Yasuke : Rise of the Black Dahlia

Yasuke, Chapter 23 : Tense Encounters

The Spartans made their way to the Kingdom of Neserus, and were finally approaching the entrance. After being greeted by a few Knights in King Musa's Order, they started walking down the golden path. The Golden Path was the infamous long road made by pure gold which led straight to the Kingdom. After remembering what he saw, Domitia began to point out how well the Kingdom looked after being totally destroyed.

"I forgot to tell you guys this." He started. "King Nebuchadnezzar completely trashed the entire kingdom with a wave of energy he unleashed. But, King Musa was able to fix the entire thing immediately."

One of the many other young Spartans caught up to Domitia to ask him a question.

"How did he do that?"

"You should have been here, Kratos." Domitia replied. "He has an ability called Luck Share, which basically allows him to increase his chances of getting the possibilities he favors. And he's able to combine Luck Share with another ability he has called the Sphere of Promise, which can change the quality of both inanimate and animate objects. He would use chi to break pieces of the ground. Then, he would use his Sphere of Promise to fix the broken pieces of the ground. Once he incorporated his Luck Share, the pieces of the ground would not only be repaired, but could also be turned into gold or diamonds."

"That's probably how he got so wealthy." Kratos deciphered.

"Initially, yes." Domitia replied.

The group made their way into the castle, as many villagers began to notice their presence.

"Look! It's the Spartans!" They heard distant voices say.

After a few steps, one knight from Musa's Order appeared before them. It was Mona.

"King Musa already told me that King Leonidas had other matters to attend to." She said. "So, I won't question his absence. He also told me this meeting was urgent, so let's move quickly...follow me."

Mona swiftly led the group around a corner to see Musa's castle in the distance. He was standing at the top of the stairs before the entrance.

"So that's King Musa, huh?" Kratos uttered.

"Yep." Domitia replied. "Hopefully you'll get to see his ability sometime."

"Greetings, Young Spartans." King Musa called out. "Before I begin to tell you what I summoned you here for, I would like to ask you all a question that I want everyone to answer. So, you have permission to speak as freely as necessary."

The young spartans glanced at each other in silence as they awaited what King Musa wanted to ask.

"It may sound strange to hear at first, but I can assure you that there's no ill intention in me asking. Well, I wanted to ask how well will Spartania function without King Leonidas."

"What?" Domitia uttered.

"What type of question is that?" Kratos added.

"Choose your words carefully." Mona interrupted with a cold stare.

"Relax, Mona." King Musa advised. "I granted them the permission to speak freely. It's fine."

"Well, if you ask me, I think we'd operate as usual." Domitia stated. "We'd remain loyal to your allies, we'd continue abiding by our established methods, practically everything would be the same. Except for one thing..."

"We would be sad." Kratos added. "We'd still be able to function. But, our emotional state would be really bad."

"We've told Leonidas multiple times that we would most likely become mildy depressed in the case of his death." Logias explained. "It's just how we are."

"Yeah, that's pretty much how I would respond to that question as well." Mephistopheles chimed in.

"As the next in line to rule, I'd say I probably lose the will to do so." Hercules answered. "It's a position I'd take because I have to, not because I want to."

"So that means all of you would also be willing to lay down your life for his sake?" King Musa asked.

"Of course we would!" Domitia and Kratos said in sync.

"Leonidas is supposed to be the first one to fall if anybody does and he has made it a rule pretty much. But, that's the only one that I probably wouldn't be able to obey." Logias replied honestly. "Especially in the heat of the moment."

"The only ones who would act like Leonidas wants us to are the two Spartan Captains." Mephisto answered. "Instead of trying to save King Leonidas, they'd finish whatever task they were assigned. The rest of us would definitely prioritize his life over the task."

"If that's the case, I probably shouldn't tell you what I was going to." King Musa claimed.

"Wait, is King Leonidas in trouble?" Logias asked as he took a few steps forward.

Mona instinctively entered her guard, but was able to calm her nerves.

"Did something happen to him on his way to the Kingdom of Namunda?" Domitia inquired. "Please, just tell us."

"Well, I have received the news that Leonidas entered the Kingdom of Namunda around the same time you reached the Golden Path." King Musa explained. "He was challenged to a duel by King Nobunaga as soon as he entered."

As soon as they heard that King Leonidas was challenged to a duel, the expression of worry changed to the expression of joy. Domitia and Kratos began to laugh, as everyone's mood began to brighten up.

"You had me concerned for a moment." Logias admitted. "But, we all know King Leonidas is more than capable of taking care of himself when it comes to single duels."

"Being that it's a duel, they shouldn't have the intention of harming each other. We have certain rules to ensure it's a pretty safe contest." Hercules explained. "It's fair to assume that since King Nobunaga was the one who challenged King Leonidas, he accepted those rules that we made for dueling."

"What type of duels do Spartans engage in?" King Musa asked.

"Well, there's two types of duels. A singles duel and a utility duel." Kratos answered.

"A singles duel involves two warriors engaging in close quarter combat. The use of chi and weapons are prohibited unless the two warriors agree on otherwise." Logias continued.

"A utility duel is consisted of a variety of team based war games. The last utility duel was a war race with myself and Logias against Kratos and Domitia." Mephistopheles said. "I carried Logias on my back and Kratos carried Domitia. We were to run from one side of the outer perimeter of Spartania to the other while defending or attacking the other team."

"I see." King Musa stated.

"If King Nobunaga challenged King Leonidas to a singles duel, there's nothing to worry about." Kratos concluded.

"Well, I suppose I should begin the conversation I intended for us to have." King Musa stated as he began to walk down the stairs. "But, it would be better for it to wait until King Leonidas is present and accounted for. How about we all spectate King Leonidas' and Nobunaga's duel instead?"

"Wait, you can do that?" Domitia stated.

King Musa equipped a small pendant that had a translucent space in the shape of a square in the middle of it.

"Yes, young spartan." King Musa replied. "I've learned to transform the impossible into the possible."

The translucent space in the middle projected a block of light that began to show the current events happening in the Kingdom of Namunda.

"Damn, he wasn't joking." Domitia thought as he saw his King waiting for an incoming clash with King Nobunaga's blade. "He really does do the impossible."