Volume 3 Chapter 25 The Great Villain Of The World, Welcomes Guests
The next day, I started getting ready to head to the northern fortress.
Tanshi-san told me about the situation at the fortress.
My father, Kou Eishin, is at the fortress, which has recently been expanded.
They say 2 outposts were set up to keep an eye on the Jinkyo Tribe.
One is to the east, and the other is to the west.
My older brother, Kou Kairyou, is in charge of the eastern outpost.
He has Gaku Kiryuu, a guest commander, as his deputy.
The western outpost is managed by a unit leader from Hokurin.
Soon, Crown Prince Rouen and his troops will also arrive at the fortress.
Our defense is strong enough.
"Kou Tenhou-dono will be involved in the reconnaissance mission."
Tanshi-san said.
"I've heard that Kou Tenhou-dono and Sui Kaou can move quickly like beasts, even in tough places. I want you to use that strength to protect the northern fortress."
"Understood."
A reconnaissance mission is just right for me.
My goal is to capture the poison arrow user.
That guy is skilled enough to hurt Master Raikou. I can't let them go.
It would be the worst if my father or brother fell victim to the poison arrows. Of course, Crown Prince Rouen too.
To prevent that, I want to check the safety around the fortress.
"Tomorrow, I will set out for the northern fortress."
I clasped hands with Tanshi-san.
"Okay, so today you'll have free time. Please let everyone know."
"Understood."
After that, I parted ways with Tanshi-san and headed towards the guests.
──A few minutes later──
"Now, let me show you around the town of Toushun, Tougen-sama, Riirin-sama."
I took the two of them out to the town.
I had promised to show them around.
"Yes. Thank you, Kou-dono!"
"It's just for one day, you know. Tomorrow, you'll return to your friends, right? Is that okay, young master? Kou-sama understands this too, right?"
"I understand. Riirin-sama."
"I get it. I really get it."
"Thank you, Kou-sama. The young master looks like he doesn't understand, though..."
With that, we set off to the town.
The first place we visited was the market.
Toushun is a bustling hub for shipping and logistics.
The market here is as big as the capital, Hokurin. There are even more types of goods here.
It's perfect for sightseeing.
Maybe because it was early in the morning, there were lots of seafood displayed outside the shops.
Fresh fish, shrimp, and other shellfish. There were also freshly caught clams.
But it seems Riirin isn't good with seafood, as she's hiding behind Tougen.
In contrast, Tougen is staring intently at the shrimp and clams. It's like he's analyzing the structure of the creatures. He's getting too close and the merchant is scolding him.
Tougen really seems like a born researcher.
After going around the market, we moved to the tea house we had promised to visit.
Tougen was staring at the papers covering the wall, his eyes shining.
Even when Riirin called out to him, he didn't respond. His legs seemed stuck to the floor, and his gaze was fixed straight ahead, looking at the papers filled with poems and writings. He looked like a child who had found a treasure.
Riirin sat down and started to sip her tea leisurely.
"Since it's you, young master, you won't move for a while," she said, laughing.
It seemed she was used to Tougen's reactions like this.
I decided to leave the two of them at the tea house and go back to the market for a bit.
I needed to buy gifts for Tougen and the others.
They had taken us all the way to Toushun, so I had to repay that favor.
After finishing my shopping and returning to the tea house, I found Tougen still in the same spot.
Riirin and I exchanged a wry smile.
We ended up drinking tea until Tougen was satisfied (it took 2 hours)──
After we got back to the inn, I presented the gifts to the two of them.
"Please accept this. Tougen-sama. Riirin-sama."
In front of Tougen, there was a brush, ink, and a bundle of paper.
In front of Riirin, there was an obi-dome (a decorative piece for a kimono).
After handing each of them their gifts, I bowed and said,
"This is a thank you for bringing us this far and a memento of meeting you both. Please."
"...Kou-dono."
"...Not just for the young master, but for me as well."
"I want to stay close with both of you from now on."
To be honest, I really wanted Tougen to come to the northern fortress.
I think this person's knowledge and ideas, as well as their understanding of the terrain, will help my father and brother.
But right now, it's impossible.
We can't let a member of the Jinkyo Tribe into the military facility of Aika Country.
Tanshi-san has told me that too.
Tougen and the others are in a different position than Gaku Kiryuu from the Bokou Tribe.
The Bokou Tribe has promised to support Aika Country as a whole.
So they can form a joint front and provide troops to Gaku Kiryuu.
In contrast, my relationship with Tougen and the others is personal.
There hasn't been an official friendship established between Aika Country and the moderates of the Jinkyo Tribe.
That will happen after we exchange messengers and documents.
Until then, I can't use Tougen as my advisor.
So, this is where I say goodbye to Tougen and the others.
I think the next time we meet will be after the countries have officially formed a friendship.
Until then, I want to give them a gift to maintain our good relationship.
I also received a reward for my journey from Tanshi-san.
"I'm really glad I met you, Tougen-sama and Riirin-sama. The trip to the north was worth it."
That was my true feeling.
I was happy to know that the advisor from the Jinkyo Tribe is a good person.
"I look forward to seeing you again someday."
"Thank you, Kou-dono."
Tougen bowed and then scratched his head shyly.
"Seriously... I can't compete with Kou-dono. After being treated like this, I can't just go home quietly. It's one thing if it's just me, but even gifts for my sister... This is tough. If I go back without doing anything, I'll look ungrateful. Really, this is just too much..."
With a sigh, Tougen looked up at the ceiling.
Then, as if he had made up his mind, he nodded and said,
"I'm not planning to get involved in military matters, you know...?"
"Tougen-sama?"
"Young master?"
"Kou-dono called me a friend. I can't just watch as that Kou-dono goes to a dangerous place without doing anything. I hesitate to share information with people from other countries, but if it's Kou-dono... Ah, fine! There's no helping it!"
Tougen picked up a brush.
Then, grabbing the paper I handed him, he said,
"Please wait a moment. I'll be back right away!"
"Young master!?"
"Please come with me, big sis. I need you to help me decide how much I can write! Otherwise... I might end up writing everything down without holding back."
"W-What are you saying? Young master!?"
"Just come over here. Kou-dono, please wait there!"
Saying that, Tougen and Riirin went into the room.
I waited for almost 20 minutes.
When Tougen came back, he was holding a stack of papers.
"Please accept this. It's what I wrote from memory, but it's accurate."
"...Huh?"
"This black circle drawn on this paper represents Kou-dono's father──'General Skybear'──who is at the northern fortress. The area to the north is the terrain of the Jinkyo Tribe. I've written it down on 4 sheets of paper. Of course, it's only the area near the northern fortress."
What Tougen placed in front of me was a map.
It showed the northern side──meaning, the terrain of the Jinkyo Tribe's territory.
And it was detailed.
The shapes of the rocky areas, places where trees grow thick, and the shape of the river.
It even showed spots where people could easily hide.
"This is... really helpful."
I bowed to Tougen.
"...But, can I keep this? Tougen-sama."
"Kou-dono will be fighting the poison arrow user hired by Prince Zeng, right?"
"Yes. If possible, I want to capture them."
"In that case, please take it. I don't want Kou-dono to die. That's why this map includes places where people might hide and where ambushes could happen. Please use this to avoid danger."
Tougen spoke in a clear tone,
"I am the head of the Shimei clan, but I am also just a person named Tougen Shimei. I am giving information to a friend I don't want to lose. I don't care what anyone says."
"Thank you very much, Tougen-sama."
I clasped my hands toward Tougen.
"I promise to use this information only to protect myself."
"You can use it to protect your family as well. Anyway, the moderates won't attack the northern fortress."
After saying that, Tougen smiled wryly and said,
"If a war were to happen... it would probably be after Kou-dono and I are dead."
"I don't want that future."
"Exactly. I hope for a future where we can still be friends."
Then I held the map, while Tougen carried the brush, ink, and some leftover paper.
It was like we were promising to cherish each other's gifts.
"I'm glad we met, Tougen-sama."
"By the wind god that crosses the plains, let's meet again."
That was our farewell.
Tougen and Riirin left the inn and headed toward the Toushun gate.
I stayed at the gate, watching until I could no longer see the two of them on horseback.
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