Volume 2 Chapter 17 The Great Villain Of The World, Recognized
──Tenhou's Perspective──
The day after the banquet at the royal palace, I was copying a letter at my house.
It was to send a letter from my older brother to Crown Prince Rouen.
My older brother's handwriting isn't very good.
But, to avoid being rude, I wanted to send a nice letter to Crown Prince Rouen... so I had been sending a neatly written version of my brother's letter to the palace.
However, those letters never reached the Crown Prince and went missing.
But the original copy is still here.
I decided to rewrite it and send it to Crown Prince Rouen again.
Crown Prince Rouen considers Kairyou-aniue a dear friend.
That hasn't changed.
The reason their communication stopped was that someone was interfering.
Ryougen-kun said he would investigate the culprit.
For now, there's nothing I can do.
So, I decided to resend my brother's letter to Crown Prince Rouen first.
While I was thinking about that, I continued my work.
Then, after a while──
"Excuse me, Hou-sama. A messenger from His Royal Highness the King's younger brother has arrived."
Suddenly, Hakuyou came to call me.
The person who came to the Kou family was Tanshi-san, a subordinate of Ryougen-kun.
Tanshi-san entered the guest room, bowed as a messenger, and then,
"I'm hoping that from now on, when you send a letter to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, you could let me know first."
──He said this with a serious expression.
"Regarding the issue of the letter from Kou Kairyou not arriving, His Royal Highness the King's younger brother will be investigating. The inquiry at the palace is ongoing, but just to be safe, it would be good to keep a record of when the letter was sent."
"You're suggesting we keep a delivery record, right?"
"Tenhou, you have a way with words."
"It's just a thought."
In the world I used to be in, I always kept a record when sending important letters.
So, Ryougen-kun is going to do something similar.
"This is a measure until we find the culprit. Can I count on you for this?"
"Understood."
I bowed and said,
"When I deliver my brother's letter to the palace, I will inform Tanshi-sama."
"Thank you."
"Will His Royal Highness the Crown Prince be informed about this as well?"
"Of course. I have received his consent."
"Got it. I'm currently in the process of copying my brother's letter neatly."
I said.
"I think I can deliver it to the palace by the afternoon. After that, I will come to report to your residence."
"Please do. By the way, Tenhou."
"Yes, Tanshi-san?"
"Actually... what you mentioned, Tenhou, has become a topic of discussion at the palace."
Tanshi-san whispered,
"At the banquet, it was said, 'We should ally with the Bokou Tribe'."
"Yes, I mentioned that."
"That talk reached His Majesty the King. According to His Royal Highness the King's younger brother, His Majesty seems to have liked Tenhou's opinion."
"His Majesty the King!?"
That was unexpected.
What I said there was just a thought based on my knowledge from my previous life.
I never imagined it would reach the King's ears.
"However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that was just casual talk at the banquet..."
"I understand."
Tanshi-san nodded.
"We also did not expect it to reach His Majesty the King. The reason His Majesty is interested in Tenhou's proposal is... probably due to certain circumstances."
"Circumstances?"
"There are high-ranking military officials who argue that we should invade the Jinkyo Tribe's territory."
Tanshi-san began to explain.
After Crown Prince Rouen was attacked, it seems there are opinions in the palace that we should lead a large army to invade and punish the Jinkyo Tribe.
They are what you would call the pro-war faction.
They claim that with Aika Country's power, we could easily defeat the Jinkyo Tribe.
However, invading the Jinkyo Tribe's territory is very dangerous.
Their territory is far away. If we send soldiers, it will be hard to keep supplies coming.
The slow supply train is an easy target for cavalry.
To protect it, we need a lot of escort soldiers.
Also, their land is rough, and the roads are narrow.
It's hard to take advantage of our large army here.
On top of that, there are no maps. If we attack, we can only move forward by feeling our way.
On the other hand, the Jinkyo Tribe knows the terrain well.
They can launch surprise attacks anytime and can draw our soldiers deeper into their land.
That's why my father and Ryougen-kun have been saying we should proceed carefully, but... now the war faction seems to be getting bold.
"Of course, it doesn't change the fact that the Jinkyo Tribe is dangerous. If necessary, we should lead the army and crush them."
Tanshi-san continues.
"However, we need to prepare thoroughly first. A long campaign is risky. If we fight, we should aim to settle it in one battle. Both I and His Royal Highness the King's younger brother think this way."
"I agree."
I replied.
"Also, my father always says that to defeat the Jinkyo Tribe, we should make allies with the surrounding tribes. This is also to gather information about the Jinkyo Tribe's territory."
"You're right. His Royal Highness the King's younger brother is also sending investigators to the north to gather information about the Jinkyo Tribe."
Tanshi-san nodded.
"But, there are those who won't be satisfied with that. They can't stand that the powerful Aika Country is taking its time dealing with the Jinkyo Tribe. It seems that's how they think."
"I see."
"That's why Tenhou-dono's suggestion becomes important."
Saying that, Tanshi-san smiled.
"To ally with the Bokou Tribe. Or, to send envoys to establish friendship... this is something we can do right away. If we carry it out, we can claim to the war faction that we are making progress against the Jinkyo Tribe. We are trying to surround the Jinkyo Tribe with the help of other races."
"Does that mean we can keep the war faction in check?"
"Exactly. Tenhou-dono's idea is quite impressive."
"Not at all."
I hurriedly shook my head.
"Anyone could think of something like that. It just happened that I said it."
"What matters is that you stated it in a public setting and that His Royal Highness showed interest."
Tanshi-san said in a serious tone.
At that banquet, many military and civil officials were present.
In front of those people, I mentioned to Crown Prince Rouen that we should ally with the Bokou Tribe.
Crown Prince Rouen didn't deny it either.
So, the military and civil officials had to take it seriously.
As a result, it reached the king's ears and became an actual topic for discussion.
──In other words, that's how it seems.
"I think we will send a messenger to the 'Bokou Tribe' soon."
Tanshi-san said this and clasped his hands together.
"At that time, I would like to ask for your company, Tenhou."
"Me!?"
"It seems that His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the King's younger brother have discussed this. It is appropriate to include Kou Tenhou in the official messenger to the 'Bokou Tribe.'."
"Is it because I suggested connecting with the 'Bokou Tribe'?"
"No."
Tanshi-san shook his head.
"Thanks to you, we were able to make acquaintances with someone from the 'Bokou Tribe.'"
"Acquaintances from the 'Bokou Tribe'... you mean?"
"Gen Shuuyoku-dono."
──Gen Shuuyoku-dono. In other words, Shuu-sensei.
Huh? Shuu-sensei was an acquaintance of the 'Bokou Tribe'?
"Gen Shuuyoku-dono has traveled through neighboring countries, treating people. Among them, there was someone close to the chief of the 'Bokou Tribe.' Although she wasn't allowed into their village, she was still very grateful."
"...Shuu-sensei did that?"
"Gen Shuuyoku-dono will mediate with the 'Bokou Tribe.' Therefore, considering the future, I think it would be good for you, Tenhou, who is a disciple of Gen Shuuyoku-dono, to accompany them."
"Is it because Shuu-sensei is a traveling doctor?"
"That's right."
"Shuu-sensei is trusted by the Bokou Tribe. But Shuu-sensei isn't from Aika Country. If we're going to work with the Bokou Tribe, then I, who am Shuu-sensei's disciple and from Aika Country, should be the messenger, right...?"
"As expected of you, Tenhou. You catch on quickly."
Tanshi-san nodded, looking impressed.
"I see. So Shuu-sensei has helped the Bokou Tribe before..."
Even in the game, Shuu-sensei was moving around the continent.
It wouldn't be strange for her to be treating the Bokou Tribe.
If Ryougen-kun is thinking about forming a friendly relationship with the Bokou Tribe, it makes sense to consult Shuu-sensei, who has traveled all over the country.
Shuu-sensei is a very loyal person, so it's natural for her to help with that.
But Shuu-sensei plans to go on another journey as a traveling doctor.
After she leaves, someone will be needed to build a relationship with the Bokou Tribe.
The best choice would be Touri-san, but she is weak.
I can't push her too hard.
So, it seems that I, being the one closest to Shuu-sensei, should be the messenger for the Bokou Tribe...
...It can't be helped.
I was the one who suggested forming a bond with the Bokou Tribe.
I have to take responsibility for what I said.
It might help to connect with the 'Bokou Tribe' to avoid the 'Aika Country Destruction End.'
If we can build a friendly relationship with the 'Bokou Tribe,' talented people will become allies of Aika Country.
We can also gain information about the Jinkyo Tribe.
Using that achievement as a shield, we can suppress the war faction.
The war faction might go out of control and attack the north, leading to a big defeat... that could happen.
If that happens, my father and brother will be in danger again.
I want to avoid such a situation.
If there's something I can do, I should do it.
"I understand, Tanshi-sama."
I clasped my hands towards Tanshi-san.
"I will gladly take on the role of messenger to the 'Bokou Tribe.'"
"Yes. I have high expectations."
Tanshi-sama let out a relieved sigh.
Then, he looked at me closely and said,
"Not that it's a reward, but His Royal Highness the King's younger brother said something interesting."
"Something interesting, you say?"
"He mentioned, 'I would like to assign a unit to Kou Tenhou.'."
Tanshi-san showed a fearless smile.
"His Royal Highness the King's younger brother seems to want to create a unit centered around Tenhou. Tenhou will gather his own subordinates and operate the unit at his own discretion. And His Royal Highness the King's younger brother wants to fully support that."
"My own unit...?"
"I know this is a bit ahead of time, but could you think about it?"
Tanshi-san told me this while I was shocked.
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