Volume 1 Chapter 27 The Great Villain Of The World, Receives A 'Mission'
A few days after taking Master Raikou's exam, I was set to meet Ryougen-kun with Shouou.
"'General Skybear's' child, Kou Tenhou. Sui Kaou from Souma Country. I have a mission for you."
Ryougen-kun said while still sitting in his chair.
We were in Ryougen-kun's private room.
It was just me, Shouou, Master Raikou, and Ryougen-kun.
This was a secret meeting only for those involved in the 'mission.'
"This is the 'mission' I am giving you. I want you to bring back a report from the investigators in the north."
Ryougen-kun began to explain.
To the north of Aika Country, there is a tribe called the Jinkyo Tribe.
They sometimes invade across the border.
They attack towns and villages in the border area, steal livestock, and destroy fields before harvest.
The incident where Seirei's family was attacked also involved the Jinkyo Tribe.
That's why Ryougen-kun has sent investigators to the north.
They live as ordinary people in towns and villages while gathering information from the area.
They send reports at regular intervals.
"Normally, we receive reports every 3 months, but recently the Jinkyo Tribe has been more active. Because of this, we decided to increase the frequency of the reports."
Ryougen-kun said.
"They're instructed to create 2 reports. I want you to contact the investigators and receive them. One report should go to my place, and the other should be delivered to the Northern Fortress."
"The Northern Fortress, huh?"
"That's right, Kou Tenhou. Your father――'General Skybear' Kou Eishin――is heading there soon."
I know.
Father has been on a defense mission at the Northern Fortress from early summer to early winter.
It's always during that time that the Jinkyo Tribe becomes more active.
This year, not only Father but also my older brother and Seirei are scheduled to go.
My older brother is learning the job as Father's successor, and Seirei plans to visit the family grave.
"I made the contact people to keep things low-key."
Ryougen-kun continues.
"The investigators are blending in as townspeople. It's easier for them to gather information that way. It would be strange for soldiers to contact them. Someone might realize their true identities. So, I want you to approach the investigators as just travelers. Can you do that?"
"Yes. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother!"
Shouou and I replied.
Ryougen-kun nodded with satisfaction.
"While you're away, I'll have my subordinates protect your home. After you fulfill your duties, there will be a reward. I've heard from Raikou about Sui Kaou's wish. It's to send your mother back to Souma Country, right?"
"Yes. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
With her face down, Shouou said.
Ryougen-kun spoke in a gentle tone,
"I understand. I will advise His Majesty the King."
"Thank you very much!"
"It is only natural for someone from Souma Country to serve Aika Country. I believe your wishes can be fulfilled without any problems. So, what does Kou Tenhou wish for?"
"Well, I would like to ask you to support my father and brother."
I spoke the words I had prepared in advance.
"With the Jinkyo Tribe becoming more active now, there is a chance that unexpected situations could happen to my father and brother. Also, my brother Kou Kairyou might find himself in a difficult situation. In such times, I would like to have Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother word will help us."
"...I see."
"My father is the general of Aika Country. My brother will likely succeed him in the future. If Ryougen-kun becomes an ally to both of them, it should help protect Aika Country. Please, I ask you."
I bowed my head to the floor.
"Raikou. Your disciple is quite a person."
"Tenhou not only cares for his family but also has a strong sense of duty to his country."
I'm sorry, Master. The country isn't really my concern.
I'm asking for support from Father and Brother to avoid the 'Kou family Destruction ending.'
In 'History of Swordmaster,' Brother doesn't appear.
This means there's a chance that trouble could happen to the Kou family before the game starts.
If Brother is gone, I will become the head of the Kou family.
If that happens... I won't be able to escape when the time comes.
I can't just leave Mother behind, and if the Kou family falls apart, Hakuyou and the servants will be left without a place to go. Thinking about that, unless it's a situation where it's 'really, really bad and I might die,' I won't be able to run away.
But if Father and Brother are here, I can disappear without worry.
If I can get their help, I might be able to avoid the 'Kou Tenhou Destruction ending.'
That's why I want to have Ryougen-kun on my side.
"Alright. Kou Tenhou, I understand your feelings."
Ryougen-kun stood up and declared.
"I promise that this Ai Hakusho will support your father and brother――Kou Eishin and Kou Kairyou――when they are in trouble. Unless it goes against the interests of Aika Country, I swear to be their ally in all other cases. I vow this on the great name of Ryougen-kun."
"Thank you so much!!"
I once again pressed my forehead to the floor.
Ryougen-kun is a man of honor. He should keep his promises.
I'm so relieved... now I can rest easy.
"Get the details of the job from Raikou. I have high hopes for you all. Kou Tenhou, Sui Kaou."
"Yes. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother!"
"I appreciate the kindness of Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother!!"
With that exchange as a signal, we left Ryougen-kun's place.
"I wanted to go to the northern fortress with you, brother."
After dinner, during 'Beast Body Guidance,' Seirei said.
This is my room.
To cool down her flushed body, Seirei lay down on my bed.
"There will be another chance."
"...Yes."
I kept the mission a secret from Seirei.
I only told her that I would be visiting the northern fortress for work.
"By the way, Seirei."
"What is it?"
"Recently, you've made quite a few friends..."
'Meow'
A black cat meowed from under the bed, as if answering my question.
"Meow meow."
'Meow'
"Meow meow meow."
'Meow'
Seirei was talking to the black cat.
It had recently started hanging around our house. Seirei seemed to have decided to take care of it instead of letting it catch the house mice.
I'm not sure if they really understand each other, but the mice have stopped appearing. The pests have also disappeared. Mother and Hakuyou are happy about it.
Suddenly, I looked out the window and saw a white dove perched on a tree in the garden.
This dove had also started coming around recently.
As Seirei approached the window, she started to exchange words with a person and a bird.
"It's like we can understand each other."
"...kind of, I guess."
Seirei seemed a bit shy as she said,
"When I was pretending to be a cat or a chicken with my brother... it feels like I could understand animals too. We used to have a cat, after all."
"Maybe 'Beast Body Guidance' has that kind of effect."
In 'History of Swordmaster,' there were characters who could talk to birds and animals.
They had a skill called 'Bird Summon.'
But the character Ryuu Seirei in the game didn't have that skill.
I want to ask Master if it's because of 'Beast Body Guidance,' but... Master has already left the town.
Master is going to join Ryougen-kun on his journey.
They are checking the safety of the road ahead. I can only talk to her when she comes back.
"Seirei. Are you bringing friends to the northern fortress?"
"Yes. I got permission from Father Eishin."
"I see."
"These kids seem to like you too. They said they feel the same way I do. But... it seems they also sense another person's presence from you."
Seirei, who had gotten up from her bed, approached me.
She looked at me with her big red eyes and said,
"I feel a similar presence too. It seems like there's a woman near you..."
"There isn't."
"Is that so?"
"I think it's just your imagination, Seirei."
"I understand. If you say so, brother."
It seems she accepted that. I'm glad.
Seirei seems to be sensing the presence of Shouou.
...It looks like Seirei shouldn't get too close to Shouou.
"Let's go visit the Ryuu Family's grave together sometime."
I decided to change the subject for now.
"I also want to pay my respects in front of Seirei's family's grave."
"Y-yes, big brother!"
"So while Seirei is at the northern fortress, you need to listen to what Father and big brother say. Can you do that?"
"Of course. Then... big brother."
"What is it?"
"Can you do 'Beast Body Guidance' for me on the days we can't be together?"
Seirei leans against me like a cat.
At my feet, a black cat is meowing, and by the window, a pigeon is cooing. It's like they agree with Seirei.
"If you do it a lot, I feel like I can be a good girl."
"...Yeah, well, if that's the case."
I think Seirei is already a good girl.
But I guess I'll consider this part of avoiding the 'Kou family Destruction ending.'
So, Seirei and I did 'Beast Body Guidance' together late into the night――
and I ended up getting caught by Mother and Hakuyou while carrying the sleeping Seirei back to her room, receiving gentle looks from them.
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