Secrets Unveiled

As I stirred and reluctantly opened my eyes, I found myself in a camp, the throbbing ache in my head suggesting I'd been dragged here against my will. Wincing at the pain that shot through my neck, I attempted to sit up but soon regretted the decision. My surroundings slowly sharpened into focus. To my relief, I spotted my swords resting on a nearby table. I instinctively patted my body, confirming that the manuals were still securely tucked beneath my clothes.

Just as I started to regain my composure, the sound of approaching footsteps sent a bolt of anxiety racing through my heart. My instincts kicked in, and I swiftly lay back on the bed, feigning sleep. The tent's entrance swished open, and I could sense the vibrations of those footsteps growing closer and closer to my prone form until they finally came to a halt, leaving me in suspense.

A gentle touch brushed my forehead, tucking a strand of hair to the side. I heard a sigh, and a deep, husky voice broke the silence, commanding me to awaken. The term "my lady" took me by surprise.

With caution, I raised my head and blinked my eyes open. Before me, a pair of the lightest, brownest eyes I had ever seen regarded me, a mixture of surprise and regret evident in their depths.

"Forgive me for being rude to you earlier," he said, his voice carrying a note of humility. He knelt before me, a gesture that left me in a state of shock, the weight of the situation intensifying with each passing moment. His gaze remained locked onto mine, and the sincerity in his eyes hinted at a deeper story.

My voice tinged with perplexity, I inquired, "Do I know you?" The unease that had settled within me since my awakening was exacerbated by the familiarity of the man before me.

He produced a letter, written in my father's distinctive handwriting, and extended it toward me. "General Hashimoto gave you this letter, which was in your possession when I... I knocked you out," he confessed, his words laden with embarrassment and regret, further fueling my uncertainty. What could have driven a man to resort to such drastic measures, knocking out the daughter of a respected General?

Unexpectedly, he performed a kotow before me, his forehead touching the ground, a gesture so unexpected that it left me even more astonished. His actions were inconsistent with my image of him, further complicating my thoughts.

"Please, get up!" I stammered, the growing doubt weighing heavily on my mind. As my skepticism intensified, a chilling realization dawned upon me. If he possessed the letter and had read its contents, the implications regarding my family became all too evident.

My voice quivered as I mustered the courage to ask, "Where is my father?" A sense of unease welled within me as I contemplated the potential fates of my loved ones, and I anxiously awaited his response.

His head hung low, and with a heavy heart, he delivered the grim news. "He... He and Madam Hashimoto... have been executed by the Lord and Elder Miss Hana." His words were shrouded in solemnity, and my world crumbled. In that instant, I could vividly envision the gruesome scenes that had unfolded: my father, beheaded, and my mother, lifeless after a ruthless attack.

A surge of anguish welled up within me, compelling my body to rise, yet I remained rooted to the ground, tears streaming down my face. Sorrow and despair clouded my vision as I choked out the words, "Where are my siblings?" My voice carried an undercurrent of anger and resentment, and my gaze turned as cold as the darkest night. An eerie darkness radiated from me, making him tremble with fear.

"My lady... We can't find them. We don't know where everyone went... When we reached the house... We... We only found the General and Madam in front of the house. No one else was in or near the house in a 10-kilometer radius search... We were fortunate to find you before we proceeded to the house," he explained, his voice heavy with sorrow. Yet he bore the weight of the revelation with a sense of dignity, maintaining his composure.

With a glimmer of hope, he continued, "I know where they went... But I don't know if they're alive..."

His words resonated heavily within me, and a storm of concerns and uncertainties raged in my mind. I fought to keep my emotions in check, but my resolve remained unshaken. "I'll... I'll bring some men with us, and... We'll go look for them..." he offered, the spark of hope evident in his voice, briefly lifting my spirits.

I hesitated. My trust was shaken by the events that had transpired. His previous actions, from knocking me unconscious to bringing me here, raised doubts about his true intentions. "How do I know I can trust you?" I questioned, panic gnawing at me as I contemplated the situation. "Now, thinking about it, you were the one who knocked me unconscious, brought me here, and claimed my parents are dead. How do I know if you are an ally or an enemy?"

My fingers clutching Mamoru's hilt, I assumed a defensive stance, poised to protect myself. My heart raced, adrenaline surged through my veins, and every nerve and muscle in my body stood ready to respond to any potential threat.

To alleviate my concerns, he raised his hands in defense. "My lady, don't be afraid. We are the late General Hashimoto's secret soldiers. His covert force. Let me show you our flag and Crest." He slowly and cautiously reached for a flag banner displaying a bright red sun rising with vibrant red rays. He then presented the Crest, a full moon positioned beside the sun.

The symbols etched into my weapons, which I had grown familiar with, sent a shiver down my spine. The Crest at the bottom of the hilt and the carving of the rising sun on the sword's side served as tangible proof of their allegiance. Overwhelmed by this revelation, I slumped to the ground.

As I tried to rise, Kogi's strong hands gently lifted me from the bed, their touch warm and reassuring. Despite the heaviness in my heart and the uncertainty that weighed on my mind, his presence offered a glimmer of hope amid despair.

"The camp around us snapped into sharper focus as I stood. Rows of tents, sturdy shields, and the hushed whispers of fellow soldiers filled the surroundings. The atmosphere was thick with tension, like the calm before a storm.

Kogi's unwavering eyes remained locked onto mine, their brown depths reflecting a potent mixture of determination and sorrow. 'We will do everything in our power to find your siblings, my lady,' he vowed, his voice unwavering. 'I swear on my father's honor and the legacy of the late General Hashimoto.'

My gaze shifted to meet his, and a fierce resolve burned in his eyes. A spark of trust ignited within me for the first time since awakening in this unfamiliar place. I nodded, silently acknowledging our unspoken pact.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenging journey ahead. 'Lead the way, Kogi. We will uncover the truth, no matter how grim it may be,' I declared, my voice brimming with unwavering determination.

Kogi's grip on my arm tightened briefly, showing solidarity and support. Together, we would embark on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding my family's fate and to seek justice for the atrocities committed against them."