Volume 4, Chapter 51 – Mizue’s Promise

Volume 4, Chapter 51 - Mizue’s Promise

Translator: Aoi

Beyond the wooden wall of Imahama, they could see the dilapidated roofs of the building, which were wet from the rain, reflecting dim light from the port.

The gate was guarded by foot soldiers donning a conical bamboo hat and black bamboo armor.

Few of the guards stepped forward upon seeing Lily and the rest approach them.

“Halt, who are you and where are you from?” The guards were vigilant but their doubts were justified. If anyone saw pretty girls walking over from the wilderness in the middle of the night, anyone would get suspicious.

Lily was secretly relieved she didn’t allow the demon hound to follow them until the gate.

Shimizu came forward to explain, “We came from Lake Biwa’s fisher village in hope of boarding a ship at the port.”

“From the fisher village?” Although the guard was not as tall as Shimizu and didn’t seem that strong, he was very committed to his duty, “Who would believe you?! Judging from your appearance, you don’t seem to be from the fisher village!”

“You...”

Lily stepped up to placate the situation, “We were just passing through the fisher village. We actually came from Kamakura to meet Lord Kato. One of Lord Kato’s close friends recommended us to come.”

“Lord Kato?” That guard turned his gaze to Port Imahama behind him.

One of the guards in casual clothes and tawny bamboo hat asked, “That friend of Lord Kato you claimed to be, what is his name?”

“Tenba Goro.”

“Tenba Goro? Never heard of it, that name is also very weird in itself, are you making fun of us?!” The guard shouted. Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

“What? You’re leaving now?” Shimizu, on the other hand, was still relatively cool-headed.

“Mhm,” Mizue gazed at Lily with longing, but she wasn’t too reluctant to part, “I am still concerned about my husband, son, and subjects back in Ise. I have to bring these treasures back, it’s exactly what the town needed right. Besides, being with you two, I’d be more of a burden than a help. The road ahead is bound to get more dangerous, I must fully acknowledge that I am useless in this journey.”

“But Miss Mizue...” Lily was a bit distressed but she remained staunch. It was impossible for Lily to understand the thoughts of a married woman with a son, so, although she was reluctant, she didn’t insist strongly, “I promised that I will risk my all to protect you, but since you’ve made your choice to go back to your husband and son, I have no reason to keep you. Besides, you’ll only be in more danger if you stay with us. After all, the target of those powerful Kansai samurai is me.”

Mizue unexpectedly stepped forward to grab Lily’s hands, “No, it’s not like that, Miss Lily! I’m not leaving you because of the dangers, I... I...”

As two seemingly samurai were approaching, Mizue pulled Lily to the side and moved around them along with Shimizu.

The three of them walked for a while until they reached a stone bridge. From there, they could see the brook connecting to vast Lake Biwa in the distance. The lake appeared just like a huge mirror in the cover of the rain, but under the orange glow of the lantern, one could make out some waves on the said mirror.

Mizue stopped at the other end of the bridge and turned around. Her beautiful curly hair and the elegant kimono that wrapped around her lithe body made a rustling sound as a breeze was blowing from the lakeside.

Mizue had a bright and beautiful smile on her face despite the gloomy weather, “Miss Lily, I plan to divorce with my husband after I make this trip back.”

“What?!?!” Not only Lily, even Shimizu who were mostly indifferent to other’s affairs was also just as surprised.

“D-D-Divorce?” The two unmarried girls were confused at the unexpected remarks and didn’t know what else to say.

“That’s right, I want to divorce,” Mizue narrowed her eyes and strongly nodded. At this time, her eyes seemed to glow with the ray of hope as never before.

She continued, “I’ll give half of these magatama fragments to my husband and town, then use the other half to advance my power level and start my own journey. I know it will be an extremely dangerous path with no way back, but in the few days I spent with you, I’ve come to realize something. Even when I was close to death’s door, rather than regret, I’ve become more resolute than ever. My son is only five years old and my husband is bedridden, but so what? I’ve already made up my mind, I can’t suppress this yearning in my heart no more.”

“I will make sure to settle down everything at home, these magatama fragments should be enough for that little town to develop. After I gain enough strength, I will continue to send money and treasure to them, but I will never set foot in that place again. Miss Lily, Miss Shimizu, someday, I will come to find you two. It doesn’t matter where, whether it be Heian-Kyo or Kamakura, when that time comes, can you please take me along on your journey?”

The smile displayed by Mizue was so splendid as though it could brighten up the night scene around the bridge.