Volume 1 Chapter 14 The Great Villain Of The World, Making A Wish To Father
"I have acted rudely to His Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
I'm telling Father about what happened until I found Seirei.
After leaving the general office, I found Ryougen-kun's carriage in town.
I approached that carriage and asked about Seirei.
"His Royal Highness the King's younger brother forgave me, but it doesn't change the fact that I was rude. I approached when he was relaxing and spoke without permission."
"...Hmm."
Father crossed his arms and looked deep in thought. I continued.
"Yet, His Royal Highness the King's younger brother ordered his subordinates to search for Seirei. When she was about to be caught by Ryuu Gen and the others, those people helped me. It was the martial artist Raikou-sensei and a boy named Sui Kaou."
"I see..."
"I told His Royal Highness the King's younger brother, 'I will repay this favor someday.' If I break that promise, it would tarnish Father's name. So, could you please give me to meet His Royal Highness the King's younger brother?"
I bowed my head.
I truly want to express my gratitude.
In "History of the Sword Master," Ryougen-kun was cornering Kou Tenhou with his cleverness and popularity.
He's someone you don't want as an enemy, so I have to be as polite as possible.
Also, this is a chance to become a disciple of Raikou-sensei.
Raikou-sensei is supposed to be a user of the "Four Divine Steps."
That's why she was running on walls, and seeing that shows how high her mobility is.
Before I lost consciousness, I told her, "Please take me as your disciple."
Raikou-sensei nodded, but... that was just in that moment.
To make sure it's not vague, I need to properly become his disciple.
"...I'm surprised."
After a while, my father tilted his head.
"There are such coincidences. I'm quite surprised."
"Coincidence, you say?"
"Before, I discussed with Gyokushi and Kairyou, and we decided to have you become a disciple of His Royal Highness the King's younger brother... Ryougen-kun. We were preparing for that."
"Is that so!?"
"It was Kairyou who suggested it. There are many martial artists around Ryougen-kun. Among them, there might be someone who can help Tenhou's talent grow. So, we were about to ask Ryougen-kun."
"I see..."
I get it.
I was being helped by my family without even knowing it...
...Well, that makes sense.
If a regular person jumps in front of the younger brother of the king's carriage, they can't complain if they get killed, right?
Was I forgiven because of my father?
"Thank you very much. The reason His Royal Highness the King's younger brother listened to my story is that my father conveyed my situation to him, right?"
"No, I haven't told him yet."
"...Huh?"
"Just when I was about to tell him, Seirei was kidnapped."
"...What?"
"Besides, you are the one who wrote my letter. Do you remember writing a letter addressed to Ryougen-kun?"
...That's right.
So, Ryougen-kun listened to me because he was a good person...
If I had been unlucky, I could have been cut down by the guards without question.
...Sigh.
"Why are you turning pale now? I can't tell if you're brave or cowardly."
"I'm a coward. I am."
I sighed.
"I'm really worried about the time I was rude to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at my father's workplace. During the 'ki' energy comparison, I accidentally let His Royal Highness's 'ki' slip away... and as a result, His Royal Highness fell."
"I heard that was just a game."
"Still, it doesn't change the fact that I was rude to His Royal Highness. I have to apologize properly――."
"Well, according to Kairyou, it seems that it has been forgotten. His Royal Highness was there and said, 'I just slipped. I was not rolled over.' You all saw nothing, understood?'."
"...Is that so?"
"His Royal Highness probably regrets challenging the younger ones to a 'ki' energy comparison. If you're curious, I can arrange an opportunity for an apology later. Is that okay?"
"Y-yes. Please do."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is fine with this... but we must directly thank Ryougen-kun."
Father stroked his beard and smiled.
"Let's go with me, you, and Seirei to pay our respects."
"Thank you, Father."
"Now, about the apprenticeship..."
"Ryougen-kun has a teacher named Raikou-sensei. I would like to become her apprentice. I've already discussed it, so I just need Ryougen-kun's permission."
"Understood."
"I will write the letter for you. Can I borrow some paper and an inkstone?"
"Right now? Why don't you take a little break first?"
"The Kou family has received great favors from His Royal Highness the King's younger brother. I think we should repay them as soon as possible."
"I understand that, but wait a moment."
"...Why is that?"
"Seirei is peeking in from the other side of the door."
I turned around when I was called.
The door to my father's room was slightly open, and I could see Seirei's face.
She looked nervous, glancing over here. My mother was also behind her.
It seemed they came to check on me with my mother's approval.
"Seirei is really worried about you. You should talk to her first."
My father said with a wry smile.
I took Seirei and went back to my room.
My father promised to talk about Ryougen-kun.
For now, I was told to rest and take it easy.
"...Brother."
Seirei looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"Brother. Brother... Seirei is... um,"
"I'm just glad you're safe, Seirei."
I said.
"And... it was Seirei who brought His Royal Highness the King's younger brother's subordinate to help us, right? Thanks to you, we were saved."
I heard that Ryougen-kun had sent his subordinates to look for me and Seirei.
Raikou-sensei was one of them.
When she met Seirei, she accurately told them where I was.
"Thank you, Seirei."
"But... it's my fault that you had a terrible time..."
"Ryuu Gen told you that he knew where your mother was, right? It can't be helped."
"I knew that mother had passed away..."
"Even so, Seirei wanted to visit your mother's grave."
People in this world have a strong sense of respect for their parents and ancestors.
It is said that the deceased stay in this world for several days to watch over their descendants.
This was a custom that existed in my previous life, but in this world, it is even stronger.
Because of that, they try to properly bury the dead.
On the other hand, in the game, when Kou Tenhou was executed by being torn apart, or when bodies were left lying around, it meant something like, "No way I'm letting them be buried!"
"Seirei wanted to go to mother's grave and tell her, 'I'm okay,' right?"
"...Yes."
"I understand that feeling. Yeah. It can't be helped."
"Brother..."
"The one at fault is Ryuu Gen, who took advantage of your feelings. Seirei, you're not at fault at all."
"But, but, because of me, you..."
"If that's the case, then Seirei should just be happy instead."
In 'History of the Swordmaster,' it was probably Ryuu Gen who made the opportunity for Seirei to enter the harem.
He probably taught Seirei some weird things and got her into the harem.
Seirei was more of a victim.
If she was deceived, kidnapped, and forced into the harem, it's no wonder her personality would be twisted.
Kou Tenhou in the game might have become a villain because of that.
If his little sister was kidnapped and came back as a bad girl... he would definitely feel responsible.
To escape that self-hatred, he might have desired power and wealth. That could happen.
But I broke the flag for Seirei entering the harem.
All that's left is for Seirei to be happy. If she lives a relaxed life with the Kou family, she won't become a bad girl. She probably wouldn't even think of entering the harem herself.
If that happens, I should be able to avoid destruction.
"I'm fine as long as Seirei is happy."
"...Brother."
Seirei was looking at me with teary eyes.
Then, in a shy tone, she said,
"You said... 'I won't let anyone have Seirei' and 'I'll make Seirei happy.'"
"Yeah."
To be exact, it was 'I'll make her happy,' but I accidentally said 'I (Ore).'
I guess my past life slipped out.
But since Seirei didn't seem to mind, it's okay.
"Is that... your true feelings?"
"Of course."
To avoid reviving the 'harem flag,' I want Seirei to live happily with the Kou family.
Yeah. Nothing is wrong with that.
"...I see."
Seirei's face turned bright red as she held her chest.
Then she had a determined look on her face and said,
"Brother. I want to become stronger."
──She said that.
"I want to get stronger and repay the Kou family. I want to be of help to you, Eishin-sama, Kairyou-sama, Gyokushi-sama, and Tenhou-aniisan."
"I see."
"And I'm not scared of the outside world anymore."
"After what you went through?"
"Yes. Compared to that... other things aren't a big deal."
Seirei held her chest and continued, as if confirming her feelings.
"I want to get stronger... and then, I want to make a lot of friends."
"If that's the case, you should help with the Kou family's social events."
"Social events, you say?"
"My mother isn't very strong, so my older brother handles the connections with other families and nobles. It would really help if Seirei could assist me."
"Y-yes! I'll do my best!"
Seirei said that and smiled.
"So... I have a request for you, big brother."
"What is it?"
"Can we continue to do guiding together from now on?"
"Of course."
"...I'm glad."
Seirei let out a sigh of relief.
With a shy face, she twirled her silver hair around her fingers.
She seemed like a different person from when she first came to the Kou family.
Back then, Seirei had just lost her parents and looked scared of everything around her.
Now... she laughs and gets embarrassed like normal.
It's as if she has regained feelings she had forgotten.
"I, Ryuu Seirei, will continue to serve you, Tenhou-niisan. Please, watch over me, big brother."
Seirei said this with a gentle smile.
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