Volume 3 Chapter 27 The Forces Of Aika Country Fight The Jinkyo Tribe In The North I
──A few days later, near the Northern Fortress──
Around the Northern Fortress, 2 camps were set up.
They were there to stop the Jinkyo Tribe from invading and to protect the northern villages.
Previously, Crown Prince Rouen's unit was attacked by the Jinkyo Tribe, who disguised themselves as bandits.
They slipped through the guard lines and entered Aika Country's territory.
The Jinkyo Tribe, being a horse-riding people, are skilled in horseback riding.
The strong ones can easily cross steep cliffs and mountains.
Moreover, if they are few in number, they are hard to spot.
As a result, Crown Prince Rouen ended up fighting Zeng Taiga, and members of the 'Wolf Cavalry' lost their lives.
To prevent a similar situation, 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin set up camps near the fortress.
One to the east and one to the west.
They surrounded the area with fences and built watchtowers, creating a strong base.
Kou Kairyou was in charge of the eastern camp.
As his assistant, he had Gaku Kiryuu.
The western fortress was protected by a unit leader and a staff officer from Hokurin.
The unit leader's name was Kei Koshou.
The staff officer's name was Haku Kan.
Kei Koshou had been in charge of security in Hokurin for many years.
And Haku Kan was a subordinate of Chou Sekimei, the 'General of the Devoted Cavalry.'
──At the western base (under the command of Kei Koshou)──
"I have a message for Unit Leader Kei."
The messenger from the eastern base reported to Kei Koshou, the commander of the base.
"There is an inquiry from Kou Kairyou-sama. Each base is supposed to send a report to the fort and to each other 3 times a day. Why hasn't a report come to the eastern base?"
"...Is that so?"
Kei Koshou averted his gaze from the messenger with a bitter tone.
The bases were ordered by 'General Skybear' to maintain close communication.
Reports were to be sent in the morning, at noon, and in the evening for that reason.
Yet, the reports sent from the western base were only once a day.
That was one-third of what was required.
It was not Kei Koshou's intention, but──
"I apologize. We just arrived in this area, and we are doing our best to set up a defensive posture."
──Hiding his true feelings, Kei Koshou replied.
"First, I believe it is a priority to complete the base for defense. Can we have a little more time?"
"But!"
"We can prepare quickly. Just a little more──."
"We haven't sent a messenger because there's nothing to report!"
A high-pitched voice came from behind Kei Koshou.
When he turned around, a slender-faced man was standing there.
It was Haku Kan, the staff officer dispatched from the Chou family.
"The western base is calm. Therefore, we judged that there was no need to send a report."
"I'm the one talking here! Haku Kan!!"
Kei Koshou couldn't help but shout.
At his words, Haku Kan's eyes widened. It was as if he had been deeply betrayed──he couldn't believe that Kei Koshou wouldn't be on his side.
(...I'm different from you, Haku Kan.)
Kei Koshou was originally a captain leading a hundred subordinates.
He wasn't in a position to be assigned to one of the bases.
He was chosen because of the influence of the former General of the Devoted Cavalry, Chou Sekimei.
Chou Sekimei had fallen out of favor with Crown Prince Rouen and lost his position.
He hoped to atone for his crimes through his achievements, but he never got the chance.
Going to the northern fortress was also rejected by Crown Prince Rouen.
So, the Chou family decided to send Haku Kan, one of his trusted subordinates, to the northern fortress.
The reason Kei Koshou was chosen as the unit leader was──
(My sister is the wife of Chou Ki, the youngest of the Chou family...)
Chou Ki was in his late teens. He had just married Kei Koshou's sister.
It seemed that Chou Ki had fallen for her while she was learning manners at a noble family.
Unlike his father, Chou Sekimei, and his brother, Chou Shoukatsu, he was calm and serious. The couple had a good relationship.
However, if the Chou family fell into decline, his sister wouldn't be unaffected.
Kei Koshou also wanted his sister to be happy.
(Plus... Chou Ki is a good young man.)
So, Kei Koshou accepted the Chou family's request and came to defend the northern land.
His subordinates included a hundred trusted soldiers and 9 hundred soldiers from the Chou family.
For the 100 army, it was an unusual promotion, but he didn't feel happy about it.
His body, which only had strength to rely on, was covered in scars.
Most of them were wounds he received while protecting his subordinates.
Even with just 100 subordinates, he was in this state. If he had a thousand, he wouldn't be able to handle it.
(Truth is, I can only manage 100 army... but it's for my sister. I'll do my best.)
Kei Koshou remembered the words Chou Sekimei said at Hokurin.
"Don't lose to the Kou family."
Hearing those words, Kei Koshou thought that the Chou family and the Kou family were in a power struggle.
After coming to the northern fortress, he realized that was a misunderstanding.
Kou Eishin and Kou Kairyou had no interest in power.
The Chou family was just targeting the Kou family for no reason.
Under the orders of the Chou family, he wouldn't even send out messengers properly.
Even when Kei Koshou directly commanded his subordinates, they would stop.
That's why a messenger from Kou Kairyou was sent to inquire.
"From Kou Kairyou, there is another message."
The messenger announced to Kei Koshou.
"Originally, Gaku Kiryuu-dono was supposed to be appointed as an assistant to unit leader in this position. Why was he rejected?"
"That is──"
"It's because our soldiers do not trust the Bokou Tribe."
The one who answered was Haku Kan.
"The soldiers led by Kei-dono have been protecting the late Empress. There's no way they would follow orders from a foreign tribe."
"Gaku-dono has defeated the military commander of the Jinkyo Tribe. Also, the one who hired him is His Royal Highness the King's younger brother──."
"Isn't it because Kou Kairyou-dono recommended Gaku Kiryuu, since his brother brought him back to the royal capital?"
At Haku Kan's words, the messenger's expression froze.
"The Kou family wants to have some control over our territory too. Is that why they're saying we should put Gaku Kiryuu in charge?"
"That's going too far! Haku Kan!!"
Kei Koshou shouted without thinking.
"The messenger is talking to me! Don't interrupt any further!!"
"...I apologize."
Haku Kan bowed.
His expression was calm, and he kept smiling.
Yet, his gaze was sharp, staring at Kei Koshou.
"I apologize for my subordinate's rudeness."
Kei Koshou spoke respectfully, clasping his hands.
"I promise to send messengers 3 times a day from now on. Please convey this to Kou Kairyou-dono as well."
"Understood. Then."
After bowing, the messenger returned to his side.
Kei Koshou thought,
"The Kou family is genuinely thinking about the country. Don't be suspicious, Haku Kan."
"I know. The Kou family is good people to be friends with."
Haku Kan had a sarcastic smile.
Kei Koshou, feeling suspicious of that expression, asked,
"...What do you mean?"
"The Kou family is too pure. It will be hard for them to navigate the world. It might be fine in peaceful times, but when things get chaotic, they will stumble."
"Don't say such ominous things!"
"Excuse me. But, will you cooperate with me, Kei-dono?"
Haku Kan smiled.
"If the Chou family regains its power, Chouki-dono will have a path to success. Your younger sister will also be in a position to be looked up to by others. For that reason..."
"My sister doesn't wish to be above others."
Kei Koshou and his sister are very similar. They both don't desire to rise in status.
Even if the Chou family falls, she will continue to support her husband, Chou Ki.
"I came here just to give my sister a good life. It's all my selfishness..."
"Then nothing will change. Our goals are the same."
Haku Kan stood tall.
"Our target is just Zeng Taiga's head. Right?"
"I understand that leaving him alone is dangerous. Protecting the country is my duty."
While saying this, Kei Koshou stood in front of the soldiers.
In front of him were his trusted subordinates, 100 men.
Behind them were 900 soldiers provided by the Chou family.
They cheered at the sight of Kei Koshou and Haku Kan.
Morale was high.
Kei Koshou's subordinates were happy to be with a reliable captain, and the Chou soldiers were filled with the spirit to defeat Zeng Taiga.
"Our target is Zeng Taiga's head!"
Haku Kan shouted the same words he had told Kei Koshou to the soldiers.
"Let's defeat the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe who attacked His Royal Highness Rouen, and show our strength!!"
"""Ooohhh!!"""
The subordinates raised their voices.
'The prince of the Jinkyo Tribe, Zeng Taiga's head'
That is the greatest achievement for those who wish to rise in status.
He has heard he's a strong enemy, but he has already lost his right arm. It won't be hard to defeat him.
The Chou family wants to take down Zeng Taiga to regain their power.
"Well then, Kei-dono. Your words?"
"...Ah, yes."
After thinking for a moment, Kei Koshou said,
"We've already sent out scouts. We'll find Zeng Taiga's location soon. He has some distinct features: 'black hair,' 'one arm,' 'his weapon is a spear,' and 'he rides a black horse.' We will identify his location and attack him at the same time. This is our goal."
The Chou family has sent specialized soldiers for reconnaissance.
They should be able to bring back the information safely.
"His Royal Highness Rouen has already entered the northern fortress. We will report to him that we have defeated Zeng Taiga. However, let's proceed carefully. If possible, to the eastern base──"
"We will move secretly towards the eastern base."
Kei Koshou was glared at.
Not just by Haku Kan, but also by the Chou soldiers.
They are serious about monopolizing the achievements.
"If a battle occurs, we will cooperate with the Kou family. However, if we find Zeng Taiga before that──."
──We will defeat him with our own hands.
Haku Kan told the soldiers those words.
Cheers rose from the soldiers.
Then, they began preparing for departure──
──A few hours later, they would hear the report that 'Zeng Taiga, disguised as a bandit, was found near the border.'
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