There is nothing Taiki could do but pray. There was nobody around to expel the uneasiness that was eating away his heart. All the adults around Taiki hid the upsetting rumors so as not to scare Taiki. All those talks about assassinations are just rumors without base, so don’t fret over it, they assured. Therefore, even though bad news had been circulating through secret whispers during the morning assembly earlier, Taiki never had the chance to discuss with the adults about it. Even if Taiki asked, they would definitely say those were just lies, or there had to be some mix-up.

Unless Taiki skipped work, picked the right time when nobody was around and escaped to empty places, Taiki could not even pray for his master's safety. Taiki was ashamed and furious about his small self, so small that he could only be regarded always as a kid.

Successfully convincing the reluntant shirei (使令, lit. servents), Taiki commanded them to move to Bun Province. He longed just to know whether Gyousou was unhurt. If he was fighting tough battles, Taiki would like to help.

Kirins in nature are moved by generosity. They despise bloodshed and deplore disputes. They could not even hold swords to protect themselves, so they keep youma (妖魔, lit. mystical monsters) as their shirei, and used them as weapons. However, Taiki only had two shirei: Sanshi (汕子) and Gouran (傲濫). Commanding the two to move, Taiki had done all he could do for Gyousou. If only he had more shirei. If only he could be older, so that he could join forces with the adults around and do something to protect Gyousou. Taiki blamed himself time and again, but in the end, he could do nothing but pray at a corner of the garden. Taiki was ashamed of his lack of power.

Please come back safe.

Some time during his numerous rounds of prayers, he heard faint footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw that person. Taiki was relieved. It was not the Fusyou (傅相, counselor) or the Daiboku (大僕, bodyguard), but an informer of Gyousou's troubles for Taiki. Therefore Taiki did not need to put up a face as if he wasn't worried at all.

" Is Gyousou safe? Any news from him?"
Taiki hurried over and questioned, only to receive a silent reply of head shaking sideways.

" I dispatched my shirei in the end. Sorry."
I will inform you of all messages without reservation, so please never think again of the reckless idea of sending your shirei to Gyousou's side! The informer had persuaded before. That promise was kept to the end, but not for Taiki's.

" In the end, however, I just could not sit around doing nothing and wait for messages to arrive."
The informer nodded, and smoothly drew a sword from its sheath.
Taiki stopped his steps, but he didn't feel afraid at all. He trusted the informer. Taiki just felt somewhat surprised.

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