Volume 5 Chapter 2 The Great Villain Of The World, Handing Over The Job Ii
The job handover continued.
During my absence, the Vice Captain of the Eastern Town's defense, Heki Nei-san, was appointed as my substitute.
It was Ri Kai-san (the captain of the defense in Toukaku, connected to Chou), who recommended him.
"I want Heki Nei to keep an eye on me."
That was Ri Kai-san's words.
The one who once dealt with the 'Hidden Five Gods' was Chou Shoukatsu, the heir of the Chou Family.
And Ri Kai-san was previously a subordinate of the Chou Family.
Ri Kai-san had no connection to the dealings with the 'Hidden Five Gods.' But among the soldiers, there are those who doubt him.
That's why he wants Heki Nei-san to watch over him.
"If it's Heki Nei, he will surely keep a strict eye on me."
When I went to greet Ri Kai-san, he said something like that.
"The Crown Prince told me, 'After everything is over, I will question your sins.' Until then, fulfilling my role as captain of the defense is my way of atoning for my sins. So, I will do that with all my might."
"Ri Kai-sama has taken command of the subjugation of the 'Hidden Five Gods.'."
I said.
"I believe that His Highness Rouen will also acknowledge that achievement."
"The one who destroyed the 'Hidden Five Gods' was you, Kou-dono, and your masters. It is not my achievement."
"But..."
"If there is any achievement, it would be that I did not hinder Kou-dono and the others. I will take pride in that and accept my punishment."
"...Ri Kai-sama."
Ri Kai-san seemed to have already made up his mind.
But Ri Kai-san came to Toukaku's town without knowing the circumstances.
On top of that, he has decided to cut ties with the 'Hidden Five Gods.' He's not a bad person.
I think he's a necessary asset for Aika Country.
Crown Prince Rouen told Ri Kai-san to 'atone for his sins through his achievements.'
If that's the case... I should try to talk to Crown Prince Rouen about recognizing his leadership in the subjugation of the 'Hidden Five Gods' as an 'achievement.' That should also lead to a reduction in Ri Kai-san's sentence.
Thinking about ten years from now, I want Toukaku's town to be stable.
With those thoughts in mind, I left Ri Kai-san's side.
Next, I went to see Master Raikou.
The master visits the prison where Bakkai is held every day.
It's to gather testimony and check on Bakkai's condition.
'Bakkai is a disciple of Master Gyoun's school. So, it makes sense for her to be the one to see it through to the end.'
That was Master Raikou's intention.
Of course, Master Raikou is also receiving treatment from Shuu-sensei.
The poison from the 'martial artist killer' has been removed, but she overexerted herself in this battle.
Even though it was to defeat Bakkai, Master Raikou is using her secret technique.
The name of the technique is 'Seiryuu Manifestation.'
It allows her to become the Seiryuu dragon and continuously unleash techniques in the form of the Seiryuu dragon.
...It must have been an amazing technique.
If possible, I wanted to see it with my own eyes.
But if I had been there, I might have said, 'You're just recovering, so please don't push yourself'.
"I'm sorry I couldn't find the time. Tenhou, you will soon return to Hokurin, right?"
"Yes. After I finish greeting everyone and handing over my work."
When I visited, Master Raikou had just returned from the cell.
She was calmly preparing tea and then said,
"Bakkai didn't say anything today either."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"But Master Raikou, you seem to have a calm expression, right?"
"Is that so? No... maybe it is."
After taking a sip of tea, Master Raikou said,
"I'm thinking that Bakkai will eventually open up."
"Is that so?"
"That person's heart is already broken. After talking with Tenhou, she stopped speaking confidently. Your words must have struck a chord with her."
"Is that so? But I just said normal things..."
"Normal is important."
Master Raikou looked intently at me and said,
"Martial artists are always aiming for strength. They learn new techniques, master them, and try to become stronger than others. That's the nature of a martial artist."
In a quiet tone, she said that.
"That man, Kai Shuujaku, probably desired the 'secret book of chaos' for the same reason. According to Yokumai (younger sister disciple), when the secret book was burned, he reportedly screamed as if he had broken down. It was as if he was possessed by the secret book."
"Yes. That man seemed to be crying and screaming."
"I can picture that. Martial artists are weak against things like that. Bakkai and the Ryo siblings couldn't resist the temptation of the 'Four Fiends' technique, Kyuuki. But you are different, right?"
"...Huh?"
"It was the same when you became my disciple. I remember well. You became my disciple just to learn the walking technique."
"That's right. I wanted to protect Seirei and be able to escape together."
"That's why you won't fall for the temptation of the secret book."
Master Raikou said that and smiled.
"You don't care about the 'secret book of chaos.' You aren't obsessed with strength or secret techniques. You could be called an outlier as a martial artist."
"Does that mean I'm a bad martial artist?"
"Not exactly. Well... it's true that you're a bit of a weirdo."
Master Raikou gently patted my head with a kind expression.
"But as an outlier martial artist, you defeated the Ryo siblings. You, who aren't obsessed with strength and secret techniques, defeated those who are. That must have been a tremendous shock for Bakkai. And..."
Suddenly, Master Raikou looked into my eyes.
"In terms of not being obsessed with strength and techniques, you are very similar to Master Gyoun."
"Me, like Master Gyoun?"
"Bakkai mentioned it. She said your eyes are very similar to Master Gyoun's."
"Really? I don't see it myself."
"I didn't notice until someone pointed it out either. It's true, you might resemble him. Master Gyoun also had eyes that seemed to look far into the future. Your eyes are similar to those of my master at that time."
So, I have eyes that look into the future... Master Raikou is sharp.
It's true; I am looking ten years into the future.
I'm acting to avoid the 'Destruction ending' that lies ahead.
But... I don't understand why Master Gyoun had the same look in his eyes.
He was a master of martial arts, and later became a master of medicine.
Then he went into the mountains to become a hermit and disappeared from this world.
What kind of 'future' was Master Gyoun seeing?
"Let's get back to the topic. The reason Bakkai's spirit was broken."
Master Raikou chuckled wryly and took another sip of tea.
"There are 2 things. One is that 'my disciple, whom I poured my heart and soul into raising, was defeated by an heretical martial artist.' The other is that the one who defeated my disciple was you, who has eyes very similar to Master Gyoun's. Especially the latter is significant. Do you understand why?"
"Is it because Bakkai would have completely lost to Master Gyoun...?"
"That's right."
Master Raikou nodded.
"When Bakkai was young, she ambushed Master Gyoun and was countered. The disciple she spent her life raising was defeated by you, who resembles Master Gyoun. In the end, Bakkai has lost to Master Gyoun twice."
"What would have happened if she hadn't touched the 'Four Fiends Technique' and had raised hers disciple normally?"
"She would have made a name for herself in the martial arts world."
"That would have been better..."
"Yeah. She should have raised a disciple who could surpass Master Gyoun in a proper way. By doing so, she could have shown Master Gyoun."
But Bakkai didn't choose that path.
She connected with the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' and chose to become a test subject for the 'Four Fiends Technique.'
Bakkai doesn't have much time left.
Probably... she will live with a sense of defeat until she dies.
"Anyway, I plan to wait here until Bakkai speaks."
Master Raikou said.
"I might be able to get information from the Ryo siblings as well. I'll let you know as soon as I find out anything. You can go to Hokurin with peace of mind."
"Thank you, Master."
I bowed my head to Master Raikou.
"Please take care of Toukaku."
"Understood. You should do what you need to do."
"I got it. I'll fulfill my duty in Hokurin."
"Yeah. But before that, you have something to do, right?"
"...Huh?"
"Before going to His Highness Rouen, make sure to meet Sui Kaou."
Master Raikou said with a wry smile,.
"It's about Kaou. She must be really worried about you. It would be good to show your face and reassure her."
"Yes, Master Raikou."
"And also, make sure to tell her that I properly said 'to meet Kaou'."
"Is that so?"
"I want to be a respected master to my disciples."
Saying that, Master Raikou smiled.
Two days later, I set off towards Hokurin.
The members were me, my bodyguard Shuu-san, and Fuu Senkou.
Fuu Senkou has made achievements in the battle against the 'Hidden Five Gods.'
I plan to inform Ryougen-kun about this and get permission for her to access the library.
When I shared my thoughts, Fuu Senkou was really happy.
She was so excited that she almost had a nosebleed.
After properly wiping her nose, she hugged me and thanked me.
I want Fuu Senkou to become the strongest strategist to support the country.
For now, I want her to enjoy reading as much as she can.
Fuu Senkou needs to learn 'Beast Body Guidance' and 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique' from now on.
For that, I think she should stay with the Kou family for a while.
Of course, that's only if I get permission from the family.
If that seems difficult, I'll have to borrow Shuu-sensei's lodging in Hokurin.
I've already gotten permission from Shuu-sensei for that, so there shouldn't be any problems.
What happens next will depend on what Crown Prince Rouen says.
What does he mean by wanting to 'entrust a mission' to me?
Also, I don't know the current situation in Hokurin.
Is something happening that requires Crown Prince Rouen to need more hands...?
As I thought about such things, the journey continued──.
We safely arrived at the capital of Aika Country, Hokurin.
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