Volume 5 Chapter 11 The Great Villain of the World Reads a Secret Letter
I'm sitting in the shade, opening the secret letter.
Shouou is gazing at the sky next to me.
In fact, she's avoiding eye contact with the letter.
It seems she's hesitant to read the letter addressed to me...
"You can look at it, Shouou."
"...Huh? Is it okay?"
"I've skimmed through it. There's nothing in it that would trouble you, Shouou. Besides, I think Tougen-san expected me to show this to others."
Tougen Shimei informed me about the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' so that Aika Country could take measures against them.
For that reason, I need to show this letter to others.
Saying, 'I can't reveal my source.
However, I've learned something about the "Golden Feather Syndicate"' wouldn't be convincing.
However, the people I can show this letter to are limited.
It would be bad if it were found out that the Jinkyo Tribe's elder was in contact with the one who killed Zeng Taiga.
Only those who won't leak information, no matter what, can see this letter.
That means it's someone I trust deeply.
So──
"There's no option to not show this to Shouou."
"R-Really?"
"I don't want to keep secrets from my friends, you know. As much as possible, anyway."
"Y-Yeah. I also don't want to hide myself from Tenhou. As much as possible... but..."
"Then let's read it together."
"Alright, Tenhou."
Shouou shifts closer to me.
We leaned shoulder-to-shoulder and focused on Tougen's letter.
What was written there was──
'From Tougen Shimei. To my friend, Kou Tenhou.
Please forgive me for sending this letter in such a manner.
Originally, I would have liked to meet you directly, Kou Tenhou-dono, but it is difficult under the current circumstances.'
I believe you can guess the reason.
We will meet again when the Jinkyo Tribe unites under His Majesty and Hailon-sama.
I look forward to that moment.'
"Tenhou is truly trusted by Tougen-san, isn't he?"
"We get along well."
Tougen has a voracious thirst for knowledge, wandering to seek it.
He resembles me a bit, as I'm also researching this world.
Well, the reason I'm gathering information is to avoid the 'Destruction ending.'
"The reason Tenhou and Tougen-san can't meet is... because the Jinkyo Tribe isn't united yet, right?"
"That's correct. Some people served Zeng Taiga."
"It's problematic for Tenhou and Tougen-san to be on such intimate terms. That's why we had no choice but to send a letter like this..."
As we discussed this, we continued reading the letter.
'At His Highness's side were those called the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
Some of them have already been defeated and must have been captured by Aika Country.
However, there are several important individuals remaining.
A miko, a child, and a man who wields twin blades.
The child was said to be called 'Yo-sama.'
The miko's name was unknown even to those of the main fighting faction.
I heard she always wore a hood and never showed her face.
These 2 left this land quite some time ago, and their whereabouts are now unknown.
The name of the twin blade wielder is Ko Eison.
When he learned of His Highness's Zeng death, he killed the military commander beside him and fled.
His subordinates pursued him, but they were unable to capture him.
I believe that the "Golden Feather Syndicate" has distorted the character of His Highness Zeng.
In battling with you, the deceased His Highness Zeng had a satisfied expression.
When they saw that face, the war faction believed,
that it was indeed the form of the war god we revered.
Therefore, there are hardly any who harbor resentment towards you in the Jinkyo Tribe.
Of course... it's not entirely non-existent.
Let's return to the topic.
After the death of His Highness Zeng, investigations regarding the "Golden Feather Syndicate" were conducted under the orders of the king and Hailon-sama.
As a result, several things became clear.
Members of the "Golden Feather Syndicate" were uttering the words "Kiryō" and "Mōkō."
Ko Eison headed southwest from our perspective──northwest from the capital of Aika Country.
It is there that a town named "Kiryō" exists.'
"──'Kiryō's town'?"
It was an unfamiliar name.
It doesn't appear in the game 'History of Swordmaster.'
"Shouou, do you know about 'Kiryō's town'?"
"Yeah... I've heard of it."
After a moment of thought, Shouou said,
"'Kiryō' is a trading town located northwest of Hokurin. They say it's at a confluence of rivers, a place with abundant water. Since it's along a major town street, caravans crossing the western desert sometimes stop there."
"That's quite detailed."
"I'm a hostage from Souma Country. I've studied various things to ensure I don't offend the people of Aika Country. Plus, I knew I would be under Ryougen-kun's care."
"Regarding Ryougen-kun, is it?"
"Well... the lord Meng, who governs 'Kiryō Town,' is a relative of Ryougen-kun. I don't know how close their relationship is, though."
Shouou lightly pressed his forehead as if tracing memories.
"You know why His Highness the King's younger brother is called 'Ryougen-kun,' right?"
"It's because he rebuilt towns and villages that were burned down in the war, right?"
"Yeah. Apparently that was about 20 years ago. That battle occurred in the town governed by Meng. I don't know the reason, but it seems it was a terrible fight."
It was during the reign of the previous king.
Moreover, the king was bedridden.
Because of that, the country's response was delayed.
The town was devastated, fields burned, and it became Ryougen.
It was a young Ryougen-kun──Ai Hakusho who pacified it.
Ryougen-kun dealt with the ringleader, calmed the residents, and rebuilt the town.
The restored town became the territory of the King's younger brother, Ai Hakusho.
Since then, he has been referred to as 'Ryougen-kun' with respect.
"Originally, it seems Meng was held responsible for the chaos and lost his territory. I've heard the new territory is in the corner of Aika Country, northwest. That is 'Kiryō Town'..."
"...So, you're saying that Tougen-san is connected to that town and the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'"
The lord Moukou, who governs the town of Kiryou, is a relative of Ryougen-kun.
Perhaps he might even have a blood relation to the king of Aika Country.
Is it possible for someone like that to be associated with an organization that proclaims 'Aika Country will perish'?
Normally, I would think that's impossible...
"...Let's continue reading."
"...That's right."
'This is all I've learned about the "Golden Feather Syndicate."
Ideally, we would investigate Kiryou, but... it's a difficult situation.
The members of the Jinkyo Tribe have different language and culture.
They would quickly see through my identity.
I understand both the language and customs of Aika Country.
I could infiltrate Kiryou.
However, given the current situation, it's impossible for me to leave the country.
It's unfortunate.
I have a request for Kou Tenhou-dono.
Please convey this information to someone trustworthy.
Kou Tenhou-dono is the one who defeated His Highness Zeng.
You must have someone reliable by your side, and you could relay the information to the upper echelons of Aika Country.
However, please proceed with caution.
The 'Golden Feather Syndicate' is shrouded in mystery.
We don"t know where their collaborators might be.
Think about your safety.
Never attempt to infiltrate 'the town of Kiryou' alone.
I look forward to seeing Kou Tenhou-dono again.
In our peaceful countries, without any worries.
Tougen Shimei'
I closed the secret letter.
The fact that Tougen Shimei sent this letter feels like a gamble.
There's a chance I might not notice the secret letter hidden in my belt.
Conversely, someone might notice the letter and read it.
Still, he wrote his name because he genuinely wants to stop the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
For Zeng Taiga, who was used by them, and for me in Aika Country.
"...I need to investigate."
I tucked the secret letter into my pocket and murmured.
"If the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' is connected to Kiryō's town, we can't ignore it."
"Yeah. But we have to proceed with caution."
"Because the other party is related to the royal family."
"That's right. I think it's too dangerous for us to act independently."
Shouou is right.
It's not good for me to conduct an undercover investigation on my own.
If Moukou is unrelated to the 'Golden Feather Syndicate'...
I might be accused of "casting unfounded suspicion on a member of the royal family."
If that happens, it would trouble my father.
Moreover, my brother is currently a candidate for the next 'General of the Devoted Cavalry.'
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