Volume 4 Chapter 26 The Great Villain Of The World, Finding Hidden Talent
──Tenhou's Perspective (Around the same time Raikou and the others entered the forest)──
"We're going to investigate this mountain now."
I told Touri and Heki Nei-san, along with the soldiers who followed us.
"The bandits were using martial arts that my master knows well. The training ground for that martial art is near the top of this mountain. It might be the bandits' base."
We were at the foot of a mountain called Kozan.
It seems that Master Gyoun and Bakkai trained here a long time ago.
There is a waterfall near the top.
It's the place where Master Gyoun defeated Bakkai.
──Bakkai has a physical disability, so she would choose a location she knows for her base.
That was my guess.
Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei accepted it.
The masters are now heading to another location.
It's the forest training ground used by Master Gyoun and Bakkai.
It seems that buildings used by Master Gyoun and Bakkai are still there in the forest.
It's a perfect place for the bandit group to set up their base.
'Bakkai is likely in the forest. It's our duty as Master Gyoun's disciples to fight her.'
That was the judgment of Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei.
The two of them should be entering the forest with the training ground soon.
We came to the mountain just in case.
There's a possibility that they have spread their forces out.
I need to make sure they don't escape.
Those guys can use similar techniques to 'Five Divine Steps' and 'Five Divine Swordsmanship,' and they're connected to the Chou Family. I can't just leave such dangerous people alone.
I should capture them and find out their purpose.
"Heki Nei-san, let me confirm something about this mountain again."
I asked Heki Nei-san, who was standing nearby.
"This mountain is 'Kozan,' right? The one with a waterfall near the top?"
"That's correct. Would you like me to explain the origin of the name?"
"Please do."
"'Kozan' is a mountain with many useless trees and inedible wild plants."
Heki Nei-san took out a wooden tablet and began to read.
"There are also few animals in the mountain, making it unsuitable for hunting. Because of this, it is said that the name 'Kozan' comes from 'a lonely mountain with no people'."
"...So that's the origin."
"I heard the name's origin from an old man living in Toukaku of Eastern Town. There were a few who entered 'Kozan' in the past. We have gathered some information about the mountain."
"That's helpful."
A mountain with no people, huh.
That means people can train in martial arts without worrying about being seen.
That's probably why Master Gyoun and Bakkai used it as a training ground.
"If no one comes here, it could also be a base for a bandit group."
"Exactly. The mountain paths are not well maintained, so it's perfect for hiding. There might also be traps set up."
"Traps, huh?"
"Take a look at this."
Heki Nei-san showed another wooden tablet to me and Touri.
The tablet had "Cautions for the Kozan Strategy" written on it.
──"Kozan" has not been touched by humans.
──There should be a path used by a band of bandits, but getting close is dangerous.
──There might be traps set along the path.
The tablet had things like that written on it.
It even described the traps in detail.
Traps hidden in the grass that capture intruders.
A trap that alerts the band of bandits to the presence of intruders by sound. This is called a naruko.
A pitfall aimed at those trying to avoid the path.
...It seems that such things are likely used in "Kozan."
Furthermore, the wooden tablet also noted places where watch soldiers might hide and countermeasures.
"Heki Nei-san was able to make such detailed predictions?"
"That's amazing..."
Touri and I widened our eyes and stared at the wooden tablet.
Heki Nei-san is really impressive.
Speaking of which, Heki Nei-san also shared opinions about how to conquer the forest.
I participated in planning the strategy, but I only gave a little advice.
Heki Nei-san's plan was convincing enough for Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei.
"I didn't know Heki Nei-san had such talent as a strategist."
"...N-no..."
"I will tell Ryougen-kun about this. I think Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei feel the same way. I can't believe someone with such talent was so close to us..."
"...I'm sorry, but please keep this matter confidential."
"...Huh? Why is that?"
"Because the source of the information is not me."
Heki Nei-san looked awkward and avoided eye contact.
The others in the 'Six-Person Unit,' including Shuu-san, were the same. Everyone was looking in a different direction.
"The person who gave me the information said, 'Please hide my existence'."
Heki Nei-san nodded.
"'If the one who made the danger prediction is known, the valuable information will be taken lightly,' they said."
"Does that mean there is a strategist near Heki Nei-san?"
"...Yes."
"Who is it?"
"I'm sorry. I was told to keep it confidential..."
"I see."
There is a strategist near Heki Nei-san.
That person also doesn't want to be in the spotlight.
They think, 'If I create a plan, everyone will take it lightly.'
Maybe it's someone without a title, unknown, and young.
...A young person near Heki Nei-san.
Come to think of it... Heki Nei-san has a niece.
She had her parents killed by a band of bandits.
If she heard about the plan to defeat the bandits, she would probably want to join for revenge.
If that person is smart but doesn't have fighting skills... she could help with planning and analyzing information.
The information Heki Nei-san provided was perfect.
It's rare to find someone who can make such detailed predictions.
Both I and Touri, as well as the soldiers, were impressed.
This means the person who brought this information has the talent of a strategist.
......Could it be that Heki Nei-san's niece is...?
"I'm asking Heki Nei-san."
I turned to Heki Nei-san and clasped my hands together.
Then, I whispered,
"May I ask for your niece's name, if you don't mind?"
"...Tenhou-dono."
"This battle is also a memorial for Heki Nei-san's sisters. It is a fight dedicated to the families of the fallen. So, it makes sense to ask for your niece's name."
"Tenhou-dono..."
"Yes, Heki Nei-san."
"Do you realize who wrote that wooden tablet...?"
"I'm just asking for your niece's name."
"...Understood."
Heki Nei-san returned the clasped hands and then said,
"My niece's name is Senkou."
"She is the only daughter of my brother Fuu."
Shuu-san continued Heki Nei-san's words.
"Just as Platoon Leader Kou said. This battle is also a memorial for Brother Fuu. It's only natural that Sen would want to be involved!"
"Don't say unnecessary things, Shuu."
"The young lady is a genius. Her knowledge and passion for studying are real. We've been helped by her many times! And!"
Shuu-san looked at me and said,
"Is there a need to hide the young lady from Platoon Leader Kou, of all people?"
"...Well, that is..."
"Brother Heki, you know that Platoon Leader Kou is not the type to judge others by their age or looks, right?"
"...Hmm."
"I'm telling you this for Platoon Leader Kou."
Shuu-san turns to face me.
"The one who wrote this wooden tablet is Fuu Senkou. She is the only daughter of Brother Heki's younger sister and a traveling merchant named Fuu. She's 16 years old and looks young, but... she has learned all kinds of knowledge and puts it into practice. Her knowledge and wisdom are definitely reliable. Please, trust her judgment!"
"I understand. I will trust her."
I answered immediately.
"Let's proceed with the plan based on the assumption that the information on this wooden tablet is correct."
"""......"""
Huh? Heki Nei-san and Shuu-san look surprised.
Touri seems to agree and nods.
She's a genius at guidance, after all. I guess geniuses can recognize each other.
But I'm not a genius.
The reason I decided to trust Heki Nei-san's niece is because of my knowledge from the game.
In the game 'History of Swordmaster,' Fuu Senkou's name is known throughout the continent.
She is the 18-year-old genius strategist and a close aide to the main character, Kai Yougetsu.
Without leaving her tent, she sees everything on the battlefield.
She is one of the great strategists in 'History of Swordmaster,' alongside Tougen Shimei of the Jinkyo Tribe.
That's the strategist, Fuu Senkou.
...So, Heki Nei-san's niece is Fuu Senkou.
Now I understand why the game's Fuu Senkou joined the hero's army.
Her parents were killed by a band of bandits connected to the Chou Family...
That Chou Family is related to Crown Prince Rouen.
If Fuu Senkou finds out about this... she will definitely be angry.
When Heki Nei-san took down Toukaku in the game, Fuu Senkou must have helped him.
To her, Heki Nei-san is her uncle and guardian.
It's only natural for her to support Heki Nei-san in his battles.
But in the game, Fuu Senkou was 18 years old.
Now, it's ten years later, so she should be 8 years old.
If Heki Nei-san's niece is 16, then the ages don't match...
Shuu-san said she "looks young," but could that be related?
...Well, I guess it doesn't matter right now.
The information Fuu Senkou gave me is useful. Just knowing that is enough.
"Let's use this wooden tablet to come up with a plan. I want to hear everyone's opinions."
"Understood!"
"""I will follow Platoon Leader Kou."""
The soldiers all clasped their hands together.
"I was wrong. I should have told Kou Tenhou-dono everything about my niece. If it were Kou Tenhou-dono, he would have understood her."
"That's understandable."
I said.
"More importantly, after we deal with the bandits, can you let me meet your niece? I want to hear her story."
"Understood!"
"Will Touri be there too?"
"Touri as well?"
"Maybe, I think the two of us will get along."
Geniuses tend to be lonely.
I believe that Touri-san, the genius of guidance, and Fuu Senkou, the future genius strategist, can become friends.
Also, if 2 geniuses talk, they might discover something new.
Touri has received the 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki.'
Fuu Senkou is the strongest strategist in the game 'History of Swordmaster,' full of wisdom and knowledge.
If we combine Touri's experience with Fuu Senkou's wisdom, we might find a way to deal with the 'Four Fiends Technique.'
Maybe not now, but someday.
"If Heki Nei-san's niece is wise... she might be able to help me with my work. So, I also want to meet with Touri-san, who is working together with me."
"I understand. Hou-sama."
Touri-san clenched her fist tightly.
"If I can help Hou-sama, I will do anything!"
"Thank you. Touri."
"...Under Kou Tenhou-dono, my niece might be able to show her talent."
Suddenly, Heki Nei-san said.
"I'm lucky to meet someone like you."
"Thank you. Now, let's make a plan."
After that, I had a meeting with Heki Nei-san about our future plans.
I also talked with Touri and the soldiers──
──We began our mission to defeat the mountain bandits.
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