Yoshiko is on her own—and the road ahead is uncertain.

In the aftermath of devastating loss, she begins to plan her next steps. If she’s going to reclaim her domain, she’ll have to start from the bottom. Among the people. Quietly, carefully, and without support.

But a half-remembered conversation haunts her—something a shopkeeper once said about a foreign man who helps those in need. A stranger with no obligation to her.

And the question lingers: why would he help her at all?

This is Chapter 11 of Origin Curse, read by the author.