Volume 2 Chapter 19 The Great Villain Of The World, Becomes An Official Messenger To The Foreign Tribe Ii
"'Bokou Tribe' is exclusive because they want to protect something important."
Shuu-sensei said.
Shouou and I were at the inn, continuing our guidance under Shuu-sensei's instruction.
While we were doing that, Shuu-sensei began to talk about the 'Bokou Tribe.'
She said it was better to share knowledge.
"'Bokou Tribe' lives in the mountains. And since ancient times, it is said that there are hermits and fairies living in the mountains."
Shuu-sensei continued.
"The ancestors of the 'Bokou Tribe' learned how to live in the mountains from the hermits and fairy maidens and were entrusted with something important. That's the rumor."
"But... do hermits and fairy maidens really exist?"
"You don't believe in their existence, do you, Shouou?"
"Y-yes. I haven't seen them, so..."
"What about you, Tenhou-kun?"
"I don't know either. I haven't seen them in real life."
Since there are reincarnators (like me), I think it's not strange if hermits and fairy maidens exist.
But I have never actually met them. I don't know if they are real or not.
"However, I think it's possible that someone trying to become a hermit has encountered the 'Bokou Tribe.'"
I said.
Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei's master──Master Gyoun──went into the mountains to become a hermit.
Whether hermits and fairy maidens exist or not is a different story, but there are indeed masters who try to become hermits.
A person who seeks to master technology and live a second life as a hermit.
Maybe that's the kind of person mentioned in the legend of the 'Bokou Tribe.'
"I see! That makes sense!"
Shouou nodded with an impressed tone.
"So, there's a possibility that an amazing person who wants to become a hermit is connected to the 'Bokou Tribe.'"
"I agree with you, Tenhou-kun."
Shuu-sensei nodded.
"However, the 'Bokou Tribe' will not speak the truth. For them, it's an important secret. We must avoid touching on that. If they think we are trying to steal their knowledge or technology, the negotiation will end there. Be careful."
""Yes. Shuu-sensei!!""
"To negotiate, you must calm your heart and stay steady. A calm demeanor gives people a sense of security. It makes the other party think, 'This person won't harm me.'"
""Yes. I will do my best!!""
"Good. Do you have any other questions?"
"...Shuu-sensei."
"...I have one thing I'd like to ask."
Shouou and I spoke in unison,
""Why are we doing 'Beast Body Guidance' while blindfolded?""
It felt really strange.
Shuu-sensei, who called us into the room, first told us to put on blindfolds.
Then, she instructed us to perform 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' in that state.
Shouou and I decided to follow her instructions.
I thought there must be a reason since it was Shuu-sensei, but I had missed the chance to ask.
Just when she asked, "Do you have any questions?" I decided to ask why.
"Of course, there is an important meaning. Three points."
"Please tell us, Shuu-sensei."
"Please."
"First, it's to help you not get flustered."
Shuu-sensei began to explain.
When people lose their sight, they become anxious.
When they are flustered, they can't move like usual.
To prevent that, we train our bodies to move.
That's why we practice guidance with blindfolds on.
"The second point is to help you read your opponent's movements."
When you limit your sight, your other senses become sharper.
You also become sensitive to the 'ki' energy around you.
So, when I'm blindfolded and doing guidance with Shouou, we can feel each other's 'ki' energy and inner force. By sensing each other's movements and guiding without getting in each other's way, we become more aware of each other's presence.
This makes it easier to coordinate attacks in swordsmanship.
Additionally, it becomes easier to sense the enemy's 'ki.'
This means we can respond quickly when attacked.
"The third point, well... you don't need to worry too much about this."
"Is that so?"
"When I decided to receive guidance from you, Shuu-sensei, I was ready to accept everything..."
"That's reassuring, Shouou."
Shuu-sensei spoke in a tone that seemed relieved.
"Well, let me explain. The third reason is so that you can perform the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' in a completely natural state. Without wearing anything unnecessary."
Shuu-sensei said.
In a firm tone. Like she was telling me and Shouou directly.
"I want you to do it at least once. If you keep your eyes open, you'll be curious about each other's appearance, right? So, I want you to be able to do the guidance even with your eyes closed."
...Completely natural state.
...A state without anything unnecessary.
...That means... um.
"By doing this, your training in the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' will be complete. You will be able to circulate each other's 'ki' and gain powerful strength. You will also be able to manipulate the attributes of 'ki' energy freely."
Shuu-sensei continued.
"Of course, I won't force you. But I believe you, Shouou, and Touri can master the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.' Plus, if you exchange 'ki' in a completely natural state, it will help heal Touri's wounds faster."
"I understand. If that's the case..."
"I-I have no problem with that too!"
Next to me, Shouou raised her voice.
I couldn't see her face because she was blindfolded.
But I could feel her 'ki' rising.
"I'm saying I don't want to do it, so it will just be Tenhou and Touri-san, right? That can't happen. As a senior disciple, I have a duty to help Tenhou with his training!"
"Is that okay? Shouou."
"T-This is part of the training too, you know."
Shouou said.
"I'm studying martial arts abroad. I can't miss the chance to master guidance. It's just doing the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' in a slightly different way. It'll be fine... probably."
"I understand. I'm okay too."
"...I-I see."
"...Yes."
"Okay, okay. You two are both frozen!"
Shuu-sensei clapped her hands.
"Before mastering guidance, you need to get used to blindfolded guidance. From here on, it's the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.' Forget you're human and become a bird, a monkey, and a tree."
"Y-Yes!!"
At that signal, Shouou and I fell silent.
With our blindfolds on, we began the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' together.
All we could feel were sounds, each other's presence, and body heat.
Shouou and I became monkeys, trees, and birds──
"Ooh-ooh!" "Ooh-ooh!" "Ooh-ooh! Eek-eek!"
Bump. Thud. Tap. Squish. Munch.
──We continued our guidance, sometimes touching or bumping into each other.
After that, our journey continued smoothly.
As we passed through the border town, we entered a wide plain.
In the center of the plain, there is a narrow path. It continues all the way to the mountains in the northwest.
It seems that the 'Bokou Tribe' has their base in those mountains.
The 'Bokou Tribe' is known for their red hair and strong build.
As a sign of their clan, they wear fur collars. They also wear fur clothing starting in autumn.
Their base is in the mountains, and it snows a lot in winter.
That's why they seem to dress warmly.
During my journey, I was recalling the faces and names of characters from 'History of Swordmaster.'
Among them, I mentally listed the characters with red hair and fur collars.
They are probably the 'Bokou Tribe.'
I hope this knowledge will be useful──
"Tanshi-sama! Horsemen are approaching from ahead!"
While I was thinking about that, suddenly, a lookout soldier shouted.
Looking towards the road ahead, I saw people on horseback.
There were fewer than ten of them.
All of them had red hair and were wearing fur collars.
"Is that the 'Bokou Tribe'!? No, it could also be the Jinkyo Tribe in disguise..."
Tanshi-san, who was in a carriage, muttered.
Previously, in the northern lands, the Jinkyo Tribe had disguised themselves as bandits.
Because of that, the careless Crown Prince Rouen almost got killed by Zeng Taiga.
That's why Tanshi-san is on guard.
"It seems the one in the center is the elder of the 'Bokou Tribe'."
Shuu-sensei said.
"Next to me is someone I treated before. He's the chief's nephew. It's definitely from the 'Bokou Tribe.' The strong man at the front... I don't recognize him."
"He looks like a military officer... no, more like a general."
I couldn't help but speak up.
I recognized the person at the front of the 'Bokou Tribe.'
His name is Gaku Kiryuu.
In ten years, he will be a general forced to fight on the front lines as a low-ranking member of the Jinkyo Tribe.
In 'History of Swordmaster,' he is known for his high combat and intelligence skills, but he has low loyalty to the Jinkyo Tribe. Well, due to the game's system, I couldn't recruit anyone from the Jinkyo Tribe.
The fact that he is mixed in means they are part of the 'Bokou Tribe.'
"From the way the people around him are acting, that man might be leading the group. I think we should treat him with respect."
"...You're observant, Tenhou-kun."
"Yeah, Tenhou is right. It looks like he is leading everyone. Let's send a messenger from our side."
Shuu-sensei nodded, and Tanshi-san gave orders to his subordinates.
Immediately, one of the soldiers ran toward the group from the 'Bokou Tribe.'
No fighting broke out.
The people who seemed to be from the 'Bokou Tribe' welcomed the messenger and started talking about something.
Then, the man at the front──Gaku Kiryuu──came toward us with the soldier. He wasn't carrying any weapons.
He stopped once from a distance and took off his scarf.
"'Bokou Tribe' greeting. It seems there is no hostility."
Shuu-sensei took out a hand towel, wrapped it around her neck, and then removed it.
This is how they return the greeting.
The man seemed satisfied and approached us.
He knelt in front of the carriage and said,
"I am Gaku Kiryuu, the captain of the 'Bokou Tribe' defense team."
──He introduced himself with a name just as I imagined.
"I hear you are a representative from Aika Country, the younger brother of His Royal Highness the King. You have come for friendship, is that correct?"
"Indeed. We are on our way to your village as friendly envoys."
Tanshi-san replied.
"It was fortunate to meet the 'Bokou Tribe' here. If possible, could you guide us to your village? If that is difficult, I would like to speak with your representative."
"...I would like to do that, but there is a problem."
"A problem?"
"Our home base is under attack by the Jinkyo Tribe."
Gaku Kiryuu said.
He bowed his head so low it almost touched the ground, his voice strained as he continued,
"They burned our village and kidnapped the chief's daughter. On top of that... they have taken refuge in a fortress and are demanding our submission. We fled here to seek the help of Aika Country. Please! Help our children!!"
──That is what the man from the 'Bokou Tribe' said.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)