Swords of Justice
Chapter 17: The Truth
Princess Hasna held the Lady tightly in an attempt to save her life. The ghoul was about to crush their bones when Hamza struck its back with his sword. The blow forced the monster down to its knees, blood pouring from its wounds. Enraged, the ghoul turned to see Hamza standing there, the one who dared to attack him.
Hamza to Princess Hasna: "Forgive me, Princess. I must kill this beast. I know I promised not to harm anyone from this village, but I cannot let this butcher roam free. It goes against my principles."
Hasna, who had closed her eyes in fear, opened them again and whispered:
Hasna: "Sadly… there's no other way..."
The ghoul charged at Hamza, but in a single strike, Hamza cut off its head. The ghoul's story ended with that one swing.
Fateh, in shock: "I can't believe it… he cut off the ghoul's head with one blow! If he had fought us seriously the first time, I'd be dead by now."
Relieved that the battle was finally over, Hasna smiled. But at that very moment, the Lady drew her dagger, ready to stab Hasna from behind. Before she could strike, Muawiya intervened, grabbing the blade with his bare hand and slapping the Lady hard across the face.
Muawiya: "What on earth were you thinking?!"
Jalal rushed over, pulling the princess to safety. Blood dripped from Muawiya's hand as he wrenched the dagger away. He glared at the Lady, who had collapsed on the ground after his strike.
Muawiya: "Is this how you repay those who just saved your life?"
Fateh stepped forward: "Lady, we lost in an honorable duel, and they spared us. Not only that, they saved you from the ghoul. Isn't that enough?"
The Lady, bitterly: "Enough? Enough?! Don't toy with me. This is not enough… you don't know what really happened…"
Princess Hasna: "Then tell us. What happened?"
The Lady glared at Hasna with hatred.
The Lady: "You act innocent, but you slaughter people in the shadows as if you know nothing…"
Hasna, confused: "What are you talking about?"
The Lady, crying: "Don't play dumb! You—those who claim to protect the kingdom—were the ones who wiped out my village! I still remember the rivers of blood, the piles of corpses on the ground… I remember everything!"
Hasna, sorrowful: "I'm sorry we weren't there in time to help you. We've always tried to protect our people."
The Lady screamed: "Lies! It was you! I saw you, you wretches! You brought ruin. You're the monsters!"
Hasna was stunned.
Hasna: "This must be some misunderstanding… we would never do such a thing!"
The Lady: "Don't deny it! It's the truth. Ask the men here—they'll tell you the same."
Hasna looked at the men, but they all cast their eyes downward. It was the truth.
Hasna: "But how can this be…?"
Jalal stepped in: "The kingdom's external forces are commanded by General Nasr al-Din, who defends us against other realms. But the one in charge of internal security is none other than Minister Taher. He holds full authority over the kingdom's soldiers within our lands."
Hasna's eyes widened. She remembered how Minister Taher had been hiding internal matters from her father, the King. It was the very reason she had left the palace—to uncover what Taher was concealing. Anger burned in her voice.
Hasna: "So it was him… that cursed Taher! He's the one who murdered villagers and sowed chaos!"
Hamza: "I don't know much about your politics, but wasn't the princess targeted for assassination last night? From my experience, I'd say someone inside the castle wanted her dead before she could uncover the truth. And who else could that be but this minister you speak of?"
Jalal: "Exactly. Princess, we must return and reveal his treachery to His Majesty."
Hasna: "We can't. We have no solid proof. My father trusts him dearly—he won't believe me."
Hamza sat down, his tone steady.
Hamza: "Then expect more assassins to come for you. Next time, we'll capture them alive and force the truth from their mouths."
Hasna turned back to the Lady, extending her hand.
Hasna: "Lady, I'm sorry we were blind to Taher's crimes. Please forgive us."
The Lady, bitterly: "As if your apology could heal my heart."
Hasna: "Then let us unite. Let us gather everyone who has suffered from his tyranny, form an army, and defeat Minister Taher once and for all."
Jalal: "But Princess, that's dangerous!"
Hasna, firmly: "I'll do anything for the safety of the kingdom and its people."
Tears welled in the Lady's eyes. She broke down, sobbing. The men raised their voices in praise of Princess Hasna, their shouts echoing with admiration.
Muawiya to Fateh: "Who would have thought that the one we hated most would become the one we cherish most?"
Fateh sighed: "It seems we still have a long road ahead."
Meanwhile, the twin assassins—brothers of the one Hamza had slain the night before—were watching from high in the trees, whispering to each other.
Assassin 1: "We've finally found them."
Assassin 2: "Yes… the ones who killed our younger brother."
The sun was setting.
Assassin 1: "We'll split up. Tonight, we'll use the Twin Night Strike. When the moonlight fades, our attack will begin. No one can withstand it."
Assassin 2: "We'll kill the princess and avenge our brother by slaying that warrior."
Assassin 1: "It will be swift. Once the moon is hidden, the strike will fall…"
He vanished, leaving his brother to keep watch. Alone, Assassin 2 muttered to himself:
Assassin 2: "That warrior is strong… can we really kill him in one strike?"
A voice came from behind.
???: "I don't think so…"
Startled, the assassin leapt to another tree, drawing his sword.
Assassin 2: "Who are you?!"
Qasim emerged, smirking wickedly.
Qasim: "I heard everything you two planned. I've come to ruin it."
Assassin 2: "Do you think I'll let you live after this?"
Qasim, with a sly grin: "It seems neither of you can fight alone. I'm Qasim, the Cunning Fighter, and I'll use that to end you."
The assassin hissed:
Assassin 2: "You'll regret this…"
They clashed. Steel flashed as they crossed paths mid-air, landing on separate trees. Blood dripped from the assassin's mouth.
Qasim laughed: "I've torn your chest apart. Surprising that you're still standing."
The assassin tried to shout for his brother, but before he could, Qasim hurled a dagger into the back of his skull. He fell lifelessly to the ground.
Qasim, muttering to himself: "Who would have thought I'd end up saving people I don't even know…"
To be continued...