Hidden Sister

Chapter 9: Pirates of Awa

"Let see..." Yoon says as he and the group looks at the map. "The direction where Kija sensed Ryokuryuu is this range." He points out. "We'll end up hitting capital Saika and Hiryuu Castle if we go straight. So, let's confirm Ryokuryuu's location while we take a detour along with the mountains."

Yona looks up to the tree since Shin-Ah is on it with his mask off.

"Shin-Ah, is there anyone there?" She asks and Shin-Ah lands in front of them before shaking his head.

"Nobody? Then let's go." Yoon says and they set off to Ryokuryuu's location. "The ability to see far away is great! It's nice to search for places where people aren't around!"

"This is very useful. Se... Oh!" Kija stops himself. "I heard hime-sama grant you a name. Shin-Ah. It is a great name take good care of it."

Shin-Ah nods his head and Kija begins to tell him the legend of Hiryuu and the Four Dragons as they approach a village ahead. They widen their eyes in horror after they entered the village.

"This place..." Yona trails off.

"It's a village that was abandoned by the general and the king." Yoon explains causing Yona and Mana to widen their eyes. "This area hasn't cultivated crops for years and there's no water. It's likely because the able-bodied men were all brought to the capital to be trained as soldiers. Illness runs rampant and only those without the strength to migrate are left here."

"...Terrible." Yona says.

"The village I was born in was like this too. The land of fire is vast but almost all of it is barren. Even with that, the head of the Fire Tribe, General Kan Soo-Jin, keeps all the money just for the government."

"Idiot!" Kija says and they hear a man coughing, suffering a disease.

"Is he all right?" Yona asks and about to approach him but Yoon stops her.

"You shouldn't get too close. You could get sick."

"But..."

Yoon takes out a bag of medicine, water, and an apple and walks towards the sick man. "It may not ease your pain, but here's some medicine and water. I also have an apple."

"Oh..."

Yona walks towards them and picks up the water before placing the man against the wall and helping the man to drink the water.

"A... are you people from Saika?"

"No. We're travelers." Yoon replies.

"I see... Then have you been to Kuuto? The new king that has risen... I wonder what kind of person he is...? The last king... Il was a horrible king. When pressures from other countries mounted he only cared about not making a ruckus. And while other tribes grew... he didn't give aid to the citizens who were weak. Whose king was he? It'll be nice if this king is a good person... If he is someone who can... bring shank to this country... Oh, thank you, miss. I don't know how long it's been since someone touched me..."

"No..." Yona says with tears on her eyes. "Please get well." The group leave the man as Yona wipes off the tears by the sleeve. "I-I'll be gone for just a minute! To take care of some business! Don't follow me."

"Me too. I have to polish my sword." Mana says and goes on the opposite direction from Yona. Once she is out of their sight. Mana lean against the wall and grits her teeth before she slams her fist on it and slumps down.

Then she hears someone approaching her and sees Shin-Ah walking towards her. "W-what's wrong, Shin-Ah?"