Romance of the Four Kingdoms

Chapter 10

For the next two days Mitsuko travelled in the direction where Dodomeki suggested for her to travel. She kept up a brisk pace resting only when she needed to sleep. Eventually she reached the village that was suggested to her at least she hoped this was the right village. On the outside the village seemed to be doing quite well, some of the buildings were larger than average however unbeknownst to her that things were quite dire. The sun began to set over the horizon as she enters the village. She notices quite quickly that people only give her a quick glance before looking away. A part of her felt the rather disgusted and hateful glares from them as soon as she looked away. She clenched her scythe wielding hand quite hard as she didn't like experiencing these glares full of hatred and disgust especially when she didn't know why this was. As she strolls through the village she comes across one that was larger than the rest, she figured that would be a place to stay for the night so she enters. Inside she's met with a rather distasteful looking place. The place was an absolute mess, several chairs and benches were thrown about and had stayed there for quite a while. The wooden supports looked old and started to rot. Behind a rather worn down desk was an old man looking like he was in his late 40s and wore a small moustache. He looked happy to receive a customer when he heard the door open, however as he examined Mitsuko particularly her uniform and armour, his smile was replaced with a miserable frown. Mitsuko noticed this and wondered what his problem was? She walked to the worn out bench.

'Excuse me but is this a place where I can rest for the night?'

'It was until you people sucked our village dry.' He responded which shocked Mitsuko.

'I'm sorry what, you people?'

'Yeah you imperials, taxing us to no end while we're starving and ignoring our pleas!' He slams his fist on the bench and that was when Mitsuko realised she was still wearing her old imperial uniform and sighed. Now she understands why the village didn't like the look of her. She knew from her original time that around this time Dong Zhuo was taxing everyone and being a general tyrant, she didn't think that she would find herself in this situation being hated by some peasants in a near desolate village who harbour an ill will to anyone who work or in this case used to work for the emperor himself. Mitsuko sighed as she didn't want to deal with any hostility, the last two days she had to sleep outside in the cold, something she wasn't in the rush to do so again. She reached to her pouch of coins and threw it on the table much to the surprise of the senior man.

'Look I just want somewhere to stay for one night that's all ok? At the brink of dawn I'll be gone and you will never see me or any imperials again I promise that, all right?' She watched his thoughtful expressions carefully as he stroked his chin before nodding in agreement.

'Go down the hall, first room on the left.' He told her as he takes the pouch of coins. Mitsuko nods in understanding. She makes her way to the room she was told to go. When she entered it she saw that the room itself was completely empty, not even a bed or a window. It was so barren and worn down she couldn't help but wonder if this was on purpose. However she did say that anything would be better that being outside. She sighs as she drags herself to one of the corners and lies down. It took a while for her to close her eyes and fall asleep.

Roughly three hours later the sun completely set, the light in the sky was consumed by darkness lighted up by the various stars and the moon shining brightly. A young mystic covered in a black cloak and hood made his way into the village, his sword concealed aswell as his bright teal uniform. Not a single villager was in sight, this was perfect he could get in and out without being seen at all. He smirks underneath his hood, his thoughts go to his young partner who should've dealt with those two repulsive creatures. He walks into the building that Mitsuko is staying in and finds surprisingly no one available. He wonders why that is, he could've sworn that someone should be here. He's starting to get concerned but thinks that whoever is in charge is just sleeping. So he walks down the hall and enters through Mitsuko's door. He opens it very carefully to ensure it creaks as little as possible and pussyfoots his way across the room to see her lying in the corner grasping her scythe tightly. He smiles he puts his hood down and comes closer to her. He hears the door slams shut, he turns around and sees nothing, he shakes his head and smirks thinking that's just his partner messing around. He kneels down next to her and moves strands of hair away from her face to make sure its her. However he notices there is a small butterfly mark on her right cheek...must be some sort of ink he thinks to himself as he stands up. He unsheathes his sword that he concealed beneath his cloak, he grasps it with two hands and hovers the blade over her resting body.