Volume 4, Chapter 18 – In Search of Shizuku (1)

◆ Christina POV ◆

“The public security in this country seems quite good, so let’s split up and search,” Fiene-sama suggested.

Following her proposal, we split up to look for clues regarding Shizuku-dono.

“In that case, I shall conduct inquiries centered around the swordsmanship dojos.”

“Then I’ll check out the food places! ♪”

“…Then I will handle the inquiries elsewhere.”

I had my doubts as to whether Lumia’s plan was simply a food tour, but I decided to consider it a matter of putting the right person in the right place.

“Very well, let us regroup at this inn in the evening.”

“Okaay!”

“Understood.”

It wasn’t that I felt entirely at ease leaving Fiene-sama alone, but worrying too much wouldn’t do any good.

Pushing my anxiety deep into my chest, I made my way toward a nearby swordsmanship dojo.

◇ ◇ ◇

I arrived before a dojo with a sign that read “Kashima Style Swordsmanship Dojo.”

“Excuse me! Is anyone here?”

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I knocked on the dojo door.

After a short while, the door opened.

The person who answered looked at me and appeared surprised.

“Huh? A foreign woman, are you? What business have you with our Kashima Style Swordsmanship Dojo?”

“Oh! That manner of speaking! I am Christina, a Holy Knight of the White Moon Kingdom and the shield of Saint Fiene Argentata. We are currently searching for someone—”

“A knight!? Y-you’re a dojo-breaker, are you not!? V-very well, enter!”

“Eh? Eh? Huh?”

“Come! This way!”

I didn’t quite understand what he was talking about, but it was clear that the atmosphere wasn’t particularly friendly.

Thus, I was guided into the dojo, still feeling bewildered.

“I am Kashima Moriatsu, instructor of the Kashima Style. O foreign swordsman, let us have a fair match!”

Before me stood a middle-aged swordsman who announced himself and directed a murderous intent toward me.

Students, presumably in the middle of training, sat gathered in the corners of the wooden-floored dojo.

It seemed they intended to watch the match between me and this man.

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I didn’t want to resort to rough methods, but I had no choice.

“My name is Christina, Holy Knight of the White Moon Kingdom and shield of Saint Fiene Argentata. Come then!”

I drew Sesrumnir and took a Seigan stance.

Unlike Shizuku-dono, this man also took a Seigan stance.

It appeared this dojo followed a different school than Shizuku-dono’s.

“Kieeeeeee!”

As I observed him, the man let out a strange cry and lunged forward. I calmly parried the strike and knocked his sword flying.

Hmm. His skill doesn’t even come close to Shizuku-dono’s.

To think a man of this level is the representative.

It seems this so-called Kashima Style of swordsmanship is nothing special.

“This settles the match, does it not?”

As I announced this with Sesrumnir pressed against his neck, the man slumped his shoulders in defeat.

“We are searching for someone. We are looking for Shizuku-dono, the eldest daughter of the Mieshiro family of Fuzan. She is a very tall woman with long hair, originally from this Golden Sun Miko Nation. She speaks in a manner similar to yours; do you know of her?”

“…No, I do not… indeed.”

“I see. Then, do you know of any school that takes a stance with the sword still in its sheath during a match?”

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“…Iai exists in every school. However, the only school that comes to mind which takes an Iai stance ¹ from the very beginning would be the Shin’ei Style.”

“I see. And where is this Shin’ei Style dojo?”

“I do not know, nor have I ever met a Shin’ei Style swordsman. However, the instructor of the Itten Style should know.”

“Itten Style?”

“My own school, the Kashima Style, is a branch of the Itten Style.”

“In other words, it is your master’s school?”

“Well, something like that.”

“Then where is this Itten Style dojo located?”

In Sanjo Mikura. However, one cannot enter unless they have broken eight branch dojos of the Itten Style.

“…What do you mean by that?”

The Itten Style dojo is, so to speak, the general headquarters of our dojos. Those who have not proven their strength are not permitted entry; they are also entrusted with the security of this capital city. If you force your way in, you will simply become a wanted criminal.”

I see. The Itten Style is the swordsmanship learned by this country’s guards, and is thus directly tied to the state.

“So, in order for me to speak with someone at the Itten Style dojo, I must break seven more dojos?”

“That is correct.”

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“Where is the nearest dojo from here?”

“U-um, that… if you walk straight from here toward the Neginabe River, there is a Nakayama Style dojo about four blocks away.”

He hesitated slightly, but when I stared him down, he seemed to resign himself and kindly told me the location.

“I am indebted to you. By the way, what is with this ‘gozaru’ manner of speaking? It doesn’t seem to be how the townspeople talk.”

Everyone in this capital who aspires to the rank of samurai speaks in this manner.”

“I-I see. Is that how it is?”

He answered with an exaggerated puff of his chest and total confidence. Most likely, there is a “samurai-style” way of speaking in this country, and he is influenced by it.

“Then, I shall head to this Nakayama Style dojo. My apologies for taking your time.”

“N-no. Ah, take this with you.”

With that, the man handed me a small wooden token.

“What is this?”

“It is proof that you broke the dojo. Since I, the instructor, was defeated.”

“I see. So I just need to collect eight of these. Thank you for everything.”

I offered my thanks and left the dojo, beginning my walk toward the Nakayama Style dojo I had been told about.