Bounty Regression: My Own Blood

The capital was already awake.

Guards rotated shifts. Couriers cut through the streets with sealed letters tucked under their arms. Nobles moved like they owned the place,because most of them did. Compared to Saltmere, this was the real deal.

The car rolled through the front gates of August Castle as the sky lightened. Gravel crunched under the tires. The palace stood tall and composed, banners barely stirring in the morning breeze. Itaka parked near the front steps, engine humming low before she shut it off. For a second, no one moved.Then Asumi opened her door. A valet hurried down the steps, adjusting his gloves mid-walk. He gave a respectful bow.

“Lady Tatsuchi. Captain Itaka. Ms. Yamikumei and Mr. Mori.” Everyone bowed, but Asumi didn’t return it right away. Her eyes were on the car. Then the valet.

“You will park this carefully,” she said evenly. “No sharp turns. No unnecessary braking. And if I see even a scratch, I will assume it’s your fault.” The valet stiffened. “Of course.” “It’s new,” she added. “And I’m certain it wasn’t cheap.” Zhenyu leaned out of the back seat. “Captain Itaka just got her license like, six days ago,” he said casually. “Legal driving age and all that.”Itaka shot him a look. “I just turned twenty. Relax.”

“In Avethryn,” Zhenyu said, “that’s when you’re officially an adult.” The valet nodded quickly. “It will be handled with care.” Asumi stepped aside. “See that it is.” Itaka shook her head under her breath but handed over the keys.

They moved toward the entrance together. Zhenyu stretched. “Crazy to think we’re almost in mid-May already.” Asumi glanced at him. “And?” “And,” he said, looking at Tatsuchi, “your birthday’s on the twenty-first. You’re about to hit twenty, as well.” Tatsuchi shrugged. “It’s just a day.” “It’s not just a day,” Zhenyu said. “Legal adulthood. No more pretending you’re seventeen.” “I was never pretending.”

Itaka slowed at the top of the steps. “Twenty,” she repeated. Her expression shifted. “That’s right. You’d both be twenty now.” Tatsuchi frowned. “Both?” The doors to the throne room hadn’t even opened yet. Itaka looked at her. “Yeah. You and your twin brother.” Asumi stopped walking. Zhenyu blinked. “Her what?”

                              …

They were gathered in one of the inner palace halls, wide and tall, stone walls swallowing sound. Asumi stood straight. Zhenyu leaned against a pillar, arms crossed. Tatsuchi stayed quiet. Itaka paced. Back and forth. Back and forth.

“No,” she muttered again. “That’s not right.” Tatsuchi exhaled. “You’ve said that three times.” “Yeah, because it keeps being wrong,” Itaka snapped, stopping to face her. “You’re telling me you’ve never been told you had a sibling?”

“I don’t,” Tatsuchi said immediately. “I’m not forgetting something like that.” Asumi frowned. “If this is serious, say it clearly.” Itaka stared at all of them like they’d missed something obvious. “You have a twin brother,” she said.

Zhenyu blinked. “That’s impossible,” Tatsuchi finally said. “I would know.”

 “Which is why I don’t understand why no one else remembers…” Itaka said. “There should be records,” she added. “A letter went out to the five main clans sixteen years ago. With Yuta Kuroainaru’s personal seal.” Tatsuchi stared down at the floor. “I don’t remember a brother, and my father would’ve told me if I did.” “I know,” Itaka said quietly. "But what if-"

Footsteps echoed, as the huge doors opened and King Adam entered, calm as ever. The royal guard lined the hall behind him. “You requested an audience?” he said.Itaka stepped forward, putting aside the earlier conversation. “I request permission to travel to Condoran with the Thirteenth Guard.” Adam’s brow lifted. “The reason?” Tatsuchi stepped forward. “We’ve found leads on the bounties. We need access to Hades Vault.” King Adam glanced at Asumi, Zhenyu, then back. 

Adam nodded once more. “Approved. The Thirteenth will escort you, Captain Itaka, daughter of the late Mayuri Tomidoru. Depart by nightfall.”

By midday, the group had taken over a side strategy room. Maps were spread across the table, letters stacked in neat piles. Zhenyu muttered, “Forest Kyōga, former Revolutionary Army strategist. Disappeared eighteen years ago.” “No reassessment records?” Asumi asked. “None,” he said. “Which is weird.” Tatsuchi stared down at a copy of the bounty report. Itaka had stayed unusually quiet for the last hour. Finally, she spoke. “We’re splitting up.” “Splitting how?” Zhenyu asked. “You three focus on Forest Kyōga,” Itaka said. “Follow the money, the bounty distribution, and who’s backing him if any.” Asumi nodded slowly. “And you?” Itaka’s gaze met Tatsuchi’s. “I’m the one getting you into Hades Vault.”

Once everyone had left, the room felt heavy. Tatsuchi stood by a window, hands resting on the stone frame. “So… it’s just us.” Itaka didn’t answer right away. She came over slowly. “I’m going to talk to Loki,” she said.

Tatsuchi blinked. “The Tomidoru Clan head?” “Yes.”Tatsuchi hesitated. “Why would he listen?” “It’s complicated,” Itaka said flatly. “But he owes me.” Tatsuchi looked at the courtyard again. “You really think he still has it?”  Itaka nodded. “If anyone kept it after the Sun God Incident, it would be him.”

Tatsuchi’s hands curled against the window frame. Instead of more words, Itaka stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her from behind. 

Then, Itaka rested her forehead lightly against the back of Tatsuchi’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” she said quietly. “You don’t even know what’s wrong yet,” Tatsuchi whispered. “I don’t need to, you're my friend.” The world below felt far away.

“I’ll get the letter,” Itaka said. “I’ll talk to uncle Loki. Make him hand it over, even if I have to stand in his office all night.” “That sounds like you.” “It is.”Tatsuchi let out a slow breath. “And if your father left answers,” Itaka said softly, “we’ll read them together. Not you alone. Together.” Tatsuchi relaxed against her slightly. “You really think there’s something there?” she asked quietly. “Yes.” “And if it changes everything?” Itaka tightened her arms a little. “Then we change with it.” For the first time since the beginning of her mission, Tatsuchi felt like she wasn’t standing on the edge alone. “Don’t let me back out,” she said softly. “I won’t,” Itaka replied. A long pause. “What's his name?” Tatsuchi finally asked.Itaka looked at her. “The letter said it was-”                           

                                    …

Far away, in a quiet chamber seemingly made of heavenly light and cloud. White marble floors reflected a pale white candlelight. Tatsuchi's father, Yuta Kuroainaru stood at the center, military uniform, hands clasped around his drink. 

Before him, a figure cloaked in pale light stretched vast, feathered wings. “What was my nephew's name again, my friend?” said the figure.

“My beloved son, my own blood,” Yuta said quietly.

“Ichirou.”