Chapter 31: A Trial of Strength and Honor
"Since you've all declared your readiness, I'll now announce the rules of my training."
Hideo Takumi's voice echoed across the training grounds—cold, sharp, and unforgiving, like a blade drawn in battle.
"I'll say this only once. Anyone who breaks the rules... will face punishment beyond forgiveness. Your honor will be shattered—and there will be no turning back."
Silence fell.
Not a single soldier dared to speak. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
"In my training, there will be no physical punishment. Not because I'm merciful—but because you won't have time to regret. There is no 'forgiveness' here. Only two outcomes exist: victory... or death. Nothing else."
"From this moment forward, I am your highest authority. During training, you will obey only one voice—mine. Even if my uncle calls for you, or my grandfather himself gives an order—ignore them. No one will interfere. If anyone disobeys... prepare to lose your honor."
His gaze swept over the crowd like a blade, cutting deep into their spirits.
"Anyone who's late—punished. Anyone who complains—punished. Anyone who disobeys—punished, without exception!"
"…Your honor will be destroyed."
"…Your honor will be destroyed."
"…Your honor will be destroyed."
His voice echoed again, layered with an invisible pressure that bore down on everyone present. There was killing intent hidden in every syllable—an unshakable will that made the air itself feel heavier.
Muscles tensed. Backs straightened. Every soldier stood as if bound by invisible chains.
From afar, Hisashi Takumi watched from his wheelchair, unable to hide his shock. His eyes widened, and his body instinctively straightened. This… this reminded him of the battlefield. Of the first time he'd stood before an army, receiving orders that carried life and death.
Hideo's words rekindled an old fire inside him—a warrior's fire that had long been dormant. Doubt among the soldiers disappeared, replaced by eyes burning with a newfound determination. For a brief moment, they no longer feared death.
Another figure stood watching silently—Jun Takumi, the head of the Takumi Clan. His white beard trembled. His expression couldn't hide his disbelief.
"That's… my grandson? Hideo?"
He stared at the young man standing in the center of the field. His voice led the soldiers. His presence dominated the space. But what shook Jun Takumi wasn't the way Hideo carried himself—it was the look in his eyes.
Resolute. Fearless. And… unfamiliar.
As if Hideo was no longer the same boy he once knew. As if something—or someone—had been reborn inside him.
Questions swirled in Jun's heart, but beneath the confusion, something stirred. The spirit of an old general awakened from slumber. His gaze shifted from doubt to awe. From uncertainty... to trust.
"No matter what happens... if this is the path Hideo has chosen, then I'll protect him."
Jun took a deep breath and raised his voice with authority.
"Spread the word! From this moment forward, anything related to Young Master Hideo is classified as top-level clan secrecy! This is a direct order from the head of the Takumi Clan! Anyone who leaks even a word... will be punished without mercy!"
Hearing this, Elder Pang moved swiftly. The order was enforced immediately. All information regarding Hideo's actions was sealed. Security was doubled. Not even the wind was allowed to whisper his name.
Meanwhile, Hideo's voice thundered once again.
"Listen up! You have ten breaths to divide yourselves into two teams of one hundred and fifty! Anyone who fails will run one hundred laps around the field!"
No one objected. Within moments, the soldiers began moving. Footsteps pounded in unison as they scrambled into formation.
"Good! Each team will form a company of one hundred fifty! Break it down into five platoons—thirty per platoon! Then again into squads of ten!"
Without giving them room to breathe, Hideo continued,
"You have half a stick of incense to assign leaders at each level. Anyone who fails to do so will be punished under full military protocol!"
The field burst into organized motion. Only the sound of boots and ragged breathing filled the space. The soldiers moved with urgency—no longer waiting, no longer doubting.
From a distance, Hisashi watched with wide eyes and a gleam of pride.
"Hideo... I never imagined you'd become someone like this," he muttered under his breath.
Hideo turned to him with a faint smile. "So, what do you think, Uncle?"
Hisashi chuckled softly and nodded. "At first, I thought I needed to give you a chance. But now... I can't even find a reason to deny you. If the royal army were trained like this, I truly believe... we could conquer the world."
But Hideo only gave a wry smile.
"You flatter me too much. Our goals are different. You trained men for the kingdom. I train them... for the Takumi Clan. To protect our family. Not the crown."
Hisashi fell silent, the smile fading from his lips.
"…Perhaps you're right," he said quietly. "We've given too much for the kingdom already. Maybe now... it's time for the Takumi Clan to choose its own path."
Hideo nodded. "Sometimes, we have to walk against the wind—just to keep our family alive."
Beneath a reddening sky, the training had just begun.
But the fire within their hearts... had been burning long before the first order was given.