Ways of the World

...If the stalemate continues, both armies are likely to exhaust themselves completely.

I see... Then we have to do something.

Apologies for the interruption.

Tsubame, Kamome. How are things looking out there?

I believe word of the Fugen Dojo burning down has reached your ears by now.

With the symbol of Mi reduced to ash, impudent soldiers have marched on the border and slaughtered many innocents.

There are survivors, but they will fall upon hard times with the fields gone. Some may even die of starvation.

Shion, have the magistrate open the national treasury. We will make sure they don't go hungry.

As you wish. However, even the treasury has its limits. We will need to increase the rice tax on other villages to make up for the loss. And if we cannot provide a steady supply of food to the soldiers, some are certain to turn to theft to fill their bellies.

I know that we can't save everyone, and if the war continues, we'll need to make some difficult choices.

You ninja have keener eyes than most. What do you see when you look at Garulea these days?

Well...

...I'm afraid I cannot say. We are meant to be your eyes, my lord. As such, we haven't words to speak on the matter. Pray forgive us our silence.

...... I apologize. This is something I need to consider on my own.

Would you two continue to keep an eye on the territory for me?

Yes, sir.

What're you doing staring off into space like that, Tsubame?

I was thinking about the young lord. He possesses a gentle heart, but reality is regrettably far less kind...

I agree he's nice, but maybe a little too nice, y'know?

But I'm grateful to him regardless. It's thanks to that bleeding heart of his that he agreed to our request, after all.

Indeed, we owe him our deepest gratitude. And to repay that debt, we must continue to keep a close eye on this place and its people.

Oh, all right... Back to work, then.

I...I need help...

......

So many wounded and dying, and children left to fend for themselves... I never thought I'd see so much tragedy here.

That boy... He seems around Suzume's age.

Are you worried about him?

No. We are meant to be Lord Reimei's eyes. We are here to observe and nothing more.

Good, so long as you understand. I don't want to get involved in any trouble.

But if he were here...

Huh?

If he were here, I am certain he would lend a hand.

Oh, good grief... I knew this would happen.

Excuse me, boy.

We are travelers, new to this land. Could you tell us what is happening here? We would, of course, pay you for your trouble.

......!

That girl... She has absolutely no way with words.

Well, there's been a lotta kidnappings here lately.

Kidnappings, huh...

I heard rumors of people selling off war orphans or forcing them into a life of crime. Could they be the same people?

Lots of people have been kidnapped... including my little sister... I was thirsty... I just wanted some water... I only took my eyes off her for a second, but then she...

It's all my fault...

Do you remember where you last saw her?

W-Well, we were coming this way from the temple. And she disappeared around the old well.

The old well... I see. Thank you for telling me.

(Sounds like she might've been dragged into the underground tunnels.)

Why don't I look for your sister? I promise to bring her back to you.

Thank you! P-Please bring her back safely!

You have my word.

Do you happen to have anything that belongs to your sister?

I have a little beanbag of hers... Ma made it a long time ago.

Might I borrow it? I will need it to find her.

Thank you. And while we're away, please be sure to stay near the checkpoint.

So long as these scary guards are here, you should be safe from the bad guys.

Well, if you say so... Then I'll wait right here.

Excellent. Now, let us head to that old well.

Now what? Please don't tell me we gotta split up and search.

No. We'll ask the little ones for help.

...Cat Calling Jutsu!

Could you find the owner of this beanbag for me?

The one who finds her first will get a special reward: the Catnip Caper Jutsu.

I hate to say it, Tsubame, but...you're terrible at naming these techniques.

Oh...

These jutsu are meant to be top secret anyway. Their names matter little.

(Once this mission is over, I'll need to come up with more impressive names...)

Oh, so you've found her. Then lead the way.

......

Not even a whimper, huh? Kids these days got no fight.

Guess that's not surprisin', considerin' the times. Even if ye cry, ain't no one comin' to save you. What's the point in tryin'?

He seems to be alone.

But that doesn't mean there aren't others.

(Should I kill him? I could easily slit his throat, but...)

(If I fail, I might end up putting that child in danger.)

Kamome, let's get the girl to safety first.

Looks like this little one wants a chance to shine. What do you say?

Get that man out of here.

Hm? A cat? What're ye doin' down here? Poor thing.

...Fine, I'll help ye find yer way out.

Hey, kid. Ye better be here when I get back, ye got it?

Hmph... Not like ye got the guts to run anyway.

Hello there. Your brother asked us to come and find you.

He did?

...I don't wanna go back.

Why not? He's awfully worried about you.

Because if I...I... If I'm with him, then he...

*sniffle* I don't wanna go back! I just don't!

Try to stay quiet, please. Otherwise, your voice will echo.

(If she keeps this up, that man will surely notice...)

(I need to silence her.) Oh...

Not again...

Wait, Tsubame! Don't sheathe your sword just yet!

I was wonderin' what all that noise was about. Come to find I got myself some visitors!

This kid's my meal ticket. I don't care who hired you, but ye ain't takin' her from me!

Could you look after her?

Comin' at me from the front, ey? Not very ninja-like of you.

I don't need to sneak around to defeat the likes of you.

Let her have it!

Damn you...

Haven't had enough? Then let's carry on.

Ye gotta be kiddin'. I do this to make a livin'. I ain't dyin' for it.

......

Now then...back to the matter at hand.

Might I ask why you do not wish to return to your brother?

Well...

Ease up, would you? This isn't some mission report. Just talk to her like a normal person.

Hey there. I got a question for you.

Why don't you wanna go back to your brother? I'm sure there's a reason.

'Cause if I'm with him...he won't be happy.

He won't? Why not?

Because he'll only think about me... When we find any food, he gives me everything and doesn't take anything for himself.

So he's always hungry. I can hear his tummy rumbling all the time. I don't want him to die...

It's true that you need food to live. So do you know what it means for your brother to give you something so precious?

No...

It means he needs you to live so that he himself can go on.

He would rather starve than see you go hungry. I have a little sister of my own, so I understand exactly how he feels.

......

If anything happened to her, I couldn't live with myself. I am certain your brother feels the same way.

So let's return to Inanari. Your brother is waiting for you.

Okay...

You found her!

Oh, thank goodness... I'm so glad you're okay!

I...I'm fine...

Thank you for bringing her back.

There is no need to thank us. It is our duty.

But do not forget that you were fortunate to have found each other again. Things will not end so well next time.

I know.

C'mon. I won't let you go this time.

People might misunderstand if you say things like that.

Wha?! What are you doing here?

I sneaked away from Shion and came to see things with my own eyes.

I hope you know what you're doing because I'm not gonna cover for you.

Even if I were to get scolded, it's worth it to have seen what I have.

Thank you for saving those two. It's something I couldn't do, having as little time away from the castle as I do.

...You need not thank us.

We didn't save them. We merely kept them from dying. The road ahead may be worse than the one behind them. And there may come a day when they resent us for what we did.

This continent is a harsh place for the weak to survive, after all.

Being denied the right to live simply for being weak...

I wish to put an end to such a merciless world, the sooner, the better.

And I will do everything in my power to see your will done, my lord.

You have my thanks. Both of you.

Whew... Think I finally lost 'em.

Who's there?!

Geez... Just a cat.

It's not safe out here at night. Ye best head home. Go on now.

Hold on now... Ye look familiar...

Gck...

...Target eliminated.

What an idiot. He really thought he could lose us ninja!

If only you showed humans as much kindness as you did the cat, things may have ended differently.

Unfortunately for you, this world will not grant such mercy, neither to you nor me.

Such a world must come to an end... For the sake of everyone. For her.