Volume 3 Chapter 41 Tenhou Returns To Regular Reconnaissance
──From Tenhou's Perspective──
After spreading the message, we returned to our usual reconnaissance mission.
Zeng Taiga's army is becoming unstable.
We don't know how he will act next.
So, we decided to stop spreading the message for now and focus on observing the enemy's movements.
I was given a team of about a dozen soldiers.
These soldiers were directly under my father's command, and I knew them well.
This was to ensure we could handle any encounters with the enemy during our reconnaissance.
The ones going on the reconnaissance were me, Shouou, and the soldiers.
Seirei and Touri stayed back at the fort.
There was a good chance the enemy might attack the fort soon.
So, Seirei was assigned as the liaison officer, and Touri was the medic, waiting at the fort.
"Young Master! So far, there are no abnormalities!"
A soldier who returned from reconnaissance reported.
He was the leader of the soldiers assigned to me by my older brother. His family name is Haku.
He is related to Hakuyou.
"There are no signs of people in the forest! There seem to be no enemy soldiers! Young Master!"
"I understand. But please don't call me that."
"Come on, Tenhou."
Next to me, Shouou laughed.
"You were the one who said you didn't want to be called 'Captain,' right?"
"Yes. I don't really like formal titles."
"Then 'Young Master' is fine, isn't it?"
"'Captain' or 'Young Master', everyone definitely respects Young Master."
Haku-san and the other soldiers all clasped their hands together.
Everyone had sparkling eyes.
"I've heard that Young Master has been appointed as the unit leader, even more than His Royal Highness the King's younger brother. Recently, Young Master saved Kei Koshou-dono's life and presented a plan to your father! We can't help but be moved by his growth!"
"""We will risk our lives to protect Young Master!"""
"Thank you! Anyway, let's focus on the reconnaissance mission for now!!"
I waved my hand to send Haku-san and the others back.
Seriously.
I'm still not used to the Captain role.
Every time I'm called 'Captain', my back gets itchy.
Leading subordinates probably isn't for me.
"There's no sign of enemies in the forest."
We are in the forest where the poison arrow user Yagaru was.
It's a place where enemies can easily hide, so we are checking carefully.
This area is also close to the border.
We might run into soldiers who escaped from Zeng Taiga.
My father ordered me, "If you meet an escape soldier, disarm them first and then listen to their story."
After that, I'm supposed to either take them back to the fort or encourage them to go to the moderates.
And if enemies invade from this route, we plan to contact the fort immediately.
One of the soldiers is holding a cage with a pigeon inside, and that's why.
"I hope the war ends like this."
"Yeah. I feel the same way as Tenhou."
Shouou nods at my words.
"I also want to meet the moderates."
"Once the war is over, let's visit them. They are good people, so I think Shikei will get along with them."
I really hope that happens.
Zeng Taiga is losing power.
If he falls from power and the moderates start to lead the Jinkyo Tribe, that would be great.
Then, Aika Country and the Jinkyo Tribe could make peace.
If we can enter the Jinkyo Tribe's territory, we might be able to investigate the mysterious organization, the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
──Where is the game protagonist, Kai Yougetsu?
──What are they planning to do next?
If we can find that out, we can come up with a plan.
We can completely avoid 'Kou Tenhou Destruction End.'
I should be able to live in peace too.
"Young master. Shall we head to the next reconnaissance spot?"
Haku-san, who just returned from scouting, said that.
I thought for a moment and then replied,
"Everyone, please take a break. I will check the surroundings from a high place."
I used 'Five Divine Steps' to move quickly.
I left the forest and ran up to a nearby hill.
It's a rocky area with a good view.
From here, I should be able to see anyone approaching the border──
'Chirp, chirp'
"...Huh?"
A white bird comes near me as I climb the rocky area.
It's a messenger pigeon from Seirei.
It seems like it was just nearby.
"Is it a message from Seirei?"
'Chirp, chirp!'
There's a piece of paper tied to the bird's leg.
When I take it off and unfold it... messy writing fills the page.
This is Kairyou-aniue's handwriting. And it looks like it was written in a hurry.
The content is──
'The Jinkyo Tribe's army is approaching the northern fortress. They probably intend to attack.
It's possible that there is more than one enemy force. There may be a separate unit.
Tenhou will conduct reconnaissance around the fortress and relay information back.'
"Zeng Taiga is attacking!?"
...It seems that just a message won't end the battle.
It would have been easier if the enemy army just fell apart, but that was wishful thinking.
There's no choice. I need to do my job.
I'll move closer and check if there are any separate units nearby.
'Chirp, chirp!'
"...Huh, what's wrong?"
The pigeon on my shoulder squawks loudly.
It's looking towards the northwest, near the border with the Jinkyo Tribe.
It's a narrow path surrounded by rocks. I see something black running there.
I can't see it clearly, but that dust cloud... is it enemy cavalry?
"If you're a Seirei pigeon, you understand my words, right? Please deliver a message to Seirei."
I speak to the pigeon.
There's no time to write a message. I'll convey it verbally.
"Tell Seirei. I've spotted the enemy's separate unit. The location and number are──"
'Chirp, chirp!'
As I relay the information, the pigeon takes off immediately.
This should get the information to the fortress.
I ran down the rocky area using 'Five Divine Steps' and joined the unit on the ground.
"We received a message from the fortress. The enemy's main unit is approaching. We've been told to keep scouting for any separate teams. But we found that separate team. They are already heading towards the fortress."
I shared the information with Shouou and Haku-san.
About finding the separate team.
Their location, movement route, and the distance from here.
"I've passed the information to the fortress. Let's chase after the separate team."
I continued explaining.
"We need to find out the enemy's identity... and if necessary, hold them off."
"I think it will be fine. There are many units patrolling near the fortress."
Haku-san replied.
"There should be over 100 soldiers stationed at places where the enemy might try to enter. We can easily repel a small number of enemies."
"I understand that. But the enemy is probably expecting that."
I responded.
"If they still managed to infiltrate, they must be elite enemies. I'm curious about their identity."
"Tenhou is right. Let's head out to investigate."
That was Shouou speaking.
"Tenhou must have sensed something dangerous about that unit. I trust Tenhou's instincts."
"N-no, I also have no intention of doubting Young Master's instincts."
Haku-san clasped his hands.
"I apologize for that. Now, let's go, Young Master. We need to fulfill our duty."
"Thank you. Then, let's hurry."
Ahead of where the enemy cavalry was moving, there was a shortcut leading to the fortress.
The defense troops should be in place, but... if they break through, my father and brother will be ambushed from the side.
I've sent the information to the fortress, so they should send more soldiers.
Until then, I just need to hold them off somehow...
"I'll go ahead. You guys follow me later."
"No, Tenhou."
Shouou interrupted my words.
"It should be 'Shikei and I will go ahead,' right?"
"...Yeah."
I nodded back at Shouou, who had a confident smile.
"Shikei and I will go ahead. You guys follow us later. Our goal is to gather information on the enemy. If necessary... we'll hold them off somehow. They might be dangerous. Please follow my instructions as much as possible. Got it?"
"Understood, Tenhou!!"
With that, Shouou and I urged our horses to go faster.
──A few minutes later, near the border of Aika Country──
The defense unit set up in the back roads was crushed.
It happened in an instant.
"...Impossible. We are the subordinates of 'General Skybear'."
The captain of the defense team muttered, holding his sword.
He had no spear.
It was cut in half during the first clash with the enemy.
Around him, many of his subordinates were crouching down.
The reason there were few dead was that the enemy skipped the trouble of killing.
They were probably in a hurry.
So, they cut off the soldiers' hands and feet in one stroke, injuring them and taking away their fighting ability.
The one who did this was a one-armed soldier at the front of the enemy troops.
"...What is that? No way..."
Impossible.
The enemy's general is invading with only a few soldiers, which is way too unexpected.
It must be a fake.
The Jinkyo Tribe pulled out Kei Koshou and Haku Kan from their positions and fought. It should be just like that time. There's no way the person in front of them is him──
Such thoughts swirl in the unit leader's mind.
"...But if it's a fake, then what is this strength?"
It's too fast. He can't see it. He can't react.
The enemy is on horseback, holding a longsword in his left hand. There are no reins. He controls the horse with just his legs, moving it with slight movements. This is what it means to be one with the horse.
The enemy soldier slips through the ranks of our soldiers, taking them down.
What's left after the black horse passes are soldiers bleeding and curled up on the ground.
No one has managed to injure the one-armed enemy soldier.
In fact, no one even managed to clash weapons with him properly.
"Is this... is this some kind of joke?!"
The unit leader shouts as he strikes with his sword.
A light sound rings out── and the one-armed soldier deflects the sword away.
"How fragile."
"...What!?"
The captain feels the strength leaving his arm.
It's as if poison is flowing through him. He can't put any power into his arm.
The overwhelming weakness makes him feel like he's about to fall off the horse.
Desperately gripping the reins, the captain somehow manages to sit up.
"...I have to stop him here."
They are on a shortcut leading to the fortress.
If they get through here, they will come out on the side of the western position. Kou Kairyou should be guarding that area now.
He can't possibly be falling behind the enemy.
But the timing is just too bad.
Right now, enemies are approaching from the north. The soldiers' attention is probably focused there.
If they get ambushed there, they won't be able to respond.
If it were an ordinary enemy, it would be fine. But this enemy is too strong.
This enemy could easily jump over the defenses protecting the camp. They might even scatter the soldiers and strike at Kou Kairyou.
They cannot let such a dangerous enemy get close to their position.
"I am a subordinate of 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin──!"
"Too slow."
The one-armed soldier swung his sword.
Blood splattered from the side of the unit leader.
"Against such a small force, this won't even count as an achievement."
The one-armed enemy did not look at the collapsing unit leader.
He wiped his sword and sheathed it, then glanced at his fellow soldiers.
"No need for a cleanup. The will to fight has already been drained."
The one-armed soldier stated calmly.
He was right.
The defense team of Aika Country was already falling apart.
The unit leader was defeated, and many soldiers were injured.
The soldiers, having lost their commander, stood frozen with their weapons in hand.
For this enemy, such soldiers probably aren't worth dealing with.
"Our targets are Kou Eishin or his firstborn. Gaku Kiryuu would be fine too. We will defeat them, claim our prize, and raise our flag in a new land."
"""OOOOOOOOOOO!!"""
"The prophecy is still alive. I am the proof that I am the strongest."
The one-armed soldier declared loudly.
"...Someone... stop them..."
Lying on the ground, the unit leader of the defense team whispered.
"...If we let them go... Kou Kairyou will... the base will... Please. Anyone... just stop them..."
"Let's go, everyone!"
The desperate whispers were drowned out by the sound of enemy horses' hooves.
"Don't waste time on the weak. Our target is 'General Skybear' or Kou Kairyou. Gaku Kiryuu──there's no need to involve anyone else! Our unit is the strongest──."
"Stop! Zeng Taiga!!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
It was a voice filled with 'ki' energy that reached everyone in the area.
The one-armed soldier halted.
He moved his gaze, searching for the source of the voice.
His hand, gripping the longsword, trembled.
"──Your Royal Highness."
One of the enemy soldiers called out to the one-armed soldier.
The one-armed soldier nodded and turned his horse towards the fortress.
But──
"Are you turning your back on the one who cut off your right arm!? Prince of the Jinkyo Tribe!!"
──As if to seize the initiative, the voice echoed again.
A boy stood on a nearby rocky area.
Dressed in a robe and holding a sword, the boy had a desperate expression, gritting his teeth as he glared at the one-armed enemy soldier.
The unit leader recognized the boy.
He was the second son of 'General Skybear'──
"My name is Kou Tenhou! I am your enemy, Zeng Taiga!! Are you turning your back on your foe!?"
Kou Tenhou was staring intently at the one-armed soldier──Zeng Taiga.
"I'm looking forward to fighting you! Choose whether to settle this here or run away to another battle, Prince of the Jinkyo Tribe!!"
Kou Tenhou declared this while holding his sword.
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