CHAPTER 45-The King's Daughter

Akemi murmured softly to herself, "Your sister, huh… Brother Hayato."She dried off, changed, and quietly slipped into her futon beside Yushin, a peaceful smile lingering on her face as sleep gently claimed her."You're already cool enough, Brother Hayato."

Morning arrived gently across the Sirocaan nation. The first rays of sunlight spilled over mountain ridges, filtered through forest canopies, and poured into the quiet village of Kaminosato. Light danced on rooftops, kissed the mist off the rivers, and fell softly upon the house where the travelers had taken shelter.

Inside, the air was thick with warmth and laziness. Blankets remained half-pulled, and the wooden floor creaked softly beneath shifting feet. Though they were warriors, fugitives, and tacticians, this morning they resembled carefree drifters—lounging in a borrowed home, enjoying a rare moment of calm before the storm.

In the kitchen, Hena tied back her hair as she eyed the dwindling stock of vegetables.

"Souta," she called over her shoulder, "could you run to the market and pick up a few things? I'll start breakfast."

"On it!" Souta replied, already halfway to the door, bursting with energy only a boy his age could summon at that hour.

In the main room, near the low wooden table, Yoto sat across from Hataki and Kaito. A single shaft of sunlight streamed between them, catching dust motes that swirled like spirits in stillness.

Hataki leaned forward, his voice low with concern."Yoto, are you really sure you can win against the Village Speaker? The match is tomorrow. What's going through your head?"

Yoto didn't flinch. His face was unreadable—like carved stone—and his voice was calm and measured."There's nothing to think about. This is an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone."

Kaito raised a brow, intrigued. "Go on. What do you mean?"

Yoto's fingers tapped the table twice in quiet rhythm."First, the fight. If I win, we deal a blow to the Speaker's influence—his grip on the outer villages weakens. Second, it puts us directly in the King's line of sight. With luck, it gets us into the castle."

Hataki's eyes narrowed. "Because the Speaker… is the king's son."

Yoto nodded. "If I beat him in a public tournament, the King won't be able to ignore it. He'll want to know who I am… and why I won. That might be our only chance at an audience. Otherwise, we'll never set foot inside that castle."

Kaito chuckled softly, folding his arms. "You really thought this far ahead. Good job, Yoto. But… what if you don't win?"

Yoto met his eyes, unwavering."I will win."

The room fell quiet—not out of doubt, but because his conviction left no room for disbelief. Hataki and Kaito exchanged a glance. They had no words for the fire they saw burning in Yoto's eyes.

Meanwhile, Souta raced down the village road, the wind tugging at his sleeves. The morning air was brisk, and the market square buzzed with life—vendors arranging produce, merchants shouting prices, and children darting between carts.

As he neared the town center, Souta noticed a growing crowd near the announcement platform. Curious, he slowed down.

"What's going on over there?" he wondered aloud, squeezing through the crowd until he reached the front.

A royal guard stood tall, holding a scroll in hand and speaking in a commanding voice.

"By official declaration of the Village Speaker," the guard announced, "the representative fighter for Kaminosato in tomorrow's tournament will be—Yoto."

A hush spread across the square.

"Yoto? Who's that?" "Never heard of him." "Isn't this the first time the Speaker personally picked someone?" "What happened to the village chief's fighters?" "Wait… is that the guy who fought the guards last week?" "You think the Speaker's trying to eliminate him publicly?" "Wouldn't surprise me. The Speaker's cruel—and smart."

Souta stood frozen, his shopping list crushed in one hand. The crowd buzzed behind him, but all he could think about was Yoto.

He quickly bought the items on Hena's list and hurried back, his steps quickened by a second round of whispers he overheard:

"Hey, did you hear about the mountain near Yamahana?" "Yeah. Strange noises all night." "Not just noise. The guards came back beaten—badly." "You mean someone beat them?" "That's what I heard. Crushed them." "Could it be… the same person the Speaker picked?" "Maybe. Whoever he is, I hope he wins. Feels like change is finally coming."

Souta's heart pounded. He gripped the vegetable basket tighter and sprinted the rest of the way home.

The moment he opened the door, he shouted, "Yoto! Yoto! The whole village is talking about you!"

Hataki looked up, startled. "What happened?"

Souta rushed in, breathless. "The Speaker's guards came to the market! They announced that you, Yoto, will fight for Kaminosato in the tournament. Everyone was stunned. They couldn't believe the Speaker himself made the decision!"

Kaito blinked. "Wait—he chose the fighter personally?"

Hena stepped in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth. "Normally, the village chief selects one of his trained disciples. The Speaker is making it look like a public decision… but it's a trap. He wants to settle something with Yoto—on his own terms."

Souta nodded, still buzzing. "And the tournament starts tomorrow. Ten in the morning!"

A heavy silence settled in the room. The reality of the battle ahead crept into their thoughts.

Then—a knock at the door.

Souta blinked and went to answer it. When he opened it, he was stunned into silence.

Standing at the threshold was a girl unlike any he had ever seen. Her long black hair was intricately braided with golden threads. Her posture was regal, her expression calm, composed.

"Can I help you?" Souta asked, wide-eyed.

"I was told this is the home where travelers from beyond our nation are staying," she said softly.

Hataki and Kaito exchanged a glance. Hataki stood up and approached, motioning for Souta to step aside.

"What do you need from us?" he asked, carefully.

The girl bowed her head slightly. "May I speak with you privately?"

Hataki hesitated. "Who are you… and how do you know about us?"

She met his gaze without flinching."I am the daughter of the King of Sirocaan," she said. "And the younger sister of Hayato."

A stunned silence fell over the room.

Kaito's mouth dropped open."For real?"