Volume 5 Chapter 7 The Great Villain Of The World Is Asked To Deliver A Package
The next day, I was at the palace of the Aika Country.
The place is a room past the main gate of the palace.
It is smaller than the audience room.
This seems to be a room where the royal family talks secretly with their followers.
In the room, there were me, Crown Prince Rouen, and Han Kei-san from the 'Wolf Cavalry.'
There were also some other 'Wolf Cavalry' members outside the room keeping guard.
"Good to see you, Kou Tenhou"
Crown Prince Rouen said while sitting in a chair.
"Thank you for your hard work in Toukaku of Eastern Town. I heard you safely caught the bandits. I appreciate your efforts."
"Thank you, Your Highness"
I knelt down on the floor and clasped my hands together.
Then I took out what was in the bag and held it up.
This is the haigyoku jade (small jade crafts worn on the body) that was given to me by Crown Prince Rouen before.
When Crown Prince Rouen came to the town of Toukaku, he gave me this haigyoku jade.
He then declared to everyone that I would be the main person investigating the bandits.
Since then, I have kept the haigyoku jade.
But...it's a hassle to have it close at hand.
To be honest, it's a valuable item.
I want to get it back quickly.
"I would like to return the haigyoku jade that I had in my possession. Please accept it."
"I understand. Then, Han Kei."
"Yes. Your Highness the Crown Prince"
Han Kei-san, who was standing nearby, received the haigyoku jade according to proper etiquette.
Now I can relax.
"I could have given this haigyoku jade as a reward, but"
"No. It's too heavy for me."
"Well well. You will be rewarded some other time."
Saying that, Crown Prince Rouen stopped speaking.
For a while, there was silence.
Neither I nor Crown Prince Rouen said anything.
Han Kei-san from the Wolf Cavalry didn't either.
Only a small sound was echoing, like tap-tap.
It was the sound of Crown Prince Rouen tapping his heel.
It sounded like he was thinking about something.
"Kou Tenhou."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"As I wrote in the letter, I want to give you a task."
The sound of footsteps stopped, and Crown Prince Rouen opened his mouth.
"First, look up, Kou Tenhou."
"...Y-Yes."
"Also, you should change the way you speak. Talk like you did at my uncle's house."
"When you say to talk like I did at His Highness the King's younger brother's house...?"
Could it be about when we talked in the hallway of Ryougen-kun's house?
...Now that I think about it, I told Crown Prince Rouen that "We should take care of Souma Country."
I was worried because Crown Prince Rouen looked down on Souma Country.
Even if he tells me to talk like I did back then...no, that's impossible.
This is the royal palace.
You can lose your head just by the way you speak.
"This Kou Tenhou is a man of good manners"
"That's true. But you are also a man who does not lie."
"The one who doesn't lie?"
"Your words are often harsh to my ears. But I think that's because you don't lie."
Crown Prince Rouen is staring down at me.
It's not the same strong feeling I had when we first met.
It's also different from the calm feeling that follows.
I felt a mysterious dignity.
When I'm in front of this person, I naturally want to bow my head.
It's like I'm standing in front of Ryougen-kun.
"My cousin, Chou Shoukatsu, made a fake peace. It was a lie that only felt good to him."
Crown Prince Rouen said that with a bitter voice.
"When Chou Shoukatsu was the captain of the defense in Toukaku, he made secret deals with a gang of bandits. Because of this, he only protected his own town and pushed danger onto other towns. You know that too, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You also heard about what happened to the Chou Family from my uncle, right?"
"Yes. Recently, I learned about it from His Highness the King's younger brother."
"Yeah. Rouen asked him to tell you."
"Your Highness did?"
"I thought I might not be able to talk calmly. Because there were many things with Uncle Chou that you are also involved in."
"Thank you for your concern."
I gave a bow to Crown Prince Rouen.
"I understand your feelings, Your Highness."
"It's no problem. Rouen is... calm now."
Crown Prince Rouen nodded.
"I learned one thing from this incident"
"...Your Highness? "
"What Rouen needs is not a pleasant lie, but a harsh truth. With that in mind, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Yes. Your Highness"
"Our country has now decided to enter into a pact with the Jinkyo Tribe to pledge peace."
"A Treaty of Peace?"
In this world, a 'Treaty' means that people of high rank gather together and make a vow.
It seems that it will happen with the Jinkyo Tribe.
Does that mean the moderate group of the Jinkyo Tribe has taken power?
"Could it be that Hailon Taiga will join us from the Jinkyo Tribe?"
"That's right."
"So... the moderates have become the main group in the Jinkyo Tribe."
"Yes. Right now, someone named Hailon Taiga is close to the leader of the Jinkyo Tribe. They are working for peace. My father and uncle agreed to this and decided to hold a meeting."
"I understand the story."
I bowed my head.
"So... what should I do?"
"At the meeting, 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin will be there. He will represent Aika Country. So, please take this haigyoku jade to him."
Crown Prince Rouen pointed to the haigyoku jade I had just returned.
"The meeting with the Jinkyo Tribe will be near the northern fortress. To make the promise of peace, we need proof that our royal family agrees to the meeting. This haigyoku jade is that proof. You should go to the northern fortress and deliver this to Kou Eishin."
"Me...?"
"Are you not happy with that?"
"No, that's not it. But... I don't understand why Your Highness asked me."
If he wants to send haigyoku jade, he just need to send a messenger.
So... why me?
"That's because I have one more thing I want to ask you."
Crown Prince Rouen said.
"I command Kou Tenhou. Go to the northern fort and meet Kou Eishin and Kou Kairyou. Then, share what happened in Toukaku and about the Chou Family. Do not hide anything, tell everything."
"...Huh?"
"After that, tell Kou Kairyou to return to Hokurin. But, that must be after you finish passing the message to Kairyou. About Toukaku and the Chou Family... speak plainly, avoid no bad luck, and tell everything."
"Your Highness, that is..."
"I believe this is something only you can do."
Crown Prince Rouen had a serious tone.
"If it was someone else, if I said 'do not avoid bad luck and tell everything', they would not do it. They would dress up their words, avoid bad words, and say nothing that could cause trouble. They might use pleasant and comfortable words. But, you are different, right?"
"You think I can convey the information correctly?"
"That's right"
"But I'm not the only one. I'm sure the people of 'Wolf Cavalry' will be able to give them the right information."
"They have another mission"
Crown Prince Rouen shook his head.
"From now on, 'Wolf Cavalry' will be assisting Kairyou. When Kairyou takes on the role of protecting the Hokurin area, they will be able to assist him. For that reason, we must reorganize the unit."
...I see.
Is that so?
After returning to Hokurin, Kairyou-aniue will take on the role of 'General of the Devoted Cavalry.'
But, my brother's military experience is only from the northern fortress.
He has never worked near the capital.
So, the 'Wolf Cavalry' will help with that lack of experience.
"Your Highness wants to tell my brother everything, right?"
"Yes."
"You want to share everything without hiding anything?"
"Yes."
"Can I ask why you say that?"
"This advisor of Rouen will have to face bad luck."
Crown Prince Rouen declared.
"I don't want to hide bad events from my advisors. I want them to know what really happened around me and understand it."
"Bad events..."
"Also, in the military, facts are important. We need the messy truth, not pretty stories. I want you to tell Kairyou this."
"Can I say something?"
"Go ahead."
"Your Highness...are you pushing yourself too hard?"
Suddenly, I became worried.
Crown Prince Rouen has just lost a relative.
He told his advisors about the ominous events, and asked him to serve someone with full understanding...
He seems like he's forcing himself.
"I'm not pushing myself too hard"
Crown Prince Rouen smiled gently.
"I have someone to share my misfortune with. It's okay. But I appreciate your words."
"No, I said too much."
"It is not uncommon for you to say things that are hard to hear."
"Sorry"
"But you are also a trustworthy person. You may be a necessary villain for Rouen."
...a necessary villain?
Me?
Crown Prince Rouen noticed my puzzled expression,
"The word 'villain' also means 'unpleasant.' You always give me bitter advice, and you must be a 'villains the world needs' for this Rouen. No, should I say you are a 'villains the world needs' as well?"
"Your Highness"
"What is it?"
"...Is that something like a joke?"
"Did it sound like I was blaming you? If so, I'm sorry."
"No, no, that's not it."
"I see."
"Yes."
...A villains the world needs, huh.
When I hear that, I remember a dream I had before.
In the dream, King Rouen said.
'You, the great villain of the world, could not change your fate.' ...he said.
Could those words mean "a great villains the world needs (a person who is unpleasant but needed by everyone)"?
Is it like "good medicine is bitter to the mouth"?
...No, that can't be it.
I really don't think that's the case.
"Your Highness"
"What is it, Kou Tenhou?"
"I wish you'd refrain from saying in public that I'm a 'villain for the world'"
"I know. I only say it in front of you."
"Please"
After saying that, I clasped my hand.
"I humbly accept the task of delivering haigyoku jade to the northern fortress. I promise to tell my father and brother about what has happened in the town of Toukaku and about the Chou family without hiding anything."
"Please"
"I'm carrying valuables. Can I bring someone with me for safety?"
"I leave it to you. If you need anything, just tell Han Kei."
"I understand."
Let's forget about the 'great villains the world needs.'
A pledge of peace was made with the Jinkyo Tribe.
This is a good thing.
One of the routes to the ruined end will be completely wiped out.
I'll think about the rest after I've done my job.
First, I need to deliver the news to Father and Brother at the northern fort.
I will take on Ryougen-kun's task after I return to Hokurin.
I was told I can use people, so I should be able to deal with the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
I also need to contact Master Raikou to get information about Bakkai and the others.
First... I need to decide who will go with me to the northern fort.
After leaving the palace, let's go visit them.
...I hope Shouou is doing well.
Thinking about that, I left Crown Prince Rouen's place.
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