Today, Kahn finally welcomed his first short holiday since starting school. At last, he could get away from those little brats, and he felt wonderfully refreshed.
The holiday celebrated the founding of the Fire Nation, but the chosen date was not the anniversary of its founding. Instead, it was the birthday of the Fire Nation's founding emperor. The holiday lasted three days, and even the troops on the front lines would get a day of rest.
Incidentally, they had gotten a new firebending teacher along the way. Apparently, their previous teacher had suddenly decided to join the military and serve his country, and had even joined the most dangerous front line.
Such a fearless spirit had prompted the school administrators to hold a special assembly, urging the students to actively learn from his example.
Yet no one listened.
Apart from Kahn, most of the students here were the children of high-ranking officials and nobles. Even if they joined the military in the future, they would only go to the safest places. Only an idiot would go to the front lines to die.
Kahn could only wish that fellow luck.
On the eve of the holiday, most of his classmates were discussing where their parents would take them on vacation, imagining a wonderful holiday as though the war did not exist.
A hundred years of war had made people accustomed to this way of life. Besides, the flames of war had never reached the Fire Nation's homeland. To the children of the Fire Nation, the world could not have been more peaceful or beautiful.
None of this had much to do with Kahn, though. He could still only obediently stay home and practice firebending over the holiday. He was still far too weak and had no sense of security whatsoever. Besides, Ozai still had his eye on him. Just thinking about it was enough to give him nightmares.
Perhaps only when he had the strength to kick Ozai and punch Iroh could he truly call himself safe.
In a world like this, strength was the greatest guarantee.
On the day of the festival, the city held grand commemorative ceremonies.
Although Iroh had already been "banished to the cold palace," he was still a member of the royal family, after all. So he went with Zuko and Azula to honor their ancestors, leaving Kahn alone to enjoy a relaxing day.
Objectively speaking, war had driven technological development. This was especially true for the Fire Nation, which had only grown stronger and richer as it fought through this prolonged world war. These conditions were reflected in the celebration, whose grand scale astonished even Kahn, a transmigrator.
The next day, Iroh resumed his trips to the Council Chamber, as he had been doing since the war.
He no longer spoke out in opposition and clashed with Ozai as before. Instead, he stood silently behind everyone and watched, offering no opinions, like a mere spectator who enjoyed watching the excitement, as though he had completely given up opposing Ozai.
But from Kahn's observations, Iroh's occasional contemplation at home and some of his unusual behavior indicated that he was not as simple as he appeared.
Kahn did not ask much. The matters a heavyweight like Iroh was considering were very likely beyond the involvement of a small fry like him. Besides, he already had more than enough trouble of his own.
Zuko was still very busy, too. He had many subjects to study, his teachers were strict with him, and Ozai often scolded him. His days were not easy.
Most importantly, he really did obediently accept Ozai's arrangements, rather than exploiting loopholes everywhere like Azula, who even turned the tables and threatened and intimidated her teachers, running wild without restraint.
Kahn wanted to protest on Zuko's behalf. Did being a good person mean you deserved to be bullied?
Just like this time, when Kahn went to the Royal Palace to play with Azula and Zuko. Before long, Zuko was called away to study again, leaving only him and Azula.
Kahn could not help complaining:
"You have to take lessons even during the holidays? Isn't that a little terrifying?"
"No, he only has to take extra lessons because he didn't finish his tasks on time."
Azula gloated.
Kahn was speechless. So you only have yourself to blame, Zuko!
"Forget about him. The real show is only just beginning."
"What?"
Kahn was a little puzzled. Azula rose from the lawn and stretched, then looked back at him and said:
"Time to get to work. This time, we're looking for clues about my mother's disappearance."
"Huh?!"
Kahn froze for a moment.
"This is way too sudden. Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"
Azula blinked, putting on an innocent expression as she said:
"Because I wanted to surprise you. Aren't you touched?"
A surprise? More like a fright!
But Kahn had an answer in his mind, too. Azula probably still did not trust him. Afraid that he would go back on his word and break his promise, she was forcibly dragging him aboard this way.
An ordinary child could not possibly be so calculating, but if it was Azula, it made perfect sense.
Kahn said helplessly:
"I absolutely won't go back on something I've promised, so next time, remember to tell me beforehand if something's happening, so I can prepare."
Hearing Kahn say this, Azula's expression could not help softening a little, but it quickly returned to normal. She spread her hands and said nonchalantly:
"If you insist, then fine."
Then they returned to the matter at hand.
"So, what do we do now?"
"Follow me."
The two began their operation.
Azula's target was the courtyard where Yin Shu had lived. Since Yin Shu's disappearance, it had been placed under guard. Azula thought there might be some clues inside.
Ozai was in the Council Chamber at the moment, and Zuko was not around to get in the way. It was the perfect opportunity to act.
Kahn followed Azula along the walls, leaping between the palace eaves and passing over the guards' heads. Every movement set his heart racing.
This is the Royal Palace! If I get caught, I'm absolutely dead. This is too damn much of a test!
Yet this excitement did not affect Kahn's movements. Instead, it made him more cautious and careful, and he gradually adapted to this state.
[Stealth] level up!
Kahn found amusement amid his misery.
Although Azula had not told him the plan in advance, she had made thorough preparations beforehand. She knew their route, the guards' patrol routes, and the times of the shift changes inside out.
Azula said casually:
"I play games like this all the time."
What else could he say? He could only double-tap in applause. This child was terrifying indeed, and would surely accomplish great things in the future!
Two soldiers guarded the entrance to Yin Shu's bedchamber. The two of them landed lightly on the roof, and Azula said to Kahn:
"You take the left. I'll take the right."
"Won't that cause too much of a stir? How will you explain it afterward?"
Azula sneered:
"They failed in their duties as guards and were knocked unconscious by the enemy. They'll be the only ones in trouble. As for me, don't worry. I can handle my father."
Kahn could only observe three seconds of silence for the two guards. He dropped down at the same time as Azula, easily knocked the guards unconscious, then pushed open the door and entered.
The room was large. The two split up to search, one going left and the other right. Kahn silently offered an apology for the intrusion and began rummaging around.
Unexpectedly, Kahn soon found a letter beneath the desk.
The two began examining the envelope. Within moments, Azula's expression turned exceedingly ugly.
Before you continue