Volume 3 Chapter 1 The Great Villain Of The World, Prepares To Depart I
Master Raikou is heading to a town in the northeast of Aika Country.
The town's name is Toushun.
It's a town near the sea, and it's a busy place for trade.
I'm imagining the map from the game 'History of Swordmaster.'
I think Toushun is at the northeastern edge of Aika Country.
To the east is the sea. To the north is the land of the Jinkyo Tribe.
Master Raikou went to look for the organization spreading the rumor that "Aika Country will fall."
So, I think she went to a town with a lot of people.
If she can't find any clues there, she should go north or south.
But... even if she is a master, I can't believe she would enter the Jinkyo Tribe's land alone.
That means she should head south, so... if we go north on the highway, we might run into her.
If we meet, I'll tell Master Raikou about the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
Then she won't have a reason to travel anymore.
I think she would come back with us to Hokurin.
Thinking about that, I visited Shouou's house.
Shouou now lives with an old servant.
He is a kind and gentle man. He is a relative of her mother and has been protecting her since they were in Souma Country.
To her, he is like a grandfather.
"Ah, Kou Tenhou-sama! Please, come in!"
When I knocked on the gate, the man kindly invited me into the mansion.
"Kaou-sama. Your younger disciple has arrived."
The old man smiled gently and called out to the back.
But Shouou didn't come out right away.
After a while, the old man said softly,
"...Milady. You shouldn't keep the guest waiting, okay?"
"I-I know! Geez!"
Eventually, Shouou appeared from the back of the mansion.
She was wearing a dress for women.
It was the same type of dress that Seirei had worn before, a so-called cheongsam.
Shouou usually has her long hair in a braid, but today she let it down.
Her long, wavy hair swayed as she smiled shyly.
"How do I look, Tenhou?"
"You look great."
"Since my mother went back to our country, I try to wear girl's clothes at home as much as possible... This dress is one my mother wore when she was a child, but it's a bit too big for me..."
Saying that, Shouou touched her chest.
It's been a while since I saw Shouou in women's clothes, since we went to Souma Country together.
She really looks better this way.
I hope one day Shouou can wear whatever clothes she likes without worrying.
"So, what's up today?"
"I got a letter from Kairyou-aniue. Thanks to that, I found out about Master Raikou's whereabouts."
I explained the situation.
Master Raikou visited the northern fortress.
There, she met my father, Kou Eishin, and my older brother, Kou Kairyou.
Master Raikou said she was heading to the town of Toushun, which is northeast of Hokurin.
If we chase after her now, we might be able to catch up.
"I see. Master Raikou went to see Tenhou's father."
Shouou's eyes sparkled as she read the letter over and over.
Then, she neatly folded the letter and held it out to me.
"Thank you, Tenhou. For bringing the news."
"I'm planning to go look for master. What about you, Shouou?"
"Of course I'm going. But I can't go like this. I'll change my clothes, so wait for me."
Shouou stood up and turned her back to me.
But──
"Please wait, milady."
The old servant called out to her.
"Have you forgotten that a letter arrived from your home? You have work to do, milady."
"...Oh."
Shouou stopped in her tracks.
Then she turned around and said,
"That's right. I was asked to meet the messenger from Souma Country..."
"A messenger is coming from Souma Country?"
"Yes. Remember how Aika Country was going to send engineers to Souma Country?"
"Yes, I remember."
Aika Country wants to have a friendly relationship with Souma Country.
So they decided to send engineers for irrigation and mining development to Souma Country.
"That story is becoming more specific. A messenger is coming from Souma Country for a return gift and to discuss things. I'm supposed to help those people. There are some who don't know the etiquette of Aika Country in Souma Country."
"I see..."
If that's the case, there's no helping it.
Shouou is the princess of Souma Country. The country's work comes first.
Toushun town isn't that far away. It takes 5 days on foot. If I use 'Five Divine Steps,' I can get there in 3 days.
I should be able to meet Master Raikou if she hasn't moved.
Even if master has gone to another town, I should at least have a clue about where she went.
"I'll find master. Shouou, you focus on your work."
I told Shouou.
But Shouou looked worried and said,
"Um, Tenhou."
"Yes, Shouou?"
"If possible... could you go with someone?"
Shouou sat down on the floor and looked up at me as she spoke.
"I don't want you to get into danger in a place I don't know. So... how about having Shuu-sensei come with you?"
"Shuu-sensei?"
"Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei are both disciples of Master Gyoun, right?"
"Yes. Master Raikou is a martial arts disciple, and Shuu-sensei is a medical arts disciple."
"Even if they learned different things, they are still sisters disciples. So, I think Shuu-sensei would want to see Master Raikou too."
"That's true... it might be."
Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei are both students of Master Gyoun.
They might have things they don't want others to hear.
So, maybe it's better to meet each other somewhere away from Hokurin...
"That makes sense. As expected of Shouou."
"R-Really?"
"But, Shuu-sensei can't use 'Five Divine Steps.' She might not be able to catch up to Master Raikou... No, we can just use horses."
"Yeah. I think there are horses at Tenhou's house, right?"
"There are a few. Seirei always talks about them happily."
"I see. Your sister likes animals, right?"
"Seirei likes animals too. They get along well."
"How about borrowing those horses? If you ride them, you can save your energy, right? You can usually ride to conserve your stamina, and then use 'Five Divine Steps' when it really matters."
"I see."
"Anyway, don't go alone. If something happens to Tenhou... I worry, and I won't be able to focus on my work..."
Shouou is staring at me intently.
I understand why she's worried.
Shouou and I have always acted together.
We were together when we took Master Raikou's exam, when we fulfilled Ryougen-kun's 'duty,' and when we visited the Bokou Tribe's village.
And Shouou and I have always worked together to defeat strong enemies.
This is the first time we'll be acting separately.
That's why Shouou is worried about me.
"I understand. I'll ask Shuu-sensei to go with me."
I clasped my hands together and faced Shouou.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Shouou."
"Of course. I'm Tenhou's friend, after all."
Shouou said this with a shy expression.
"Friends are closer than family. If something happens to Tenhou, I would regret not being there for the rest of my life."
"...Shouou."
"So, please come back safely, Tenhou."
"I understand. Shouou, please do your best at work too."
"Yeah. Thank you."
"If you have any problems, please consult the Kou family. I'll also ask everyone to help you, Shouou."
Seirei, my mother, and Hakuyou all know about Shouou.
In the martial arts world, fellow disciples are like family. Everyone in the Kou family understands that. When the sister... no, the brother Shouou is in trouble, they will surely lend a hand.
"Also, Seirei is good friends with Ryougen-kun's daughter, Yuuri-san. I think we can ask for Yuuri-san's help through Seirei. I'll make sure to talk to Seirei about it."
"Yeah. Thank you, Tenhou."
Shouou said this and held my hand.
The old servant watched us with kind eyes, like a grandparent looking at their precious grandchild.
I believe this person will support Shouou.
As I thought about that, I left Shouou's house.
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