Side Story: Edgar Back Then (3)

By the time they arrived in Serika, the silk country across the sea from the Yamata Kingdom, the sun had already set and a starry sky was visible.

Just to be safe, Edgar carried Princess Nobara to the port, but every ship bound for the Yamata Kingdom had already departed.

More than that, the two of them were struck by shocking news, and they cried out in unison.

“What did you say!? The land was unified!?”

“Is that truly so!?”

“Yes—about five years ago. It was done by someone named Mikoto of the Kanmu.”

“The Kanmu!? How could that be!?”

The Kanmu (Jinmu Clan) had been a small tribe that held Kyō, Osaka, and Kove—its authority had been mostly ceremonial, recognized only because they were said to be the oldest great clan with the blood of the gods.

Meanwhile, the Mikawari Corps, which Edgar and the Princess belonged to, had been a wealthy tribe ruling a wide region from central to eastern Yamata. What was more, by forming an alliance with the rival Azu Clan, they should have become the largest power in the Yamata Kingdom.

The sailor-like man answered.

“Lady Mikoto, rumored to carry the blood of the gods, used divine power to raise the Kanmu up. At the decisive battle, she defeated the allied forces of Mikawari, Azu, and Mudate.”

“…Then what happened to the Mikawari? Were you dissolved?”

Those who lost a war often had to take responsibility—execution or forced suicide were common outcomes.

On Edgar’s back, Princess Nobara anxiously clutched his clothes with her tiny hand.

The man at the docks replied with a smile.

“What, are you from the Mikawari? Relax. Lady Mikoto is a kind one, you see. She only ordered the head to live in seclusion—everyone else was spared without punishment. Most people even kept roughly the same posts. Not a single beheading or belly-cutting.”

“Why!? That’s impossible!”

“She said, ‘Let’s end the era of washing blood with blood.’ From now on, compete through specialties and industry—that’s what she declared. They’ve been restoring the domestic economy, strengthening agriculture in every region, and increasing local specialty production. Trade with foreign countries has exploded too. It’s truly a peaceful age. Folks call her an unparalleled wise ruler, a benevolent king.”

“I see… thanks.”

Edgar thanked him and walked away.

Princess Nobara spoke softly.

“What do you intend to do?”

“If we explain the circumstances, you should be able to return home, Princess.”

“…And you, Azuma?”

“It looks like the world no longer needs me. That’s a good thing.”

Heh-heh—Edgar laughed with a voice that mixed relief and loneliness.

Princess Nobara knit her brows sadly and thought.

But she quickly put on a bold smile.

“Then our worries are gone, and we shall eat something delicious!”

“Oh, Princess. Is there something you want to eat?”

“Mm! I have begun to crave Serika’s little steamed meat buns!”

“Soup dumplings, got it—while we’re at it, let’s buy tomorrow’s ticket too.”

Edgar spoke to the clerk at the ticket booth and bought passage for the ship, then left the port.

Princess Nobara, looking like she did not want to leave, rubbed her forehead against Edgar’s back again and again.

At dusk in Kyō, the capital of the Yamata Kingdom.

Straight roads ran east–west and north–south, crossing at right angles like a grid.

Aside from shrines and temples, most buildings were single-story, dyed red by the setting sun.

In front of the single-story residence of the Mikawari head—tucked in one corner of the city—stood Edgar and Princess Nobara.

A closed gate stood before them.

Princess Nobara looked up at Edgar with a worried face and gripped the hem of his clothes with her small hand.

“Will it be alright…?”

“You don’t need to worry about anything, Princess.”

“That is not it. I worry for you, Azuma!”

At her words, Edgar narrowed the eyes hidden behind his messy hair and smiled.

“That’s exactly why you don’t need to worry. I’m strong.”

“Even so…”

Princess Nobara shook her blunt-cut head and trailed off.

Then the gate of the residence slowly opened.

A woman in traditional robes standing inside drew a sharp breath the moment she saw them.

“Ah… Princess, Azuma-sama—welcome home… The Lord is waiting.”

She spoke with a bow.

Edgar and Princess Nobara passed through the gate.

As the woman led them inside, Edgar called out from behind.

“Who is the Lord now?”

“Um… after you were gone, Azuma-sama, many things happened. The eldest son, Hideta-sama, has now inherited the position.”

“I see… things really changed…”

As Edgar walked along the residence corridors, he looked around.

Then they stepped out into the garden.

Edgar descended from the corridor into the garden, dropped to one knee, and composed himself formally.

Princess Nobara sat seiza on the corridor facing the garden.

A man with a sword at his waist approached and formally knelt near the paper sliding door.

“Hideta-sama. Azuma and Princess Nobara have returned.”

Saying so, he opened the sliding door.

From deeper inside, a sturdy, middle-aged man with short hair emerged.

“It’s been a long time, Azuma… you were alive, then.”

“It has been some time, Hideta-sama.”

Edgar bowed his head deeply.

Hideta’s eyes stopped on the small girl, Princess Nobara, sitting seiza on the corridor.

“Uncanny… you were supposed to be dead.”

Edgar raised his face and opened his heavy mouth.

“In foreign lands, there are those who can use techniques that revive the dead.”

“I see… so that is why you left the country.”

“I will accept any punishment. The Princess is uninvolved. I did everything on my own. Please—spare the Princess’s life.”

Edgar placed both hands on the ground and pressed his forehead down.

Hideta furrowed his brow deeply and grimaced with displeasure, looking back and forth between Edgar prostrating himself and the small Princess sitting nearby.

Then he let out a sigh and relaxed his shoulders.

“Very well… the Princess will be treated with due respect.”

“Thank you!”

Edgar bowed again and again.

Hideta grimaced and rubbed his chin.

“Besides, Lady Mikoto is not one who desires unnecessary bloodshed. If we approach her in good faith, Azuma’s punishment should be light as well.”

Princess Nobara, still seated seiza, smiled as her face softened like a flower blooming.

“That is good…”

“However—taking the Princess out of the country, and applying suspicious forbidden arts… the Mikawari can no longer judge how to rule. We will submit the matter to Lady Mikoto.”

“Understood… I will accept any judgment, and it is fine if you sever me and declare me unrelated to the Mikawari.”

“That may be best. …In any case, you labored for your younger sister. Proceed as you see fit.”

“Yes, sir—those are gracious words!”

“Then both of you, withdraw for today.”

Edgar bowed deeply.

Hideta turned on his heel and went back into the room.

An attendant came and helped Princess Nobara stand.

They tried to lead her to a room.

Princess Nobara followed at first, but then suddenly raised her voice.

“Ah, that is right! —A reward!”

Princess Nobara suddenly jumped down into the garden.

She ran to a small violet blooming among the weeds and plucked it.

Then she let her blunt-cut hair flutter lightly and turned back with a smile.

But Edgar was no longer in the wide garden.

Princess Nobara’s childish smile froze, and she clenched the violet in her small hand.

“He is gone… without receiving his reward… You will return alive, will you not, Azuma…”

Called to by the attendant, Princess Nobara trudged back to the corridor.

She looked back again and again toward the garden and outside, but she could no longer find Edgar’s messy hair.