Chapter 16: Before the dawn breaks

The STRIKE team has finally reached the command room.

"You're all here. Please be seated, we'll begin shortly once Lord Akafuyu arrives." Gwyn acknowledged everyone and had them be seated. Prelati then served each one of them a cup of invigorating tea.

In just a few moments, Akafuyu finally arrived along with Klauss who was holding a bag of coffee beans. Everyone in the room stood and greeted her with a warm smile.

"Aww…looks like someone beat me to it. At times like this though, coffee is the better invigorator." Klauss stated, like a true coffee connoisseur he was.

Prelati and Chizue cleared their throat in unison as a sign of disagreeing with him. A silent rejection, perfect for tea connoisseurs as they are.

The group enjoyed a brief moment of peace alongside Akafuyu who didn't mind it. She even took part with some of their meaningless yet fun banter.

After a while, Akafuyu finally brought back the topic at hand. She clasped her hands to get everyone's attention first before starting.

"First off, I would just like to express my gratitude for all you've done for our cause. All of the information we've gathered and theorized wouldn't be able to come to light if not for your efforts."

Akafuyu stopped for a moment before continuing.

"But now I will ask once again for your assistance. I know that the recent incident might have taken a toll on you physically and mentally, but Commander Gwyn insists that it would be better to let you guys handle this rather than making you all stand-by….. which I somehow agree after seeing your reactions."

Anyone can tell after a glance that the team are looking forward to hearing the next course of plan. Moreover, they believe that this will be the ultimatum.

"Pho, the one Johan brought in, told us that the manor is not just a base but it's the major gathering hub for their organization. Surprisingly, he talked with no hesitation just before we met him…as if he's already decided to do so."

"I have no hand on that one." Gwyn stated, thinking that Akafuyu is blaming him for it.

"I think I know why though. He's been speaking a lot about Johan while we're asking him."

Kiyoto nudged Johan. "Looks like you've gained another fan, Captain."

Johan sighed deeply. "I gained an admirer, but not the way I was expecting. I just hope there are girls who share his same admiration towards me."

Akafuyu chuckled a bit. She then took out a rolled scroll with a fancy ribbon that is tying it up. "This letter will be delivered to Kirisame, the ninth herald. It contains an appeal regarding the apprehension of Yoshu, within my terms. After all, his manor is in my city." Akafuyu just became more serious.

"My people's safety is being threatened, and this manor is housing that very threat. I cannot stand idly by…"

Gwyn then followed: "Since we require more proof before this letter reaches the ninth herald, we need to act fast. Fortunately for us, the people there haven't moved yet, in fact more of the suspected members moved into the manor based on our scouts."

Gwyn breathes in before giving out his command.

"Tomorrow by dawn, we shall move out unto the enemy's den! Let us always assume that they're prepared, so we as well should always be as vigilant!"

It's the moment they are waiting for. The time where things will finally be able to be wrapped up. Everyone affirmed in unison.

"Yessir! For Lord Akafuyu!" -STRIKE

"For the Swords!" -Commander Gwyn

"For the peace of my people!" -Akafuyu

It was settled. The final battle will begin at sunrise as they move out by dawn. Commander Gwyn will be leading the expedition followed by Johan and his team.

There will be other dispatched members that will join them to take care of outside variables and the opposing organization's lackeys.

As the briefing was concluded, Akafuyu instructed Kiyoto to stay as per the request of Klauss.

"E-eh? Ah, I mean, as you command Lord Akafuyu." Kiyoto then stayed, Johan patted his shoulder and left with everyone.

"???"

Akafuyu tilted her head. It's as if she's not used to Kiyoto addressing her so formally like that compared to before. Does she like it more when he addresses her as Miss? Well, let's leave it at that.

Klauss cleared his skeleton throat. "Kiyoto-dono, I have an inquiry for you actually.

'-dono?' Kiyoto thought to himself. He then replied: "Oh, alright. I don't mind, but I guess it's not for everyone to hear?"

"Correct." Klauss nodded. "First off, have you ever discovered any power that your mask actually holds after your journeys with our members?"

Kiyoto finally remembered. "Ah. Yes about that Klauss-san, there's this strange gauntlet that suddenly appeared in my hands, which helped me break the shackles of Juzo's invisible chains."

Akafuyu reacted. "Eh? Gauntlet?"

"Hooh? Would it be possible for you to materialize it now, Kiyoto-dono?" Klauss inquired further.

"I think–"

Kiyoto tried to do so with all his might, but to no avail.

"—I can't…"

"Hmm. I see, it looks like it should be met with certain conditions to use. Just my theory though." Klauss hypothesized. He then takes out a notebook that looks like a research note.

"I'm currently taking hold of this research note. It was specifically focused on research about mask's breakthroughs. This originally belonged to Lord Akimitsu, My Mistress's late father. She gave me her blessing to continue it. You should take hold of this for now, Kiyoto-dono"

Klauss handed over the notebook to Kiyoto, who in turn accepted it hesitantly. "Thank you, Klauss-san…but why are you suddenly giving it to me?"

"I believe that it would help you discover the true power of your mask, or should I say rediscover, if ever your past self is fully aware of how to materialize the mask's potential."

"Oh, I see. Then I'll accept this with gratitude. Thank you again for looking out for me."

"Well, I did say that, but actually, it's my Mistress who–"

"I hope it will help you a lot to remember your identity Kiyoto." Akafuyu cuts him off.

Kiyoto nodded in response. He placed his hands in front of his chest and once again expressed his gratitude. "I appreciate it, Miss Akafuyu. I'll make sure not to lose it or anything."

"Hm? Ah, yes. Well, you're already one of my citizens, so I'm just doing my responsibility. That's right." Akafuyu continuously nodded with her arms crossed as she was talking.

Klauss once again cleared his skeleton throat. "Kiyoto-dono, please feel free to consult me in the future as well if you have any questions that I might be able to answer."

"Then, I'll take you up for it."

"Now then, that'll be all for me. Good luck on your endeavor." Klauss turns his gaze at his Mistress.

Noticing Klauss's glance, Akafuyu speaks up, but not in the way Klauss thinks it will go. "Good luck Kiyoto, dismissed."

Kiyoto then stands up and formally does a bow towards the two. He then left the room, seeing Johan and the others waiting for him outside. He joined them and went out.

Klauss looks to be somehow upset. "Dismissed? Really, my Mistress…"

"...?" Akafuyu only tilted her head in confusion. Even though deep inside, she knows what Klauss is pertaining to.

— — —

There are times that even how strong a man is, he will find his weakness. The majority of it is being able to find someone that soothes their stony heart, a woman.

We go back to the story of a man once called the unrelenting: Zaiaku.

Previously from the last we heard of him was that he was beaten by a masked woman whom he thought was weak and frail. For a strong symbol like him, no one really cared for what he felt, he never felt the concern nor pity from anyone he encountered.

But this woman proves different. It's as if she can see through his soul, a deep gaze that can appraise what he truly lacks: something to fuel his life with not just pure strength, an emotion to gain for what he is truly fighting for.

As he followed her journey, the two would always squabble but not in a violent way. It's like a fun bickering between friends, which then blossoms into something more.

The relentless and violent Zaiaku was no more. The battles he had are now but a scar of his past that was accepted wholefully by the woman who loves him. This love resulted in a child to be born…..which they named, Juzo.

They settled down in a hidden village called Shobara, where there are abundance of trees due to its forest-like nature.

While they are happily laying down together, along with their baby Juzo, they discuss something.

"Zaiaku, do you remember the time I gave you your deserved beating?"

Zaiaku chuckled. "Heh, you caught me off guard that time I admit. I learned my lesson there, though I'm pretty thankful for it, Kumiko."

Just like him, Kumiko also chuckled from Zaiaku's response. She then touched his face gently.

"You know that I am knowledgeable about how to read a person. What I saw in front of me back then was a child who knew nothing of the world."

"Haha, well what do you think now?"

"Now. What I'm seeing is a man who finally knows responsibility, and a strong person who gets his strength from those that matters to him. The man I fell in love with along my journey."

The two hugged each other with their child, Juzo, in the middle. Years have passed that the small Juzo can now finally hold a fight on his own. But of course, his parents won't even allow him to do so, not if it is unnecessary.

"Pops! Mom once told me that you're a strong guy even before she met you. But she also says you're way stronger than before now!" Juzo cheerfully said.

Zaiaku knelt down to speak with his son. "Heh, she says what now. Yeah, I can still feel my strength welling up inside me!" He rides the wave that his son is currently surfing. (Don't take it literally.)

"Whooaa….I want to be as strong. No, I want to become stronger than pops!" Juzo said it out loud proudly.

"Hahaha! Well said, as expected of my boy." Zaiaku is still riding his shenanigans. He then patted his head. "If you want to be like me or even stronger than me, then you have to work hard and find yourself someone like your mother."

This kind of story is the best for those who are searching for a wholesome end. Unfortunately, the times of fun and peace ultimately ended when a plague hit the forest that they are currently residing on.

Zaiaku was weakened although not critically affected, but Kumiko and Juzo were critically hit by the plague causing them an unreasonable amount of rise in temperature. In other words, the two of them are dying.

"Kumiko, Juzo! We still have hope you hear me. I heard that there will be an auction of what they are calling a miracle leaf back in my hometown. Please hang in there, Pops will be back shortly!"

Zaiaku went out in a rush as the two couldn't even speak due to their fatigue. But then, going back to what we previously learned, the auction did not go as planned. Zaiaku, this man, is the one who are fighting the merchant's bodyguard with all his strength.

Unfortunately for him, an uncontrollable variable has joined the fray. Akimitsu, wielder of the Helm of Fervor.