Volume 3 Chapter 48 Kou Tenhou Talks With Friends Ii
"It seems the official truce agreement will only happen after getting permission from His Majesty the King of Aika Country."
Sitting on the bed, Shouou said.
"Until then, it will be a temporary truce between Tenhou's father──'General Skybear' and the Jinkyo Tribe. Tenhou's older brother said he would return to Hokurin to report the situation to His Majesty the King and the high officials."
"Really... the fighting will end, huh?"
Once the official truce is established, the northern border area will be peaceful.
There won't be any invasions in ten years.
If the budget for defense in the north decreases, Aika Country should become richer.
The chances of the country falling into chaos should also decrease.
"I'm so glad... really, I'm glad."
"Well, I think Tenhou will have a tough time from now on, you know?"
"Is that so?"
"Tenhou's older brother said, 'We will take Tenhou and the others back to Hokurin'."
"That's true. Our job is done now."
My job is to scout the border area.
If the war is over, that job will no longer be needed.
So, Kairyou-aniue probably decided to take us back.
"When we return to Hokurin, it seems we can rest for a while."
"I don't think we can rest, you know?"
"Huh?"
"Tenhou has to speak in front of His Majesty the King of Aika Country."
"Me, in front of His Majesty the King!? Why..."
"We need to explain the situation about defeating Zeng Taiga."
"...ah."
"Tenhou has had a big impact on this battle. It's better to explain this to His Majesty the King of Aika Country. We need to show the relics of Zeng Taiga to make sure they understand that he has been defeated."
By defeating Zeng Taiga, the war has ended.
But I handed over Zeng Taiga's body to Tougen.
For the high officials of Aika Country, there's no real feeling that Zeng Taiga is dead.
So it seems I should talk directly and explain it myself.
"It would be good to report to His Royal Highness the King's younger brother──Ryougen-kun as well."
In an official setting, Ryougen-kun should also be present.
If that's the case, it's better to explain the situation to him first.
"When we return to Hokurin, let's go meet Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei. If they talk to Ryougen-kun for us, we should get a chance to explain."
"Yeah. That sounds good."
Shouou took my──free hand.
"I'm sorry. I talked too much at once. Tenhou, please rest your body now."
"Thank you. Shouou."
I can feel Shouou's 'ki' stronger than usual.
It must be because my 'energy' is empty.
Maybe Shouou knows this, as she has a gentle smile on her face.
"When you can move again, let's do 'Beast Body Guidance' together. I want your 'energy' to recover quickly. I'll support you as much as you need. If you want, I'm here for you, no matter what..."
"Brother! Can I talk about my story now!!"
It was sudden.
Seirei put her hands on the bed and leaned in close.
"I also have something to tell you! It's very important! I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation with Ouka-sama, but can I share it!?"
"Uh, yeah. Of course."
"Then, excuse me."
Seirei sat down on the bed──on the side opposite Shouou.
Then, she cleared her throat and said,
"It's about that big horse, brother."
"The black horse of Zeng Taiga, right?"
"That horse has become yours."
...Huh?
Wait a minute. That's Zeng Taiga's beloved horse, isn't it?
And it's a famous horse. You could even call it a legendary steed.
I don't know its specific abilities.
In the game 'History of Swordmaster', it's almost impossible to defeat Zeng Taiga, and even if you do, that horse won't be a prize.
But it's clear that the horse is special.
It's big, fast, and has great endurance.
It's smart enough to work with Zeng Taiga to attack me.
For the Jinkyo Tribe, it must be a treasure from Zeng Taiga.
"No, I can't just take that horse."
"Huh? But, Tougen Shimei-sama said, 'I want Tenhou to take care of it'."
"Tougen-sama said that?"
"The horse itself agrees to become your property, brother."
"The horse itself!?"
"Yes. I talked to it."
Seirei can talk to animals.
So, after the battle, I planned to have Seirei talk to that horse.
I wanted to ask why it let me ride it...
But it seems Seirei talked to the horse first.
"That horse's name is 'Sakugetsu.'."
Seirei said seriously,
"Sakugetsu said, 'I want to see how the one who defeated my master lives'."
"That horse... no, Sakugetsu said that?"
"'My master was always aware of his rival, Kou Tenhou. I will carry on my master's will and witness Kou Tenhou's fate'."
...How much did Zeng Taiga care about settling things with me?
Maybe the horse, Sakugetsu, has been listening to that story for a long time.
Is that why it became interested in me?
Perhaps that's why Sakugetsu helped me after the battle.
"I answered, 'If you have pride, then do it. I will help too'."
"No, no, why are you encouraging it!?"
"...If a strong horse is by your side, it will protect you, brother."
Seirei's face looks like she might cry again.
... I think it's unfair for her to make that face.
"I heard from Ouka-sama. During the battle, your horse got exhausted and couldn't move. So, you had to get down and fight on the ground... But if your horse was a famous one like Sakutsuki-san's──."
"You thought I could fight without worries, huh?"
"... Yes."
Zeng Taiga's beloved horse is now mine... huh.
Sakutsuki wanted that, to remind me not to forget.
That I defeated Zeng Taiga and changed the fate of the Jinkyo Tribe.
She probably wants to see how I live now.
"Got it. I'll talk to Tougen-san too. If the Jinkyo Tribe agrees... then Sakutsuki will be in my care."
"Y-Yes. I would be happy if you could do that."
"I don't think I'll be fighting much, though."
Saying that, I patted Seirei's head.
Seirei closed her eyes, looking relieved.
I made her worry.
When I get back to Hokurin, I'll stay quietly by Seirei's side for a while.
"Um... Touri-san. Can I ask you something?"
I called out to Touri, who was sitting at the edge of the bed.
"My body feels heavy because my 'ki' is exhausted, right?"
"That's right. You've used too much 'ki' for fighting, so your body is asking for rest."
"So, I just need to wait for natural recovery, right?"
"No... I think it's better to adjust your 'ki' as well."
After a moment of thought, Touri continued,
"Once your body can move, let's do 'Beast Body Guidance' with everyone, including Touri. After that, we should have Mother check the state of your meridians, and then adjust your 'ki'."
"I understand."
"When that time comes, we'll need help from Seirei-sama and Ouka-sama... Is that okay with you two?"
"That's fine. This body belongs to my brother."
"I'm okay with it too. I'll prepare myself before we reach Hokurin."
"Yeah. Thank you, everyone."
It seems like we will be doing 'Beast Body Guidance' together soon.
After we return to Hokurin, we will do it even more carefully.
I will be a bother to everyone. I need to make sure to thank them properly.
But that's a story for later.
Right now... I'm a bit sleepy.
I was trying to stay awake and talk, but it seems I've reached my limit.
"I'm sorry, everyone... I'm going to rest a bit."
"Yes, brother. Please sleep well."
"Next, it's my turn to take care of Tenhou!"
"...After that, Touri will... wipe his body..."
Everyone's voices fade away.
The battle with the Jinkyo Tribe is over.
But... I regret letting the dual-wielding user who cut down Shitou-Sanga escape.
That guy was definitely Ko Eison.
A member of the 'Golden Feather Syndicate,' and a close aide to the game protagonist, Kai Yougetsu.
But that guy's information is known by Shito Sanga.
Also... he can no longer enter the territory of the Jinkyo Tribe.
He cut off Zeng Taiga's aide's wrist and ran away.
That guy became an enemy of the Jinkyo Tribe. He can't get close to the northern lands anymore.
If he does, the people of the Jinkyo Tribe won't let him go.
For now, that's enough.
(...A great villain who twists Heaven's Fate. No wonder I can't win.)
Ah... I know. Zeng Taiga.
I cut you.
I changed the fate of the Jinkyo Tribe decisively.
So I──
──Eventually, my consciousness faded away.
And I fell into a deep sleep again.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)