Volume 5 Chapter 9 Tenhou and Ouka, Fulfilling the Role of Messengers
──A few days later, at the northern fortress──
After a few days of travel, Shouou and I arrived at the northern fortress.
When we told the guard our names, they immediately called for Kairyou-aniue.
Father and Brother, as well as Gaku Kiryuu, are currently stationed at the fortress.
They are not on high alert.
This is probably because the fight with the Jinkyo Tribe is over.
The border area after Zeng Taiga's fall is calm.
So the soldiers mainly patrol the village.
Well, they occasionally catch bandits, but no large-scale battles have occurred.
So Father and Brother quickly agreed to meet with us.
Shouou and I were to meet them in the fortress's office.
"It's been a while. Father, Brother"
"It's been a long time, 'General Skybear'-sama. Kou Kairyou-sama"
Shouou and I bowed to Father and Brother.
Father sat in a chair, nodding happily.
Kairyou-aniue was standing next to him.
"On the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince, I have come to deliver a letter to Brother. Also, I have been commanded to inform you both about what happened in Hokurin and Toukaku of Eastern Town."
"No need for formal speech, Tenhou. And Kaou-dono"
Father nodded while stroking his beard.
"This is a gathering of family only. Speak in your usual tone."
"A gathering of family only..."
Shouou murmured as she looked at Father.
"Then, I will excuse myself."
"What are you saying? Kaou-dono"
Father hurriedly stood up.
"Sui Kaou-dono is probably a senior disciple of Tenhou, right? I hear that in martial arts, senior and junior disciples are like family. So, you are already one of us. Why would you need to leave?"
"Am I, part of the Kou family...?"
"Yes. You are already like family to me."
"I-I'm happy. Thank you, 'General Skybear'-sama."
"You don't need to use such a formal title. That aside, Kairyou."
Father turned his gaze to Brother.
"First, receive this letter. If you can talk about its contents, please tell me as well."
"Understood."
"Then, I will hand you the letter."
I knelt and presented the letter to Brother.
Brother took the letter and quickly scanned it.
"Me...? A candidate for the 'General of the Devoted Cavalry' to protect the capital?"
Brother exclaimed with a surprised expression.
"B-but, did the Chou Family pass away?"
"What!?"
"What happened in Hokurin? It says to hear the details from Tenhou..."
"Yes. Then, I will convey it."
I clasped my hands and began to speak to Father and Brother.
──The hidden circumstances of the town of Toukaku.
──The connection between the bandits and Chou Shoukatsu.
──The capture of the bandits.
──The punishment given to the Chou Family by the royal family.
──Before the messenger could deliver the punishment to the Chou Family, Chou Sekimei and Chou Shoukatsu had died.
After conveying all that, I...
"I think a formal messenger from Hokurin will come eventually to explain the situation. However, His Highness Rouen said that first, I should convey everything to my brother from my own mouth."
──I told my father and brother that.
"'Do not avoid the ominous and convey everything.' This aide of Rouen will face the ominous. I want you to serve after correctly knowing and understanding the events that happened around me'... that was His Highness Rouen's words."
"His Highness said... such a thing?"
"What I just mentioned is a brief summary of the events."
I continue.
"His Highness the Crown Prince said to convey everything. If it's alright, I would like to take my time to tell my brother about what I experienced in Toukaku and what happened in Hokurin."
"Ah, yes. Please."
"Then, may I have some time later?"
"Understood. But... for now, I would like to discuss this letter..."
Then my brother handed the letter to my father.
"Father, please take a look at the letter. It contains something unbelievable."
"Something unbelievable?"
"His Highness ordered me to become the successor of the General of the Devoted Cavalry, and... it says 'you may decline'."
"What!?"
"...With that, I will ask my father."
My brother spoke with a trembling voice,
"Is there ever a time when His Majesty the King or His Highness the Crown Prince gives a command and offers options to their vassals?"
"No... I have never heard of such a thing..."
"So, I can't believe it... that such a thing exists..."
I understand why my brother and father are surprised.
I also didn't think Crown Prince Rouen would write such a letter allowing a refusal.
This world is a monarchy.
The king has powerful command authority over his vassals.
The Crown Prince can give orders to his vassals with the power of the king behind him.
Yet, Crown Prince Rouen says brother can 'refuse' to be the next 'General of the Devoted Cavalry.'
It's no wonder my brother is surprised.
Because if that's the case, becoming the 'General of the Devoted Cavalry' would not be an order, but a 'request.'
If he doesn't want to, he can refuse.
Moreover, Crown Prince Rouen has communicated this not verbally, but in writing.
So even if my brother refuses to be the candidate for 'General of the Devoted Cavalry,' he won't face punishment.
Because it says 'you can refuse' in the letter signed by Crown Prince Rouen.
The reason Crown Prince Rouen did such a thing is──
"His Highness the Crown Prince calls my brother 'my friend.'"
I said.
"So, as a friend, he has given my brother the option to choose, hasn't he?"
"His Highness calling me 'my friend' is a sign of trust. There can't be equality between me and His Highness as friends!"
"As I said earlier, His Highness mentioned wanting you to serve while knowing and understanding the events happening around you correctly. That means if there's no understanding or agreement, you can refuse, doesn't it?"
"So... His Highness giving me the option to choose is about that...?"
"His Highness truly cares for my brother. And..."
"And?"
"...I think some people see the 'General of the Devoted Cavalry' as an ominous position."
"An ominous position... huh?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't want to make brother do such work. But, he wants my trustworthy older brother by my side. I think that's why His Highness left the choice to brother."
When I ask Shouou for a favor, it's kind of like that too.
I don't want to trouble her, but I want Shouou to help... I always think that way when I ask for something.
Well, in Shouou's case, she always helps right away.
For Crown Prince Rouen, my brother might be like Shouou is for me.
"I wonder if His Highness really thinks that way... Does he see me as 'his friend' in the literal sense? That's why he gave me a choice..."
Brother stared at the letter with wide eyes.
"So... has His Highness truly changed?"
"...Brother."
"It was the same when he came to this fortress before. His Highness spoke to Haku Kan and Kei Koshou, who committed crimes. It was a splendid sight. I think His Highness has changed."
"Yes."
"The one who hasn't changed is me. Just from a single letter from His Highness, I'm this shaken. Truly, it's pathetic."
Brother smiled wryly.
"Those who are close often don't notice changes. Now that I think about it, when I was in Hokurin, I couldn't really notice Tenhou growing. It seems I forget that people can change."
"As for me, I think His Highness Rouen has changed."
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