VOLUME 3: MEETING OF SHADOWS AND STEEL

​CHAPTER 4.5: THE SILENT JOURNEY AND THE TEMPLE STAIRS

​Barely a few hours had passed since that first bloody trial during the town raid. As the adrenaline pumping through Yamato’s chest slowly faded, it was replaced by the heavy, soul-draining exhaustion inflicted by Kurunomi. Yet, there was no time to rest. They were standing before the steep, stone stairs leading to the sacred "Temple of the Thirteen Captains," located at the heart of the empire.

​The sky was veiled in heavy gray clouds, acting as a grim harbinger of an approaching storm. Ryousuke tilted his straw hat slightly forward, silently leading the way with his deep blue haori fluttering in the wind. Yamato followed just two steps behind, climbing the damp, moss-covered stairs consisting of a thousand and one steps. With every step he took, he could feel a dense, freezing spiritual energy drifting downward. This overwhelming aura was living proof of the other captains waiting above.

​"Ryousuke-sama..." Yamato whispered, struggling to overcome the sound of the wind. "The others... will they truly accept me among them?"

​Without breaking his stride, Ryousuke cast a brief glance back from beneath his straw hat. "The title of Captain is not a favor granted to you by the government, Yamato. If you have strapped that sword to your waist, then you have earned that rank. It does not matter what they think. What matters is how high you hold your head when you step through those doors."

​As they approached the temple's massive entrance, the air grew even colder. Standing on either side of the doors were giant dragon statues carved out of stone. The corridors were so dead silent that only their footsteps and the faint metallic click of Kurunomi in its sheath echoed off the walls. Amidst these massive pillars and centuries-old walls, Yamato felt smaller than ever—like a frail sapling sneaking into a forest of giants.

​Ryousuke stopped in front of the massive wooden doors fitted with heavy bronze rings. He took a deep breath. The solemn severity on the face of a legend like him doubled the unease swirling inside Yamato. Ryousuke placed his hand on the door and gently pushed it open.