Volume 2 Chapter 18 The Great Villain Of The World, Becomes An Official Messenger To The Foreign Tribe I
A few days later, a messenger came from Ryougen-kun again.
It wasn't for me, but for the Kou family.
"We will send a friendly messenger to the 'Bokou Tribe.' Kou Tenhou will accompany them. This is a royal command."
The messenger told this to me and my mother.
"I can't believe I'm really going to the 'Bokou Tribe'."
I muttered while continuing my "Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique."
Unlike "Beast Body Guidance," this one is said to be okay to do alone.
I started as a bird, then became a monkey, and transformed into a tree.
Doing this helps me feel the 'qi' inside my body.
It's a bit embarrassing to do this in just a thin robe, but it can't be helped.
Besides, I'm still lacking in training.
Shuu-sensei could change the properties of 'ki' freely, but I still can't do that. My skills in manipulating 'ki' seem to be immature.
Instead, my "Five Divine Swordsmanship" has gotten a bit stronger.
When I use the technique of the 'Suzaku bird,' I can produce a little flame, and when I combine the 'Genbu turtle' technique with Shouou, I get a feeling of 'cold.'
I think the power of my techniques has increased.
But──
"I still can't use the Pressure Point Technique at all."
Shouou quickly became able to use the basic techniques.
During training, she would tap my arms and legs, making them tingle freely.
But for me, when I try to use the Pressure Point Technique on someone, it just doesn't work at all.
When Shouou touches me, my arm tingles, but when I touch her, nothing happens to her arm.
Shuu-sensei tells me, "Some techniques just don't suit everyone," but honestly, it makes me feel down.
Even Seirei, who heard this, suddenly said, "Please use me as a test subject!" But I won't do that.
It would be a big problem if the Pressure Point Technique didn't work anymore.
I've decided to only practice when Shuu-sensei is with me.
Still, it's a shame I can't use the Pressure Point Technique.
If I could make my opponent's arms and legs tingle, I could escape using 'Five Divine Steps' in that moment.
I think it would be the perfect technique to escape from the chaos.
But well, it can't be helped.
Originally, I──Kou Tenhou──didn't have 'ki' energy at all.
Just being able to use 'Divine Energy' of all attributes is enough.
More importantly, right now, I need to focus on the 'Bokou Tribe.'
In order to recruit them, Aika Country decided to take action. This is huge.
The 'Bokou Tribe' has strong people too. If they become allies of Aika Country, we might be able to prevent chaos from happening.
Ryougen-kun has already started preparing to send a delegation to the 'Bokou Tribe' with the king's permission.
The leader of the delegation is Tanshi-san, Ryougen-kun's trusted aide.
It seems that Shuu-sensei will be the deputy messenger.
As their support, I will also accompany them along with Shouou.
Additionally, a few soldiers chosen by Ryougen-kun will act as guards.
In total, we will visit the 'Bokou Tribe' village with about ten people.
"I hope we can establish a good relationship."
If this doesn't work out, there will be nothing we can do.
──With the permission of King Aika Country.
──With the cooperation of Ryougen-kun, the king's younger brother.
──With Tanshi-san, his trusted aide, as the official envoy.
──And Shuu-sensei, who is a benefactor to the 'Bokou Tribe', also joining us.
Such an opportunity will not come again.
If we can't win over the 'Bokou Tribe' even with this... what will we do?
Should we just accept that the 'Bokou Tribe' will become our enemy?
"...No, that's not right."
I shake my head to clear away the ominous thoughts.
Master Raikou said, "Nothing in this world is predetermined."
I will believe those words.
Besides, the situation is different from a game.
Seirei did not enter the inner palace.
Shouou has become my friend.
Shuu-sensei has become an ally of Aika Country, and I, along with Shouou and Seirei, have been able to learn the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.'
Little by little, things are changing for the better... I hope.
Believing that, let's do what we can now.
Thinking about that, I continued my preparations for the journey and the guidance.
A few days later, a delegation headed to the 'Bokou Tribe' departed from the town of Hokurin.
It was dawn, a time when there were few people around.
Since it was a secret mission, we left while avoiding the eyes of others.
It would take less than ten days to reach the 'Bokou Tribe' village.
The location is beyond the town that is the farthest northwest in Aika Country.
The members of the delegation are the same as when we visited Souma Country.
The soldiers assigned as guards are also the same ones selected back then.
Of course, Shuu-sensei is with us too.
The difference is that Touri-san is not here.
She decided to stay in Hokurin. Her health has improved, and she wants to get used to life in the town, thinking about the future.
At my suggestion, Touri-san will be taken care of by the Kou family.
That way, Shuu-sensei can feel more at ease.
My mother said, "It feels like we have another daughter."
Seirei said, "I want to hear a lot of guidance stories from Touri-san," and looked really happy. For some reason, she kept glancing at me and Shouou, which was a bit strange... but if she welcomed us, that's what matters.
So, we were able to leave Hokurin without any worries.
The members of the delegation were the same as when we went to Souma Country, so everyone was familiar with each other.
It was a relaxed trip without any tension.
If there was one problem, it was this──
"I'm sorry, Kaou-dono. We can't do anything about the room assignments..."
"That's true..."
"I don't mind, Tanshi-sama."
Shouou was traveling with us as a boy named Sui Kaou.
Some of the soldiers didn't know her true identity.
So, Shouou couldn't stay in the same room as Shuu-sensei.
But staying in the same room as the soldiers was also impossible.
That's why, during the trip, Shouou and I ended up sharing a room.
"Uh, yeah. I guess I don't really mind."
While putting our things in the room, Shouou said.
"It's not the first time I've stayed in the same room as Tenhou."
"It was the same when we traveled to the northern lands."
"And since we're both disciples from the same school, we're like family. Tenhou and I are basically family."
The room was about the size of a twin room from my previous life.
There were 2 beds lined up, and nothing else in the room.
Meals were self-cooked by the guests using a fire borrowed from the inn.
For health management, Shuu-sensei is in charge of cooking during the trip.
She's supposed to come and get us when she's ready.
"I'm glad Shouou is with me."
I said while organizing my luggage.
"With Shouou, we can use the 'Five Divine Swordsmanship' combo techniques. It makes me feel safe. Plus, at the end of the day, we can relax and talk like this."
"It's unthinkable for me not to accompany you on your 'duty,' Tenhou."
Shouou nodded with a shy expression.
"Also, the issues with the foreign tribes aren't just someone else's problem. There are foreign tribes in the south of Souma Country, and I've experienced the toughness of the Jinkyo Tribe myself. I think it's important for us to know about them for the sake of Souma Country."
"That's true."
In the bad ending of 'History of Swordmaster,' Aika Country gets taken over by the Jinkyo Tribe.
The game ends there, but the Jinkyo Tribe's invasion would likely continue.
They might even push further south and attack Souma Country.
If that happens, Shouou, the king of Souma Country, and Shouou's mother could become victims.
To avoid that, I want to take measures now.
If the Jinkyo Tribe weakens, one bad ending will disappear.
"Hey, Tenhou."
Suddenly, Shouou murmured.
"Sometimes, I feel... anxious."
"Are you scared?"
"What if our peaceful days get broken?"
Shouou said that with teary eyes.
"I became Master Raikou's disciple, made friends with Tenhou... and I was able to send my mother back to our hometown. I also got much closer to my father than before. I was sent to Aika Country as a hostage, but... I became much happier than before I was a hostage."
"Yeah."
"Both Souma Country and Aika Country are peaceful and calm. But, you know..."
Shouou sat on the bed, hugging her shoulders.
"There's an organization spreading weird rumors that 'Aika Country will be destroyed.' Master Raikou went on a journey to find out who they are."
"That's true. I think it will be fine since it's Master."
"I think so too. I believe it will be fine. Still... I get anxious. What if our peaceful days get broken...?"
"...Shouou."
"The reason I volunteered for this 'mission' is because I was anxious. What if something happened to Tenhou while I'm not around? But, that's kind of silly, right?"
"It's not silly."
I said.
"Any big country can be shaken by something unexpected. It happened during the battle in the north. At that time, His Royal Highness Rouen was about to be defeated by the enemy general. He could have been killed... or captured. If that had happened, Aika Country would have been greatly shaken."
"Y-yeah. That might be true."
"You witnessed that, Shouou. It's natural to feel anxious."
"I see... you're right."
"Maybe Master Raikou felt a similar anxiety as Shouou."
Honestly, I'm anxious too.
I've seen the destruction of Aika Country ten years from now.
I've even had dreams about it. Because of that, I have questions I can't answer.
'Four Fiends' is one of them.
I don't know if it's the name of an organization, a person, or a technique.
It's not even a term that appears in the game.
"Anyway, I'll do what I can."
I won't let this country fall into chaos.
Kou Tenhou will not become a great villain.
I'll take thorough measures to prevent the Jinkyo Tribe from invading Aika Country.
I'm training in martial arts to gain that power.
"If you feel anxious, please talk to me. I may not have much power, but I can listen. Whether that eases Shouou's anxiety or not... I don't know."
"...Tenhou."
When I noticed, Shouou was looking at me with a bright red face.
It was a bit embarrassing, so I looked away.
"By the way, Shouou."
"W-What is it!?"
"How are we going to do the guidance during our journey?"
"W-What!? Right, we need to do the guidance!"
"Have you heard anything from Shuu-sensei?"
"I don't think so. Yeah, I feel like I haven't!"
"I see..."
"Yeah..."
"Let's just stick to 'Beast Body Guidance' for now."
"...Okay."
We stood up from the bed and started preparing for the guidance.
Then──
"Excuse me, Tenhou-kun. And you too, Kaou-kun."
──I heard Shuu-sensei's voice from beyond the door.
"I'm going to give you guidance, so come to my room later. During the trip, I'll check on your health. You both need to properly do 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique,' okay?"
It seemed that Shuu-sensei was really thinking about the care for me and Shouou.
"...Shall we go, Shouou?"
"...Y-yeah, let's do that."
So, Shouou and I left the room.
After that, we headed to her room to receive Shuu-sensei's guidance.
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