Yuki’s heart was pounding as Dame Kea finished bandaging his arm with a nearly maternal gentleness. His thoughts, however, were far from the calm that her touch offered.
"It will take a few days before your arm is as good as new, my boy. But you’re tough, so I’m not worried," she said with a warm smile.
Yuki thanked her distractedly, his mind already fixated on the task that obsessed him. As soon as he left the healer’s house—which was filled with wounded soldiers from the frontlines—he began frantically searching for clues about Benkeï’s presence. His steps led him first to the village inn, then to the hot springs, and finally to the bustling markets where villagers gathered. But everywhere he went, he found only puzzled looks and shrugged shoulders. No one had seen a man matching the description Dame Kea had given.
Finally, tired and frustrated, he sat down at a small food stall serving rice balls with smoked meat. The smell of the food awakened his hunger, and he began his meal, his heart slowly calming now that his quest seemed to be slipping away. Perhaps, after all, the old healer had been mistaken. He thought that despite her extraordinary gift, Dame Kea might be losing her grip with age. Slowly, he allowed himself to be soothed by this comforting thought.
He was about to order a second portion when the vendor interrupted him: "I’m sorry, sir, but I’m out of meat. I’m waiting for the hunter to deliver a fresh catch."
No sooner had he spoken than the vendor looked up with a broad smile.
"Ah, here he comes now!"
Yuki turned his head and saw a large man approaching with an impressively sized boar slung over his shoulders. The hunter placed the beast in front of the cook, who eagerly took it. He then sat down beside Yuki, giving him a casual nod without really looking at him.
"Did you see the fine catch I brought you, cousin?" the hunter said proudly.
"Hayabusa, you’ve outdone yourself this time! With this, I’ll be able to sell at least a thousand rice balls," the vendor replied, clearly thrilled at the prospect of future wealth.
Hayabusa laughed heartily.
"That one gave me quite a chase. I had to track it for miles. All the way up to the abandoned temple in the forest."
The vendor’s expression suddenly darkened, and his face grew serious.
"Cousin! You shouldn’t have gone there. That temple is cursed!"
Yuki, who had been quietly listening until now, straightened up. "What do you mean, cursed?" he asked, his voice calm but intense.
Hayabusa, suddenly realizing who was sitting next to him, turned his head abruptly, his eyes widening in shock.
"General Yuki!" he exclaimed, quickly standing up to salute.
Yuki waved him off with a gentle smile.
"At ease, soldier. You’re not on duty here, Hayabusa."
The hunter, visibly flattered and slightly nervous, sat back down, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"You remember my name! It’s an honor, General!"
"The honor is mine," Yuki replied with a nod. "You served under my command at the Battle of Uru Hill. I never forget a brave man."
The vendor and the hunter exchanged surprised glances, clearly impressed by the general’s memory. Hayabusa shook his head in admiration.
"That’s incredible! I’ve served under many generals, but you, you were always different. You saw us as men, not just pawns to move around a battlefield."
He realized too late that he might have spoken too freely and bit his lip, worried he had offended the other officers. He turned to Yuki, flustered.
"I didn’t mean to disrespect the other generals, my apologies, sir!"
Yuki shook his head with a reassuring smile, placing a comforting hand on the hunter’s shoulder.
"No need for that, Hayabusa. You spoke as a free man, and your opinion will stay between us. I won’t hold it against you."
Hayabusa, visibly relieved, nodded gratefully. The silence that followed was only interrupted by the sounds of the bustling market. Then Yuki, his voice calmer, spoke again: "But tell me more about this temple..."
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