Volume 1 Chapter 11 Seirei, Knowing His Brother's Feelings
──Seirei's Perspective──
"...I'm sorry, Tenhou-niisan."
She was being dragged along as she walked.
Her uncle, Ryuu Gen, was showing off a dagger, and it scared her.
Uncle Ryuu Gen had a bad reputation, which is why he was cut off from the Ryuu Family.
She never thought someone like him would visit the Kou family.
Honestly, she didn't plan to talk to him at all.
But Seirei was curious about the letter Ryuu Gen sent.
'I know where your mother is.'
That was what the letter said.
Seirei had something she really wanted to confirm.
So, she went to listen to him.
However, when Seirei got closer to Ryuu Gen, other men appeared from behind him.
Seirei was threatened with the dagger and ended up being carried away like a piece of luggage.
She saw Hakuyou, who tried to help her, get hit and fall down.
When she saw that... tears overflowed and wouldn't stop.
──Why am I like this?
──Why do I make the people around me unhappy?
──Why can't I live quietly?
Is she... carrying a cursed fate?
Maybe her parents' deaths are her fault too.
If that's true, will she end up causing trouble for the Kou family someday?
Will she hurt her precious, Tenhou-niisan?
(...Should I... stay away from brother?)
She doesn't know where Ryuu Gen is trying to take her.
But if she stays away from Tenhou, she won't cause any trouble.
(...Then... just like this)
She cares about her brother.
She doesn't want to be a burden.
...Just like this, somewhere──
"────Seirei──!!"
Seirei's consciousness, which was about to fall into darkness, awakens.
Tenhou's voice shatters Seirei's anxiety and fear.
What she saw was her brother, running like a cat, crouched low.
With a shock, Her Uncle Ryuu Gen rolls on the ground.
Seirei's freed arms are pulled by a familiar hand.
Right nearby, her brother's face was there.
He was angry.
The usually kind brother had his eyebrows raised, furious.
(──I'm going to get scolded)
Thinking that, Seirei closes her eyes.
But then, the next thing that came was the gentle touch of a hand patting her head.
The brother's face changed from anger to one that looked like he was about to cry.
Even though he was a boy, he was desperately patting Seirei's hair, trying to hold back tears.
"Seirei won't be hurt by anyone."
She heard a voice.
It was a voice that seemed to seep deep into Seirei's heart.
"Seirei, I will make you happy!"
Saying that, her brother──Kou Tenhou stands up.
He protects Seirei with his back while glaring at Ryuugen and his companions.
──Tenhou's Perspective──
...I made it in time.
It was really, really close.
Ahead is the downtown area. It's a messy place with a lot of people coming and going.
If they had escaped there, I wouldn't have been able to catch up.
I'm really... glad I found them before that.
"...Ugh, uhh."
A man with brown hair is lying on the ground.
It's probably because I tackled him with my 'ki' energy.
This man... Seirei's uncle doesn't seem to be a martial artist.
"Are you okay, Seirei?"
"...Yes, brother."
Seirei is looking at me with a dazed expression.
I grab her shoulders and ask,
"Did he do anything terrible to you? Are you hurt? Is there any pain?"
"I'm, I'm fine. It's because you helped me..."
"Listen, Seirei. Even if he's your uncle, it's dangerous to meet him alone."
"...That's true."
"I see. You were told he knows where your mother is, right?"
Father and brother knew about Seirei's mother's whereabouts.
Actually, it seems they got the information just a few days ago.
They were hiding it.
They were waiting for the right moment to tell Seirei and mother so they wouldn't be shocked.
But that led to this situation.
If Seirei had known about her mother, she could have ignored the uncle's call.
"...Hey, Seirei. Your mother――"
"I know she's... gone."
Seirei said that quietly.
The fallen man, Ryuu Gen, opened his eyes wide and looked at Seirei.
"...My mother protected me from the arrows flying at me. I saw several arrows stuck in her back... My mother fell off the cliff with me... At that time, she was already... gone..."
Seirei continues.
"I saw my mother's body... falling down. It hit the rocks below... and then fell into the river... and then..."
"...I see."
That matched the information my brother had told me.
A few days after the Ryuu Family was attacked, a body was found downstream.
The one who discovered it was a soldier patrolling the northern lands.
The body had several arrows in its back――apparently, it was in terrible condition after being thrown against the cliff.
The soldier from the northern fortress confirmed it was the Ryuu Family's lady.
They said they buried her respectfully.
Only a few people know about this.
The report to my father was delayed because a band of bandits appeared in the northern lands.
The soldiers were busy dealing with that and couldn't send a messenger.
So, my father and brother only learned about Seirei's mother recently.
"Then why did you want to meet your uncle?"
"Because my uncle said, 'I know where your mother is.' I thought he knew where her grave was. So, I wanted to visit... and report back..."
Before I knew it, Seirei was crying.
"...I wanted to say that I have a new family, and I'm happy living with Tenhou-niisan! So... so!!"
"That's enough."
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I understand, Seirei."
I hugged Seirei.
I see. Seirei thought her uncle found her mother's body and made a grave for her.
She believed that Ryuu Gen knew the location. That's why she went to ask him.
To visit her mother's grave.
She's happy to be in the Kou family, to tell this at the grave.
"...Uncle Seirei. No, Ryuu Gen."
"――W-what is it?"
"You said you would let her meet Seirei's mother. Didn't you know that her mother is dead?"
"Tch!"
Seirei's uncle――Ryuu Gen spat it out.
He brushed off the hem of his dirty clothes and stood up.
Behind Ryuu Gen, there are 2 men. Are they his buddies?
One has a stick, and the other has a dagger.
They keep their distance, watching us closely.
"Please answer me. Did you deceive Seirei... no, the Kou family?"
I stood protectively behind Seirei and questioned Ryuu Gen.
"Deceive? That sounds bad, Kou family's young master."
Ryuu Gen looked at me with sticky eyes.
"Uncle just came to see his niece. Let's keep others quiet, shall we?"
"Seirei is my little sister."
"That's right. The Kou family made a very good find."
"A find?"
"Some say her silver hair and red eyes are creepy. But we think that's nonsense. There are people who find her hair and eyes beautiful. There are also collectors who like unique things."
"...What are you trying to say?"
"Haha."
Ryuu Gen smiled.
He got closer to me and whispered,
"There's no doubt she's a beauty. Seirei has many uses, you see."
――He said that.
"For example, if I teach her some tricks to please a man, she might even get into the inner palace. If Seirei gives birth to a powerful person's child, both I and the Kou family will be related to that child. What do you think? Can you trust me with Seirei from now on?"
"──!?"
My mind went completely blank.
A heat rose from deep in my chest.
Pain shot through me――I realized I was biting my lip hard enough to draw blood.
What did he just say?
Teach Seirei to 'please a man' and get her into the inner palace?
In other words, that means—
"...It was you. It was you all along."
"Huh? What are you talking about――."
"IT WAS YOU──────!!"
I understood clearly.
It was this guy who sent Seirei from 'History of Swordmaster' into the inner palace.
"'Beast Body Guidance'──'Chicken Leap Kick (Leaping Chicken Kick)'!!"
"──Gah!?"
My kick hit Ryuu Gen's chin.
It was one of the 'Beast Body Guidance' techniques, shaped like a chicken.
It mimicked a chicken fighting and kicking its opponent.
It's a health technique, but it hurts when it connects.
"──Gah!? Ugh, you little brat...!?"
"You are our enemy. We won't let you have Seirei!"
I pushed Seirei's shoulder from behind.
"Run, Seirei."
"Brother!?"
"This guy is an enemy to both me and Seirei!"
In the correct history of the game world, Seirei would probably be taken away like this.
And so, after being taught suspicious tricks, she was brought into the inner palace by Ryuu Gen.
If something like that happened, it's no wonder Seirei would become twisted.
Remembering the painful experiences she went through, she might start doing the same to others.
No way.
I won't let my little sister go through that!
"I'll hold them off. You run to the main street. If you call out to the important person in the carriage, they'll probably help you."
"But, but, what about you, brother..."
"I'm your brother! You have to listen to what your brother says! Right!?"
"Y-yes! Big brother!"
Seirei starts running.
It's only a ten-minute distance to the main street. In the meantime, I'll hold them off!
"Pl-please, master!! Catch them──."
"'Beast Body Guidance'──'Snake's Sweep (Snake Sweeps the Feet)'!!"
Immediately, I transformed into a snake with 'Beast Body Guidance' and slid forward.
I tripped Ryuu Gen, who was trying to chase after Seirei.
But another one was chasing Seirei.
They were an adult. At this rate, they would catch up. Then――
"Seirei!! When I give the signal, use 'Cat Liquidization (Cats Are Liquid)'!!"
"Y-yes!! Big brother!!"
"What are you saying!!"
""1, 2, 3!!""
""Meow!!""
Just before the man grabbed Seirei's collar, Seirei curled up and rolled onto the ground.
She slipped into the narrow gap between the houses.
A space just big enough for Seirei's head to fit.
It's one of the cat forms of 'Beast Body Guidance', 'Cat Liquidization'.
By relaxing one whole body, people can squeeze into any tight space as long as their head can fit.
Seirei has been training with me in 'Beast Body Guidance' all this time.
Especially, Seirei has been focusing on the cat form.
Recently, just for fun, she even crawled under my bed.
There was barely enough space for her head to fit.
For Seirei, slipping into a gap in an alley is an easy task.
"Wh-what!? You can fit in... such a tight space!?"
"It can't be helped. We have to get ahead together──."
"'Chicken's Leap Kick'!!"
I kick at the guy trying to chase Seirei.
But──
Clang!
"...Don't underestimate me, kid."
My attack was easily blocked by another man.
He was dressed in all black and had a stick in his hand. He also had a dagger at his waist.
He moves quickly. He's probably a martial artist.
I wonder if he's their boss.
...'Beast Body Guidance' won't work against a martial artist. That's just a health method.
"Geez. You really made things complicated."
"We were supposed to get paid in advance. What now, Ryuu-san?"
The bodyguards glance at Ryuu Gen.
Ryuu Gen is still crouched down.
He seems unable to believe that Seirei got away.
"I guess we have no choice. Let's take the kid as a hostage!"
"Yeah. We can use him to lure out the sister! Hey, sister! Your brother is done for! We'll chop off his arms and legs──."
"Don't mess with me, you little crooks!!"
They're raising their voices to make sure Seirei hears them.
They're threatening to hurt me to bring her back.
So, I raised my voice to drown out theirs.
"This Kou Tenhou will not die in a place like this!!"
"――Y-you brat!"
"――What!? What the hell are you saying!?"
"My name is Kou Tenhou! The 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin's son, the one who will change the world! The way I die will be either torn apart by oxes or a tragic death in a time of chaos! There's no way this Kou Tenhou is dying here!!"
With my chest puffed out, I looked up at the sky――
I shouted my lines filled with 'ki' energy to the max.
It was reckless.
There were 3 of them. Plus, one was a martial artist.
I had to force myself to get pumped up or I wouldn't make it.
Until Seirei escapes, it'll be a few more minutes.
I have to buy some time somehow.
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