Chapter 11: The Patriarch

At night, Takeru returns from Kumono and spars with Mamoru. Freed by Misaki’s coaching, Mamoru fights sharply, even grazing Takeru’s kimono, but Takeru abruptly dismisses him. Misaki later finds Takeru brooding on the deck, sensing wind at sea and revealing that Takashi wants him to leave the mayor’s office to teach at Kumono. Misaki protests, but Takeru refuses to challenge his brother’s authority.

The next morning, Takashi drunkenly “celebrates” Takeru’s return to Kumono, belittles both brothers, and pushes sake on them and on Mamoru. Misaki, Setsuko, and Hyori discuss the harmful staffing change and Takeru’s unsuitability for teaching. Hyori notices Misaki’s blistered hands from secret weapons practice, but Takeru arrives and brusquely disperses the gathering.

In Takeru’s study, he hands Misaki an unopened letter from Kolunjara. It is from Guang Ya-li, Misaki’s former roommate, warning that Takayubi is in immediate danger from Ranga and urging Misaki to flee with her family. Misaki translates for Takeru, who dismisses the warning as foreign deceit and calls flight treason. Misaki argues that Kumano’s strength has waned, but Takeru insists the Sword of Kaigen must hold.

Choosing her children’s safety, Misaki declares she will take the boys away. When Takeru seizes her, she disables his sword arm with the Tsusano Blood Needle and seals his study door with ice. She rallies Mamoru to prepare an ice sled to evacuate Setsuko and the little ones while she considers neutralizing Takeru further, fearing a forced confrontation that would make Mamoru choose sides.

Before Misaki can act, Takashi returns and finds Takeru’s door frozen. Takeru shatters it and confronts Misaki in cold fury. At that charged moment, the temple bell tolls and a terrifying roar, identified by Kwang Chul-hee as fonya, sweeps over the mountain. The family realizes too late that the Ranganese threat has arrived.