Volume 3 Chapter 49 The Great Villain Of The World, Prepare Yourself
The next night.
Now that I can move, I'm at the stable in the fortress.
"Can I talk to you for a second, Sakugetsu?"
'Neigh.'
Zeng Taiga's black horse──Sakugetsu──was at the very back of the stable.
Sakugetsu is big.
Just being there makes the other horses feel intimidated, and it needs more space than the others.
Maybe that's why it went to the back of the stable to avoid being noticed.
"Are you really planning to come with me?"
'Neigh, neigh.'
Sakugetsu nodded, as if to say, "Of course."
"Hokurin is a city, you know? It's different from where you lived before. There isn't much open space, and you can't run around freely every day. Are you okay with that?"
'...Neigh.'
Again, Sakugetsu nodded.
It seems like it has already made up its mind.
Sakugetsu has decided to witness my way of life.
No matter what I say, it will follow me.
To refuse that would probably be rude.
To Sakugetsu... and to Zeng Taiga, who was its owner.
I killed Zeng Taiga, after all.
"...You know, Sakugetsu, I actually wanted to be a local official."
Before I knew it, those words slipped out of my mouth.
"Just hypothetically, if Aika Country fell into chaos... and wars became common, I planned to take my family and retreat to the countryside."
Sakugetsu didn't respond.
It just stared at me with its dark eyes.
"I was born without 'ki' energy."
'Neigh!!'
"Don't lie, huh?"
Sakutsuki stomps its feet more and more.
"It's true. I only got 'ki' energy a few months ago. After meeting Seirei and getting guidance from my master and Shikei... that's when I finally learned 'ki' energy. The first time I fought Zeng Taiga was right after I just got it."
'...Neigh?'
"Yeah, that's right. Shouou was with me back then. That's how I managed to fight. If I was alone... I think I would have been easily pierced by Zeng Taiga's spear."
I pick up a brush from the stable and start to pet Sakutsuki.
Sakugetsu doesn't reject me.
He accepts me as if it's natural.
"I learned martial arts to escape when the time came. I planned to run away, become a local official, and survive the chaotic times."
When did that change?
Was it after I first fought Zeng Taiga?
Or was it after I got guidance from Shuu-sensei?
Maybe it was when I received the 'secret book of chaos' from the Bokou Tribe.
Before I knew it, my wish to 'become a local official and survive the chaos' faded away──
──And the moment I killed Zeng Taiga, it disappeared.
I could no longer escape from the chaos.
"Well, maybe not. I've... stopped running away."
I touch Sakugetsu's face.
I whisper in its ear, "Don't tell Seirei what I'm about to say."
"I killed your master──Zeng Taiga. I changed the fate of the Jinkyo Tribe forever. I changed Sakugetsu's fate too."
'...Neigh.'
"I think it's wrong for me to run away from this chaotic world."
Honestly, I'm really scared.
But leaving the Golden Feather Syndicate alone is even scarier.
I'm also mad at Ko Eison.
He cut off a comrade's arm and ran away.
He abandoned the Jinkyo Tribe, who were stunned after losing their master.
In the game, Ko Eison was a cunning strategist who would do anything to win, but seeing him in person made me feel sick. I don't want to leave someone like that alone. Just thinking about him teaming up with Kai Yougetsu to mess with Aika Country gives me chills.
And if my family and friends get involved, it would be the worst.
I called myself the "great villain who twists the world's Heaven's Fate" to Zeng Taiga.
So, I'll keep that up.
I won't run away from this chaotic world anymore. I'll stick with it until the end.
That's the least I can do for killing Zeng Taiga and changing the fate of Tougen and the Jinkyo Tribe.
I'm a disciple of Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei.
I can't do anything shameful in front of them.
Not to my family and friends──Seirei, Shouou, and Touri either.
"Well, that's the thing. Will you still stay with me? Do you really want to see my life until the very end?"
'Neigh!!'
"...Are you saying I'm being annoying?"
'Neigh!'
"Got it. I won't say it again. Come with me, Sakugetsu."
The black horse, Sakugetsu, stared at me and nodded.
Sakugetsu will lend me its strength from now on.
But... Sakugetsu is a proud horse.
If it thinks I'm not worthy to be by its side, it will leave.
That's fine.
I want it to stay close so I won't forget that I killed Zeng Taiga.
So I can remember that I'm 'the great villain who twists Heaven's Fate.'
"Seirei and the other are worried, so I'll head back to my room now. Good night."
'Neigh, neigh!'
"From now on, I'll be counting on you, Sakugetsu."
I lightly patted Sakugetsu's body and then returned to my room.
──After Tenhou left the stable──
'Neigh, neigh!'
"Thank you for staying quiet, Sakugetsu-san."
In the shadow of the stable, Seirei whispered.
Tenhou told Sakugetsu, "What I'm about to say is a secret from Seirei."
He didn't ask if Seirei was here.
So Sakugetsu probably didn't tell that Seirei was behind the stable.
Seirei came here to take care of Sakugetsu.
Sakugetsu is difficult. Only Tenhou and Seirei, who can talk to animals, can get close.
So Seirei volunteered to be Sakugetsu's caretaker.
"Before heading to Hokurin, I was thinking of asking Sakugetsu-san to take care of my brother..."
She heard her brother's determination.
Seirei pressed her hand to her chest, unable to do anything but listen.
Her heart trembled, and she couldn't stand up.
"My brother said, he won't run away from this chaotic world..."
She knew Tenhou had high aspirations.
She heard his shout when Seirei was taken by her uncle.
'My name is Kou Tenhou! I am the child of General Skybear Kou Eishin, the one who will change the world! My death will either be by being torn apart by an oxes or a tragic death in the chaos of the country!!'
──And.
That brother diligently learned martial arts and became capable of defeating enemy generals.
She knew Tenhou originally aimed to be a civil servant.
Gyokushi told her that.
'Tenhou, who can't use 'ki' energy, probably wanted to make use of his abilities as a civil servant.'
But that was not the case.
Tenhou aimed to be a local civil servant to protect our family.
In case of an invasion by the Jinkyo Tribe──or when the country fell into chaos.
(...My brother cared that much about us)
Her heartbeat quickened.
Her chest tightened, and she didn't know what to do.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of Tenhou.
The war was over.
A peace treaty was signed with the Jinkyo Tribe, and the northern border became peaceful.
But Tenhou didn't think everything was over.
Even if there's just a small chance, he's thinking about what will happen if Aika Country falls into chaos.
Even if that happens, he has made up his mind to face it.
"I... I want to see the same things as my brother..."
What is Tenhou trying to fight against?
What is the chaotic world that Tenhou fears?
What can Seirei do to protect Tenhou?
──I want to know. I want to be by your side.
──Please don't leave me behind.
──When we live, let's be together. When we die, I want to be Tenhou's shield.
Holding onto these straightforward feelings, Seirei makes a resolution.
Maybe Tenhou won't teach her about the chaotic world.
Just like she wants to protect her brother, she is also trying to protect her.
So, she'll investigate on her own.
To protect the person she loves.
If she needs power... she'll even borrow Ouka and Touri's strength.
It's frustrating to borrow their power, but if it's to protect Tenhou, she won't hesitate.
Seirei's body and heart... everything is for Tenhou.
"Please lend me your strength, Sakugetsu-san."
'...Neigh?'
"You want to witness my brother's way of life, right? I feel the same way."
Seirei touched Sakugetsu's back.
"My dream is to live my life with my brother as his wife... for my whole life. Making that come true should benefit you too. Because, Sakugetsu-san, it's better for my brother if I'm by his side, right?"
After Seirei's words, Sakugetsu seemed to think for a while.
After a moment, Sakugetsu nodded clearly.
Its lord's rival seems to be interested in what they are about to fight against, just like Sakugetsu.
It will witness Kou Tenhou's way of life.
If they are not worth seeing, it will walk away.
That is Sakugetsu's decision.
"Thank you very much. Sakugetsu-san."
Seirei nods with determination.
From now on, Seirei and Tenhou will return to Hokurin.
That is Tenhou's hometown. There shouldn't be any danger.
Yet, Tenhou is on guard.
Then, Seirei will do the same.
To face the coming chaos alongside Tenhou.
To dedicate everything──this body and heart──that Seirei possesses to Tenhou.
Holding onto such determination, Seirei heads toward her brother.
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