Volume 1 Chapter 18 The Great Villain Of The World, Talking With The Crown Prince
──Tenhou's Perspective──
"――So that's how it is. Kaou-shikei came from Souma Country in the south."
As I walked down the hallway, my Shikei and I were talking.
Ryougen-kun's mansion is really huge.
If I didn't have a guide, I would probably get lost.
Kaou-shikei kindly showed me the way.
He told me which route is the shortcut to go outside. He also explained which hallway to take to avoid bothering important people.
During this, we started talking about where Kaou-shikei is from.
"So, Kaou-shikei is an exchange student?"
"Well, something like that."
"...I'm sorry, Shikei."
"...Why are you apologizing?"
"You came all the way from a distant country to learn martial arts. Yet, I just barged in there."
"That's enough."
"Huh?"
"That topic is over. Master has recognized you as a disciple. I have no complaints."
"...You're a nice person, Shikei."
"Ugh, you're so noisy!"
"Once again, I look forward to working with you. Please guide me strictly as your junior."
I bowed my head to my Shikei.
No matter how many times I think about it, the character Sui Kaou does not exist in 'History of the Sword Master.'
Of course, Souma country exists in the game.
It is also related to Aika Country, and there are characters from Souma.
But Kaou-shikei is not among them.
My older brother is related to Kou Tenhou, so it's strange that he doesn't appear in the game... but my Shikei isn't like that. If he's from another country, it makes sense that he doesn't show up. There are only a few characters from Souma Country in the game.
Maybe after my Shikei goes back to Souma Country, he'll live without getting involved in the chaos.
In other words... Kaou-shikei won't become my enemy.
So, I can relax and hang out with him.
"It feels nice to be with you, Shikei."
"What are you suddenly saying!?"
"I'm sorry. I just spoke my mind."
"You're a weird one."
My Shikei glared at me.
"I'll tell you this, I don't want to get too friendly. You're my rival, after all. Just because you're my junior doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. Remember that."
"Yes, Shikei."
"Hmph."
My Shikei turned away.
Maybe I got too comfortable since he's not involved in the game...
While I was thinking about that, as my Shikei and I turned the corner in the hallway――
"Oh, you're still here. A country bumpkin from Souma."
I heard a voice.
Looking ahead, I saw Crown Prince Rouen and a few soldiers.
"A country bumpkin from a small nation in the southwest... If I remember correctly, it's Sui. I was slow to notice you since you were walking like everyone else in Aika Country's clothes. To blind the eyes of this Rouen, well, that's impressive."
The Crown Prince laughed.
The soldiers walking behind him echoed his words.
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince is in good spirits."
Kaou-shikei had a calm expression and clasped hands.
"Thanks to the kindness of His Majesty the King, I am able to study here in Hokurin."
"Kindness, huh? It seems that my father is treating the Souma Country quite well."
The Crown Prince spat out.
"As long as you don't oppose us, we maintain friendly relations. We accept exchange students from tributary nations. No matter how barbaric the land is. That's why you've managed to sneak into the residence of His Royal Highness the King's younger brother. Truly, it's a kindness you should be grateful for."
"...If you wish. Right here."
"I said to thank my father. Who told you to kowtow to me?"
The Crown Prince laughed at the Shikei who was about to kneel.
...What a nasty personality this person has.
In 'History of Swordmaster,' Rouen had become the king of Aika Country.
In the prologue, it was said, "The king of Aika Country, Rouen, was lost in the charms of the wicked woman Seirei and allowed the atrocities of Kou Tenhou."
In the game, all the wrongdoings were blamed on Kou Tenhou.
This person was also said to have gone astray because of Kou Tenhou and Seirei, but is that really true?
If I and Seirei weren't involved, could this person be a normal ruler...?
...Well, that's a story for another time.
Right now, I need to think about my Shikei.
As a junior disciple, I can't just stand by and watch my Shikei being insulted.
From now on, my Shikei and I will train together under Master Raikou. There will be times when I need to rely on my Shikei. As a junior disciple, I should lend a hand.
Thinking about that, I stepped in front of Kaou-shikei.
"Excuse me. I am 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin's child, and my name is Tenhou."
I spoke up when there was a pause in the conversation.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to meet Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"You are... Kairyou's younger brother?"
"Yes. I sincerely apologize for my rudeness the other day. I acted disrespectfully towards Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince at my father's workplace, and I would like to take this opportunity to apologize――."
"What are you talking about?"
Crown Prince Rouen glanced at me from the side.
With a bitter tone, he said,
"Oh, right, I met you at the general office. But that's all. There shouldn't be anything between us, right?"
"...Is that so?"
My father had said, "The comparison of 'ki' energy with the Crown Prince has been forgotten." The Crown Prince regrets challenging me, a younger person, to a 'ki' energy comparison... or so I heard.
I'm not sure if Crown Prince Rouen really thinks that, but since he said there was 'nothing,' he probably doesn't want to talk about it.
In that case, I'll go along with it.
"Excuse me. Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
I clasped my hands towards Crown Prince Rōen.
"Anyway, I am grateful to have met Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"...I see."
"I'm now going to learn martial arts as the younger disciple of Sui Kaou-sama, thanks to Your Royal Highness the King's kindness. I believe it is thanks to the King's great influence that I have gained such a wonderful master and Shikei brother."
While watching the Crown Prince's subtle expression, I continued speaking.
"I hope to learn excellent martial arts from my master and about foreign cultures from my Shikei brother."
"......Tenhou."
"Foreign cultures, huh. Heh. Haha."
The Crown Prince stomped the floor in annoyance before looking at me.
"Is there anything for someone from Aika Country to learn from someone from Souma Country? Souma has only recently been founded. The king has only been around for 2 generations. As a country, it is still just a fledgling, isn't it?"
"A fledgling can grow into a phoenix, you know."
"You, being the child of a general, really don't know much, do you?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"From what I hear, Souma is a small country surrounded by mountains. It sounds nice to say there is plenty of water, but every few years, the rivers flood, and everything gets soaked. As for the tribute for morning offerings, it's just furs caught in the mountains."
"......"
Crown Prince's words made Kaou-shikei clench his fists.
Maybe he found it amusing, because the Crown Prince leaned closer to me and said,
"How do you think such a country will develop in the future? Go ahead, tell me!"
──He snorted, looking quite proud of himself.
...I wish he would stop looking down on Souma Country.
It could lead to diplomatic troubles, and if things go wrong, we might end up making Souma Country our enemy.
I have to live in this world.
After I learn the 'Four Divine Steps,' I plan to become a local official and avoid getting involved with the central government, but that doesn't change the fact that I will be living in this country.
With the Crown Prince acting like this, even without Kou Tenhou, the country might fall into chaos.
It might be unnecessary, but... I'll just give a warning.
I don't know if it will change the Crown Prince's mind, though.
"I must speak."
I bowed to the Crown Prince and said,
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that Souma Country is a land surrounded by mountains."
"Yeah. I said that. So what?"
"Having many mountains means it's easier to find good quality mineral veins, doesn't it?"
"...What?"
"Your Royal Highness mentioned that the tribute from Souma Country is 'fur obtained from the mountains.' This means the people of Souma Country hunt in the mountains. Therefore, they must know a lot about the mountains. Undeveloped mountains often have mineral veins. If we send engineers from our country to cooperate and explore the mountains, we might find good quality mineral veins, don't you think?"
In the game, I could buy good weapons in the Souma Kingdom.
That means that country has weapon materials.
If I search, I might find a good mine.
Also... I remember a conversation with someone from the Souma's town where they said, "Our country doesn't have food shortages."
If that's the case──
"The river flooding means that fertile soil is being brought down from upstream, right?"
"...Hmm, hmm."
"Then, how about sending irrigation engineers from Aika Country? If it goes well, we might create a rich grain-producing area. If that happens, we could buy grains cheaply from the Souma Country."
"......Hmm, hmm!?"
"Your Royal Highness is right; the Souma Kingdom might be like a fledgling bird. If Aika Country helps it grow into a great bird, then we can have a mutually protective relationship, making the battles with the northern tribes easier."
It's certain that the Souma Kingdom will develop from now on.
I hope we don't make that country our enemy.
I need to tell the Crown Prince that "the Souma Kingdom is amazing" and ask him to stop looking down on it.
"What do you think, Your Royal Highness?"
"......Kou Tenhou. You..."
"Your Royal Highness?"
Huh? Why is the Crown Prince glaring at me?
I thought I was just giving a light piece of advice for the future...
"Tenhou."
"Ah, yes. Shikei."
"...Thank you."
I glanced to the side, and Kaou-shikei had a shy look on his face.
"You're amazing. Honestly, I've never seen my own country like that. Even the mountains and the overflowing rivers are a treasure of possibilities... I see."
"Shikei?"
"Thank you for appreciating my country."
He bowed to me.
But then he immediately pouted and said,
"B-but, when it comes to martial arts training, that's different. You and I are rivals! Just because you praised my hometown doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. Don't get the wrong idea!!"
"I just want to learn some self-defense. You should inherit the secrets of martial arts, Shikei."
"That's for the master to decide. Disciples shouldn't give in to each other!"
"But I came later, so..."
"That doesn't matter. The master's evaluation and strength are everything. Got it, Tenhou!"
"Y-yes, Shikei!"
"Uh, um. Then that's good."
He nodded and then looked towards the Crown Prince.
"I apologize, Your Royal Highness."
He said that and bowed his head to the Crown Prince.
"As Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, my hometown is still rural. Compared to the great Aika Country, it's just a chick before it can fly. However, as my junior disciple said... I believe there's a possibility it can become a phoenix in the future."
The Crown Prince didn't respond to his words.
Still, Kaou-shikei slowly chose his words one by one,
"I didn't realize the possibility myself, but my junior disciple taught me. That opportunity was given by Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I am truly grateful for the kindness of Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince... and also for the kindness of His Majesty the King."
"I also apologize for saying something rude."
My Shikei brother and I both clasped hands.
Our timing was perfectly in sync, and we exchanged wry smiles.
The Crown Prince seemed at a loss for words, glaring at my Shikei brother and me in silence.
We didn't move.
In fact, we needed the Crown Prince and the others to move ahead. They have status, after all.
We couldn't just walk past the Crown Prince.
"Your Royal Highness. Ryougen-kun is waiting. Let's go."
"...Ah, okay."
Encouraged by those around him, the Crown Prince began to walk.
My Shikei brother and I kept our hands clasped as we watched him leave.
"Don't get too full of yourself, 'General Skybear's' child."
As he passed in front of me, the Crown Prince muttered quietly.
"Your father could only protect the town from the northern tribes――the Jinkyou tribe. But this Rouen is different. The 'Wolf Cavalry' I lead will decisively change the situation. We will bring lasting peace to the northern lands."
As he said that, the Crown Prince walked past us.
"Oh, Tenhou. You were here."
Right after the Crown Prince left, my father and Seirei came from down the hallway.
It seemed like their meeting with Ryougen-kun had ended.
"Thank you for your hard work, Father."
"Yes. We had a meaningful discussion about national defense. As expected from His Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
"...Brother. Who is that?"
Seirei looked curious behind my father.
I moved next to Kaou-shikei and said,
"This is Sui Kaou-sama. Starting today, he is my Shikei."
"Nice to meet you, 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin-sama. I've heard a lot about you."
"Oh! So you are Master Raikou's disciple, which means you helped Tenhou and Seirei..."
"I'm just following my master. I haven't done anything."
My Shikei brother bowed.
Seeing that, my father looked impressed and said,
"Yes, yes. He seems to be a polite person. You have a good Shikei brother, Tenhou."
"Yes. Kaou-shikei is a wonderful person."
After all, he is unrelated to 'History of Swordmaster.'
I can relax around him. I really wish we could be equal friends instead of just a Shikei and junior.
"I feel lucky to have met my Shikei brother."
"Yes. Sui Kaou, if you have any problems, feel free to rely on me. I've heard that older and younger disciples are like family. So, you are like my own family."
"Thank you, General."
"I'm going to the training grounds with my Shikei brother now. We'll go to the gate together... huh? What's wrong, Seirei?"
"...It's nothing."
When I noticed, Seirei was staring intently at Kaou.
She tilted her head in confusion.
"Seirei, it's rude to stare at Shikei."
"I-I'm sorry, big brother."
Seirei quickly moved to my left side, away from Kaou.
It had become a recent habit for her to grab the sleeve of my robe.
When we practice 'Beast Body Guidance,' Seirei always wants to stick close to me. Inside the house, we hold hands and press our cheeks together, and outside, she grabs my sleeve.
"You look like a close family."
Seeing this, Kaou smiled.
"It reminds me of my family back home. I... envy Tenhou."
"I'd like to meet your family someday."
"Yeah, that would be nice."
After that, we left the mansion's gate, where we said goodbye to my father and Seirei.
Then we entered Master Raikou's residence, where we learned about the training grounds and the training procedures.
"Well then, I look forward to working with you starting tomorrow, Kaou."
"Yeah. Same here."
Even though he had a stiff expression, my Shikei brother smiled at me.
Alright, starting tomorrow, I'll do my best to learn the 'Four Divine Steps.'
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