Volume 5 Chapter 10-2 Meeting the Envoys of the Jinkyo Tribe, Kou Eishin and Kou Kairyou
"Sakugetsu, once the beloved steed of my former lord, is now the mount of someone from Aika Country. That horse is a legendary creature, appearing once in a millennium, and a treasure of the Jinkyo Tribe..."
"Wait. Messenger."
Kou Eishin raised his hand, halting the words of the messenger Ranga.
"Indeed, that horse is ridden by someone from Aika Country. However, this was done with the consent of Tougen Shimei-dono. The horse itself is following its current master of its own will. There should be no issue, correct?"
"I am aware."
"Then why the concern for Sakugetsu?"
"I wish for a worthy saddle to be used for such a noble steed."
With that, Ranga unveiled the cloth covering the gift.
What appeared was a saddle.
It was made of sturdy leather.
The surface was adorned with various decorations.
The stirrups and reins were also included.
A strap lay atop the saddle.
Unlike the others, it was simple.
Perhaps it was one of the garments of the Jinkyo Tribe.
"I wish to present this to Sakugetsu's master. This is my brother Tougen Shimei's wish."
Ranga stood up and bowed deeply.
"My brother said, 'As a member of the Jinkyo Tribe, I want the former lord's beloved steed to have the finest equipment.' 'The saddle and stirrups are essential.' 'The strap is one of the garments of the Jinkyo Tribe. If unnecessary, it can be discarded.' Could you deliver this to Sakugetsu's master?"
"For the current master of Sakugetsu... is that it?"
"No, I wish for you to consider it a gift for Sakugetsu."
"...Hmm."
Eishin's gaze briefly shifted to the side.
He likely recalled Tenhou, who was in the adjacent room──separate from the waiting area.
The master of Sakugetsu refers to Tenhou.
He had defeated Zeng Taiga, won the favor of the beloved steed, and made it his mount.
The messenger's gift of equipment is likely to announce that Sakugetsu has become Tenhou's steed.
Tougen Shimei entrusted Sakugetsu to Tenhou, but there are some in the Jinkyo Tribe who do not know this.
Some may even think that Tenhou stole Sakugetsu.
If they wear the horse gear gifted by the Jinkyo Tribe, it can prevent that.
They can demonstrate to everyone that they obtained Sakugetsu with their consent.
Tougen Shimei must be targeting that.
"The chancellor of the Jinkyo Tribe cares about the master of Sakugetsu..."
Kou Eishin spoke with an impressed tone.
"Understood. In the name of 'General Skybear,' I promise to deliver this horse gear to the master of Sakugetsu."
"Thank you."
Ranga said that and gave a bow.
"'If it is the master of Sakugetsu, he should understand the significance of receiving these...'... those were my brother's words."
"I will convey those words to the master of Sakugetsu."
"Thank you. Now, let's continue with the alliance discussions."
"Understood. Now, regarding the location of the altar for the oath..."
"I will inform you about the customs of the Jinkyo Tribe. In my clan..."
Kou Eishin and envoy Ranga began discussing the alliance once again.
It was strange.
Even though the discussion was not finished, Ranga had a look as if he had lifted a burden from his shoulders.
Was delivering the horse gear such an important task?
(...Does this mean Tenhou is a figure of great importance to the Jinkyo Tribe?)
Perhaps Tenhou should have been present at this gathering.
If that were the case, the discussion would have likely progressed more smoothly... Thinking that, Kairyou shook his head.
Tenhou killed the prince of the Jinkyo Tribe.
Among those accompanying envoy Ranga, there are surely some who do not think well of Tenhou.
That is why Ranga did not mention Tenhou's name.
The phrase "a gift for Sakugetsu" was likely said to divert attention from Tenhou.
The envoy from the Jinkyo Tribe is being quite considerate.
It is impossible to have Tenhou present at the meeting with that person.
(Besides, negotiations with the Jinkyo Tribe are my and my father's responsibility. I shouldn't rely on Tenhou.)
With that thought, Kairyou straightened his posture.
Soon, a formal envoy from Hokurin will come to Kairyou.
An envoy carrying the order to "take up the duty of protecting the capital."
Until then, he must advance his work in this land as much as possible.
To inform Crown Prince Rouen that the northern lands have become peaceful.
While thinking such things, Kairyou listened intently to the conversation between his father and the envoy.
* * *
──From Tenhou's perspective──
The next day, Shouou and I set out towards Hokurin.
There was no send-off.
The alliance with the Jinkyo Tribe is approaching.
The envoy had just returned.
They might still be nearby.
At such a time, I cannot afford to have a send-off for Kou Tenhou, who killed Zeng Taiga.
Therefore, we left the fortress before dawn.
In the dim light, Shouou and I rode our horses away from the fortress.
We stopped when the sun had fully risen.
Once the fortress was out of sight, we decided to take a short break.
"That said, what splendid horse gear."
While gazing at the saddle on Sakugetsu, Shouou remarked.
"It has decorations I've never seen before. The stirrups... they can be adjusted in length. Perfect for the growing Tenhou."
"Indeed."
"But why did they put a belt on it?"
"They said it was one of the Jinkyo Tribe's garments."
"It's quite a simple belt, isn't it? Compared to the horse gear, it seems lacking... Wait, Tenhou!? What are you doing!?"
"I'm unpicking the stitches of the belt."
"W-why!? Is it because I said it was a simple belt!? That's not right! It's a gift from the Jinkyo Tribe!!"
"Yes, this is a gift from Tougen Shimei-san."
"Y-yeah. I have to take care of it..."
"I understand. That's why I'm checking the contents."
"C-checking the contents?"
"This belt is made by sewing 2 pieces of fabric together. And this part has a loose knot. The other parts are neatly sewn. Don't you think that's strange?"
"...Huh?"
Shouou peeks at my hands.
Then, her eyes widen,
"It's true. But it could be a coincidence, right?"
"This was officially given by the Jinkyo Tribe. I can't believe there would be any carelessness. Plus, this belt makes a rustling sound when shaken."
As if something is hidden inside the belt.
"Tougen Shimei-san said, 'If you are the lord of Sakugetsu, you should understand the meaning of these items.'"
"Yeah. The messenger, Ranga-san, said that too. If that's the case..."
"Maybe this belt has a secret message hidden in it."
In the game 'History of Swordmaster', the Jinkyo Tribe also plotted against the Heroic Legion.
Sending secret messages and spreading rumors.
At that time, the strategist of the Jinkyo Tribe was Tougen Shimei.
I've spent a short time with Tougen Shimei.
I consider him a friend.
It's entirely possible for him to contact me secretly.
"...I knew it."
As I unravel the stitches of the belt, I find a folded piece of paper tucked in the fabric's gap.
Faint letters come into view.
No doubt about it.
A message from the Jinkyo Tribe... no, from Tougen Shimei.
"The chancellor of the Jinkyo Tribe is sending a secret message to Tenhou?"
"You didn't want to make it public, did you? There are those in the Jinkyo Tribe who see me as an enemy."
"Indeed... that's true. Even though the moderates have become mainstream, not everyone is on the same page..."
"In such a situation, it's difficult for Prime Minister Tougen-san to send me a letter."
"I get that, right? But aren't Tenhou and Tougen-san amazing!?"
"Is that so?"
"Because this is something Tougen-san couldn't do without trusting Tenhou, right!? If Tenhou hadn't noticed the secret letter, it would mean nothing. They are too in sync!"
"...Is that so?"
After all, the messenger was Tougen Shimei's brother.
There was a gift for me.
There were hints in Ranga-san's words too.
'The sash is one of the Jinkyo Tribe's garments. If it's unnecessary, feel free to dispose of it.'
'If you are the master of Sakugetsu, you should understand the significance of these gifts.'
Moreover, the messenger Ranga-san emphasized that it was a gift from Tougen Shimei.
Normally, they would say it was a gift from the Jinkyo Tribe.
With all these conditions, one would notice.
"Also, I was listening next door in the audience chamber. I understood the atmosphere there. If I had heard it later, I might not have noticed."
"Is that how it is?"
"That is how it is."
After responding to Shouou, I opened the secret letter.
First, there was a signature.
'From Tougen Shimei. To my friend, Kou Tenhou.'
And then, after that──
It detailed the fact that an organization called 'Golden Feather Syndicate' was operating behind Zeng Taiga and that an investigation was conducted within the Jinkyo Tribe... and what was discovered as a result.
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