Chapter 230: Issue (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 230: Issue (3)
A sleek interior in a space that resembled a luxury hotel. Still, being a hospital room, a subtle heaviness hung in the air.
The Archery Saint, Saki Kojima, leaned back against his bed. The backrest of the hospital bed was adjustable.
Beside him, his daughter Saki Hina attended to her father. Since his admission, she hadn't left the Archery Saint's side for a single moment. Or rather, she was stuck serving his every whim. It didn't feel like a child fulfilling filial duty. It was more like a master and a servant.
Shhh, shhh.
Saki Hina was peeling an apple. She stole a glance at the Archery Saint.
Her father was reading. Judging by the cover, it was a history book about the past Seven Champions.
"Do you have something to say, Hina?"
At the Archery Saint's offhand question, Hina's shoulders flinched. The paring knife nicked her thumb, drawing blood. Hurriedly pulling out a tissue, she wrapped it around the cut like a bandage and replied.
"No, sir. I was merely checking on your condition, Prime Minister."
"I am fine."
"Yes..."
Hina finished slicing the apple into bite-sized pieces.
'As if he's fine.'
Last night, her father, the Archery Saint, had been admitted to the affiliated hospital with both ankles shattered. Hearing the news out of nowhere, Hina had rushed over from Japan.
The Archery Saint, critically injured? A Seven Star Hero? Until she arrived, Hina had naively thought he might have just fallen down the stairs. Even the Seven Stars were human, susceptible to skinned knees from carelessness.
It was hardly believable, but it was the most reasonable assumption she could make. Yet when she actually arrived, she realized how wrong she was. Her father—the Archery Saint of the Seven Stars—had been thoroughly beaten by someone.
At the time, Hina's eyes had widened in absolute shock.
'Father was beaten up?'
Even if he wasn't the absolute apex, the Archery Saint was still one of humanity's strongest powerhouses. Why was he above all others in Japan? Simply put, because he was overwhelmingly strong. Being Prime Minister and head of the prestigious Kojima family were merely titles. The foundation beneath them was his raw power.
He was called the ideal of archers. His very existence was the reason firearms were rendered obsolete in this age of civilization. An arrow shot by him traveled near subsonic speeds, possessing destructive power on par with a ballistic missile. He had reduced firearms to mere pea-shooters and BB guns.
And such a man was beaten by someone? Was that even possible? By whom? Only two faces came to mind.
'Lord Sword Emperor and Lord Spear Saint.'
However, judging by the lack of sword wounds, it didn't seem to be the Sword Emperor. Besides, she had heard he was currently stationed near the Gehenna Gate. By the same logic, it wasn't the Spear Saint either, as he was currently performing official duties in Europe.
'Both of them are tied up with official business at the moment.'
Eliminating the possibilities one by one, the candidates narrowed down to two.
'The Tyrant, Medea Poison... or...'
...The Heavenly Sword, Kang Geomma.
Hina's fingertips trembled subtly. The tissue pressing against her thumb turned crimson. She shut her eyes tight and shook her head side to side.
'No, impossible.'
Kang Geomma leaving him with just broken ankles? Never. He would have severed his Achilles tendons with a sashimi knife instead. His methods could never be so gentle. A scene from a noir film played out in her mind.
'Black clothes, sashimi knives, oil drums.'
Hina shuddered as if struck by static electricity. A chill ran down her spine, and her complexion turned pale and sickly.
Fear surged through her at even a fleeting glimpse of the color black. Terrified of the dark, she had taken to sleeping with all the lights on recently.
'Lately I've been suffering from insomnia because of nightmares about him...'
Hina regulated her breathing. Calm down, stay calm. She repeated it internally like a mantra. Catching her breath, she re-evaluated the situation.
'If it's not Kang Geomma, the only person left is the Academy Principal.'
Considering his ankles crushed as if by blunt force and the relationship between the two, this was the most likely probability. Yet at the same time, it felt dubious.
'Lady Medea is strong, but...'
The previous three—the Heavenly Sword, Sword Emperor, and Spear Saint—were definitively stronger than the Archery Saint. In contrast, the Tyrant was a Seven Star known more for her intellect. She wasn't strong enough to unilaterally beat her father to a pulp.
Hina subtly glanced sideways. For someone who had suffered heavy injuries, the Archery Saint appeared remarkably composed.
His only instruction had been to keep his hospitalization hidden from the media. Aside from that, her father had remained silent, calmly reading his book.
'He'll never tell me who did it if I ask.'
It was undoubtedly a shameful matter. Asking might even get her kicked out of the household.
Just then, as if sensing her gaze, the Archery Saint turned his eyes toward her. His pupils narrowed with an uneasy sharpness.
"What do you wish to say?"
Hina gasped in surprise.
"Ah... well..."
If she tried to brush it off vaguely, he would surely become suspicious. As the ideal of archers, her father possessed godlike perception. Any clumsy deception would be exposed instantly. She had to blurt out whatever came to mind.
"...I was just wondering where Ryozo's mother—I mean, my stepmother—is right now."
That was the best she could squeeze out. Still, it was something she had to ask eventually anyway.
'I did promise Ryozo, after all.'
She had no obligation to keep it, but Hina's conscience hadn't numbed to that extent.
"..."
However, it seemed to have been the wrong choice, judging by the furrow that creased her father's brow. Hina bowed her head deeply, her hair falling forward like a curtain.
"I am sorry, Prime Minister. I spoke out of turn while you are recovering..."
"Enough."
Thud.
The Archery Saint closed the book. Hina adjusted her hair and appearance. After a moment of silence, the Archery Saint spoke.
"I do not know why you are curious, but Ryozo's mother is in Korea."
"Eh? Korea? Why..."
Before she could ask further, Hina gasped. Goosebumps broke out across her skin as the heavy weight of the air pressed down on her. Her eyes involuntarily drifted toward the door.
Sounds echoed.
Thud, thud.
The heavy noise of bodies collapsing and knees cracking, one after another.
More importantly, this... this feeling!
'This dark energy... this is...!'
Memories of yesterday flooded back.
Rattle.
The door to the hospital room slid open, and a foot stepped over the threshold. The entire room was swallowed in a pitch-black tide.
"Y-Y-You are...!"
Hina's pupils dilated and contracted erratically. Those dark eyes. Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly before she managed to stammer out:
"The... Heavenly... Sword."
Kang Geomma spoke.
"The situation was urgent, so I skipped knocking. Ah, right. Also."
He leaned his shoulder against the wall and gestured toward the hallway outside with his chin.
"I think you need to re-educate your subordinates."
Hina foamed at the mouth and collapsed backward. Perhaps because they were in a hospital, her insomnia was cured in an instant.
Just before passing out, as her eyelids closed, she thought to herself: Nightmares, as always, arrive without warning.
* * *
"...Your entrance is quite noisy, Heavenly Sword."
The Archery Saint knitted his brows. Digging at my ear with a finger, I fired back.
"Joaquin Academy's hospital is a shared facility. So why did you block the hallway with a bunch of lumps like a clogged drain?"
"Hah... Fine. A seat has just opened up, so sit down and let us speak."
The Archery Saint glanced toward the chair Saki Hina had been sitting in. She herself had fainted with foam at her mouth the instant I walked in.
I lowered my gaze slightly. Her navy blue hair sprawled wide across the floor. Looking down at her briefly, I turned my gaze back to the Archery Saint.
'A father whose expression doesn't even change when his own daughter is collapsed on the floor.'
Now I was certain. Proof of his character. As Medea said, the Archery Saint had deliberately provoked Senior Hana. Having pieced together the situation, it was time to shift my attitude. I thrust my hands into my pockets.
"I'll speak standing. It's not like this conversation will take long anyway, and I didn't come here to squabble—I came to deliver a notice."
The Archery Saint's gaze chilled.
"Allow me to offer a word of advice out of concern. Acting so overbearing just because you have ascended to the Seven Stars may cause issues for you later."
"The reason I'm treating you like this..."
My right foot stepped onto the chair. Leaning my upper body forward, I looked down at the Archery Saint. Our eyes clashed in midair.
"...is only because it's you, Archery Saint. I'm not considerate enough to extend politeness to just anyone."
"..."
The muscles under the Archery Saint's eyes twitched. His pupils burned with rage.
"As expected of a rising power. You certainly do not lack nerve. Fine. Let us hear your business—your reason for breaching my guard detail and trespassing into my room. I do hope it is a lawful reason..."
"Didn't I say this was a notice? I'll be the one asking the questions."
"Why, you...!"
The Archery Saint finally let his composure slip, veins bulging on the back of his hands. But I cut off the retort he was about to spit out, leaning close to his ear to whisper.
"What the hell did you blabber to Lady All-Power?"
"..."
The Archery Saint chose silence in response to my question. Keeping his mouth shut, he glared at me with murderous intent. I countered by letting my eyes cold-settle.
A silence swept over the room. Suddenly, the Archery Saint let out a hollow laugh. A distorted, twisted smile hooked at the corners of his mouth.
"I asked her to Awaken my daughter, Saki Ryozo."
"...What?"
"Originally, I asked her to Awaken me, but she said I was too old and it was impossible. What choice did I have? The Kojima family must produce an Awakened, and Ryozo is the only one with any potential."
"..."
"And did you think I wouldn't know? That Meain Poison, that hypocrite, is idling away in your club disguised as a student? I realized it back during the succession ceremony. Of course I did. She was my master—how could I fail to sense her presence? I am an archer! Others might be fooled, but not my eyes!"
A rasping laugh echoed in the room.
"Yet I smiled. I took it as an opportunity. If a bond had formed between the two, Ryozo would accept the All-Power's demands without hesitation."
The Archery Saint continued his frantic ranting.
"If you heard from Medea how I ended up in this state, then you must have heard about the Awakening as well. That's right! I am going to make my daughter an Awakened—even if it costs her lifespan and her humanity!"
"You crazy bastard."
"No, I am completely sane! In the future, my daughter will understand me. In fact, she will be grateful—grateful that I went so far as to get my ankles broken just to make her an Awakened!"
Having poured out his tirade, the Archery Saint looked exhausted. With superhuman patience, I barely managed to force out a response.
"Without even asking Ryozo, doing whatever you want... Why the hell are you pulling a sick stunt like this in the first place?"
"Heavenly Sword, you of all people should know."
The Archery Saint curled his lips into a smirk. Cold sweat trickled down his cheek.
"No matter how high you fly right now, in the end, you will be swallowed by the light of the Hero. Even as the youngest Seven Star, you cannot breach that stronghold. The world will forget you and look only upon the Hero. I cannot allow my child to endure such humiliation, such disgrace! Having my wife suffer through it was more than enough!"
Madness blazed in both of the Archery Saint's eyes—a vivid, chilling blue.
"So she must become an Awakened at the very least! Even if Saki Ryozo has to be sacrificed for humanity, her name must remain!"
The Archery Saint grabbed my shoulder. My expression contorted in disgust.
"Heavenly Sword, you are Ryozo's close friend, are you not? I beg of you. If you persuade my daughter, I will rescind the All-Power's wanted status. Furthermore, I promise every possible support to the Heaven Class—in my capacity as the Prime Minister of Japan."
"..."
Listening to his words, I stared down at the Archery Saint blankly before slapping his hand away. Then I brushed off my shoulder. It felt as though something filthy had stuck to me.
I shifted my gaze. Saki Hina was sprawled awkwardly on the floor, her breath shallow. So she's awake, pretending to be knocked out. However, her breathing was uneven, likely from shock. I considered prodding her with the tip of my foot, but decided against it. It was probably better for her not to see what was about to happen anyway.
Step.
I walked over to the window and drew the curtains. The light died, and darkness fell over the room. The Archery Saint roared in fury.
"What are you doing?!"
I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled out a Daixo sashimi knife from my jacket. Using Murasame or Ten-Thousand-Year Frost on a bastard like this would be a waste.
Schwing.
The Archery Saint's eyes widened. He yelled hysterically.
"This is a hospital! And I will never let a threat like this slide, Heavenly Sword!"
"Like you said, this is a hospital."
I pointed the tip of the blade right in front of his nose.
"And this isn't a sashimi knife—it's a scalpel."