Volume 3 Chapter 3 The Great Villain Of The World, Creating A Secret Document
We were traveling down the highway.
To the east from Hokurin, a big road stretches out.
After a while, we reach a fork where the road splits into one heading east toward the sea and another going north.
If we take the northern road, it's a straight path to Toushun's town.
I think Master Raikou will pass through here too.
If we're lucky, we might run into her along the way.
While thinking about that, I ride my horse down the highway.
Behind me is Shuu-sensei. A bit further back is Touri-san.
If the 3 of us stay alert, we shouldn't miss seeing Master Raikou.
At least, that's what I think──but──
"Um, Touri-san."
"Y-yes, Tenhou-sama."
"Why are you lagging behind so much?"
For some reason, only Touri-san is falling behind.
All 3 of us are on horses. I'm in the lead, with Shuu-sensei slightly behind me. Touri-san is about ten meters back.
The road is wide. There aren't many people around, so it's fine for us to ride side by side.
So why is Touri-san the only one who is falling behind?
"Uh, um, I'm trying to catch up, but..."
Touri-san touched her horse's belly with her legs.
The horse sped up. She tried to ride next to me──
But suddenly, she seemed to remember something and slowed down.
It looks like she's reacting to the saddle for some reason.
This saddle was provided by Seirei, but... why is the horse so interested in it?
Before we left, Seirei was talking to Touri-san's horse.
It seemed like they were having a serious conversation, but... what was that about?
"Touri. Do you want to swap horses with me?"
"N-no, I'm fine... really."
"I see. Well, it's not a bad ride."
That was true.
The Kou family's horse is excellent. It moves smoothly for us. There's hardly any shaking. It's like the horse is being considerate of us.
Other than the fact that my horse and Touri-san's horse are apart, there's no problem at all. In fact, it's comfortable.
"We're in a hurry, so let's keep going."
"Yeah."
"Y-yes, that's right."
At my words, Shuu-sensei and Touri-san nodded.
We continued north.
We moved along the highway. Before sunset, we found an inn in town, took care of the horses, and then in our room, we practiced 'Beast Body Guidance' under Shuu-sensei's instruction with Touri-san.
──About 3 days later, we safely arrived at Toushun town.
During our travels, we didn't run into Master Raikou.
We didn't see her in any of the towns or on the highway.
Since the 3 of us were searching, I can't believe we missed her.
And knowing Master Raikou, she would definitely call out to me if she found me.
So, it seems Master Raikou might still be in Toushun town.
"I'm going to try visiting an acquaintance."
After passing through the town's gate, Shuu-sensei said.
"I've been to this town as a traveling doctor before. I'll ask around to see if anyone knows Raikou."
"Thank you, Shuu-sensei."
"Tenhou and Touri, you two should rest at the inn first. Also, please take care of the horses."
Saying that, Shuu-sensei told us about a recommended inn.
Touri-san and I led the horses to the inn.
After getting a room, we took the horses to the stable.
"...This is a reliable inn that my mother often uses."
While stroking the horse's back, Touri-san said.
"I think the horses can rest safely here."
"Touri-san, have you been to this town before?"
"Yes. I came here with my mother for work."
Shuu-sensei was traveling to find Touri-san's treatment method.
She mentioned that she had stopped by this Toushun on her journey.
"This town is rich because it's a trading town. There are many people coming and going, and various cultures here."
"That's true. There are definitely a lot of people."
The town of Toushun is located in the northeast of Aika Country.
It's close to the sea and thrives as a port town. Seafood is abundant, and trade using the sea is active.
The catch is transported down the river to the capital, Hokurin.
Money and things gather where people gather.
That's why the town of Toushun is thriving.
But... in ten years, that will all change.
The river will be blocked.
Fences will be set up downstream, making it impossible for boats to pass.
This is to avoid an invasion from Hokurin.
The port will be destroyed by the Jinkyo Tribe.
To make sure people can't escape.
In the end, Toushun will fall into the hands of the Jinkyo Tribe.
And it will become a base for the Jinkyo Tribe to attack Aika Country.
That is the future of the town of Toushun.
But... right now, there are no signs of that at all.
This is a rich town where people dress up and come and go.
That's probably why Master Raikou thought it would be perfect for gathering information.
I feel the same way.
If there are many people, I think I can get information from Master Raikou.
For example, if I go to a place where a lot of people gather──
"Touri-san, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, Tenhou-sama."
"What's the most popular tea house in this town?"
In this world, tea houses are places for socializing and gathering information.
Before, when I and Shouou contacted Ryougen-kun's investigator in the northern lands, it was also at a tea house in the town.
In the game 'History of Swordmaster,' going to a tea house to get information is the standard approach.
If it's a popular tea house, I might be able to get information about Master Raikou.
So, I asked Touri-san to take me to the best tea house in this town.
"This is the most famous tea house in Toushun town."
Touri-san said as she guided me to a building facing the main street.
There were chairs and tables lined up on the street, allowing people to sit freely and drink tea.
Inside the tea house, there were papers with poems and writings posted on the walls.
Outside, a street performer with a flute was playing music, while a man and a woman were showcasing a sword dance.
"This tea house is a gathering place for scholars and martial artists."
Touri-san explained.
"People who are confident in their writing are allowed to post their works on the wall. Those who are skilled in martial arts can perform sword dances like that in the street. This way, they wait for someone to hire them."
"That's practical."
In the game, when you go to a tea house, you quickly meet talented people.
...But in reality, it doesn't work that way.
After all, you can't tell someone's skill level.
So, they probably show their skills by posting their writings or performing sword dances.
That's how they try to find someone who will recognize their talent.
If it's a place like that, Master Raikou must have stopped by too.
My master was also investigating the organization spreading rumors that 'Aika Country will fall.'
So, it makes sense that he would come here to gather information.
There might be someone in this tea house who knows Master Raikou...
I hope I can tell that person that a disciple has come to visit. If I do, they should be able to share news about my master.
But it would be bad to openly ask, "I'm Kou Tenhou, a disciple. Do you know Master Raikou?"
This area is close to Jinkyo Tribe's land.
There might be spies around. I'm hated by Zeng Taiga, so I can't just introduce myself.
In other words, I need to convey that Master Raikou's disciple has come without revealing my name.
"Tenhou-sama, will you also perform a sword dance in front of the shop?"
Touri-san said with a shy expression,
"I can't show 'Beast Body Guidance' or 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique,' but if it's another technique, I, Touri, will be your opponent."
"That sounds good, Touri-san. But..."
If I demonstrate the 'Five Divine Swordsmanship' forms in front of the shop, it would show that I'm a disciple of Master Raikou.
But... it feels wrong to use that technique as a performance.
So then──
"Excuse me. Could I have some paper and ink?"
I called out to the tea house staff.
"I'm aiming to be a scholar. So, I would like to post my own poems on the wall of the tea house. A short period is fine. Could you help me with that?"
"Tenhou-sama?"
"I'm actually good at writing."
I looked at Touri-san and answered.
I've been my father's and brother's scribe──basically, their writing assistant.
Before I learned martial arts, I planned to become a government official in the countryside.
I'm confident in my writing skills.
"Are you aiming to be a government official?"
The staff nodded.
"We often have people like that come in."
"Thank you. I want to test my skills."
"That's fine. However, we have standards for what can be displayed. If we decide it's not suitable, we will return it to you. Is that okay?"
"I don't mind. I'm prepared for that."
"Understood. Please go ahead."
The tea shop staff skillfully placed paper and ink on the table.
I sat down in front of it.
I already knew what I wanted to write.
It was a message to Master Raikou to let her know we were here.
However, I wanted to avoid writing her name directly.
I would write it in a poetic form that only we and Master Raikou would understand.
So──
"──Is this how it should be?"
After thinking for a moment, I wrote a short message on the paper.
"What do you think, Touri-san?"
"...I think it's very beautiful writing."
Touri-san sighed.
"'From the south, a fragrance arrives, gazing at the clouds, seeking the thunder'... is that right?"
"The continuation is 'The brother of the Phoenix quietly listens, trembling in the northern land.' I think Master Raikou will understand this."
"Yes. I also think it's easy to understand..."
"Thank you very much."
"'Kaori from the South'... this refers to Tenhou-sama who came from the south of this town. 'Looking up at the clouds' represents the great master Gyoun-sama. Then, 'searching for thunder' tells us that we are looking for Raikou-sama."
"That's right. 'The younger brother of Phoenix' means that I am Shouou's younger disciple. 'Shin' is taken from Master Raikou's real name, 'Shin U.' 'Listening closely' means I am searching for Master Raikou's presence."
I explained this in a low voice to Touri-san.
Then I handed the paper with my poem to the staff.
The staff stared at the paper for a while.
Then she nodded and said,
"I will take this."
She put it up on the wall of the tea house.
It seemed it had reached the level to be displayed. That's good.
I was asked for my name, but I insisted on 'Anonymous.'
I said I would come again, and if anyone was interested in that poem, I wanted to know──he agreed.
It seems there are quite a few people who come for the same reason.
"...Tenhou-sama."
"Yes, Touri-san."
"Tenhou-sama is skilled not only in martial arts but also in writing..."
"Actually, I'm better at writing. Martial arts... I'm still not good at all."
"I don't think that's true."
Touri-san is staring intently at my poem-like writing.
"Touri wants to receive a letter from Tenhou-sama someday."
One day, Touri-san said something like this.
"If Tenhou-sama writes my name, I feel like I would be so happy just from that."
"I can write it anytime."
"Y-yes... I'm so happy."
After that, we drank tea at a tea house.
Relaxed, Touri-san talked about her travels with Shuu-sensei.
From the southern Souma Country to the western Bokou Tribe's village, and even to the northern Toushun town.
It seems she traveled while helping with the work of a traveling doctor.
During that time, she sometimes got sick and had to rest.
Still, she managed to get through it by using 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' to adjust her 'ki.'
It seems she rested her body in the warm Souma Country during the winter.
"That's why Touri knows a lot about distant towns. Well, sort of."
"Yes. I rely on you, Touri-san."
"By the way... Tenhou-sama."
Suddenly, Touri leaned closer to me.
She brought her lips near my face, and then──
"There's someone watching us from the entrance of the tea house."
──she said that.
"It seems they asked the staff who wrote that. Maybe they understood the meaning of the poem. What should we do?"
"Is there any sign of them coming over...?"
"Not really. It seems like they are waiting for an opportunity."
"I understand. Let's leave the tea house and walk down the street. That way, we can see how they react."
"Understood."
Touri-san and I paid the bill and left the shop.
We entered a side street, turned the corner, and looked back.
That's when we confirmed that 2 people were following us.
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