Chapitre 21: A Brewing Storm
Chapter 21: A Brewing Storm
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The wooden floor creaked softly beneath Yami's steps as she ascended the staircase.
Her mother's words echoed in her mind:
"Go check on Sophia; she's been gone too long. See if Adam's alright."
Yami had always been curious, her mischievous streak often getting the better of her.
When she opened Adam's door, the sight before her brought an amused smirk to her lips.
There was Sophia, curled up beside Adam, her arms wrapped around him, her face peaceful in slumber.
"Well, well, Sophia," Yami murmured under her breath, shaking her head. "I always suspected you had feelings for Adam, but this… this is something else."
The faint glow of the lamp cast a warm light on the two, highlighting the contrast between Adam's serene face and Sophia's slightly flushed cheeks.
Yami quietly picked up the dinner tray from the table, careful not to disturb the scene.
Yami has no problem if Sophia and Adam become a couple in the future, in fact Yami will support them for their future.
As she closed the door behind her, she thought to herself, "I'll talk to her tomorrow morning. I need to know where she got this sudden courage. But for now…"
Yami chuckled softly, descending the stairs. "I'll let her enjoy the moment."
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The Mansion -
Far away from the peaceful village, a sprawling Japanese-style mansion stood under the pale light of the crescent moon.
The air was filled with the soft rustle of leaves, accompanied by the distant sound of wooden swords clashing.
The mansion was surrounded by tall, imposing walls, their surfaces painted with intricate patterns.
Beyond the walls lay a large training ground where young boys and girls practiced swordsmanship under the watchful eyes of stern instructors.
Each student moved with precision, their wooden swords slicing through the air.
Near the edge of the training ground, on a wooden walkway that encircled the mansion, a man clad in traditional black robes walked with purpose.
A long katana hung at his side, its sheath as dark as midnight. His face was weathered, marked by years of discipline and hardship, and his steps were measured, each one deliberate.
He stopped before a sliding door made of thin wooden panels and paper. Bowing slightly, he said, "Lord, I bring news."
From within, a calm voice responded, "Enter."
Sliding the door open, the man stepped into a room bathed in the soft glow of candlelight.
The floor was covered with tatami mats, and at the center sat a young man dressed in immaculate white robes.
His silver hair gleamed in the dim light, and his piercing blue eyes carried an unsettling calm. A katana rested beside him, its hilt emanating an aura of quiet menace.
The black-robed man knelt before him, bowing deeply. "Lord," he began, his voice steady despite the weight of the news he carried.
The young lord took a sip from the tea cup cradled in his hands, the delicate porcelain a stark contrast to the tension in the room. "Speak," he said, his tone emotionless.
"Lord," the man began, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor, "Mark's crest has been activated. It appears he is dead."
The young lord's expression did not change, his blue eyes narrowing slightly as he set the cup down with a soft clink. "And the mission?"
"It seems it has failed, my lord."
Silence hung heavy in the air, the weight of disappointment palpable.
Finally, the young lord spoke, his voice sharp and cutting. "Whether Mark is dead or alive is irrelevant. He was your subordinate, Sinu. If he failed, it is now your responsibility to ensure the mission's success."
Sinu's shoulders stiffened. "But, my lord," he began, his voice laced with hesitation, "how can I attack a village directly? Such an action—"
The young lord's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.
He lifted the tea cup again, taking another measured sip before interrupting, "I thought someone of your rank might possess a shred of intelligence. But I see now that you are little more than a dog from the branch family."
A vein in Sinu's temple throbbed, but he remained silent, his head bowed. "Forgive me, my lord. I have disappointed you."
The young lord's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "I do not need your apologies, Sinu. I need results. Complete the mission."
Sinu nodded, his mind racing as he considered his next move. "I will go myself and destroy the village with my own hands," he declared, determination hardening his voice.
The young lord watched him for a moment before raising a hand. "Wait," he said, his tone sharp.
"If you intend to carry out the mission, do it properly. I will give you a reason, one that will justify the village's destruction and ensure no suspicion falls upon us."
Sinu hesitated, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean, my lord?"
The young lord's lips curved into a sinister smile. "Blame Mark's death on someone within the village. Use his murder as a pretext to annihilate them. One by one, eliminate every last soul."
Sinu's eyes widened slightly before a slow smile spread across his face. "An excellent plan, my lord," he said, bowing deeply.
But the young lord wasn't finished. "And take others with you. Hunters from the branch family. Ensure you leave no loose ends."
Sinu nodded again, the pieces of the plan falling into place in his mind. Rising to his feet, he bowed once more. "As you command, my lord."
As Sinu left the room, the young lord watched him go, a cold glint in his blue eyes. "You have no idea, Sinu," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "how your actions will serve my greater purpose. You are just a pawn in my grand scheme."
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he took another sip of tea, his expression one of quiet triumph.
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And so, the pieces began to move, the shadows of a larger game spreading across the board.
This chapter end here.
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