Secret Life

...Nrgh!

Would you like some dried sardines?

Mrow?

No? All right...

You never change, do you, Shion?

Oh, it's you. Should you be walking around in the open?

Probably not. We can talk somewhere else. There's too many eyes on us here.

Where do you suggest?

Meet me in the depths of Karek Swampland. I doubt anyone will follow us that far.

Understood.

Who was that you were talking to? Old friend of yours or something?

...... No, no one I know. They were just asking the way.

Really?

(The depths of the swamp...)

Thank you for coming, Shion.

Let's dispense with the pleasantries. Why did you get in contact with me? Haven't my regular reports been enough? If anyone saw us together, it could jeopardize everything.

Normally I'd agree with you. But circumstances have changed.

You mean, you've had contact from the east?

Exactly. I have new orders for you.

You must assassinate King Miglance!

...I understand.

It should be within the realms of possibility for an accomplished swordsman like yourself. Security will be tight, but once you're in, taking the monarch's head will be a cinch.

It should be within the realms of possibility for an accomplished swordsman like yourself. Security will be tight, but once you're in, taking the monarch's head will be a cinch.

I've been away from our homeland for too long. If these are my lord's orders... I will carry them out perfectly!

You haven't lost your spirit, I see. Our lord has full confidence in your loyalty. This continent is under the control of the East, but King Miglance is still very popular. He's the only thing standing in the way of us gaining complete control of this continent.

You haven't lost your spirit, I see. Our lord has full confidence in your loyalty. The balance of power has been upset by the fall of the Beast King. If we can remove King Miglance from the picture, our country will be able to step in to fill the resulting vacuum.

The politics of the thing don't matter to me. I'll fulfill my duty. That is the way of the samurai.

Your resolve is impressive. This time more than ever, it's vital that you do not fail. To that end, we've recruited some remnants of the beastfolk army to create a diversion. You should have no problem getting into the castle now.

Are my skills in such doubt that you felt the need to ally with the beastfolk?

Oh, we trust you. This is just a contingency plan. We expect great things of you.

......

How long are you going to hide back there?

Shion, it's not true, is it? You're not really going to assassinate the king?

So you heard. It's not like you to eavesdrop, Aldo.

You were acting weird back in Unigan, so I followed you.

I tried to hide my distress, but I guess you saw through me.

Of course I did! We've been fighting alongside each other so long, I know when something's not right with you. But the Shion I know wouldn't help with a shady conspiracy like this. Where's the honor in that?!

As a samurai, my lord's orders are everything. It's my duty to serve and obey.

I won't let you do this. If you really do try to harm the king, you'll have to go through me.

Do what you want. No matter what you say, I'm going to the castle. Unless you want to strike me down?

Shion...

Prepare yourself, Miglance!

How did you know I'd be here? Has someone on our side betrayed me?

Heh heh heh. That's right! Even among your fellow humans, there are those who want you eliminated. Now is the perfect time to avenge our king and take your head!

Hmph! You?!

Oh, you must be the assassin our human contact promised.

......

What took you so long? Well, never mind. Just sit back and watch as I slay the king.

I can't allow you to do that.

King Miglance is my target. I have no intention of yielding him to the likes of you!

This isn't what we agreed! Keh, humans just can't be trusted. It makes no difference. I'll just kill you first!

That settles that matter.

Thank the stars. I knew you'd protect King Miglance after all. When it counts, you're...

Aldo, can you move aside?

...What?!

I told you before. The only way to stop me is to strike me down. If you can't do that, then let me settle my business with the king.

Shion, no!

I am here on the orders of my lord to take Miglance's head.

Don't do it! What about your honor?!

......

Shion...

I don't want to hurt you, Aldo. Please don't get in my way.

I don't want to fight a friend, either. But I can't let you do this.

It's all right, Aldo.

I'm the one this young man has been sent to fight. It's only right that I should be the one to take his challenge.

Shion's strong, I don't think you'll be able to beat him.

So be it. This will be an honorable duel between equals. Now stand down, Aldo.

Your Majesty...

If you're sure about this, I guess I'll have to.

Miglance VII, you have my respect. Clearly, your heroic reputation is not empty propaganda. Prepare to meet your end!

Huh? What just happened?

......

Your prowess in battle is even greater than I'd heard. No one has ever evaded my secret technique before.

Shion, what are you talking about? Didn't you just miss on purpose?

I cannot defeat you at my current level of skill. I must make a strategic retreat and await another opportunity. Farewell, King Miglance. I'll take your head another day.

Huh? Wait, what?! I have no idea what's going on...

This is the second time that young man has tried to assassinate me. He did the same thing last time; intentionally missed then made some excuse about not being ready yet.

So...does that mean he actually doesn't want to kill you? In that case, why does he go through all these theatrics?

I wish I knew. He's a fellow of few words, it's difficult to know what he's thinking.

Your Majesty, please forgive Shion! I know how this must look, but he's my friend, and he has a good heart.

What's there to forgive? All he did was intercept a beast soldier that had designs on my life.

I suppose you're right. Thank you, Your Majesty!

Hey, Shion. You wanna tell me what that was all about?

I wasn't prepared, that's all. But I intend to take responsibility for failing in my mission.

You can't fool me! I know that's not true!

...... All right. Come with me to the Karek Swampland. I need to report on the results of this escapade.

If I go with you, will I get some answers?

Yes. When we get there, I will have a request to make of you. Then everything will become clear.

All right, it's a promise. We just have to go meet that hooded guy in the swampland, right?

You failed to carry out your orders again?! That a swordsman like yourself should fail not once, but twice... Unbelievable!

I offer my most sincere apologies. This was entirely due to my own weakness.

I agree! Now, how will you atone for this stain on your honor?

And what is this outsider doing here with you?

Don't tell me... Have you betrayed your homeland to serve Miglance instead?!

Don't be ridiculous. You needn't worry about this man. He's just here to collect my effects.

Effects? You mean?!

I've failed in my mission, twice. The only way for me to maintain my honor is to take my own life.

What? You didn't tell me about that!

I need to return to my homeland and make amends with my lord. I know he will not forgive me. He will surely order the death penalty. It's only what I deserve.

When I'm gone, Aldo, I want you to have my headband.

You've got to be kidding me! I'm not going to let you die!

That's right, Shion! You mustn't be too hasty. We have so few agents as capable as you are. I'll smooth things over with our superiors. Just continue to sharpen your skills until you receive further orders.

Understood.

Were you serious about all that?

Of course. I can't dishonor my lord with these repeated failures.

If that's the way you feel, why did you hold back against the king?

If I hadn't, war could have erupted between our two lands. To unleash such suffering would be an even worse blot on my ancestors.

What do you mean?

Our lord successful invaded this land, but even now it can't be said to be completely under control. The tales of King Miglance's bravery spread freely among the people. We don't know when the people may revolt alongside their king. If we act recklessly it might be the spark that ignites a revolution.

My superiors have long been watching and waiting for a chance to invade the continent. But Miglance is a strong and capable ruler. Displacing him will not be easy.

Hence the assassination?

That's right but... I believe we can't deceive the people of this land. Make no mistake it will bring about another war. Much blood will be spilt. A samurai cannot defy their lord. But there are some orders that would harm my own pride.

A samurai cannot defy their lord. But there are some orders that would harm my own pride.

What am I to do in such a situation? Death is the only honorable way out.

Shion...

The time will come when I really must do this. As my friend and comrade, I would like you to inherit my belongings. I hope you'll remember our time together fondly.

Don't talk like that, Shion. I don't even want to think about losing you...

...Nrgh!

What's wrong, Shion? Did the guy in the hood come back?!

Meeew!

Would you like some dried sardines?

Meow! ♡

Oh, you would like some? Go ahead, have as many as you like.

And just like that, he's back to fawning over cats.

Must be a samurai thing. I just don't get him.