Volume 2 Chapter 25 The Great Villain Of The World, Becomes An Official Messenger To The Foreign Tribe Viii
──Tenhou's Perspective──
"I've rescued the hostages. Everyone is safe."
I was the last one to leave the tower.
I had to make sure we weren't being chased.
All the enemies in the tower were defeated by me and Shouou, but there might still be some hiding.
So, to avoid being attacked from behind, I stayed at the back.
"Gaku Kiryuu-sama's family is also here. Please confirm──"
"Wait a moment, Tenhou-dono."
The serious voice that came back was Tanshi-san's.
"Gaku Kiryuu-dono is currently fighting to determine the victor."
The soldiers from both sides had stopped moving.
What they were watching was Gaku Kiryuu, fighting with a spear, and the general of the Jinkyo Tribe, wielding a large sword.
The two were battling one-on-one, with the soldiers looking on.
"It's a duel between the 'Bokou Tribe' and the Jinkyo Tribe's general. No interference allowed."
"But, Tanshi-sama. This... Gaku Kiryuu-sama is at a huge disadvantage."
Gaku Kiryuu, who was disguised as a prisoner, wasn't wearing any armor.
It would be unnatural for a prisoner to wear armor.
Also, to make the Jinkyo Tribe let their guard down, it was necessary for Gaku Kiryuu to show his face.
So, Gaku Kiryuu had no protective gear on at all.
In contrast, the Jinkyo Tribe's general was fully equipped.
Even if Gaku Kiryuu's spear grazed the enemy, it wouldn't matter.
But if Gaku Kiryuu takes even one hit, he will be seriously injured.
In this battle, Gaku Kiryuu is at a huge disadvantage.
"If this continues, Gaku Kiryuu-sama is in danger. Tanshi-sama, please allow me to help!"
"That won't do, Tenhou-dono."
"But!"
"Gaku Kiryuu-dono is fighting to protect you."
Tanshi-san grabbed my shoulder.
"The enemy's name is Ren Padu. He is said to be a close aide of Zeng Taiga, the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe. He has been looking for you, Tenhou-dono. If there are soldiers from Aika Country, then Kou Tenhou must be here too."
"Me...?"
"Tenhou-dono, you have cut off Zeng Taiga's hand. It's only natural for someone close to him to seek revenge. Gaku Kiryuu-dono is fighting to ensure that no harm comes to Tenhou-dono. You must not waste that intention."
Tanshi-san whispered so that others couldn't hear.
The enemy general is Ren Padu... Zeng Taiga's aide.
So, it makes sense that he is targeting me.
I also understand why Gaku Kiryuu is fighting to protect me.
But Gaku Kiryuu is someone needed for the future of Aika Country.
He has high morale ability and is also excellent in personal combat ability.
And... he is a good person.
Gaku Kiryuu was polite to Tanshi-san, to me, and to Shouou.
To save his family, he even pretended to be a prisoner.
He became defenseless in front of a soldier from Aika Country that he had just met and entrusted his safety to us.
It was because Gaku Kiryuu believed in us.
We can't afford to lose someone like that here.
"You said not to interfere, right... Tanshi-sama?"
"That's right. That's the way of a warrior."
I understood Tanshi-san's opinion.
I'll do as he said. I won't 'interfere'.
I won't jump in for a one-on-one fight or slash the enemy from behind.
I'm just taking measures to keep my family, friends, and comrades from dying.
My goal is to avoid the 'Kou Tenhou Destruction ending'──but it wouldn't mean anything if I was the only one left alive.
I want my comrades to survive as much as possible.
So──
"I'd like to ask Nona Kiryuu-sama and Kaine Shurt-sama."
I called out to Gaku Kiryuu's daughter and the chief's daughter.
"Gaku Kiryuu-sama has the 'Concentration Skill'... right? He had an extraordinary focus during battles, didn't he?"
The 'Concentration Skill' is a skill that temporarily boosts combat power.
It narrows your vision, making you only see things related to the fight, but it increases attack accuracy.
The Gaku Kiryuu in the game should have had that skill, but──
"Y-yes. Indeed... when my father concentrates, he can't sense anything other than what's related to the fight... How do you know that!?"
"...Gaku Kiryuu fights with concentration. He's really strong."
"I understand. Thank you."
Gaku Kiryuu in this world seems to have a 'concentration skill.'
That means, even if I call out to him during a one-on-one fight, he won't hear me.
It's going to be tough to coordinate for support, huh?
"I understand. Then, I will head to support Shuu-sensei."
I said this to Tanshi-san.
Shuu-sensei is holding back a user of the 'Four Fiends' technique.
There are soldiers guarding her too, but the enemy's strength is unknown. I should probably help out.
"Tenhou, that is..."
"I am Shuu-sensei's disciple. It's only natural to help my master, right?"
"...I understand. Please be careful."
"Yes. I will return safely with Shuu-sensei."
"Wait, Tenhou. I'm going too."
"Please, Shouou."
I nodded at Shouou, who raised her hand.
All the enemy soldiers are focused on the one-on-one fight.
Now's our chance to jump over the enemies and reach the building where Shuu-sensei is.
"'Five Divine Steps'──'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King'!"
Shouou and I leaped high with 'Five Divine Steps.'
We soared over the soldiers' heads.
Looking down at the enemy camp from several meters in the air, I saw someone aiming a projectile.
He was hiding behind other soldiers so that the Bokou Tribe and Aika Country's troops couldn't see him.
It seems they don't want to fight fairly.
If that's the case, I don't have to hold back either.
The enemy commander, Ren Padu, is targeting me.
Gaku Kiryuu's 'Concentration Skill' boosts combat power but makes him unable to sense anything unrelated to the fight.
And in a one-on-one duel, 'no third party should interfere'.
So I put 'ki' energy into my voice──
"I'm Kou Tenhou of Aika Country! Excuse me for coming above you!!"
I shouted while looking down at the enemy commander──Ren Padu.
──Gaku Kiryuu of 'Bokou Tribe's perspective (a few minutes ago)—
The situation was not in his favor.
Not wearing armor didn't bother him.
In fact, his body felt light and easy to move.
Gaku Kiryuu's strengths are speed and precise attacks.
His spear blocks Ren Padu's great sword and leaves marks on the armor.
It's easy to aim for the gaps in the armor.
Gaku Kiryuu and Ren Padu are almost equally strong.
Gaku Kiryuu excels in speed and accuracy, while Ren Padu has strength and endurance.
But the problem is──
"Why are you hiding archer behind you while claiming it's a one-on-one duel, Ren Padu!!"
In his 'Concentration' state, Gaku Kiryuu can sense even the slightest killing intent.
So he knows there are soldiers from the Jinkyo Tribe with bows drawn, aiming at him.
Occasionally, they pull back their bows, targeting Gaku Kiryuu.
The enemy's positioning is clever. They are experienced.
In a place unseen by the 'Bokou Tribe' and the soldiers of Aika Country, they are intimidating Gaku Kiryuu.
If Gaku Kiryuu defeats Ren Padu, or tries to land a powerful blow, they will shoot an arrow.
Their wariness of that person is dulling Gaku Kiryuu's attacks.
He is unable to land a decisive blow on Ren Padu.
"Is this how the Jinkyo Tribe operates, Ren Padu!?"
"I don't know. They are not my soldiers!"
"Not your soldiers, you say!?"
"They are His Royal Highness Zeng's direct soldiers. But if His Royal Highness's subordinates are involved, then that is the will of the Jinkyo Tribe!!"
Ren Padu's great sword grazes Gaku Kiryuu's head.
Gaku Kiryuu kicks the enemy general's knee and uses the momentum to leap away.
(...A long battle would be bad.)
Even if Gaku Kiryuu is defeated, his ally Tanshi from Aika Country is there.
He will lead the soldiers and clear out the enemies.
The problem is if Gaku Kiryuu gets shot with an arrow.
If that happens, the soldiers of the 'Bokou Tribe' will charge in anger.
That would lead to heavy losses for the allies.
They might let Ren Padu and the users of the 'Four Fiends Technique' escape.
The enemy is probably aiming for that.
(Then, I have no choice but to settle this quickly!)
Gaku Kiryuu steeled himself.
Aika Country has become their ally, and they were able to rescue the hostage.
His life has done enough work. It wouldn't be a loss to give up here.
Gaku Kiryuu readies his spear and starts running.
"Here I go, Ren Padu!!"
With this one strike, everything will be decided.
Even if he get taken down by the enemy general──there are trustworthy allies here.
The Tanshi of Aika Country, and his subordinates, Tenhou and Shouou. Just meeting them is enough for him.
Gaku Kiryuu switches positions while running.
He places Ren Padu in the line between the archers and himself──this way, the enemy can't shoot.
"You're too naive, 'Bokou Tribe'!!"
Ren Padu noticed his plan.
He predicted Gaku Kiryuu's movements and raised his large sword.
(──Will I make it in time!?)
What he needs is just a moment of opening.
Before Ren Padu's sword reaches him, he'll slide the tip of his spear into the gap in his armor.
Just a few seconds—no, even less than a second will do.
"O guardian of my tribe, Suimei Shin-kun! Grant me your blessing!!"
"This is the end for you, 'Bokou Tribe' rat!!"
Gaku Kiryuu's spear and Ren Padu's sword clash.
As the weapons of the two warriors are about to reach each other──
"I'm Kou Tenhou of Aika Country! Excuse me for coming above you!!"
──That voice changed the fate of both of them.
"Kou Tenhou!?"
Ren Padu reacted to the voice and looked up for just a moment.
Gaku Kiryuu was ready to die, betting everything on one strike.
Ren Padu could hear Tenhou's voice──
but Gaku Kiryuu, who was 'focused' on the battle, couldn't hear it──
Only Ren Padu paused for just a few seconds.
And in that moment, Gaku Kiryuu's spear pierced Ren Padu's armor.
"...You fool. This 'Bokou Tribe' rat... is still alive?"
"...Did I survive? Me?"
Ren Padu's great sword stopped on Gaku Kiryuu's shoulder.
He realized something had stopped his movement.
If that 'something' had been just a moment late, Gaku Kiryuu would have been cut in half.
"Where are the archers?!"
Gaku Kiryuu looked toward the enemy lines.
The archer who had been aiming at him was rolling right behind Ren Padu.
It seemed someone had kicked them away to avoid interrupting the duel.
The threat was gone.
Noticing this, Gaku Kiryuu raised his spear and shouted.
"The enemy commander, Ren Padu, has been defeated by Gaku Kiryuu of the 'Bokou Tribe!!"
"""Oooooooh!!"""
Cheers erupted from his allies.
From the Jinkyo Tribe's camp, there were screams.
The Jinkyo Tribe had lost their fortress and their hostages. They had also lost their commander.
Now, they were just an isolated unit in enemy territory.
Some were dropping their weapons and surrendering, others were starting to flee, and some were charging in blindly──there were various reactions. The 'Bokou Tribe' and Aika Country's forces were surrounding and defeating the enemy.
The outcome was decided.
"──This is bad. I have to go help Gen Shuuyoku-dono..."
As Gaku Kiryuu tried to run, his body wobbled.
He instinctively touched his leg and felt a sharp pain.
Gaku Kiryuu was covered in wounds.
Ren Padu's attacks were fierce. His great sword had left countless cuts on Gaku Kiryuu's body. He barely avoided fatal injuries.
He hadn't noticed the pain because he was 'focused' on the battle.
"...I can't believe we actually won."
"────Won, you say?"
A voice came from the ground, from an archer who was lying there.
The person was smiling.
Their armor was different from the Jinkyo Tribe's.
"Who are you?"
"We are the ones who will rule this continent correctly."
"Don't joke with me! Are you perhaps allies of the 'Four Fiends Technique' user!?"
"...I have nothing to say to you."
The man pulled a dagger from his pocket.
The blade was slightly wet.
Gaku Kiryuu realized it was "poison" and tried to run.
But his injured body couldn't react quickly.
Instead, his subordinate rushed toward the man.
However──
"Aika Country will fall. You are just tools for that. Only we know everything──."
The man pressed the blade to his own neck and slid it across.
Immediately, his body convulsed and then went still.
"Ruling the continent correctly... you say?"
He thought the enemy was only the Jinkyo Tribe.
The users of the 'Four Fiends Technique' and those related to them were targeting Aika Country.
They're going to use the 'Bokou Tribe' as a tool for that.
"...I can't forgive this!"
He can't allow those guys to act in the shadows.
He has to stop them no matter what.
"But... if I stay in the 'Bokou Tribe' village, I won't be able to reach them."
To defeat them, he needs to go outside his clan.
He has to become a soldier or a general in Aika Country and venture into the wider world.
Ryougen-kun, the lord of Tanshi, should lend him his strength.
"Plus, I have to repay Tenhou and Shouou for their help."
They were the ones who took down that archer.
He knows it without needing proof.
The 'Bokou Tribe' owes him. As captain of the defense, he must repay that debt.
"Before that──I must capture the user of the 'Four Fiends Technique.'."
Gaku Kiryuu stands up with the help of the soldiers.
His body still moves.
Then, he must fight.
With determination, Gaku Kiryuu starts walking toward the building where the user of the 'Four Fiends Technique' is located.
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