Volume 1 Chapter 35 Kou Tenhou And Sou Ouka, Receiving The Reward
──Tenhou's Perspective──
After the battle, Shouou and I entered the northern fortress.
My older brother and Crown Prince Rouen were with us.
Crown Prince Rouen looked really down.
It's no surprise since he lost half of the 'Wolf Cavalry.'
My brother's troops also took some damage. But, there were no deaths.
They realized that Zeng Taiga was a dangerous opponent and focused on defense.
My brother's soldiers and the 'Wolf Cavalry' chased after the injured Zeng Taiga, but they couldn't catch him. He apparently fought off the soldiers with just his left arm. He was way stronger than we expected.
As a result, the 'Wolf Cavalry' members got seriously hurt.
My brother's soldiers could only bring them back.
After that, Shouou and I decided to wait for our father to return in the fortress.
My brother went back to work right away.
He started commanding the fortress troops in place of our father, who had led the army out.
The soldiers looked at my brother with admiration.
It seems that fighting to protect Crown Prince Rouen raised my brother's reputation.
Crown Prince Rouen stayed locked in his room.
Even when the soldiers brought him food, he didn't open the door.
But, somehow, the plates were empty, so he must have eaten.
On the way to the fortress, Crown Prince Rouen kept saying,
'...I'm not the cursed Crown Prince.'
──He said.
...'The Cursed Crown Prince,' huh? That's the first time I've heard that phrase.
It wasn't in 'History of Swordmaster' either.
I wanted to confirm it, but Crown Prince Rouen wasn't in a state to talk.
So, I asked my older brother instead──
'There's a story that when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was born, a cursed star (magatsuboshi) fell from the sky.'
Hesitating, my brother began to explain.
'The scholars who saw it said, "His Royal Highness Rouen might have been born under an unlucky star." They also said, "During His Royal Highness's time, Aika Country might face troubles." His Royal Highness is worried about that.'
──That's why His Royal Highness is desperate to shake off that rumor.
──He is always trying to prove that he has the ability to protect the country as a king.
──Leading the 'Wolf Cavalry' to the northern fortress was probably for that reason.
──That's why I stay by his side.
──He may be clumsy, but he always thinks about the country.
──I just want Tenhou to understand that.
That's how my brother explained it to me.
...I see.
So that's the meaning of 'The Cursed Crown Prince.'
In the game, when Rouen becomes king, Aika Country is destroyed.
So maybe this world is showing some bad signs.
If that's putting pressure on Crown Prince Rouen... I feel sorry for him.
But the Crown Prince is being reckless.
He didn't need to step forward in the fight against Zeng Taiga.
Because of that, our forces got split up. My brothers had to protect both the Crown Prince and the people.
If we had focused on defense, we could have pushed back Zeng Taiga's subordinates, at least.
If there were no allies around, Zeng Taiga would have had to retreat.
We could have fought like that.
It didn't happen that way because the Crown Prince stepped forward.
As a result, the 'Wolf Cavalry' suffered casualties.
...Someday, I hope I can talk to Crown Prince Rouen.
Without mentioning reincarnation or anything like that, just about the future of Aika Country.
I really hope I get that chance.
"As soon as Father returns, His Royal Highness will be returned to Hokurin."
After talking about the Crown Prince, my brother said that.
So the Crown Prince was left alone for a while.
After we arrived at the fortress, Shouou and I mostly stayed in our room.
If we went outside, it would cause a big commotion.
The soldiers in the fortress know that we pushed back Zeng Taiga.
Zeng Taiga is a strong enemy who invaded Aika Country with a small force and attacked the people multiple times.
I drove off that guy, and on top of that, I captured enemy soldiers and Enki, which became quite the talk of the town.
But I don't want to stand out too much.
If I get too much attention and rise up, I might end up on the 'Kou Tenhou Destruction Route.'
Fighting against Zeng Taiga was an emergency measure to help my brother.
Now that it's over, I just want to live quietly without drawing attention.
My goal is to live a relaxed life until the chaos in the countryside ends.
"I also... don't want to stand out too much."
In my room, Shouou said that.
"Recently, I've been looking more like a girl. If I go out in front of a lot of people, my gender might get revealed. So, I'll stay by Tenhou's side."
"That might be a good idea."
Anyway, we did our 'mission' properly.
We received the letter that Ryougen-kun asked for, and I delivered a copy to my father using Seirei's pigeon.
After my father returns to the fortress, I'll hand him the original letter.
Also, Shouou saved Crown Prince Rouen of Aika Country. That's a big achievement.
Without a doubt, Shouou's mother should be able to return to Souma Country.
While we were talking about that, my father returned to the fortress.
"Good work. Kairyou, Tenhou. And... was it Tenhou's senior disciple?"
"I am Sui Kaou. 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin."
Me, Shouou, and my brother were gathered in my father's office.
"Now, please give your report. Kairyou."
"Yes. I, Kou Kairyou, report to 'General Skybear'――."
With that, my older brother began his report.
"――That concludes my report. We have captured over ten members of the Jinkyo Tribe. Additionally, there was someone named Enki."
"Is he the one involved in the kidnapping of Seirei?"
Father looked at me.
I clasped my hands together and said,
"Yes. It's possible that the Ryuu Family was attacked by the Jinkyo Tribe because he was leaking information. He also knew that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was in the northern region."
"That makes sense. Besides, getting information about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince... shouldn't be too hard."
Father stroked his beard and said,
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince likes to make a big show. I heard he was seen off by many soldiers when he left Hokurin."
...Well, it is the Crown Prince's first battle, so he would do something like that.
Besides, no one would think that the Jinkyo Tribe would specifically target the Crown Prince.
That plan only worked because of the strongest character, Zeng Taiga.
"Anyway, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is safe. We were also able to drive away the Jinkyo Tribe. The northern lands should be peaceful for a while. Kairyou, Tenhou, and Sui Kaou, well done!"
"Yes, Father!"
"Thank you, 'General Skybear'-sama!"
"We will return His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to Hokurin soon. Of course, with guards. Tenhou and the others will accompany him."
"Understood."
"Kairyou, you should rest for a while. You must have pushed yourself to protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, right?"
"It's nothing much. Besides――."
My older brother looked at me and smiled wryly.
"Tenhou saved my life. I can't waste it."
"Because it's an important life, I helped without thinking."
I replied.
"Please take care of yourself. You are someone needed in this Aika Country."
"Hehe. I know that."
"...I'm envious."
Shouou said quietly.
"You two are such close brothers; it's enviable."
"Shikei?"
"...Ah! I-I'm sorry!"
Shouou hurriedly clasped his hands in front of Father.
Father laughed and said,
"It's fine. Anyway, Kairyou, you should go back to your room and rest. I have something to discuss with Tenhou and Sui Kaou."
"Understood. Then, Father, see you later."
Bowing slightly, my older brother left the room.
Now it was just me, Shouou, and my father in the room.
"Actually, before leaving Hokurin, I was entrusted with something from Raikou. First, Sui Kaou, I have a letter for you."
"Y-yes. Thank you very much."
Shouou took the letter.
She opened it and read it for a while. Then――
"Ryougen-kun has already arranged for my mother to return to Souma Country...? I also want to go back to my hometown...?"
"Raikou said, 'You were recognized for going on a dangerous mission for Aika Country.'"
"...Master."
Shouou hugged the letter and was teary-eyed.
As expected of Master and Ryougen-kun.
They had already made arrangements for Shouou's mother to return to the country.
"Ryougen-kun and Raikou said that Tenhou should accompany them on the journey to Souma Country. I agreed, but is that okay? Tenhou?"
"Am I going with Shikei too?"
I was surprised.
I understood that Shouou and her mother were going back to their country.
But for me to go along... that was unexpected.
"...Yeah. If Tenhou comes with us... I would be happy."
Shouou was still hugging the letter.
"I want Tenhou to see my country too."
"...That sounds good."
I nodded.
"I understand. If I can get my father's permission, I would also like to accompany Shikei to Souma Country."
"Yes. And this is something I was told to give to you, Tenhou."
My father took out a letter and a long, narrow box next.
"Tenhou going to Souma Country is a formal request from Ryougen-kun. The box is said to be the reward. However, the letter is meant to be read when you are alone."
"What's inside the box?"
"Go ahead and open it."
I placed my hands on the box my father offered.
It was an old wooden box. There was nothing written on the surface.
When I slipped my hand into the gap and opened it――
"Is this a sword?"
"The details are written in the letter. You can check it later."
My father placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Anyway, Tenhou saved both me and Kairyou. If anything were to happen to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince... I would have to apologize with my own life. You stopped that from happening."
"It wasn't just my power. Shikei was there too."
"I see. Sui Kaou did well too!"
"Thank you, 'General Skybear-sama'."
"The Kou family owes a debt to Sui Kaou. As a warrior, I promise. I will definitely repay this debt."
My father nodded.
"If there's anything I can do, please let me know. I will fulfill it as much as possible."
"...As much as possible, huh?"
"Y-yes. Well, I can't do anything too great."
"...Can I have some time?"
After thinking for a while, Shouou looked up.
"I want to go back to Souma Country... and talk to my father first."
"That's fine. We have all the time in the world."
"Thank you very much."
Shouou knelt down and thanked father.
After that, we each went back to our rooms.
Shouou carried a letter, and I held a box with a sword inside.
...Master Raikou. Why did you give me something like this?
Also, the letter says to read it when I'm alone.
I don't think it matters if Shouou is with me or not.
While thinking about that, I returned to my room and opened the letter.
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