The festive chaos of the city swirled around them as Yuki and his men walked through the bustling streets, their heads bowed from the battle they'd just survived still heavy on their shoulders. The crowd cheered their return, "Make way for the heroes of the South!" someone shouted, and the air was filled with excitement. But to Yuki and his soldiers, there was no joy in the celebration-just the looming burden of what was to come.

Behind them, the large paper dragon floated in the air, its vibrant colors and intricate design a stark contrast to the somber faces of the soldiers. As they made their way through the crowd, the clamor of the people growing louder, Y/N rode up beside Yuki, her face urgent and tense. Her voice cut through the noise as she called out his name, "Captain!"

Yuki slowed his horse, taken aback by her sudden appearance. He looked at her, his expression clouded with uncertainty. "Y/N?"

"The Northern army are alive! They're in the city!" she said, her tone sharp and warning, filled with urgency.

Yuki didn't react as she expected. His face remained distant, almost dismissive. "You don't belong here, Y/N. Go away," he said coldly, as if her presence were nothing more than a nuisance. But Y/N wouldn't back down. Her eyes burned with a mixture of anger and desperation. "I saw them in the mountains! They're alive, and they're coming for the city!"

His gaze hardened, the coldness in his voice sharp as he retorted, "Why should I believe you?" His words stung, and his indifference cut deeper than any sword.

"Why else would I come back?" Y/N's voice wavered only slightly as she pressed on, her emotions spilling out.

For a long moment, Yuki didn't say anything. His eyes met hers briefly, but he didn't soften. He simply turned his horse and nudged it forward, dismissing her words with a flick of his reins. The gap between them grew as he continued on, leaving Y/N with nothing but the sound of the crowd and the cold wind.

Frustration surged within her, but she didn't give up. She quickly turned her gaze toward the three men trailing behind Yuki-Taishi, Tatsunori, and Tomo. She could see the doubt in their eyes, the questioning glances they exchanged. But they were loyal to Yuki, and their leader's word was final. Still, Y/N couldn't afford to wait idly by.

"Keep your eyes open," she said, her voice firm, her resolve steeled. "I know they're here. We can't afford to be caught off guard."

With that, she turned back to the crowd, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that she couldn't do this alone. But she had to try. Yuki's trust had always been a distant dream, something she had once trained, fought for and lost. Now, it seemed like that trust might be all that stood between the city's survival and its destruction.

As the celebration continued around her, Y/N felt the weight of the city's fate resting in her hands, and she knew she had to act fast. The Northern forces were close. And if she couldn't make them believe in her warning, it would be too late.

The Southern army stood at attention, their armor
gleaming in the sunlight as they climbed the massive steps leading to the Great Palace. The paper dragon followed behind them, its colorful form swaying. The noise of the cheering citizens faded as they entered the palace grounds, where the Emperor awaited them at the top of the steps.

"My children, heaven smiles down upon the South as we will sleep safely tonight," the Southern lord proclaimed, his voice booming with pride and gratitude. "Thanks to our brave warriors."

Yuki stepped forward, his gaze steady as he held up the sword he had retrieved from the battlefield. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice resolute. "I present to you the sword of the General from North."

The Southern lord's eyes softened with understanding, his hand raised to acknowledge Yuki's efforts. "I know what this means to you, Captain Ishikawa. Your father would have been very proud."

The weight of those words seemed to hang in the air for a brief moment, before a sudden disturbance broke the silence. A hawk swooped down from the sky, its wings flapping wildly as it snatched the sword from Yuki's hands. The bird carried it upwards to the roof of the palace, where a line of stone gargoyles perched ominously. One of the gargoyles stirred, moving with eerie precision as it took the sword in its stone grip.

Before anyone could react, four members of the Northern army burst out of the paper dragon, their faces hidden behind masks of war. Two of them seized the main lord of the South, dragging him inside the palace with force.

"No!" Yuki shouted, his voice filled with rage and disbelief as he rushed toward the great doors.

But the other two Northern soldiers blocked his path, keeping him stalled while their comrades made their escape with the Southern lord. Yuki fought against the soldiers, but they were too quick, too prepared.

"Come on!" Tomo shouted, his voice full of urgency as he ran toward the palace with the others close behind.

The Northern army, however, was already closing the massive doors of the palace. The air was thick with tension as Yuki pounded his fist against the doors, unable to reach the captives in time. On the roof, the Northern General let out a loud, triumphant laugh, the sound of it echoing down into the courtyard like a mocking cry of victory.

The Southern army, desperate to break in, tried to push against the palace doors. They used all their strength, hurling themselves against the door with a pillar, but the great doors wouldn't budge.

Standing back, Y/N observed the scene with a furrowed brow. The words of the Northern General rang in her mind, and a heavy weight settled in her chest as she realized they were running out of time.

"They'll never reach the Lord in time," she murmured to herself, watching the Northern soldiers disappear into the palace. Her eyes darted around the courtyard, searching for any possible way in.

Her gaze fell on the tall pillars beside the palace, their stone structures reaching high into the sky. An idea sparked in her mind. A plan formed. Without hesitation, she turned to her companions. "Hey guys! I've got an idea!"

Taishi, Tatsunori, and Tomo exchanged skeptical glances but quickly followed her lead. "What's your plan?" Tatsunori asked, his tone uncertain but willing to follow with you giving him a smug look as an answer.

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

Without wasting another second, the three of them started stripping off their heavy armor and weapons, putting on the loose-fitting dresses they'd received from the villagers earlier. The dresses were light, flowing with the breeze, but their silk belts were sturdy enough to help them climb.

The three men, though awkward at first, untied the silk belts around their waists, their faces filled with disbelief as they began to climb the pillars. Y/N quickly demonstrated the technique-just like when she retrieved the arrow in training, using the support of the belts to climb higher.

One by one, the group began scaling the stone columns, their movements growing more synchronized as they reached the tops. Yuki, who had been hesitant, finally followed suit, pulling off his cape and tying it around the pillar before starting his own climb. His face was grim, but there was a fire in his eyes. His father's honor weighed on him, and he knew they couldn't afford to fail now.

The wind howled around them as they ascended, the Great Palace looming over them. The Northern army had already made their move, but this was the Southern army's final chance to stop them-and they would not let it slip away.

Y/N adjusted her dress, looking over her companions-Taishi, Tatsunori, and Tomo-dressed in flowing silk robes and makeup, attempting to look like women. She stopped a giggle, taking in their awkward disguises, then clapped her hands to get their attention.

"Okay, any questions before we do this?" she asked.

Tomo tilted his head and tugged at the fabric around his waist. "Does this dress make me look fat?"

Before Y/N could respond, Tatsunori smacked the back of Tomo's head. "Seriously? Priorities!"

"Ow!" Tomo muttered, rubbing the back of his head, but Y/N shook her head, stifling a laugh. "Alright, focus. Let's go."

The group approached the men stationed at the door, giggling loudly and swaying their hips as they neared. The guards straightened up immediately, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Who's there?" one of them barked out, stepping forward. His companion squinted at the group and muttered, "Concubines. Ugly concubines."

Before they could react, an apple rolled out from Tatsunori's dress and onto the ground. The first guard bent down to pick it up, holding it up with a puzzled expression. The hawk perched nearby let out a screech, having noticed Yuki hiding in the shadows. Yuki reacted swiftly, throwing a kunai with precision that silenced the bird before it could alert the rest of the guards.

The first guard handed the apple back to Tatsunori, his brow furrowed in confusion. But before he could say anything, the three men simultaneously pulled fruit out of their dresses and attacked. Apples, oranges, and peaches flew as they knocked the guards unconscious with surprising efficiency.

"Yuki! Go!" Y/N shouted, drawing his attention.

Yuki didn't waste a second, rushing up the stairs and into the main chamber where the Northern general held the Southern lord captive. Inside, the Northern general was towering over the lord, his sword gleaming in the light.

"I tire of your arrogance, old man," the general snarled, his voice filled with venom. "Bow to me!"

But the Southern lord remained steadfast, his voice unwavering as he replied, "No matter how hard the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it."

The general's face twisted in fury. "Then you will kneel... in pieces!" he roared, raising his sword high.

Before the blade could fall, Yuki charged in, intercepting the strike with his own blade. The clash of steel echoed in the room as Yuki swung around a pillar, using his momentum to kick the Northern general square in the face.

From behind, Y/N shouted, "Taishi! Get the lord!"

Taishi nodded, springing into action. He lifted the old lord with ease and apologized quickly, "Sorry, Your Majesty." Without hesitation, he secured the lord with his silk belt and slid down the cords that held the palace's decorative paper lanterns.

The Northern general let out an enraged roar as he saw the escape. "No!" he bellowed, turning his attention back to Yuki. Grabbing Yuki by his collar, he smashed the younger man's head against the pillar, dazing him.

Y/N winced at the sight but quickly assessed the situation. Below, Tomo, Tatsunori, and Taishi were waving at her frantically, urging her to come down. "Come on!" Tomo shouted.

But Y/N's eyes locked onto Yuki, who lay semi-conscious on the ground, and the Northern general advancing on him. Her heart pounded as she made a decision. She grabbed the general's discarded sword from where it was lodged in the pillar and cut the cord holding the lanterns. The paper dragon collapsed into the palace, drawing cheers from the crowd below.

The general, now seething with rage, turned his attention to Yuki. He stormed toward him, his face twisted with fury. "You!" he spat. "You took away my victory!"

But before he could reach Yuki, a shoe hit him square in the face.

"No! I did!" Y/N shouted defiantly, standing tall as she pulled her hair back, revealing her true identity. The general's eyes widened as recognition dawned on him.

"The soldier from the mountains!" he growled, abandoning Yuki in favor of pursuing Y/N.

Y/N hastily put her shoe back on and slammed the door shut just as the general reached her. His fist crashed through the wooden door with a deafening crack, but Y/N was already running, her mind racing as she tried to think of her next move.

The Northern general's roar echoed through the palace as he charged at Y/N, his blade slicing the air. Y/N's heart raced as she shinnied up a nearby pole to avoid his attack. The general, with a growl of frustration, hacked at the base of the pole. It splintered with a loud crack, sending both Y/N and the pole crashing through the palace wall.

Landing hard outside, Y/N groaned but quickly scrambled to her feet. The general was relentless, already closing the distance between them. Y/N spotted the roofline above and, with adrenaline fueling her, jumped up, grabbing the edge. She pulled herself onto the roof, her breath ragged, and scanned her surroundings for something-anything-she could use to her advantage.

Her eyes locked onto a nearby tower where a celebration rocket was stationed, its long fuse coiled like a lifeline. Without hesitation, Y/N sprinted across the roof and reached the tower. She fumbled with the ignition, managing to light the fuse. The rope burned slowly, sparking as the general climbed after her.

Wasting no time, Y/N darted across the roof to another tower lined with rocket poppers. She skidded to a halt, backing up to measure the distance with her hands, while below, the crowd erupted in gasps and shouts.

"On the roof! LOOK!" someone bellowed.

The lords, soldiers, and Southern lord all turned their eyes upward. Tomo, Tatsunori, and Taishi stood frozen, watching Y/N's daring maneuver. Even Yuki, battered but still standing, raised his gaze to the spectacle above.

The general smashed through the roof behind her, splinters flying in all directions. He charged, swinging his sword with deadly intent. Y/N, using her agility, narrowly avoided the blade, twisting and ducking under his strikes. Her petite frame gave her an edge, allowing her to slip just beyond his reach.

In a desperate move, she pulled out a folded paper fan from her belt.

The general sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "It looks like you're out of ideas."

He drove his sword through the fan, but Y/N, quick as ever, snapped it shut around the blade. With a sharp twist, she disarmed him, spinning the sword around in her hands.

"Not quite," she replied, her determined gaze locking with his.

Seizing the moment, Y/N kicked the general in the face, sending him stumbling backward. She followed up with a swift leg sweep, tripping him. As he fell, she pinned his shirt to the roof with the sword, locking him in place.

The rocket she had lit earlier finally launched, its fiery tail blazing through the sky. It hurtled directly toward them. Y/N's eyes widened as she realized the trajectory. "Get down the roof, get down the roof, get down the roof!" she chanted frantically, scrambling to find her footing.

The rocket slammed into the general, propelling him across the roof and into the opposite tower, where it detonated in a brilliant explosion of fireworks. The crowd below erupted in cheers and gasps, the night sky lighting up with dazzling colors.

Y/N, thrown off balance by the blast, leapt for a hanging lantern cord. She caught it mid-air, swinging down gracefully as the tower behind her erupted in more fireworks. She landed unceremoniously on Yuki, who was running down the palace stairs.

"Oof!" Yuki grunted as they tumbled to the ground together.

The two scrambled to their feet, Y/N glancing back at the roof just as the general's sword clattered to the ground nearby. The explosion above painted the night in fiery hues, marking the end of the battle.

The chaos had barely settled when the old secretary, Haruto, came storming into the grand hall of the Southern palace, his face flushed with fury. His sharp voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd like a blade.

"That was a deliberate attempt on my life!" Haruto bellowed, his finger trembling as he pointed in the direction of Y/N, who stood partially hidden behind the trio of Taishi, Tatsunori, and Tomo. Yuki stepped forward, his shoulders square as if shielding her from the man's rage. "Where is she? And now she's done it! That's a mess! Stand aside, that creature is not worth protecting!"

Haruto's rant was relentless, his scornful gaze fixed firmly on Y/N, who stood silently, her hands clenched at her sides.

But Yuki wouldn't stand for it. He took a step forward, positioning himself directly in front of Haruto. "She's a hero!" he declared, his voice unwavering, despite the tension that electrified the room.

Haruto, however, remained unmoved. His lips curled into a sneer as he spat back, "'Tis a woman. She'll never be worth anything!"

Yuki bristled, his fists curling at his sides. "Listen here, you pompous-"

But before he could finish, the deep and commanding voice of the Southern lord boomed through the hall, silencing everyone. "That is enough!"

The room stilled, the air heavy with anticipation. Yuki's defiance faltered, his voice tinged with nervousness as he turned to address the Southern lord. "Your Highness, I can explain-"

But the Southern lord raised a hand, cutting him off. The silent command was clear. Slowly, Taishi, Tatsunori, and Tomo stepped aside, their eyes filled with concern as they revealed Y/N. She stepped forward hesitantly, her gaze locked on the polished floor as she bowed deeply in respect.

The Southern lord's expression was unreadable as he began. "I have heard a great deal about you, Y/N Inoue. You stole your father's katana, ran away from home, impersonated a soldier, deceived your commanding officer, dishonored the Southern army, destroyed my palace-!"

Y/N flinched at each accusation, her head bowing lower with each rising inflection of his voice. The weight of his words pressed on her chest like a boulder.

But then his tone softened, and the next words struck her heart in a way she hadn't expected. "And you have saved us all."

Her head snapped up in shock, eyes wide as she saw the Southern lord bow his head before her. The gesture sent a ripple through the everyone. Even Haruto, flustered and resistant, quickly followed suit, bowing reluctantly. One by one, the three clan lords bowed, followed by the soldiers and citizens in the hall. The wave of respect spread like wildfire until every person in the Southern imperial city was bowing to her.

Taishi, Tatsunori, and Tomo exchanged proud smiles before bowing as well. Yuki, standing tall, hesitated for only a moment before lowering himself in a deep bow. Y/N, overwhelmed by the sight, looked around in disbelief. She had never imagined this moment-a moment when her worth would be acknowledged, her actions respected.

The Southern lord straightened, his voice steady as he called out, "Haruto!"

The secretary flinched and stepped forward nervously. "Y-Your Excellency?"

"See that this woman is made a member of my council," the Southern lord commanded.

Haruto balked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "W-What? But, Your Majesty, there are no council positions open!"

The Southern lord raised a brow, his tone calm but firm. "Very well. You can have his job," he said, motioning to Haruto, who visibly paled.

"My...? Wha...?!" Haruto stammered before fainting on the spot, collapsing into a heap on the floor. The room erupted in muffled chuckles and whispers, the tension breaking slightly.

Y/N took a step forward, her voice tentative but resolute. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I think I've been away from home long enough. It's time I return home to my family."

The Southern lord studied her for a moment before nodding with understanding. "Then take this," he said, holding out a pendant, its intricate