Volume 5 Chapter 19 The Great Villain of the World, Heading to Investigate Kiryou's Town (Part I)
──Tenhou's perspective──
"Well then, let's all set out."
"Yes. Shuu-sensei" "Understood!"
About half a bell late to Yuuri-san's group.
I, Shouou, and Shuu-sensei left for Kiryou's town.
We're divided into teams to investigate.
Yuuri-san's team aims to get close to Moukou.
Officially──that is, using their power to gather info.
Our role is to gather info in the town.
Specifically, listening to rumors and checking for suspicious people.
Also, the town's safety and economy are important info.
'Yuuri-sama and Kō are watching the noble highness, while Tenhou-sama and us look at the commoners,' Senkou said, and I think that makes perfect sense.
As expected of a book lover.
That was a clever comparison.
Just as Senkou said, we walk on the ground and mingle with the people.
And then we gather info.
Disguised as merchants──that's why.
Of course, we've prepared goods too.
Clothes, shoes, herbs, and so on.
Light, easy to carry, and quick to dispose of if needed.
Ryougen-kun and Shuu-sensei picked the items.
Traveling doctor Shuu-sensei can tell a customer's body shape and shoe size just by looking.
She can match clothes and shoes perfectly.
Herbs is also her specialty.
After preparing the goods, Ryougen-kun said,
"If these products become a nuisance, just burn them."
What's important is people, not goods or money.
In emergencies, throw away unnecessary things and save your life.
That was what Ryougen-kun said.
Those words were engraved on my heart.
I, Shouou, and Shuu-sensei all made a promise.
When the time comes, we'll discard the unnecessary and protect Yuuri-san and the others.
With that vow in our hearts, we started acting as a separate squad.
"Let's confirm what's going on with Moukou first."
As we walked past the cart, Shuu-sensei spoke up.
We're heading northwest on the town roads.
In a few days, we'll reach Kiryou town.
By then, we need to make sure we know about Moukou and the situation around him.
"Moukou governs Kiryou town and its surroundings. The current lord is Mō Etsu-sama, who is in his forties. After the turmoil 8 years ago, he moved his territory to Kiryou town. He has many children and is said to enjoy martial arts."
"Does Moukou like martial arts?"
"Yes, it seems he supports martial artists like Ryougen-kun and invites them as guests."
"Has Shuu-sensei been approached too?"
"No, I haven't. But I heard that my senior disciple was approached before she became Ryougen-kun's guest."
"Is that so?"
"Moukou seems to be picky about 'the first-rate'."
Shuu-sensei said calmly,
"It seems it's about 'masters of one art'. I, who have dabbled in both martial arts and medicine, might be considered second-rate."
"That's too humble of you!"
Shouou's voice was loud.
"Shuu-sensei has mastered both martial arts and medicine. There's no way such a Shuu-sensei could be second-rate!"
"Thank you, Kaou-kun."
Shuu-sensei smiled wryly,
"But now, I am a doctor. I don't think I'm of interest to Moukou, who likes martial arts."
"Why do you think Moukou supports martial artists?"
I asked.
"Ryougen-kun gathers guests for the country, right? Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei work for the country. But Moukou has no reason like that, right?"
"Maybe it's just a hobby."
"A hobby..."
"Also, the numbers are different. Moukou's martial artists are really few."
Ryougen-kun has over a hundred guests.
But Moukou has about ten guests.
It's really like a personal hobby.
"'Moukou is raising martial artists to protect the town,' Ryougen-kun thinks. Kiryou's town is important for transportation, and merchants come from the west."
"Merchants from the west?"
"Yes. From far west. They say people with gold and silver hair come."
Gold and silver hair... They're merchants from the West.
Travelers come to this country, over mountains and deserts.
"The border town is the royal family's land. Kiryou's town is just near the border. But, that land has a lot of water. That's why people are attracted."
"A town with a lot of water."
"Yes. There are waterways in the town, and clean water always flows."
The merchants come over deserts and mountains.
They suffer from thirst and lack of water during the journey.
For them, Kiryou's town, with a lot of water, is like an oasis.
"Moukou's father was trusted by the former king Your/His/Her Majesty. The king moved his land to take responsibility for the turmoil... But, he probably wanted to give him good land."
"...Is that so?"
Kiryou's town doesn't appear in the game 'History of Swordmaster'.
The map isn't made that far.
The road ends before, so I can't go to the northwest corner.
Mō Etsu won't appear in the game either.
In the game, Westerners don't show up at all.
The character designs are mostly black-haired.
Of course, there are some differences in hair color.
There are characters with light or brownish hair.
But people with golden or silver hair... almost don't exist, except for one.
The only exception is the beauty of the nation, Ryuu Seirei.
She's the only one with silver hair and reddish eyes.
And there's no one else who looks like Seirei.
But there might be other people with golden or silver hair in this world.
There are towns not in the game, and important people like Moukou exist.
They are characters outside the game's setting.
Or... maybe they appear in 'History of Swordmaster', who knows.
Well, there's no way to be sure.
Anyway... from here on, my game knowledge might not apply.
I need to be careful.
Thinking about that, I kept walking towards Kiryou's town.
"This is where we'll stay tonight. I'll watch the luggage, so Tenhou-kun and Kaou-kun should explore the town."
""Yes, Shuu-sensei!""
We arrived at the town in the evening and found a place to stay.
This is our lodging for today.
The inn is a bit away from the main street.
It's a commoner's inn.
A short walk will take you to the main street.
Shouou and I were walking when... we saw a crowd had gathered.
They were there to catch a glimpse of Yuuri-san – the daughter of His Highness the King's younger brother.
Yuuri-san's travel route is the same as ours.
We're staying in the same town.
The only difference is that we're staying at a commoner's inn, while Yuuri-san's group is renting a big inn on the main street.
We are staying in the same town to protect Yuuri-san.
If something happens, we will get a message.
Shouou, Shuu-sensei and I are like a special force.
We protect Yuuri-san from outside.
That's the plan.
"...Look, Tenhou. Yuuri-sama is getting out of the carriage."
"...Yes. I see it."
I saw Yuuri-san's carriage door open.
But, I can't see her very well.
Because she is surrounded by guards.
I can only see her hair and the shape of her clothes.
Shouou and I sighed in relief when we saw that.
The security seems good, that's good.
"I saw silver hair. Seirei seems to be with Yuuri-sama."
"Senkou-kun should be there too... I didn't see her."
"She's short, you know. But, I think she's nearby."
"Master Raikou and Touri-san are guarding. It's okay."
Shouou was watching Yuuri-san's group, and then, she nodded──
"Amazing. Yuuri-sama is amazing."
She mumbled that.
"Yuuri-sama is the daughter of His Highness the King's younger brother. She is going to Kiryou town to investigate... That's something you can't do without a lot of determination. I respect the royal family of Aika Country for having such a person."
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