an intersection, Asata peeks from the corner. Under the building’s shadow, Asata can see there are actually two men there, judging from their blonde hair both of them are clearly from Brirene.
Both guys’ hair is short, the first guy has a beard while the other one has a clean face. On a clearer inspection, the first guy holds a scroll in his right hand, while the second guy holds a small orb, which clearly has a magical power, though Asata doesn’t know what the power is, since he is not a magician.
Guy 1: What took you so long?
Guy 2: It’s hard to run away from the guards.
Guy 1: So, you got the orb?
Guy 2: Yes, here it is. Do you have the prophecy scroll?
Guy 1: I do.
Guy 2: So, the next part of the plan is to gather the 10 headed dragon, huh?
Guy 1: No, the next part is the assassination of Kai’s shogun. Miss Noma is taking care of it.
Guy 2: So, we just need to regroup with-
Asata: WHAT? ASSASSINATION?
Guy 1: Who’s there? Show yourself!
Asata jumps out of his hiding and confront the two guys.
Asata: Who are you guys? What do you mean by shogun’s assassination?
Guy 1: You fool; you didn’t realize you’re being followed?
Guy 2: What? But I’m sure I was already being cautious. Ah, never mind that. We’re gonna kill this guy now.
Asata: You’re going to tell me your plan to assassinate the shogun, by force if needed.
The first guy shoots a fire bolt spell to Asata, he dodges at the right time and the fire spell hits the wall behind him.
The second guy casts a cold blue beam to Asata’s feet, Asata jumps to one side to avoid it, the spell froze the ground that it hits.
Asata draws his katana and quickly slashes at the second guy; it made a cut on the guy’s left arm.
The first guy shoots his fire bolt again; Asata sidesteps to avoid it.
The second guy casts his blue beam one more time, this time it hits Asata’s chest which thankfully didn’t affect his movement.
Asata attacks the second guy, this time his katana cuts cleanly to the target’s belly, dealing lethal damage and that guy fell to the ground.
The first guy shoots his fire bolt again; this time Asata does a wall jump to evade the attack and also prepare for his attack.
Asata falls down while swinging his sword, hitting the first guy right on his shoulder. That guy falls down, he knows he has lost and maybe don’t have long left in this world.
Asata stands in front of that guy; katana aimed at his face.
Asata: Now tell me, tell me about your plan to assassinate the shogun.
Guy 1: Ugh… it’s too late… Miss Noma is already on her way to Kai… you can’t stop her.
Asata: The castle is heavily secured with protection magics; she won’t be able to infiltrate it.
Guy 1: Heheh… Believe me… she can.
Asata: Alright, another question for you then asshole. What do you mean about the prophecy and the 10 dragons?
Guy: Do you… really think I’m gonna tell you… our plans? We will… rule the world.
Asata: Darn it, talking to you is useless. I’m gonna let you bleed to death here, and I’m taking these.
Asata cleans his sword, sheathes it, then picks up the magical orb and a small scroll. He then walks away from the two guys, outside of the alley.
Asata: Right now, the shogun is… Shogun Nobusuke, I heard he married to Princess Yayoi after I failed to…
Asata: Ugh, dammit! Remembering it hurts.
Asata: How long has it been? 4 years, I think? Since the last time he was targeted… now, someone still wants to assassinate him?
Asata: This Noma that that bastard mentioned, she must be their woman. He said she’s already on route to Kai.
Asata: But judging from her name, she doesn’t sound from Brirene, Noma is a Kai name. So, how does those bastards become her men?
Asata: And where did they get their hands on these two things? And they mentioned the 10-headed dragon…
Asata: Argh! This is all so darn confusing!
Asata: One thing I know for sure is… someone is going to kill the shogun, and I’m the only one who know about it. Should I go back to Kai? After I’ve been banished by my clan?
Asata: …
Asata: It’s clear, right? I will go back to Kai. I will warn the shogun about this and capture that assassin.
Asata: The fastest way to go to Kai is… ride a train from the next town. Wait a second…
Asata: If that Noma lady is also on the way… isn’t there a possibility that I will also find her there?
Asata: If so, then that’s great news! I better head to the next town quickly.
Asata leaves this town and makes his way to Qinjing, the journey will take about one or two days on foot.
