The Edge of the Law
The journey to Hanegawa Village was a cold, grueling test of Hayate's fragile recovery. They rode along the jagged coastal cliffs, where the wind whipped the sea salt into their faces and the cries of gulls replaced the polite whispers of the court.
Neshuda, the master of stealth, moved with perfect efficiency, his eyes constantly scanning the rough terrain and the open, treacherous sea. Hayate, though physically weak, was sustained by the curse. The reflection of Neshuda's intense focus and protective resolve was a constant, warm pressure that kept Hayate from collapsing.
"The pain of Qalvetta's betrayal is gone, Neshuda," Hayate observed, pulling his thick cloak tighter. "All I feel is your need to protect me. It's comforting."
Neshuda looked back, his dark eyes softening slightly. "Then let me be your shield, Hayate. Just promise me you won't try to fight if these pirates turn on us. Your Angelic bloodline charm is strong, but a sword is faster."
"I won't fight, but I must charm," Hayate said, forcing a weary smile. "The pirates need a promise of legitimacy. I need a force of loyalty. This is a delicate balance."
The Pirate Landing
Hanegawa Village was less a town and more a fortified pirate base. It was a cluster of rough, sea-beaten shacks built against the cliffs, overlooking a small, natural harbor filled with sleek, dark ships. The air smelled of fish, tar, and defiance.
Neshuda insisted they approach alone.
"We walk in without stealth," Neshuda said, dismounting. "You must show confidence, Hayate. If you sneak, they will smell fear."
Hayate nodded, taking a deep breath. He stood taller, consciously summoning the charisma that was his birthright. As they walked down the main wooden pier, every eye turned to them. The pirates—huge, tattooed men and women with weathered faces and sharp blades—stopped their work and stared at the King and his Shadow.
A tall, powerfully built woman emerged from the largest ship, followed by two armed guards. She was known only as The Sea Witch, the feared leader of the coastal pirate fleets. She wore armor over simple leather, and her eyes were the color of cold seawater.
She stopped Hayate and Neshuda with a gesture.
"I heard the whispers," The Sea Witch said, her voice rough and commanding. "A King, a beautiful, pure-hearted King, is running from his own court. You trespass on my territory, boy. Why should I not take your fine clothes and throw you to the tide?"
The Charisma Test
Hayate knew this was the moment. He had to use his Angelic senses to read her and his charisma to command her respect.
Hayate stepped forward, separating himself from Neshuda, forcing himself to appear vulnerable yet regal.
"You won't throw me to the tide, Sea Witch," Hayate said, his voice ringing with clear, calm authority. "Because I am the only person who can give you the one thing you can't steal: freedom."
The Sea Witch laughed—a harsh, barking sound. "Freedom? The crown is the master of chains! Your nobles, led by men like Henudra and now Qalvetta, bleed us dry with unfair taxes and treat us like dirt! You are a King of Lies!"
Hayate's Angelic senses focused, and he felt the raw, deep-seated injustice and anger that fueled her. He aimed his words directly at that pain.
"I know the corruption," Hayate insisted, holding her gaze. "My advisor, Henudra, is in jail for treason. The man who replaced him, Qalvetta, is worse. He forged my seal to impose a tyrannical tax levy on the southern towns. He is the master of lies, not I."
Hayate pulled the satchel from his side and revealed the documents and the stolen gold Neshuda had recovered.
"This is the proof of Qalvetta's treason. I have risked my life to bring you this: evidence that the King you hate is fighting for the same justice you crave. I offer you a bargain: help me reclaim my throne, and I will grant the coastal territories full autonomy and the absolute right to their trade, free from noble taxation and interference."
The Sea Witch's eyes narrowed. This was the one thing they truly wanted: the end of the noble chokehold on the sea lanes.
Neshuda's Reputation
The Sea Witch looked past Hayate, her gaze falling on Neshuda. She smiled, a dangerous, cold flash of teeth.
"A King with an Angel's face, but guarded by a stray known only as The Shadow," she mocked. "I know who he is. There are whispers in the shadow world that this Guardian is cursed, that he bleeds the King when he suffers. They say he is a volatile monster you keep on a leash."
The comment was a direct attack, trying to exploit the deepest fear in their bond. Hayate felt Neshuda's intense, reflected shame and rage flare up, a sudden spike that made Hayate's own hand twitch.
The Sea Witch saw the twitch. "See that? He reacts! If you bring that curse into my fleet, my crew will turn on both of you the first time you bleed, boy!"
Before Hayate could speak, Neshuda stepped forward. He stood directly in front of Hayate, presenting his body as the King's shield.
"I am Neshuda," he said, his voice flat, cold, and utterly devoid of emotion. He was ruthlessly suppressing every feeling to protect Hayate from the curse. "I am a stray. I am a master of stealth. And I am the King's Life Anchor. If you touch him, if you disrespect him, or if you break his bargain, I will be the last thing you see. I fight only for him, and I will not fail."
Neshuda's declaration was so absolute, so devoid of fear, that the pirates backed away slightly. They recognized the cold, terrifying resolve of a true warrior who had nothing to lose.
The Sea Witch studied Neshuda for a long moment, a slow respect dawning in her eyes. "Loyalty is a language we understand, Shadow. But trust is earned."
The Trial by Sea
The Sea Witch leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"I have two conditions, King Hayate. First, your Guardian must prove he can fight my best men. Not to injure, but to show he is a weapon worthy of standing beside a King. Second, you must take my entire fleet of three ships and their crews—almost two hundred people—and move them quickly, without detection, to a safe harbor near the Citadel. You need a base of operations, and I need safety from Qalvetta's attack."
She paused, grinning fiercely. "If you move my fleet, hidden from the Royal Guard, you prove you are King of the land and the sea. Then we talk alliance."
Hayate felt the reflected rush of Neshuda's determination mixed with acute stress. Neshuda was ready to fight, but moving three pirate ships full of men near the Citadel was an insane risk.
Hayate stepped around Neshuda, meeting the Sea Witch's gaze.
"The bargain is accepted, Sea Witch," Hayate said, his charisma now fully engaged, filling his voice with kind conviction. "Neshuda will prove his fighting spirit, and I will move your ships. But you must swear by the law of the sea that if I deliver your ships and you see the proof of Qalvetta's treason, you will lend your entire fleet and your fighting crew to my cause."
The Sea Witch nodded, impressed by his courage. "We swear, King of the Angels. Now, let the games begin."
The Test of the Shadow
Neshuda's test was immediate. He was led to a clearing where he faced three of the fiercest pirate fighters. The goal: disable them without using lethal force, proving his control and skill.
Hayate watched from the side, agonizing over the risk.
Neshuda, be careful! Hayate pleaded silently.
The battle was a whirlwind of movement. Neshuda moved like dark water—silent, fast, and completely unstoppable. He used his master of sword and stealth training perfectly. He didn't use brute force; he used technique, evasion, and speed, disarming and disabling each man with elegant, precise movements.
The entire fight took less than a minute. Neshuda stood alone, breathing evenly, his blade clean.
The Sea Witch whistled in admiration. "He is better than the whispers said! Your Shadow is worthy, King."
But Neshuda's intense physical exertion, combined with the emotional strain of being tested, immediately reflected onto Hayate. Hayate felt a sudden, sharp, aching exhaustion and an overwhelming wave of Neshuda's suppressed anger at being forced to prove his loyalty.
Hayate stumbled backward, grasping his head, his vision darkening. He heard the Sea Witch gasp as he collapsed to his knees.
The curse!
The Sea Witch saw it all—the King collapsing the moment the Guardian won. The whispers were true. The bond was fatal.