Volume 2 Chapter 13 The Great Villain Of The World, Attends The Royal Banquet Ii
"...This is the royal palace."
"It's a big building, isn't it?"
I and Seirei were heading to the royal palace by carriage.
The royal palace of Aika Country has 3 gates.
The outer gate, the middle gate, and the inner gate that leads to the important parts of the palace.
After passing through the outer gate, Seirei and I got off the carriage.
We parked the carriage in a designated spot and started walking on the stone-paved path.
At the end of the path, there are long stone steps leading up to the middle gate, which is guarded by soldiers.
The place where this meeting will take place is just beyond the middle gate.
Further down the corridor is the inner gate, but we won't go that far this time.
Beyond the inner gate is the deep part of the palace.
There's the throne room, the king's residence, and the harem.
These are places I have no business with right now, and I hope to avoid them in the future.
We were guided by a government official and started walking down a path flanked by gardens.
After walking a bit, a large building came into view.
"This is the building where family members and attendants gather," Hakuyou informed us.
She said she had come here before with father.
"...Well then, brother. See you later."
"Leave Seirei-sama to Hakuyou."
In front of the building──the waiting room for family and attendants──I parted ways with the two of them.
From here on, it's just me.
I followed the government official and began to walk down the connecting corridor.
Kou Tenhou from 'History of Swordmaster' must have been here too.
As I walked down the flower-lined corridor, I wondered what he was thinking.
Was it about gaining power... or perhaps about the country?
Ten years from now, this garden will be trampled by heroes.
In the game, I also controlled the heroes and infiltrated the royal palace through the outer gate.
Outer gate conquest. Middle gate conquest. After passing through the inner gate, the climax of the game is conquering the royal palace.
When Kou Tenhou, who appears in the game, was captured by the heroes, he said something.
However, the dialogue wasn't displayed.
What was shown was only, '...traitors.'
The lines that feel like they come from a dream I had don't appear.
If the game's Kou Tenhou isn't really a villain and has some reason for wielding power... what could that reason be?
If I could figure that out, it should be easier to avoid the 'Kou Tenhou Destruction ending.'
"──Kou Tenhou-sama. Please, this way."
In front of a large building, a bureaucrat said.
The pillars are painted red. Moreover, they have golden decorations.
The ceiling is several meters high. Up above, there are windows for light.
After climbing a few steps, there is a large hall.
It seems the banquet preparations are already complete, and most of the seats are filled.
Many people are sitting in the prepared seats. They are high-ranking officials in robes.
Among them, there are no familiar faces...
After all, the only ones I know are from 'History of Swordmaster.' It's their appearance ten years later, and some look worn out because the dynasty is on the verge of collapse. It's no wonder I can't imagine them as they are now.
"'General Skybear's' son, Kou Tenhou-sama. This way, please."
"...Huh?"
I was guided to a seat at the back of the hall.
In the center of the hall, there is a passage, and on both sides, seats are prepared for the people.
The path ahead rises up a step, and there are seats decorated in gold.
That must be Crown Prince Rouen's seat.
The seat I was guided to is close to that one.
It's a few places from the back. In terms of upper and lower seats, it's quite a high position.
"Is there some kind of mistake?"
I asked the official.
"I'm just a nobody. Sitting close to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."
"It's not a mistake."
However, the official bowed and said,
"I was instructed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to bring Kou Tenhou-sama to this seat."
"By His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Kou Tenhou-sama is here as a representative of General Skybear Kou Eishin-sama and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's friend Kou Kairyou-sama. It's only natural to prepare a suitable seat."
"...I see."
To refuse any further would be rude.
I steeled myself and took my seat.
Once seated, I drank some tea.
Listening closely, I could hear the voices of the people.
They were talking about things in Aika Country. The northern border area. This year's harvest.
The positions of civil and military officials. Foreign countries. And Ryougen-kun, who hasn't arrived yet.
Everyone seemed calm.
There was no information indicating a crisis for the country. That was a relief.
Sometimes, my name comes up in conversation.
Well, I do stand out. I'm too young to be sitting here.
As I listen to the people talking──
"Aika Country Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Ai Rouen. Please enter."
With a loud voice, Crown Prince Rouen arrived in the garden.
Everyone turned to face the voice and cheered.
Crown Prince Rouen was dressed in formal attire for a Crown Prince.
He wore a coat with complicated embroidery. On his head was a crown.
At his waist, he had decorations made of jewels.
The attendees all stood up and bowed.
I followed their lead.
After a while, when I looked up──my eyes met Crown Prince Rouen's.
Crown Prince Rouen had a complicated expression.
He didn't seem as confident as before. He looked a bit awkward.
...Even though it was Crown Prince Rouen who called me.
Next to Crown Prince Rouen was a man who seemed to be a high-ranking official.
He was tall, around 20 years old. I recognized his face.
He was a character from 'History of Swordmaster.'
In fact, he appeared early on.
His name was Chou Sekimei. He was a general in charge of Crown Prince Rouen's army.
His ability was slightly above average.
He was in a position to face the heroes who raised their flags.
If I remember correctly... Chou Sekimei was Crown Prince Rouen's mother's brother.
He is what you call a relative by marriage.
So, he has probably been by Crown Prince Rouen's side since ten years before the game started.
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, I hope you are in good spirits."
When Crown Prince Rouen takes his seat, the banquet begins.
First, the high officials greet Crown Prince Rouen.
By the way, I can't greet Crown Prince Rouen.
While everyone is greeting him, I just keep my head down.
I am here as my father's representative, but I have no official rank and hold no public office.
I am just the child of 'General Skybear' and the disciple of Ryougen-kun's guest.
I have no right to stand in front of Crown Prince Rouen in a place like this.
So, I thought I wouldn't be called by name, but──
"──'General Skybear's' child, Kou Tenhou. Come here."
Suddenly, a government official called my name.
When I looked up, Crown Prince Rouen was staring at me.
I hurriedly lowered my head.
"What is it? I am calling you. Come here."
As I kept my head down, I heard Crown Prince Rouen's voice.
"With all due respect."
I replied while keeping my face down.
"I am of no rank or title. It is not appropriate for me to greet Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince in a place like this..."
"It doesn't matter. Come."
"This Kou Tenhou understands his place."
"That's not acceptable. Know that declining any further would be a loss of courtesy."
"...Understood."
I step forward.
In front of me sits Crown Prince Rouen.
Next to him is Chou Sekimei.
I bow formally and then kneel before Crown Prince Rouen.
"To Kou Tenhou, I, 'General of the Devoted Cavalry' Chou Sekimei, declare."
'General of the Devoted Cavalry', huh.
So, in this era, Chou Sekimei was a general.
"It was a great honor to fight alongside Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the northern lands and drive away the foreign tribes."
"......"
At Chou Sekimei's words, Crown Prince Rouen awkwardly looked away.
...I see.
What Chou Sekimei said seems to be the official stance of Aika Country.
It looks like it's being said that I fought alongside Crown Prince Rouen to repel Zeng Taiga.
I was probably called here to convey this 'official stance' to everyone.
...Well, even if this is the official stance, I don't mind at all.
In fact, it works out well for me.
I have no intention of climbing the ranks or standing out.
In the battle with the Jinkyo Tribe, Kairyou-aniue didn't die. Crown Prince Rouen was safe too.
Thanks to Shouou, we were able to injure Zeng Taiga.
This should have also helped avoid the 'Kou Tenhou Destruction ending.'
That's enough for me.
"I am honored to receive such praise."
I kept my head down and answered.
"However, I wasn't the only one who fought alongside His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. My Shikei, Sui Kaou, was with me too. We were able to eliminate the enemy thanks to Shikei."
"I have received that report."
I heard the voice of Chou Sekimei.
"Therefore, accepting the advice of His Royal Highness the King's younger brother, our country will send support to Souma Country. I believe we have sufficiently rewarded your Shikei's achievements."
"I understand."
I bowed even deeper.
"I apologize for my rudeness."
"Yes. Even though you hold no title, you should know proper etiquette."
Chou Sekimei said.
"That's all. You may leave──."
"Wait, Kou Tenhou."
Crown Prince Rouen interrupted Chou Sekimei.
Chouseki Naru gasped in surprise.
Then, Crown Prince Rouen spoke in a calm tone,
"Lift your head, Kou Tenhou. I allow you to speak freely. I want to talk to you."
That's what he told me.
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