Page 1
Another place. An empty hall. High stone walls.
A man stands in the center. He draws his sword slowly.
He turns.
Ten armored knights stand before him in a single line.
No one moves.
Page 2
"Come to me."
The first charges. A stab. He drops before he completes his step.
The second arrives. A punch that collapses the helmet like paper.
The man raises his hand. Fire pours out and swallows three of them at once.
His long hair moves with the heat. His classical robe doesn't burn.
Page 3
One soldier strikes the ground, burning from within. The iron around his body melts.
The others fall one after another.
The man stands among the bodies in complete silence.
He smiles — a smile that carries nothing at all.
He turns.
Page 4
A back door opens.
A short, heavyset man enters with comfortable steps. He looks at the bodies. Then at his son.
"Ah… Kazuko. I see you're still killing the training soldiers."
Kazuko: "They're of no use anyway. You still have me."
Bumer sighs.
"Fine. Come. Breakfast."
Page 5
A large table. Father and son eating.
A comfortable silence between them. The silence of habit, not tension.
Bumer glances at Kazuko between bites.
Kazuko eats calmly. Doesn't raise his eyes.
Page 6
A knock at the door.
A man enters holding a folded paper.
"My King… urgent news."
Bumer sets down his spoon: "What is it?"
"The Kingdom of Hashi has sent an urgent dispatch. They are under siege at their gates. The numbers are great. They are asking for help at any cost."
Page 7
Bumer leans back in his chair.
A slow smile appears on his face.
"The time has come."
He turns to the man: "Send a dispatch to mobilize the First, Second, and Third Silver Armor Divisions with their generals. Deputy Linsan leads them."
Page 8
Kazuko sets his spoon down slowly.
"May I go?"
Bumer looks at him: "No. The time hasn't come yet."
"You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
Page 9
Kazuko stands. His voice is calm — but his words are deliberate:
"If the army sees the King's son fighting in their ranks without fear… their morale will multiply. This isn't recklessness. This is strategy."
Bumer looks at him for a long moment.
Silence.
Page 10
Bumer exhales.
"Fine."
He raises one finger: "But Linsan stays beside you every single moment. And you will take the strongest armor and the heaviest sword in the kingdom."
Kazuko sits back down: "Agreed."
Bumer turns to the man: "And do not send the Fourth Division with its general. They stay here. In case anything happens."
"As you wish, sire."
Page 11
The man seals the letter and leaves.
Bumer claps twice.
From the darkness, two figures appear in silence. Black uniforms. The numbers one and two on their chests.
"Your orders, my King."
Bumer: "The news these days doesn't sit well with me. Where is Assassination Squad Number Two?"
Page 12
"Conducting an investigation into the Jouki Gang outside the capital."
"And your commander — and the remaining numbers?"
"In their positions, as usual."
Bumer nods: "Do not leave the capital under any circumstances. I need you here. Something doesn't feel right."
"Understood."
They vanish as if they were never there.
Page 13
Kazuko heads to his room to prepare.
Linsan enters the palace. He stops in front of one of the guards.
"Where is Kazuko?"
"Getting ready."
Linsan leans against the wall and waits.
Page 14
Kazuko emerges. Massive golden armor. A heavy sword.
Linsan looks him up and down.
Then smiles — a smile that's difficult to read.
"Beautiful armor. A gift from your father?"
Kazuko: "Shall we move out?"
Linsan laughs quietly and walks ahead of him.
Page 15
The army barracks.
Kazuko stands at the entrance. He sees — for the first time — the entire army assembled.
Thousands of soldiers. Silver armor gleaming. Horses breathing clouds into the cold air.
Something changes in Kazuko's eyes. For the first time.
He mounts his horse. Linsan and the generals flank him.
"Move out."
Page 16
The army moves as a single wave — toward the Kingdom of Hashi.
Page 17
Somewhere else entirely.
Mabu rises from his bed, drowsy. He yawns. Washes his face.
"Grandfather?"
"In the kitchen."
He finds the old man cooking breakfast. The smell fills the house.
"Where's Thian?"
"In the yard. Training."
Mabu heads outside.
Page 18
Thian in the yard. Taller than before. Stronger. Training with quiet intensity.
Mabu stands behind him.
"You villain. Training without me?"
Thian doesn't stop: "I tried to wake you. But you were deep in a very intense sleep… to the point where you were calling out Yuzuha's name."
Mabu freezes.
"What? Me? Impossible."
Thian looks at him sideways — with a smile he makes no effort to hide.
Page 19
Mabu erupts. He shouts things that don't quite form words and chases Thian around the yard.
Thian runs and laughs.
The old man appears at the window.
"Breakfast is ready."
"Coming, Grandfather!"
They come inside flushed and out of breath. They sit. They eat.
Page 20
The old man notices the wound on Mabu's shoulder. He stops.
"Mabu. What is that? It looks like a sword cut."
Mabu doesn't lift his eyes from his plate.
"Nothing, Grandfather. I ran into a tree."
The old man looks at him in silence.
"You're lying."
Page 21
The old man rises from his chair.
"What happened? Tell me."
"I told you. Nothing."
The old man doesn't move. He stands there. His eyes don't leave him.
Mabu breathes.
He opens his mouth.
Page 22
Thian sets down his spoon quietly.
"Mabu. If there's anything we can help you with… tell us. We're your family."
Mabu looks at them both.
He begins to speak.
Page 23
Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong.
The village bell cuts through everything.
All three look outside.
A crier's voice rises above the noise:
"People of the village — word has arrived that the Northern Wall has come under attack. The Kingdom's army is currently deployed elsewhere. We are calling upon every available strength. Anyone who can carry a sword — or anything else — must proceed to the capital immediately."
Page 24
"Anyone who fails to answer… will face the severest punishment."
The voice fades.
The three of them look at each other in silence.
Mabu looks at his hands on the table.
Thian looks at the old man.
The old man looks outside.
No one speaks.
Continued in Chapter Fourteen