Volume 2 Chapter 39 Kou Tenhou Meets Crown Prince Rouen Ii
"...Are you really going to get involved with that cursed one for everyone's sake? You..."
Crown Prince Rouen was stunned.
He was quietly repeating what I had said.
It seemed like he was trying hard to swallow my words.
Eventually, Crown Prince Rouen seemed to make up his mind and said,
"Uncle."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"If we were to carry out Kou Tenhou's plan... it can't just be Kou Tenhou and Gen Shuuyoku stationed at the fort. We need soldiers. Is it possible to send some elite troops?"
"Yes, it is possible. We can assign those who specialize in protecting important people."
"The fort is near this town. Then let's also send troops from the 'Wolf Cavalry.' If we rotate them every few days, we can keep ourselves updated on the situation. What do you think?"
"I believe it's a good plan."
"...I see."
Crown Prince Rouen still seemed troubled.
But he shook his head and said,
"Alright. I will suggest this to His Majesty the King. Can I count on your support, Uncle?"
"Of course."
"Then, Kou Tenhou. And you too, Gen Shuuyoku."
Crown Prince Rouen looked at me and Shuu-sensei.
"Let's accept your proposal. I will convey the current discussion to His Majesty the King. The answer may not come immediately, but... let's move forward positively."
"Thank you very much, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"I appreciate it."
Shuu-sensei and I bow.
"However, Kai Shuujaku and the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' are dangerous. If you feel it's beyond your control... you should inform my uncle or this Rouen. We will think of a new plan."
"You are valuable individuals. Do not forget that."
Crown Prince Rouen and Ryougen-kun said.
Shuu-sensei and I bow again.
That ended the conversation.
Just as we were about to leave──
"Excuse me! Han Kei from the 'Wolf Cavalry' wishes to see you. It's urgent, what should we do?"
A voice came from outside the hall.
"Urgent? That's fine... but is my uncle okay with it?"
"Yes, it's fine."
"Understood. Then, Han Kei, please come in."
"──Excuse me!"
The door opened, and a soldier entered.
It was Han Kei-san, who had come to deliver a message to the Kou family a few days ago.
As he entered, he immediately bowed.
His back was shaking slightly. He had a regretful look on his face, gritting his teeth.
...What happened?
"I have to report. The prisoner, Kai Shuujaku, has just... taken his own life."
That was Han Kei-san's words.
"Kai Shuujaku jumped from the tower overlooking the training ground. He fell headfirst and died right there..."
The tower──meaning a tall building.
There are several places like that in the royal palace.
Since it's near the training ground, it's probably a place where the general gives orders to the soldiers.
But it's strange.
Kai Shuujaku was supposed to be restrained and locked up.
How could he have... climbed up to the tower?
"What!? How did that happen!?"
"Are you saying someone took the prisoner out of the prison and brought him to the tower? Who did that? Who!?"
"...It was Chou Sekimei, the General of the Devoted Cavalry."
Han Kei-san answered in a serious voice.
──Chou Sekimei.
He is the uncle of Crown Prince Rouen on his mother's side and holds the rank of general.
Did that person take Kai Shuujaku out?
"General Chou went with his subordinates to the prison and took Kai Shuujaku and the soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe. They went to the tower overlooking the training ground and started interrogating them there."
"Uncle Chou!? Why!!"
"The general said, 'There are this many soldiers in the castle. There's no way you can escape. If you value your life, tell me everything you know'."
Furthermore, Chou Sekimei continued.
'Aika Country has even more military power. There's no way this great nation could fall.'
'The so-called 'Golden Feather Syndicate' is just spouting delusions.'
'If you realize this, repent. Answer the interrogation.'
──So he said.
After that, Chou Sekimei and his subordinates took their eyes off the prisoner for a moment.
It seemed they let their guard down because Kai Shuujaku looked like he was kneeling.
'He was terrified of Aika Country's military power and fell into despair.'
Chou Sekimei and his subordinates judged this and looked away.
That was a mistake.
Right after, the soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe started to go wild.
Kai Shuujaku's body had needles stuck in it by Shuu-sensei, sealing his 'ki' power.
Additionally, his arms were shackled, and ropes were tied around his waist.
However, when the soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe went wild, their hands slipped free from the ropes.
In that moment, Kai Shuujaku jumped down from the platform.
He probably didn't intend to escape.
He threw himself down to protect the information of the 'Golden Feather Syndicate'──and maybe to protect Kai Yougetsu.
The platform was over 3 stories high.
Kai Shuujaku fell headfirst and was slammed to the ground, reportedly dying instantly.
"What have they done...?"
Ryougen-kun murmured, almost groaning.
"Chou-dono, why would he do something so reckless! The treatment of the prisoner was supposed to be entrusted to me!!"
"After the incident, General Chou reportedly went to report to His Majesty the King."
Han Kei-san continues the report.
"After apologizing, General Chou said, 'I did what was necessary to swiftly crush the vile organization.' And he said he would accept punishment from His Majesty the King..."
"So, what did Father say!?"
"......That's it."
"...Well, His Majesty instructed me to speak with His Royal Highness the King's younger brother and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
A voice was heard.
A tall man stood beyond the open door.
He had short black hair and a blue crown.
He was wearing a decorated morning coat.
He was Chou Sekimei, the General of the Devoted Cavalry and a relative of Crown Prince Rouen.
"His Majesty has commanded me to speak with you both. It is a royal order. I understand you are in the middle of a meeting, but I must intrude."
"General! What have you done!?"
Ryougen-kun stood up and shouted.
"The Crown Prince and I were just discussing the treatment of the prisoner here! To take that prisoner away without permission... and let him die! Do you understand what you have done!?"
"I understand. This is my mistake. I bow and apologize."
Chou Sekimei gracefully bowed down.
"But for a prisoner to take their own life... that was completely unexpected. I never thought it would come to such a situation... Please, forgive me. Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Chou Sekimei continued to apologize while bowing.
Crown Prince Rouen did not respond.
"I told you that prisoner was dangerous. Why did you bring them out!!"
Instead, it was Ryougen-kun who spoke up.
"Kai Shuujaku is an important figure in the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.' You should have expected that they might take their own life to keep secrets. So why... why did you do this, Chou-dono!!"
"This Chou Sekimei always thinks about serving Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Serving Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, you say!?"
"Yes. We must keep such an ominous and... 'cursed person' as far away from Your Royal Highness as possible."
Chou Sekimei said.
The air in the room felt like it had frozen.
"'Aika Country is doomed'... just saying those words feels cursed. Those who spread such words are the worst kind of omen. We shouldn't waste time getting rid of them. We must do everything we can to quickly extract information!"
"So, you took them to the tower?"
"That's right."
"You tried to show the military strength of Aika Country and force the prisoners to submit?"
"Just as Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother said."
"But because of that, the prisoner took their own life. We lost our source of information!"
"Even so... we were able to eliminate the ominous ones."
Chou Sekimei raised his face and shouted.
"And... the so-called 'Golden Feather Syndicate' must be connected to the Jinkyo Tribe! Then I, Chou Sekimei, will lead the troops and destroy them. That way, we can erase the bad omen!!"
I somewhat understood what Chou Sekimei was thinking.
This person is a relative of Crown Prince Rouen, almost like family.
That's why he is unusually concerned about the nickname 'Cursed Crown Prince' that Crown Prince Rouen has.
Chou Sekimei probably couldn't tolerate ominous beings like Kai Shuujaku and the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.
That's why he tried to bring Kai Shuujaku out to the tower to extract information.
But, Kai Shuujaku ended up taking his own life.
Even so, does Chou Sekimei think he has 'eliminated the ominous'?
"Your Royal Highness, please grant me the chance to atone for my sins through my achievements!!"
Chou Sekimei said.
Crown Prince Rouen did not respond.
"Please tell me, Chou Sekimei, to 'head to the northern lands and destroy the enemies of Aika Country'!! It is my duty to erase all ominous things for Your Royal Highness. Please, give me the opportunity to fulfill that!"
Chou Sekimei continued.
He clasped his hands and waited eagerly for Crown Prince Rouen's answer.
"...I will confirm this. Chou Sekimei."
Eventually, Crown Prince Rouen quietly sighed.
"You said you would 'erase the ominous,' right?"
"I did say that."
"The prisoner Kai Shuujaku has taken his own life. But do you boast that you have 'erased the ominous' because of that?"
"I do not boast! However, it is true that I was able to eliminate the cursed one from Your Royal Highness's side."
"There should be nothing ominous by the side of Rouen, who is known as the 'Cursed Crown Prince,' right?"
His tone was calm.
After all... he is different from the previous Crown Prince Rouen.
In the past, when he spoke the words 'Cursed Crown Prince,' he would either become furious or look pained.
Now, it is different. He is calm.
It was as if he was speaking about an obvious fact, calmly.
"That's why you took Kai Shuujaku out and tried to forcefully get information. As a result, did you make Kai Shuujaku take his own life?"
"Your Royal Highness, you shouldn't speak such ominous names."
But it seemed Chou Sekimei didn't realize that.
Chou Sekimei knelt on the floor, trembling as he spoke.
"I will erase all the ominous things. You don't need to worry, Your Royal Highness. Please, leave the handling of the ominous and the cursed to me──."
"Shut up."
His tone was icy.
At those words, it felt like Chou Sekimei was hit, and his body shook.
"Shut up, Chou Sekimei. You did something you shouldn't have."
"But, Your Royal Highness!?"
"You made the very person I were trying to extract information from take his own life! And the reason was... to keep ominous things away!? For this Rouen!? Don't be ridiculous!! Who asked for such a thing!?"
"But, I was trying to erase the name that torments you──."
"The name 'Cursed Crown Prince' is... a trivial personal matter!!"
Crown Prince Rouen shouted.
"How a prisoner is treated is decided by the country. In other words, it's a public matter!! Did you twist the country's public matters for your own trivial reasons?!"
"Please wait! Those in the rank of general have the right to decide how to treat prisoners──."
"Those are prisoners captured by my own unit! It was Kou Tenhou and Sui Kaou, Gen Shuuyoku who captured Kai Shuujaku! What right do you have, who hasn't shed a drop of blood or sweat, to say anything?!"
"────uh."
"Did you take these prisoners, who risked their lives to capture, and make them commit suicide on your own?! While we were planning to extract information from them?! You have wasted all the efforts and battles of Gen Shuuyoku and Kou Tenhou!!"
"...So, Your Royal Highness!!"
"After doing all that... you want me to send you to the north?! Don't be ridiculous! How can I trust someone who twists public matters for personal reasons with the army?! Have some shame! Chou Sekimei!!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Crown Prince Rouen stood up.
Crown Prince Rouen looked down at Chou Sekimei, clenching his fists.
There was a pause for a moment.
Then Crown Prince Rouen sighed... and waved his arm.
"Leave. Your punishment will be left to my uncle."
Saying that, Crown Prince Rouen turned his back on Chou Sekimei.
"Thank you for supporting me until now. I understand that you have worked hard to clear my title 'Cursed Crown Prince'... But this is it. I will not allow any more meetings from now on."
"W-What... Your Royal Highness?"
"Please... Uncle Chou. Just go away. I'm begging you..."
"I-I'm so sorry!"
Bang! Chou Sekimei slammed his forehead against the floor.
Over and over, again and again.
"Step back. Chou-dono."
Ryougen-kun's voice echoed.
"I will inform you of your punishment later. For now, leave. It is for you and... Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"...Understood."
Eventually, Chou Sekimei stood up.
He left the room with unsteady steps.
"......This is a failure of Rouen."
Crown Prince Rouen murmured quietly.
"I became too caught up in the words 'Cursed Crown Prince.' This is the result. Uncle Chou was dragged into it. Everything is my──."
"No, it's not Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince's responsibility..."
I blurted out without thinking.
But Crown Prince Rouen still had his shoulders slumped.
He turned his back to us, smiling sadly.
"'You twisted the country's affairs for trivial personal matters,' huh? That's quite a thing to say. It was this Rouen who got caught up in the 'Cursed Crown Prince' nickname and rushed ahead, causing casualties for the 'Wolf Cavalry.' How dare I speak so arrogantly to Uncle Chou..."
"...Your Royal Highness Rouen."
"I'm sorry. Uncle, Gen Shuuyoku, Kou Tenhou... for now, please leave me alone."
Eventually, Crown Prince Rouen said that.
"Han Kei, please see everyone out. Everyone, it was a great honor. I'm glad to have heard your stories... truly."
"Excuse me, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"...Excuse me."
"......Yes. Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
And so we left the presence of Crown Prince Rouen.
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