Volume 3 Chapter 21 The Great Villain Of The World, Fulfills His Duty And Returns Home
The next day, I, Touri, and Reki left the moderate faction's fortress.
Our destination was the village where the elder lived.
We would collect our horses there and then head back to Aika Country.
"Shuu Rikuhou-dono and Gen Touri-dono, I will responsibly escort you."
"I will accompany you as a supervisor, young master."
Tougen Shimei and his sister, Riirin, decided to guide us.
Riirin, Shimei's sister, is a short woman with short hair.
She also appears in the game "History of Swordmaster."
If I remember correctly... she is always in the same party as Tougen Shimei.
When he was about to take damage, she would jump in and take the hit instead.
I thought she was just a bodyguard, but it turns out she was like an older sister to him.
It seems she will also be on our side, just like Tougen.
"Leave the guiding to me."
Tougen Shimei said.
"My only strong point is my knowledge of the terrain. I will put it to good use."
"Your sense of direction is reliable. But... I hope after escorting you, you won't wander off again."
"That's harsh, big sis."
"Young master has too many past incidents."
"I'm still the head of the Shimei clan. I understand my position. Once my business is done, I will return properly."
...So he really will just go home after finishing his business.
Then, after that, Tougen Shimei won't come to Aika Country anymore.
If that's the case──
"Tougen-sama. If you'd like, I can introduce you to some high-ranking officials in Aika Country. I know many who have a large collection of books. I think you would have a great conversation with them."
"Please do, Shuu Rikuhou-dono."
"Don't try to seduce the young master!!"
──I suggested that, but Riirin interrupted.
It's just like in the game. Her guard seems to be strong.
With that, we headed south.
First, we returned to the village and reported to the elder.
When he heard about the assassin, the elder's face turned bitter.
"To be afraid of someone like us and use an assassin. I can't believe the war god Zeng Taiga has fallen so low..."
──That was the elder's words.
After thanking us, the elder gathered the villagers.
It was to discuss how the village would respond from now on.
The Shimei clan members would be stationed in the village.
This was to protect the village from Zeng Taiga's troops.
In case of emergency, they would guide the villagers to escape to the fortress.
As expected of the elder, she was quick to act... I thought, but it seemed that Tougen Shimei and the elder were already acquainted.
"The wandering prodigal has become the clan leader. You've grown, haven't you?"
"You still have a sharp tongue, Elder-sama."
"I may have aged, but my mind hasn't dulled."
"I can't relax unless I hear some bad words about the elder. Please live long."
"Then settle somewhere my voice can reach. You prodigal."
The two were joking around and laughing.
While listening to their conversation, we collected the horses in the village.
Then, we said goodbye to the elder and the villagers and headed towards Aika Country.
Tougen Shimei knew the terrain better than I expected.
He taught us where the horses could run steadily.
──What color is the ground where the horses can step firmly?
──Which part of the road should we take to feel less shaking?
──Which areas are easy to run on, and which ones are likely to trip us up?
Tougen Shimei, who had been observing nature, understood all of this.
When we followed his instructions... the horses' speed increased a lot.
I think it was about twice as fast as on the way there.
Plus, the ride was much smoother. Reki from the Jinkyo Tribe was surprised.
...Tougen Shimei is really amazing.
I'm so glad he became my friend.
While traveling, I talked about various things with Tougen Shimei.
Of course, he figured out that I wasn't a merchant.
Well, that makes sense.
I'm delivering letters to the moderate faction and took down the assassin Zan Teiei.
It's impossible for someone like me to pretend to be a merchant.
So, I decided to tell Tougen Shimei my real name.
──My real name is Kou Tenhou.
──I'm the second son of 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin, who protects the northern fortress.
──Right now, I have no title or rank. I'm training in martial arts in Aika Country.
──And I'm the one who cut off the left arm of the war god Zeng Taiga.
That's what I said.
Tougen Shimei's reaction was "I see."
He wasn't surprised or angry about hiding his true identity.
"When you wander around, you meet all kinds of people. Some have various circumstances or secrets. So, it doesn't really matter if you ask for names or titles. What's important is the essence of the person."
That seems to be Tougen Shimei's policy.
"Shuu Rikuhou-dono... no, Kou Tenhou-dono found value in the records of the herbs I created. You used them to help the elder."
Tougen Shimei nodded as if he understood,
"You think about saving people above all else. That's enough for me."
"Thank you, Tougen-sama."
"If you were a high-ranking official and you were from Aika Country, that would be great. I would love to serve under someone like you."
"I'm not in a position to use people, though──."
After thinking for a moment, I said,
"I know someone who is good at recruiting talent. How about I introduce you to them?"
"I'm happy to hear that, but I want to be Kou-dono's subordinate."
Tougen Shimei scratched his head,
"When Kou-dono is in a position to lead a unit, please let me know."
"Understood. If that opportunity arises."
...Speaking of which, Ryougen-kun had said before that he wanted to try giving the unit to me.
But nothing has progressed since then. It must have fallen through.
"However... I don't think I can make use of Tougen-sama's talents."
"Please, don't be so modest."
"And if I take Tougen-sama around, Riirin-sama will get angry with me."
"Tougen-sama is someone who understands!"
Next to the serious-looking Tougen, Riirin's eyes are shining.
Honestly, I wish Tougen would become Ryougen-kun's strategist.
But right now, Tougen is the head of the Shimei clan. There are clan matters to consider. I can't just scout him.
No... maybe it's okay to have him work for a short time?
As long as it benefits the Shimei clan... yeah. I'll think about it more later.
With that in mind, our journey continued... and soon, we passed through the border forest.
The view opened up, and we could see the town of Toushun.
"Our job ends here."
Stopping the horses on the road, Tougen Shimei said.
"I'm glad I could safely deliver everyone. Please, be careful from here on."
"Thank you, Tougen-sama."
"Thank you very much."
"I appreciate it, Shimei-sama."
Touri, Reki, and I bowed to Tougen and Riirin.
Then──
"If you don't mind, would you like to rest in the town of Toushun?"
I suggested this to Tougen and the others.
"Toushun has a nice tea house. There are various books on display, so I think Tougen-sama would enjoy it."
"That sounds wonderful! I would love to stop by..."
As Tougen started to say this, he glanced at Riirin.
"...Big sis, is it okay if we stop by for a bit?"
"...Just for one day."
"Understood. Then, let's stop by!"
Tougen said that with a really nice smile.
Then, we lent them some spare clothes.
It was so they could disguise themselves as people from Aika Country.
After that, as we passed through the Toushun gate──
"We have been waiting for you, Kou Tenhou-dono. Gen Touri-dono. Reki Soukaku-dono."
──I met a familiar face.
It was Tanshi-san, Ryougen-kun's aide.
"Congratulations on your safe return."
"Tanshi-sama? What are you doing here?"
"His Royal Highness the King's younger brother ordered me to welcome Kou Tenhou-sama and Gen Touri-sama."
Tanshi-san bowed to us and said,
"We have a place for you to stay. Please rest there first. As for your companions... well, if they are recognized by Kou Tenhou-sama and Gen Touri-sama, there should be no problem. Let's talk first. Also... there are 2 people waiting for Kou Tenhou-dono's return. Please, this way."
"Understood."
If it's Ryougen-kun's order, there's no reason to hesitate.
Let's hear what they have to say first.
And the two people waiting for my return... they are probably Seirei and Shouou.
I need to show them I'm safe first.
"Then, could you stay with us a little longer? Tougen-sama. Riirin-sama."
"Of course! We would love to accompany you!!"
"Just for one day! Young master!! Just for one day, okay!!"
So, we headed to the inn guided by Tanshi-san.
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