《ISHIRA THE SHADOW》 CHAPTER 1
On a quiet morning, there was a boy named Ishira. He was a homeless child with messy, unkempt hair and his clothes were dirty. He wandered the streets, searching for something to eat. "Hmm, I''m really hungry. I need to find some food. Maybe someone will give me a little bread," he thought to himself, his stomach rumbling. Just then, a girl approached him. She had bright eyes and a warm smile. "What are you doing here? Are you hungry?" she asked. The boy nodded his head slowly. "Here, I got this food from the stall over there. Just take it," she said, handing him a small bag of bread. Quickly, Ishira took the food and began to eat it, barely chewing before swallowing, while the girl watched him in amazement. It was clear he hadn''t eaten all day. Despite his rough appearance, she smiled at him. "Eat slowly. You''ll be okay. My name is Yue. What''s yours?" she asked, her voice gentle. Ishira didn''t answer. He looked down, too ashamed to meet her eyes. The silence hung in the air until someone approached them from behind. Ishira, sensing a threat, moved with surprising speed to block the newcomer''s hand. Everyone gasped in shock. They had never seen a child move so fast. "It''s okay," said Yue, placing a hand on Ishira''s shoulder. "That''s my knight, appointed by my father. She''s not a bad person." The knight laughed. "Ha ha! Sorry to scare you, Princess. By the way, who is this boy? He has eyes as sharp as mine," she said, looking at Ishira with curiosity. Her name was Sandra. Yue explained to Sandra what had just happened. Feeling pity for Ishira, she turned to Sandra with a hopeful expression. "Can you please take him under your wing? I want him to be my companion. I need someone my age to talk to and look out for me." Sandra considered her request. "Hmm, let me see if we still have room for him," she said, glancing back at Ishira. Yue looked at Sandra with pleading eyes, making it hard for her to say no. "Ah, miss, don''t look at me like that. It''s hard for me to ignore your request," Sandra said with a sigh. "Please! I like this boy. He has skills," Yue insisted. "He can be strong and help protect me." "Alright, I will talk to the boss. Come on, boy. Let''s go home. You want to eat and have a better life, right? Just come with us," Sandra said to Ishira. Still silent, Ishira looked at Yue''s hopeful face. After thinking for a moment, he decided to follow them. They climbed into a horse-drawn carriage, beginning their journey toward the continent of Gaskga, a place where people of all races could live together peacefully. The trip would take one whole week. As the days passed, Yue began to feel bored sitting beside Ishira, who remained quiet.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "Hey, why are you always so silent?" she asked one day, looking at him with impatience. "I''m getting bored! Can you please talk to me?" But Ishira didn''t respond, lost in his own thoughts. Feeling playful, Yue leaned closer, her face inches from his. Carefully, she tucked a stray hair behind his ear, her heart racing as she noticed how handsome he looked. "Wow, he really has a nice face," she thought to herself, feeling shy but excited. Noticing her gaze, Ishira turned to her and wrote something on a piece of paper. Holding it up for her to read, he wrote, "Are you okay, princess?" Yue''s face lit up with delight. "He wants to talk to me!" she thought, feeling a rush of happiness. Inspired, she decided to act a little playful. She pretended to sulk, hoping to catch his attention. But Ishira seemed confused, not understanding why she was acting that way. As the journey continued, they began to share simple messages on paper, slowly breaking the ice between them. Each day, Yue learned more about Ishira, his dreams, and the life he had lived before. She was fascinated by his strength and resilience, while Ishira began to feel a small warmth in his heart, enjoying their budding friendship. -- As the days went by, Ishira and Yue''s friendship grew. They began to communicate more, sharing stories through notes and quiet conversations during breaks in the journey. Each moment spent together allowed them to learn more about one another. One afternoon, Yue decided it was time for a little fun. "Let''s play a game!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What kind of game?" Ishira asked, curious but still a bit shy. "Let''s imagine we are adventurers! We can create stories about our travels, facing dragons and discovering treasures!" she suggested, swinging her legs excitedly from the side of the carriage. Ishira couldn''t help but smile at her enthusiasm. Using a piece of paper, he wrote, "Okay, I''ll be the hero who protects you from the dragons. What will you be?" Yue''s eyes widened with joy. "I''ll be the brave princess who knows the secrets of the land!" she declared, striking a dramatic pose. They started weaving their tales together, inventing creatures they would battle and treasures they would find, laughing and forgetting the long hours of travel. However, as the journey continued, they encountered challenges as well. One evening, a heavy rain began to fall, drenching them as they traveled. The horses struggled against the slippery mud, slowing their pace. The usually cheerful atmosphere faded as the sky turned dark and ominous. Feeling uneasy, Ishira noticed how worried Yue looked. He reached into his coat and pulled out a tattered old blanket. "Here," he wrote, holding it out to her, "stay warm." Yue took the blanket and wrapped it around herself, grateful for Ishira''s thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Ishira. You''re so kind," she said, giving him a warm smile despite the gloomy weather. It was small gestures like this that made their bond stronger. As night fell, they reached a small tavern by the roadside, where they could rest for the night. Sandra paid for a room for them. "You two need some warmth and food. Get some rest," she said, guiding them inside. The tavern was cozy, filled with the smell of warm stew. As they sat by the fire, Yue spoke excitedly about all the adventures awaiting them in Gaskga. "When we get there, we can meet people from all over the world! I want to hear their stories!" Ishira nodded, . He had never been in a place where people of different races lived together. Would he fit in? Would they accept someone like him? Noticing the worry on his face, Yue leaned closer. "You''ll be fine, Ishira. I''ll be with you. You''re not alone anymore," she assured him sincerely. After a hearty meal, they both climbed into their beds, nestled in their blankets. As Ishira lay awake, staring at the ceiling, he realized he had never felt such warmth and safety before. For the first time, he dared to dream of a future one filled with friends, laughter, and maybe even a family CHAPTER 2 Days rolled on, and as their carriage entered the borders of Gaskga, Ishira felt a rush of nervousness mixed with excitement. The landscape changed vividly; colorful banners adorned the vibrant towns, and cheerful people filled the streets. "Look, Ishira! There are people from all over!" Yue pointed out, her eyes shining with wonder. "This is just the beginning!" Upon arriving at the door, Yue greeted her family and hugged her mother happily. "How was your adventure? Did you have fun, my child? I missed you so much! Did you eat properly?" "Yeah, I had fun, Mom! I also made a new friend. Come here, I want to introduce you to my friend. This is Ishira. He''s from a village far away; I met him on the road." Her mother smiled at Ishira. "Hi, what''s your name, dear?" But Ishira remained silent and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen to write down his name. "Oh my, what a cute name!" Ishira blushed at the compliment. Yue looked at Ishira with a twinge of jealousy. "He didn''t tell me his name, but he tells Mom like he''s her son." Their mother gently patted Yue''s head. "It''s alright; maybe Ishira has never had friends before. Give him time."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The mother then called a maid to take Ishira to bathe and change his clothes . The night had come, and Ishira was guided to his bedroom. He checked the surroundings, making sure no one was watching, then opened the window and jumped out, climbing onto a tree to sneak a glimpse into Yue''s room. He jumped quietly into her space and started chatting with her. "You''re really a kind person, but I''m sorry, Yue. I can''t talk to you right now. I will always remember the past. I will protect you, even if it costs my life. Thank you for taking care of me, my one and only first love." Ishira whispered before slipping back out of her room. The next morning, Yue came to Ishira''s room, bouncing with energy. "Hey, sleepyhead! It''s morning already! Get up! My father want to meet you!" Ishira woke up and quickly wrote on a piece of paper, "Okay." They headed to meet King Asher, bowing in respect as they entered. "Hello, Ishira. Thank you for being friends with my daughter. I''d like to ask, what do you want to do right now?" the king inquired. Yue frowned , "Father! I''ve taken him as a friend, not as a servant!" Ishira gently held Yue''s hand, signaling her not to disturb. He then wrote down that he wanted a job where he could protect Yue from any danger. The king smiled at this and called for Sandra, his knight commander. "Sandra, please take Ishira under your wing and train him as a knight. His job will be to protect my daughter." Yue''s eyes sparkled with excitement as the king spoke, her earlier frown transforming into a radiant smile. "Really? You''re going to be a knight, Ishira! This is amazing!" CHAPTER 3 Sandra took your hand and carried you to the training ground. Yue followed and watched from a distance. Sandra teased you, "What a lucky guy to have backup from the princess, huh? Alright, everyone stop training. We have a new member for the time being, so please train him properly." Someone approached you and introduced himself as Kayy. "Hey, princess''s boy, let''s have some fun today! My name is Kayy, and I''m the most powerful person here after Sandra. Let''s have a duel without weapons." Ishira nodded in agreement, accepting the duel, and Sandra approved it. Sandra cautioned Kayy not to be too harsh on Ishira, but Kayy didn''t care he thought Ishira should learn the harsh realities of the world. "3, 2, 1, start!" Kayy rushed to attack Ishira''s head, thinking it would end with one shot. However, Ishira anticipated the movement, easily dodged, and countered with an uppercut, sending Kayy to the ground. The audience was shocked; that was no newbie skill. Unsatisfied, Kayy grabbed a wooden sword and threw it to Ishira, insisting on a sword fight. Sandra opposed this, but Kayy ignored her concerns. The fight began before the count.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Ishira felt the pressure of the mood; he slowly faked a move to give Kayy the advantage. Kay swung his sword again at Ishira''s head, but he left too much of an opening, allowing Ishira to counter it. Instead, Ishira took the blow, leading to Kayy''s victory. But Sandra knew what had happened it wasn''t a true victory for Kayy it looked like Ishira had conceded partway through the duel. "Okay, everyone, let''s stop the duel and resume training properly." Yue rushed to Ishira. "What are you doing? Why did you accept the duel?" Ishira remained silent and apologized for making her worry. Sandra watched from afar, smiling, "What a playboy." After a few hours of training, Yue invited Ishira to eat together, still feeling worried about him. Ishira accepted the invite but noted that he needed to take a bath first. Ishira went to his room and took a bath. As he undressed, he revealed a body full of scars, indicating he had endured a difficult past. After his bath, Yue waited for him in the dining hall. As he walked in, Ishira felt a sense of loneliness it seemed this family didn''t always eat together . As Ishira took his place, Yue attempted to draw him out. She began talking about her day and her hopes, but as Ishira continued to eat quietly, frustration bubbled in her chest. "Why do you always stay so quiet?" she asked, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern. Feeling her desire for connection, Ishira wrote, "Sorry," and offered her an apologetic glance. Yue sighed, realizing she couldn''t push him. " Yue couldn''t blame him and replied, "I will wait until you are ready to talk "By the way, tomorrow is my 18th birthday. Don''t forget to wake up early! Bye!" CHAPTER 4 As Ishira stood by the window, looking at Yue while she slept, he felt sad. He wanted to check on her again but worried about earlier when he had upset her. He slowly walked closer to her, feeling guilty for not being able to speak to her about his feelings. Memories of his childhood flooded back to him, especially a happy day at the park. But then, everything changed when a group of knights attacked them. In a panic, he and his family ran into the jungle, trying to hide. While they were trying to be quiet, Ishira accidentally stepped on a thorn and cried out, which revealed their hiding spot. His father told them to stay quiet, but it was too late. Seeing that they were in danger, Ishira''s father decided to surrender so Ishira and his mother could escape. However, his mother was too tired to run and hid Ishira, telling him not to make a sound. When knights found them, Ishira had to watch as they killed his mother. Traumatized, he was too shocked to cry out. The knights didn''t bother with him and let him live, leaving him alone to bury his mother. For the next ten years, he faced a different kind of darkness. He was captured and sold into slavery, forced to become an assassin along with 200 other children, but he was the only one who survived their harsh training. One day, nearly dead from exhaustion, he met a kind queen who fed orphans. Feeling desperate, he tried to steal food from her but was caught. Instead of punishing him, she offered him food and promised to help those in need. Eventually, Ishira had to leave to escape his captors. He wanted to thank the queen, but she was gone. Instead, he saw Yue, a girl who looked just like her. He felt drawn to her, and soon found himself falling in love.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. On what he thought would be his last day, he watched her from afar. His heart ached as he realized he was saying goodbye to a life filled with pain, but he never imagined fate would bring him back to Yue again. As Ishira knelt beside her, he wanted to share everything his sorrow, regrets, and the love that had begun to fill his heart. "Yue," he whispered, "I''m really sorry for earlier. I didn''t mean to upset you." Yue slowly woke up and looked at him, surprised. "Ishira?" she said, still waking up. "I wish I could change the past," he write , emotions rising. "I just want to protect you." Yue sat up a little, looking concerned. "You''ve been through so much. I wish I could help you." "I don''t want you to take on my burdens," he replied . "But¡­" he paused, searching for words. "But I need you in my life." Yue''s gaze softened as she listened to Ishira. She could feel the weight of his pain. "You''ve been carrying these heavy memories alone for too long. You don''t have to face it all by yourself anymore." He looked down at his hands, lost in thoughts about his troubled past. Doubt filled his eyes as he thought about how heavy his feelings were. Yue gently touched his arm, and her warmth chased away some of the coldness he felt from his memories. There was a strength in her eyes, and it made him feel like he didn''t have to fight alone anymore. Taking a deep breath, she spoke softly. "You won''t bring me down. I want to be by your side. We all have our struggles, Ishira. You''re not alone in this. I see good in you, even if you can''t see it yourself. Let me help you. You deserve love and support, and I want to offer that to you." Her words filled the space around them with hope. A small warmth started to bloom in Ishira''s chest, reminding him that maybe there was still good in his life. Opening up to her made him both scared and excited. Yue saw his hesitation and smiled reassuringly. "Take your time. I''m here for you whenever you''re ready." She leaned back against the pillows, her eyes focused on him. The trust and kindness in her gaze encouraged him to think about sharing his feelings, to let her see the parts of him he had kept hidden for so long. CHAPTER 5 The next day, Ishira woke up early in the morning. The maid helped him get ready, dressing him in formal attire, even though he kept his face hidden behind his hair. Just then, Yue walked into the room. "Hey, Ishira! Come to the hall," she said, teasingly. "Wow, not bad for a young boy!" She took his hand, and together they made their way to the hall, where the family and other guests had gathered. As they arrived, Ishira noticed how crowded the hall was. People were scattered everywhere, as it was a party to celebrate Yue turning 18 years old. Standing quietly against the wall, Ishira was approached by a girl. "Hi! What''s your name?" she asked. Ishira remained silent and did not reveal his name, but he recognized the girl as Mia, who was from the North¡ªa place known for its cold weather. At that moment, the king entered the hall. "Happy birthday, Yue! Welcome to adulthood! It looks like you can get married now!" he exclaimed, laughing. "Let''s find a suitable man for you here, hahahaha!" Yue watched her father, feeling both pride and embarrassment. The party began, with everyone in the hall wishing her a happy birthday, but Ishira remained quiet and observant. Yue glanced at him; he simply smiled in response as two young men approached her to chat. Suddenly, Mia came up to Ishira and asked him to dance. He stayed silent, but she didn''t take long to pull him onto the dance floor. As they danced, Mia asked Ishira, "You know Yue, right? Who are you, really? What''s your relationship with her?" Mia continued to press him for answers, but Ishira merely looked at her, giving her a subtle sign to drop the subject. However, Yue caught a glimpse of them dancing and rushed over.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. "Don''t take my servant, Mia!" she said, visibly upset. "Why not, Yue? I love taking what you have, my pretty cousin!" Mia replied with a smirk. Mia then leaned in toward Ishira and whispered, "I will make you mine," before walking away. Yue turned to Ishira, confused. "How does she know you? We haven''t even been together at the party. Damn that girl! She keeps getting in my way," she fumed. Suddenly, Ishira gently ruffled Yue''s hair, causing her face to blush. She quickly swatted his hand away. "I''m not a child anymore!" From a distance, the queen observed and approached them. "Hi! What are you two doing? Why does my daughter look sick?" Yue, feeling flustered, quickly ran away. The queen smiled and called Ishira to meet her later that night, wanting to discuss something important. Ishira nodded in agreement. The party continued smoothly. At midnight, when everyone was asleep, Ishira made his way to the queen''s chamber, where she was having a drink. The queen invited him to sit beside her. "Ishira, it''s been quite a while since we last met," she said. Ishira was taken aback; he hadn''t expected her to remember him. "Don''t be scared; it''s been five years since we last saw each other. I know you even if you hide your face," she reassured him. "How have you been?" Ishira spoke softly. "I''ve missed you, Your Majesty. I''m sorry for hiding all this time." "It''s been a long time since we were in the orphanage, but I have a request regarding Yue," Ishira continued. The queen watched him with an amused expression. "I know your skills are exceptional and surpass everyone else I know, but you can''t use them if someone notices you, correct? The country isn''t doing well; war may break out soon. Can you protect Yue better than anyone else?" "I can''t accept that request, Your Majesty," Ishira replied. "I''m too old to be saved, dear. As someone you love the most, please accept this request and act in silence. I know you care for Yue because she resembles me. Please protect her, especially as my time draws near," the queen implored him. Ishira remained silent for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. He left the room, then suddenly disappeared the next day. Yue was left searching for Ishira, but she found a letter instead. "I''m sorry, Yue, for leaving you like this. Please wait for me, even if it takes a while. Thank you for everything you''ve done for me." Yue held the letter tightly, . She couldn''t help but wonder what had compelled Ishira to leave so suddenly. The promise to return felt like a fragile thread connecting them, and she was determined to hold on. at that moment, all she could think about was the warmth of their last moments together. The memories flooded back, contrasting sharply with the emptiness now surrounding her. "I will wait for you, Ishira. No matter how long it takes." . CHAPTER 6 Two years had passed since the war with the demons had begun¡ªtwo long years filled with treachery, fear, and constant battles that left the kingdom of gaskga on the brink of collapse. In a desperate bid to forge a stronger alliance, King asher summoned his daughter, Princess Yue, to arrange a marriage with the Prince of Andreas. While the thought of an arranged marriage dulled her spirit, Yue accepted the kingdom''s survival outweighed her personal desires. The ongoing war made it difficult for the nobles to remain independent, as loyalty appeared more fragile than ever. Even amidst the turmoil, the king''s priority was clear protect the realm. Knowing their knights were tied to the defense of the kingdom, he recalled Sandra to devise a different plan to escort the princess safely through the perilous Jungle of Carvia. "Sandra," the king commanded, "find mercenaries who can ensure Yue''s safe passage. We need the best." His voice was firm, and Sandra nodded, her mind racing through the options. After years in the guild, she knew of a team notorious for their recklessness, yet they always managed to succeed against overwhelming odds. They were unpredictable but capable. The next morning, Sandra set off to find Simon, the leader of the Mecc Team¡ªa rugged band of mercenaries known for their unconventional methods. As she entered the bustling hall of the guild, the familiar scents of sweat, smoke, and ale filled her senses. She spotted Simon at the far end of the bar, his scruffy beard and disheveled appearance telling tales of late nights and emptied bottles. "Hi, Simon. Long time no see," she called out, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. Simon turned, a mock look of surprise lighting up his face. "Oh, God. Why is my beautiful ex-wife here? Did you miss me already?"Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Sandra shot him a withering glare, raising her middle finger in response. "F*ck you, alcoholic." He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "So, what brings you back to this lovely establishment? Surely the knights aren''t paying you enough to become an adventurer now." Sandra took a moment to collect her thoughts. "I need your team to escort the princess through Jungle Carvia. You''ll ensure her safety from monsters and thieves alike." Simon''s expression turned serious. "The Jungle is swarming with high-level monsters and demons. You know our team is the most likely to perish first in a war." With a sigh, Sandra pressed her lips together, trying to convey her trust. "I know, but you''re the only one I can rely on. Out of everyone, I trust you the most. Will you do it?" A fit of laughter escaped his lips, though uncertainty clouded his eyes. "Damn, this is why I hate you, Sandra. You always use your charm against me." He looked up with a calculating gaze. "What about the payment?" Sandra raised an eyebrow, knowing he''d try to negotiate. "Three thousand gold pieces for each member, plus five hundred for me." "Ha!" he scoffed, shaking his head. "Five thousand for each and a thousand for you. What do you say, darling face?" "Okay, fine." She exhaled sharply, knowing he would push her. "But I know you''ve always hiked the price. Let''s meet next week at the gate. Don''t be late; I can''t stand looking at your face for too long." As she turned to leave, Simon sighed internally, knowing all too well that this task wouldn''t come without its challenges. "Ishi, I know you''re there," he muttered under his breath, peering into the shadows of the rooftop. A figure emerged silently, a young boy with an intimidating presence. "Don''t show yourself during this mission unless the princess is in real danger," Simon instructed. Ishi simply nodded, vanishing again into the darkness. Simon couldn''t shake the sense of dread forming in his chest. He had recruited the boy two years ago for his skills, a talent for stealth and combat that made him a significant asset. Yet, Simon also recognized the predator lurking within¡ªa force that might tip the mission into bloodshed. "Let''s hope this goes smoothly," he murmured to himself, raising his tankard to take another swig of beer. Chapter 7 they meet at the gates. Simon and his team greet Sandra and Yue, and he introduces his team: the tank (Rough), the archer (Stella), and the fighter (Miki). "This is our team," says Simon. Yue welcomes them, saying, "Hello, I''m Princess Yue. Nice to meet you! I hope our journey will be smooth." Rough reassures her, "Don''t worry, Princess. We will keep you safe until we reach our destination." Sandra whispers to Simon, "Where''s the other one? There should be five, right?" Simon responds, "He''s our ace. He will always protect us in the dark, so don''t worry." "Who is he? Why not introduce him to us?" Sandra asks. "He''s shy, but the priority will be the princess. He will ensure her safety first." After packing everything, they begin their journey. Yue watches the team chat happily while protecting her. "Your team really knows how to have fun. Is it hard to be an adventurer?" "If my finances weren''t so bad, I would never work this kind of job. It plays with lives and discards humanity. You''ll be haunted by nightmares." Yue listens intently to Simon''s words; it sounds tough to be an adventurer. That night, they need to camp, looking near the lake to ensure they can bathe and sleep properly.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Sandra asks Simon, "Why can''t I see any monsters in the jungle?" "Don''t worry; it''s our ace''s job. He keeps the path clear of any danger at night." He tells Sandra and Yue to take a bath near the river. They head to the river for a wash. Sandra glances at Yue. "Wow, you have something spicy there!" Yue shyly responds, "Don''t tease me!" "Do you still miss him?" Yue replies, "Yeah, I will always wait for him." Sandra hugs Yue and reassures her, "It''s okay. I think he will be safe. He''s strong enough, you know." Yue smiles, but her sadness can''t be hidden from her face. Meanwhile, Simon summons Ishii, who is covered in blood. "How''s the road?" Simon asks. Ishii nods. Simon feels relieved and tells Ishii, "Don''t push yourself too hard; go sleep. Okay, go before it gets worse." The next morning, "Let''s go. We need to continue our journey. It will be tough; we will pass through the orc village." Suddenly, on their path, they encounter a girl who appears injured. As they approach her, she pulls out a knife and swings it at Sandra, but Simon pulls her back just in time. The girl sneers, "Wow, what do we have here? Just a bunch of humans trying to cross the jungle with some newbies." Suddenly, she transforms into a demon. The archer attempts to shoot her, but the demon catches the arrow effortlessly. "Oops, you dared to shoot me!" the demon snarls in anger. The demon charges at the archer, but Rough holds him back with his shield. "Not today, ugly dog!" Rough shouts. Miki delivers a powerful punch, sending the demon flying. "What an annoying monster!" Simon takes aim and shoots the demon with his holy gun, killing it. "Ah, crap! My clothes are covered in blood. Are you okay, Yue?" She is shocked but fine. "Don''t worry; our team can handle one against five against a low-level demon. You''ll be okay." Stella adds, "Boss, something seems fishy. It looks like this demon was being controlled by something." Simon looks closely and exclaims, "Ah, shoot! We just killed a puppet of a high demon. It looks like we''re in for a bloodbath on our journey." The high demon (the puppeteer) watches them from afar, smiling. Unbeknownst to Simon and his team, they are about to face a wave of 1,000 monsters.