After continuously slaying several people, Koyuki's hand, gripping the long sword, trembled slightly.
This was her first time killing someone with her own hands. Even if the ones she killed were mortal enemies who deserved to die a thousand times over, the immense impact still left her stunned, staring blankly at the corpses on the ground, her breathing becoming labored.
"Koyuki, you did very well."
Shun gently took her still trembling hand, allowing her chaotic thoughts to gradually clear.
Koyuki slowly turned her head, her eyes filled with confusion. "It's over... but I..."
She wanted to say that she didn't know what to do next. But the words caught in her throat, and she swallowed them back. She instinctively leaned closer to him, seeking a bit of support.
Shun saw confusion and helplessness in her eyes. From a princess in exile to personally slaying her enemy, the transformation over these few short days was too heavy for her.
He raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek, saying steadily, "Now is not the time for you to be confused. You are Sosetsu's daughter, the Land of Snow's leader, and the legitimate heir to this country. Ascending the throne to become the new ruler is what you should be doing right now."
Koyuki froze for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes. "Ascend the throne? But I've never learned how to govern a country, I don't know."
"I will teach you, and Sandayu will also help you."
"First step, deal with the surrendered soldiers and officials. Have Sandayu gather them for detention and thorough interrogation."
"Those who followed Dotō in their wicked deeds and have the blood of the common people on their hands, imprison them if they should be imprisoned, kill them if they should be killed, and show no mercy. Only by severely punishing the wicked can the people see your resolve and establish your prestige."
"Second step, once the situation stabilizes, choose an auspicious day and, with your confidants, activate the geothermal generator left by your father."
"When the common people see the ice and snow melt and grass grow, it will be seen as an 'auspicious omen' of you as the new monarch. Adding a bit of mystique will make your rule more secure."
"Third step, based on the current situation of the Land of Snow, formulate timely and advanced systems to help the Land of Snow quickly recover its vitality."
Koyuki listened intently, the confusion in her eyes gradually fading.
She nodded lightly, clutching the bronze key in her hand. It was her father's relic, and also the hope for the future of the Land of Snow.
"Shun, thank you. I know what to do now."
Shun smiled and ruffled her hair. "Don't thank me. This is something you, as the monarch of the Land of Snow, must learn. Now, it's up to you."
As the two spoke, the sound of orderly footsteps came from a distance.
Sandayū was leading over two hundred resistance fighters, taking control of the palace guards one by one.
Most of these soldiers were common people forcibly conscripted by Dotō. Seeing that Dotō was dead and the resistance fighters were numerous, most did not resist and laid down their weapons to surrender.
Sandayū bowed to Koyuki, his face filled with excitement and thrill. "Your Highness! All the palace guards have been brought under control. A total of over three hundred people were captured. Among them, over fifty were Dotō's trusted subordinates, and they have all been imprisoned, awaiting your judgment."
Koyuki took a deep breath and straightened her back. "You've worked hard. First, interrogate the ordinary soldiers and the confidants separately. Especially those who participated in the massacre of loyal officials and oppressed the common people, they must be severely punished without leniency."
A look of surprise appeared on Sandayū's face. After meeting Shun, the princess seemed to have become a different person.
She was no longer the timid exile she once was, but truly possessed the dignity of a monarch.
He quickly bowed and responded, "Your humble servant obeys. I will not fail Your Highness's command."
With that, Sandayū turned and left, continuing to direct the resistance fighters in handling the remaining matters.
In the square, the resistance fighters escorted the surrendered soldiers away in an orderly fashion, the sounds of footsteps and shouts gradually fading.
Seeing Koyuki's performance just now, Shun felt somewhat relieved.
"Let's go, let's take a look inside the palace. This is your palace now, but it needs a good cleaning."
Koyuki nodded, took his right hand, and together they walked into the interior of the palace.
The decorations and murals on the palace walls exuded an old aura, seemingly unchanged for nearly a decade.
Looking at the familiar objects, Koyuki's steps halted.
Childhood memories rushed in like a tide. She was only eight years old then, wearing a blue padded jacket, playing in the palace, with her father standing not far away.
Suddenly, her uncle Dotō burst into the palace with Yukigakure ninjas. She hid behind the rockery and personally witnessed her father fall in a pool of blood.
From that day on, she became an exiled princess and never returned to this palace.
Seeing the glistening tears in her eyes, Shun gently comforted her, "Koyuki, let the past be the past. You should start anew, because you are the new hope of the Land of Snow's people."
The next day, Koyuki's enthronement ceremony took place.
There was no grand music, no elaborate procession. Koyuki, dressed in a red court robe, sat on the throne in the main hall.
Sandayū stood to one side, his voice tinged with apology. "Your Highness, the national treasury is currently empty, so I can only inconvenience you."
Koyuki gently shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the simple arrangements in the hall.
"It's fine. The people of the Land of Snow are still suffering, an extravagant ceremony is meaningless. What I, as the ruler, should do is ensure everyone lives a good life."
Last night, when she reviewed the crime records with Sandayū, she had already learned of the Land of Snow's predicament.
Dotō not only massacred loyal officials but also squandered the national treasury's savings. Even the soldiers' pay was filled by forcibly conscripting the common people's grain.
To hold a grand enthronement ceremony was simply a pipe dream.
Fortunately, Sandayū had arranged for people to print simple newspapers on oil paper and post them in various villages and markets.
It read: "The traitor Dotō has been executed. Koyuki, the legitimate princess of the Land of Snow, will ascend the throne as the new Daimyō tomorrow. At the same time, over twenty officials who oppressed the common people will all be executed."
At this moment, in the square outside the hall, although there was no honor guard, it was packed with common people who had come upon hearing the news.
Most of them wore tattered padded clothes, clutching crumpled newspapers in their hands, craning their necks towards the main hall, their eyes filled with expectation and apprehension.
Over twenty heinous criminals were forced to kneel in the snow in the center of the square.
Koyuki took a deep breath. She rose, and walked to the entrance of the hall, shouting to the people in the square, "My fellow villagers, I, Koyuki, today ascend the throne as the new ruler of the Land of Snow! Dotō brought disaster to the country and harmed the common people! His trusted subordinates aided him in his tyranny, their crimes unforgivable! Today, I declare: all those who participated in oppressing the common people to death, and those guilty of major corruption, shall be immediately beheaded!"
As soon as she gave the order, the heads of over twenty criminals fell.
Blood splattered on the snow, and the common people excitedly raised their hands.
"Well done! The Land of Snow is finally saved!"