Volume 2 Chapter 15 The Great Villain Of The World, Attends The Royal Banquet Iv - Tenhou And Rouen -
"That's not allowed, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
It was Chou Sekimei who stopped Crown Prince Rouen.
"There has never been a case where someone without rank or title was allowed to speak so freely."
"What are you saying, Sekimei? I sent an invitation to talk to the Kou family!"
"We have already finished the business with Kou Tenhou."
"Don't mess with me, Sekimei. If you had just listened quietly, what was that talk earlier!?"
Crown Prince Rouen glared at Chou Sekimei.
"This Rouen... was helped by the Kou family in the northern lands. That is... a fact. I don't want to admit it, but it is the truth."
After those words, silence fell over the hall.
Crown Prince Rouen dug his nails into the sleeves of his robe and squeezed out his voice,
"And yet you say to Kou Tenhou, 'Together with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we fought in the northern lands and drove out the foreign tribes'... Are you mocking me!?"
"Th-that is for Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."
"'Cursed Crown Prince' must be erased by the achievements that this Rouen himself has made!"
Crown Prince Rouen shouted.
"Are you saying I can't do that!? Sekimei!"
"Well, Your Royal Highness! You shouldn't say such things──"
"Everyone knows that I am called the 'Cursed Crown Prince.' It's silly to hide it anymore!"
"...Your Royal Highness."
"The disgrace exists. However, I will not take away the achievements of others to clear my name! To wipe away the disgrace, it must be through my own accomplishments!"
"But, Your Royal Highness, the achievements of your subordinates belong to the general──"
"When we fought the Jinkyo Tribe, the commander of the troops was my friend, Kou Kairyou."
"...Ugh."
"If the achievements of my subordinates belong to the general, then all achievements would belong to Kairyou. Are you telling me to take away my friend's accomplishments!?"
...Come to think of it, Ai Rouen was this kind of person.
Anyway, he has a high pride. He tends to look down on others.
But there's no doubt he has ability.
The Rouen King in the game was someone who wouldn't admit mistakes.
Maybe his pride was too high and got in the way.
But it seems that during his time as Crown Prince, Rouen couldn't stand taking away the achievements of others because of his pride.
"I will tell my friend's younger brother, Kou Tenhou."
Of course, Crown Prince Rouen doesn't have good feelings toward me.
When he looks at me, Crown Prince Rouen has a bitter expression.
"I am grateful for what you did in the battle against the Jinkyo Tribe."
"That's too kind of you to say."
"But that was just a one-time thing."
Crown Prince Rouen gritted his teeth and said,
"I will make sure I will never be saved by you again. Otherwise, I would owe an apology to my 'Wolf Cavalry' members."
"Your Royal Highness, I consider your words to be quite honorable."
"...By the way, you knew the name of the prince from the Jinkyo Tribe, didn't you?"
Suddenly, Crown Prince Rouen seemed to realize something.
"You said you heard it through rumors, is that correct?"
"That's right."
Actually, I only knew it from the game 'History of Swordmaster.'
But I couldn't say that out loud.
I pretended I heard the information about Zeng Taiga through rumors.
"My father and brother are guarding the northern lands. I thought I could help, even a little, so I gathered various information."
"I see. So you are that kind of person..."
"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Never mind. Then, I will consider you well-informed and ask you."
Crown Prince Rouen looked straight at me.
"What do you think are the ways for our country to counter the threat of the Jinkyo Tribe?"
"──Your Royal Highness!?"
"It is not something to ask a person of no rank──"
"Even though he fought the Jinkyo Tribe, Kou Tenhou is still inexperienced!"
The people gathered in the hall began to voice their opinions.
I was also surprised.
I never thought Crown Prince Rouen would ask me about military matters.
If I say something weird, it could cause trouble for my father and brother.
So, I'll play it safe and borrow my father's words.
"As for measures against the Jinkyo Tribe, I agree with my father, Kou Eishin."
I answered.
"I believe we should cooperate with the other tribes around them to suppress the movements of the Jinkyo Tribe. They are a warlike group, and other tribes are suffering too. If we send messenger and build good relations, cooperation should be possible."
"Kairyou said the same thing to me."
"Yes. My brother is my goal."
"However, there are multiple tribes around the Jinkyo Tribe. Which one should we ally with first?"
"...Your Royal Highness."
"This is just casual talk. We're not deciding national policy here."
Even so, it's a bit troubling.
All I know is the information from 'History of Swordmaster' ten years later.
At that time, the Jinkyo Tribe was the only one in the northern lands.
All the other tribes that are here now must have been conquered by the Jinkyo Tribe.
In the game world, Aika Country was in great chaos.
The Jinkyo Tribe had no worries about being attacked. So, they could invade other tribes without hesitation.
As proof, the characters from the Jinkyo Tribe in the game had some unusual traits.
They wore outfits completely different from the Jinkyo Tribe. Their hair colors were also different.
They were low-ranking members of the Jinkyo Tribe. Yet, their ability stats were high.
So I was curious... maybe they were people from a conquered tribe.
I remember seeing them in the game with red hair and wearing a scarf.
With that kind of appearance, the only other tribe around Aika Country would be──
"──Shouldn't we ally with the Bokou Tribe?"
I answered.
The Bokou Tribe lives in the northwestern mountains.
They are closed off, but they have never been hostile to the Aika Tribe.
"Bokou Tribe, huh... I see."
Crown Prince Rouen looked like he was deep in thought.
"I heard an unexpected suggestion. What do you think, Sekimei?"
"This was just casual talk, Your Royal Highness."
"Ah, just casual talk at the banquet."
"Then I will respond. I believe it is a proposal that does not need serious consideration."
"What's your reasoning?"
"The Bokou Tribe is the weakest among the surrounding tribes. I have heard they live in the mountains and rarely interact with others. I believe that forming an alliance with them would not strengthen our country."
"I see."
Crown Prince Rouen nodded and then looked at me.
"Sekimei says this, but what is your opinion, Kou Tenhou?"
"The Bokou Tribe is a weak force, then."
"Yes, that's right."
"Still, that's impressive. A small tribe like that can maintain its independence near the Jinkyo Tribe."
In the game, the red-haired character from the Jinkyo Tribe──the Bokou Tribe──was strong.
They might not match Zeng Taiga in military power, but they had decent strength and some smart generals.
Ten years ago, thanks to such talented people, the Bokou Tribe might have been able to maintain their independence.
"Even as a small force, they are keeping their independence from the Jinkyo Tribe. Isn't that proof that the Bokou Tribe has strong individuals?"
"But a small force is still a small force."
"Are you saying they are not worth our respect and effort to engage with?"
"Yeah. I think so."
"Certainly, from Aika Country's perspective, the Bokou Tribe may seem small."
I bow and respond.
"However, they are worth incorporating for the Jinkyo Tribe."
"...Hmm."
"If the Jinkyo Tribe conquers the Bokou Tribe, their power will grow. They could become stronger and might turn their attention toward Aika Country."
"...Hmm."
"The Bokou Tribe is indeed a small force. That's why I think we should show our greatness as a major nation. If the Bokou Tribe becomes allies with Aika Country, other tribes that fear the Jinkyo Tribe might come to pay tribute to Aika Country. To gain more powerful allies, shouldn't we start by gaining smaller ones?"
"...You've said the same thing before."
Crown Prince Rouen makes a face like he's bitten something bitter.
"If the opponent is a fledgling, it would be good to help them and build a protective relationship. You seem to prefer that kind of approach."
"I'm honored."
"Got it... Let's leave it at that."
Crown Prince Rouen waved his hand lightly.
"Thank you for your kind words. Talking with someone from the Kou family is always enjoyable."
"That's too generous of you."
"Kairyou hasn't sent me any letters lately. I just wanted to talk to you, Kou Tenhou."
"...Huh?"
That's strange.
My brother should be sending letters to the palace.
So, why haven't they reached Crown Prince Rouen?
"Excuse me for saying this, but..."
I bowed and raised my voice.
I might as well add one more thing.
"My brother, Kou Kairyou, always writes about Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince in his letters. It's clear that he worries about Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"If it's Kairyou, then that's true."
"And my brother mentioned to our mother that he is disappointed not to receive a reply to the letter he sent to Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"──What?"
Crown Prince Rouen's expression changed.
"Kairyou sent a letter!? But I haven't received anything!?"
I thought so.
Crown Prince Rouen cares about my brother. He calls him "my friend."
I can't believe this person would ignore my brother's letters.
Maybe my brother's letters are being stopped somewhere.
That means someone on Crown Prince Rouen's side is doing this.
"What's going on? I haven't received a letter from my friend..."
"There are many letters arriving at the palace every day."
The one who spoke was Chou Sekimei.
"There are important letters, including reports from the northern lands. It must have gotten mixed in with them. Let me investigate. Is that alright, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
"No, we will conduct the investigation here."
A voice came from the entrance of the garden.
When I turned around, there stood His Royal Highness the King's younger brother──Ryougen-kun.
"Even if it's personal, it's a letter from someone who protects our borders. If it's lost, we cannot overlook it."
"...Uncle."
"I'm sorry for being late, Your Royal Highness."
Ryougen-kun maintained a calm smile.
"May I investigate this matter?"
"It's not something that should trouble Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother..."
"Handling information related to the northern lands is my job, Chou Sekimei."
"...Well, that is..."
"I will have my subordinates investigate. Is that alright?"
"...Understood."
Chou Sekimei replied.
At that signal, I returned to my seat.
After that, the banquet continued as usual.
Crown Prince Rouen looked unhappy for a while.
Then, before the festivities really picked up, he left.
During the party, Ryougen-kun told me about what happened in the waiting room.
Seirei was polite and spent time in the waiting room.
Ryougen-kun's daughter, Yuuri, became friends with Seirei.
"I would like to invite your sister to our mansion soon. At that time, I will share the results of my investigation about your brother's letter."
Saying that, Ryougen-kun left.
After that, the party continued without any issues and eventually ended──
"I've been waiting for you, big brother."
"Thank you for your hard work, Hou-sama."
I safely reunited with Seirei and returned to the Kou family.
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