Volume 3 Chapter 38 The Great Villain Of The World, Spreads Mysterious Documents
A few days later, we started our operation.
The places where the Jinkyo Tribe's scouts might come were told to us by my father.
I added a few more locations and planned to spread the documents.
The documents were prepared by me, Tanshi-san, and the officials at the fortress.
Tanshi-san and I wrote the documents on paper, and the officials carved them onto wooden boards.
In just a few days, we made over 50 documents.
I also had a meeting with Gaku Kiryuu.
While I spread the documents near the border, Gaku Kiryuu's unit would wait on a nearby road. This was a plan in case a strong enemy appeared.
Gaku Kiryuu said, "If a dangerous enemy comes, please escape immediately. If that's difficult, just signal us, and we will come to help."
As a result, Seirei decided to join the operation.
She said, "If it's my bird, I can contact Gaku Kiryuu-sama right away," so I couldn't refuse.
Well, since we were just spreading documents this time, the danger was low.
If we encountered the enemy and had to fight, I would let Seirei escape alone.
While I was thinking about this──
"I believe Touri can be of help when we encounter the enemy."
Touri expressed her willingness to join.
"Touri can use the Pressure Point Technique. I think it will help us avoid fighting."
Touri can use a technique called 'Finger Control Art' just like Shuu-sensei.
It's a Pressure Point Technique that can numb the opponent's limbs or stop their movements.
Touri insisted that this would be useful for the current plan.
──If we encounter a scout, she'll use the Pressure Point Technique to stop their movements.
──Then, we'll secretly slip a message into their belongings and let them go.
──We can avoid a fight and ensure the enemy takes the document back safely.
"Touri wants to help with that."
It was perfect. There was no room for argument.
So, Touri was included in the plan.
After Seirei and Touri were confirmed to join──
"...Hey, Tenhou."
"What is it, Shouou?"
"Why didn't you tell me to 'come along'!?"
I got scolded by Shouou.
But──
"Shouou has always been by my side, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"When we were making the message, you helped carve the wood into tablets. You were also there for the discussion with Gaku Kiryuu-sama, right?"
"That's true!!"
"You were with us when we talked with Seirei and Touri-san. So, I thought you would come with me..."
"Even so! We made a promise, didn't we?"
Shouou puffed out her cheeks.
"Didn't I promise you when I came back from the Jinkyo Tribe's territory? When I go far away for work, I said, 'Shouou, come with me.'."
"...Ah, yes."
No, it's not that I forgot.
When I returned from the Jinkyo Tribe's territory, Shouou got mad at me.
'I was really worried. I was so anxious,' she said.
She even stopped hosting the Souma Country's envoy to come pick me up.
So, I promised that when I go far away, I would say, 'Shouou, come with me.'
Of course, I remember that.
It's just that I didn't have the chance to say it.
After the 'strange document (Gekibun) spreading operation' was decided, Shouou had been following me around all the time. She was with me during meetings and discussions.
That's why I lost the chance to say 'come with me.'
"I'm sorry, Shouou."
I bowed my head to Shouou.
"I somehow started to think it was normal for Shouou to be next to me."
"...Huh?"
"I think I got used to being with Shouou, and it felt strange when she wasn't there. So, I missed the chance to confirm what Shouou wanted."
"R-Really?"
"But that's not good. Since I promised, I need to say it clearly."
"...Ugh."
"I really am immature. It seems I need my senior's guidance."
"..."
"So, I'm asking again, Shouou. Please come with me. I seem to need you around..."
"W-Wait, I get it! It's fine already! Tenhou!!"
Shouou shook her head in a fluster.
Then Shouou turned to the side, holding her chest,
"W-well, as long as you understand. Yeah."
"Is that so?"
"And I get how Tenhou feels too. For Tenhou, it's normal for me to be by his side, so Tenhou didn't say to come with him."
For some reason, Shouou looked down,
"But... still, I want important things to be said in words. I'll make sure to express important things in words too."
"Okay. Shouou."
I nodded.
Shouou had a satisfied expression,
"It's good if you understand. Now, let's go together."
"Yes. Let's spread the mysterious documents so the Jinkyo Tribe soldiers can see them."
"Yeah!"
Shouou and I raised our fists.
And so we started the 'strange document spreading operation.'
──Day 1──
"Brother. I have a report from the bird on patrol. It seems the Jinkyo Tribe's scouts are getting close."
"Understood. Then, let's tie the wooden tablets to the branches around here. The back is painted red, so it should catch the scouts' eyes."
"Got it, Tenhou."
"Touri understands too!"
We hung the boards with the strange documents on the branches.
There were ten of them. We tied them to the trees by the animal path.
"Seirei, later I want you to use the animals to check how many documents are gone. Let's record how effective it was in each location and report it to Father later."
"Understood. Brother!"
After placing the wooden tablets where they would stand out, we left the area.
──Day 3──
"Tenhou. How about tying the document to that tree on the rock wall?"
"If we put it there, it will definitely be in sight. But, it's a steep rock wall, so won't it be hard to get there?"
"No problem. 'Five Divine Steps'──'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King'!!"
Shouou jumped up to the tree that was a few meters high and tied the wooden tablet to a branch.
"See? It's easy with 'Five Divine Steps'."
"Um... Kaou-sama. What my brother meant was that it would be difficult for the scouts to get the wooden tablet."
"...Ah."
"Don't worry about it. The enemy soldiers might struggle to get it."
"N-no. That was my mistake. I need to retrieve it right away──."
"Shouou. We're near the river. It's dangerous to use jumping techniques on a wet surface!"
*Slip. Puff.*
"I told you it's dangerous! Shouou!!"
I somehow caught Shouou, who lost her balance in mid-air.
"You were told by Master Raikou to use jumping techniques only on stable ground, right? Please be careful."
"S-sorry, Tenhou."
"Um, Tenhou-sama. Kaou-sama."
"Hm? What's wrong, Touri-san?"
"Seirei-sama is trying to climb the rocks. What should we do...?"
"Seirei!? What are you doing!?"
"Don't worry, big brother. If I slip, please catch me!!"
"No way, Seirei!!"
I quickly jumped up and caught Seirei.
──Day 7──
"'Five Divine Steps'──'Suzaku Dive Strike'"
"'Finger Control Art'──'Nap'."
Touri, who I was carrying, touched the enemy soldier's neck.
We came to deliver a message and found a scout from the Jinkyo Tribe.
They didn't notice us.
So, we decided to take them out and make them to bring the message back.
I carried Touri and climbed a nearby tree.
Then, I used 'Five Divine Steps' to dive down and get close to the scout. After that, I had Touri use the Pressure Point Technique on them.
"────Huh?"
The soldier on horseback suddenly collapsed.
'Finger Control Art' with 'Nap' works by applying the Pressure Point Technique to the neck, knocking the target out.
It's a difficult technique, but Touri pulled it off perfectly. Impressive.
I managed to catch the soldier before they fell off the horse.
Seirei was talking to the startled horse, calming it down by letting it know we meant no harm.
For Seirei, who can talk to animals, calming a horse is easy.
There was only one scout. I didn't sense any other enemies nearby.
I should hand over the document now.
"First, I'll put the written document in the pocket... there."
The content says, "We have no intention of harming the people of the Jinkyo Tribe in Aika Country. Those who are ruled by a tyrant, if you think of your family and friends, show this document to those around you. We will not attack those who abandon the fight and return to their homeland."
Next... I'll tie the spare wooden tablet to the horse's saddle.
The scout can just sit under the tree.
This way, they should understand we mean no harm.
We could have killed the scout at any time.
By the way, the soldier will be unconscious for 30 minutes.
If we release the Pressure Point Technique, they should wake up in a few minutes.
"Alright, let's release the Pressure Point Technique and leave this place."
I said.
"If they stay unconscious, they might get attacked by beasts. We need to make sure this person gets back safely to their friends."
"I think it's nice how you care about that, Tenhou-sama."
"This time, we have to deliver the document, after all. If it turns into a fight, we'll just fight normally."
"Of course, I understand."
And so we left that place.
After that, we continued to spread the document.
The prepared wooden tablets disappeared in no time.
We returned to the fortress for more of them.
At that time, I told my father about the recovery rate of the document.
So far, all the documents have been recovered.
I went to check where I had placed the wooden tablet later, but not a single one was left.
On the ground, there was the string that had tied the wooden tablets.
There were also branches still attached to the string.
They probably cut the branches off when they collected the tablets.
It seems certain that the wooden tablets ended up in the hands of the enemy soldiers.
After reporting that, we went back to the task of spreading them again.
Once, I entered the territory of the Jinkyo Tribe all by myself.
It was at the end of a small path where no one could see me. Just a little over the border.
I secretly left before dawn, without telling Shouou and the others.
I checked the map that Tougen gave me and chose the safest spot. If I ran at full speed on the 'Five Divine Steps,' I could get there in a few hours. If there were enemies, I planned to come back right away.
So, I kept it a secret from Shouou and Seirei.
I thought it would be fine to sneak out since it wasn't that far.
So, I crossed the border and hung the flyer on a tree by the road.
There were 3 of them.
Unlike the other wooden tablets, these mentioned the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
The content was──'"The future predicted by the "Golden Feather Syndicate" will not come. Zeng Taiga, stop following foolish words.'
After hanging the wooden tablets, I ran back to the inn as fast as I could.
I arrived at the inn just before dawn. I was able to return before the night ended.
And then──
"──Brother. Where have you been?"
"──Are you not aware enough as a unit leader to worry your subordinates, Tenhou?"
I was caught by Seirei and Shouou, who were waiting in front of the room.
...That's strange. How did they find out?
I should have told them yesterday, 'I will take a day off tomorrow.'
I said, 'I will adjust my "ki" in my room. You all can relax.'
So, I thought everyone would be sound asleep.
But... why are they awake? Also, unless they come to my room in the middle of the night, they shouldn't know I'm not there...?
──Even with all that, the plan was going smoothly.
──Meanwhile, at the northern fortress──
"Are the enemy soldiers moving strangely?"
At the northern fortress, Kou Eishin was receiving reports from his subordinates.
Just like the Jinkyo Tribe was sending scouts into Aika Country, Kou Eishin was also sending soldiers to investigate the Jinkyo Tribe.
However, all they could do was observe the enemy camp from a distance.
The report from the soldier came this morning.
The content of the report was that 'the enemy camp is restless,' 'cavalry is frequently coming and going,' and 'the number of soldiers seems to have slightly decreased.'
That was a change that couldn't be ignored.
"It seems too early for the effects of the document to show. What do you think, Kairyou?"
"There's no doubt that Tenhou's actions are having an impact."
"However, it has only been ten days since we started distributing the documents, right?"
"Father... I have something I'm curious about."
"Very well. Speak your mind."
"Tenhou is placing messages in areas where scouts might come, right?"
"Yeah. He must be choosing spots based on where enemy soldiers have been sighted."
"And Seirei has the power to control birds and communicate. That kid is probably using that to inform Tenhou about the enemy's approach."
"That's why Tenhou is getting ahead and placing messages where the scouts will arrive."
"You're exactly right. As a result, all the messages are being collected."
"Since they are placing documents where the enemy will come, it makes sense."
"But... Father."
Kairyou put his hand on his forehead, deep in thought.
"Doesn't that mean Tenhou has a grasp on the enemy's position and is getting ahead of them?"
"...Huh."
Eishin's eyes widened as he realized the meaning of the words.
He leaned forward.
"If I were in the enemy's position, I would feel scared. They can read all our movements."
Kairyou continued to explain.
"Every time the enemy soldiers go out, they find documents aimed at them. Right now, they must be seeing a brand new wooden tablet tied to a tree. It's as if their movements are completely predicted."
"That is indeed... terrifying."
"Moreover, according to the captured soldiers, the Jinkyo Tribe, including Zeng Taiga, is acting based on prophecies. They believe in words that say Aika Country will fall, and the era of the Jinkyo Tribe will come."
"Y-Yeah."
"Tenhou is moving ahead of them. It's as if Tenhou can read their future actions."
The Jinkyo Tribe believes in prophecies.
That's why Zeng Taiga believed in the prophecy that Aika Country would fall and launched an attack on Aika Country.
However, Tenhou seems to be acting as if they can read the movements of the Jinkyo Tribe.
For the Jinkyo Tribe, this must be terrifying.
They think they are acting based on the prophecy──knowing the future.
Yet, they cannot predict Tenhou's movements.
This must shake the very foundation of the Jinkyo Tribe, who believe in the prophecy.
"Isn't this shaking the enemy's ranks?"
"...There is a possibility."
Eishin nodded.
"So, Tenhou is unsettling the Jinkyo Tribe with their actions and the document?"
"Soon, the Jinkyo Tribe will take action."
Kairyou had a tense expression and clasped their hands.
"We should strengthen our defenses to handle whatever happens. I will return to the eastern position. As for Gaku Kiryuu-dono..."
"Let him continue as a skirmish unit."
Eishin made a quick decision.
"Kairyou and I will strengthen the defenses of the fortress and the positions. We should be ready to strike at any moment. Tenhou and Gaku Kiryuu-dono will operate from separate locations. Having unseen units should also be a threat to the enemy."
"Understood. I will send a messenger right away."
With that, Eishin and Kairyou began to devise a new strategy.
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