Volume 3 Chapter 30 Kou Tenhou And Sou Ouka, Fighting The Mysterious Archer Unit I
──Tenhou's Perspective──
"I found enemy archers in our path. Two under the tree and one up in the branches!"
"Which one should I aim for?"
"Since aerial combat is Shikei's specialty, go for the one above!"
"Got it!!"
Shouou jumped up and ran towards the enemy soldier hiding in the grass.
The enemy was hiding in the forest.
They were ambushing the soldiers from Aika Country.
This is the perfect place to attack the enemy while hiding.
You can tell by looking at the map Tougen gave me.
To the north of this forest is a hilly area. In the center of a small hill, there's a narrow path.
If the enemy uses the path, we can rush down from the slopes on both sides and surround them.
The attacked side can only escape south, into this forest where visibility is poor.
When I looked at the map, I thought this was where the poison arrow user would be.
It's also close to the northern fortress, and there are many hiding spots.
If we can lure the soldiers from Aika Country somehow, we can attack them without warning.
That's why I came here to scout the area.
I actually planned to come alone, but... Shouou insisted on coming with me.
"I can't let you go alone, Tenhou!"
"As Chief Strategist, I suggest that this Tanshi should accompany Sui Kaou."
"As the Reconnaissance Officer, I also don't want to let you go alone, big brother..."
There were many enemies against us.
So, I decided to go on a reconnaissance mission with Shouou right away.
By the way, Seirei are moving in a carriage on the main road.
She plan to meet up with us after reaching the northern fortress.
After parting ways with the Seirei, Shouou and I used 'Five Divine Steps' to move quickly along the road.
We then veered off the path to scout the dangerous area.
As a result, we stumbled upon a scene in the forest where soldiers from Aika Country were under attack.
"'Five Divine Swordsmanship'──'Genbu Twin Attack'."
My kick exploded against an archer hiding behind a tree.
The archer, hit with my focused strike, was blown away and crashed into another nearby soldier.
I swung my sword down at the group of soldiers.
"────What!?"
"────!?"
The enemy soldier, with his tendons cut, screamed and curled up in pain.
From the tree above, an archer defeated by Shouou fell down.
"I took care of it. Tenhou. What's the next enemy!?"
"They're 12 steps away using 'Five Divine Steps.' I'll check their exact positions while running with 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection.'"
"Got it!"
While running, I activated the 'chaos technique'──'Mirror of Shadows Reflection.'
It was just like when I fought the assassin Zan Teiei.
In the forest, with 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection,' I can sense the enemy's presence.
The enemy is an archer from the Jinkyo Tribe.
They're not masters like Zan Teiei.
They're just hiding in the shadows, unable to control their breathing or the flow of their 'ki.'
Plus, they're shaken up from the surprise attack.
I can hear someone breathing heavily.
There's one who pulled back their bowstring and made a noise. Another is lifting themselves up to look around.
I can quickly figure out where these soldiers are.
But──
"The one who hurt Master Raikou with poison arrows is someone else."
It's impossible for someone who reveals their presence to hurt Master Raikou.
The poison archer must be completely hiding their presence.
"Be careful. There should be someone special hiding somewhere."
"Yeah. That person is probably leading the archers."
Shouou and I exchange words while running in a zigzag.
"Regular soldiers can't mix poison. The poison archer who shot our master must have given the archers poison arrows. They should also have the antidote. Otherwise, it would be too dangerous to use poison arrows."
"Let's ask the next enemy about the antidote."
"Got it!"
We pick up speed.
The soldiers from Aika Country are lying on the beast path.
We can't leave them behind. Reaching them is our top priority.
So, we both activate our techniques at the same time. We jump and slash at the enemy with 'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King,' soaring into the air.
The target is the archer in the tree. I'll knock him down from there──
──but that's just a feint.
"Tenhou!" ."Yes, Shikei!"
We kick off the tree branches in mid-air and change direction.
Right after that──a black arrow strikes the tree.
Just as I thought. A master archer is hiding somewhere in the forest.
And he keeps moving around.
The 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' shows a faint presence, but I can't pinpoint his location.
We jump again.
I knock the archer down and hide behind the tree.
After that, I grabbed the arrow the archer was holding.
I held it up in front of him and then wounded his leg.
"Soldier of the Jinkyo Tribe. Suffer from your own poison."
"────Hii!?"
The archer reaches for a pouch at his waist.
He pulls out a pill and swallows it without drinking any water.
Still not feeling safe, he takes out an ointment from another pouch and starts applying it to his wound.
So these two are the antidotes.
By the way, I didn't hurt him with a poisoned arrow. It was my sword.
I just held the poisoned arrow in front of him; it was a bluff.
The poison used in this forest isn't a 'martial artist killer.' It just numbs the body and stops movement. So 2 types of antidotes are probably enough.
The 'martial artist killer' was treated carefully by Touri.
"Then I'll go help the soldiers of Aika Country."
After neutralizing the enemy soldier, I whispered to Shouou.
I want to help the soldiers of Aika Country while the enemy is confused.
Those people are my father's subordinates. If they die, my father will be sad.
And... it would be a problem if the unit's commander becomes unable to fight.
I've heard the commander's name from Tanshi-san. It's Kei Koshou.
In ten years, he will be known as the 'Iron Wall who cares for his subordinates.'
Kei Koshou... he may not be very strong in combat, but his defense is solid.
The castle he protects has increased defense, and the unit he leads has a much lower casualty rate.
His nickname is 'Iron Wall who cares for his subordinates.'
In the game 'History of Swordmaster,' he is the military commander for Aika Country, defending castles around Hokurin.
I don't want him to die here.
"So, what's the plan to capture the poison arrow user? Since it's Tenhou, you must have thought of something, right?"
"...Yes, I have."
I had thought of it before coming here.
With Shouou's help, it should be possible...
"Tell me, Tenhou."
Shouou was looking at me with a serious expression.
"The poison arrow user is an enemy of Master Raikou. As her disciple, I want to defeat her."
"Understood. Let's give it a try."
I explained the plan to Shouou.
"So, here's the deal. Shikei will run around the forest and take down the archers. After that──"
"It's a race against time, right?"
"Yes."
Shouou and I nodded at each other.
The place where the soldiers of Aika Country have fallen is just ahead.
The archers tried to lure out my brothers using poisoned arrows, but... if they decide it's a failure, they'll come to kill the soldiers.
To prevent that, I have to protect the soldiers myself.
"I'll attack. Tenhou will defend. We can't switch roles..."
"That's right. Can you do it? Shikei?"
"Understood!!"
Shouou and I jump out from the base of the tree.
I head towards where Kei Koshou is down. Shouou goes beyond the trees.
──I hear a whoosh.
──I deflect an arrow aimed at me with my sword.
──Right after, I hear the scream of an enemy archer.
I'm telling Shouou the positions of the enemies I've figured out.
If that enemy shoots an arrow at me, it will leave an opening for Shouou.
It's only natural that they would be defeated.
There are probably less than ten enemies.
There were more than 20 at first, so their numbers have halved.
The arrows coming at me are fewer and less accurate.
I can manage even if I run out in the open.
Combining 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' and 'Five Divine Swordsmanship' makes it easy to cut away the arrows.
"I'm 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin's second son, Kou Tenhou."
I swing my sword as I reach Kei Koshou.
"I've come to help. Are you safe, Kei Koshou-dono?"
"...Why... did you come?"
The one who answered with a trembling voice was a big man.
I try to lift his body with his thick arms. With wide-open eyes, he's looking at me.
His armor is in tatters, and his body is covered in wounds. An arrow is stuck in his shoulder.
Still, Kei Koshou is trying to get up with sheer willpower. Amazing.
"I told you not to worry about my situation..."
"I'll accept your scolding later. More importantly, Kei Koshou-sama, would you like to try the antidote?"
I drag Kei Koshou to a hidden spot.
Then, I take out a bag with pills and ointment and show it to him.
"This is what the enemy soldiers used, thinking they were poisoned. They must have prepared it in advance. Those who use poison always have a way to deal with it in case they get poisoned themselves."
"...antidote...huh?"
"I'm not sure. It might not work immediately after you take it. But..."
"I understand. Please use it on me..."
Kei Koshou said.
His tone was firm.
"If my body can move even a little... I can protect my subordinates. If that medicine is poison... I can show you firsthand that it is poison. There's no loss."
"Is that alright with you?"
"Either way... I was trying to take my own life."
Kei Koshou said with a sarcastic tone,
"There's no time to hesitate... hurry up..."
"Understood."
I tossed the pill into Kei Koshou's mouth.
Then, I rubbed the ointment into his wounds.
Right after that──a whistling sound cut through the air, and an arrow flew in.
I activated 'Suzaku Flame Dance' while still holding my sword──one spin──2 spins──.
"──So persistent!"
Arrows keep flying at us.
Just as I grabbed my sword to try to cut them down──
"Ughhh!!"
*Thud.*
The armor Kei Koshou was holding stopped the incoming arrow.
He rolled on the ground, his body numb, and got in front of me.
"I'm still a bit... less numb. I can at least roll..."
"Kei Koshou-sama, please don't push yourself!"
"It's you who's being reckless..."
Kei Koshou, with a pained expression, said,
"I will repay this debt. I will be the shield for my subordinates here. You need to... defeat the enemy. Please, don't let this dangerous foe hurt anyone from Aika Country any longer!!"
──Holding his broken armor like a shield, Kei Koshou declared this.
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