Chapter 22: The Soldiers

Imperial troops enter Takayubi accompanied by Yammanka soldiers, drawing curious, uneasy villagers. Misaki recognizes Yammanka pilot markings and connects them to the recent bombing, noting the foreigners’ readiness and the Kaigenese army’s outdated gear, which underscores imperial dependence on Yamma.

Colonel Song, with a patronizing translator, confronts Takeru as village head. Takeru explains assuming leadership after the mayor’s presumed death and his brother’s confirmed death. Song quickly tests Takeru’s authority, demanding control of the populace and ordering every body—Kaigenese and Ranganese—moved to the blacksmith village for a Yammanka forensic investigation.

Takeru hesitates, citing local funerary practices, but Song insists, even on partial remains. When the translator condescends, Misaki snaps at him; Song dismisses the translator and tells Takeru to control his wife. Song then moves to seize Mamoru’s body first. Takeru complies outwardly, taking Mamoru’s sword while soldiers lift the corpse, affirming imperial loyalty.

Misaki lunges to stop them, but Kazu restrains her. Takeru overwhelms Misaki’s power with his jiya, leaving her dazed and relocated inside with the injured blacksmith Kotetsu Katashi and the children, who struggle to accept death’s finality. The scene highlights Misaki’s grief and powerlessness under imperial and household authority.

Katashi consoles Takeru about the sword, declaring it a hero’s weapon and naming it Mamoriken, the Protector, preserving Mamoru’s honor. A flicker of emotion crosses Takeru, but he soon rebukes Misaki’s conduct and orders her to rest. Misaki, bitter and defiant, mocks imperial slogans as Takeru departs, underscoring the widening rift between duty to empire and family grief.