Due to the crowding at the gate, it took a long time before the peddlers, travellers and merchants including Mizuki were able to enter the town. The horse she borrowed was returned to the escorts. And Mizuki seemed to have lost sight of Nessi after she rushed towards the crowd.


    She decided to leave Nessi as it is as she is already at the town where she lived. Nessi shouldn’t have any problem in entering without her.


    To avoid increasing the numbers of the people gathering at the stake, they forbid the people inside the town to exit the game without any good reason. The opening of the gate was also limited to a single file and the guards have issued strict checkups.


    Normally, Mizuki would always enter the town early in the morning. Gates were usually barred at that time but the postern gate can be opened if someone wanted to enter.


    It is a small single door gate. It is much smaller than the main gate but it is well hidden that it looked like to be part of the wall from afar. And on the event of an attack, the defenders can just immediately wall it back from the inside.


    But now, it seemed that the postern gate was closed temporarily.


    She was able to buy a two wheeled cart last year which helped her carry the loot and the products she will sell to the town. And right now, she is pulling the cart that carries the large pelts of the direwolves she killed yesterday, a large basket that she previously bought from town which was full of dried fish, herbs, mushrooms, berries, the looted equipment she got from the dead bandits and animal furs such as rabbits, foxes, and two bears.


    It was finally her turn after almost an hour of waiting. They asked her identity and purpose. She realized that there is an increase in the number of guards above the walls. Before there were only ten to fifteen soldiers manning the gates but now, she saw that there are about forty to fifty above. The current incident that happened outside the walls must have spooked the concerns for the security.


    “State your name and your reason of entering the town.” A sentry asked her.


    Thanks to the help of the town’s traders, she was able to learn the local language, although not fluently yet as she still sometimes get minor confusions about the context or meanings of some words.


    “I am Mizuki. I am planning to sell these inside the town” She answered.


    She also intentionally always wore her black armor to let them identify that it was her. After knowing that they already knew about her existence as she is the only one that wears this unique set of armor, they immediately allowed her to get inside the gate to be checked.


    Mizuki entered as she dragged the small cart with her.


    Although she is strong enough to pull her baggage, she still finds it quite a hassle.


    The cave and the town have quite a distance for a walk that she had to take countless stops to rest on the road everytime she wanted to buy supplies and sell her medicines.


    ‘I should buy or get a horse later.’ Mizuki took a mental note, before entering the gate.


    What greeted her when she got inside is looks of fear and suspicions from the guards.


    She also took glimpse to the armor quality of the guard captain.


    No matter how many times she sees it, it actually impresses and amaze her how different and wide the world is. Back in her country, irons and metals were quite rare that no army in Yamato have full body plate armor like the people they called “knights” in this kingdom. All metals were put into the production of blades and a certain new weapon that was invented.


    She would have a hard time with her katana, wakizashi, nagitana or even her odachi in penetrating such armor. Not to mention that beneath their plate armors, they still have a layer of chainmail that is almost virtually invincible against slashing attacks. And adding another layer of thick cloth, they are a very hard target and enemy even for her.


    But she still has ways in defeating such opponent.


    She walked towards the guard waiting at the long table. His main duty is to check every baggage, cargo and products that goes in and out of the town and apply appropriate tax.


    She let her cart get inspected as her body was thoroughly checked by a female guard who was armed with a bow and arrow.


    “Hmmm… wait, is this direwolves’ pelt? This is a lot… this will get you a lot of Rumptole or even Fremian silver coins at Fatil’s shop. And especially now that winter’s coming, this can be sold at a higher price under a skilled trader.” The guard was impressed at the large number of her pelts.


    Direwolves’ pelts were highly sought out by the wealthy and nobles. They give warmer cover than any other animal pelts and they were also considered the top animal trophies so they were also bought, either as an accessory for luxurious clothes or aesthetic purposes by collectors.


    “…” she only nods in response.


    “For your tax, do you want to pay in coins or goods?” the guard asked.


    “Coins.” She replied. After trading with the town for years, she was able to procure and save lots of coins especially from the profit she made from her medicines, herbal teas and various concoctions.


    “In what currency?”


    “Romtore – I mean Rumptole.” she still has difficulties in pronouncing some words of this country’s language.


    “Okay, you will have to pay 17 Rumptole silver coins as tax.” the guard told her after inspecting her goods. The tax is always the assumed ten percent of the potential profit of the goods and products.


    She got the required coins from her hidden coin pursed on her clothes and paid the amount.


    Due to some past harassment of a guard that tried to feel her up, Mizuki now refused to get one from a male. And it happened three times. She gave them summary judgment on the spot, the first two guards lost their two arms while the third was spared after explaining and proving that it was just a misunderstanding.


    When she mutilated the guards, the town officials decided to ban her from getting inside the town and have her sell outside the walls. However when they tried to do that, she didn’t come for weeks. Then they heard that she instead went to other village-town on the neighboring barony.


    The citizens and traders who were waiting inside for her highly sought medicines and products later complained at how the mayor pushed away their only valuable source of cheap medicine. As such they decided to open their gates for her. She still didn’t return however, until they personally visited her in the caves and offered several gifts as an apology.


    The mayor also had no choice then but to hire female guards on their gates for the convenience of female traders and travellers.


    “Thank you, I have received your payment. Please enjoy your stay.”


    After passing through the curious and suspicious eyes in the entrance, she went straight to the port market where ship traders and merchants mingle with the town.


    This part of the town was actually walled off as a coastal defense for any naval attacks or enemy attempts on landing at the port. So she still has to enter another gate entrance to get to the port. Since she came from inside the town, she didn’t have to be inspected again.


    This wall also helps in repelling the massive number of beggars that lived on the town after taking refuge from the consistent raids. Most of them were farmers who were reduced to beggary after abandoning their lands for safety. So many of them just beg on the streets towards the marketplace and port which gave a massive headaches for the guards. This wall helped also on avoiding the entry of thieves and pickpockets among the refugees.


    But they avoid begging on Mizuki as they feared a foreigner like her. What she did in the past is still fresh to their eyes and ears.


    It is still early in the morning but the port was already crowded with people who patiently await the catch of the only fishing galleys of the barony and the traders who wanted to make a bulk purchase for the fishes. She previously sold the shark she caught here at a very good price. It seems shark’s oil, meat and its bones were highly sought by merchants.


    It is one of the liveliest parts of the town. At the same time, stalls were already on business; selling and buying products. Loud shouts rose from anyone and everyone—as businesses and trading were all running at full speed as if chasing time at full speed.


    “Fresh vegetables! Come and get your freshly harvested vegetables here!”


    “Hey, get outta the way!”


    “Nets! Fish nets for sale!”


    “It’s too cheap! I will have to take it on another shop then.”


    “Are you stupid? I can’t sell such thing on someone like you!”


    “Winter is approaching! Buy your high quality but affordable spices here!”


    “Give me ten pouches of salt!”


    “How much for the pigs?”


    “I don’t want that one. I like the one under that box.”


    “Stop trying to deceive me! These goods of yours were from the Kingdom of Mords and not from the Dukedom!”


    “Meat! Meat! Fresh Meat! Pork, Beef, Mutton! Take your pick!”


    “I am sorry madam but I cannot sell this to you at such price.”


    “Mmmm! That really hits the spot! Give me barrel of this.”


    “Who the hell put these crates here?!”


    Loud noise of the port makes it obvious how the trade of the town is flourishing even at the face of ravages of war. This would be even more chaotic by the time the fishing vessels return from the sea.


    The two stores that she got to know and became a patron seem to be very crowded so she decided to make one herself.


    She wanted to sell everything she got immediately so she went on the corner with a vacant space where set up her mat and her products on the ground. She arranged them carefully to let her customers see everything clearly.


    When people slowly realize that it was her, they rushed towards her. Especially those traders who knew actively competed to buy her medicines after realizing how effective they were. And as a result it is always on demand when sold to other villages and town. And previously, she would only exchange her medicines with products and supplies but thanks to their increasing value, she was able to gain a lot of coins and thus came to know their true worth.


    “Mesoke, do you have medicines with you right now? I will buy everything on 250 Fremian silver coins.”


    Mizuki pointed at the small basket which was full of leather pouches.


    “His offer is too low Mesoke, but I am willing to buy them all for 285 Fremian silver coins!”


    “My offer is even better at 300 Fremian silver coins!”


    “I will buy them at 15 Juile silver coins!”


    “No! I will buy them at 20 Juile silver coins!”


    Wealthy merchants started competing by yelling their prices. Of course she knew that Juile coins have better value than Fremian coins so started her price on the 20 Juile silver coins that was offered. Then at that base price, the merchants started their competition once again. And the one who offered 28 Juile gold coins got the entire basket of medicine.


    Then other merchants switched their focus on her pelts.


    “By the way, is this a direwolf’s pelt?” one of them noticed the large pelt.


    She nodded in response.


    Several of them then took a look and feel the pelt to ascertain the quality of the tan.


    “This is well tanned, same as with your bear and fox pelts.”


    “How much for them? Especially for the direwolves?” a plump merchant asked her price.


    She replied with four fingers and a Fremian silver coin.


    “Four Fremian silver coins?”


    “No you idiot, she meant 40 Fremian silver coins. Who the hell would sell it at just four Fremian silver coins?” one of the traders corrected.


    “That’s a no go for me then.”


    “Can’t you lower your price? I know that this direwolf pelt may get expensive as winter is approaching but I will be purchasing your bear also – ”


    “I will take all of these pelts then at 15 Fremian gold coins.” The plump merchant offered a good price that immediately lost the motivation of other traders.


    “H-hey are you sure? Isn’t that too costly for just the pelts?” a fellow merchant got concerned about his price.


    “Yes it is besides I have a good client who will purchase them from me. Most especially these bear and direwolf pelts.” the plump merchant replied.


    “Deal.” she accepted his price by offering a handshake which the merchant also took.


    He yelled at his servants that were standing behind him to collect the pelts.


    “By the way, I am quite interested in your medicines so if you will be selling your next batch in the future, I will be happy to take them at 50 Juile gold coins. My name is Kirk Dewgood, a humble merchant of the Grass Corn Company.”This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The plump merchant may have wanted to buy her medicines but didn’t get in time, so he is making a private order for the next batch. His generous price earlier must be his way to start a deal.


    ‘…Grass Corn Company, so it seems I attracted the eyes of the merchants from the central that mostly deals in medicines and rare medicinal herbs.’ Mizuki thought.


    “Mizuki of Izuchirikuzen Clan. For your order, same size and one basket?” Mizuki introduced herself then asked the number of his request.


    “If possible I would like it even more if there are three or four baskets of them. I wouldn’t even mind paying for ten baskets of your medicines. So when will you return to sell your medicines?” he asked.


    “Two weeks from now, same day as today.” Mizuki replied.


    “Hmmm… I will be here at that day then.” They shook hands again to close the deal.


    She was able to sell everything at a good price by the time the fishing galleys were spotted on the horizon.


    The loot she got from the bandits was intended to be sold at a local weapon store she knew, but several teen boys seemed to have seen this on the back of her cart and asked to sell it to them. Although all of them were already washed thoroughly from blood and flesh, she cannot fix the rip and tear that was caused by the direwolves.


    Wanting to get free of them, she decided to sell them all at a lower price than she had planned. The buyers seemed to like the price already as they didn’t try even to bargain. They were actually planning to answer the baron’s call to arms and


    With empty cart, she folded out her mat and put everything back on the cart as she prepared again to buy her needed supplies.


    The people were flocking the port in getting and buying the catch from the galleys. But she didn’t come here to buy fish but to get what she ordered from one of the local blacksmiths.


    When she arrived at the store, she saw the blacksmith working at her forge.


    The smith was a woman in her mid-20s with brown hair and eyes. But the bulging muscles on her arms and great built of her body could give anyone an impression of a warrior. She seems to be working on a sword when Mizuki interrupted her.


    “Luren-san, good morning” she greeted.


    “Oh it’s you Mesoki and it is “Lorraine” not Lorensan.” The smith corrected her then stopped what she was doing. She left her tools on the table beside her then went to the large pail of water and washed her face.


    “You came here to get your order right?” Lorraine asked.


    “Yes, is it done?”


    “Yeah, come inside.” Lorraine invited her.


    Inside the store was riddled and decorated with weapons, armors and helmets. There are also several long tables which were used to display a single weapon each. Mizuki understood that it may be the high quality works Lorraine made. She also tried to feel the full plate armor that was displayed on one of the wooden pillars.


    ‘It really is a full body metal armor. If this is worn with chainmail, thick padded clothes and with a shield, the wearer will be slow but it will save his life from arrows and blades.’ She quietly thought.


    ‘If I meet one on a fight, the only way for me to defeat him is by using blunt damage… target his back thin plates… through the eye slits on his helmet or slowly tire him out using the weight of his own armor against him. But I may get in trouble if I encounter an army of them on the battlefield. I may have to buy one set of this armor with chainmail and all to practice with, back at the caves later.’ Mizuki quietly added as she thoroughly checked every ridges of the armor.


    “Oh what’s this? Are you interested in wearing one? That armor is one of my well-crafted set. I can throw in a full body chainmail also if you’d like.” Lorraine caught Mizuki’s curious attention to the armor.


    “I want to check my order first.” Mizuki said.


    “Hmm... By the way, it took me almost eight whole months to finish your order with lots of trial and error as this was my first time on working on these kinds of weapons. Each part was very intricate, complicated and also needed precise measurements as you have requested that it gave me headache when I worked on it.” she scratched her head in annoyance.


    “But I am not old man Charon or Troyes that would neglect a private order. I would always prioritize a commission that was given to me but in doing so I wasn’t able to get many customers as I didn’t accept any more orders. So this will be very, very expensive and I will not let you haggle yourself out of this one.” She added.


    “Yeah, I am sorry about that. But don’t worry I will pay. So how much for it and for all the trouble?” Mizuki asked.


    “250 Juile gold coins.”


    “Done.” Mizuki immediately replied.


    “Eh? Eh? Ehh? Ehhh? W-w-wait… wait… what? Y-you have that much?” Lorraine was quite surprised to know that Mizuki can pay the amount. This is already the cost of medium quality full plate armor.


    She is willing to accept her precious medicines or other products if Mizuki didn’t have enough coins but it seems her concern is unnecessary.


    “Yes.” Mizuki smiled showing a large leather coin pouch.


    “Ah… yeah… I almost forgot how much you are getting from selling your medicines. Haaaa… Maybe I should’ve put 300 Juile gold coins instead…” Lorraine murmured.


    Mizuki gave the payment to Lorraine by putting it at the counter.


    “You should pay only after you see and confirmed the quality of your order. Or else you will be scammed a lot by others.” Lorraine said.


    “I trust you and your skill.” Mizuki replied.


    “Hahahaha! Well thanks for the compliments.”


    Lorraine was also the one who was able to fix her blades after getting shipwrecked. Most smiths in the town failed to work on her blades with much quality as Lorraine did, although not better than the blacksmith who made her blades. As such Mizuki then became her loyal patron.


    “I actually got interested and curious on this weapon of yours. Can you show me on how you will use it?” Lorraine went inside a room behind the counter and exited carrying something that was covered in cloth. She placed it on top of the counter in front of Mizuki.


    Then Mizuki unwrap it on the table and checked the quality.


    “Hmmm… this is very… good...” She was quite impressed at the work. Checked every crevices, joints and mechanisms. Mizuki only drew the plans of her order, gave the exact measurements and left everything to Lorraine. But she didn’t expect that Lorraine will get all of it correctly.


    “Do you have straw or wooden targets for me to test this?” Mizuki asked after finished inspecting.


    “Well we have one at the back.”


    “For now, I don’t want any people to see this.” Mizuki requested.


    “Don’t worry. It is also my secret testing area for my weapons. No one passes it as it is enclosed by my shop and the cliff.”


    Both of them went to the far back of the shop where it is under the shadow of a cliff. There are several straw targets with wooden wheels attached. Few arrows were already embedded on them after the series of tests by Lorraine for her arrows. One of the targets was wearing plate armor full of dents and bolts.


    “So… show me how you will use your weapons. I would be very frustrated if they do not work as you have intended. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to give you this.” Lorraine tossed a quiver full of bolts on Mizuki’s feet.


    “You are going to need bolts for it right? I somehow knew that this weapon of yours operates similarly to a crossbow so I made fifteen bolts that can be inserted at the pipe. But I am still curious on how you will shoot it without any string.”


    But Mizuki just ignored the quiver on the ground then prepared the weapon, crouched and pulled out a small red pouch from her clothes. Then took something small from the pouch, pulled and strangely loaded it and aimed at the straw target with plate armor.


    “W-wait. You forgot to load a bolt–”


    Lorraine thought that Mizuki forgot to load a bolt to her “weapon” but she was interrupted by a loud thundering sound.


    She reflexively closed her eyes and covered her ears. It kept on ringing her ears that she got confused on what just happened.


    The end of the pipe seemed to be smoking. She looked at Mizuki and found a smiling face from her while gazing at her target. She followed that gaze and realized that there is a smoking hole on the armor.


    “Whew… this is good... really good… Luren-san, you have just earned my sincere full respect. You really are the second most skilled smith I ever know.” Mizuki’s compliment put her back to her senses.


    “…M-Mesoki…” she is still dumb struck at what just happened that she didn’t even mind the compliment given.


    “Hmm?”


    “W-what just happened? W-w-what did you just do?” she asked excitedly and worriedly.


    She ran to the plate armored straw target, touched and checked both the front and the back parts.


    There is a small hole on the thick steel armor then also realized that what penetrated the armor had gone through the back part also after seeing another hole on the back plate.


    “Hehe, it’s a secret.” Mizuki just smiled as she wrapped the weapon again with the cloth.


    “D-don’t tell me like that! H-h-how did you penetrate this plate armor?” When she followed the straight path of the hole, Lorraine found the small disfigured lump of metal stuck on the rock. She winced when she tried to touch it after not knowing that it is still hot.


    The armor wasn’t some kind of trash armor which she would use as a target practice. But it was one of her best armors to test the effectiveness of her arrowheads and lances. And in seeing how it easily penetrated through the combined armor, chainmail, thick cloth and wood made this very weapon, deadly than anything she had ever seen.


    “Mmm, let us just leave it at that.” Mizuki went towards it and used her leather gloves to take it out from the rock then returned it on her red pouch.


    “…” Lorraine looked at Mizuki then at the smoking hole on the target.


    She shivered after she realized that she may have just made a very, very dangerous weapon.


    But if her client doesn’t want to spill the beans then she can’t force her.


    Even if she is still curious, her job was only to create and make what was commissioned and ask no questions further, she remembered that she was the one who requested to see how the weapon worked.


    “Haa… well… nevermind… as long as it worked.” Lorraine decided to give up for now.


    Both of them went back inside the shop to finish the transaction. But Lorraine got confuse when she weighed the pouch as it is much lighter than she had expected.


    She decided to check and count the coins and she found out that there are only 15 coins inside.


    The problem is that they were not silver or simple gold.


    “Wait… these are 15 Law gold coins here in your payment!”


    A single Law gold coin is worth 20 Juile gold coins, it is the currency of the powerful and prosperous Reginus Empire of the East. A far away country, but its influence is already creeping the economy of the western kingdoms. And at the hands of a skilled trader or merchant, its value can be increased up to 50 Juile gold coins.


    “That is an additional payment to keep this weapon secret. Luren-san, don’t tell anyone. Don’t make copy. And burn what I drew.” Mizuki said.


    Lorraine knew that Mizuki is serious after seeing her eyes.


    “Oh so this is hush money eh. Fine! I don’t want to get involved in any nasty business anyway. I know what will happen to me if someone else got to know about the capability of that weapon. But I want you to tell me how it did, one day. I made that thing so I still have the right to know how it worked.” Lorraine replied.


    She then took something that is hidden on a secret compartment under the counter and went towards the burning fireplace. She tossed it through the fire and watched it slowly being eaten by the flames.


    “Thank you Luren-san.” Mizuki bowed in gratitude towards her.


    “Well, just don’t hesitate to visit me in fixing your equipment and gears. It is always great when there’s a rich loyal patron of the store.”


    Mizuki nodded then went to the front door but stopped as if she remembered something.


    “Mmm. By the way, do you know where can I buy a horse?” Mizuki asked.


    “Horse? Hmmm… At the port gate, there is a horse trader on the left side. Or was it on the right side? I don’t remember but Rodis’ stable is near the port entrance, still inside the vicinity of the port. Just follow the smell of horse poop when you are near the gate.” Lorraine said.


    “Thank you.”


    “Wait… You are going back to the caves after this? Why not stay here in town instead? I have an extra room here and this shop is spacious enough for you and me. My husband isn’t mostly at home as he is usually working on the field as the only recruiter of the baron.” Lorraine offered.


    “Thanks, next time maybe.”


    “Well, just remember that you are welcome in my shop anytime just in case you wanted to take residence here. Just don’t forget to bring your delicious tea also.” Lorraine added.


    “Yeah thanks, I had to go back to the forest tomorrow and continue the hunt.”


    “Hunt? Hmmm… I almost forgot, be careful on the forest by the way, I have heard that a band of bandits and a beast were lurking on the woods. Several patrols of soldiers were already attacked this week alone.” Lorraine warned.


    “Monsters? Are they referring to the direwolves?” Mizuki asked after realizing on the yesterday attacks that there is a massive increase in the population of direwolves.


    “No, but I heard from the rumors that the beast looked like a large goblin that preys on any unwary traveller. There are several travellers that were already found dead on the forest roads by the patrols. Their necks were ripped and their bodies were dismembered or disfigured.”


    “Hmm… a monster strolling the woods... I don’t remember seeing something like that. But don’t worry.”


    “Why is that?”


    “I worship Death and him only. And I will gladly leap into his arms.” Mizuki left the shop on these words.


    Mizuki followed Lorraine’s directions and went to the gate. She is now having a hard time in walking through as the streets were crowded that everyone is already shoulder to shoulder. On the way, she saw a coal black horse being rode by a soldier. It reminds her of her favorite horse. She is thankful that she left her cart on the corner where she made her stall.


    Unable to endure the heat and crowds, she went on an alley hidden by two wooden buildings. After tying the new weapon she got on her back, she jumped upward with agile movements while using the protruding bricks and wood on the two walls as her foothold in keeping her momentum. Then she finally reached the roof.


    ‘It’s been a long time since I did this with Chidori and Shiro.’ She remembered the shinobi acquaintances when they were tasked in assassinating enemy lords.


    Then she continued walking on top of the roofs, jumping on each house while trying to find the horse trader.


    ‘… haaa… I miss Roukomi…’ she quietly thought until she smelled the horse poop nearby.


    She was about to drop down when she heard someone talking below.


    “Damn bastards. They only gave me a headache.” The soldier on top of the horse stopped nearby and was heard talking to someone.


    “Yeah, such thing was taken as your responsibility, isn’t it?” a man who seemed to be wearing wealthy clothes was drinking a bottle of wine.


    “Yeah, the baron scolded me for incompetence after letting such thing happen just under our noses. How could I know, the bastards at the gate were sleeping when it all happened and I was on the other side doing my duty also. I can’t be at two locations at once!” he got down from his horse and tied its reins on a fence.


    “So, what was the punishment for those incompetent watchmen?”


    “I had them whipped and imprisoned for a month.”


    “Well, that should be enough for their stupidity. It can also be a lesson for others. And? Do you already have any idea on who could have done it?”


    “I don’t even know a thing. There are neither traces nor any tracks left for us to investigate. Maybe they were covered by the criminals after the deed. Nothing but bandits and thugs comes into my mind but they would never taunt us something like this or they will be hunted down as retaliation. After all, their number one priority is to survive also.”


    “…”


    They seemed to be talking about the displayed flayed corpse at the gate.


    Mizuki also saw the skewered corpse of a woman on the stake.


    This kind of barbarism can only mean two things; to become an object of fear or to taunt the hearts of these people. Although she doesn’t know the political climate of this country, she still knew that the entire kingdom is at war at multiple fronts.


    And the soldier is right, Mizuki knew that bandits would never proactively provoke someone powerful than them or risked being hunted down to the last man.


    “This is getting interesting.”


    Animals would only kill or take life to survive. So such brutality is only possible at human hands.


    This sight made her remember something in the past.


    When she was six years old, she once had a pet puppy given to her by her mother before she died. A gift from a dying person.


    She loves it so much that she would sleep by its side always, feed it with good food, and play with it almost every day.


    She becomes so attached to it that she would sometimes get scolded for not being able to do her errands because of it.


    Then one day, in her father’s right hand, she saw the bloody and headless body of her beloved puppy.


    And in her father’s eyes was the reflected image of her with a bloody wakizashi at one hand, raising it against him.


    But her father was quicker; with only his left hand he was able to disarm her. He struck her in the face which caused her small body to fly on a short distance. Her rough landing caused the wooden table to be toppled over after colliding with her body.


    She slowly used her two small arms to stand and then she wiped her bleeding nose. Her father slowly walked towards her with raised fist. And she also felt the pure rage in his eyes.


    She can still remember the real words uttered by him as he struck her again on the other check. She didn’t even try to defend herself. So she flew again, this time towards the walls of their house. She bounced with great force that it left a mark.


    “Mizuki… I have told you already many times, many times… to obey our laws… obey our ways… obey my words…”


    She used her elbows to stand and wipe the blood from her lip.


    “Although it may have been my fault that you became this way… but… there are still things… you can do… and must never do…”


    Her father crouched, letting him see her at the same level of her height. Then he grabbed the wakizashi that she dropped nearby, wiped the blood using his sleeve and put it back on its sheathe.


    Then he looked again directly to her eyes.


    “Mizuki, if you continue down this path-”


    The rage and anger she sensed earlier have now subsided.


    But now she sensed another two emotions…


    Pity…


    …and fear.


    “-you will never ever return as a normal human again… you will live alone… and die in solitude… as a monster.”


    She smiled.


    “Then father, all I have to do is find a fellow monster, right?”


    Her right hand is still gripping the bloodied head of her puppy.