Volume 2 Chapter 27 The Great Villain Of The World, Becomes An Official Messenger To The Foreign Tribe X
──Tenhou's Perspective (A Few Minutes Ago)──
"Tenhou! Shouou! Use the Pressure Point Technique! Inject your 'ki' into the Jinkyo Tribe soldiers!!"
""Yes!!""
The moment I heard Shuu-sensei's voice, my body moved on its own.
"──'Finger Control Art: Leaffall'!!"
I approached the enemy soldier and touched his wrist.
Just like I was taught, I poured my 'ki' energy into him.
"The 'Kyuuki' technique injects 'poisonous ki.' Then, give them your 'ki'... the 'ki' that can heal!!"
I heard Shuu-sensei's voice again.
With those words, I understood Shuu-sensei's thoughts.
The Jinkyo Tribe soldier in front of me was abnormal.
His body was covered in wounds, yet he was still fighting. He didn't seem to feel any pain.
It was probably because of the 'poisonous ki' that Shuu-sensei mentioned.
That's why Shuu-sensei told us to inject the 'Divine Energy' that acts as medicine.
'Divine Energy' has the power to heal wounds.
So, I'm using the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' with Touri-san to transfer 'ki' and heal her body.
But what if I inject the medicinal 'Divine Energy' into an enemy affected by poison?
To heal, or as a first aid, what if I inject it all at once?
The result is──
"GYAAAAAA!! It hurts, it hurts soooo much!!"
──The enemy soldier who received my 'energy' collapsed on the floor.
He cried out and writhed in pain.
I see.
It seems the enemy's 'poison energy' made the soldier forget his pain.
My 'Divine Energy' must have canceled or interfered with that.
So the soldier regained his sense of pain and is suffering from intense agony.
He's covered in wounds. Since he didn't feel pain, he probably fought without worrying about his injuries. Now that the pain has returned, there's no way he can fight properly...
"But my Pressure Point Technique has never worked on Shikei or Touri-san."
"That's because Tenhou is too gentle, right?"
Suddenly, Shouou looked at me and said.
"You couldn't seriously use the Pressure Point Technique on me or Touri-san. That's why it didn't work, right?"
"...That's not true, is it?"
"Hehe. Even Tenhou doesn't understand himself."
Shouou said that and smiled.
Then, she quickly tightened her expression and said,
"More importantly, Tenhou, go to Shuu-sensei. I'll hold off the remaining soldiers."
"Is that okay? Shikei?"
"Protect Shuu-sensei. If the enemy uses 'poison energy', it's better for someone with strong 'Divine Energy' to go!"
"Understood!"
I and Shouou bump our fists together as a signal.
Immediately, I approach the enemy soldier with 'Five Divine Steps.' I aim for his legs and slash.
The enemy loses his balance from the impact.
In that moment, Shouou steps in and strikes the enemy's arm with his fist.
"'Finger Control Art! Perish!'"
"...W-What!? Ugh, ughhh... noooooo!!"
The enemy soldier screams.
Shouou circles behind the enemy, who is frozen in pain, and hits him with 'Finger Control Art: Wither Touch.' The technique numbs his legs, reminding the enemy of his wounds.
Holding his bloodied legs, the enemy curls up on the floor.
"Go! Tenhou!!"
"Yes! Shikei!"
I slip between the enemy soldiers with 'Five Divine Steps' and reach Shuu-sensei.
Then I unleash 'Kirin's Horn Thrust,' deflecting the enemy's sword aimed at Shuu-sensei──
"Are you okay, Shuu-sensei?"
I finally reach the injured Shuu-sensei.
──Tenhou's Perspective (Present)──
"I'll tell you about the enemy's abilities. You might be able to fight back against him."
Shuu-sensei sits up and whispers in my ear.
She looks battered.
Her robe is torn in several places. There are bruises on both of her legs. She must have taken hits from the enemy's techniques. Even Shuu-sensei couldn't defeat a user of 'Four Fiends' techniques.
"Then... that is the user of the 'Four Fiends Technique'."
The man with gray hair was staring at me intently.
He was tall and slim. He held a sword in his right hand.
It seemed he could unleash powerful long-range attacks from his left hand. That was the technique that defeated Shuu-sensei.
"...But that man is──."
I couldn't take my eyes off the enemy in front of me.
My body wouldn't stop shaking.
It wasn't because I was scared of the 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki.'
It was because I realized the true identity of the enemy in front of me.
Gray hair. Bluish eyes. A swordsman.
He looked to be in his early thirties.
I knew this man's name.
He wasn't just a character from the game 'History of Swordmaster.'
When that game started, this guy was 'already dead'.
In other words, his death was significant enough to be mentioned in the game.
"State your name. You are the user of the 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki'."
I readied my sword and said it.
The gray-haired man shook his head, looking bored.
"I have no name to give to a child. If you don't want to die──"
"Well, I know it. Your name is Kai Shuujaku."
"...!?"
The man glared at me.
I continued.
"There was someone in the Jinkyo Tribe who knew your name. Yeah, I forgot who I asked. It might have been the guard at the tower, or maybe someone watching the duel. Anyway, the Jinkyo Tribe mentioned it. No doubt about it."
I'm using an excuse like 'I heard it on the internet,' but it should work.
This guy is part of the Jinkyo Tribe. There's probably at least one person who knows his name.
"...The Jinkyo Tribe sure has loose lips."
After a while, the gray-haired man nodded.
It seems like he really is Kai Shuujaku.
...I really hoped he was someone else.
"Why are you doing this? Hurting the young Touri-san... and now teaming up with the Jinkyo Tribe to attack the Bokou Tribe... it's the worst."
"...Hmph."
"Don't you have kids? Have you thought about what your child would think if they knew what you were doing?"
If the game settings are correct, he has a child.
The kid is probably a little younger than me, around 10 years old.
His name is Kai Yougetsu.
He has gray hair like this guy and bluish eyes... in ten years, he'll be a fine young man.
Kai Yougetsu is the main character of the game 'History of Swordmaster.'
And the guy in front of me, Kai Shuujaku, is his father.
In the game world, Kai Yougetsu has always seen Kou Tenhou as an enemy.
This started because his father, Kai Shuujaku, died in a battle involving Kou Tenhou.
This is told in Kai Yougetsu's episode in the game.
He says, 'If it weren't for Kou Tenhou, my father wouldn't have died,' and his friends comfort him.
It's a great scene that strengthens the bond between the protagonist and his friends.
In that scene, the protagonist declares, 'By destiny, I will defeat the great villain Kou Tenhou.'"
I thought that was a line showing the protagonist's determination, but I was wrong.
The reason the protagonist said "destiny" is probably... because it was his father's catchphrase.
Kai Shuujaku has said it many times. "Destiny."
If it was something his dead father said, I can understand why the protagonist would say it in an important scene.
But... Kai Shuujaku died 2 years before the game started.
Right now, it's ten years before the game starts, so there's an 8-year gap.
The situation is different from now──
"Why did you team up with the Jinkyo Tribe? Why are you using 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki'?"
Kai Shuujaku doesn't answer my question.
He just watches for a chance to strike.
Feeling his gaze on me, I desperately tried to stop my body from shaking.
I had been trying to avoid 'Kou Tenhou Destruction End' all this time.
I thought I was doing pretty well.
I learned 'ki' energy and 'Five Divine Steps.'
I thought I could avoid the 'Destruction ending' like this....
If I defeat Kai Shuujaku, I will become the enemy of the protagonist's parents.
──I will be targeted by the protagonist, Kai Yougetsu.
──He will gather the hero army to corner me.
──In the end, Kou Tenhou (that's me) will be caught and publicly executed.
Having become the enemy of the protagonist's parents, I might be heading toward such a doomed future.
"Kaou-dono. You must not step forward! They are our enemies!"
"I understand. But, Tenhou is! Tenhou is..."
Suddenly, I heard Shouou's voice.
For just a moment, I looked back and saw Shuu-sensei looking at me with a praying expression.
My friend and my mentor are right there.
The Kai Shuujaku in front of me starts to move.
I instinctively gripped the 'White Kirin Sword.'
And then──
"'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King!!"
"Tch!"
Clank!
The sword I raised was deflected by the Kai Shuujaku.
A counterattack is coming. I dodged with 'Five Divine Steps' using the Genbu turtle technique.
"This guy... the Kai Shuujaku is my enemy."
I said.
It doesn't matter what the game setting is.
I can't leave this guy alone.
He hurt Touri-san a few years ago. Now, he tried to kill Shuu-sensei.
He attacked the 'Bokou Tribe' along with the Jinkyo Tribe, trying to conquer them.
This guy is definitely my enemy.
Even if it means being hated by the game's protagonist, I have to stop him here.
"It doesn't matter who you are. You are my enemy, and I'm your enemy!!"
"What a troublesome kid you are!"
The Kai Shuujaku swings his sword.
I dodged with 'Five Divine Steps' using 'Genbu Glide.' I swung my sword from below.
But he avoided it. I rolled to evade his counterattack. Then, I unleashed a series of attacks modeled after the Genbu turtle and snake with 'Five Divine Swordsmanship's 'Genbu turtle幻双打.'
"Looks like you have some skill in swordsmanship. But it's too soft!"
"────Guh!?"
A shock hit me.
Kai Shuujaku's strike was heavy. I could barely block it.
...Still, he won't stop here──
"────Tenhou!!"
"──!?"
Right after that, Shouou thrust her sword from right beside Kai Shuujaku.
Kai Shuujaku jumped back to dodge it.
When I turned around──all the soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe were curled up on the floor.
It seems Shouou used the Pressure Point Technique.
But the soldiers from Aika Country were also in no condition to move.
Enemies who couldn't feel pain were a serious threat.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Tenhou. It's just this guy left──"
"I'll take him down."
I interrupted Shouou's words.
It would be bad if Shouou killed Kai Shuujaku.
She is the heroine of 'History of Swordmaster.' There's a chance she could meet the protagonist, Kai Yougetsu.
If Shouou kills Kai Shuujaku here, she might become a target for Kai Yougetsu as his father's enemy.
I absolutely have to avoid that situation.
"I'll step forward and fight, so Shikei just provide support──"
"I refuse! I won't let you carry the burden alone!"
Shouou's arm was shaking.
She must realize that the opponent in front of her is strong.
Even so, Shouou wore a fearless smile and shouted.
"I'm your friend! No matter what happens, I'll be by your side. I'll be your ally. If you fall, I'll fall with you! Got it!!"
Shouou declared that without any hesitation.
...I can't compete with her.
I need to prepare myself.
Telling Shouou to "run away" here would be an insult to her.
If Shouou carries my burdens, then I will carry hers.
If Shouou defeats Kai Shuujaku, I'll somehow convince her to let me take the credit. That way, the protagonist will only hate me.
I won't let Shouou get even a scratch. Absolutely not.
"I understand. Please fight with me, Shikei."
"Yeah. Tenhou!!"
"...You guys are dangerous."
Kai Shuujaku readies his sword and faces us.
"For the destiny of my child, I will destroy you here!"
Here it comes!
Shouou and I instinctively dodge. We split to the sides with 'Five Divine Steps.'
Kai Shuujaku's sword passes through the space where I was.
With the momentum of his swing, he kicks at Shouou from behind. Is he aiming for a series of attacks on her!?
If that's the case, then I──
"'Five Divine Swordsmanship'──'Seiryuu Spinning Strike' (The Seiryuu dragon travels in circles around the heavens and the earth)!!"
"──Tch!"
Clang!!
Kai Shuujaku gives up on attacking Shouou and blocks my sword.
'Seiryuu Spinning Strike' is a series of attacks delivered while spinning. Even if he deflects the first strike, the second attack is waiting. I'll increase the speed of my attacks to stop his movements!
In the meantime, Shouou activates 'Suzaku Flame Dance.'
Flames ignite at the tip of Shouou's sword.
"Those who spread poison across the land, Sui Kaou will not forgive you!!"
"──'Kyuuki'."
The eyes of Kai Shuujaku looked at Shouou.
He dodged my sword and turned to face Shouou.
...Did he read Shouou's movements!?
He stretched out his arm and brought his finger close to the flame at the tip of Shouou's sword.
And then──
"'Devour the 'ki' of those who walk the righteous path'──'God Eater'."
The flame created by Shouou's sword touched his finger.
The flame went out.
Shouou's sword movements slowed down──as if her 'ki' had been eaten.
Just like that, Kai Shuujaku approached Shouou. This is bad!
"'Byakko's Assault!!'."
"Don't move so strangely, kid!!"
His charge with the sword──was dodged.
But he moved away from Shouou.
He raised his sword. Is he aiming for me? Then──
──'Beast Body Guidance: The Cat's Ball'!!
I curled up like a cat and rolled on the ground.
Kai Shuujaku's sword cut through the air.
I joined up with Shouou.
'The Cat's Ballo' was a technique I used when training with Shuu-sensei and the Pressure Point Technique.
Back then, I was able to catch Shuu-sensei off guard for just a moment.
It seems to work on Kai Shuujaku too. Thank goodness....
"Shikei. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. But it feels like my strength has... just a little, slipped away."
'Kyuuki's technique devours the enemy's 'ki'.
He probably consumed the 'fire attribute energy' released by the 'Suzaku bird grand performance' and extinguished the flames. The energy he consumed was just a little, but Shouou is slightly worn out.
It seems we can't drag this out into a long battle to buy time...
"This is it. You brats."
Kai Shuujaku clenched his fist and took a deep breath.
This is the stance of 'Army Shatter Palm' that Shuu-sensei talked about.
Shuu-sensei can't move.
The soldiers from Aika Country managed to evacuate her, but she's not in a fighting condition.
Those soldiers from Aika Country are also getting beaten up while fighting the enemy.
Only I and Shouou can stop this guy.
"Listen! Tenhou! Shouou!!"
Suddenly, Shuu-sensei shouted.
"A storm can knock down a big tree. But it cannot break soft grass!!"
"Yes! Master!!"
That was enough.
"Tenhou!" "Yes. Shikei!!"
Shouou and I nodded to each other and held hands.
We stood back to back, taking a stance like trees.
"You foolish brats, perish in the name of destiny!!"
Kai Shuujaku looked at us with cold eyes.
"Due to the great chaos that will happen, a lot of blood will flow. Your blood will be just the first drop."
"A great chaos won't happen."
I replied.
"That's just your delusion. I will turn your delusion into reality. The destiny given to your child and all the tragedies!!"
"Shut up, brat! Destiny is already decided!!"
Kai Shuujaku barked.
"Take this! 'Kyuuki: Army Shatter Palm'!!"
A violent wind was born.
The massive 'ki' from Kai Shuujaku's palm surged toward me and Shouou as a huge pressure.
──It's hot.
Is this Shouou's 'fire attribute ki'?
He had absorbed the flames from 'Suzaku Flame Dance'.
That 'ki' from that moment must be included in this violent wind.
Shuu-sensei said, 'Army Shatter Palm' is a long-range attack that releases a combination of his own 'ki' and the 'ki' he stole from others.
It's like shooting a 'ki' laser.
If you take it head-on, you'll be blown away.
Then, we just have to avoid taking it head-on.
"Tenhou!"
"I got it!!"
Me and Shouou take the form of 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique: Sprout of the Great Tree (the first young sprout of the great tree)'.
No matter how big a tree gets, it all starts from a small sprout.
That fragile little sprout will deflect the violent wind and survive.
Eventually, it will grow into a great tree and deliver its soul to the heavens. That's the image we're holding.
So──me and Shouou become small grass that grows from the ground.
──Together, we sway.
──Swaying gently.
──Like small grass bowing to the wind.
──Swaying──sway──swaying, swaying, swaying, swaying!
Becoming one with heaven and earth, we deflect all storms.
We continue to sway freely until the storm and pressure settle down.
And then──the moment the pressure weakened, I jumped out with the 'White Kirin Sword' in hand.
"'Five Divine Swordsmanship'──'Kirin's Horn Thrust'!!"
'Now I can reach him'.
Kai Shuujaku just released his technique. This is the so-called moment of vulnerability. He shouldn't be able to dodge!
"──Wha!?' You dodged 'Army Shatter Palm'!?"
Kai Shuujaku's eyes widened.
"How can you do that? Who are you!?"
"'I'm' your enemy!!"
The 'White Kirin Sword' reached his arm.
Immediately, he dropped the sword he was holding. He aimed his empty hand at my sword.
Is he trying to consume my 'ki'!?
Right now, I'm using the techniques of the Kirin. I'm converting 'Divine Energy' into 'Earth Attribute' to unleash my technique. If this continues, I'll be consumed.
Then──I'll revert the Earth Attribute 'ki' back to 'Divine Energy'!
I should be able to do it. I've been thoroughly taught by Shuu-sensei about handling 'ki' energy.
If 'Kyuuki' is poison, then I'll give him 'Divine Energy' which is the antidote.
"If you want to devour 'ki', then take this! Kai Shuujaku!!"
"You brattttt!!"
His fingertips approached my sword.
But it doesn't matter.
The 'White Kirin Sword' sliced through his fingers and pierced the arm that unleashed 'Army Shatter Palm'.
The 'White Kirin Sword' that Master Raikou gave me is specially made to handle 'Divine Energy'.
So, the 'energy' flows well.
Through that 'White Kirin Sword,' the 'Divine Energy' entered inside the Kaishujaku──
"Ugh? Wh-what!? Gahhhhhhh!!"
The user of the 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki'──Kai Shuujaku, was screaming.
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