A Restless Night

On the next day, the royal army was dispatched. A hundred elite soldiers were present, with eighty of whom being Watatsumi priests. Led at the vanguard were Baihu and Ryuuhan, while Zhuque and Aoba sat in a chariot in the middle of the formation – a natural protective position for the two important faces of the nation. While there were arguments with putting more men on the job, it was quickly swept away by Tianlong:

“A hundred is enough. We have to remember that this campaign can’t be done in an afternoon. If anything, I want fewer; you can take less time traveling around and map out the necessary routes for the eventual reinforcements.”

As such, this was the number they decided upon. And in a way, Huoguo’s crown prince was correct – in a trip that would only take a single person a few hours to reach, the raiding army ended up spending their entire day traveling the same distance.

Once they were greeted with the same carved wall that Zhuque once saw, it had already been night out.

“We’ll camp here for the night. Once dawn comes, we’ll enter.” ordered Aoba.

“As you wish, Your Highness,” answered Ryuuhan.

“Hey, aren’t we getting our opinion here?” Baihu clicked his tongue in annoyance, clearly angered by the insolent display of the Watatsumi pair.

“Well, Princey, do you have any objections?” With a wry grin, Ryuuhan stepped forward, facing the Huoguo prince.

“Princey?”

“Got a problem?”

“Plenty,” cracking his fist, Baihu grinned.

Before they could escalate into another fight, however, a pair of hands from behind each hit them on the head. For Ryuuhan, it was Aoba, while for Baihu, Zhuque forced her hand for the first time.

“Can you two can it for once?” The princess scolded, then turned towards Aoba. “Camping here is a good idea. With too many people, moving about in this cave is dangerous.”

“Y’know, you don’t have to play the good wife yet…”

“What do you mean ‘wife’, stupid Brother? I say that for all of us!”

Zhuque’s face was flushed like a ripe tomato when she spoke those words, so those around just assumed that she was being teased. However, the princess knew better than anyone – these emotions bubbling within her was nowhere as nice as love or adoration.

In fact, they had surfaced as soon as she had set her sight on the stone door in front of her. Scenes of the past ran rampant in her mind, from the ruined land of Huoguo, to the brutally murdered retainer, the flock or black shadows that engulfed them, the hordes of moldy, nauseating cloth coming from the mummies…

“Zhuque! What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing. I was too emotional. That’s all.”

The princess spoke through her hand as she tried desperately to hold back the feeling of wanting to vomit. I thought I was better than this, lamented Zhuque in her mind. Perhaps, after twice experiencing the terror that the tower had brought upon her, the princess had lost a bit of her adventurous spirit and gained a dreaded sensibility, or rather, primal fear.

There was a sudden gentle feeling on her back. Turning around, Zhuque’s eyes widened as she witnessed the young Watatsumi prince clumsily pat her with one hand while his other formed a small water ball.

“Do you want to drink this? Don’t worry, it’s clean.”

“I’ll pass, but thanks.” Gesturing away, Zhuque answered.

He’s more caring than I expected, the princess thought. Maybe if things weren’t this much of a mess, he would actually make for a fine husband.

Of course, it was just something that sparked on a whim, but at least the thought was enough for the young princess to temporarily forget her traumatic past. Letting out a sigh, she continued:

“I’m a bit better now. How about we all sleep for the day?”

“Well, you heard the princess,” Ryuuhan clapped towards the rest of the soldiers. “Let’s finish making our camp!”

With their manpower, it didn’t take long for everyone to have tents of their own lined up in front of the cave’s entrance. Zhuque alone was given the carriage to sleep in, while the rest of the army hurried to their own quarters, leaving behind Baihu, along with a couple more men, to guard the princess. Ryuuhan, meanwhile, was stationed next to Aoba for the same reason.

Night soon fell, engulfing everything in a deep darkness. From within the carriage, a slight rustling could be heard, and a small silhouette hid itself within the ink-black area.

Steady… steady…

Zhuque was making her way to the cave’s entrance.

She herself knew that it was a bad idea. But the panic attack she had earlier was proven to be too much for her… enough for the princess to make this rash decision.

Standing before her was the same wall as before, with the same carvings she was all too familiar with.

“I call forth…”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” before she could finish, a familiar voice had called out to her to stop the chant in time.

“What the… How did you get here? Aren’t you supposed to be with your lord?” seeing the familiar black-and-white figure, Zhuque asked.

“I snuck out. Unlike some other unruly princess, my lord knows when to not step out of his boundary. Though I could ask you the same question; how did you manage to sneak past your brother?”

“He sleeps like a log whenever he finishes eating. Martial arts for brain and all.”

“I knew putting that guy as general was a mistake…”

Ryuuhan didn’t get to finish his sentence, however, for he almost fainted for a second time seeing Zhuque raise her hand again to chant.

“H-Hey! Didn’t you listen to me?” Grabbing the princess’s arm, the boy scolded. “I said no!”

“It’s better this way! Look at all of these people!” Zhuque shook off the attempt.

“What, you don’t want to see them die?”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Yes, yes it is! They’re soldiers! Pawns! Their duty is to protect the king, you, from danger. If you go ahead and off yourself at every moment you can then what is left for them?”

“Then what about Baihu? Aoba? You? Are you saying that you guys are happy to die as long as I’m alive and well?”

“Yes, exactly! Think about it, you dimwit! One is your brother, the other is your husband-to-be!”

“Only in name!”

“But he has more responsibility to his people, to your people, than you! Again, I ask you to think about your position, your importance to everyone around you, stupid princess!”

“Oh shut up! Do you think I’m not aware of the position I’m in? Do you think that I’m treating the princess title as a mere child’s plaything? It’s a ruler’s duty to care for their people, not throw them to the wolves at a moment’s notice! What good are you if you’re just going to run away and sacrifice others just so that you live?”

“Listen, you…”

“... What’s all the ruckus?” Before Ryuuhan could finish his retort, there was a soft, but stern voice all the same that sounded. Without anyone’s notice, the young prince of Watatsumi had already awakened from his slumber, and was standing in between the bickering pair.

“Y-Your Highness!” Ryuuhan was the first to react, all of his previous gusto had already been extinguished. “What brings you here?”

“Do you think anyone could get a wink of sleep with you two being so loud?” with a sigh, Aoba shook his head. “And… never mind. Just get back to sleep, you two.” Glancing at Zhuque, he added. “And yes, that means you too, Princess.”

Before the latter could open another argument, the young prince had already struck with his own. “As for how right or wrong each of us is, that’s a point of discussion for later. All I’m saying is, whether you want to protect or be protected, you should be strong enough first. Am I right?”

“... Fine,” Zhuque could only answer that much. The mere presence of another person meant that she had already lost her gamble, and for now, she must pay the price.

Sulking all the way, she returned to her carriage with heavy steps. So much that she didn’t even bother to hide her presence – or perhaps it was on purpose to vent her anger, but there was a loud creak in the air as the princess stepped back into the vehicle.

Of course, with that loud of a sound, few could ignore its presence. And so, it wasn’t any surprise when another voice called out to her from outside as soon as Zhuque lay down on her makeshift bed.

“Can’t sleep?”

“Baihu? I thought you were sleeping?” Zhuque raised her voice, confused by the sudden appearance of her brother. “You usually never wake up at night.”

“I know. Martial arts for brains, right?”

“... You heard?”

“One thing about martial artists is that they’re quite alert when it comes to their surroundings,” Baihu chuckled.

“... Sorry about that.”

“But it seems like you have something on your mind, right?” Baihu continued. “I don’t see you losing your cool like that often… if not at all.”

“I…” Zhuque hesitated. Will it be okay?

To say that she had been desperate for company would be an understatement. After everything she had been through, after going through hell and back, twice even, Zhuque was already close to crumbling. For everyone that was around, only Ryuuhan was someone she could share the experience with, but he wouldn’t get her. On the other hand, Baihu might not understand what she went through, but who would be better to share the sentiment with than family members?

Taking a deep breath, she finally asked.

“Have you ever thought of… the greater good? You know, with us as royals and the future rulers?”

“... What brings the idea?” Baihu asked in return. “It’s rare for you to ponder such things. I thought you were like me.”

“That’s why I’m asking you, stupid Brother.”

“Fair point. But to answer your question… never in my life have I not thought about the matter. It’s just that for me, the best way to serve my people is via martial arts – I’m not politically savvy like Brother Tianlong, nor am I good around people like you, after all.”

“Then… say, supposedly you have a choice of sacrificing some of your people for you to live, and sacrificing yourself so your people can live, what would you do?”

Baihu hesitated for a moment. “This is about the guards here, right? I got the gist of your argument back then.”

“And your answer is…”

“I…” Taking a deep breath, Baihu paused for a moment. Perhaps he was also stalling for time, for the young prince of Huoguo had never truly thought about the matter until now.

But he needed to have an answer, for his precious sister’s sake.

“I would sacrifice myself,” in the end, he couldn’t lie to himself.

“See? Then I, too…”

“But you’re not me, Zhuque,” Baihu shook his head. “Yes, for me, sacrificing myself is the best choice. But that’s because I wouldn’t be able to think of another plan. I only got martial arts for brains, after all,” he chuckled. “You, on the other hand, are different. You’re not as strong as any of us three; sacrificing yourself for others stronger than you is just a dumb thing to do.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Zhuque’s voice shook. “If I can’t even take up the suffering of others, then…”

“Everyone has their own weapon, Zhuque. You’re not as strong a fighter, but you’re smart and charming. That’s your weapon. Use it to your advantage. If you don’t want others to sacrifice themselves for you, then convince them to run with you. If someone plans to die for you, then devise a plan so that everyone can survive. Surely that beats getting people dying for nothing, right?”

Before Zhuque could answer, Baihu’s hand had already reached inside the carriage, gently patting her on the head.

“Don’t worry too much. If your plan fails, then we’re here to pick up the slack. You don’t have to bear this burden alone. Now get to sleep, dearest Sister; we have a raid to attempt tomorrow. Wouldn’t wanna miss that, am I right?”

Perhaps it wasn’t the best advice. But that alone – the fact that it came from her brother – was enough to put Zhuque’s mind at ease. At least for the time being.

“... Yeah. Goodnight, Brother.”

“Goodnight, Sister.”

That night, Zhuque had the best sleep that she’d had for a long time.