Volume 3 Chapter 31 Kou Tenhou And Sou Ouka, Fighting The Mysterious Archer Unit Ii
"It's a little, but... the numbness is fading. I can at least roll."
Kei Koshou muttered while gritting his teeth.
"Thanks to you... I was able to be a shield for my subordinates. I will never forget this kindness."
"Kei Koshou-sama, please don't push yourself."
"It's you who is pushing too hard. You came to this deadly place... after all."
Kei Koshou's face twisted in pain.
"I cannot let you get hurt! My unit's only strength is the high survival rate of our soldiers. If I hurt someone who came to help me in the rain of arrows, I would lose that only strength."
"Please don't say that your only strength is such a thing."
I said.
"Having a high survival rate is very important. I think someone like Kei Koshou-sama deserves a position where you can lead more soldiers. For example, a position to protect a whole castle. If it's a castle protected by Kei Koshou-sama, many more soldiers and civilians would survive."
"...W-What did you say!?"
"Please use your power, Kei Koshou-sama, to protect many soldiers and civilians. Even in peaceful times... and even if war comes. I want you to help many people survive under your leadership."
Kei Koshou is a strong defensive character.
He's not suited for attacking. If he stayed in his territory, he could have repelled the Jinkyo Tribe's attacks.
So, it would be a problem if he died here.
I want him to survive and continue to protect Aika Country.
"I'm so happy... you said that."
Kei Koshou clenched his fist.
"Then... I'm ready to throw my life away!"
"I said please don't throw your life away."
──Is this person okay?
No, maybe he has survived so many battles because he is willing to fight with his life on the line.
"──To those who can still move, listen."
Suddenly, a voice echoed.
It was a cold, calm voice.
"The operation ends here. Kill the fallen subordinates and retreat. I repeat, kill everyone you can and retreat."
It's probably the poison arrow user. They must have realized the operation failed and plan to retreat.
They'll kill the subordinates that I and Shouou defeated... to silence them.
"But... it's already too late. Poison arrow user."
I replied to the poison arrow user with a voice filled with 'ki' energy.
"The bird I sent with the letter should have reached my brother by now."
"What? What are you saying──?"
The poison arrow user's voice trembled with confusion.
Right after that, I heard faint footsteps.
They must have noticed too.
The presence of soldiers approaching from outside the forest.
This forest is a place where ambushes are easy to pull off.
If archers are hidden among the trees, they can focus their attacks on the soldiers moving along the beast path.
That's how Kei Koshou's unit took damage.
If my brother had entered the forest without knowing about the enemy, he would have faced the same fate.
But if they know in advance that enemy soldiers are hiding among the trees, it's a different story.
My brother, coming to help, can quietly enter the forest through the trees.
Then, he can attack the enemy soldiers who are focused on the animal path from behind.
Kou Kairyou would notice that.
I just need to tell my brother about what's happening in this forest.
And Seirei has entrusted me with a way to contact my brother.
'Brother, please take my pigeon with you!'
Seirei said just before me and Shouou went out for reconnaissance.
'This little one likes you too, brother. So, it should listen to you. In case of emergency, please use this pigeon to send a message to us or the fort.'
I thanked Seirei and took the white pigeon.
Just like Seirei said, the pigeon followed me.
It clung desperately to my shoulder as I dashed with 'Five Divine Steps.'
When Shouou tried to pet it, it somehow threatened her.
When I noticed the strange things in the forest, I tied a message to the pigeon and sent it flying.
I ordered the pigeon to go to my brother.
Of course, I could see that my brother's unit was getting closer.
If my brother knows about the ambush, he should act accordingly.
We believed that and entered the forest.
After that, we stirred up the situation so the enemy wouldn't notice my brother's unit moving.
"There's no way a sneaky poison arrow user can defeat my brother!"
And I had already pinpointed the location of the enemy boss──the poison arrow user.
While giving Kei Koshou the antidote, I was using 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' the whole time.
I narrowed the effective range, increasing the accuracy instead.
It's the same as when I experimented at the fort.
I narrowed the effect range of 'chaos technique: Mirror of Shadows Reflection' to focus only on Shouou.
By doing this, I was able to sense only the things between me and Shouou.
Shouou is running around in the forest.
I continue to feel her presence with 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection.' At the same time, I'm grasping what's between us.
Grass, trees, and of course, humans.
I send my 'ki' towards Shouou and sense anything that blocks it.
In a way, it's like using Shouou as a radar.
So──
"Shikei! The poison arrow user is on top of the short trees. They're hiding their presence on a branch!!"
"Got it!!"
Right after that, I heard the sound of a bowstring from the place I pointed at.
"Kei Koshou-dono. I apologize for my rudeness!"
"Okay!!"
I pushed Kei Koshou aside and started running.
A moment later, a black feathered arrow struck where we had been.
It was a strong arrow that embedded itself deep into the ground.
Shouou and I activated 'Byakko Tiger's Flash Step' at the same time.
We're just a few seconds away from the poison arrow user.
"I see them!"
"I confirmed it too!"
We caught sight of the poison arrow user.
They were on a branch of a tree, wearing brown clothes, blending in with the branches.
On their head, they wore a hood. Around their mouth, they had a scarf.
They opened their narrow eyes and lifted their body up on the tree.
They reached for the quiver and casually grabbed an arrow.
There were 5 arrows nocked on the longbow. Are they planning to shoot them all at once!?
"Shikei! Multiple arrows are coming at the same time! Coordinate!!"
"Got it!!"
Shouou and I joined forces and started running side by side.
We had our technique ready. The spinning sword technique, 'Suzaku Flame Dance'. It was perfect for deflecting arrows.
Ahead of us, the poison arrow user was laughing.
Maybe they think we can't block 5 arrows at once.
Or perhaps they see that Shouou and I are not masters.
Well, that's probably true.
Both Shouou and I are still in training.
It's impossible to face a master strong enough to hurt Master Raikou head-on.
...If we were alone, that is.
Once again, the bow twanged.
We both activated our techniques at the same time.
""'Five Divine Swordsmanship'──'Suzaku Flame Dance'!!""
Running closely together, we performed 'Suzaku Flame Dance'.
Holding our swords, we spun rapidly together.
However, Shouou spun sideways. I spun vertically.
*Clang! Clang clang clang!!*
And then──our swords, covering each other's blind spots, cut down all the arrows.
"──────What the!? What technique is that!?"
The poison arrow user gasped.
Yeah. Well, they would be surprised.
It's way too dangerous for 2 people to run side by side while spinning their swords like that.
If we don't have perfect timing, it's impossible.
If there's even a slight delay, our bodies will collide. The swords will clash.
If we're not careful, we could end up hurting our teammates.
But with Shouou and me, it's fine.
We've connected many times through 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.' Now, we also have 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' added to that.
Shouou and I are completely linked by 'ki' energy.
I understand Shouou, and Shouou understands me.
Our movements are beyond just being in sync.
It's like we've become one living being.
We can feel each other's arms and legs as if they are our own.
No matter if we spin vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, we won't collide.
Shouou's and my swords approach at the perfect timing and pass each other.
While spinning fast, we swing our swords freely in all directions.
I deflect arrows that are about to hit Shouou, and Shouou deflects arrows that are about to hit me.
There are no blind spots.
My gaze, Shouou's gaze, and 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' all track and deflect every arrow.
The poison arrow user doesn't have time to shoot again.
They're trying to lift themselves up and escape. But it's already too late!
""'Five Divine Swordsmanship'──'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King'!!"
And then──my sword and Shouou's cut down the poison arrow user.
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