Chapter 14: The Sword

As the storm eases, Misaki and Setsuko barricade the Matsuda house. Misaki raises ice spikes in the courtyard and, seeing Hiroshi’s surprising jiya, promises her sons a future to fight. When crashes signal invaders in the village, Misaki sends Setsuko and the children to the cellar.

Rejecting the heavy dojo swords, Misaki unearths her hidden weapon beneath the kitchen floor: Siradenyaa, “Shadow’s Daughter,” a one-of-a-kind obsidian blade crafted by Koli. In a flashback, Koli insists the sword and Misaki’s nature are both made for fighting. Misaki asks Setsuko not to witness what she is about to become, then prepares to draw the attackers away as four yellow-clad soldiers break the front doors.

Meanwhile on the mountain, sunset reveals a blood-soaked field. Only Takeru and Takashi still stand alongside the bodies of comrades and elites. Katakouri Hakuzora arrives with dire news: the northern pass has fallen and he is the sole survivor. Takashi orders Takeru to return home to protect the family; after a tense hesitation, Takeru obeys and departs uphill.

Another Ranganese wave charges, led by a black-clad elite. Mamoru kills multiple foes, improvising an ice sword when disarmed. Takashi slays the elite but is grievously cut across the torso. Mamoru attempts blood coagulation to stanch the bleeding but cannot overcome the arterial damage.

As more enemies approach, screams rise from the numu blacksmiths’ village. Takashi orders Mamoru to protect the smiths while he “thins out” the oncoming soldiers. Forced to choose, Mamoru runs toward the blacksmiths, understanding he is likely leaving his uncle to die.