Volume 3 Chapter 2 The Great Villain Of The World, Prepares To Depart Ii
"Of course, I'll join you. I want to meet Raikou too."
Shuu-sensei said.
It was right after I visited Shuu-sensei's house and brought up my request.
"Tenhou, you don't need to bow your head. Instead, shouldn't I be the one asking, 'Please let me join you'?"
"I want Master Raikou to come back for my own reasons."
We were entrusted with the 'secret book of chaos' by the Bokou Tribe.
To learn that technique, we need Master Raikou's help.
That's why we're looking for Master Raikou, so in the end, it's all for my own reasons.
The organization 'Golden Feather Syndicate' is trying to destroy Aika Country, and they know the 'Four Fiends Techniques.'
The game's main character, Kai Yougetsu, has one of those techniques, 'Kyuuki.'
To fight against them, we need to either master the same 'Four Fiends Technique' or gain that knowledge. If we don't, we won't be able to stop them, and Aika Country might collapse, leading to my 'Kou Tenhou Destruction ending.'
I'm working to prevent that... yeah. It's all for my own reasons.
But I can't tell Shuu-sensei about the game.
So, to make it simple──
"I'm just trying to protect this country and everyone in it."
I don't want my father, mother, or brother to die.
I don't want to turn Seirei into a villain who brings ruin to the country.
I also don't want Shouou to become my enemy.
If Shouou tries to kill me for personal reasons, I can't help that. But I really don't want to fight her just because of the game's plot. I don't want to fight a dear friend for such a reason.
"So... if it's necessary to protect everyone, I'm willing to do anything. Bringing back Master Raikou is one of those things. I'm just trying to involve Shuu-sensei in that."
"You really are humble."
Shuu-sensei shrugged in disbelief.
"I see. It's because of you that the elders of the Bokou Tribe gave you the secret book. They know you would never misuse it."
"Is that so?"
"I think so."
Shuu-sensei nodded.
"Anyway, I'll go look for Raikou with you. I want to talk to that kid about various things."
"Thank you, Shuu-sensei."
I bowed to Shuu-sensei.
"By the way... have you ever met Master Raikou?"
"Just once."
Shuu-sensei said.
"Only once, I consulted Raikou about Touri's treatment. At that time, I also told her about Master Gyoun's last moments."
"And you haven't met since then?"
"I've been traveling with Touri for a long time. I kept running into Raikou, but it seems like she was avoiding that place."
Tekizan is where I met Shuu-sensei and Touri-san.
It's also the place where my master, Master Gyoun, disappeared.
But, did Master Raikou really not go to Tekizan...?
"Tenhou must have heard about it too. There's a saying that 'the users of Beast Body Guidance and Five Divine Swordsmanship will fight each other.'."
Shuu-sensei continued.
"Because of that, Master Gyoun seriously injured his brother disciple. The reason he gave up martial arts was because of that."
"...I know that saying."
"I think Raikou was afraid of that saying. Since I'm also a disciple of Master Gyoun, she might have thought I learned a bit of 'Five Divine Swordsmanship.'."
After saying that, Shuu-sensei smiled gently.
"So, I think it's really nice for Raikou that you and Shouou are good friends. You two have erased the saying related to 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Five Divine Swordsmanship.' Raikou probably went to investigate the enemies in Aika Country for your sake."
"Y-yes."
"I think it's only natural for me to help you all."
"...Thank you, Shuu-sensei."
"Let's stop with the formal talk. Let's get pumped up and go look for Raikou!"
After that, Shuu-sensei and I started planning our trip.
The date we would leave. The number of days we would travel. What we would need.
After discussing those things──
"How about taking Touri with us on the trip?"
Suddenly, Shuu-sensei said that.
"During the trip, Tenhou will probably continue training, right? That means we need someone to guide you. Touri would be perfect for that."
"That would be helpful. But is Touri-san's health okay?"
"Thanks to you, she's completely better now."
"What about her meridian injuries?"
"Most of them have healed. She wants to move her body again. And──."
"And?"
"She says she wants to repay Tenhou, Ouka, and Seirei-kun for the rest of her life. Especially to Tenhou."
"Huh?"
"You and Ouka helped Touri with the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.' Seirei-kun also supported her with that secret technique. That's why Touri's meridian injuries have healed."
Saying that, Shuu-sensei took a sip of tea.
"Tenhou was the one who made that opportunity happen. If you hadn't come to Tekizan, we would never have met. Touri and I owe you a lot."
"But that was just how things turned out, right?"
"Well, you know, it's important to repay kindness. A sense of justice is essential. Without it, martial artists would just become a group of thugs."
"...That might be true."
"That's why I want to have Touri with us. Touri can repay her kindness by helping you. During the journey, you can continue your training with Touri. Doesn't that sound good?"
"I understand."
I nodded.
If that's the case, I have no objections.
Touri-san is skilled in 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.' You could even call her a pro.
With her around, I could keep practicing guidance during the journey.
"We'll prepare the horses from the Kou family."
"I'll talk to Ryougen-kun. I'm his subordinate, after all. It's better to get permission before we leave for the journey."
"Please do."
After that, Shuu-sensei and I continued our meeting with Touri-san.
We decided to leave tomorrow.
Depending on Master Raikou's movements, it could be a long journey. It's best to prepare what we need.
Plus, I have to get my mother's permission too.
So, Shuu-sensei agreed to prepare the necessary items──
I returned to the Kou family to talk to my family.
When my mother heard the news, she immediately gave her permission.
She said I could use the horses freely.
Mother has been feeling better lately. This is thanks to Shuu-sensei taking care of her.
I guess Mother thought it would be fine since Shuu-sensei would be accompanying me.
"Make sure to talk properly with Seirei."
In the end, Mother said that.
"That child is doing her best for the Kou family. It seems she has been called by His Royal Highness the King's younger brother's daughter today. When you return, make sure to have a proper talk with Tenhou."
"Yes, Mother!"
"Please be careful and take care, Hou-sama!"
"Hakuyou, please take care of things while I'm gone."
With that, I left Mother's room──
I decided to talk with Seirei, who returned before evening.
"So, that's why I'm going to be away for a while."
I explained the situation to Seirei.
Seirei was sitting on the bed, listening to me.
Recently, that has become her usual spot.
"Brother."
Seirei spoke in a quiet tone.
"You are going to look for Raikou-sama, right?"
"Yeah. My master is traveling for some business, but things have changed recently. I plan to ask her to come back to Hokurin."
"Will Ouka-sama stay in Hokurin?"
"Yes. It seems she has some business to take care of."
"That's why Gen Shuuyoku-sama will be accompanying you, right?"
"If I go alone, everyone will worry."
"That's true! Of course, they would worry if you traveled alone!"
"Yeah. Since Shuu-sensei is with us, Mother probably allowed it."
"Um... Brother."
"Yeah?"
"Why didn't you call out to me?"
Seirei was staring at me intently.
"I want to help you too. If we're going on a journey, I want to go with you. If you need guidance during the trip, I can do it!"
"If Seirei goes on a journey, Mother will worry, right?"
Seirei is my family.
And she is the only survivor of the Ryuu Family.
I want Seirei to stay in a safe place as much as possible.
Shuu-sensei and Touri-san can use the Pressure Point Technique, so they can protect themselves.
But Seirei doesn't know martial arts.
If I take Seirei with me, I will need a lot of guards.
Before, Seirei went to the northern fortress to visit our father's grave. At that time, our father's troops were with her.
But this time, it's a rushed trip. I don't have time to prepare guards.
So, it's just me, Shuu-sensei, and Touri-san going, and we'll come back quickly.
That's the plan.
"So, that's why I want Seirei to stay home."
"...Muu."
"I want you to protect our home as family."
"...As family?"
"That's right. You're the only one I can ask for this."
"...Brother."
"Yeah?"
"Could you say those words again?"
"Yeah. I want Seirei to protect our home as family. I can only ask this of Seirei. I want you to be in Hokurin as a representative of the Kou family in my place."
"Okay!"
Seirei finally nodded.
"I will stay in Hokurin. As family, I will take your place, big brother."
"Thank you, Seirei."
"So, I just need to do what you usually do in Hokurin, right?"
"You don't have to stress about it too much. I'll write replies to the letters when I get back. Just look them over for now. And then──."
I gave Seirei some detailed instructions.
First, just read the letters.
If it seems urgent, send a fast horse to the town where I am.
When someone visits, listen to what Mother says before meeting them.
And then──
"I asked Mother about this too, but my Shikei──."
"Ouka-sama, right?"
"Yeah. Ouka might come to ask for help from the Kou family for work. When that happens, I want you to help her."
"In place of big brother, right?"
"That's right. Can I count on you?"
"Leave it to me, big brother."
Seirei clasped her hands towards me.
"I have a close bond with Ouka-sama through the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.' I know that person well. I probably understand her thoughts too. I will help in place of my brother. I won't take it lightly. While my brother is on his journey, my words will be his words."
"Thank you, Seirei."
"Please leave Ouka-sama to me. As a representative of the Kou family, I will talk to Ouka-sama."
Saying that, Seirei patted her chest.
"My brother can focus on his duties without worry."
It seems Seirei understands. That's good.
After all, Seirei is growing. She looks much more lively than before, and her eyes are shining now. I can trust Seirei to protect the Kou family in my place. I feel relieved.
"Well then, I'll prepare for my journey."
"I'll help too! First, let's arrange for the horses!"
After that, Seirei and I went to the stable.
Seirei was talking to the horses lined up in the stable.
"Hee-haw. Hee-haw. Brrr."
'Brrrr? Brrrr!!'
The horses seemed to agree with Seirei's words.
Come to think of it, since Seirei started 'Beast Body Guidance,' she has been able to talk to animals.
I was helped by that power before.
After fighting Zeng Taiga in the northern lands, the pigeon Seirei had entrusted to Kairyou-aniue delivered the situation to my father.
Thanks to that, my father was able to drive away the Jinkyo Tribe's army.
"I think this one is good for you, big brother."
Seirei said while petting a chestnut horse.
"This one seems used to carrying tall people, so it would be good for Gen Shuuyoku-sama to ride. I think this one is good for Touri-san."
"That's amazing, Seirei."
"I made sure to tell them. These horses also understand their roles."
Seirei nodded with satisfaction.
She seemed happy to have been able to help me.
Of course, after helping, we were going to do 'Beast Body Guidance' together.
For Seirei, that seemed to be the best reward.
After that, Seirei and I talked while resting our heated bodies.
She mentioned that while I was away, she had been socializing for the Kou family.
She was also invited by Yuuri-san again tomorrow.
While the two of us were having tea, Ryougen-kun started to show up.
This meant that Seirei had become an important person at Ryougen-kun's house... but Seirei talked about it as if it was no big deal.
It seems Seirei has no desire for status or power at all.
After all, the villainess Ryuu Seirei from the game is a different person from the current Seirei.
The current Seirei must have something more important than status or power.
I hope she can become a kind adult without forgetting that feeling.
As I was thinking about such things, time passed──
The next day, I, Shuu-sensei, and Touri-san set out on a journey to find Master Raikou.
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