Volume 3 Chapter 47 Kou Tenhou Talks With Friends I
──Tenhou's Perspective──
"...Huh?"
When I realized it, I was on the bed.
That's strange.
I should have been with Tougen and the others just a moment ago.
We were looking down at the Jinkyo Tribe's unit from the rocky area.
While watching Tougen call for a ceasefire, I was holding the reins of the black horse. Shouou was supporting my unsteady body.
I remember the Jinkyo Tribe soldiers dropping their weapons.
Then, a person who seemed to be the captain tried to step forward... and got slashed by someone else.
I noticed that guy was a dual-wielding fighter, and just as I tried to chase after him, my legs got tangled.
I don't remember what happened after that.
I wonder... what happened since then...
"...Brother?"
I heard Seirei's voice.
When I looked to the side... Seirei was sitting next to the bed.
With a face that looked like she was about to cry, she was holding my hand tightly.
"Brother... you woke up. I'm so glad..."
"Seirei... um..."
"I was worried. I thought you might not wake up at all. No, Touri-san said you would be okay, but... I was really worried..."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push myself that hard."
"You are pushing yourself!"
Her voice was surprisingly loud.
"Why does my brother have to fight the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe!! Why does my brother have to get hurt!! Why... why..."
Tears fell from Seirei's reddish eyes.
And then──
Seirei buried her face in my blanket and started crying.
Wah wah, like a small child.
I really made her worry.
Well... I guess that makes sense.
Zeng Taiga is the boss of the Jinkyo Tribe and an enemy of Aika Country.
It must have been unexpected for Seirei that I would face him in a one-on-one fight.
I've fought him before, but back then, I was with Shouou, and Kairyou-aniue was nearby too.
But this time, it was a pure one-on-one battle.
It wouldn't have been strange if I had been cut down without mercy.
...However, I killed Zeng Taiga.
I remember that moment clearly.
The feeling of my sword sinking into Zeng Taiga's body.
How he bled and fell to the ground.
His... last words.
I killed the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe.
For the first time in this world, I dealt a fatal blow to someone.
I don't regret it.
If I hadn't stopped Zeng Taiga, Kairyou-aniue would have been ambushed. He could have been killed. I had no choice but to fight him... and take him down.
But... I won't forget what happened when I cut him down.
Probably, I'll remember it forever.
"Tenhou! You woke up!?"
"Are you okay! Tenhou-sama!!"
Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and Shouou and Touri rushed in.
They both seemed to be very close by.
"I'm glad... I was worried about what would happen if you didn't wake up..."
"Tenhou-sama used too much 'ki' all at once, so Tenhou-sama got exhausted. You also have a light injury on your arm. We're taking care of that."
Touri explained my condition in a calm tone.
"So, I told you both that he will recover soon."
"Still, I'm worried. You never know what Tenhou will do."
"I feel the same way, Touri."
Shouou and Touri were glaring at me.
Before I knew it, Seirei also looked up and was staring at me.
This feels like I'm about to get scolded for doing something reckless.
"By the way, what happened with the Jinkyo Tribe?"
I tried to change the subject.
"I remember the Jinkyo Tribe's commander started walking toward the camp, but I passed out after that. Can you tell me what happened?"
"The commander of the Jinkyo Tribe, along with Tenhou's brother and Tougen-san, had a discussion. They talked about the surrender of the Jinkyo Tribe's unit and a ceasefire."
It was Shouou who started talking.
The Jinkyo Tribe's commander──Shito Sanga offered to surrender to Kairyou-aniue.
He wanted to save his subordinates in exchange for his own life.
Kairyou-aniue accepted that.
However, it seems my brother didn't kill Shitou-Sanga.
The western stronghold that my older brother protects has become a place to hold the soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe.
The soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe threw down their weapons and quietly entered the enclosure.
The soldiers were in a daze... that's how Shouou felt.
Everyone was probably shaken by the death of the war god, Zeng Taiga.
The captured soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe have entrusted their lives to my older brother.
Normally, the guards of the stronghold would have been the soldiers of Aika Country.
But Kairyou-aniue asked Tougen's subordinates to watch over the Jinkyo Tribe soldiers.
'We do not know the mourning customs of the Jinkyo Tribe. We might disturb the captives who are offering prayers without realizing it. That would be disrespectful to those in mourning.'
──That was my older brother's opinion.
'It was my younger brother Tenhou who defeated the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe. He defeated the enemy commander in a fair duel and showed respect to the opponent. I should follow my brother's example.'
Kairyou-aniue seemed to say that as well.
Tougen's subordinates accepted my older brother's proposal.
The soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe felt the same way.
Zeng Taiga's body has already been taken by the moderates to the land of the Jinkyo Tribe.
Later, a funeral will be held under the old king of the Jinkyo Tribe.
The soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe offered their prayers towards the direction where the funeral was taking place.
Kairyou-aniue allowed this.
The soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe were grateful to Kairyou-aniue for this.
So, it seems that the soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe quietly surrendered without any resistance.
After that, at the northern fortress, a discussion took place between Father, Brother, Tougen, and the commander of the Jinkyo Tribe, Shito.
It was probably the first time in the history of Aika Country that a general from Aika Country and high-ranking officials from the Jinkyo Tribe spoke at the same table.
The discussion went smoothly because their interests aligned.
Father originally intended to establish a non-aggression pact with the Jinkyo Tribe.
The moderates like Tougen wished for a friendly relationship with Aika Country.
Now that Zeng Taiga was gone, Shito and the others had no reason to fight.
Therefore, it seems they agreed to form a non-aggression pact.
"──So, thanks to Tenhou, the fighting is over," Shouou said, wrapping up the conversation.
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