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| Original Title | 舌を噛み切った女 |
|---|---|
| Author | 室生 犀星 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the rugged mountains where bandit clans vie for power, Sutehime—a woman raised among outlaws—navigates a perilous existence between loyalty and desire. Bound to Hakamano Maro, her aging guardian and husband, she chafes under his possessive control while drawn to the fiery youth of Nobushino Masaru. When a noblewoman from the capital becomes entangled in their raids, Sutehime’s unexpected act of mercy sparks a fragile alliance, revealing her longing for a world beyond bloodshed and stolen finery. Yet tensions erupt as rival leader Kainoumasuke, consumed by obsession, forces a violent confrontation that leaves Sutehime forever altered. Her defiance—marked by a gruesome act of survival—unleashes consequences that ripple through the stronghold, fracturing trust and awakening dormant hungers. As secrets fester and alliances crumble, Sutehime’s resilience is tested by betrayal, forbidden motherhood, and the haunting allure of a life she once scorned. Amidst autumn’s fading light, her choices threaten to unravel the fragile order binding mountain and capital—or forge a path no bandit dare tread. |