Volume 3 Chapter 22 The Great Villain Of The World, Receives A New Mission
After that, we got into the carriage that Tanshi-san prepared.
I learned why Tanshi-san was here during our ride.
"As I mentioned earlier, I am here on the orders of His Royal Highness the King's younger brother. I came to pick up Kou Tenhou-dono, Gen Touri-dono, and Reki Soukaku-dono. I'm glad to meet you like this."
"I understand that. But... isn't it too soon?"
We had reunited with Master Raikou in the town of Toushun just a few days ago.
The day after that, Master Raikou, Shuu-sensei, and Suuki Taiga left for Hokurin.
It takes about 3 days to get from Toushun to Hokurin.
Considering that Master Raikou is injured, I thought it would take a bit longer.
Then, after the masters meet Ryougen-kun, explain the situation, and Tanshi-san comes here... it wouldn't be surprising if it took more than ten days.
Yet, Tanshi-san is here.
I think it's way too early...
"I'm here thanks to His Royal Highness Rouen."
Tanshi-san said to us, who were confused.
"His Royal Highness is heading to the northern fortress. Along the way, His Royal Highness the King's younger brother was also with us. We met with Raikou and the others during the journey."
Crown Prince Rouen was going to the northern fortress for military reasons.
Ryougen-kun was accompanying him to see off the envoy from Souma Country.
They had many bodyguards with them. So, they stood out a lot.
That's when Master Raikou noticed them and called out.
"Is that really what happened?"
"Recently, His Royal Highness Rouen seems to be inspired by stories from His Royal Highness the King's younger brother. I've heard that he decided to head north after discussing it with Yuuri-dono."
...Crown Prince Rouen is amazing.
In the game, he was an enemy of Ryougen-kun, but in this world, they are getting along.
Thanks to that, Master Raikou was able to meet Ryougen-kun quickly.
"His Royal Highness the King's younger brother and Suuki Taiga-dono have gone to the capital of Hokurin. By now, they are probably meeting with His Majesty the King."
"Thank you very much. I want to tell Reki-san about this as well..."
Reki is currently riding in the carriage behind.
I thought it would help Tougen and Riirin feel more at ease if he was with them.
After all, we might have things to discuss as allies of the moderates.
"It's no problem. I've instructed the coachman to inform Reki-dono about this matter."
"Just as expected from Tanshi-san."
"Regarding the alliance with the moderates of the Jinkyo Tribe, His Royal Highness the King's younger brother and His Royal Highness Rouen also agree."
Tanshi-san continues in a calm tone.
"His Royal Highness Rouen said, 'If we can draw the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe to the northern fortress, it will ease things for the moderates.'"
"Really, His Royal Highness Rouen said that?"
"His Royal Highness believes it would be better for Aika Country."
If Crown Prince Rouen heads to the northern fortress, the exchange of messengers will become more active.
And if Crown Prince Rouen's troops actually move, Zeng Taiga will be on alert.
He will likely gather his forces near the northern fortress.
As a result, soldiers have disappeared from around the moderates' base.
Could it be... that the absence of poison arrow users near the moderates was for the same reason?
Zeng Taiga might have taken the poison arrow users with him to prepare for the battle at the northern fortress.
So, was it only Zan Teiei that was at that place?
Anyway, I owe Crown Prince Rouen a favor. Someday, I'll repay it properly.
If that person hadn't moved the troops... Zeng Taiga and the others would still be surrounding the moderate faction's fortress.
If that happened, we would have to deal with both Zan Teiei and the poison arrow users. That would be... impossible, no matter how I think about it.
"This kind of thing happens, huh? I'm really... surprised."
I bowed to Tanshi-san.
"If His Royal Highness Rouen hadn't headed to the northern fortress, we wouldn't have been able to enter the moderate faction's fortress. His Royal Highness Rouen's deep foresight is beyond my understanding."
"Please wait, Kou Tenhou-dono."
"What is it, Tanshi-sama?"
"Weren't you supposed to deliver a letter to the Jinkyo Tribe's village? Why did you enter the moderate faction's fortress?"
"Ah, yes. It was a matter of circumstance."
"A matter of circumstance!?"
"Actually... I was invited by Hailon Taiga-san, the father of Suuki Taiga-san."
I answered.
Touri was nodding next to me, agreeing.
"Hailon-san is the one leading the moderate faction."
"You met with the leader of the moderate faction!?"
"That person clearly said, 'I do not wish for a battle with Aika Country.' From now on, it seems he will regularly send letters to Suuki Taiga-san."
"After meeting with the leader, we confirmed our intentions... right?"
"Hailon-san was a nice person. He even gave me and Touri a pass to enter the Jinkyo Tribe's territory. Also, I became close with Suuki Taiga-san's older sister──Raiha Taiga-san."
"In a nearby village, there was an elder who was good at fortune-telling too."
Touri took over my line.
"The elder also wanted to be friends with Aika Country."
"Touri, you promised to visit the elder again, right?"
"Y-yes."
"And then, there were many other things that happened──."
I continued explaining while checking with Touri.
A lot happened during our journey.
I should report to Tanshi-san while the memories are still fresh.
"So, that's it. We found out that there are people in the Jinkyo Tribe who support Aika Country. I think it would be good to strengthen our connections with these people."
"Touri agrees too."
"Please convey this to His Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
Touri and I clasped our hands together towards Tanshi-san at the same time.
For a moment, there was silence.
Tanshi-san scratched his head, looked up at the ceiling of the carriage, and then──
"Kou Tenhou-dono."
"Yes, Tanshi-sama."
"Do you realize how much benefit you have brought?"
"No. I just fulfilled my master's orders."
I decided to leave it at that.
But Tanshi-san, with an excited tone, said,
"You've accomplished even more! Kou Tenhou-dono has created clear allies within the Jinkyo Tribe, right? That's something no one has done before!"
──He said that while looking at us intently.
"A clear connection has been established between you two and the moderates. Not through Suuki-dono, but through the trust between you two. Because of this, Aika Country can now engage in various negotiations and information exchanges through the moderate people. Just think of the benefits this will bring to diplomacy..."
"That's great!"
"And you two are accompanied by friends from the Jinkyo Tribe, right?"
"You're talking about Tougen-sama and Riirin-sama."
Of course, I had already informed Tanshi-san about Tougen and the others.
Tanshi-san quickly treated them as honored guests.
It seemed like it was Tougen's first time riding in a carriage, and he was curiously examining its structure.
"The land of the Jinkyo Tribe is bumpy, so carriages aren't suitable. But they're good for elderly or sick people. I wonder if there's a way to improve this..." he muttered.
Ryougen-kun's guests include engineers, so I want to introduce them.
...But Riirin-san might get mad at me.
"They both are nice people. If possible, I would like to show them around the town of Toushun."
"Understood. I'll make arrangements."
"Thank you!"
"While you are in this country, it would be best to consider they both as guests of Kou Tenhou-dono, or as guest generals."
"...Guest generals, you say?"
"Yes. The reason I was waiting for Kou Tenhou-dono and Gen Touri-sama is to deliver a message from Ryougen-kun."
Inside the carriage, Tanshi-san straightened his posture.
He clasped his hands together and faced me and Touri.
"Recently, Kou Tenhou-dono has been put in charge of the independent forces of Aika Country. I, Tanshi, have been assigned as your guardian. Kou Tenhou-dono has received orders to head to the northern fortress and receive soldiers under 'General Skybear.'."
"...Huh?"
"Hou-sama... no, Hou-sama is in charge of the independent forces!?"
That story, is it still alive!?
I thought it had died out since there was no movement...
But to entrust a unit to me... that's impossible.
I only study martial arts with Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei; I have no rank or title.
I may be the child of 'General Skybear,' but I haven't studied as a military officer. I'm planning to become a local civil servant in the future.
To hand over a unit to someone like me...?
"...Aren't you worried about being scolded by someone who seriously commands a unit?"
"Is that the first thing you want to say?"
Tanshi-san smiled.
"Kou Tenhou-dono leads one of the units that His Royal Highness the King's younger brother is establishing. The mission is to gather information and interact with different tribes. I think it's a suitable job for Kou Tenhou-dono, who has connections with the Jinkyo Tribe and Bokou Tribe."
"Gathering information and interaction, huh... I see."
That makes sense.
Ryougen-kun wouldn't tell me to lead soldiers and fight on the front lines.
Besides, if it's Ryougen-kun's order, I can't refuse.
I owe him a lot. So, I'll head to the northern fortress as instructed.
"I understand. I will do my best to meet your expectations."
"This Tanshi will also serve as an assistant for Kou Tenhou-dono."
Tanshi-san and I exchange bows.
"First, we will head to the northern fortress. I will gather soldiers... and inform my father and brother about the Jinkyo Tribe. Also──."
There might be a poison arrow user near the northern fortress.
If that's the case, I can't ignore it.
It would be the worst if my father or brother were targeted. Of course, Crown Prince Rouen too.
I need to locate the enemy... and if possible, capture them.
First, I should look for places near the northern fortress where a poison arrow user might be hiding.
...It would be great if I could get help from someone familiar with the northern terrain.
Maybe I should ask Tougen-san.
If it's for a limited time, he might lend a hand.
"Oh, it seems we've arrived at the inn."
After a while, the carriage stopped.
"The inn staff and the unit members have come to welcome you both."
"Unit members?"
The carriage stopped at the biggest inn in Toushun.
In front of the building, the inn staff lined up.
When we got off the carriage, they bowed in perfect unison.
And in front of the staff was──
"Seirei and Kaou-shikei? What are you doing here?"
"We've been waiting for you, big brother."
"I'm really glad you're safe."
Seirei and Shouou looked at me and bowed.
"Ryuu Seirei will now be your subordinate, big brother. My job will be gathering information using animals."
"I'm Tenhou's deputy, nice to meet you, Tenhou."
Seirei and Shouou both smiled, but their eyes didn't match their smiles.
In fact, it felt like they were glaring at me...
While I was thinking about that, they leaned in closer and whispered,
"...Big brother, please don't make me worry too much."
"...Tenhou, if I leave you alone, you will wander off somewhere. Seriously..."
"...So, I decided to stay by your side."
"...Becoming Tenhou's subordinate has the permission of Master Raikou, Shuu-sensei, and Shisui-nee from Souma Country. So don't worry, you can use me."
Seirei and Shouou said that.
Then they looked at each other and said,
"From now on, please take care of us, Kaou-sama."
"Likewise. Let's do our best together, Seirei-kun."
"I plan to support big brother, together with you, Kaou-sama, who is my closest friend as family."
"That's some amazing brotherly love. Tenhou should be proud to have a sister like Seirei,"
"Thank you for the compliment. I'm honored, brother's friend, Sui Kaou-sama,"
"I'm happy too. I want to get along with Seirei-kun for the future."
With smiles on their faces, Seirei and Shouou exchanged glances.
"...Yeah. I just heard about the unit, but anyway, I look forward to working with you. Seirei and Shikei too."
Feeling a strange tension, I replied to the two of them.
After the greetings were done, Tanshi-san clapped his hands.
Gathering everyone's attention, Tanshi-san said,
"First, let's celebrate the safe return of Kou Tenhou-dono, Gen Touri-dono, and Reki Soukaku-dono with a feast. Of course, we invite Kou Tenhou-dono's guests to join us. We want to hear your stories too!"
──He declared that.
So, I headed to the feast, sandwiched between Seirei and Shouou.
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