Volume 3 Chapter 28 The Forces Of Aika Country Fight The Jinkyo Tribe In The North Ii
──Later, at the Eastern Camp (Kou Kairyou's Perspective)──
"I've spotted the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe, Zeng Taiga!"
A scout returned to Kairyou at the eastern camp.
The soldier had an excited expression.
"A unit led by a one-armed cavalry with black hair is moving very close to the border. They seem to be disguising themselves as bandits again! What should we do, Kou Kairyou-sama!!"
"Calm down. First, answer my question."
Kairyou asked in a calm tone.
"What kind of weapons did the one-armed cavalry have?"
"They had a large spear tied to their horse."
"What kind of horse were they riding?"
"A black horse! They are moving along the border with Jinkyo Tribe cavalry on both sides. They might be planning to disguise themselves as bandits and enter Aika Country again..."
"You're too excited. First, drink some water and calm down."
"Y-yes."
"Also, I want to ask Gaku Kiryuu-dono something."
Kairyou turned to Gaku Kiryuu, who was standing nearby.
"Gaku Kiryuu-dono, you fought the Jinkyo Tribe in your hometown, right?"
"Yes. During that time, Kairyou-dono's younger brother helped me."
"That story was also mentioned in Tenhou's letter. He got into trouble again, didn't he?"
"The trouble your younger brother got into was because I wasn't careful enough."
Gaku Kiryuu bowed.
"I apologize for my lack of ability that put your younger brother in danger, Kou Kairyou-dono."
"Please, no need to be modest. I have heard about Gaku Kiryuu-dono's abilities from Tenhou."
Kairyou nodded.
"Besides, I know your strength as well. Since Gaku Kiryuu-dono arrived, the soldiers' movements have improved greatly."
Kairyou's subordinates underestimated Gaku Kiryuu.
They wondered what a foreign military commander could really do.
However, the subordinates quickly realized Gaku Kiryuu's abilities.
It was right after he arrived at the fortress and conducted military training. The soldiers, following Gaku Kiryuu's instructions for formations and marching, performed better than ever before.
It was as if he could read people's hearts and the horses' breathing.
By following his commands, the unit moved in perfect sync, and their charging power increased.
Kairyou and his father, Kou Eishin, were amazed by his abilities.
Now, the soldiers also trusted Gaku Kiryuu.
"The letter from Tenhou said, 'The Jinkyo Tribe attacked the Bokou Tribe to obtain a certain Martial Arts Manual'."
Kairyou continued speaking.
"And it said, 'They wanted the Martial Arts Manual to make Zeng Taiga stronger after he lost an arm.'"
"That ambition was crushed by Tenhou and Kaou-dono."
Zeng Taiga, who had lost an arm, must have ordered his subordinates to attack the Bokou Tribe village to seek martial arts that could make up for his loss.
In other words, what he wants is to become stronger.
He is not fixated on the spear.
It's hard to handle a spear with one arm. A short spear might be manageable, but Zeng Taiga used a large spear. The power of that spear is well known to Kairyou, who fought against it. He was overwhelmed by the strength needed to swing such a huge spear effortlessly.
However, he couldn't believe that someone could handle that with just one arm.
Yet, the scout reported that "a one-armed cavalry had tied a large spear to his horse."
At that moment, Kairyou felt a sense of unease.
"...Is that really Zeng Taiga?"
What the scout saw was a one-armed cavalry with black hair, equipped with a large spear, riding a black horse.
The features matched Zeng Taiga's, but it didn't necessarily mean it was him.
"I'd like to ask Gaku Kiryuu-dono. Can someone handle a large spear with one arm?"
"It would be difficult."
Gaku Kiryuu replied.
"If it's a military commander like Zeng Taiga, he wouldn't need to stick to a spear. If he has lost an arm, he would likely use a sword or a katana... either way, he should have a weapon that's easier to handle."
"If that's the case, then the large spear the cavalry had was──"
"Probably to show off. To make people mistake that cavalry for Zeng Taiga..."
"I see..."
Kairyou nodded.
"Some members of the Jinkyo Tribe have likely lost an arm. That person rides a black horse and carries a large spear. If a scout sees that, it wouldn't be surprising if they think it's Zeng Taiga..."
Zeng Taiga is the enemy of Crown Prince Rouen. If they defeat him, the achievement will be immense.
Among the soldiers of Aika Country, there are likely some who are eager to attack him.
So, the Jinkyo Tribe might have prepared a fake.
"If the soldier on the black horse is a fake, then the goal is... to draw us out of our stronghold, right?"
"That's correct."
Gaku Kiryuu answered immediately.
"The defenses of the fortress and the eastern and western positions are strong and won't be easily broken. To inflict damage, it's best to lure the soldiers out of the stronghold."
Gaku Kiryuu spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.
"Zeng Taiga has an enemy called the 'Moderates' within the country. Therefore, he might want to gather people around him by showing that he has inflicted damage on the Aika Country's forces. This way, he can raise his own reputation and unite the country."
"...I see."
Hearing that answer, Kairyou couldn't help but gasp.
Gaku Kiryuu's strength is not just in his leadership ability. His judgment is also incredible.
The soldiers around him are listening intently to his words. Even Kairyou feels a sense of relief.
(I can't believe such talent was hidden away...)
If Gaku Kiryuu led the western forces, the defense in the north would have been perfect.
While thinking about that, Kairyou asked further.
"So, the enemy's goal is to use the fake Zeng Taiga as bait to lure us out of our position, right?"
"Exactly."
"If that's the case, the enemy's main force is already on the move. They might attack us from the side while we chase the fake or strike our weakened position..."
"It could be both."
"Then, we shouldn't move for now. We should keep our scouts tracking the fake Zeng Taiga and strengthen our watch along the border."
"That's correct."
"Understood. I'm really glad to have Gaku Kiryuu on our side."
Kairyou let out a sigh of relief.
Gaku Kiryuu's judgment is spot on.
As the captain of defense for the Bokou Tribe, he is skilled in commanding troops and analyzing information.
He must have protected the Bokou Tribe this way.
(...If the Bokou Tribe had been conquered by the Jinkyo Tribe)
The Jinkyo Tribe had taken the women and children of the Bokou Tribe as hostages. Gaku Kiryuu's family too.
If that had happened, Gaku Kiryuu might have become a subordinate of the Jinkyo Tribe.
If Gaku Kiryuu led an attack against them... Kairyou wouldn't be confident in winning.
The only one who could fight evenly would be his father, Kou Eishin. Gaku Kiryuu is that kind of opponent.
(If it didn't turn out that way, it must be thanks to Tenhou bringing the Bokou Tribe to our side)
Yet, Tenhou doesn't act all high and mighty at all.
The letters he receives are all about worrying for Eishin and Kairyou.
He doesn't mention his achievements at all. Instead, He only praise his master and senior disciple.
(As expected, Tenhou is very capable. If it's Tenhou... they will support His Royal Highness Rouen──)
When Kairyou was thinking about this──
"Report! We have a report!!"
Suddenly, a messenger burst in.
"It's a report from Kei Koshou. Zeng Taiga has been found. We will begin the pursuit now."
"That's ridiculous!!"
Kairyou couldn't help but raise his voice.
"Why would Kei Koshou do something so reckless!? No... is this Haku Kan's decision?"
"Yes. Haku Kan-dono said it should be kept secret from Kou Kairyou-dono, but Kei Koshou-dono sent a messenger."
"But that means they couldn't stop sending troops."
"If he tried to stop it, Haku Kan-dono would lead the troops himself. Kei Koshou-dono left the defense of the camp to his trusted subordinates and went with Haku Kan."
Haku Kan, who is in the western camp, is a subordinate of Chou Sekimei.
And Chou Sekimei is also related to Crown Prince Rouen.
It's expected that he would want to defeat Zeng Taiga and gain achievements.
Kei Koshou moved faster simply because of the location.
The western camp is closer to the Jinkyo Tribe's territory.
That's why they probably found the fake Zeng Taiga first.
"There's another report."
The messenger continued.
"The main force of the Jinkyo Tribe is on the move. They seem to be heading toward the western camp."
"...So, their goal was to draw the soldiers out from the base after all."
"Kei Koshou-dono has sent a messenger to the fortress. Kou Eishin-dono has already sent troops to the western base."
"The base is fine as it is. But... there's probably a trap where Kei Koshou-dono is headed. If we can, I want to stop it. Then... we have no choice but to send out cavalry from here."
Most of the people in the fortress are infantry.
The cavalry is inside the base, ready to move.
The fast ones are the Kairyou.
"Tell my father to send infantry to support our base."
"It's already been arranged!"
"As expected of my father. Now, I have a request for Gaku Kiryuu-dono."
"I understand. I should go to support, right?"
"No... I will go for the support."
Kei Koshou and Haku Kan have a bias against other races.
Even if Gaku Kiryuu joins them, it will be hard to fight together.
"I ask Gaku-dono to defend the base. Also, I want a plan. Please tell me the enemy's predicted actions and what we should do."
"Understood. I will do my best."
Thus, Kairyou was set to head for ally support.
──After that, Kei Koshou's unit──
"Retreat!! We need to leave this place immediately!!"
With a pale face, Kei Koshou gave the order.
They should have cornered Zeng Taiga.
The opponent has lost his right arm. He's not as strong as before.
They could shoot him with arrows or attack him. They should be able to kill the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe.
In fact, the arrow hit the one-armed cavalry.
The cavalry fell off their horse and stopped moving.
He noticed something was off after that.
The cavalry didn't have black hair. It had a mix of white and black hair.
Looking closely, he saw that the white hair was dyed.
And then──lying on his back, the cavalry was a middle-aged man with a beard.
The spear was made of bamboo.
That must be because it's lighter. The surface was painted black to look like a normal spear.
What Kei Koshou defeated wasn't Zeng Taiga or anyone like that.
──The one-armed cavalry was a decoy.
──Then, what was the purpose?
"Retreat! Get away from here right now!!"
This is a danger zone.
The one-armed soldier's job was to lure them out of their position.
If that's the case──then they might already be surrounded.
"Ten... no, 20 of you run to the fortress and the eastern position! Inform Kou Eishin-dono and Kou Kairyou-dono of the situation!!"
"W-What's happening?"
The strategist, Haku Kan, shouted.
"Where is Zeng Taiga!? What is that soldier!?
"Don't you understand! You fool!!"
"Eek!?"
"That's a decoy! We've been lured out. We need to leave this place immediately!! This is Jinkyo Tribe territory! We don't know what's waiting for us──."
Right after that, the sound of hooves echoed.
It came from the hills on both sides.
It was a lot of cavalry footsteps.
It was indeed a trap.
They had been dragged into a danger zone.
This was the result of biting the bait of the fake Zeng Taiga.
But──
(This is a plan to throw away the soldiers who became decoys. Is Zeng Taiga that kind of prince!?)
──The person he heard about is different.
Zeng Taiga is said to be a military commander who wants to fight head-on.
He can tell from the fact that he previously disguised himself as a bandit and entered Aika Country with a small group.
(But still──)
The enemy soldiers used as bait were all wiped out. There were about 20 of them. Not a single one survived.
Was Zeng Taiga the kind of person who would use such tactics...?
"I announce to everyone! Don't fight!! First, think about escaping!!"
Kei Koshou shouted.
"I and Haku Kan-dpmp will be the rear guard! Run away!! You can leave behind anything extra. You must survive at all costs!!"
"W-What do you mean I'm the rear guard!? Why...!!"
"Because that's the responsibility of a superior officer!! Don't you understand that!?"
"...Eek."
"Don't worry. My unit is famous for its high survival rate. I will protect you and the others... I came here to make sure you and your subordinates don't die. Run, run!! Don't look back, just run!!"
Kei Koshou declared as he readied his spear.
Then he began to fight to allow his subordinates to escape.
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