Volume 6 Chapter 15 A Flag Stands Tall
"Let me backtrack a bit here ── Rouza-sama is not the legitimate child of the shogun's main wife, but rather a child of a concubine. Moreover, in terms of birth order, he is the third, including the children of the main wife."
"Huh? Didn't that Rouza guy claim to be the legitimate son?"
"In Rouza-sama's case, 'legitimate son' doesn't mean the eldest son, but rather it signifies 'successor.' Despite having two elder brothers above him, he was chosen by the shogun as the heir."
The Egawa family is said to have pacified a country that had been at war for a long time. As the heir, the responsibility must be great. It's not a position to be chosen lightly due to whims or folly.
"Is the shogun's child in such a dire situation that even a foolish playboy son seems better... or is it not?"
"Even considering that, does it mean Rouza-san is exceptional?"
In order to lure me, who has Mikage as a companion, the group from Rouza disguised the damage caused by the monsters. Despite being quite reckless and risky, they managed to clean up the aftermath properly in the end.
"At first glance, it may seem like he acts on a whim, but there is always reason behind his actions and a purpose. Yukina-sama should have sensed that in this situation as well."
Rather than acting without thinking ahead, he had a plan from the start. Though he may seems reckless, there might be a calm side of him somewhere.
"Furthermore, his skills are not inferior to my brother Getsuya. In the swordsmanship dojo run by our Shiraha family, he is a skilled individual second only to my brother, who holds a Kaiden's license."
Kaiden's license?
'It's something given when the master has taught all the techniques to the disciple. It's like a seal of approval from the master.'
Keeping Gram's notes in mind, I listen to Mikage's story attentively.
"Unfortunately, I ran away from home before obtaining the Kaiden's permission of the master..."
The somewhat self-deprecating tone was because Mikage's expression clouded as she spoke. Surely, memories of her hometown cast a shadow over her.
"Man, Rouza's specs are off the charts. Good lineage, skilled with a sword, and sharp in the head... Isn't that a bit too much to ask for?"
"Oh, are you feeling jealous?"
"I do envy him, but I know sulking won't change anything."
Even though Kyunei teased with a mocking look, extreme negative feelings didn't arise, perhaps because there had always been outstanding individuals like that around. There was some jealousy, but it was manageable enough to talk about lightly.
However, apart from that, there was something about Rouza that bothered me.
'I know that guy is dangerous, and even you understand, partner.'
There was no need for Gram to point that out again.
During the battle between Getsuya, who had hidden his identity, and Mikage, I tried to strike without giving him an opening, swinging my black spear. However, Rouza intervened and blocked the attack.
Since becoming a mercenary, I've gained some experience and survived tough situations. I've faced opponents faster than myself and gained experience in combat.
Above all, I've sparred with Mikage daily through training. Even if my body's reactions can't keep up, my eyes can barely follow. Though I may lose sight at times, I've developed enough to understand why I lost even if I do lose.
Yet, the moment Rouza blocked the black spear with his monk staff.
Looking back now, there was no sign of him at all.
Truly, it felt like he appeared out of nowhere when I finally noticed.
Furthermore, I can't ignore the fact that he managed to catch the black spear itself.
With the Enchantment - Weight Increase, my strength is far from ordinary. It might sound strange to say this myself, but there aren’t many in this royal capital who can withstand my power. Yet, Rouza completely blocked my strike. It’s been a while since I felt like I was hitting solid metal.
'Clearly, he's not someone you can take lightly.'
If that azure monk staff has similar properties to the black spear, it must have some special ability. It’s unclear if that’s the source of the strange feeling, but if we face off, it won’t be easy.
If possible, I hope that was the last time I have to cross weapons with him.
'The flag is raised at this moment.'
So noisy.
"Even though he said he joined a swordsmanship dojo, Rouza-san didn’t carry a sword. Maybe because he had his guards with him?"
"Probably because he had that monk staff."
Mikage touched on the very thing I was thinking about in response to Aina’s valid point.
"That’s the Touga, a treasured item passed down through the Egawa family. It’s inherited by each head of the family and serves as both a symbol of their authority and a weapon. I’ve heard that in past wars, the heads of the Egawa family wielded that azure monk staff on the battlefield. Unfortunately, I don’t know more details."
Since Touga proudly declared itself the ‘symbol of the head’, it’s likely that Mikage’s story is true, even though only Gram and I heard it.
'So, does that mean the past heads of the family were also that reckless? How did they manage to become king? Either their advisors were extremely competent, or they themselves were exceptionally skilled.'
Now Gram was grumbling, echoing the same thoughts I had earlier.
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