Volume 3 Chapter 19 The Great Villain Of The World, Intervening In The Issues Of Foreign Races Iii
Touri quickly used the Pressure Point Technique on Zan Teiei.
The Pressure Point Technique sends 'ki' into the pressure points of the opponent's body, stopping their movements.
Touri learned a technique called 'Finger Control Art' from Shuu-sensei, which is part of the Pressure Point Technique.
For someone like Touri, stopping Zan Teiei's movements was an easy task.
Zan Teiei, with his limbs numb, lay there limp.
Even so, he didn't say anything.
He showed no anger, no resentment, and of course, he didn't scream.
Zan Teiei is a skilled assassin. He has a lot of pride.
He's probably trained not to leak any information.
However, a piece of paper was found on his body.
It was an order that said, 'Cut off contact with the moderates and outsiders.'
There was no name of the person who wrote it.
Only a strange symbol──something like a crest──was in the corner.
When I showed it to Reki, he replied, 'This is the crest on His Royal Highness Zeng's bracelet.'
The royal family of the Jinkyo Tribe each has something that represents their status.
The obsidian knife that Suuki Taiga entrusted to me is one of those items.
These items have a crest that represents the person and are used like a seal.
In other words, this order was written by Zeng Taiga.
So we don't need Zan Teiei's testimony anymore.
With the order and Zan Teiei's existence, we can prove that Zeng Taiga is using assassins.
"I want to hand this guy over to the moderates."
I told Reki and Raiha-Taiga from a distance.
"There's no doubt that that assassin tried to kill Suuki-san and Reki-san, as well as Raiha-san and the village guard. It was ordered by Prince Zeng. We should let people know this fact. This guy can be used for that."
"Y-yes. I think it's a good plan."
"Understood. I'll call for people right away!"
Raiha Taiga took out a blue cloth.
When she waved it at the forest exit──after a while, cavalry burst out from the fort.
"The blue cloth indicates an emergency."
Raiha Taiga explained.
"Soldiers will be here soon. With their help, let's put this assassin in prison. After that, we can interrogate him and get information. Even if we can't get any information, we can still use him."
"You're right, Raiha-sama. Plus... with this, His Royal Highness Zeng's reputation has fallen to the ground."
Reki had a look full of anger.
"Prince Zeng was respected by everyone because he was a mighty god of war who boldly defeated enemies. Yet, he sent assassins to kill himself and the lady. On top of that, he even tried to kill Lady Raiha..."
"Raiha can't believe it. His Royal Highness Zeng would do something so sneaky..."
"I understand hiring martial artists to fight. But to turn that blade against the same Jinkyo Tribe..."
"What has His Royal Highness Zeng done...?"
Reki and Raiha look regretful.
For the people of the Jinkyo Tribe, Zeng Taiga was an undefeated war god.
They can't forgive him for sending assassins after the children and women of the Jinkyo Tribe.
"I'll leave what to do about that assassin to the moderates."
I said again to Raiha, Taiga, and Reki.
Touri nodded too. It seems she has no objections.
Well, me and Touri can't take Zan Teiei back to Aika Country.
I don't want to travel long distances with an assassin.
Zan Teiei is a living witness to Zeng Taiga using assassins.
Suuki and Reki have also been attacked by Zan Teiei and the archer, but... there's a big difference between hearing testimony and actually seeing the assassin.
More importantly, there's an order with Zeng Taiga's emblem on it.
People who see this might turn away from Zeng Taiga.
If that happens, and Zeng Taiga weakens, Aika Country will be safer.
My father in the 'Northern Fortress' should also find it easier.
While I was thinking about this, the cavalry approached the forest.
I wondered if that was the moderates, but behind the cavalry, there was another group.
Not an enemy.
Actually, the person at the front of the group is... someone I know.
A tall man with a large black dog.
He has a sleepy face and is scratching his messy hair.
But when he sees me and Touri, he looks surprised.
The startled dog starts barking, and he calms it down with a gentle voice.
But I'm just as surprised.
Why is that person near the moderate faction's fortress...?
"We meet again, Tougen Shimei-sama."
"Is that you, Shuu Rikuhou-dono? What are you doing here?"
Behind the moderate faction people was Tougen Shimei.
Behind him, there were people on horseback. Are they family?
I heard he was living a wandering life, but maybe he returned to his family.
"Shuu Rikuhou-dono. You are... not a merchant, are you?"
He saw right through me. Well, that's obvious.
A merchant wouldn't come all the way out here.
Someone with the intelligence of a military strategist won't be fooled.
I should just be honest here.
"I apologize for keeping it a secret. As you said, I'm not a merchant. I came to deliver a letter from Suuki-sama to the people of the moderate faction."
I clasped my hands towards Tougen Shimei.
"Suuki Taiga-sama, the daughter of the moderate faction leader, and Reki Soukaku-sama were attacked by assassins during their journey. It was my master who helped them. Following my master's instructions, Touri and I came this far."
"Suuki-dono was attacked by assassins? Who were they?"
"There were two of them. One of them is this guy. We caught him hiding in the forest."
I pointed at the fallen Zan Teiei.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't inform Tougen-sama about Suuki-sama──."
"I understand. It's only natural to be cautious with dangerous people around. Shuu Rikuhou-dono is right to be on guard."
Tougen Shimei shook his head.
"Was it Shuu Rikuhou-dono who defeated the assassin?"
"Well, I managed somehow."
"And what about the assassin's employer...?"
"──Look here, everyone from the Shimei clan."
Raiha Taiga opened the order document she took from Zan Teiei.
The gazes of Tougen and his companions gathered on it.
When Tougen saw the Zeng Taiga emblem at the edge of the document, his face turned as if he swallowed something bitter.
"...I see. That person is behind the assassins. And to think... they would attack the villagers."
Tougen Shimei on horseback seemed to be deep in thought.
Then he turned around and exchanged quiet words with his companions.
After that, Tougen Shimei approached the soldier from the fortress and said,
"The Shimei clan would like to enter the moderate faction's fortress. Is that alright?"
That's what he said.
"I'm here to help you all, so I came close to the fort."
"People from the Shimei clan!? Please, come in!!"
The cavalry at the fort nodded excitedly.
Their movements were quick.
They soon carried Zan Teiei to the fort.
The reason he was tightly bound was probably because I warned them, "He's a dangerous guy, so be careful."
The situation has changed.
Zeng Taiga had hidden assassins in the forest to cut off communication between the moderates and the elder's village.
Zeng Taiga already knew that the moderates were connected to the village.
There was no longer any meaning in hiding and contacting each other.
The elder's village had no choice but to rebel against Zeng Taiga.
From now on, they would call on the surrounding villages to gather allies.
Anyway, my and Touri's job was done.
All that was left was to return to Aika Country with Reki as our guide.
That was the plan, but──
"Shuu Rikuhou-sama, Gen Touri-sama. Could you please meet my father?"
Suuki's sister, Raiha, suddenly said this.
"I want to let everyone at the fort know that there are people like you in Aika Country. If they know, they can trust Aika Country more."
With that said, I couldn't refuse.
I came all this way to increase the allies of Aika Country.
But what worries me is the way back.
If we take too long, everyone will worry. Especially since I only told Seirei and Shouou that I'm going to 'the town of Toushun.'
I was hesitating because of that──
"I'll take you to Aika Country."
It was Tougen Shimei who said that.
"This is a good opportunity. I've never been to Aika Country either. While I'm sending Shuu Rikuhou-dono and Gen Touri-dono, I might as well take a quick look."
"Are you wandering again, young master?"
"That's a bad way to put it, big sis."
Tougen Shimei shrugged his shoulders while on horseback.
"I just want to safely deliver my friends. Shuu Rikuhou-sama and Gen Touri-sama should be sent to the country with respect, right?"
"But..."
"I'm familiar with the roads. If we go together, we can reach Aika Country faster. Don't you think it's a good chance to make use of my wandering habit?"
"...young master."
"Also, if we're going to officially connect with Aika Country, we need to send a messenger again. As the leader of the newly joined Shimei clan, I think it's appropriate, don't you?"
"I understand what you're saying."
Tougen's sister──Riirin nodded.
"We, the Shimei tribe, support the moderates. As our first task, we will deliver our benefactor to Aika Country, right?"
"That's right. A prince who hides assassins near the village is not worthy of trust."
Tougen Shimei's tone changes.
He raises his voice and addresses the subordinates around him,
"Isn't that right? Even if we go to His Royal Highness Zeng now, the Shimei clan will be treated as newcomers. I don't think we can be trusted. In some cases, we might be seen as a threat and assassins could be sent after us. After all, His Royal Highness Zeng has tried to kill those of our kind who lack fighting power."
"...Young Master."
"I don't want to see a member of the Shimei clan fall to an assassin's blade."
The people around him listen to Tougen Shimei's words.
His words have a strange persuasive power.
This might be the strength of the strategist, Tougen Shimei.
In the game 'History of Swordmaster,' Tougen Shimei was the strategist for Zeng Taiga.
He advised the war god Zeng Taiga and made him listen.
That talent is probably being shown right here, right now.
"His Royal Highness Zeng was once an undefeated war god. We have respected His Royal Highness. But now, things are different. His Royal Highness has changed. Perhaps it is those around him who have caused that change."
Tougen Shimei continues.
"Then our plan remains the same as before. We will defeat the schemes of the enemies trying to deceive Prince Zeng. And we hope for His Royal Highness to change for the better. The War God, should not rely on assassins, you know. Do you have any objections?"
"""None! We will follow the young master!!"""
Tougen Shimei's subordinates all shouted at once.
Then Tougen Shimei looked at us and said,
"So, Shuu Rikuhou-dono, Gen Touri-dono. And Reki Soukaku. I will be traveling with you for a while."
"Understood. Lord Tougen."
We bowed to Tougen Shimei.
Tougen Shimei knows a lot about the Jinkyo Tribe's land.
He is the perfect guide.
"By the way, the letter you gave me, Tougen-sama, has already been very helpful."
I suddenly remembered and said.
"Touri mentioned that the herbal medicine information helped with the Village Head's treatment. When I showed the drawings in the letter, the villagers were able to find the herbs themselves."
"That's wonderful to hear."
"There are also herbs that only grow in Aika Country. How about coming to gather information?"
"It seems you know how to persuade me, Shuu Rikuhou-dono. I'm in trouble..."
"Please don't tempt the young master!"
"Oh, right. How about having Riirin-sama join us as well?"
"...Huh?"
"Having you with us would surely make Riirin-sama feel at ease. This is also a great chance for Tougen-sama to show his sister the joys of traveling. It's already been proven that Tougen-sama's journeys benefit others, after all. How about joining us?"
"Young master! This person's words are even more convincing than yours!"
"Against my big sis, it's not even a contest. Shuu Rikuhou-dono is someone I recognize as a friend."
With a wry smile from Tougen Shimei, we headed towards the moderate faction's fortress.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)