CHAPTER 33- The Village Speaker

The banter among the group continued as they reached the outskirts of the second village, Kaminosato. Hataki took the lead, raising his voice so everyone could hear.

"We've arrived. This is Kaminosato. Once we cross through here, we'll be one step closer to the castle. Stay alert."

Just as the squad prepared to move forward, Yoto's gaze locked onto the scene unfolding ahead. His body stiffened, fists clenching tightly as his voice cut through the air, sharp with rising anger.

"What the hell is happening in the village?!"

Chaos consumed Kaminosato. The air was thick with the screams of the innocent. The village speaker's guards moved like predators, forcibly dragging young women from their homes, shoving them toward a moving cage.

Women struggled, their cries piercing the air as they pleaded for mercy. But no one dared to intervene.

A desperate husband clung to his wife, trying to pull her away from the guard's grip. "Please! Let her go! She's my wife!" he begged.

His words fell on deaf ears. The guard sneered before driving a brutal kick to the man's face, sending him sprawling to the ground. His wife was tossed into the cage, the heavy iron door slamming shut. Inside, the women sobbed, their hands clutching the bars as their hopes crumbled.

The husband, battered but determined, grabbed a nearby rock and pounded against the lock. It was futile. The iron would not budge.

The guards descended on him with merciless blows, their fists and boots striking until he lay bloodied in the dirt. One of them spat at his broken form and scoffed, "This is the punishment for interfering with the orders of the village speaker. This all happened because of A fool raised his hand against the speaker's guards yesterday in the village Hoshimura. If you want to blame someone, blame him and the women who resisted, and the women who resisted belongs to your village, so you all suffer for what she did."

He then barked another order. "Now go, you dogs!"

Four people, bound in steel chains, were dragged away like animals.

From a hidden corner, the group watched in silent horror, their hearts weighed with sorrow. Yoto's breath came in ragged gasps, his mind spiraling into guilt.

All these women… they're caged because of me… because I saved that girl from the coastal village. If I hadn't interfered, this wouldn't have happened. What did I do? Why is this nation like this? Why do they treat human lives as if they are mere possessions for their amusement?

"Damn it… Damn it!"

Hataki spoke, his voice low but filled with disgust. "What is this cruel act? Where are they taking all these women?"

A small voice suddenly answered from the shadows.

"They're taken to the house of the village speaker."

Nishi turned to Yoto, a confused expression on his face. "Oi, Yoto, who's this little brat?"

Yoto's eyes widened in recognition. "Souta?! What are you doing here?"

Souta glanced around nervously before whispering, "Shhh! We have to be quiet. The guards will hear us. My house is nearby. Come there—we can talk safely."

Yoto looked at Hataki, seeking his approval. Hataki hesitated, then gave a subtle gesture—a silent "no, we need to move on." But Yoto turned back to Souta.

"Lead the way."

Kaito stepped forward, frustration clear in his voice. "Oi, Yoto, what are you doing? We already have enough problems!"

Yoto kept his voice low. "Sir Kaito, I know, but the guards are already looking for the man who fought them. If we stay here, we'll be spotted. It's safer to hide for now and move under the cover of night."

Akemi, fuming, was about to object when Hataki cut in. "Yoto is right. The village is crawling with guards. They know the person they're hunting wears a hooded cloak. If we try to cross now, we'll be caught. Our best move is to follow the boy."

Ginrou nodded. "That's our best option right now."

Kaito sighed in defeat. "Fine. If Hataki says so, we do it."

Hataki turned to Souta. "Lead the way, boy. We'll follow."

Souta nodded. "Sure. But stay quiet. The guards must not hear us."

As they followed, Hataki's unease was palpable. Ginrou, noticing his tension, murmured, "That was a good call, Hataki. You did the right thing. The village speaker—he's cruel to the people, isn't he?"

Hataki hesitated, then finally spoke. "I'm only thinking of our squad's safety. If we move now, we risk getting caught. And if that happens… Hayato will be in danger."

Ginrou chuckled. "Oh? If we used our powers, we could cross this village without anyone noticing. But I get it—safety first."

Hataki exhaled, then allowed himself a small chuckle. "Yeah. You're right."

Souta led them to his home, knocking softly on the door. When it opened, his sister, Hena, stood on the other side. Her eyes widened in shock, recognizing the hooded savior who had rescued them before. Then she saw the group behind him, her expression a mix of surprise and concern.

"Sister," Souta said urgently, "these are the friends of the man who saved us. The guards are searching for him. Can they stay here for the night? They'll leave when everything calms down."

Hena hesitated, but the memory of Yoto's bravery flashed in her mind. Without another thought, she nodded and stepped aside.

"Come in. You're safe here."

As the group settled, she offered them tea, making them comfortable. Hataki, ever the leader, wasted no time.

"Hena, where are they taking the young women? And why?"

Hena sighed and turned to Souta. "Go buy some vegetables for dinner, alright? Here's some money."

The boy nodded, taking the coins with enthusiasm before dashing out.

Hataki, feeling guilty, spoke hesitantly. "Hena, you don't have to go through this trouble for us."

She smiled warmly. "You are friends of the man who saved us. It's the least I can do."

Hataki bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for your kindness."

Hena's expression darkened. "As for your question… the women are taken to the speaker's house."

Kaito frowned. "Why?"

Her hands clenched. "Because the speaker… he's a depraved man. He takes any woman he desires. And when he tires of them, he tortures them… sometimes even kills them."

Eiji paled. "What a monster…"

Ginrou's eyes narrowed. "Does the king know? And what exactly is a village speaker?"

Hena sighed. "The village speaker represents three villages in the king's court. The title was created centuries ago to bridge communication between the king and the people. But as for the king… yes, he knows."

Hataki's voice turned sharp. "He knows and does nothing?!"

Hena's next words sent a shiver through the room. "Because the speaker… is the king's firstborn son. His name is Kuroyami."

Yushin's eyes widened in shock. "The king's own son…?"