Volume 4 Chapter 8 The Great Villain Of The World, Arrives At His Destination I
A few days later.
I set off for the Toukaku in Eastern Town.
Joining me were Tanshi-san, a subordinate of Ryougen-kun, and Touri. A few servants were with us too.
And there was the black horse, Sakugetsu.
Touri decided to come along because of Shuu-sensei's advice.
'It's better to have someone who can manage your health by your side, Tenhou.'
Master Raikou agreed too.
My "ki" is still developing, so I should continue with "Beast Body Guidance." For that, I need a partner. Touri is perfect since she can check my "ki." That was Master Raikou's opinion.
Touri agreed as well.
She seems worried about sending me off to a far place.
So in the end, Touri became my attendant and decided to come with me.
Seirei and Shouou also offered to join, but they can't move for now.
Seirei just started socializing with the Kou family.
My mother prepared clothes for her, and it's time to start socializing... So she can't leave Hokurin right now.
Shouou has been going out too much lately.
The messenger from Souma Country just returned home.
For a while, she should stay quietly in Hokurin as a hostage.
──That was the opinion of Ryougen-kun and Master Raikou.
So, Seirei and Shouou are staying behind in Hokurin.
I'm riding on the black horse Sakugetsu, heading to Toukaku of Eastern Town with Touri and Tanshi-san.
"Hey, Touri, have you been to Toukaku before?"
"Just once when I was little."
Touri, riding next to me, nodded.
"Toukaku is also a logistics hub. The northern logistics base is Toushun, and the southeastern logistics base is said to be Toukaku."
"Toushun is a cultural center. Toukaku is considered a center for commerce and defense."
Tanshi-san continued Touri's explanation.
"Toukaku is a town surrounded by high walls. It also serves as a base to protect Hokurin. The enemy forces are held back at Toukaku while we prepare the defense of Hokurin. That's its role."
"I understand."
It was the same in 'History of Swordmaster.'
In the game, Toukaku was burned by Kou Tenhou, but the walls remained.
The army of Aika Country relied on those walls to face the hero army.
Taking Toukaku was tough.
The high and sturdy walls blocked the attacks of the hero army.
But due to a scheme, there was a traitor among the soldiers guarding Toukaku.
The traitor led the Hero Army into Toukaku and cornered the commander.
As a result, Toukaku fell into the hands of the Hero Army and became a base for the invasion of Hokurin.
In the game, it was said that the fall of Toukaku was Kou Tenhou's fault.
If that guy hadn't attacked Toukaku, more soldiers could have been sent in.
Because the town burned down, there were no buildings left for the soldiers to use as barracks.
Due to the halt in logistics, it became difficult to transport food supplies.
So, the number of soldiers stationed in Toukaku decreased.
The soldiers' morale also dropped, leading to the creation of traitors... that's what the game materials said. It claimed that the fall of Toukaku and the crisis in Hokurin were Kou Tenhou's own doing.
But... is that really true?
Was there really no problem with Toukaku before Kou Tenhou burned the town?
Was the mysterious organization 'Golden Feather Syndicate' not involved with Toukaku?
"...I guess I have no choice but to go and find out."
Right now, it's ten years before the game starts, but there might be some clues.
While doing my job as the Defense Vice Captain, I'll try to investigate somehow.
...I'm not sure if I can handle being the Vice Captain of the defense unit.
I've always been just an ordinary person.
And I'm only 14 years old.
Will my subordinates really follow me?
They might think, 'How can this young kid lead us?' and look down on me.
Tanshi-san is probably here to help with that.
If His Royal Highness the King's younger brother's trusted aide is around, the soldiers of Toukaku might show a little more respect.
I guess I'll rely on Ryougen-kun's authority here.
My goal is to check if there are any problems in Toukaku.
I need to make sure the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' hasn't infiltrated that town.
This should also help Aika Country.
I think it's okay to use Ryougen-kun's authority for that.
While thinking about this, I entered the town of Toukaku.
"I've heard the news. Kou Tenhou. We welcome your appointment."
The one who answered was a middle-aged man.
He was big, not as much as my father, but still strong-looking.
He was the captain of the defense in Toukaku, a man named Ri Kai.
"There has never been a 14-year-old Vice Captain. However, if it's a royal command, we have no choice. I hope you can carry out your duties without causing any trouble."
"Thank you, Ri Kai-sama."
I clasped hands with Captain Ri Kai, the captain of the defense.
"Thank you for your guidance!"
"...Hmm."
Captain Ri Kai looked a bit confused.
Maybe it was strange for him that I was being so polite.
But you know, it doesn't really matter how Captain Ri Kai acts.
My goal is to investigate if anything suspicious is happening in the town of Toukaku.
Plus, I can understand why Captain Ri Kai would be surprised if a 14-year-old vice captain of defense suddenly showed up.
Still, he said he wanted me to "carry out my duties without doing anything unnecessary."
For me, who wants to investigate Toukaku, those words are like a dream come true.
I'll do my job calmly as he said and use the extra time for my investigation.
So, I bowed to Captain Ri Kai and said,
"Thank you very much. As you said, I will do my best to carry out my duties safely!"
"Uh, yes. I see."
Captain Ri Kai cleared his throat and said,
"You will lead the 4th Platoon of Toukaku in the Eastern Town. The Platoon Leader will take care of you from now on."
"May I ask a question, Captain Ri Kai?"
"Granted."
"I was told I would become the vice captain of the defense unit..."
"I understand."
Ri Kai-san nodded.
"Your position is Vice Captain. But giving a lot of soldiers to a 14-year-old, they probably won't follow you. So, I want to start by giving you one platoon."
"I see."
"The platoon has 6 members. It's the smallest in Toukaku, called the 'Six-Person Unit'. With that number, you should be able to handle it, right?"
Ri Kai-san smiled slyly.
"I'll tell you where the platoon's base is. First, go meet them. That's all."
With that, Ri Kai-san turned his back, looking busy as the captain of the defense.
"Understood."
I bowed toward his back.
"Kou Tenhou, I will now head to the 4th Platoon."
With that, I left the captain of the defense's room.
"The captain of the defense in Toukaku is rude!"
Tanshi-san shouted as I stepped outside.
"Tenhou-dono was sent by royal command! Yet, Tenhou-dono only has 6 subordinates. And they expect Tenhou-dono to go greet them! Shouldn't the subordinates be welcoming Tenhou-dono instead?"
"Well, I'm just a newcomer, so it can't be helped."
"But!"
"I wanted to look around the town anyway, so this works out."
The town of Toukaku is surrounded by a square wall.
The captain of the defense's office is in the center of town. The 4th Platoon is on the south side.
I'm happy to be able to look around the town while moving.
It's the Toukaku before it was burned, something I couldn't see in the game.
"What a wonderful town. There are so many people."
"Well, it's a defense base. Many soldiers are stationed here. That's why there's less danger of being attacked by thieves or enemy soldiers around Toukaku. People gather here for that reason."
Tanshi-san is right.
The market in Toukaku is crowded with people.
The people passing by look happy. The soldiers are watching over them.
But... in the game, Kou Tenhou burned this town.
I wonder why?
Is something going to happen that makes him have to burn this town?
Or is Kou Tenhou really just a big villain?
...I don't know.
Well, I came here to find that out.
While I was thinking about that, Tanshi-san and I arrived at the platoon's barracks.
It was an old building surrounded by crumbling walls.
There's a stable, but there are no horses.
On the other side of the wall, 2 men are training with spears.
Even when Tanshi-san and I get closer, they don't look our way. They seem focused.
"Excuse me! I am Kou Tenhou, and I have arrived for duty today!!"
I stepped into the barracks and raised my voice.
The men training looked over at us.
"I was told to come here by Ri Kai-sama, the captain of the defense. First, I would like to meet with the Platoon Leader! After that, I hope we can discuss work!!"
The men stared at us in shock.
It was because of the 'ki' energy in my voice. It probably echoed in their ears.
I called out loudly because first impressions are important.
Also, I recognized some of the men training.
They looked much younger than I remembered.
Of course, it's been ten years since the game started.
But when I saw their faces, I knew he was a character from the game.
He had sharp, confident eyes and a scar that ran diagonally across his cheek.
His whitish hair and eyebrows were also distinctive.
He was one of the military officers who fought alongside the Hero.
He was also the one who used a spy to lead the Hero Team into the Toukaku.
"I apologize for the intrusion. Kou Tenhou-dono."
He placed his wooden sword on the ground and clasped his hands towards me.
"I am Heki Nei, the leader of the 'Six-Person Unit'. We welcome the Vice Captain's visit."
And then──the tall young man with white hair introduced himself with a name I recognized.
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