Volume 5 Chapter 20-2 The Great Villain of the World, Heading to Investigate Kiryou's Town (Part II)
The trembling merchants began to close up their shops.
Some were even frozen in place, unable to move.
They must have felt the intense 'ki' energy in the air....
"It's better not to get close to them. Let's head back to the inn as we are today."
Shuu-sensei hunched her shoulders and shook her head.
"Before we investigate the town, we should disguise ourselves more carefully. There might be martial artists who recognize my face."
"Shuu-sensei. I have a suggestion."
"What is it, Tenhou-kun?"
"How about I go to the teahouse ahead of time to gather information?"
He said this while looking at Shuu-sensei's face.
I'll probably be in contact with Seirei again today.
I want to gather some information beforehand.
The teahouse is the best place for gathering information.
When I went to the northern town on Ryougen-kun's mission, I met an investigator at a teahouse.
I also encountered Reki Soukaku and Suuki Taiga of the Jinkyo Tribe in Toushun's town, and it all started at a teahouse.
A teahouse is where people gather.
In a big town like Kiryou, it's even better.
I think it's worth going to understand the atmosphere and vibe of the town.
"I'm not very well-known. I think it'll be fine even if I go to a place with martial artists. Plus, I'm in disguise."
Right now, I've changed my hairstyle and wrapped a headscarf around my head.
Only people close to me would recognize me in this getup.
Seirei's cat figured out my identity, but that's because it judges by smell, I bet.
"I've also chosen an alias. The one I used when I was in Jinkyo Tribe territory before: Shuu Rikuhou. If I'm just a merchant apprentice stopping by the teahouse for market research, I shouldn't stand out."
"Okay... got it."
Shuu-sensei nodded.
"Alright then... no, I think I'll have Rikuhou-kun do the info gathering."
"Got it. Can Shikei come too?"
I asked Shouou.
"I think it's easier for both of us to gather info. There might be things I miss, but Shikei might notice them."
"Of course. Even if you didn't say, I was planning to go with you."
"It's a fake name for Shikei... how about calling him 'Shukaou' and saying he's my older brother?"
"Same last name is no good."
"Huh?"
"Using the same last name would be good luck... no, it's just complicated. When we're called 'Shu' or 'Shukaou,' we'd both have to answer, right?"
"Ah, yeah, that's true."
"While we're at it, let's change my gender too. I'll spend the time pretending to be a girl while gathering info. That way, I can hide my real identity."
"As expected of Shikei. That's a smart idea."
Shouou lives in Aika Country as Sui Kaou, a boy.
Only a few people know she's actually a girl.
Nobody probably thinks that Shouou in girl form and Sui Kaou are the same person.
Master Raikou is famous.
Some might even know his disciple, Sui Kaou.
To hide who she really is, it's better if she's in girl form.
"I'll call myself 'Shisui'."
"So, you're borrowing the name of Sister Sou Shisui-sama?"
"Yeah. That way I won't mix it up. So, Tenhou, just call me 'Sui,' okay?"
"Call me without honorifics?"
"Is that a problem? I call Tenhou 'Riku' too."
"Understood."
"Alright then, I'll call you. Riku...kun."
"Y-yeah. Sui-san..."
"...I told you, call me just 'Sui'."
"...Shikei."
"Shouldn't it be Sui?"
"That's true, but..."
"..."
"..."
"...Um."
"...As long as it's easy to say, it's fine, right?"
"Y-yeah. Riku-kun."
"Got it, Sui-san."
Shouou and I exchanged glances and nodded.
What's going on?
Just calling by a different name makes me super nervous...
"So it looks like you two have reached an agreement."
Shuu-sensei clapped her hands.
"Alright then, first we'll head to the inn. After that, Sui-kun needs to change into women's clothes. We'll head out after that."
"Understood."
"Let's go, Shuu-sensei."
We decided to make our way to the inn in Kiryou town.
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