***
Meanwhile in the capital city of Kouki the guards foil the attack on Taiki and the quick investigation leads the ministry to Shison, who desperately tries to convince others that he just tried to save the country from kirin impersonator and when he sees that his master doesn’t come to his rescue, he confesses that Chouun was the real mastermind and having the testimony of various officials within the ministry, the royal court is able to get rid of both Shison and Chouun at the same. Thus despite some protests and thanks to Asen’s support Ansaku becomes the temporary chousai, but he still plans to become something more and starts his own game for real…
***
At the same time more and more people start to come to Seisai where Gyousou’s followers are gathering forces, with the official reason being the restoration of the local temples destroyed in the purge few years ago. Risai and her companions are full of hope and with the Kyuusan’s rebels lending their hand in Gyousou’s search the task doesn’t seem so impossible anymore.
That is, till Sekirei brings the report from Tonkou saying that something suspicious is happening in the local office as the provincial army got the orders to prepare the accommodations for the troops coming from the capital itself. For a moment the group debates if the government has somehow gotten the wind of their actions, but as the number of mobilized soldiers (around 2500) is quiet small for the forces moving under the order to annihilate the rebels, they come to the conclusion that there must be something else… And as the rumor says that the coming troops are interest in getting to Mt. Kan'you the resistance is not really happy about the possibility of having to abandon their search that has yet to really begin…
***
As forces led by Yuushou and Ukou arrive at Rin'u they discover that previously thought to abandoned Mt. Kan'you and neighboring cities are occupied by the rebels. And when Yuushou plans what to do, Ukou proposes what he thinks to be the easiest solution: attack the bandits, make the cooperate in digging through the corridors and after getting their hands on Gyousou simply get rid of the workers. Quiet simple, but somehow Yuushou is even more disgusted with Ukou so he temporarily backs out.
After leaving one unit (500 men) in Rin'u the troops head for Sokou and send the messenger to Kyuusan demanding him to let them through to the Mt. Kan'you. Kyuusan’s people suggest contacting the resistance (Risai and co.), but their leader quickly shoots down the idea stating that it’s ridiculous since they’re no allies and yes, they cooperated once but that’s it. And as the band plans to hold out as long as possible for innocents to escape, resigned Yuushou gives the order to attack. Rebels don’t give in for some time, but then suddenly evacuate under the cover of the night leaving the city empty. Fearing them coming back Yuushou leaves yet another unit in Sokou ordering them to get in contact with those waiting in Rin'u and leads the rest of the troops towards the mountain.
Not long after that the resistance stationing at Seisai gets the news about the siege of rebels’ city and people start to discuss sending reinforcements, but since Sougen doesn’t know Kyuusan in person to him Kyuusan’s people are just plain criminals and he simply has no intention in aiding them, as their involvement may result in Asen discovering their existence and sending the army to destroy them, before they’re able to get enough people to fight back. As of now they’ve only gathered around 5000 people, most of them not being real soldiers and what’s more they still have no idea about Gyousou’s exact whereabouts. Risai and Kiitsu try to convince to convince him, but knowing it might take too much time to really make a difference for Kyuusan, Kenchuu leaves the group to gather volunteers and manages to get around forty to go with him. In the end Risai is able to convince her friends to help and starts to make preparations to move out with Sougen’s forces backing her own.
Meanwhile Yuushou’s forces continue the siege of Anpuku and impatient Ukou has enough of it and ignoring the order to stay put he gathers his men and they move out to get rid of the runaways. As they discover the small group of the rebels hiding in the ruins of the two abandoned villages they proceed to annihilate them with Ukou taking a great pleasure in dismembering an old woman himself in the second village and leaving the young mother with children to his people.
As Kenchuu and his companions run into Ukou’s men, Kenchuu himself gets wounded by their leader himself who getting the job done runs back to his own companions, extremely angry that he lost his expensive mount and had to use the one left by his man. As he nears the place where he left one group of his men, he’s greeted with the suspicious man easily defeating his subordinates. As he observes the man fighting he recognizes the one they where suppose to dig out in the first place and hearing Kenchuu’s men getting closer, he runs. When Kenchuu and the others make it there they just find a mysterious man holding a crying child, the corpses of Ukou’s man and after searching the nearest house are shocked to discover just what Ukou is capable of doing. Since there’s not many of them they fall back taking the unresisting man with them.
Yuushou’s becoming more and more impatient with the siege taking so long and starts to think about finally using air cavalry to speed things up, but suddenly there’s commotion and Ukou’s barging in saying that he saw Gyousou. Yuushou’s surprised and displeased with Ukou’s actions but sends the soldiers with hi to go after the king. Sometime later his men come back and their leader, Shishin is furious because not only did Gyousou got away, but the soldiers discovered the aftermath of Ukou’s massacre and are voicing their complains about involving Ukou in the first place. Yuushou promises to address this matter later, but now they have to go after Gyousou. Even as the night falls Yuushou decide to go after Gyousou and sends order to move out to the unit in Sokou.
Kyuusan gathers survivors and as the army leaves they prepare to escape the fallen city and try to get the attention of the rear forces in order to aid their escaping families. But as they make across the river they discover that their friends were destroyed earlier by Ukou’s men and also that something else than them is stopping army’s advance. This something being soldiers protesting against Ukou’s actions and demanding Yuushou to intervene but as they’re in the middle of the battle there’s little he can do and what’s more the hated groups laughs off the threats saying that Asen’s backing them. This enrages soldiers even more and Ukou uses the commotion to his own advantage and escapes with his surviving and Yuushou has to send a search party for them, which in the end is unable to locate them. As the dawn nears Yuushou seeing the state of his troops and orders them to go back to Anpuku to regroup. Noticing that Kyuusan’s group makes a desperate run toward the abandoned city but finds the air cavalry there. Seeing the backing army and air troops going after them, they think that it’s the end but suddenly they hear the battle cry of thousand voices and one of the Kyuusan’s companions who managed to climb the slope cheers seeing the forces coming to their aid. Shocked Kyuusan can’t do much more than staring as Risai descends from the sky on the back of her powerful beast. The general greets the rebels and sends them ahead to join their surviving families.
As rebels escape Risai starts thinking about withdrawing as defeating royal army was not the purpose of this escapade. It was simply to disorient the troops and make it possible for the Kyuusan’s band to run away, but as they talk, Seishi’s cry announces the sudden arrival of Sougen’s forces, because as Kiro explains, the provincial army was not moving so Sougen decided to mobilize his troops effectively entrapping Yuushou’s forces and making it resistance surprising victory. The mysterious cavalry from Anpuku turns out to be some of Risai’s former forces under the lead of her long-lost companion, Oukou, who general is extremely happy to see. She learns from him that even though much of her troops perished in the purges, about half of the people survived, including three of five of her direct subordinates, one of them being Kouyuu, currently moving with his soldiers to Bun Province.
Yuushou himself quickly becomes resigned to his fate when he discovers that the air cavalry flying from Anpuku does not belong to his troops. He’s also furious because clearly his troops walked into the situation with no way to win. Not knowing beforehand about rebels occupying Mt. Kan'you, underestimating their numbers and abilities and on a top of that having to tolerate Ukou’s behavior and soldiers consequent protests. Yuushou and his men were once Asen’s people and took pride in it. But with this defeat everything comes to an end.
In the aftermath of the battle resistance forces settle in ruined capital of Kan county, Saihou, regrouping and dealing with the prisoners. Suddenly though Risai and Sougen are informed about the existence of the suspicious man whom Kenchuu’s forces took captive and as the officers noticed his weapon, they thought it necessary to inform their superiors. Risai takes one look at the sword and quickly demands to be taken where the prisoner is held. Full of hope but also dread Risai and Sougen run to the ruined house and discover that the emaciated man clad in rags is no one other but Gyousou himself. The king doesn’t hide how glad he is to see them but is also fairly amused with their spontaneous reactions - Sougen, Seishi and Oukou openly crying and Risai frozen in place.
As the news about Gyousou’s sudden appearance travels through the camp and soldiers are celebrating, Yuushou quietly contemplates his own situation, musing that if the situation were reversed Asen probably could never get the same reaction. At least, the person who Asen has become - withdrawn, but also merciless and unnecessarily cruel. Coming to terms with the ‘death’ of his former master Yuushou bids him farewell and readily accepts his fate. Whatever it may be.
In the meantime, Risai introduces Gyousou to the people without whom she wouldn’t make it this far. After hearing the story of Zui'un Temple the king expresses his gratitude towards the priests that spoke up for him when no one else did and thanks Kyoshi for everything. He’s also really intrigued by Houto, who comes from the same province as him and praises his design of the new flag for the resistance troops - the same white one as used by survivors of Tetsui, but with touches of the black ink to differentiate themselves from normal pilgrims. Then they proceed to discuss their immediate plans - escorting Gyousou to En Kingdom to ask for help. First they will take him to the nearby city of Rokou to rest and then depart for the abandoned mountain in Kou Province to get above the Sea of Clouds and then to En. They not only want to visit Touka once again and thank its residents for help, but also are reluctant to use any nearer mountain in fear of getting unwanted attention and alarming the capital. And as they have to travel away from the prying eyes they will need to take a long way around through the mountains of Ba Province in the west and then moving south to Ten County in Kou. The next day Gyousou leaves camp for Rokou.
Sougen, on the other hand, goes to talk with the captured leader and as he makes way though the makeshift prison, some of the arrested soldiers ask after Gyousou and make their allegiance to him clear, but Sougen doesn’t respond to that. First he needs to speak with Yuushou and he’s afraid to hear that somehow Asen got the wind of their actions, because if that’s the case he will have to order his people to get rid of everyone captured, his former friend included. Thus he extremely relieved that Yuushou’s purpose was to investigate Mt. Kan'you and bring Gyousou back. In turn Yuushou asks about them coming to rebels help, but also congratulates Sougen on finding the missing king, to which Sougen answers that his master freed himself and they met him by accident. They joke about it for a moment, but then Sougen turns somber and asks Yuushou what he’s intending to do. The defeated leader readily declares that he himself would gladly serve Gyousou as Asen finally went to far, rejected his loyal retainers and tolerated Ukou’s behavior. Then Yuushou proceeds to convince his subordinates to defect to resistance and they agree, becoming the part of Sougen’s forces. They also talk about the situation in Hakkei Palace. Yuushou is shocked to learn of the possibility of Taiki lying, but then describes how the court reacted and how many people still have their doubts about the Asen being New King, but on the other hand it’s hard to not believe kirin’s word as it comes straight from the Heaven. Sougen in turn is worried at first when he hears that Taiki’s bodyguard, Kouryou ran away, but is assured that Saiho’s not alone and has a few loyal subjects by his side.
With all the preparations the Gyousou’s escort group of twenty led by Risai consisting of Oukou, Kiro, Kyoshi, Houto and the others, depart with their flying beasts towards Ba Province.
***
Sometime before the battle in Bun Province takes place Asen decides that they need someone to take over the post of the governer in Hakurou as the current one has become the useless puppet and in the end the choose Keitou. The man himself is clearly unwilling to go as he’s got his post as deputy governor and works for Taiki, but as he goes to his liege, kirin calmly explains that he was the one to nominate him for the provincial post, as he needs the trusted individual to take control of Bun Province and if necessary provide help for Risai and her companions. Hearing that Keitou gladly agrees and leaves some time later with charm against jisen provided by Yari.
The deputy of the former Minister of Heaven, Kakei, takes over his post and for the time being everything seems to work in favor of Taiki, as after the uproar of Chouun and Shison’s betrayal most of the courtiers come to conclusion that Ansaku being Chouun’s direct subordinate makes him suspicious enough and kirin being the creature of mercy is the safest political option. That it, until the report from Bun Province comes stating that Yuushou’s forces were defeated by the local rebels.
Asen discusses the situation with Ansaku and Shukuyou but there’s not enough information, but suddenly Ukou barges in and after dismissing the courtiers Asen gets his report about finding out Gyousou and him witnessing Yuushou’s defeat by the unknown army. The next time Asen talks to the ministers the second message delivered from Bun, states that the one leading the resistance is Risai. Hearing that Asen is clearly surprised that she survived that long after being found guilty of assassinating the king. He also muses what if he met her earlier and knew her better, because as far as he’s concerned Risai wasn’t Gyousou’s followers. They went together to Mt. Hou and then it turned out that she wasn’t to be the king, later became king’s general and, in Asen’s experience this kind of relationship quickly turns to hate, at least from the person of the lower rank. But then it’s all in the past and nothing will change it so Asen proceeds to order the ministers to prepare for the new purges as rebels cannot run freely. He also keeps Gyousou’s escape secret and wonders what he would do if the roles were reversed coming to conclusion that the most efficient thing to do is heading west and trying to get hold of the castle or two.
***
With Risai and Gyousou having departed for En, Sougen relocated his troops to Rokou as not to endanger Seisai new residents that have nothing to do with the resistance. While he and Yuushou discuss other generals’ (Eishou and Gashin’s) whereabouts and come to the conclusion that with all the gathered forces they finally stand a change against Asen’s army, Sekirei comes with the report from Tonkou that Bun provincial office prepares for the purges. And not having enough information, Sougen believes it’ll be safe to leave Rokou in the hands of the surviving rebels and focus on finding other place. Then Seishi tries to convince Kyuusan’s group to escape, but Kyuusan says that too many of his comrades died the awful way and he can’t forgive Ukou’s man and he along with some of his man want to fight against the usurper’s army.
***
On their way to Ba Province Risai’s group leads Gyousou to the ruins of Tetsui so he can pay his respects to its fallen citizens. After that they come upon the burning village and a little group of rebels stealing what they can. On Gyousou’s demand the group goes to help free the citizens who were supposed to burn to death, as the revenge for standing against the rebels who in the past often cam by the village to demand not only food but also hostages with villagers later finding the missing people’s bodies discarded along the nearby valley. Now that they all almost died the citizens are desperate and ask for the travelers’ help. But the group needs to move on and doesn’t answer their plea. In turn one of the residents who recently lost his mother to the rebels suspects that it might involve certain traveler who disappeared right after the residents got freed…
***
Not so long after that Asen gets information that someone witnessed person resembling Gyousou making their way through the south-eastern parts of Bun Province and immediately plans to send the air cavalry unit to go there and investigate. But in the meantime…
Kisen, who was supposed to go meet with his superior and other officers to discuss the placement of the remaining Yuushou’s soldiers, is suddenly summoned by Asen to the Inner Palace. The man is overjoyed at the possibility of finally properly serving his lord but before he goes there, he sends a message to Santou explaining that they won’t be able to go together to the meeting with Hinken. Santou is surprised but goes to the meeting alone. There he learns that Hinken knows nothing about it and starts to worry, but tells his superior and himself that it’s good that Asen finally acknowledged them and that there’s no doubt that soon Hinken will also be summoned. On the way back to his quarters Santou visits Kisen’s place and finds him there, but the man’s eyes are strangely empty and he acts as if he doesn’t recognize Santou. Not that he can do anything about and is forced to leave Kisen be.
Impatient Ukou happily goes to Asen’s side who finally thought of summoning him, but as he gets there the unpleasant awaits. It turns out that Asen doesn’t plan to let him lead the forces that are suppose to hunt down Gyousou and his companions. Ukou is furious but as he sees who is there to replaces him he just laughs, but quickly becomes enraged when Asen pulls out the charm to get hinman out of him, for this was the source of Ukou’s remarkable fighting abilities. Though he doesn’t have much time to hate Asen as suddenly Kisen draws his sword and cuts him in half. The Kisen himself is still somewhere there inside and can’t help but feeling sad and lonely when Asen orders him to take the air cavalry, kill the rebels and bring Gyousou back alive.
Some time after the cavalry departs Asen is visited by very displeased Taiki who demands the explanation about using the forces under his command without him at least getting notified about it. Asen bluntly answers that he did it to hurry up Gyousou’s return and get rid of the rebels. When at first Taiki questions his decision and then tries to leave, he’s stopped dead in his tracks by Asen asking if he’s intending to contact new governor of Bun Province to get him to aid Gyousou’s escape. When Taiki doesn’t answer, he pulls out the charm and explains that even if Keitou were already in Hakurou, he wouldn’t answer Taiki’s call, because the charm he got from Yari is useless. Taiki is visibly shaken and asks how can Asen even do something like this to his own subject. To this Asen says that Keitou is no longer his subordinate and that he doesn’t care. Outraged Taiki reminds Asen that actions such as these can result in Heaven forfeiting their blessing, to which Asen just laughs bitterly and says that he knows the whole 'New King’ thing is a lie and that he’s been simply playing along to see what Taiki would do.
For it was simply impossible that Taiki would choose him. For once the idea itself is ridiculous as Asen’s had too many things that disqualify him as the candidate for the throne. And what’s even more important Taiki is suppose to be unable to fulfill his role as the envoy of Gods ans Asen cut off his horn sealing his powers. Which means he can’t hear the Heaven, can’t sense the king’s aura and can’t make anyone a monarch. Truth to be told, Asen barely managed to stop himself from killing younger Taiki, because of the hatred he felt for him for choosing Gyousou to be a King. And after that Taiki’s disappearance spared him from having to interact with kirin, because of the necessity to keep both Taiki and Gyousou alive to stop the next king from taking throne from Asen. But then Taiki’s returned and announced that Asen was to be appointed as a rightful leader of Tai. Asen couldn’t believe but accepted the fact that Taiki has willingly became his hostage and never planned to aid him in case of any problems. But as it turned out he had to act because Taiki got involved if conflict with Chouun and started to gain real support among the courtiers. Even when Taiki managed to pledge himself to Asen he still didn’t believe. Taiki was too calm and too convinced about his abilities to make things work the way he wanted them to. And the fact that unflappable kirin was finally forced to show his emotions makes Asen really, really happy. So he tells Taiki that the only thing he can hate if the Heaven itself. For it made him choose Gyousou as the king.
When Taiki comes back to his mansion he’s confronted by Minister of Fall who tells him that according to Chouun’s statement his deputy, Kakei, has been arrested for her part in the attacks against Taiki. Taiki’s own protests are ignored and he’s informed that due to the suspicion of more people being involved with the traitors and to keep Saiho he and his retainers need to be confined within the mansion and no one is suppose to enter or leave without Asen’s approval. Thus Taiki becomes the prisoner in his own home.
***
As the royal army is making their way towards Rin'u Sougen and Youshuu plan their own movements in case they are attacked After discussing all of the options they come to conclusion that even if the royal army move against them the provincial one is just there to pose as a threat, since it’s clearly impossible for Asen to organize such a great hunt as the last time since this time he’s about to be enthroned and can’t risk enraging the Heaven. So they split up their troops, escape from the vicinity of Mt. Kan'you, gather back and the try to get a hold of a most available castle. But the most important thing is to no engage in battle and to save their strength for later.
As the royal army arrives in Rin'u the message from mysterious informant in Hakkei Palace is delivered stating that Asen sent the air cavalry to take Gyousou captive. At first Sougen is unsure whether to believe this letter or not, but is quickly convinced that they can’t ignore it, even if it’s fake and have to arrange for someone to go and warn the group traveling to Ba. They manage to gather twenty five soldiers and hurry for the border between the provinces, but they don’t have much time and even if they’ll make it in time, it’s may not be enough to stop the enemies from abducting their king, as Sougen suspects that also the provincial army of Ba is ready to make its move.
***
Five days after helping with the fire in the village of Nanshou, the king and his entourage finally make it to the provincial border that’s just beyond the mountains ahead of them. It won’t be long before they see their friends in Touka… But as they travel through the dense forest one of their scouts suddenly flies back and informs them that there are strange shapes in the distance not so far behind them. At first Risai can’t believe but the only think they can do now is to hurry to the border hoping that the lose their pursuers on the mountain trail. But just as they start to run, the wild beasts attack them. One of them is especially problematic as it can call over the others with its cry and being small and agile is very hard to kill. Kiro ends up getting killed by of the beasts and Oukou urges Risai, Gyousou and the others to go ahead. They run but the enemies catch up with them and only thanks to Hi'en’s reflex and Gyousou’s help Risai survives the brutal attack of the soldier she recognizes as one of Asen’s followers. As she and Gyousou make it further, they quickly talk about the time when Ukou attacked the king and how the trained beasts were also there and how unexpectedly hard Ukou was to fight. Gyousou suggests that it might have a hinman but their discussion is interrupted by the sudden appearance of the soldiers just ahead of them. Kyoshi’s mount gets hurt and the man falls to the ground. As they try to get to him on of archers aims his arrow at Gyousou. For a second Risai is terrified that it’s too late to save him, but suddenly Kisen jumps between the archer and the kings and takes the shot for him, as he blearily remembered something about needing to keep Gyousou alive, but even as he succumbs to his wounds he’s not sure what it was all about.
Oukou that was left behind if found by the group sent to help and together they try to make it in time to help Gyousou and the others. As Risai gets attacks once again she can’t locate Gyousou, then after a moment she sees him going for the fallen Kyoshi. Houto and his friend are closer and try to get to him, but their beast gets attacked by the enemy and they also fall to the ground. As Houto runs for Kyoshi and is one step from grabbing his hand another soldier appears and strikes him with the sword. As the man falls to the ground, shocked Kyoshi hears Houto shouting at him to run. Then someone grabs him by the arm and it turns out to be Gyousou, who then gives Kyoshi his sword and practically puts him on Rakou’s back telling him to hold on tight and orders his suugu to fly away. As the young priest and Rakou disappear into the night, Gyousou calmly kneels over dying Houto, not even trying to run from the soldiers closing in on him. Yes, he hears his followers crying for him to go, but something in him breaks and he knows that they probably won’t make as the enemies just keep coming. Too many people have already died for his sake, too have suffered because of the empty throne. Suddenly he’s extremely tired and simply just can’t take it anymore, seeing his people getting decimated…
Risai tries to make to Gyousou, but is stopped by the only other man left alive, who tells her to go back to Sougen and report the situation and he will go after Gyousou. Then he runs not giving her enough time to answer. The next moment Risai sees Oukou coming with help and tells him that the provincial army attacked, but they can still make it in time to save Gyousou. She wants to go with them, but they convince her not to as Hi'en is badly wounded and won’t be able to hold the fast pace for to long. Noticing that Risai urges them to go, but begs them not to go through Ken county as Zui'un survivors are out there and if they’re found by Asen’s army the local citizens will be left without the people to make medicine for them.
***
In the meantime, Sougen gets the news from Hakurou that the provincial army left the capital for the western parts of Bun. At first the gathered are confused but quickly deduce that it probably means that the army succeeded in capturing Gyousou and that one provincial army plan to deliver him to the other to finally get him over to Rin'u or somewhere nearby for the royal army to take him to Kouki. Then Risai suddenly appears and confirms their suspicions. For a moment they grieve for the dead, but have no time to spare, as if they want to get Gyousou back, they’ll need to recapture him before the provincial army meets with the royal one. And so they start to plan their next movements wondering where the transfer would probably happen and where to attack.
Back in Hakurou Tonkou warns Houyou about the local government movements and urges her to be very cautious. Then he goes back to the provincial castle to wait with the other officials for the arrival of the new governor, who might be able to help the resistance since in Kouki he’d been serving Taiki and probably knows the situation. Everyone gathers in the courtyard to welcome the next head of the province and when the man suddenly arrives Tonkou is shocked and devastated when he notices Keitou’s unresponsiveness and his soulless eyes…
At the end of the fourth month the great battle takes place in the central part of Bun Province, but even as the resistance desperately fights to reclaim the captured Gyousou, it fails and Risai and Sougen’s troops are forced to fall back. They are also attacked by the local people furious about the rebels destroying the crops they worked so hard to get ready for the upcoming spring. Nothing gets to them as they throw the stones at 'the criminals’, because the rumors of Asen’s enthronement spread quickly and the only king they now is in the capital city of Kouki, not caring about the one being transported by the army marching through the land. As they try to escape Kyuusan gets badly wounded and Risai trying to save him urges Kenchuu to go ahead while she herself covers them. But as the group of enemy soldiers suddenly attacks again, thrashing Hi'en throws her off its back and Risai desperately tries to fight them, but as the last of the man comes at her fallen Hi'en is suddenly there covering the general with her body and only seconds later the beast grabs her owner and flies away from the battlefield. All Risai can do is to watch her forces being chase by the enemy troops, while knowing that her loyal mount is heavily bleeding from the wounds it took for her…
As Sougen finally makes it back to Seisai, he heads to the mansion where the wounded are being looked after and tries to get Kiitsu’s attention when he notices that the young priest has just finished taking care of Kyuusan, who unfortunately didn’t make it. Sougen asks about Risai and as Kiitsu regards him with a grave expression he suspects the worst, even though he never saw Risai getting seriously injured. But Kiitsu assures him it’s not Risai he’s sad about. It’s Hi'en. And when Sougen walks into the courtyard he sees Risai sitting in the corner with Hi'en’s head on her lap. When he comes closer Risai starts talking about how Hi'en had always been there for her, be it Kei, be it Mt. Hou. And how Taiki always looked forward to see Hi'en… And how her precious friend protected her. They sit there for the moment in silence stroking Hi'en’s already cold fur. Then Sougen quietly thanks the beast for saving Risai this one last time and slowly walks away to plan yet another attack on troops transporting Gyousou to Kouki.
And they do try to get their king back, but still don’t succeed. Many of them die and despite their efforts the cart transporting Gyousou makes it to Zui Province, now heading straight to the capital city. And the ones that were suppose to join the resistance are forced to go into hiding as the news about royal army destroying the rebel forces spread through the country…
The newly appointed governor of Bun Province ordered his troops to get rid of the resistance and the army stormed the city of Seisai. Some of the residents made it to Rokou, but almost half of those who stayed behind didn’t survive. Allies from Sekirin and Koutaku also didn’t make and about two thirds of Risai and Sougen’s combined forces didn’t come back from the battlefield.
Now Risai stands in front of Yotaku’s grave trying to cheer up grieving Kiitsu, who hates the fact that he had to evacuate with others to Rokou. What’s more Houyou’s estate in Hakurou was burned to the ground along with almost all of its residents. As the survivors talk to Tonkou, who fled the provincial castle after the new governor ordered the purge. He tells them that the only thing that can do is to escape, otherwise they’ll be destroyed. The army stands at the province border and no one on a flying beast will get through to Zui. It’s time to give up, at least for some time. Since there’s no way that Asen will spare Gyousou and will most probably stop Taiki from choosing another king, the surviving resistance troops can only wait for the new kirin to be born and when it chooses the next king, then they can avenge their fallen leaders by killing Asen. But for now, there’s nothing they can do. Risai and her companions can’t simply accept that it was all for nothing. Not after sacrificing so much in their last attempt to free their king. If only they knew then what they know now…
***
Meanwhile Ansaku is trying to convince Asen to accept his plan and to his relief 'the New King’ likes it. They need to make a show out of Gyousou’s abdication and for that they need audience. For that it’s important to spread the false information about Asen being the true king whose place Gyousou took by force all those years ago, having wounded and used the young kirin. And after Asen confronted him about it Gyousou fled the capital and made Taiki disappear thus making it impossible for the rightful king to ascent the throne and rule the country, which consequently fell into chaos. And for that Gyousou has to publicly apologize to Tai citizens. Ansaku also emphasizes that it’s dangerous to let Gyousou leave the kingdom at all and the best way to get rid of him is to incite the crowd gathered in Kouki to kill him 'the usurper’. Just provide them with the stones and have someone throw the first one and others will follow seeking justice for all their suffering through all these years. Simple: the people get their justice for all those years of suffering and Asen gets Gyousou dead. What’s more, not by his own hand…
Some time later the messenger comes to Taiki’s mansion announcing that the strict protection is no longer needed as the traitor were executed. Not that it makes its residents as they are still confined here…
Juntatsu cannot believe that Kakei could have been guilty, but Taiki says that the truth doesn’t really matter anymore. He also proceeds to tell the others about Asen’s plan concerning Gyosuou and and he’s suppose to be there too. Ganchou laments that his king will die dishonored and hated, as the Gyousou would never put his own life above kirin’s, if it comes to Asen threatening him with taking Taiki’s life if the king won’t submit. And Gyousou would have no way to tell if Asen’s telling the truth or not. But Taiki assures Ganchou that he won’t let it happen as he intends to get to Gyousou and bow before him in front of the all gathered people. This might throw both people and some soldiers into confusion, giving Gyousou the chance to escape. But as Ganchou ans Yari thinks about they come to the conclusion that Taiki being black kirin may take away the impact needed to move the crowds, since in everyone’s mind the envoy of Gods always has golden hair which makes them stand out thus they’re instantly recognizable. On the other hand, Taiki with his unusual, but still black hair won’t be instantly recognizable to anyone as no one from the crowd knows what he really looks like. Also, how is Taiki even suppose get to Gyousou in the first place as Asen plans to surround him with guards. To that Ganchou and Yari promise to do everything in their power to make it possible for Taiki to get to Gyousou in time.
Taiki himself really wants believe that his actions will be meaningful, but as he thinks about it, he begins to realize that it probably won’t change anything. Because Taiki has no idea where Gyousou is being kept and that he won’t be able to see him before the judgment day comes. There is nowhere to get information from and what’s more, there will be no help coming from the outside, as news about resistance’s defeat is spreading like a wildfire and it’s hard to believe that Risai or anyone else survived the purges. So the only person able to do something is Taiki himself… But Asen is also planning to let any of the remaining rebels inside the capital and get rid of them if they do anything like trying to save Gyousou himself or at least his honor. The royal army will be ready and as the show starts, the soldiers will close all the gates making it impossible for anyone to escape.
So Taiki decides to at least try to save Juntatsu’s life and thus sends him with the letter to Touka in Kou Province, also asking him to take the beast which Taiki himself came with to the Royal Palace, because he promised to send it back… Not that the letter will change anything. Taiki writes to the citizens of Touka to thank them and apologize for every trouble he and his companions caused along the way…
***
The most people gathered in Bun decides to travel to Kouki, to pay their respects to their leader. They know that there’s no coming back from that and that most of them, if not all, will die while trying to do something for Gyousou. They won’t let him be killed by his own people like some kind of traitor. They’ll at least try to free him to let him die like a warrior he’s always been.
Risai tries to convince her followers to leave for En as they’re not bound to sacrifice their lives, but no one wants to even hear about it. Oukou won’t let his general go alone this time, Seishi’s been too long with Risai to suddenly leave her side and Sekirei has always admired Risai as not only great general, but also as the fellow woman in the army, who’s always been her hero and the evidence that even in the environment dominated by men women also can become successful. So does Sougen and Yuushou’s subordinates. Even Kenchuu and some of the rebels plan to join them. In the end those left alive prepare to depart for the capital city where they’ll die with their liege…
***
The day before planned abdication Yari watches the crowds coming into the capital, while also noticing how tightly guarded the whole place is. As she reports it to Ganchou, she also confirms that there’s no way that someone would be able to save Gyousou and get him out of the city. Dejected Ganchou leaves the mansion for a moment and then Taiki tells Yari how he’s already given up and that since he already caused so many deaths and couldn’t do even one useful thing for Gyousou, he at least intends to show everyone who the real king is, since he may be useless as kirin, but he’s never regretted choosing Gyousou. Then he thanks Yari for everything and asks her for one last favor: to help him get to Gyousou during the abdication. Yari seems slightly overwhelmed by it and leaves without a word to find Ganchou and inform him that Taiki plans to die tomorrow together with his king. When Ganchou protests, the girl says she agrees that there is no other way to save Tai. As kirin’s death will place the fate of the kingdom in Heaven’s hands and it’s the only certain way defeat Asen. Yari also says that she intends to make Taiki’s wish come true no matter what…
***
At the same day Risai and others make it to Kouki silently following the great numbers of people who’s come here to see the traitor for themselves, while Risai and others came to save him, even if only in metaphorical sense. They stay the night at the local temple and early next morning go the great courtyard in the public part of the palace where normally celebrations like coronation take place. Now there stands a big platform with one post in the middle. People start gathering for the show that’s supposed take place exactly at noon. Risai sees people like Sougen, Seishi and together they try to get as close to the platform as possible, for they won’t have much time to free Gyousou before soldiers step in.
When the bell rings the plaza becomes quiet and the Palace doors open to show courtiers gathered inside. Risai is shocked to see that the blinds next to the main throne pulled down as it means that Taiki’s there to watch. Then the side gate opens and the executioner brings out the traitor. Gyousou followers hold their breaths as the prisoner makes his way through the crowd and is finally being chained to the pillar. Seishi can’t stand this sight and barely stops himself from acting, when suddenly there’s a huge commotion among the courtiers…
***
Just before the Palace doors open everyone takes their respective places. Taiki just beside Asen’s throne, surrounded with guards and weaponless Yari at his back. The girl carefully observes those closest to her as the show starts, when Taiki’s gaze suddenly flies toward the close side gate and after a moment Gyousou is brought in chains in front of the crowd. The second he’s placed on the platform and Taiki abruptly stands up, grabs the arm of the nearest guard, while stealing his blade and stabs him in the gut. Then he storms from behind the blinds and runs down the dais with Yari by his side. No one knows what’s going on and the courtiers fly into panic, while Taiki hurries through the crowd towards the platform and Yari gets rid of every person getting in their way.
The second the soldiers turn toward the Palace Risai and her companions attack and the whole plaza falls into chaos as people have no idea what’s happening. When Risai notices Taiki she runs to him. Taiki throws himself to his knees before Gyousou apologizing for his long absence. And when he looks up he suddenly can’t speak while his king laughs warmly commenting on how his Kouri is all grown up. Taiki bows before his kings, but as Ansaku shouts for soldiers to stop him, as there’s no way that the real kirin could have killed a man, he’s almost dragged away. 'The rebel’ saves him and when Seishi tries to free Gyousou and another guard tries to stop him Taiki lifts his stolen sword and injures the man who stumbles back only to be cut down by Sekirei. As bloodstained Taiki stands there trembling Gyousou takes the blade out of his hand while saying that he’s done enough. And when their eyes meet, Taiki suddenly transforms to his beast form…
Everyone is struck dumb when they see the jet-black creature with the magnificent horn bowing before 'the criminal’ and nuzzling up to him. When dazed Asen just stands there and watches, Ganchou and Rousan comment on how they can’t believe at what’s happening and Rousan says that it’s Taiki’s win as he managed to hide the fact that his horn has healed for such a long time. In the meantime Gyousou’s followers gather around him and Taiki and when Gyousou climbs onto Taiki’s back and the group tries to make it through the panicked crowd only to find the city gates closed. But then they open and there is Eishou coming to their aid with his and Gashin’s troops.
As they get away from the capital Eishou and Gashin explain what they’ve been doing for the last few years and how Risai and Sougen’s actions in Bun made it possible for them to gather in secret and get ready to strike. Gashin also tells Risai and Gyousou that thanks to one lost suugu and its rider they found in Ba Province, they managed to send the messenger to En Kingdom with Gyousou’s sword and Taiki’s false passport tied to it. They also managed to get a hold of one provincial castle where the envoys from En already await Gyousou’s arrival and that En warships are moored just beyond the country border. Then suddenly Taiki faints from the blood poisoning and the one to save him is Keito, who was most probably brought there by Rousan. As some of the soldiers want to go after her transformed Taiki stops them by saying that despite everything that happened Rousan is most likely their ally, to which Yari says nothing.
The battle continues as the royal army goes after them but the runaways are able to fight the army off and get to their temporary base, where Gyousou meets with Shouryuu and Rokuta, who are very happy to see him and gladly offer their help.
The next few days are the celebration of reunions while also grieving the ones died or has gone missing. Risai reunites with Kaei and they both talk about how Ganchou managed to free tortured Seirai and get her to safety. They also discuss Taiki’s condition which gradually worsened and they had to take him to Mt. Hou for healing and that he’ll probably be able to come back within the next month… Away from all the commotion Kouryou finds Kyoshi and they talk about returning to Touka, as it’s Kyoshi home and Kouryou promised Enshi that he’ll come back to her side…
***
A few weeks later in the middle of the summer Enshi is working with other women gathering the flowers for the medicine. She wonders how Kouryou is doing since she’s heard about Gyousou’s return and him getting a hold of one of the castles in the northern part of province. She hopes that maybe one day Kouryou’ll come back, not knowing that this tranquil and quiet area will soon become the stage to another uprising…
***
And from the Kingdom Chronicles we learn that in the end of the tenth month Gyousou manages to strike Asen down and finally reclaim his throne with Taiki by his side…
THE END
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