Azuma - Prince of Soga - Sun End

Azuma - Prince of Soga - Sun End

Chapter 6 - Assistance

We just got a report that the traitor, who caused the rebellion, has developed a fatal illness. After Azuma-san heard the report, he started thinking, but... 

Azuma: That man has an illness... 

Azuma-san sadly murmured those words and raised his face. 

Azuma: ...Prepare the medicine. 

All the retainers made a commotion from Azuma-san's words. 

Azuma: If we talk to the royal doctor about this, he might be able to do something. 

(Giving medicine, to that person, who's an enemy...?) 

Servant 1: With all due respect, Azuma-sama... Is that sort of thing really necessary...

Azuma: That man causing a rebellion and him getting an illness are two different things. 

Guessing what I was thinking from my expression, Azuma-san spoke. 

Azuma: I don't want that man to die. 

MC: Azuma-san... 

When he said that, he looked smaller... As if Azuma-san was embarrassed, he immediately averted his gaze from me. 

Azuma: ...That's because I might get some nightmares. Letting him die even though there was something I can do about it. Also, if this chance will make him change his way of thinking, there might be a road to peace. 

(Azuma-san...) 

Servant 2: You're being too soft! Even though this is the perfect opportunity to end this rebellion... 

Servant 3: That's right, Azuma-sama!

The retainers hounded Azuma-san one after another, but... 

Azuma: Silence! I'm choosing to do that!

When he said that, it suddenly became deadly silent. 

MC: ...I think that's a good idea. 

I said that wholeheartedly. 

Azuma: MC... 

Azuma-san narrowed his eyes and nodded deeply once. Then, once he regained his composure, he spoke again. 

Azuma: Regardless of what has happened so far, I want to talk to you... No, there's something I want you to hear. 

Azuma-san turned towards me again... 

Chapter 7 - One's Intentions

Azuma: Regardless of what has happened so far, I want to talk to you... No, there's something I want you to hear. 

After Azuma-san said that he wanted to send medicine to the enemy, he turned towards me again. 

MC: ...Okay. 

Azuma: Everyone, dismiss. 

After the retainers left, Azuma-san deeply sighed. He looked straight at me with his eyes that were shaking like his heart. Just as he looked like he has made some kind of resolution... 

Azuma: It's not that easy to talk about the incident that happened the other day... The truth is, the retainer that caused the rebellion was Father's most trusted retainer. 

MC: ...!

Azuma: He was a loyal man that would always fight for Father and was stronger than anyone else. But, he was extremely harsh with me. 

MC: Why? 

Azuma-san made a somewhat bitter expression as he remembered the past. 

Azuma: I don't know. He probably didn't think that I would become a man like Father. 

MC: Even though you're really praiseworthy... 

Azuma: I can't compete with Father. Father is the one who's more praiseworthy. Whenever something happens, he would stay calm... He would rule this kingdom with a strong heart. He made this kingdom peaceful for a very long time by always giving precise orders to the retainers, castle servants and those who were close to him. Yet... 

(Azuma-san...?) 

Azuma: Since I've only been a coward, it's most likely that this rebellion happened because of the troubles of my generation. 

MC: That's not true...!

Azuma: It is, I'm sure of it. Because Father doesn't know what to do about it either and has even put me in charge of this kingdom's political duties now. It can't be helped, even if there are some complaints about it. 

Azuma-san shook his head as if he has given up. 

Azuma: I strive to become like Father. That man too, he trained me a lot in martial arts and lectured me about having a strong heart, but... Even though he betrayed the kingdom... It was because he thinks I'm incompetent. Because of that, that man is taking matters into his own hands to take over the kingdom himself... 

Before I knew it, I held his hand tightly...

MC: That's not true at all...! Azuma-san, you're a strong and kind person. You're not incompetent...

Azuma: ...Isn't it laughable? Something like this happening to me, pitying the enemy. 

MC: It's not something to laugh about. I think it's wonderful. Your father would understand that too... Don't you need to trust in yourself even in a situation like this? 

Azuma: MC... 

Azuma-san strongly gripped my hand in return. When our fingers entwined with each other one at a time, our hands overlapped with each other strongly. 

Azuma: You make my weak self stronger. You're truly... a mysterious woman. 

MC: ...If I can be of help to you even just a little, then I'm happy. 

Azuma: Yeah, of course. 

When he lightly pulled our connected hands towards him, he gently wrapped his arm around me. Contrary to our loud hearts, a gentle breeze surrounded us within the calming and peaceful atmosphere.

MC: Azuma-san... It would be best to end this war soon. 

Azuma: Yeah, I'll try to end it. 

Just as I raised my face, Azuma-san's gentle smile was right near me. 

(It really does feel like it's going to end soon...) 

After that, once the royal doctor has made the medicine, Azuma-san sent it. Afterwards, the leader of the rebel army requested a meeting... 

Last Chapter - Strength 

Then, it was the day of the meeting with the leader of the rebel army. 

(I'm so nervous...) 

Within the tense atmosphere, Azuma-san and I were led to meet with the leader. Although, just as we entered the leader's room... 

MC: ...!? 

Azuma: ...

We became closely surrounded by the guardsmen as they immediately pulled out their blades. 

Azuma: I have no intention on fighting. 

When Azuma-san said that deeply, he hid me behind him. As Azuma-san was surrounded, he didn't move an inch. 

Azuma: Lower your weapons. 

Rebel Leader: ... 

Taking a look at the situation, the leader made a stern expression. Although... 

Rebel Leader: ...Lower your weapons, I'll be talking to him. 

After the leader gave that order to the men, the atmosphere settled down. 

(That's good...) 

Once things have finally calmed down, we sat down and faced the leader. 

Azuma: Did you drink the medicine? 

Rebel Leader: ...Yes. 

Azuma: There wasn't any poison in it. 

Rebel Leader: ...I had it checked. 

Azuma: How's your condition? I heard that you were unable to move. 

Rebel Leader: That's... You can tell by looking. 

Azuma: I see, that's good. 

Rebel Leader: But, why... 

Looking like he couldn't understand wholeheartedly, the leader looked up at Azuma-san. 

Azuma: You were Father's most trusted retainer. Because of that, I couldn't just let you die. Also, you looked after me a lot. 

Rebel Leader: Doing something so foolish like that again...!

The leader pounded the tatami floor with his fist out of anger. 

Rebel Leader: You trying to rule this kingdom with just kindness is why I always can't bring myself to serve you...!

Azuma: Yeah. 

Then, it became silent again. 

Azuma: I wish for peace. I don't want to see the people of my kingdom shedding blood more than anything. Even if you say it's naively foolish again, this wish won't change. 

The leader slowly hung his head down. Then... 

Rebel Leader: ...Peace...

(...!) 

Rebel Leader: That kindness of yours... is what makes you different from your father... Yet... That might just be one way of being a leader of a kingdom... 

Azuma: I don't know about that. But, I will never let go of this belief I have in everyone. 

After saying that, Azuma-san got up. 

Rebel Leader: Azuma-sama. Aren't you going to kill me off? 

Azuma: Never again. That's all. Let's go, MC. 

MC: O-Okay. 

As we turned around and left, the leader continued lowering his head deeply. 

After coming to terms with each other in the meeting, Azuma-san and I stopped by at a prairie along the way back. As a gentle breeze was blowing, the side of Azuma-san's face looked completely refreshing. 

MC: Really, what a relief. 

Azuma: Yeah... I didn't think that things would go so well. 

MC: Really? 

Azuma: Of course. That sort of thing isn't easy to  do. But... I feel like good things happen when you're around. You might have a mysterious power that makes wishes come true. 

Those words suddenly made my cheeks blush. 

Azuma: ... 

Then, Azuma-san gently smiled. After that... 

His hand gently touched my cheek. Not just my cheek, his large hand touched my lips as well. 

(...Such a kind face.) 

Azuma: From now on, until I become the next king, I'll work hard into watching my father's back. I've tried fulfilling my position with the heart of a demon instead of a kind heart many times... ...I couldn't do it no matter what. 

MC: That's because you're kinder than anyone else, Azuma-san.

Azuma: I feel that I can do things like this with you around. I feel strangely forgiven. 

MC: Azuma-san... 

His hand that gently slid against my cheek caressed it. As his eyes made an affectionately gentle look... 

MC: But, I'm sure... that you'll become strong because of your kindness. 

When I suddenly said that, Azuma-san blinked oddly. Then, he gently smiled again... 

Azuma: Then, I'll try thinking that. MC. Won't you stay by my side from now on? 

MC: Eh...? 

Azuma: Become mine, MC. 

My heart was pounding strongly. Those sudden words made my heart noisy... 

(I'm happy...) 

As I was both surprised and excited, I strongly nodded.

MC: Yes, Azuma-san. 

Azuma: ...Listen. I won't be letting you go anymore, got it? 

Azuma-san's questionable sweet words made me nod strongly. 

Azuma: Both this kingdom and you. I'll show that I will protect what's important to me with these hands. Surely... 

Along with saying that vow, Azuma-san's face slowly got closer. He gently placed his lips over mine. 

(Azuma-san...) 

When the gentle sweet kiss became deeper and rougher... We exchanged a very long kiss as a vow... 

Main Story

Moon End