Volume 5 Chapter 19-2 The Great Villain of the World, Heading to Investigate Kiryou's Town (Part I)
"Shouou is here for the investigation too, right?"
"That's because I can use martial arts."
Shouou clenched his fist.
"I have the confidence to protect myself. If I really thought it was dangerous, I could escape with the 'Five Divine Steps.' But... Yuuri-sama doesn't know martial arts, right?"
"Yes. I've heard that."
"So Yuuri-sama has to rely on bodyguards. But, a bodyguard isn't always by their side. When sleeping or taking a bath, there are many chances to be alone. In those times, Yuuri-sama would... be in danger. Knowing that, Yuuri-sama still came to investigate. That's really amazing, isn't it?"
"...I see."
"I truly respect Yuuri-sama from the bottom of my heart."
"I understand your feelings."
I nodded.
"More than that, I think Shouou understands Yuuri-sama's feelings the most. Shouou is the princess of Souma Country, after all."
"Yeah. I'm in the same position as Yuuri-sama. And... as the princess of a neighboring country, it's very lucky to have someone from a friendly nation's royalty to respect."
"Maybe it's lucky for Aika Country to have Shouou too."
I realized I had said those words.
"Shouou understands things about Aika Country, and about His Highness the King's younger brother and Yuuri-san. So, as long as Shouou is here, Aika Country and Souma Country should remain friendly. Shouou's presence is a really big deal for both countries, don't you think?"
"Maybe so."
"Yes, I think so."
"It's nice to hear that from Tenhou."
"Absolutely. Shouou is an important person in Souma Country."
Shouou knows about Aika Country and the 'Golden Feather Syndicate'.
She wants to help us solve the problem.
If Shouou rules Souma Country, Aika Country and Souma Country will be good friends.
But, I don't think Shouou will be the Queen of Souma Country.
Souma Country has a Crown Prince, and Shouou has many siblings.
But, Shouou has a connection to the royal family of Aika Country.
She is important to Souma Country.
Souma Country can't ignore her words.
Shouou will be treasured in Souma Country.
With Shouou, both countries can stay peaceful.
"...Yes. I want to be a bridge for peace between the two countries in the future."
Shouou said that with a shy face.
"I will use the bond I have with the people of Aika Country for peace between the two countries. So that people in both countries can be happy."
"Wonderful. Shouou."
"I would be happy if Tenhou would help me too."
"Of course."
I nodded.
If Aika Country and Souma Country are peaceful, there will be no civil war or war.
We can avoid the 'Destruction ending'.
Of course, I will cooperate.
"If you have something you want to do, Shouou, tell me. I will help you with anything."
"O, okay."
"Yes. Because I am Shouou's friend."
"...Thank you. Tenhou."
Huh?
Why is Shouou looking in a different direction?
Why is she breathing roughly...?
While I was thinking about that──
'Nyaaaan'
A white cat meowed at our feet.
It was a small cat.
It had a small bell on its collar.
This is──
"Tenhou. This cat..."
"It's a cat from Seirei, right? Maybe a liaison officer?"
'Nyaaaan!'
The white cat nodded.
Then it looked up at me and Shouou with a face that said, "I saw everything."
"If you were watching, you should have said something right away."
'Nyan, nyanyan.'
"Huh? 'I have 2 missions? One is to deliver a message...' So, what's the other one?"
'Nyan nyan nyan.'
"...A secret, huh? That one's a mystery?"
'Nyago, nyanyan.'
"Could it be a top-secret order about Yuuri-sama?"
The white cat nodded as if to say, 'Well, something like that.'
Then it scratched its collar and stared at me.
I understood what it wanted to say.
"A regular report from Seirei."
When I reached for the collar... there was a letter hidden beneath it.
"Thank you! You brought this here for me?"
'Nyan nyan!'
"Good job! We're staying at the inn in the back alley. It's the building with the triangle sign on the second floor. Let us know if anything happens."
'Nyaa-go!'
With one last meow, the white cat ran off toward the main street.
After that, Shouou and I headed toward our inn.
We went out onto the main street and started walking slowly.
We chose a crowded place to gather rumors.
There were many people on the main street.
They had gathered to catch a glimpse of Yuuri-san.
If we blended in with the crowd, we could hear various stories.
I thought so.
"Okay then, Tenhou. 'Beast Body Guidance'──"
"Got it, Shouou. 'Snake's Pathway' (snakes love tight spaces)!"
Shouou and I relaxed our bodies.
We became soft like snakes and slipped into the gaps in the crowd.
And then we cleared our minds.
We only listened to the words of the people around us.
The main street was filled with many voices.
──His Highness the King's younger brother's daughter is beautiful.
──It was an astonishingly extravagant procession.
──I long for it. I envy it.
──Is the direction west or north?
──A royal daughter is really different.
I let unrelated words slide.
I focus only on words about Kiryou town and Moukou.
──A young lady of the right age.
──The aim... might be finding a husband.
──Speaking of finding a husband, I heard this rumor.
──Kiryou town.
──A daughter of Moukou.
...I heard it.
Someone is talking about Kiryou town and Moukou.
I change my route.
Like a snake moving in a circle, I start to go around the people talking.
──There are 2 daughters in Moukou.
──Both of them are the same age.
──Moukou is looking for suitable husbands for the two of them.
──The requirement is a strong person.
──Moukou likes martial arts──
──Speaking of martial arts, hiring guards has gotten expensive lately──
As I listened partway, the conversation moved to another topic.
I kept wandering through the crowd, but I found nothing.
Eventually, people disperse.
The crowd disappears, and the main street in the evening becomes sparse.
...The information gathering stops here.
"How was it? Tenhou?"
"...I heard a little about Moukou."
"Really!? That's amazing. I heard nothing at all."
"It wasn't a big deal. Just in case, let's ask Shuu-sensei too. We'll talk about the details at the inn."
Searching for a husband for the daughters of Moukou, huh.
I can't believe this is related to the 'Golden Feather Syndicate,' but... for now, let's go back to the inn and share the information.
If the 3 of us talk, we might notice something.
Thinking about that, we quickly headed toward the inn.
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