Volume 4, Chapter 44 – Welcome Home

After rescuing Shizuku-san, we returned to the Shin’ei Style dojo and spent the night as if nothing had happened.

The reason we were able to do such a thing despite having carried out an attack was thanks to Suikyou, who had become Ade’s thrall.

She returned to the Imperial Palace with a straight face and, acting as the Queen, ordered the investigation to be stopped with the same straight face.

Furthermore, while Tessai-san and Souji-san managed to survive, Ittetsu-san and Yasuo-san unfortunately died in battle.

Consequently, the attack on the Dragon God Cave was secretly disposed of as a terrorist act committed by the two of them.

Tessai-san was said to have come to bring them back, but it was already too late and he had accidentally entered the fray.

Once Suikyou certified this as the truth, the investigation ended completely, and Tessai-san was forbidden from leaving Miyako as a way of taking responsibility as the supervisor.

With that, the incident was considered resolved.

Incidentally, the matter of us attacking the Itten Style dojo to take back the Kirinagi was left unpunished.

Given the values of this country, the fact that someone lied to Chris-san despite her having broken into their dojo meant they deserved to be killed.

It seems Kan’ei-san, whom we had left behind, eventually passed away as well, meaning the Mitsurugi Family has now died out.

I have various thoughts on the matter, but it is a fact that a lot of blood was shed because of my selfishness.

I intend to carve that into my heart as my own sin.

A few days later, we returned to the Dragon God Cave and repaired the seal of the Water Dragon King.

I don’t know how long a seal repaired without Ingolvina-san’s help will last, but surely it won’t be broken immediately. Probably.

And now, we have come to the ancestral graves of the Mieshiro Family.

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We clean the graves, offer flowers and incense, and put our hands together in prayer.

I’m told that Shizuku-san’s father and uncle sleep here.

However, since her mother was offered as a sacrifice, she unfortunately does not rest here.

That uncle was apparently the head of the Mieshiro Family back in its prime, and seems to be the person Kan’ei had been making unreasonable complaints about.

“Suikyou-sama… the Eight-Headed Dragon God-sama was a monster… it was…”

Shizuku-san murmured poignantly before the grave while praying.

Black ears peeked out from her head, and a black tail peeked out from her backside.

In the end, I just couldn’t cure her of this condition.

“Haha… for what purpose did the Mieshiro Family… did my ancestors… sacrifice themselves, I wonder…”

Shizuku-san spoke to the grave with a lonely, slightly nasal voice.

I want to offer words of comfort.

However, I cannot think of any words I can give, as I am the one who exposed the truth by denying the sacrifices and denying that very history.

“Fiene-dono.”

“Yes?”

I turned toward Shizuku-san as she called me.

“Though I did not know, I was on the verge of committing an irredeemable mistake. Beyond that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my very life.”

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Shizuku-san looked straight at me and bowed deeply.

“Eh? Please, don’t. Please raise your head.”

I said this in a panic, urging Shizuku-san to look up.

“Shizuku-san is my—no, our—precious comrade. Isn’t it natural to rush to the aid of a precious comrade in a pinch? You said it yourself back in Jinsha, that it’s only natural to help a comrade in trouble.”

“Fiene-dono… Fiene-dono still… calls me a comrade, even though I left on my own… does she…?”

Shizuku-san’s voice trembled, sounding as if she were about to cry.

Because of that, I felt like I might start crying too.

Holding it back, I answered her in a voice I tried to keep bright.

“Of course. Isn’t it obvious?”

“…Fiene-dono. May I… travel… with you… again…?”

“Would you actually come with us, Shizuku-san?”

“Ah, Fiene-dono… Ah, ah, of course I would!”

Looking at me with moist eyes, Shizuku-san’s face looked as if she were smiling through tears.

Seeing her animal ears flop down and her tail wagging happily from side to side, I thought she was cute.

Shizuku-san returned to a serious expression and looked straight into my eyes with a solemn gaze.

“Fiene-dono.”

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“Yes, what is it?”

“From this moment forward, I shall become Fiene-dono’s sword. I hear that in Fiene-dono’s country, there is a ritual for making such a vow; would you allow me to perform it as well?”

Eh? We’re doing that? I don’t think it’s necessary.

Hmm, well, I guess it’s fine. It’s probably a way for Shizuku-san to find some closure.

“All right. Then, let me borrow the Kirinagi. Um, please ask Chris-san to teach you the lines.”

“I am most grateful!”

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“I swear!

I, Mieshiro Shizuku !

Shall take Fiene Argentata as my liege!

I shall be the shield that protects your person!

I shall be the sword that strikes your enemies!

I shall be humble!

I shall be sincere!

I shall value etiquette!

Without betrayal!

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Without deception!

Always kind to the weak!

Always brave against the strong!

Uphold the dignity of self and master!

And conduct myself with honor and fairness!

Here and now, I swear myself as your knight!”

Kneeling before me at the Mieshiro family graves, Shizuku-san recited the vow.

“I accept.”

When I answered, Shizuku-san pressed a kiss to the tip of the Kirinagi held out to her lips.

Upon seeing this, everyone burst into celebratory applause.

“Fiene-dono, I look forward to working with you from here on.”

Shizuku-san said with a smile.

“Likewise. And Shizuku-san… welcome home.”

A refreshing breeze swept through.

The fragrant wind gently stroked our hair and softly swayed the fresh greenery beneath the clear blue sky.