Volume 3 Chapter 6 The Great Villain Of The World, Reuniting With Master Raikou Ii
"After losing his right arm, my cousin──Zeng Taiga changed. I think it's probably because... he lost his absolute strength."
──That's what Suuki Taiga said.
She is Zeng Taiga's cousin.
So, she noticed his change early on.
Zeng Taiga, who was worshipped as a war god, was defeated by a martial artist from Aika Country.
Because of that, his title of the strongest was tarnished.
Zeng Taiga feared that people would start to doubt his strength.
Born as the strongest, Zeng Taiga didn't know how to deal with the change in his situation. He also didn't know how to handle the 'fear' inside him.
So, he began to attack those who opposed him.
By doing this, he tried to erase the 'fear' within himself.
──Suuki Taiga thought that this was the reason Zeng Taiga went out of control.
There are practical people in the Jinkyo Tribe as well.
After the battle with General Skybear, they requested not to invade Aika Country for a while.
Zeng Taiga executed that person.
Suuki Taiga's father also advised him to stop fighting.
As the younger brother of the current king, he was not killed. Instead, Zeng Taiga expelled him from the tribe's tent and banned him from approaching the king.
Eventually, Zeng Taiga began to forcibly gather livestock and crops.
This was to use them as supplies for moving the army.
Suuki, Taiga's family, lost the most livestock.
This was because of the duty of the king's family.
Furthermore, Zeng Taiga started to recruit new soldiers.
He gathered those who were too young or too old and armed them with spears to make an infantry.
The people who lost their livestock and workers began to lament that they wouldn't survive the winter.
The people's dissatisfaction grew.
In the first place, the Jinkyo Tribe invaded Aika Country because there was a prophecy that 'Aika Country will fall.'
However, all of Zeng Taiga's plans failed.
Zeng Taiga lost an arm, and the army that invaded the south was defeated by 'General Skybear.'
The attack on the Bokou Tribe also failed, and Zeng Taiga lost his subordinate, Ren Padu. The Bokou Tribe, which was supposed to be under his control, ended up submitting to Aika Country.
The neighboring tribes around the Jinkyo Tribe also began sending messengers to Aika Country.
The actions taken based on the prophecy were all backfiring.
As a result, people began to feel anxious.
──Was the prophecy wrong?
──At this rate, will the Jinkyo Tribe become isolated?
──Before Aika Country falls, will the Jinkyo Tribe fall first?
...And.
It was Suuki, Taiga's father, who gathered the anxious people together.
He listened to people's stories and took good care of them.
Even though he couldn't meet the king, he managed to communicate through his close aides, successfully reducing the number of livestock, crops, and people offered.
The members of the Jinkyo Tribe began to admire him.
As a result, Suuki Taiga's father was attacked by Zeng Taiga.
Suuki Taiga's father avoided the fight and fled to the mountains.
He took a stand there and called for Zeng Taiga to reconsider. However, the messenger who went to deliver the letter was killed.
Still, Zeng Taiga couldn't attack Suuki's father with full force.
If the Jinkyo Tribes started fighting seriously, Aika Country might take advantage of the situation and attack.
As the standoff continued, Suuki Taiga's father gave orders to his daughter and Reki Soukaku.
──Go to Aika Country.
──Head to the northern fortress or the capital Hokurin of Aika Country──whichever is safer.
──Deliver this letter to the high officials of Aika Country.
──You won't get immediate help. The Jinkyo Tribe has always been in conflict with Aika Country.
──But the fact that you contacted Aika Country will give us hope.
──If we can show that the moderates among us have Aika Country's support, that will be enough.
──If we demonstrate our strength, we can stop Zeng Taiga.
──I might be called a traitor of the Jinkyo Tribe.
──But it's better than having our entire clan destroyed by a tyrant.
──Please. We ask for hope.
Suuki Taiga, entrusted with a letter from his father, headed south.
The escape was successful, but they were spotted by enemy soldiers.
As they fled southward and reached near the main road──
They encountered Master Raikou, who was heading toward Toushun town.
"...You must think it's a ridiculous idea for the Jinkyo Tribe to seek help from Aika Country."
After finishing his explanation, Suuki Taiga bowed down.
Reki Soukaku, who was next to her, did the same.
"However, as I mentioned earlier, I believe having allies from Aika Country within the Jinkyo Tribe would also benefit you."
Saying this, Suuki Taiga presented the letter to us.
"Please, deliver this letter to the high officials of Aika Country. If you agree to help... I will return to my father immediately and inform him. Just the fact that the people of Aika Country promised to relay this message will energize the moderates."
"Once Zeng Taiga and the others learn of this, they will be cautious of Aika Country. So, you mean they might also negotiate with Suuki-san's father, right?"
I realized I had interrupted.
"──I apologize."
I bowed to Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei, then said,
"Since this involves my father at the northern fortress, I couldn't help but speak up."
"It's fine. Please continue."
Master Raikou nodded.
"Tenhou, you've been hearing stories from your father about the northern lands, right? Your opinion is valuable."
"Thank you. So... Suuki-san."
"Y-yes, Kou-sama."
"Your father asked you to deliver the letter to either the northern fortress or the capital, Hokurin, correct?"
"He said to choose the safer option."
Suuki Taiga, took a letter out from her pocket.
"But he would prefer it to be delivered to Hokurin. If it's the famous Ryougen-kun, he should understand the situation's importance. He might support the moderates."
"I also think the letter should be delivered directly to Hokurin."
My father at the northern fortress can't just decide to support the moderates on his own.
It would be a political decision.
In the end, he would have to consult the high officials in Hokurin.
That would just be a waste of time.
"It would be better to send a messenger to my father to convey just the facts. The letter should be delivered directly to Hokurin."
"You're right, Tenhou. Then, I will send them both to your desired location──."
"That's not possible, sister disciple."
Master Raikou's words were sharply denied by Shuu-sensei.
"Sister disciple will need to stay under my supervision for treatment for a while."
"But Yokumai (little sister disciple), this is something I took on."
"Sister disciple, you can't fight right now. It's impossible for you to protect both of them."
Shuu-sensei said seriously.
I nodded.
"I agree with Shuu-sensei. Also... it might be hard to move the people of Aika Country just with a letter."
The Jinkyo Tribe had been enemies of Aika Country for many years.
Even if the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe sent a letter, it wouldn't have much effect.
It's because we can't be sure if we can trust them.
"I think Suuki-san should go to Hokurin herself."
I said.
"If a child of the Jinkyo Tribe's king's brother visits Aika Country, it will show that the moderates trust Aika Country. The letter will carry more weight too."
"But what about contacting her father?"
"How about having Suuki-san write a letter? If you deliver that to the Jinkyo Tribe's moderates, they will know that Suuki Taiga-san and Reki Soukaku-san headed to Hokurin."
I looked at Suuki Taiga.
"Suuki-san."
"Y-yes?"
"Do you have something that proves you are from the Jinkyo Tribe's royal family?"
"...I do."
Suuki Taiga glanced at Reki Soukaku.
Reki Soukaku took something wrapped in cloth from his pocket.
When he opened it──there was a knife made of stone.
"This is a small knife made from obsidian, passed down in the Jinkyo Tribe's royal family. The royal family uses this to kill a sheep at the New Year and shares it with everyone."
"Ah. I've heard of that."
Master Raikou nodded.
"One of Ryougen-kun's guests──a poet──told me such a story. Ryougen-kun should know about it too."
"If we have this, we can prove Suuki-san's identity."
Ryougen-kun will understand that Suuki Taiga is from the royal family of the Jinkyo Tribe.
There's a chance he might join us at the negotiation table.
"I have one question for you, Suuki-san. Are you willing to become a hostage for Aika Country?"
I asked Suuki Taiga.
"If you, a member of the Jinkyo Tribe's royal family, stay close to Aika Country... the high officials there will trust the words of the moderates. Are you ready for that?"
"Yes!"
Suuki Taiga nodded without hesitation.
"I wish for peace with Aika Country. Also, thanks to Master Raikou's help, I understand that the people of Aika Country can be trusted. I have no doubts about becoming a hostage!"
"I will also persuade Ryougen-kun."
Master Raikou said.
"A child has shown such determination. It's only natural for me to help."
"I agree with my sister disciple."
Shuu-sensei nodded.
With Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei here, we can get Suuki Taiga to meet Ryougen-kun.
If Ryougen-kun cooperates, we might even meet with the king and high officials.
──Maybe this is the turning point.
If there are moderates in the Jinkyo Tribe, we can stop Zeng Taiga's invasion.
We can restrict his movements without fighting.
By contacting the moderates, we should also get information about the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
To do that, we need to deliver the news that 'Suuki Taiga asked for help from Aika Country' to the moderates. This will energize them and make Zeng Taiga cautious.
The land of the Jinkyo Tribe is dangerous. The strongest in the game, Zeng Taiga, is there.
There are also the archer who hurt Master Raikou and the knife throw wielder.
We might even run into the game protagonist, Kai Yougetsu, or the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
Still... someone has to go deliver the news to the moderates.
I take a slow, deep breath.
Honestly... I'm scared. This isn't something you can just casually say.
But if I back down now... and as a result, the moderates get destroyed── that would be the worst.
If the Jinkyo Tribe unites under the tyrant Zeng Taiga, I will definitely regret it.
So──
"I will deliver Suuki-san's letter to the moderates of the Jinkyo Tribe."
──I announced to everyone.
"Then, I will go and see for myself what is happening in the Jinkyo Tribe's territory. I will report everything I see and hear to His Royal Highness the King's younger brother and the people of Aika Country. This will help Aika Country decide whether to support the moderates or not."
"No, wait. Tenhou."
Shuu-sensei raised her voice.
"Why are you going that far?"
"The Jinkyo Tribe's problem is directly related to the lives of my father and brother."
If the Jinkyo Tribe invades, my father and brother will be the first to face them.
Since they don't appear in the 'History of Swordmaster,' their lives could be in danger at any moment. I want to take steps to prevent that.
Also... Suuki Taiga and Reki Soukaku didn't know about the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.' In the earlier conversation, neither 'Golden Feather Syndicate' nor 'Kai Yougetsu' was mentioned.
But Suuki Taiga's father might know something.
"It is the disciple's duty to finish what Master Raikou left undone. I will go quickly and just deliver the letter. Please, can you allow me to do this?"
"What Tenhou says... makes sense."
Shuu-sensei scratched her head.
"Sister disciple, I have to treat you. So, while I treat you, it's best for me to guard Suuki Taiga. With that, we head to Hokurin. In the meantime, Tenhou will deliver a letter to the moderates and inform them that Suuki-kun is heading to Hokurin... I guess. Indeed, this is the fastest way, but..."
"Yokumai."
"What is it, sister disciple?"
"Before, I told Tenhou to look for a 'ki' energy master in Souma Country."
Master Raikou said with a serious expression,
"Knowing Tenhou, he must have found the best master. That would be you, right? Yokumai."
"Yes. While sister disciple was away, I was teaching Tenhou and Kaou."
"How is Tenhou's 'ki' energy and martial arts?"
"I can only say he has shown remarkable growth. He has even defeated opponents I couldn't beat. And now, I plan to teach him a special technique."
Shuu-sensei whispered,
"We came to find sister disciple for that reason. With my knowledge and sister disciple's skills, we can teach him the basics of the techniques. After that, if we send him out... I would feel a bit more at ease."
"...Understood."
Master Raikou nodded while still sitting in the chair.
Then, the master said apologetically,
"I'm sorry, Tenhou. This is my failure. Because I got injured, I ended up asking you for a difficult task."
"It's fine. I believe this is what I should do."
I truly think so.
If we hadn't come, Master Raikou would have sent the two of them to Hokurin.
After that, she would have headed alone to the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe.
As a result, the poison in Master's body didn't disappear and remained.
Ten years later, she would have either lost her life... or become unable to recover.
Because we were here, we were able to prevent that.
We also gained information about the Jinkyo Tribe because Master was here.
We have both the chance to heal Master and the chance to stop Zeng Taiga. We can't let that slip away.
"...Thank you very much, Kou-sama."
With a trembling voice, Suuki Taiga said.
"I will never forget this favor. In the name of the God of the Plains, I will surely repay you."
"I also promise to do my best as much as I can."
"There is a village that supports my father in the land of the Jinkyo Tribe. Please give them this letter. It should reach my father!"
──Suuki Taiga's father is in a stronghold in the mountains. It's dangerous to get close.
──So, I want you to visit the village that supports my father.
──The villagers will contact my father and deliver the letter.
Suuki Taiga told me all of this.
"Please show this to the villagers."
Suuki Taiga took off a necklace and handed it to me.
It had a yellow stone on it.
This is also something given to the royal family of the Jinkyo Tribe.
It seems that the color indicates whose it is.
"With this, they should know that Kou-sama is my representative. And, Reki."
"I understand, Miss. I'm going to guide him, right?"
"That's right. You know the safe paths, don't you?"
"Of course. I will definitely fulfill my mission."
Reki Soukaku knelt on the ground and bowed his head towards me.
"That's what I mean. May I guide you, Kou-dono?"
"Of course. But can you disguise yourself so we won't be seen by enemies?"
"Understood!"
Reki Soukaku stayed bowed and placed his hand on his chest.
"I swear to the god of the plains that I will take Kou-dono as my temporary master. If I break this vow, may my body and soul scatter and turn to dust."
"──Mother."
The next voice to speak was Touri-san.
"I have a request."
"I know. You want to go with Tenhou, right?"
Touri-san nodded at Shuu-sensei's question.
"I want to be Tenhou-sama's personal doctor."
"So you want to be dedicated to Tenhou?"
"Yes. If we go to the Jinkyo Tribe's land, the water will change. The food will change too. In those times, I think my medical skills will be useful."
"You can't just wait for him in Hokurin, can you?"
"That's right. I've already chosen my path."
"Alright."
Shuu-sensei said with a calm expression,
"Touri has found her own path. I won't be so rude as to interfere with that."
"Thank you, Mother!"
Touri-san clasped her hands towards Shuu-sensei.
"Please. Take Touri with you, Tenhou-sama."
"Yes. Thank you, Touri-san."
I'm happy that Touri-san is coming with us.
She's experienced in traveling. She knows the way to Toushun very well.
It was thanks to Touri-san that Suuki and Taiga became interested when she guided us to the tea house.
With Touri-san, the journey will be much easier.
"It's settled then. Yokumai and I will escort Suuki-kun to Hokurin. Tenhou and Touri will deliver a letter to the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe with Reki-kun as their guide. Is that okay?"
"Yes, Master Raikou! Understood."
"However, Tenhou and Touri, you should disguise yourself. There are people in the Jinkyo Tribe who know Tenhou. It would be better to change your names too."
"That's true... Let's say Tenhou and Touri are a married couple."
Shuu-sensei showed a fearless smile.
"How about Touri keeping her name as Gen Touri? And Tenhou can introduce himself as Touri's husband, Shuu Rikuhou?"
"Change the 'Kou' to 'Shuu'. For the name, read the earth that pairs with heaven as 'Riku'. Change 'Hou (Fragrance)' to 'Hou' for treasure."
"If we change our names and disguise ourselves, no one will recognize Tenhou."
"Good idea."
"And sister disciple, please give guidance before sending off Tenhou."
"Got it."
Master Raikou said that and smiled.
"You're going to teach 'special techniques' to Tenhou now, right?"
"I remember how to do it. I'll tell my senior disciple."
"Understood. Then, let's get ready."
──New martial arts. In other words, 'chaos techniques.'
It seems Master Raikou will help me learn them.
The Jinkyo Tribe's territory is dangerous.
Over there, there are a knife thrower and an archer who hurt Master Raikou.
I have to avoid being found as much as possible... and if I do get found, I need to be able to escape.
Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei will probably teach me the 'chaos techniques' for that reason.
I also need to prepare myself.
I will help the moderate faction of the Jinkyo Tribe──Zeng Taiga's opposing forces.
By doing that, I can reduce the danger of the Jinkyo Tribe. I will stop the invasion in ten years.
To do that, I will make contact with the moderate faction.
That is what I can do now to avoid a future of destruction.
Thinking about that, I start preparing for training.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)