As the group prepared for their departure, Yoru was engrossed in crafting misleading documents and maps. With meticulous attention to detail, she carefully concealed them within their temporary residence. Shikuro, watching over Yoru's work, couldn't help but be impressed by her adeptness and skill in such deceptive arts.

  Meanwhile, Shikihime, ever playful, quietly approached Shikuro from behind. Leaning in, she whispered teasingly, "If you keep watching Yoru like that, I might start to feel jealous." Shikuro jumped, startled by her sudden presence. He turned to respond, but Shikihime had already moved on, continuing her work with an air of nonchalance.

  Feeling a bit out of place, Shikuro glanced over at Bjorn, who was sitting nearby. Seeking some camaraderie in his feeling of uselessness, he asked, "Don't you feel a bit redundant? They seem to be handling everything."

  Bjorn turned to Shikuro, his expression thoughtful. "I don’t feel useless. I know I'll prove my worth when the right time comes. This is their field, not mine. We all have our strengths. I’m not skilled in these tasks, and I'm okay with that. You shouldn't feel bad about it either," he advised.

  Shikuro considered Bjorn's words and recognized the truth in them. Each member of their group had unique skills and roles to play. Yet, despite understanding this, a part of him still felt an internal struggle, a sense of not contributing enough to their current endeavours.

  As they continued with their preparations, Shikuro grappled with these feelings, reminding himself that his time to step up and make a difference would come. For now, he had to trust in his companions' expertise, knowing that they all played a vital part in the success of their mission.

  As they departed from their temporary residence, two individuals approached them, introducing themselves as reinforcements. There was a brief exchange of introductions, and Shikihime received a letter. It contained well-wishes for their journey and further instructions. While she perused the letter, their two new companions guided them to a nearby stable.

  There, they were joined by the rest of their reinforcement team, comprising five men and one woman. The men were introduced as Henrik, Lukas, Mathias, Emil, and Stefan, and the woman was named Elena.

  As they prepared the horses for the journey, Shikihime inquired if they had ever travelled to the land of no one. To her satisfaction, they all had, indicating their wealth of experience in such terrains. It was evident that Renata had assigned some of her best personnel for their mission.

  Shikihime approached her horse, a majestic pitch-black stallion, preparing it for the journey. Shikuro approached her with a question, "Will we be travelling at night as well?"

  Shaking her head, Shikihime replied, "No, we can't. Horses don't see well in the dark, but more importantly, they need rest too."

  Understanding the necessity, Shikuro nodded in agreement.

  Shikihime then handed a pouch of bribe gold to Shikuro. Before he could voice his confusion, she explained, "In these parts, it's frowned upon for women to lead men. You'll be the one leading our negotiations. Don't worry, we'll discuss and agree on our approach together."

  As they prepared to depart, Shikihime took a moment to brief Shikuro on their cover story and what he needed to do. She handed him a letter, explaining, "At the city gate, present this to any of the guards." She paused, ensuring Shikuro was following along. "It's a forged document, ostensibly signed by the city mayor. It states that we are going to a nearby village to assist with relief efforts after a recent natural disaster."

  Shikihime continued, outlining their assumed roles. "We are posing as nurses and healers, and our group includes four mercenaries for protection. Is that clear?"

  Shikuro nodded, signalling his understanding. "It's clear. What else do we need to know?"

  "I'll brief you on the border protocols later," Shikihime said, her tone indicating the importance of every detail. Shikihime advised, "Remember, we're responding to a request from the mayor of a village named Endearth. His name is Joseph. Make sure to mention this if asked about our destination or purpose."

  Shikuro carefully repeated the information back to Shikihime, making sure he had every detail accurately memorised. "We're aiding the village of Endearth, called upon by Mayor Joseph," he confirmed.

  Shikihime nodded in approval, satisfied with his grasp of their cover story. "Exactly. Any questions so far?" she asked, ready to address any uncertainties he might have.

  "No questions. I've got it," Shikuro replied, his tone confident.

  "Good," Shikihime said, a hint of approval in her voice. "If you're ever unsure about anything, look to Minato. He's your backup and will assist if needed. Now, let's get moving."

  Mounted on their horses, the group proceeded at a leisurely pace towards the city gate. Despite an underlying eagerness to hasten their departure, they maintained a calm and unhurried demeanour, blending in with the usual traffic of the city.

  Upon reaching the gate, Shikuro presented their forged document to the guard. The guard scrutinised the group with a sceptical eye before posing a question. "The village struck by lightning? I haven't heard of any injuries."

  Shikuro, maintaining his composure, responded, "I'm here to attend to the situation, not to debate its details. Our job is to provide aid, and yours is to open this gate."

  The guard, not entirely pleased with Shikuro's tone but unable to refute the document, reluctantly ordered the gate to be opened. As the group moved out of the city, they gradually picked up pace. Once they were a safe distance away, they broke into a natural gallop, the rhythm of the horses' hooves syncing with their urgency.

  After two brief breaks, Shikihime, sipping water and chatting with Yoru, was approached by Shikuro. "May I join you?" he asked. Shikihime nodded, and they continued their conversation for a few minutes before resuming their journey.

  At their third stop, Shikihime addressed the group, "Should we press on for another hour? The horses seem capable, and I'm not tired. Ideally, I'd like us to be an hour away from the border gates." The group concurred, ready to continue.

  Back on the horses, Shikuro expressed his surprise at Shikihime's riding skills. "I didn't realise you were so proficient with horse riding. You're full of surprises."

  Shikihime smiled modestly. "I wouldn't say I'm proficient, but I can manage. However, I'd be a terrible cavalry unit. I can't fight on horseback; for me, it's a means of travel, not a weapon of war."

  Shikuro, puzzled, remarked, "What's the difference between riding and fighting while riding? You just draw your weapon and strike at the right moment, right?"

  Shikihime looked at him, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief at his oversimplification. The nuances of mounted combat were far more complex than Shikuro realised.

  While setting up their camp for the night, the group took the opportunity to go over their plan once more with Shikuro. He carefully repeated the details back to them, confirming his understanding of every aspect of their strategy.

  The next morning, after a final review of their plan, they mounted their horses and set off at a slow pace, conserving the animals' energy for the journey ahead. As they neared the border gate and passed the barracks, the soldiers stationed there paid little attention to them, allowing them to proceed without hindrance.

  Upon reaching the border gate, Shikuro requested to speak with the captain. Meeting him, Shikuro handed over the letter and a pouch of gold coins as a bribe. The captain read the letter, scrutinised the group, and then examined the contents of the pouch. He looked up, dissatisfied. "Isn't this a bit low?" he inquired.

  Shikuro, maintaining his composure, replied, "That's the amount I was instructed to provide."

  The captain, slightly frustrated, informed him, "I sent word earlier that the price has increased. You're short by two large gold coins."

  The group tensed at this unexpected demand, knowing they didn’t have the additional coins required. Sensing an opportunity to negotiate, Yoru stepped forward and flirtatiously offered the captain a kiss, hoping to charm him into lowering the price. After a brief, playful exchange, she planted a kiss on his cheek.

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  The captain seemed to enjoy the moment, but reluctantly admitted, "Unfortunately, I can't lower the price."

  Undeterred, Yoru, with a charming smile, handed him two large gold coins. "Well, it was worth a try. You're not half bad, captain. Maybe I'll come by again someday," she said with a wink.

  The captain, now with a satisfied smile, pocketed the coins and ordered the gate to be opened. Yoru returned to her horse, and as they passed through the gate, Shikihime led the charge with a spirited "Heya!" Her call was echoed by the rest of the group. They pushed their horses into a swift gallop, making up for lost time, before eventually slowing to a more sustainable pace.

  As the group slowed their pace to a more manageable trot, Shikuro, puzzled by their recent urgent escape, approached Shikihime. "Why did we need to hurry like that? The horses are exhausted now," he questioned, looking at the panting animals.

  Shikihime, riding alongside him, remained silent for a moment, then revealed with a hint of amusement, "Yoru didn't actually pay the captain with our gold. She used his own gold to bribe him."

  Shikuro's confusion turned to realisation as he understood the implications. "If the captain had discovered the trick right there, he could've ordered a chase. We needed to be far enough to avoid suspicion," he said, admiring the cunning of their strategy.

  Curious, he glanced at Yoru. "But how did you manage that without him noticing?" Before Yoru could respond, Akalune chimed in, "She used the distraction of her kiss. While he was preoccupied, she swapped the gold with something else. Right, Yoru? What did you use?"

  Yoru, with a mischievous grin, answered, "Stones. I always carry a few for such occasions."

  Bjorn, intrigued, asked, "Why carry stones around?"

  Yoru replied, "They have more uses than you might think. In our line of work, something as simple as a stone can make all the difference."

  Shikuro, still somewhat sceptical, remarked, "It's hard to believe stones can save your life."

  Shikihime, joining the conversation, said, "Consider this: if someone was sneaking up on you and Yoru couldn't risk revealing herself, a stone thrown in your direction could alert you without her exposing her position."

  Shikuro pondered for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "I see your point. It’s a subtle but effective way to draw attention."

  Both Shikuro and Bjorn, now comprehending the ingenuity behind Yoru's tactics, acknowledged the value of such seemingly minor details in their dangerous profession.

  Throughout the day, the group took several breaks, pacing themselves for the long journey ahead. As the sun began its descent, painting the sky with hues of orange and red, they caught their first glimpse of their destination – the deadly jungle of the land of no one. They had already entered its borders, but now they were approaching the most perilous part of their journey.

  Elena, one of their seasoned companions, approached Shikihime with a suggestion. "My princess, in about an hour, the horses will become too frightened to continue. I propose we take an extended rest soon. After that, we can make a quick dash on horseback as far as they'll carry us. From there, we'll have to proceed on foot."

  Shikihime considered Elena's advice, then inquired, "How many times have you undertaken this journey?"

  Elena, showing respect with a slight bow, replied, "This will be my fourth trip into the jungle, my princess. Both Emil and I have completed this route three times. The others have less experience."

  Shikuro, curious about their travel methods, asked, "How did you navigate this terrain in your previous journeys?"

  Elena hesitated, unsure whether to share the details. Sensing her reluctance, Shikihime gently prodded, "Did you travel during the night? Did you reverse your day and night routines?"

  Elena confirmed, "Yes, my princess."

  As the group settled into their chosen campsite, Shikihime declared her intention to take the first night watch. However, this time, her statement was met with a chorus of protests. Minato stepped forward, his tone firm yet respectful, "You're the princess now, and we have more than enough people to cover night watches. You need to rest, not stay up all night."

  Shikihime, surprised by the pushback, reminded him, "When we were still serving together, you never objected to me taking night watches."

  Minato, pragmatic as ever, responded, "That was when you were an active member of our unit. Your role has changed; you're a royal princess now. We were equals then; now, we're your guards, and you are our charge. Do I really need to spell it out for you?"

  Shikihime, understanding his point yet feeling a bit dejected, reluctantly agreed and stepped aside to let the others handle the arrangements. As she watched them work, a sense of uselessness began to creep in. "At this rate, I'll end up doing nothing but eating and getting fat," she thought, half-jokingly sulking at her reduced role.

  Sensing her mood, Shikuro came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, teasing gently, "You're quite adorable when you sulk like this."

  As the tents were erected and the camp settled into a quiet evening, Shikihime retired to her tent, followed closely by Shikuro. He seemed to be wrestling with his thoughts, searching for the right words to express what was on his mind. Shikihime, sensing his hesitation, sat down on his lap, a gesture that had become a comforting standard for their private conversations. It was a natural and intimate posture for them, a symbol of their closeness and mutual affection.

  Shikihime, contemplating the significant strides they had made together over the last nine months, waited patiently for Shikuro to speak. Noticing his hesitance, she gently reassured him, "You don't need to rush. Speak when you're ready."

  After a moment of silence, Shikuro found his voice. "It's not about finding the right words," he began, his tone earnest. "I need you to know that whatever dangers we face in the jungle, I will protect you. Even if it means I'm the first to fall, I won't let anything happen to you. I can't bear the thought of losing you."

  Shikihime listened, her expression turning to one of mild disappointment as she processed his words. "Great, awesome," she replied, a note of dissatisfaction in her voice. Shikuro, confused by her reaction, asked if he had misspoken.

  Shikihime clarified, "You're missing the essential point. Let me show you how to make a promise." Taking a deep breath, she firmly stated, "Shikuro, I swear that I will do everything in my power to protect you too. Together, we'll face any danger and overcome it. We'll both make it through and return home safely, side by side."

  Shikuro's expression softened as he understood her perspective. With a smile, he said, "I see your point. Let me rephrase my promise. I swear that I will protect you, and no matter the cost, we will both return home together. Is that better?"

  Shikihime's smile returned, warmer this time. "Much better," she affirmed and sealed their mutual vow with a heartfelt kiss.

  Interlude: Shikuro Child Lessons

  At the age of twelve, Shikuro found himself deeply engrossed in a study session on political history, focusing on the main countries and their distinct differences. Accompanying him in these studies was Ingrid, a year his senior. She didn't need to study with him, but she chose to, much to Shikuro's appreciation.

  Ingrid, curious and eager to understand more, asked, "Can you explain how an Archduke is different from a Duke in the Stardust Kingdom and elsewhere?"

  Shikuro, looking at her with a thoughtful expression, began to explain, "Archduke and Duke are titles of similar significance across most lands. They rank above Counts and Barons. Our ancestors were known as Jarls, which is equivalent to Archdukes. The key difference lies in autonomy. An Archduke's heritage and choice of heir are independent of the King's influence. Moreover, an Archduke has full authority over how he governs his subordinates. He could rule tyrannically, as long as he fulfils his obligations like providing levies, taxes, and abiding by international diplomacy. The King has little say in the internal affairs of these duchies. In contrast, Dukes in the Kingdom have titles bestowed by the King, who can influence their inheritance. Here, you could even have a giftless Archduke." He paused, "Is that clear?"

  Ingrid, impressed by Shikuro's grasp of the subject, wondered, "How do you remember all this?"

  Shikuro responded earnestly, "I study diligently. Our current regent is incompetent; I need to take over the duchy as soon as possible to prevent disaster."

  Ingrid, surprised by his ambition, asked, "So you plan to take over before you turn 25?"

  "Absolutely," Shikuro affirmed. "I intend to take control in the next 3-4 years."

  Ingrid looked at him with admiration and determination. "Then I'll help you. I'll study harder and assist you in governing."

  Shikuro gave her a genuine smile. "You'll need to study a lot to do that."

  Ingrid, slightly indignant but playful, puffed out her cheeks. "Then you need to teach me more. Start with the major countries and their gifts."

  Shikuro obliged, listing them: "Iskaldt Rike Realm has Limitless, Stardust Kingdom has Astral Knowledge, Longyue Divinity possesses Soulbind, Valoria is known for Sleepless, Kurayami Dynasty and Cordunia Empire are giftless, and Skogrland has Chameleon. There are minor gifts elsewhere, but these are the major ones. Is that sufficient?"

  Ingrid's curiosity was piqued as she delved deeper into their discussion about the mystical gifts. "But what exactly are these gifts? I understand Astral Knowledge and Sleepless, but what about Chameleon and Soulbind? What do they do?"

  Shikuro, pleased with her keen interest, explained, "Soulbind, also known by other names, is one of the more powerful gifts. Its users can bind almost any animal to their will, issuing commands that the animal follows. It's not just about giving orders; the user can also see and hear through the animal, which makes it a formidable gift. While it has its limitations, its versatility is noteworthy. For example, simple bugs are challenging to control, but certain intelligent, poisonous spiders can be influenced. However, there are seven Divine Beasts that are immune to this power. The Cordunia Empire boasts these beasts within their duchies, often using them to taunt the Divinity. The ongoing war between them has lasted over 400 years, with both sides facing difficulties."

  Shikuro then shifted to explain the Chameleon gift. "Chameleon allows its user to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. The Skogrland, where this gift is prevalent, is covered in dense forests. It doesn’t have many major cities, but its people are adept at using their environment to their advantage. They can become virtually invisible if given enough time to blend in. The exact mechanics of this ability remain a mystery. Skogrland is a peaceful and isolated nation, not openly supporting the Divinity or Empire. About three centuries ago, the Longyue Divinity attempted to conquer them but failed so miserably they abandoned further attempts."

  Ingrid listened intently, absorbing every detail. Her next question was more speculative. "Who do you think has the strongest gift?"

  Shikuro pondered for a moment before replying with a playful grin, "Me!" His lighthearted response brought a smile to Ingrid's face.

  She continued to pepper him with questions, and he eagerly responded, enjoying the opportunity to share his knowledge.