Volume 3 Chapter 20 The Great Villain Of The World, Intervening In The Issues Of Foreign Races Iv
Touri, Reki, and I entered the stronghold of the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe.
We were welcomed in a surprisingly warm manner.
Suuki and Raiha's father──the leader of the moderate faction, Hailon Taiga, even bowed to us.
And he did it in front of everyone.
"You are our lucky messengers."
While bowing, Hailon said.
"You brought us a letter from Suuki and even saved Raiha. Not only that, but it's also thanks to you that the Shimei tribe has become our allies."
"We just did what our master asked us to do."
"Yes, that's right, as Hou-sama said."
Touri and I bowed to Hailon.
"Besides, it was the Tougen-sama who came here of their own will."
"No, it's true that you were the reason the Shimei tribe took action."
"If you say that, it makes the journey worthwhile."
That's true.
Well, I didn't expect to get this involved with the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe.
I don't want to be in the spotlight of history.
In the game, Kou Tenhou has risen to become the 'Great Villain of the World.'
I want to stay behind the scenes to avoid that.
"My wish is for the border area to be peaceful."
I said.
"I will spare no effort for that. There are important people in the border area."
"We also do not favor conflict."
Hailon nodded.
"Of course, I know that Aika Country and the Jinkyo Tribe have been fighting in the border area for a long time. However, there are those in the Jinkyo Tribe who do not like conflict. I want Aika Country to know this."
"Yes. When I return to my country, I will tell everyone."
"Thank you. Also... it would be helpful if you could thank the hero of Aika Country."
...Hero?
Wait, the hero army is supposed to be formed ten years from now...
"It is also thanks to the hero of Aika Country that we are able to raise our voices now."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I have heard that there is someone who cut off His Royal Highness Zeng's arm among the soldiers of Aika Country."
"...Yes."
That was me.
Well, to be precise, it was me and Shouou.
When we encountered Zeng Taiga near the northern fortress, we cut off his arm with a coordinated attack.
We were really lucky.
If we had made one wrong move, both Shouou and I could have been killed. Honestly, I never want to do that again.
But, because of that, the moderates were able to raise their voices...?
"If His Royal Highness Zeng had remained the invincible war god, we would have been destroyed in no time. Because His Royal Highness lost an arm and his power weakened, we were able to call for peace."
"I see..."
So... that's why there are no moderates from the Jinkyo Tribe in the game.
No one can defeat Zeng Taiga when he is at his full strength with both arms.
If the moderates raise their voices for peace, they might be destroyed in no time.
"I'm sorry, I got off track."
Hailon-san quietly looked at me and Touri.
"I want to thank you two for coming this far. Is there anything you wish for?"
"Well, could we get some information?"
"Information?"
"I've heard that there is an organization called the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' near Prince Zeng."
"I know about them. They are suspicious people who confuse His Royal Highness."
"If you know anything about them, I would like you to tell me."
The 'Golden Feather Syndicate' is connected to the game protagonist, Kai Yougetsu.
And Kai Yougetsu's father, Kai Shuujaku, lost his life in Aika Country.
Now, Aika Country is Kai Yougetsu's enemy.
So, I need to know as much as possible about that organization and Kai Yougetsu.
"...I'm sorry, but we cannot get close to His Royal Highness Zeng. We do not know about that organization."
Hailon-san sighed.
"However, I promise to inform you of anything we learn about the 'Golden Feather Syndicate'."
"Thank you very much."
"I think we will be sending letters to Suuki regularly from now on. I will include a letter for you at that time."
"I appreciate it, Hailon-sama."
Alright. Now I have a way to get information.
Building connections with the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe is a big deal.
If chaos breaks out and things get out of hand, I can escape here.
I can flee north with my family and live as horse-riding people under the moderate faction.
Now I have that option.
Of course, this is just a last resort if things really go wrong.
"Gen Touri-dono, is there something you want?"
"Touri would be happy to receive the right to enter this land."
Touri thought for a moment before saying that.
"Touri is interested in the herbs found in the northern lands. Since Touri is an apprentice traveling doctor, I want to learn about herbs. For that, I hope to receive the right to visit this land again."
"Understood. Then... I will give Gen Touri-dono and Shuu Rikuhou-dono a token to show our friendship. If you show that, people will know you are our friends."
Hailon-san said with a calm expression,
"I hope you both will visit us again. We will always welcome you."
"Thank you, Hailon-sama."
"Touri wants to come again. I want to hear the elder's stories..."
Touri and I both expressed our gratitude.
"From now on, we will inform everyone about the existence of the assassins and announce the wrongdoings of His Royal Highness Zeng."
Hailon continued.
"If possible, I pray that His Royal Highness Zeng's siblings will become the next king. Some of them have calm personalities. If such a person takes the throne, at least while I am alive, there will be no wars."
"I hope there won't be any wars either."
"Touri feels the same way."
"Yes. I'm glad to meet you, Shuu Rikuhou-dono. Gen Touri-dono."
With those words, the meeting came to an end.
After that, Touri and I were shown to the guest room.
We would stay there for one night and leave the next day.
"Thank you for your hard work, Touri."
In the room we were given, I said to Touri.
"I'm really glad you came with me. Thank you so much."
"No, I'm happy to be with you too."
Sitting on the bed, Touri smiled.
"I got to see the herbal medicine materials and hear the elder's stories. It was a great experience."
"Thank you. But I'm sorry it turned into a long journey."
"It's fine."
"You're not pushing yourself too hard, right? You just recovered from your old injury. If you start feeling unwell, let me know."
"I'm okay. Besides, I'm really happy to have come this far."
Touri took my hand.
It was warm.
I felt like Touri's hand used to be a bit colder.
It was because of the old injury from the 'Four Fiends' technique that affected the flow of 'ki.'
But now, it was warm like a hot water bottle.
Really, Touri's wounds have healed. I'm glad.
"By coming this far, Touri realized that he was healthy."
While looking at me intently, Touri continued.
"Touri has been feeling unwell for a long time since Touri was little... I couldn't believe in my own health. But, I was able to come this far with Hou-sama. Now, I understand that I'm healthy. That makes me very happy."
"I see."
"Thank you, Hou-sama."
Hearing that makes me happy.
I'm really glad that Touri came with me.
When we return to Aika Country, I'll make sure to thank him properly.
"I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better, Touri."
"Y-yes! Touri is already healthy!"
"Maybe it's thanks to the secret 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.'."
"Yes. I also want to thank Seirei-sama and Ouka-sama. By the way... Hou-sama."
"Yeah?"
"Hou-sama used a new technique in the fight against the assassin, right?"
"Yeah. In Toushun town, Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei taught me."
I'm keeping the 'Four Fiends Technique: chaos' a secret from Touri.
I promised the chief of the Bokou Tribe that only I, Shouou, Master Raikou, and Shuu-sensei would know about that technique.
So, I only told Touri it was a 'special technique.'
"But Touri, you noticed that I used a new technique pretty well."
"Y-yes. During the battle... I felt Hou-sama touch Touri."
Touri blushed and said that.
"It was as if Hou-sama was caressing my entire body. I don't know such a technique... so I thought it might be a new skill..."
"I touched you, Touri...?"
Indeed, during the battle, I sensed Touri's presence.
I could tell she was worried about me, and I heard her murmuring words.
Of course, I also felt the presence of Zan Teiei and Reki.
But Touri's presence was very clear.
Even from a distance, I could see her expression and hear her whispering voice.
Did Touri also sense my presence...?
The 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' seems to have a mysterious effect.
"Could it be that because we shared the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' secret, we are connected deeply?"
"Y-yes. That technique exchanges our 'ki' and connects us deeply..."
"Right..."
"Um... Hou-sama."
"Y-yeah?"
"During the earlier battle, I felt Hou-sama... touch my skin. Maybe... when using that technique, Hou-sama can grasp everything about me..."
"Everything about you?"
"Y-yes."
Touri was caressing her collarbone.
Her fingers traveled down her shoulder, along her arm, through her side, and down to her legs.
It seemed like she felt as if I had touched her body in that way.
The connection of 'Ki' through the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' affects the 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection.'
So, the fact that Touri and I can sense each other means──
"If we use it well... can we fight together?"
During my battle with Zeng Taiga, I felt like I became one with Shouou.
I knew what kind of moves Shouou would make and when to use techniques.
Maybe the 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' can do the same thing.
And it could be really strong. While sensing each other's presence.
"When we get back, let's talk to Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei."
"Y-Yeah, that sounds good."
Touri nodded eagerly.
Then, Touri shyly pressed her cheeks,
"So... I have a request for Hou-sama."
"Sure. Go ahead."
"Today, I want to hold hands with Hou-sama while I sleep."
Saying that, Touri looked down shyly.
"After feeling connected with Hou-sama in the battle earlier... when that feeling faded... I felt kind of lonely... and sad, and restless. If we hold hands while sleeping... I think it will help me feel calm."
"...Um."
"O-Of course, I won't tell Seirei-sama or Ouka-sama. Just to calm the side effects of the technique... that's all."
"Y-Yeah. I understand. It's fine."
Since I've been sleeping with Seirei after using 'Beast Body Guidance,'
this is kind of similar to that.
"I'm glad we're pretending to be a married couple."
"Y-yeah, that's true."
"We're sharing a room, so it's okay to hold hands while we sleep, right?"
"...Y-yes."
The technique 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' has more secrets.
One of them is probably why Touri felt my presence when I used the technique.
If that made her uneasy, I need to take responsibility.
When morning comes, we should head back to Aika Country.
I've delivered Suuki's letter, and I was able to connect with the moderates of the Jinkyo Tribe.
I also found out that Suuki's father──Hailon Taiga is a good person.
This information should help Aika Country.
The next issue is how Zeng Taiga will act from now on.
And... the existence of the poison arrow user who shot Master Raikou.
I need to stay alert on the way back.
There are many uncertainties with 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection.' Relying on it too much is dangerous.
I should return to Aika Country as quickly and safely as possible.
And then──I want to tell Seirei and Shouou about our journey.
It's been a long trip. I hope they're not too worried.
Thinking about that, I fell asleep while still holding hands with Touri.
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