Volume 4 Chapter 12 The Great Villain Of The World, Patrolling At Night
──Tenhou's Perspective (The Next Night)──
"It's dark, so please watch your step, Platoon Leader."
"Thank you, Shuu-san."
I was walking through Toukaku Town with Shuu-san, who is Heki Nei-san's subordinate.
The time was around 9 PM.
The only light came from the half-moon in the sky and the torch that Shuu-san was holding.
It was a weak light, but right now, it felt reliable.
The moonlight was dim, while the torch clearly lit up the path.
We were on a night patrol mission.
Originally, another platoon was supposed to handle it, but the job got passed to us.
They said, "Since your equipment has been upgraded, you can do it, right?"
Heki Nei-san, who expected this to happen, accepted the request.
So here we were, doing the night patrol with Shuu-san.
"It's true that we can do night patrols now because our equipment is new."
Shuu-san said as he walked next to me.
"Our armor was old, so it made noise when we walked. If soldiers are clanking around, it's like telling suspicious people where we are. Because of that, our platoon couldn't do night patrols."
"...Is that so?"
"But the new armor doesn't make any noise. Plus, it's painted black. We can blend into the darkness like this."
Shuu-san handed me a torch and moved to the shadows.
He blended into the darkness, and I could only see Shuu-san's face.
"With this, the suspicious people won't notice us coming."
"I see. Shuu-san is used to moving at night, huh?"
"...Why do you think that?"
Shuu-san squinted and looked at me.
"Your platoon hasn't patrolled at night before, right? But you seem comfortable on these dark paths. You stay calm even on the hard-to-see roads, and sometimes you move without making a sound."
I'm feeling nervous while doing this patrol mission.
It's a strange town at a strange night. So, I'm constantly aware of the presence around me.
But Shuu-san looks relaxed as he walks.
"That's why I thought you were used to the night."
"I used to be involved in rough stuff a long time ago."
Saying that, Shuu-san quickly shook his head.
"Of course, I never got involved in any bad deeds. I just had a bit of a wild phase back then. I haven't done anything to be ashamed of in front of Brother Heki and Kou, the Platoon Leader."
"Yes. I can tell just by looking at Shuu-san."
Shuu-san is kind.
When I said I wanted to join the night patrol, he immediately said, "Let's go together." He walks with me and teaches me how to do the job.
I can't believe this person was ever involved in bad deeds.
"Let's continue the work. Which way should we go at the next corner?"
"Turn left, please. Up ahead is the South Gate of Toukaku."
"Got it."
"At this time, the gate is closed. No one can come in or go out. So, there are some platoons that skip patrols..."
"Heki Nei-sama's platoon wouldn't do that, right?"
"Of course not. Brother Heki cares about protecting the people above all else."
Shuu-san puffed out his chest proudly.
Heki Nei-san is that kind of person──probably because his sister and her husband were killed by bandits.
That's why he hates anyone who harms the people.
...What about me?
If something happens in Toukaku and it turns into a situation like in the game Kou Tenhou?
What if I have to attack this town?
Would I become Heki Nei-san's enemy?
...No, there's no way I would burn down the town.
If I did that, Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei would leave me.
Seirei, Shouou, and Touri might still be on my side, but we wouldn't have the same relationship anymore.
I absolutely won't let it come to that.
Anyway... I need to thoroughly investigate Toukaku while I can.
I just want to be sure.
I won't attack this town like in the game Kou Tenhou.
"Platoon Leader Kou."
As I was thinking about this, Shuu-san spoke up.
"Let me thank you again. Since you came to Toukaku, Brother Heki and the platoon members have changed. Everyone can now work with pride."
"I'm just asking His Royal Highness the King's younger brother about my equipment."
"That makes me happy."
Shuu-san nodded vigorously.
"Toukaku has always been governed by the Chou Family. Because of that, the current situation probably didn't reach His Royal Highness the King's younger brother. But from now on, it will be different. Ri Kai-dono also knows that His Royal Highness the King's younger brother's eyes will be on Toukaku. So──."
"...Wait a moment, Shuu-san."
I raised my hand to silence Shuu-san.
I took a deep breath──activating 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection' for just a few seconds.
It becomes a mirror that reflects the presence around me.
──There is someone.
Someone is walking near the south gate.
By the side of the wall that is over ten meters high.
Moreover, they are starting to run toward the wall.
The gate is closed. At this time, they shouldn't be able to go outside, but──
"Shuu-san."
"Y-yes. What is it?"
"To get on top of the wall surrounding the town, you need permission, right?"
"Of course. Only Ri Kai-dono's direct subordinates can guard on top of the wall."
"One more question. Is it allowed for regular people to climb the wall?"
"Ah..."
Shuu-san's eyes widen.
He seems to have noticed what I'm looking at.
Near the south gate, there's a person in black clothes.
They're using a small gap in the wall to... wait, are they trying to climb the wall?
"Regular people climbing the wall is forbidden! Soldiers can do it... only in emergencies!"
"I understand!!"
I immediately activate 'Five Divine Steps.'
I start running toward the wall surrounding the town.
In my line of sight is the suspicious person in black.
They're using the tiny gap as a foothold, climbing the wall with ease.
They're definitely skilled in martial arts. If that's the case──
"'Five Divine Steps'──'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King'!!"
I kick off the ground with the jumping technique of 'Five Divine Steps.'
I leap into the air, using the roof of a nearby building as a platform, and jump again.
I rise close to the top of the wall.
"────!?"
The suspicious person sees me.
They quickly change direction, kicking off the wall and jumping sideways.
Then, they use a ledge on the wall to jump high.
──They jump to the same height as me using 'Five Divine Steps.'
"...Huh?"
This is strange.
The jumping technique they used looks just like 'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King.'
Their body movement is pretty rough, though.
I, and Shouou, use 'Five Divine Steps' to circulate 'ki' throughout our bodies, which strengthens us. That's why we can move better than normal humans.
Even if we kick the ground hard, our arms and legs don't feel any shock or damage.
But this suspicious person's technique is different.
It looks like they are forcing 'ki' into their limbs, jumping with the risk of damage.
Yet, the way they move is very similar to 'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King.'
But the only inheritor of 'Five Divine Steps' should be Master Raikou.
There shouldn't be anyone else besides my master, me, and Shouou who can use 'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King.'
Also, the way this suspicious person walks seems a bit twisted.
It feels like a poor imitation of 'Five Divine Steps'... that's the impression I get.
With a bang, I kick off the wall, and the suspicious person and I land on top of the barrier.
Our postures at that moment... yeah, they're still similar.
"...Who are you?"
The suspicious person mutters.
Maybe they also feel the same sense of discomfort as I do.
I start to think.
Is there anyone besides Master Raikou and Master Gyoun who can teach 'Five Divine Steps'?
Master Raikou's disciples are just me and Shouou.
Master Gyoun's disciples are only Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei.
So, maybe... this suspicious person in front of me has nothing to do with them.
I mean, there's no way Master Raikou and Master Gyoun would teach such a twisted walking style.
Master Raikou teaches step by step, making sure it doesn't put a strain on the body.
The walking style of the suspicious person in front of me is completely different in terms of safety.
So... is there no one else besides Master Raikou and Master Gyoun who can teach the 'Five Divine Steps'? Is the suspicious person's walking style just a coincidence that looks like the 'Five Divine Steps'?
...No, that's not it.
I remember now.
Besides Master Raikou and Master Gyoun, there are others connected to the 'Five Divine Steps.'
I've heard about that person before.
It was right after I took the test for the 'role' with Shouou.
At that time, Master Raikou said,
──The stronger our school members become, the more they start to fight each other.
──My master also went down the wrong path because of that. He made a fellow student unable to recover.
──That person has regretted it ever since.
That person was a fellow student of Master Gyoun.
I heard that person attacked Master Gyoun──only to be countered and left unable to recover. And then, Master Gyoun was traumatized by that and gave up martial arts.
That person──if they were a fellow student of Master Gyoun, they might be able to teach the 'Five Divine Steps.'
But, could that really happen...?
Even if the suspicious person is related to that person... why would they show up in Toukaku?
Why are they trying to climb over the wall at night and go outside the town?
"I ask you too, suspicious person."
I question the person dressed in all black.
"Who are you? Where did you learn martial arts?"
"I have no reason to answer."
Both the suspicious person and I reach for our swords at the same time.
The soldiers patrolling the wall are──far away from here.
I can see the soldiers' torches at the edge of my vision, but they aren't moving.
They probably don't notice us.
...I should have brought the White Kirin Sword.
It's a high-quality weapon, so I didn't bring it for the patrol mission.
If I showed the White Kirin Sword, I could clearly tell if the other person is from the same school.
"It is forbidden for civilians to climb the wall without permission."
I grip my sword while asking.
"......"
The suspicious person silently draws their sword.
They point the tip of their sword at me and get into a stance.
It looks a lot like the stance of the Suzaku bird from 'Five Divine Swordsmanship.'
"......I will eliminate the witness."
Saying that, the suspicious person stared straight at me.
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