Volume 4, Chapter 28 – Decision

◆ Shizuku POV ◆

“Shizuku, eldest daughter of the Mieshiro family of Fuzan. I have presented myself.”

I knelt before Suikyou-sama and bowed my head.

Naturally, since carrying swords into the Imperial Palace was forbidden, my Kirinagi had been left at the entrance.

“Hmm. You have come well. And you have made a wise decision. With this, my country and my people shall remain secure for the time being.”

“Yes.”

“It is only a short span of a month and a half, but you may spend your remaining time leisurely at my residence.”

“Yes, yes. I am most grateful for your graciousness.”

Despite saying so, I knew that once I left this place, I would not be allowed outside again until the moment I was offered as a sacrifice to the Eight-Headed Dragon God.

Ah, I wish I could keep Kirinagi by my side and continue my training until that final moment.

I wonder if it will ever be returned to me.

“Very well. Take Mieshiro-dono to her quarters.”

At Suikyou-sama’s word, a court lady approached.

“Mieshiro-sama, I shall guide you.”

I bowed to Suikyou-sama and exited the presence.

“Court lady-dono, I wish for my sword to be returned. I desire to continue my training until the final moment I depart for the Eight-Headed Dragon God.”

“I am sorry, but weapons are strictly prohibited within the Imperial Palace.”

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I tried asking as we walked down the corridor, but as expected, she rejected me bluntly.

I was then led to a room deep within the palace. It was a spacious room with luxurious furnishings, but it had no windows, and the door was the type that locked from the outside. In short, this was house arrest.

“By Suikyou-sama’s generosity, we have burned incense to calm the mind. Please spend your time peacefully and at your leisure. Now, if you will excuse me.”

With that, the court lady departed.

“Ah, perhaps I acted too hastily after all… Fiene-dono…”

As I sat on the tatami in the room enveloped in a mysterious fragrance, I found myself muttering alone. Perhaps it was the insecurity of having let go of Kirinagi, or perhaps the loneliness of no longer being able to train.

Even though I had decided to fulfill my mission after seeing Fiene-dono’s resolve…

Now that I had actually come here, a surge of emotion welled up within me—a wish that I could have witnessed more of what Fiene-dono would achieve, or rather, a wish that I could have protected her with my own hands.

I heard that my mother became a sacrifice before I was old enough to know anything.

My father fell ill and departed this world before I turned ten, but he had always taught me how magnificently my mother protected the people of this nation, and how noble it was to become a sacrifice.

Because a woman of the Mieshiro family becomes a sacrifice and goes into His presence, the Eight-Headed Dragon God grants us His protection, and as a result, many citizens are saved.

Furthermore, I was taught that since Suikyou-sama took the throne, her power ensured that no one other than a woman of the Mieshiro family would ever be sacrificed, certainly reducing the tears shed. Moreover, the people were undoubtedly saved more than ever before.

I heard that in the past, sacrifice rituals were performed all over the country, but the effects varied, and many opposed the practice.

However, under Suikyou-sama’s reign, a woman of the Mieshiro family is offered as a sacrifice only once every ten-odd years.

Because this has produced definitive results, there is no one who opposes it anymore.

If there are any, they are likely only a small handful of people close to the Mieshiro woman being sacrificed.

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During my travels for warrior training, I saw many people—unlike those in the Miko Nation—who were exploited, wallowing in poverty, suffering from plagues, threatened by monsters, or tormented by famine.

It was a sight of misery unimaginable in the Miko Nation ruled by Suikyou-sama.

If Suikyou-sama ruled such countries, those tragedies would surely be wiped away.

Yes, as long as a woman of the Mieshiro family is sacrificed.

If I become the sacrifice, the Mieshiro line will be severed. Next, a child yet to be born into the main house will likely inherit the role.

I was afraid of dying. I wanted to polish my sword skills further; I wanted to keep challenging stronger opponents. That was why I ran away from this destiny I was born with.

My life is my own, I had told myself as an excuse.

But then, I met her.

That noble, kind-hearted, and beautiful silver princess who devoted herself to the world without asking anything in return.

And yet…

“Haa… I really am still not enough…”

I grumbled to myself once more, to no one in particular.

I had decided that I, too, would fulfill my mission like Fiene-dono.

And yet, my resolve wavered once more.

“Surely, Fiene-dono would be angry…”

That I came here in silence. And that I would depart in silence.

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As I thought of such things, my consciousness began to grow hazy.

I must be exhausted.

I lay down on the tatami and decided to take a nap.

◇ ◇ ◇

I believe about two weeks have passed since I was given this room.

That is to say, because the meals provided every day are unchanged and I wear the exact same Miko robes, there is absolutely no change in my daily life, and I have lost track of the exact number of days.

Furthermore, since there are no windows, I have no sense of time; I cannot even tell if it is currently day or night.

Lately, I feel I spend more and more time just spacing out.

With no entertainment and no one to talk to, I have nothing to do except reminisce about the past.

At first, I recalled things from my childhood, but recently, I only remember things that happened after meeting Fiene-dono.

Chris-dono, who tries so hard to protect Fiene-dono but always ends up rushing ahead; Lumia-dono, the energetic mood-maker who loves to eat and is always noisy; and Fiene-dono, who seems to be pushed around by the two of them but is surprisingly steadfast.

That expression of hers—slightly troubled, yet bashful—as she murmurs “Eeeh,” simply will not leave my mind.

I truly wish to see Fiene-dono once more.

But what would I do if I saw her?

That’s right, I wanted to say a proper goodbye. A letter just isn’t…

Ah, but…

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Already…

Already…

Sleepy…

◇ ◇ ◇

I wonder what time it is now? I feel the presence of someone entering the room.

“Ho ho ho. You have been prepared just right.”

Within my hazy consciousness, I try to open my eyelids, but I cannot manage it.

While I am struggling, it seems my clothes are being removed. I can vaguely feel that sensation.

“Ah…”

“Do not worry. Entrust yourself to me.”

I feel as though a figure has blurredly appeared in my eyes, which I fought so hard to open.

I see… I just have to entrust myself. That is easy.

Then, I feel something warm touching my stomach.

“This is a command. Mieshiro Shizuku , from this moment forth, you shall seal away your entire heart and become a loyal doll who obeys only my commands.”

The moment I heard those words clearly, my consciousness snapped and vanished.