Volume 2 Chapter 1 The Great Villain Of The World, Meets His Friend's Father
The day after arriving in Souma Country, I was at the royal palace with the messenger.
I was there to meet the King of Souma Country.
"...I can't believe I'm actually going to meet the king."
The delegation from Aika Country came to Souma Country to escort Shouou and her mother.
Of course, I wasn't the one in charge of the delegation.
The person in charge――the official messenger――was a man who was Ryougen-kun's aide.
The man's name was Tanshi. He was in his late twenties.
In the game "History of Swordmaster," he was known as Ryougen-kun's advisor.
He was responsible for the dealings with Souma Country as the official messenger.
My job was to assist him and support Shouou.
By the time we arrived in Souma Country, I had already completed half of my task.
My role was to escort Shouou back to Aika Country, but――
"The King of Souma Country wishes to meet the younger disciple of Her Royal Highness."
That's what Tanshi-san said on the night we arrived.
Shouou and her mother had already entered the palace and were meeting with the King of Souma Country.
It seemed they had talked about me.
So, when Tanshi-san went to meet His Majesty, I was instructed to join him.
Just right.
I also wanted to meet the King of Souma Country.
The King of Souma Country in the game was Kou Tenhou's enemy.
He had a short temper and would shout things like, "If Kou Tenhou was in front of me, I would chop off his head!"
I want to see what kind of person the King of Souma Country is now.
Also, the King of Souma Country is Shouou's father.
As her friend, I want to at least greet him.
And... I need to make sure he has a good impression of Aika Country.
Thinking about that, I headed to the palace with Tanshi-san.
"Welcome to our country, people of Aika Country!"
In the palace hallway, people were lined up, bowing their heads.
They were praising the friendship between Aika Country and Souma Country.
It was a warm welcome.
Souma Country, located in the south, is a bit hot.
That's probably why the sleeves and hems of the clothes people are wearing are short.
It was the same in the game 'History of Swordmaster.'
There was an event where you wore cool clothes and relaxed by the river.
... I wonder if similar things happen in this era too.
While thinking about that, I moved deeper into the palace.
As I passed through the columned hallway, I could see the empty throne.
As we knelt before the throne, a servant rang a gong.
And then──
"──The Second Princess, Sou Ouka-sama. Please enter."
A voice was heard.
With the sound of a gong, Shouou entered the audience chamber.
"...Ah."
I couldn't help but sigh.
The Shouou who appeared had her hair tied up and was wearing a decorated robe.
Dressed so beautifully, Shouou looked like a lovely princess from any angle.
She felt different from Sou Ouka in 'History of Swordmaster.'
That Sou Ouka always glared at everyone with a strong gaze.
But Shouou, standing next to the throne, had a gentle expression.
Smiling, she looked around as if searching for someone.
"..."
Our eyes met.
But Shouou quickly looked away.
Then she looked back at me and moved her lips slightly.
'Please don't look at me too much because I'm embarrassed'... maybe?
"Your Majesty the King. Please enter!"
Soon, the king of Souma Country appeared.
He was a man with a black beard and a sturdy build.
With a dignified expression, he looked around at his subordinates, me, and Tanshi-san.
In the game 'History of Swordmaster,' Souma Country and Aika Country were enemies.
Diplomatic relations were cut off, and the king of Souma Country stationed soldiers at the border, banning travel between the two countries.
Eventually, heroes appeared, and the king of Souma Country began to support them.
This ultimately led to the 'Kou Tenhou Destruction End.'
I absolutely have to avoid that future.
I need to be careful not to make the king of Souma Country my enemy.
"Thank you for coming all the way here, people of Aika Country."
King of Souma Country said.
"Also, I am deeply moved by the many kindnesses you have shown. Not only has my wife returned, who was sent as a hostage, but you have also proposed to send engineers for irrigation and mining development from your country."
"──What?"
"──The people of Aika Country are offering technical support to our country?"
"──Has such a thing ever happened before...?"
Hearing the king's words, the officials and military officers of Souma Country began to murmur.
They had already heard about the engineers being sent from Shouou.
According to the story, Ryougen-kun suggested to the king of Aika Country, "How about Aika Country supports us and makes Souma Country flourish?"
It sounds similar to what I told Crown Prince Rouen before.
It seems Ryougen-kun was thinking along the same lines. I think what's amazing about him is that he quickly puts those ideas into action.
"Once again, I thank you for your kindness, Aika Country."
While still seated on the throne, the King of Souma Country said.
"I gladly accept your proposal from your country. I can hardly imagine how to repay such support."
"Our king wishes to cherish the friendship with Souma Country."
replied the official messenger, Tanshi-san, while keeping his head down.
"Also, Your Royal Highness Ouka has worked hard for Aika Country. It is only natural to express our gratitude."
"Yes. I am surprised by that as well."
I could sense the Souma Country king's presence as he smiled.
"When Ouka was sent out, she was just a child who loved martial arts, but it seems she has grown a lot in your country. Your country has helped bring out Ouka's talents."
"That is too kind of you to say."
"And I hear that someone who has helped my daughter is here."
I felt the Souma Country king's gaze turn towards me.
"This is Kou Tenhou, the child of Aika Country's General Skybear. Please raise your head."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When I raised my head, the Souma Country king was looking down at me.
I bowed again and said,
"I am called Kou Tenhou. I hope you are well, Your Majesty."
"Yes. I am glad to meet someone who has learned martial arts with my daughter."
The Souma Country king spoke in a calm tone.
"I have heard that you worked together with my daughter to defeat Aika Country's enemies. Thanks to you, my wife was able to return home, and we will receive great support from Aika Country."
"That is too kind of you to say."
"I would like to give you a special reward for your efforts, but――."
"I'm a subordinate of Tanshi-sama. I have come here as a servant to a formal messenger."
I chose my words carefully as I replied.
"I cannot accept anything beyond my duties. Please forgive me."
"...Duties, huh. I see."
Souma Country's king stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"You seem to be a humble person."
"I am honored."
"Then let me ask you, messenger from Aika Country, Tanshi."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Called by name, Tanshi replied.
"As a king, is it acceptable for me to give a gift to my daughter's friend?"
"How could we possibly interfere with Your Majesty's kindness?"
"Kou Tenhou, the messenger says this."
"It is an overwhelming honor."
I bowed my head again.
"Then... may I have the right to move freely in your country?"
"The right to move?"
"I have heard that there are excellent martial artists in Souma Country. I wish to find someone who can teach me 'ki' energy as per my master's orders. If I could travel within your country for that purpose..."
It was written in Master Raikou's letter.
──Kou Tenhou has something called 'Divine Energy' within him.
──It is powerful, and to master it, a teacher is needed.
──Souma Country has great martial artists, so it would be good to look for a teacher there.
...So.
I must learn to control that 'Divine Energy.'
'Divine Energy' is also found in Shouou and Seirei.
For the sake of the two of them, I need a teacher for 'ki' energy.
The Jinkyo Tribe has already begun to move in the north.
A few days ago, the strongest character, Zeng Taiga, came down and attacked the northern land where my father is. We managed to fend him off, but that was only because Shouou lent us her strength.
If it had been just me, I probably would have been taken out in an instant.
Also, Zeng Taiga isn't the only strong character from the Jinkyo Tribe.
The crisis for the Kou family isn't over yet.
I thought that if I learned the 'Four Divine Steps,' I could escape the crisis... but the crisis came at me without any warning.
At the very least, I need to gain the power to fight it off.
So――
"I would like to take this opportunity to learn your country's excellent martial arts."
"The general's child from Aika Country wants to learn the martial arts of Souma Country, huh?"
"Please, may I have your permission?"
I bowed my head again.
Of course, I could look for a mentor on my own.
But... there's a chance that someone who can handle 'Divine Energy' might be a vassal of Souma Country or related to them. If I approach them and ask, "Please be my mentor," they might suspect I'm trying to recruit talent.
If things go wrong, it could become a problem between Aika Country and Souma Country.
I want to get permission to avoid that.
"My daughter seems to have found an interesting friend."
After a while, I heard the king of Souma Country laughing.
He didn't sound angry at all.
"Very well. I won't ask for details. You can look for your mentor in our country."
"Thank you very much!"
"Later, I will give you a pass. Use it freely."
"──Father."
I heard Shouou's voice.
"I... no, I want to accompany Tenhou on his journey."
"No, Ouka. You must stay in the palace."
"But..."
"Father wants to hear about your brave deeds."
The king of Souma Country said with a calm expression.
"I underestimated you. I sent you to deepen our friendship with Aika Country, but I didn't expect you to form such a strong bond. You are my pride."
"Father!?"
"You must return to Aika Country again. Until then, I want to talk. Your mother will join us too."
"Y-yes, Father!"
Shouou bowed to the king of Souma Country.
I'm glad.
It seems the king of Souma Country cares for Shouou and her mother.
"Then, Father. May I suggest something else?"
"Go ahead."
"How about I find a mentor for Tenhou's 'ki' energy training here?"
"Here, you say?"
The king of Souma Country nodded slightly... then shook his head.
"I understand you care for your junior. But it would be better not to search for them."
"Why not?"
"If there is a martial artist capable of training your friend, I would want to keep him by my side. Also, if we impose a mentor, it might be seen as prying into their martial arts."
"...Father."
"That would be disrespectful to the people of Aika Country who have treated us well."
The Souma Country king looked at me and Tan Shiba-san and said.
We both bowed our heads at the same time.
Then, the official Tanshi-san said,
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
"I hope to maintain a good relationship with your country."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
As Tanshi-san bowed, I did the same.
Really, I want Aika Country and Souma Country to have a good relationship like this.
I hope the diplomatic ties we have now will last forever.
Shouou learns martial arts from a master in Aika Country, and I learn 'ki' energy from a master in Souma Country.
I want us to stay in that kind of relationship.
If possible, even ten years from now.
I had been thinking about that all along.
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