Volume 2 Chapter 2 The Great Villain Of The World, Heads To The Martial Artist Town
"Do you have any idea about the 'ki' energy mentor, Tenhou?"
That night, after meeting with the king of Souma Country, I was talking with Tanshi-san.
We were in the lodging prepared for the envoy.
I was about to go look for the 'ki' energy mentor.
The travel permit――what you might call a pass――was delivered to me by Shouou.
I would need this when entering the big town.
Probably, I would need it for the place I was going to as well.
"It should be Tenhou's first time coming to Souma Country. Finding a mentor must be tough, right?"
"I have an idea."
"Oh, really?"
"I think I'll start by going to 'Tekizan Town.'."
'Tekizan Town' is one of the towns that appears in 'History of Swordmaster.'
It's a place where martial artists gather, and there are facilities to learn martial arts and train 'ki' energy.
Players can change and enhance their 'ki' energy attributes in that town.
"Oh, 'Tekizan Town,' huh! That makes sense!!"
Tanshi-san nodded, looking impressed.
"As expected of Tanshi-sama. You knew about Tekizan?"
"I'm His Royal Highness the King's younger brother's subordinate, and I'm also involved in gathering information."
"I've heard that Tekizan is a place where martial artists gather. Is that correct?"
"You're right."
"Yeah. It might be a tough journey, but it's worth going."
"It's not too tough, but it might take extra time."
"Is that so? That makes sense... since it's an unfamiliar place."
"However, if Tenhou has received teachings from Raikou, Tenhou should easily find a mentor."
Master Raikou said to 'search for a ki energy instructor in Souma Country' because there is a 'Tekizan town' near the capital.
I've also received permission from the King of Souma Country, so I can search for a mentor without worry.
"If you leave the capital and travel for about a day, you'll see 'Tekizan town'."
Tanshi-san said.
"When Tenhou finds a ki energy mentor, will you become a disciple right there?"
"No."
I shook my head.
"First, I'll ask if they can be my mentor, and then I'll come back once. I'm part of the delegation, after all. I need to report back to His Royal Highness the King's younger brother in Aika Country."
"That's true. To study abroad, you'll need your father's permission as well."
"Maybe they should come to Aika Country."
"It would be difficult, I suppose."
"I thought so too."
"Talented people are usually already working for someone else. Finding good people is tough. His Royal Highness the King's younger brother is always looking for talent, but he has a hard time."
"I understand."
I nodded at Tanshi-san's words.
I don't have the power to move people.
Maybe in ten years, but right now, Kou Tenhou is unknown and has no title.
No one would come all the way to Aika Country just because I scouted them.
So, this time is just a meet-and-greet.
First, I'll go to 'Tekizan town' to find a 'ki' energy force mentor. After that, I'll return to Aika Country and discuss it with Ryougen-kun and my father.
Whether I study abroad in Souma Country will be decided after that.
"Tomorrow, I will depart. I'm sorry for worrying you, but thank you for your support."
"I pray for your safe journey."
And so, the next day, I set off while being seen off by the delegation.
──After Tenhou departed──
"Has Tenhou already left?"
"Oh, Your Royal Highness."
"Please don't call me that. Just call me Ouka or Kaou, Tanshi-sama."
"Well then, I must inform Ouka-dono. Tenhou has gone out to search for a mentor of 'ki' energy."
"I see... It's a shame I couldn't see him off."
Ouka pressed her hand to her chest and sighed.
Then she looked towards Tanshi.
"By the way, Tanshi-sama, thank you for your proposal to send engineers to Souma Country. My father was very pleased. As a princess, I would like to express my gratitude for the kindness of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
"Oh, how polite of you."
Ouka and Tanshi exchanged a clasped hand.
Then, Tanshi raised her face and said,
"This is just between us, but... actually, the decision to send engineers was sparked by Tenhou's words."
"I thought so."
Ouka covered her mouth and smiled.
"The phrase 'It would be good to nurture Souma Country like a phoenix' was something Tenhou said."
"It was during the time at His Royal Highness the King's younger brother's residence. You were listening to the exchange with His Royal Highness the prince at that time."
Tanshi nodded.
"After that, His Royal Highness the King's younger brother ordered me to consider sending technical experts to Souma Country. As a result, we concluded that it would be valuable for deepening friendship between our countries and for training engineers. Later, Ouka-dono's mother decided to return to Souma Country, and it was during this opportunity that I made the proposal."
"I see."
"I understand that I should have made it clear that this was Tenhou-dono's proposal. The reason I hid it was to protect him."
"What do you mean by that?"
"When Tenhou-dono spoke about support for Souma Country, His Royal Highness Rouen and his followers were present. While His Royal Highness Rouen is one thing, there are various people among his followers. If they learn that what Tenhou-dono said became national policy, some may become jealous and interfere unnecessarily."
"...That's true."
"His Royal Highness the King's younger brother decided, after consulting with Tenhou-dono's father, to hide the fact that sending engineers was Tenhou-dono's idea. Tenhou-dono still holds no title or position. He has no means to protect himself from power. Therefore――."
"Should we prioritize protecting him for now?"
"By the time the engineers are dispatched and have achieved some results, Tenhou will probably have been appointed. When that time comes, I plan to reveal that the dispatch of engineers was proposed by Tenhou. Please rest assured."
"Thank you very much, Tanshi-sama."
Ouka bowed again to Tanshi.
"I appreciate you thinking about my friend."
"It's a big deal if talented people are crushed while they're still young. His Royal Highness the King's younger brother and I are both thinking about him."
"I want to tell Tenhou about this, but..."
"I understand your feelings, but please refrain from doing so."
"...I see."
Ouka looked down.
"But I think Tenhou should know that everyone cares about him. He always makes me worry. Even today, he just ran off without saying hello. Really, Tenhou... honestly."
"I'll make sure to talk to him as his superior later."
"That's not necessary. So, Tenhou went to look for a 'ki' energy mentor, right? Did he say he had someone in mind?"
"He mentioned he was heading to 'Tekizan town'."
"Tekizan... oh, I see."
Ouka let out a sigh of relief.
"Then he can come back soon."
"It seems Tenhou knew a place where martial artists gather. Did Ouka-dono tell him about it?"
"No, it wasn't me."
"However, Raikou-dono only told us to look for the mentor of 'ki' energy, right? Tenhou-dono, where does he know about 'Tekizan Town'?"
"If it's Tenhou, that could be the case."
"That might be true. So, Ouka-dono, 'Tekizan Town' is――."
"It's at the foot of Tekizan Mountain. It's a key transportation hub where merchants traveling within Souma Country gather. Because many guards for the merchants gather there, it naturally became a town for martial artists."
"If it's a place like that, Tenhou-dono should be able to find a mentor."
"To be honest, I wanted to go with him..."
"I thought you would say that, so Tenhou-dono left early in the morning."
"That might be the case."
"Tenhou-dono's wish is for you to spend time with your family without worry."
"Thank you, Tanshi-sama."
With that, Ouka left the lodge.
"May the journey to Tekizan be a peaceful one for Tenhou."
――As those words were whispered.
──Tenhou's POV──
"I see. Since it's ten years before the game starts, the path to the mountain top isn't developed yet."
'Tekizan Town' is located near the top of the mountain.
I remember the location of that town well.
It's an important point in the game 'History of the Swordmaster.'
Leaving the capital of Souma Country, it took a day and a half.
I was climbing Tekizan Mountain.
The entrance to the mountain path was hidden by grass.
I was able to find it thanks to a cave nearby. That place, which serves as a save point in the game, is a landmark on the mountain path leading to 'Drip Mountain Town.'
As soon as I reached the foot of the mountain, I searched for the cave.
I found it right away.
The path up Tekizan Mountain was a little further north from there.
Looking down from the middle of the mountain, I could see a town surrounded by castle walls.
That's probably 'Rekitei Town.'
In 'History of Swordmaster,' it's a place you stop by when you first climb Drip Mountain.
After that, there's not much reason to go there.
"Still... the road is bad."
There are big rocks rolling all over the mountain path.
I managed to squeeze through using 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Cat Liquidization,' but it was surprisingly tough.
I wonder if this path is only meant for martial artists.
While I was thinking about that, the path ended.
Ahead of me was a fast-flowing river, and below it was a waterfall.
But I can jump over a gap like this.
"'Five Divine Steps'──'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King'!!"
My body floated lightly――yes, I made it across.
Beyond this point, a narrow path continues near a cliff.
I'll use the Byakko tiger form of 'Five Divine Steps.'
Since it grabs the ground with its claws while moving, I shouldn't fall.
As I walked along the mountain path for about an hour... a building came into view.
That must be 'Tekizan Town.'
Near the top of Tekizan, there is a wide flat area.
In the game 'History of Swordmaster,' there were many houses built there.
At the entrance of the town, there is a gate, and beyond that is a square. Many martial artists were training there. The 'ki' energy training area is deeper in the town. An expert in 'ki' energy was at the temple, helping with 'ki' energy adjustments.
It was a necessary place for game strategy, but──
"Did I take a wrong turn?"
Near the top of Tekizan... there was only one small house.
I could see only 2 people.
One was a tall woman. The other was a girl about my age.
There were no gates, squares, or temples like I saw in the game.
Just a lot of trees.
In a cleared area, there was only one house.
Could it be that I took a wrong turn?
Is the 'Tekizan Town' of this era deeper in the mountains?
Or maybe the town hasn't been built yet.
However, the path to get here was somewhat maintained. It seemed like only martial artists with a certain level of ability could pass through.
That's why I came this far.
For now, I should ask the residents for information.
"Excuse me. I came from Aika Country. My name is Kou Tenhou."
I bowed my head to the people in front of the house.
"I've heard that martial artists gather at Tekizan. I came here looking for someone who can teach me about 'ki' energy. If you have any leads, could you please let me know?"
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