Volume 3 Chapter 10 Kou Tenhou And Gen Touri Head To The Jinkyo Tribe's Land I
──Tenhou's Perspective──
I only trained the 'chaos technique' for one day.
I need to contact the moderates of the Jinkyo Tribe as soon as possible.
The fact that the moderates have made contact with Aika Country puts pressure on Zeng Taiga.
He will be wary of Aika Country's support and won't be able to seriously attack the moderates.
So we need to head to the moderates as quickly as we can.
In the day before our departure, I practiced my 'Konton technique,' specifically the 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection.'
I was guided by the practical Master Raikou and the theoretical Shuu-sensei.
Master Raikou praised me for my stronger 'ki.' She also wanted to try the 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' technique herself. But Shuu-sensei got really mad and said, "This is a technique just for Tenhou and Kaou! Plus, think about your injuries!"
The 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' is a technique that "reflects everything around you."
The user of the technique changes to reflect like a mirror.
The mirror can show what is around it.
This means that the mirror captures everything that is nearby.
So, the user of 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' can reflect the surroundings──actually, they can understand everything happening around them.
Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei said that.
The two of them said, "Mirror of Shadows Reflection is probably a technique for ultimate defense."
The 'Konton technique' is the last one created among the 'Four Fiends' techniques.
So, it seems that it was made to protect against the other 'Three Fiends.'
Honestly, this is a relief.
This job is to deliver a letter from Suuki Taiga to the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe.
There's no need to fight at all. What I need is a way to protect myself.
If I add the 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' technique to my 'Five Divine Steps,' it will be easier to avoid battles.
Plus, there's also Touri-san's Pressure Point Technique.
If we work together, I think we can safely complete our mission.
"Alright, let's confirm your roles again."
That night after training, Master Raikou said.
"Tenhou and Touri-kun, from now on you two will become a couple. Tenhou, since your name is known in the Jinkyo Tribe, you will go by Shuu Rikuhou."
"Touri, you should call Tenhou 'Hou-sama.' That way, it won't feel strange."
Shuu-sensei continued Master Raikou's words.
"Touri is Tenhou's wife and a traveling doctor in training. Tenhou is──"
"An apprentice merchant, right?"
The Aika Country and the Jinkyo Tribe are enemies, but they still trade on a personal level.
This is because there are things that can only be found in each territory.
In the Jinkyo Tribe's land, good horses are raised, and high-quality wool is produced.
On the other hand, the cloth, pottery, tea, and medicines from Aika Country are valuable to the Jinkyo Tribe.
If you're a merchant, you can travel between each territory.
Of course, you need to dress like a Jinkyo Tribe person to avoid drawing attention.
"If they're a merchant, there's no problem entering the Jinkyo Tribe's territory. Right, Suuki-kun? Reki-kun?"
Master Raikou looked at Suuki Taiga and Reki Soukaku.
Suuki Taiga looked straight back at Master Raikou and said,
"That's correct. Merchants from Aika Country came to my father's place a few times a month."
She nodded firmly.
"My father sought peace with Aika Country for that reason. The wealth and technology of Aika Country should not be underestimated. He often said that being enemies is not wise. Right, Reki?"
"...Ugh."
"What's wrong, Reki? Answer me."
"Yes, Miss."
"Hey. You should be answering Master Raikou and Tenhou, right? Look everyone in the eye when you respond."
"Um... Miss."
"What is it, Reki?"
"Did I have to... disguise myself too?"
"You've been seen by the enemy. You can't guide them without a disguise, you know?"
"...B-but, wasn't there another way?"
"There isn't. This is the best option."
"...Ah, um."
"Stay strong. You need to get used to that appearance from now on."
"...Y-yes."
Reki Soukaku turned bright red and looked down.
While I was being trained by Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei, Touri-san and Suuki were getting Reki ready in disguise.
Reki was supposed to guide us.
He knows the area well and is familiar with relatively safe routes.
Plus, he is also our mediator to enter the moderate village.
The problem is that he has been seen by the enemy.
So, he needs to disguise himself properly.
As a result, Reki ended up having to dress as a girl.
"You look cute, Reki. Anyone would think you're a real girl."
"...Ugh."
"I like it. How about staying in that form even after this is over?"
"Please, no. Miss..."
Reki turned bright red and looked down.
He was wearing a costume from the Jinkyo Tribe for women. Suuki had arranged the clothes he wore.
The accessories he was wearing were bought in Toushun town.
His hair was styled to look cute.
As a result, Reki Soukaku had transformed perfectly into a girl.
Suuki Taiga guaranteed that even people who know him wouldn't recognize him.
"Please call Reki 'Soukaku.' It's the name of the largest clan in the Jinkyo Tribe. I don't think his true identities will be discovered."
Suuki said.
"Reki will be the guide for Tenhou-sama and Touri-sama... I think it's best to say that Reki is a distant relative of Tenhou-sama. This way, it makes sense for Tenhou-sama to help with business, and it gives you a reason to travel together."
"I understand."
"Reki, during the journey, you should sleep near Tenhou-sama."
"...Huh? W-why is that?"
"You are my bodyguard. You can't stay in the same room as Touri-sama, right?"
"Y-yeah, that's true."
"Reki. You understand your role, right?"
Suuki looked seriously into Reki's eyes.
"You will serve as a female servant to Kou Tenhou-sama and Gen Touri-sama. Then, please guide them to the moderate village. Is that clear?"
"Understood."
Reki bowed deeply.
"This Reki Soukaku. I will fulfill my mission with my life!"
"Thank you, Reki."
Saying that, Suuki looked at me and Touri-san.
"Kou Tenhou-sama, Gen Touri-sama. Please take care of him."
Suuki knelt before us.
"Please stay safe. And deliver the letter to the moderate village. To avoid conflict. For the sake of the Jinkyo Tribe and Aika Country... to prevent casualties in the war between both nations, please..."
"I understand. I will do everything I can."
I don't want a fight either.
If it comes to a battle with the Jinkyo Tribe, my father and brother will be the ones in the front line.
More than anything, if the moderates can stop Zeng Taiga's movements, it will reduce the chances of the 'Kou Tenhou Destruction ending' happening.
In the game, Kou Tenhou's fate is one of 3 options: 'captured by heroes and torn apart by oxes (tied to 2 bulls and made to run)', 'hanged on the road and pelted with stones until death', or 'destroyed by the Jinkyo Tribe on the roads of Aika Country, becoming a roadkill.'
If the last option is gone──then I just have to be careful of the heroes.
My life should become a lot easier.
"Touri-san. It might be a tough journey, but please take care of me."
"Please don't be so formal."
Touri-san said that and smiled.
"From now on, Tenhou-sama... no, Shuu Rikuhou-sama, or 'Hou' is fine. I want you to call me by my name."
"...Understood."
"You don't need to use honorifics either."
"Uh, okay. Touri."
"Yes! Hou-sama!"
After that, Touri and I clasped hands (Kyōshu) with Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei.
We promised not to push ourselves and to return safely──
The next day, Touri, Reki, and I set off heading north.
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