Chapter 52 - 5-3
After finishing the spiritual communication with the Great King, Manam stretched his lower back.
—It was so close.
Persa and Nezumo also stood up. To allow Manam to project his spiritual body, the two of them had lent him their psychic power.
"Look, you two," Manam pointed toward the eastern sky. "A beautiful dawn. A new dawn for the world we are creating."
"Tch, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Wasting a perfect opportunity."
Persa and Nezumo spoke one after another as they climbed the embankment. Manam followed behind. The Three Sages had been performing ritual magic by the riverbank.
Though Manam felt ashamed, he didn't feel like apologizing.
—That youth.
He thought of the dying youth the Great King had been cradling in his lap. The youth had looked at Manam and moved his lips to say "Kill me." No voice may have come out. However, he had certainly said it. This was because Manam had heard the youth's inner voice, and lured by those words, he had instinctively cast a small psychic influence, stopping the youth's weakened heart.
—Well, it's fine.
If that youth is dead, the Great King will likely change his mindset and flee from the Tawaru army.
Suddenly, the backs of the two walking ahead stopped.
When Manam looked toward where they were going, a man on horseback was looking down at them. The man had nocked an arrow to his bow and had just pulled the string with a distinct sound.
"What were you doing?" the man on horseback asked, pointing the arrowhead at them.
He knew the face. He was one of the sons of Zuft Wolf. He sported a thick black beard, and his appearance closely resembled his father's.
"Mozu-sama, was it?" Manam said. "We are guests of Salakesh-sama."
"I am asking what you were doing here. You three aren't all taking a dump in the wild, are you?"
"I'm appalled by these uncivilized folk!" Nezumo shouted. "We are stargazers! It's obvious we were watching the stars!"
"There's no need to explain to a guy like this," Persa also spat out an insult. "Even if we talk, he wouldn't understand a thing."
"Stop it!" Manam panicked.
The arrowhead glinted, reflecting the morning sun.
"Mozu-sama, has something happened?"
"When did I say such a thing?"
"Even without you saying it, one can tell by looking at your face. You aren't the type of person to point a bow and arrow at someone without a reason."
Hmph, Mozu Wolf snorted.
"In the tents where you were sleeping... Salakesh-sama has died," Mozu Wolf said. "He was killed, his throat slit."
"W-w-was it our doing? Do you think we could do such a thing?"
"Well, it would be impossible, wouldn't it?"
Mozu laughed. While laughing, he lowered the bow and returned the arrow to the quiver. "Anyway, you're coming with me. No unauthorized movement is permitted until the details of the matter become clear."
The old men were forced to walk, chased by Mozu's horse.
Along the way, Manam and the others were informed of last night's tragedy.
"My father, Zuft Wolf, the chief of the clan, was also killed. My eldest brother Nakuritai and second brother Bufuto also died in the same tent. The inside of the tent is a pool of blood. In other tents, Muhusen-sama of the elders and Gangekeshu-sama, who was the tribal chief of Ishma, were also killed. Old men, can't you figure something out with your boasted astrology?"
Manam, Persa, and Nezumo looked at each other.
"We do not know," Manam said. "However, it was not your doing."
"What a reliable ally," Mozu Wolf said. "But why can you say that?"
"You loved your father. It shows on your face."
Mozu fell silent.
Kosa is currently at war with the Tawaru. Where the old men were was the cluster of tents serving as the rear base. The tent the old men were taken to was one of countless tents. There were sentry soldiers holding spears.
Ordered to enter, they went inside.
The buzzing that filled the tent fell silent. The faces of women, children, and an old woman all turned toward Manam and the others at once. There were perhaps thirty of them.
The Three Sages moved toward the back, as if searching for a place to step. When they looked back at the entrance, Mozu was already gone.
"Taoist-sama," a voice called from their feet.
"Hishaku-dono, I presume."
She was the wife of Tenge Wolf. For her age, she was a woman with a cute, childlike face. She was sitting with her knees hugged to her chest.
They were guided to sit here, and space was made for them.
"It seems the wives and families of the warriors are being gathered."
"Yes. We were told we would be protected and were brought here, but it seems we are being treated as hostages. Something is happening."
"More importantly," Nezumo interrupted, staring intently at Hishaku's complexion. "The efficacy of my curse-magic is fresh! It seems the season for your love to bear fruit has arrived!"
Hishaku blushed and looked down.
"Idiot, Nezumo!"
Persa and Manam covered Nezumo's mouth.
The situation currently occurring is likely some kind of political upheaval. If Tenge Wolf's wife is carrying a child, it is not very desirable for that fact to spread. There is no knowing who might become a political enemy.
Manam cast his gaze around. He noticed a white woman with dull blonde hair sitting in a corner. It was Sinkuk's wife, Meira. She was observing them with gloomy eyes.
—This one is a killer.
However, that was something he had already noticed when he first met Meira Wolf. He couldn't conclude that she was the perpetrator of last night's slaughter. To go around killing grown men in at least three locations in one night while avoiding eyes. Whether such a thing could be done with a woman's delicate hands.
—No, perhaps the opposite.
If there is someone who can do it, there is no one other than that woman. It could be thought of that way. In the woman called Meira, there were signs that she had received special training at the Roma Church.
Manam's aged eyes stopped on the face of another woman. She was holding an infant. Beside her, two boys sat, swaying their bodies as if bored.
After hesitating greatly, Manam stood up and approached the woman.
"I believe you are Nisua-dono."
She was a neat woman with her hair tied in a bun. She had a surprised look on her face.
"Please do not be afraid. I know your husband, Astai-dono. I, well, desperately wish to speak—"
"My husband?"
"Nisua-dono. This old fool, having lived a long time, can see a little of what lies ahead. Therefore, if something happens in the future, please rely on Geraha-sama. Geraha-sama will surely make things go well for you and your sons."
"Hah," Nisua gave a vacant reply. "Is something going to happen?"
—No, I do not know that.
Manam faltered. There was no need for Manam to give a haughty warning. Geraha would naturally take care of Astai's wife and children. Astai was Geraha's lieutenant.
—Things that didn't need to be said.
He had said it. However, he couldn't ignore Nisua and her sons. It was Manam who had delivered the finishing blow to the youth called Astai. It wasn't that he wanted to be forgiven, but he wanted to say something.
The fact that Astai had decided on death so dispassionately was unpleasant to Manam.
Manam and the others had survived for so long, clinging uglily to life. On the other hand, Astai, who gave up on life so easily, had a radiance born of youth. It was a kind of intelligence that could only be called foolish when measured by wisdom and experience. Thinking of that brightness, Manam felt that they themselves were dim-witted.
In the end, Manam left Nisua's side, blushing.
As afternoon arrived without them being given food, Mozu Wolf peeked into the tent. The hostages opened a path in fear. Mozu entered. He stopped near Meira.
"Sinkuk Wolf-sama has proclaimed himself the Great King."
Meira's eyes flickered. "Great King?"
"It seems so. Apparently," confusion could be seen in Mozu's bearded face. "Sinkuk-sama has become the Great King. Please stand up."
Manam watched Meira stand up.
—It's a lie.
That's impossible. At this stage, a general of one army would not say such a thing to the soldiers. It would cause unnecessary confusion. Even if he had proclaimed himself Great King, the information has arrived too quickly. It must be a strategy to intentionally spread false information and organize the formation.
In fact, sighs of relief intersected within the tent. The hostage women and children had been anxious. Chief Salakesh was killed, and order had died. In the midst of disorder, one does not know what might happen. It was possible they themselves would be killed. There, a new order was born. The control of Great King Sinkuk. With this control, lawlessness such as killing hostages at will would not be permitted.
The existence of Great King Sinkuk was thus welcomed.
Meira headed toward the entrance with Mozu. She was likely being released.
She turned around at the entrance, looked at the three old men, and said a word or two to Mozu.
Manam, Persa, and Nezumo hurriedly stood up. They raised both hands and shouted loudly.
"Long live Great King Sinkuk!"
"Long live!"
"Long live!"
The white woman wore a look of exasperation and went outside.
As Manam sat down, he looked back and saw Nisua's figure.
Nisua was soothing her infant who had started crying.
—We shall live.
As if speaking to Astai, Manam whispered in his heart.
Even with this longevity, he had not yet achieved anything. He could not die yet.
—If we were to die.
That could be called a crisis for the wisdom of humanity.
Geraha Wolf was heading north, with his brother-in-law's corpse tied to his horse.
Radoba was saying earnestly:
'There is no mistake. If we continue north, we can meet up with Tenge-sama.'
The black old man had reportedly left those words just before disappearing. Now that it was mentioned, that shadow had seemed to be muttering something.
'He is a sorcerer of that caliber. He wouldn't be mistaken once in ten thousand.'
Though he seemed like an old man who couldn't be trusted much, he couldn't not ride the horse.
Geraha looked back.
"They're following."
Maintaining a distance at the edge of what could be seen with the naked eye, a group of cavalry followed.
They were undoubtedly scouts from Kushitante's army. Judging from the dust clouds, Geraha estimated there were over a hundred riders. They must be in close contact with the main force.
If he continued north, he would eventually end up guiding the main force of the Tawaru to Sinkuk's army. If his brother was nearby, he should merge with him, change direction to the east, and go to Parakitai.
While thinking such things,
"Geraha-sama, they've come into view,"
Radoba said.
Geraha strained his eyes. Ahead, there was a group of about twenty riders galloping toward them.
—Too few.
"What does this mean? Is it really my brother?"
"I do not know."
He had thought his brother would lead about five hundred riders. He had planned to merge with them, scatter the Tawaru scouts, approach the main body of Kushitante's army, and lure the enemy to Parakitai in southern Kandasyata while drawing their attention.
However, if the forces to execute it were less than a hundred, that plan would not work.
They might even be driven back by the scouts.
The brothers soon drew close.
"Geraha!"
When they reached a distance where voices could carry, Tenge shouted.
Geraha didn't know what to say.
Regardless, he stopped his horse and welcomed his brother.
"This is a stroke of luck. To meet on this wide horizon."
"Brother..."
"That's Astai's horse," the brother said, seeing the horse with the corpse tied to it.
Tenge and Geraha embraced each other's shoulders while still on horseback. Geraha had a suspicion that Astai was a victim of their brothers' actions.
"Brother—"
"Don't. I won't permit you to apologize," Tenge said on Geraha's shoulder. "On the battlefield, it means nothing even if you are forgiven by someone. You can only win. You understand."
Geraha nodded on Tenge's shoulder.
Geraha looked at the northern horizon over his brother's shoulder, and his brother looked south over Geraha's shoulder.
"Brother, do you see them?"
"Yeah, Tawaru scouts."
Separating from his brother, Geraha looked back. The scout cavalry had stopped their horses to match them. There was no sign of them approaching.
"Brother, our army is—"
"Parakitai, right."
"You know?"
"The Najitai over there met with your army's cavalry and—"
The brother's eyes narrowed, gazing far off. He was looking south, behind Geraha.
Geraha, for his part, had his attention stolen by the northern horizon visible over his brother's head.
They stopped talking for a while. The soldiers began to buzz.
A group of cavalry appeared rapidly. They seemed to fill the northern horizon, lined up horizontally. They were Kosa's cavalry.
—As expected of my brother.
He had thought it was strange that there were only about twenty riders. Tenge had likely just been preceding them. However, it was surprising that he led so many.
At the same time the brother looked back, Geraha also turned his face to the south behind him.
To the south, the Kushitante scouts should have been standing still and watching them. That was the scene when he had confirmed it just a moment ago.
That was suddenly changing.
The number of Tawaru cavalry had increased several times over, and that number was further increasing.
Geraha locked eyes with Radoba.
"The enemy main force... right?"
"I can't believe they've approached this far."
"Rest easy, Geraha," Tenge said. "Those coming from the north are Sinkuk's army. Most likely, Sanga's army fell to intrigue."
"Are they not Brother's soldiers?"
"No. On the contrary, I had a fight with Shin-nii. I'm an exiled man."
"A fight? Why on earth again?"
"He said he didn't like calling you the future Great King. A trivial thing. But now that it's come to this, it can't be helped; in this situation, we can't head to Parakitai either. Najitai."
"Yes."
"I'll make this your achievement. I'll make it seem like I responded to your persuasion. Just this once, Shin-nii was one or two steps ahead. I shall bow my head with all my heart."
"You're returning!" The sturdy youth called Najitai's face lit up. "That is for the best! I shall not waste the miracle of having encountered Geraha-sama."
Tenge nodded and returned his eyes to Geraha. "Sanga betrayed and followed us, and the plan was to take a large detour and bite into Kushitante's tail. However, Kushitante's movement is faster than expected."
—It's because I lost.
Geraha looked down in frustration.
"Don't worry. The fact that you withdrew your army significantly seems to be paying off. First, go to Shin-nii's place, prepare about a thousand riders, and head for Parakitai."
"And then, we surround Kushitante from behind."
Tenge beamed. A laugh escaped him. "Geraha, since Shin-nii will probably forbid it, I'll tell you now. He says he finds it obnoxious, but you are the Great King. Ever since you were born. I knew it."
Saying so, the brother manipulated the reins and turned the horse. "Let's go!"
Yeah.
Mixing with the other soldiers, Geraha also raised his voice.
—Am I the Great King?
Despite the timing, Geraha sank into thought while galloping his horse.
'Why can't I tell you that you'll become the Great King?' Radoba's father had said.
'You know, even if you cannot become the Great King, you are the Great King,' Astai-nii had said at the moment of death.
'Ever since you were born.'
And now his brother says it too.
—Should I accept it?
If he accepted it, Geraha would become something. His heart might become easier. However, he would become someone. He would become something that wasn't Geraha. That premonition and anxiety. That alone, no matter who he talked to, no one would understand. Since childhood, he had been tormented by the feeling of having no place to belong. If he accepted it,
—I would finally lose a place to belong even within myself.
However, if his brother desired it. 'The current you is not the true you.' If his brother said so—.
Because he was thinking foolish things, he was late to notice.
A detachment that had broken out from Sinkuk's army was heading this way with tremendous momentum.
Perhaps two hundred riders.
Sensing an abnormal presence, Tenge and Geraha's group stopped their horses.
The approaching two hundred riders slowed their horses in front of them and moved slowly to surround them in a semicircle.
Likely to convey the circumstances, Najitai raised his hand and advanced his horse.
The brother turned around and looked at Geraha's body. It was not a look trying to convey something. He had confirmed Geraha's position. The brother moved his horse in front of Geraha.
"Tenge Wolf and Geraha Wolf," a tall man in front raised his hand. "Slay them!"
Najitai stopped his horse and lowered his hand with a suspicious look.
The light cavalry of Sinkuk's army all took up their bows at once. They were short bows. The time from nocking the arrow to releasing it was slight. Countless arrows flew horizontally. One pierced Geraha's thigh, and another sliced through Geraha's bald head. Horses reared around Geraha. Everyone was trying to make their horses pivot sharply. Geraha couldn't move. The back of his brother in front of him didn't move—that back tilted. It tilted powerlessly, becoming diagonal, then horizontal, and fell from the horse headfirst while drawing an arc of blood.
The brother had been hit by three arrows in the face alone.
There were even more arrows piercing his chest and abdomen.
Geraha got off his horse. Arrows flew and pierced without gap. Geraha's cheek was torn, and his ear was carved.
"Geraha-sama!"
A voice that sounded like Radoba's was heard.
Geraha turned his brother, who was lying on his back, onto his side and covered him with his large body. He held his brother in a posture like a beetle with its limbs tucked in. At least one arrow pierced his back.
A horse that had fallen on its side was nearby. It was expanding its belly painfully. Geraha carried his brother and hid in the low cover created by the horse. He felt as if a very long time had passed.
Suddenly looking to the side, Radoba's father had fallen to the ground with his eyes slightly open and had died. His pupils had turned whitish.
He then raised his eyes and looked at Sinkuk's army. A tall man who seemed to be the commander was shouting.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
The ones who had been showering them with arrows all began to turn their horses around.
Geraha raised his upper body and looked behind him.
A dozen or so horses had fallen, and people were fallen as if to fill the gaps. The piercing arrows were like blades of grass.
Beyond that scene was Kushitante's Tawaru army. They were pressing right up to them.
Geraha stood up. He looked down at Tenge.
Because of the arrows piercing his face, the brother's expression was unknown. His arms were spread, his waist twisted, and his legs aligned sideways.
—Brother is dead.
Stop it. Stop it already. Stop agonizing already.
No matter where he searched in the muscles of his brother's body, power no longer resided there. The relaxed flesh had been trampled and thrown aside as they pleased.
He had realized it through Astai-nii's death. People die too heartlessly. He already knew. Or perhaps, he had known since his first battle at fourteen.
—I'm done with this.
Geraha thought. He drew the barbarian blade from his waist and started walking.
Ahead where he walked, Sinkuk-nii should be.
He must have him die. It's a matter of balancing the scales.
—The brother who nuzzled my cheek has died.
The Geraha Wolf who was loved by that brother likely died together with him. Not even tears came.
Cavalry soldiers passed the walking Geraha one after another.
They were undoubtedly Tawaru light cavalry.