Chapter 11

Chapter 11, Kyou Kara Maou!, opowiadania, Shinou & Daikenja, It's him

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Chapter 11

Murata tossed and turned on his bed as beads of sweat start to form on his head. It's one of his usual nightmares. One of his past lives where people discovered his real identity and done something about him. No matter how many times he reincarnated those memories still haunts him. He was never able to forget everything from his past lives. May it be his friends, or his death.

"It's his hair!"

T-T-The color!"

"We are all going to suffer!"

That and more horrified expressions were told as the cloak covering his hair accidentally slipped out. Even those people he lived together for years were too scared to even look at him. He had expected this to happen, but somehow there's still the feeling of disapointment.

All these years he tried to hide his real identity, wearing bandana and such things just to hide the color of his hair and his eyes. From his very first life, he knew that he will be treated like a vermin if they were to find out his identity.

"It's always like this." The sage tiredly and bitterly sighed.

No matter who they are, even his those who announced themselves as his bestfriends were all afraid once they were to know that he is a Mazoku. Just the color of his hair and eyes horrifies them.

The sages deep thoughts were cut when he felt something hard hit his head, not a second after, he could the trickle of blood coming form the open wound.

"M-Monster!"

Not even flinching from the wound, the sage got up and walked back towards his house to pack his things and go to a different place again. A place where no one knows him. A place where he would start his life all over again.

"I'll leave."

People around him opened the path as he walk, not even wanting to be in his way. All of them are wearing horrified expression as they stared at his hair, there were even some that covered their children's eyes as if he was something horrble to see.

"I hope our lands will not be cursed!"

"Get away here you monster! Leave us in peace!"

"Please spare our lives"

"Let's burn his house once he left!"

With one last glance, he took a peek at the people he lived with. Yes, they were looking at him with the same cruel, cold and horrified eyes as the others do.

"Nngggh... no. I-I'm not..." Murata flailed through the sheets.

Another flashback of the sage's past life started on Murata's dreams. The one that marked him forever.

A terrified voice of a woman reached the sage's ears. "T-There! I've seen him High Priest! He's bearing the color of darkness!" sobs were next heard.

"M-My child... He became sick and frail the moment he lived in this town. Even the doctors say that it's a curse! Please help my child! Please banish that evil thing in our town!"

The sage almost knew what really happened, but he wanted to clear things, he got out of his bed, making sure that no strand of his hair would slip out of his bandana. He opened the door only to see most of the villagers surrounding his house carrying torches.

"What is happening?" He tried to clear out the situation and confirm his thoughts.

Most of the women hide behind their husband's backs together with their child. The priest stood up near him. "You cannot hide anymore. You are 'Daikenja', a Mazoku! You cannot deny for there are people who saw your cursed color!" The priest's pace contorted to anger clearly wanting to banish him from the place.

"I...—" Before the sage could finish his sentence, there are some villagers who came up rushing, fright written all over their faces.

"T-the light wolves! They are attacking us! High priest! They are burning the crops and houses!"

Atomatically, every heads turned to the sage. "This is all your fault!"

"You cursed our village!"

"Isn't it enough for you that sickness are destroying our children's health?"

"Have we done something to you?!"

"Are you planning to kill us all?!."

He tried to defend himself from the accusations though he knew that it is futile. "It was just—"

"If you disappeared then, the curse will vanish too!" A man shouted.

He knew what is next. This kind of thing happened to him many times before. In those lives that he lived, if people were to find out about his identity his death follows.

'I'm sorry Wilhelm, looks like I wasn't able to do something in this lifetime either.' He bitterly smiled.

"Let's kill him!" People shouted and more than half agreed, all fearing for their lives. He knew he can't blame them. They are just concerned about their living. And he cannot blame Shinou either. He chose that kind of life, in order to support the king, no one is to be blamed but him and his destiny.

Not protesting further he felt some men seize his movements covering his upperbody with a sack and tying him.

'This will be over in a few minutes' all he needed to do is to wait.

"I'm... I'm sorr-sorry..." Murata mumbled in his sleep.

The next scene that he saw was before his death, people tied him up at the plaze with firewoods scattered and piled up around him. He knew that he would be burned. Many people around those times believed that fire purifies things and in order to restore and to remove the curse that touched their village.

The highpriest smirked at him. "Such beautiful color, too bad these villagers wished for your death. But let me give a farewell gift to you, " The man moved his face closer to the sage and whispoered something on his ears. The sage's eyes widened as he realized what it is and screamed in pain when a jolt of thousand needles felt like peircing his whole body.

"Till we meet again, ..." Before the fire blinded the sage's vision he could clearly see the miasma that seeps out of the priest's body.

'Soushu!'

Murata woke up painting from the dream that he just had. He could already hear his heart pounding against his chest for the things he saw. This are one of those times where Murata hated the fact that he could remember his past lives, and even his death. It brings up bad memories, memories that he neither want to see nor remember anymore.

He felt suffocated even inside of his own room, that's why he decided to go out and have a fresh air. Ever since that inceident of his past life, he felt caged. The king felt so guilty about it, that he manipulated the records of Shin Makoku. Everything was hidden, no one knew. It became a secret between him and the king.

"Cursed huh." He sighed as he ran his hands through his hair.

A few minutes have passed that he's at the temple grounds when he noticed the presence of the king. "Shinou."

"So you noticed." The king went out of his hiding place.

"I always notice."

The king chuckled but soon stopped as he remembered the reason why he followed the teen.

"I heard you scream." Shinou's voice sounded grim. This was not the first time that Shinou heard the teen screaming in the middle of the night. He knew that he was behind those. 'The favor i asked him. It was really selfish of me to ask him stay and reincarnate.' He may not knew the specific details about the lives his sage lived, but he do have an idea what he experienced in those. Soukoku isn't really much accepted among the human race and even in the ordinary Mazoku race there are some who considers it as a cursed color.

"Just a memory of the past." The teen refused to looks on Shinou's way.

"'That' day?"

"..."

"My sage..." The king kept his voice low. "I'm—"

"I told you Shinou, it's not your fault."

"But—"

"You never forced me to help you. I volunteered myself. No one is at fault here."

Not containing himself any longer, Shinou approached the teen and hugged him. Though he said no words, Murata could feel the remorse on his actions. There was a heavy guilt alongside with the king's silence. "My promise will not falter, my sage."

Murata knew that even if he asked the king to free himself from his promise he wont ever do it. Ever since that day, the king swore to keep things as a secret involving himself. He knew that Shinou was suffering from guilt even though he told him that he was not at fault.

If there was someone who were to know this secret... This will be the end of this life... Muratasadly thought. Every since 'that' day he wasn't able to trust anyone, he started keeping the fact that he is the sage of Shin Makoku. He continued living in fear that no one should be able to find out his true identity, no feeling of security and trust. He started doubting everybody, focusing only on his goal to help Shinou. He was never able to live a peaceful life.

'I will not leave you... I'll find a way to break it... to call you back again. Even if it cost me everything i have.' Shinou wanted to voice out but he knew that the teen will only laugh at him saying that his case is a lost one. Its been a thousand years since the incident happened and yet no solution was found. And his last life, the sage gave up long way over to think that his curse will be broken.

Deafening silence between the two was only broken by the sounds of nature. The two were in that position until Shinou noticed his sage too even breathing. Shinou was surprised to see his sage actually leaning on him, sleeping. It was an unusual siht because the teen do not show any signs of weakness on him. He may not look like it but Shinou could tell that he is always on the edge. Living a life full of doubts and not being able to put himself at ease.

Shinou deciding that his sage might catch cold again, picked up the teen and put the teen back to his own room tucking him safely under the blankets.

That same night Murata dreamed again. Not the continuation of his nightmare but the day he met Shinou.

"Oh, you are exactly as the rumors said. Onyx orbs and black hair. What an amazing color."

The sage lowered the book he was reading to acknowledge the presence of the man who dared visited the place where he dwells. Most of the people who see soukoku gets distance as much as possible fearing that they might get cursed. It was really unusual for him to have a visitor especially at that time where Soushu is wreaking havoc upon their world.

"Do you not fear for this color?" The sage was referring to his hair and eyes. As he waited for the guy's reply he took note of his visitor's appearance. Blonde hair, royal blue eyes, he was wearing an armor with design the sage knew meant for someone who holds high position. A king?

"Why fear such beautiful color?"

Instead of giving the guy a peice of his mind, the sage tried to get at the main point of the visit. "What business do you have with someone like me."

The king smiled upon hearing this. He lend out a hand and spoke. "I have heard of your greatness from various people and i want you to join my army."

"Are you sure to fight something unknown? You have no chance of winning this war."

The king's confident feature were unfazed by his words. "I have heard of a sage whose knowledge is unparralleled. I have come to get you as my strategist. With you I know we can win this war."

He didn't know what overcame him, but he knew that it is alright to trust this man. That even though he knew from the start that winning from Soshou is impossible, he believes that they can do it. That voice full of conviction seemed to entrance him. Though it was a foolish decision to do, he accepted the hand that he reached for him. He knew he will do anything in his might to help this person in front him.

Everything was inevitable.

"May i know..."

(~page break~)

A few months later...

It was almost an ordinary day for Murata at Shinou's Temple when a messenger came and invited Murata at the Blood Pledge Castle. Shinou who was listening on the conversation between Murata and the messenger persisted to tag along, his face sour for some unknown reason.

"Why tag along?" Murata saked as they are riding on a horse on the way to the other castle.

"Is it bad to-" but before Shinou could start his usual rants about caring for the country that he established Murata raised his hand and stopped him from talking.

"Alright, alright I get it. You really like knowing everything after all."

"This is the part where you are supposd to say 'nosy', my sage." Shinou looked amused.

"I'm glad that you know that yourself." And the ride stayed silent until they reached the castle. The next day after their small talk at the temple grounds, no one mentioned anything. There was some sort of silent agreement between them not to talk about it. Shinou knew how hard it is for the teen to remember his death at the hands of other people, and Shinou feels to guilty to talk about it.

Shinou glanced at the teen. 'Why does he look so calm at this one?' The king sourly thought. When the messenger arrived at the temple he got a pretty good suspicion that what is the next thing to happen. 'It's that king again. The king had to think of a why where he can go to Renzellia with the others.

At the castle...

Just as Shinou expected, Yuuri happily announced that an invitation from Renzellia has arrived. Of course almost everyone wanted to tag along and the unfortunate member that was decided to be left behind and deal with the country's affair is Gunter. The man was wailing on his disappointment but he didn't have a choice.

"What is that look?" Murata look suspicious with Shinou's sneak glances at him. He knew when the king acts wierd something is bound to happen.

"What look?"

"Shinou..."

The first king sighed and finally spoke. "I'm coming with you."

...

...

...

...

...

"WHAT?" Murata and Yuuri both exclaimed.

"And how do you plan to do that may I ask?" Murata is now raking his hair with his hand. He could already feel an upcomming headache. He's hearing strange thing early in the morning. What did got into his head this time? The sage frustratedly thought. He could see the determination etched on the king's face though others may think that its always impassable, and he knew when the king looks like that no one could stop him. Not even him. Why do I have a bad feeling about this little trip? Murata sighed again.

(~page break~)

The next day...

Just as Murata expected he wasn't able to stop Shinou was his wishes. No matter how many times he tried to determine the logic between the king's words he still cannot find a proper answer on why would Shinou insist on coming with them. The determined look at the king's eyes left the sage with no choice.

"Are you alright there Murata?" The sage heard footsteps coming and he knew Yuuri is now beside him. Murata lifted the cold towel covering his eyes to take a look at his friend and smiled to reassure him. "I'm fine Shibuya."

"But you still look pale. Please dont tell me that you get seasick too. But why did i noticed it just now?"

Knowing how overreacting his friend can be, Murata just raised his hand to stop the Maou from talking and smiled at his friend. "I'm really fine Shibuya, It's just that I wasn't able to get enough sleep."

The Maou didn't looked convinced, but accepted the reason anyways. After a while he left the sage alone to be able to rest better. When Yuuri left, Murata took a deep sigh. He knew better than to tell his friend that he just used Maryoku in order to help Shinou come together with them. And speaking of the said man, the sage fekt the king's presence approaching him.

"Felling better?"

Without removing the cold towel covering his eyes, Murata replied. "You are not the one to say that, Shinou."

"..."

The sage shifted from his seat. "I'll be sleeping for a while to get better. Just don't do anything stupid."

The king only chuckled at him. "The same as ever."

When the teen's breathing finally evened out, he moved closer and sat beside the teen. He carefully removed the bangs which caught up on the towel. "Forgive me my sage but I cannot leave you this time." Though not obvious on his ever impassive face, Shinou had been having a lot of nightmares recently. The king even took notice that the nightmare started the say after the Kingdom of Renzellia left. Thinking that it was probably because he is bothered by the Edmund's sudden appearance he tried to shrug it off, but the dream continued. He knew that something was bound to happen though he couldn't clearly feel the danger approaching them because his dream becaomes completely forgotten when he wakes up.

"I just have a feeling that I should be at your side."

"N...No... I...I..." Small whimpers started to come out of the sleeping teen, his body becoming more tense as his fists clenched. Murata is having his usual nightmares again. Shinou tried to wake the teen up but it seems like the teen was lost in his own dreamworld that he couldn't even hear or feel the shouts and shaking that Shinou had been doing to wake him up.

"My sage!" Shinou starts to become more worried as the teen tossed and turn on his sleep. Not containing himself any longer, Shinou hugged the teen. "Shhh... I'm here my sage. I'll never let those nightmares come true. I am always here." He whicpered against the teen's ears.

"S...Shinou..." The teen started to calm down and finally slumped against Shinou's body.

The king finally glad that his sage had already gotten out of his nightmare, decided to hold him longer. He glanced at the land whcih they are approaching .

We are both being warned, huh. Shinou won't be so bothered if it is only him that experiences the nightmare, but his sage—. Everything was too much to be a coincidence. Looks like his decision to come with Yuuri isn't just out of whim after all.

(~page break~)

As their ship docked at the nearest port, they immediately saw the carriage waiting for them. Of course, Edmund himself was there to greet them "I am really glad that you accepted my invitation, Yuuri." The king said so gleefully that you could almost see stars dancing in his eyes. He turned to the sage. "I'm glad you came as well."

"The honor is ours." Even though still not yet recovered from the trip and his nightmare, Murata cheerfully replied at the king and showed a bright smile.

"..." The king only stared at Murata. His eyes looking for something.

"Edmund?" Yuuri called out.

"Are you alright?"

The group were quite surprised at the king's sharpness especially Shinou.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Murata's smile didn't falter.

"You look kind of pale. Let's go to the palace to have you rest."

"I'm surprised he could see through your act my sage." He whispered softly, intending only to be heard by the teen. His voice was teasing but the voice inside his head protests. He really didnt like the fact that someone can get closer to the teen aside from him. Exept of course for Yuuri and his retainmers. They don't count.

"Kindly shut up, Shinou."

Edmund turned to them. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"Ah, no. Nothing."

Wolfram started to argue that he should be in the carriage with Yuuri but in the end lost in justifying their stands. The carriage consisted of Yuuri and Murata sitting together and across them are Edmund and one of his trusted advisers named Rys.

On their trip to the palace, the king had been an excellent host, not letting them get bored at the trip and letting the Mazoku's see the beauty of his country. When the sage glanced at the window, the town looked so peaceful. He never get tired of looking such scenery. Back in his previous lives, these events are usually seen but it was back in the time where Soshou didn't exist. There was peace and harmony among humans, and the same goes for countries with both Mazokus and humans co-exist. When the dark age came, everything turned into chaos, sudden attacks happening everywhere, light wolves destroying homes, families. Humans began to think that it was the mazokus who started it all.

And of course, being known as a 'sage' didn't do anything good for him.

"Murata?" Edmund called. The king noticed the faraway look at the sage eye's. Thinking that he was just observing the town, he let them be but after a few moments he noticed the change of emotion reflected in those onyx orbs. It was regret.

"Oh, my apologies. I was just admiring your town." The teen flashed a smile.

Edmund only looked at him and after a few moments, he moved closer to the teen letting his forhead touch with the sage.

"Wha-What do you think you are doing?!" Shinou hissed as he noticed the act. He wanted to come out from his hiding place and puch the king away from his sage but he knew that the sage won't like it.

"E-Edmund?" Even the sage was caught in surprise.

"A slight fever."

A slight frown etched in Rys' face though it was unnoticeable. The sage's eyes didn't miss but he immidiately created distance between him and Edmund.

Those eyes i cannot get away from. I thought i forgot them...

"Let's speed up the pace and let our visitors to rest."

"Yeah. Kindly, Rys."

"Yes, Your Highness." The retainer talked to coachman outside through the window behind him.

OMAKE:

It felt comfortable, he never felt so comfortable before, never felt at ease.

But what is this feeling. He knew he currently sleeping on a chair set at the deck of their ship, but this vere felt so confortable...

Wait.. Comfortable? His chair was moving evenly and he knew that it's not because of the ship riding on the waves.

Warm? It's supposed to be cold in a ship's deck right?

Opening his eyes he saw a familiar lump of blonde hair near him and a smell of pine trees. He was quite surprised to see that Shinou was holding him. Still disoriented by from his sleep, Murata flustered out.

W-w-what on earth?

"My sage?" Shinou woke up from the sudden movement by the teen sleeping on his arms. When the king opened his eyes he saw his sage with his face started to color pink. Fever? He moved closer to the teen to check the temperature.

"W-what are you doing Shinou?" The sage's got redder.

"Cheking your temperature?"

"I-I'm fine." The teen tried to cover his face by his arms.

"Doesn't look fine to me."

With the king's face coming closer, the teen got more flustered that they both feel from the chair, Shinou landing atop of him the king's arms preventing his full weight from crushing on him. "Oi, are you alright?"

"..."

"My sage?" Shinou got more worried with the lack of reply.

Murata could only stare wide-eyed at Shinou. His senses going haywire with their proximity. All his so-called wiseness still not lighting his head that had just woken up from sleep. He could only feel his heartbeat go faster and his face going redder by each passing second.

"Did you hit yourself or anything?"

"I..."

"Murata!" Yuuri's voice startled them both that Murata flinched from his position his face moving towards Shinou. Both of them were surprised.

"..."

"..."

The sage ended up kissing the king. The kiss lasted for a few good seconds when they both realized what's going on. The looked away from each other trying to hide their reddening faces.

"Meals are ready!" Yuuri didn't noticed what happened thank goodness for the chair that blocked them from Yuuri's full view.

"I...I'll be following you Shibuya.. Please go ahead..." Murata wanted to congratulate himself for keeping his voice calm.

Though surprised with the reply the Maou didn't ask any further and went back inside the cabin.

"Okay."

After a few minutes of silence the sage decided to move away and stand up. "I'll be going."

"... yeah."

Murata hid his blushing face away from the king's view.

Shinou smirked at the the teen's retreating form.

No doubt.

He'll definitely make it happen again.

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