Volume 2 Chapter 35 The Great Villain Of The World, Returns To His Family I
The next day, we set off towards Aika Country.
It was a journey protected by soldiers.
Shouou and I were riding horses, moving towards the back of the procession.
In the center of the procession, there was a carriage carrying Kai Shuujaku and the general of the Jinkyo Tribe.
Everyone was tied up and blindfolded.
Shuu-sensei and the soldiers were moving right next to the carriage, acting as guards for the prisoners.
They were ready to stop Kai Shuujaku if he made any suspicious moves.
Kaine and Nona were riding in the carriage, moving close to us.
There were 2 women taking care of them in the carriage.
Since we were going to an unknown country, it was better to have familiar faces nearby──so the chief of the Bokou Tribe brought a few women along with them.
For some reason, Kaine wanted to ride my horse, and Nona wanted to ride Shouou's horse.
It was a peaceful journey.
The soldiers looked satisfied.
This was probably because the mission was to establish friendly relations with the Bokou Tribe. Plus, we had stopped the invasion from the Jinkyo Tribe and even captured prisoners, which was more than we expected.
Because of that, the soldiers were considerate towards me, Shouou, Kaine, and Nona. During the camping, they even prepared the cooking stove and tents as if they were competing for speed.
It seemed that the feelings of the soldiers reached the women of the Bokou Tribe as well, as they cooked their special dishes for us every time we camped.
I want to feed Kaine and Nona familiar food to help them feel at ease... that's part of it, I guess.
But the leftover food was also shared with me, Shouou, Shuu-sensei, and the soldiers.
The women of the Bokou Tribe were happy to see us eating.
Because of that atmosphere, I think both Kaine and Nona were able to travel calmly.
Shouou and I were surprisingly busy.
We talked with Kaine and Nona, and took turns with Shuu-sensei to keep an eye on Kai Shuujaku.
Kai Shuujaku hasn't said a word since then.
He doesn't resist. He just eats his meals quietly.
He's probably already made up his mind.
Soon, he will be put in a prison in Aika Country.
I hope he can answer some questions before that.
I just want any information related to the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
But... dealing with Kai Shuujaku is tricky.
Kai Shuujaku's child is the game's protagonist, Kai Yougetsu.
If we execute his father... Aika Country itself might earn the protagonist's wrath.
But I can't just leave Kai Shuujaku alone either.
So, when we arrive in Hokurin, I plan to send a letter to Ryougen-kun.
──Kai Shuujaku's child is a user of the 'Four Fiends' technique, Kyuuki.
──That person is with an organization called the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
──It's a martial artist's intuition, but I think they could be a strong enemy.
──Please be careful when dealing with Kai Shuujaku.
...So.
This is a report as a member of the messenger.
...After this, I can only leave it to Ryougen-kun and the leaders of Aika Country.
I have no right to do anything about that person.
And then, a few days later.
As we continued our journey, a messenger came from across the highway.
The messenger was from Hokurin, the capital of Aika Country.
They informed us about Tanshi-san and Gaku Kiryuu.
It seems the two of them arrived safely in Hokurin.
After that, they met with the king of Aika Country and requested support for the Bokou Tribe.
As a result, Aika Country decided to establish friendly relations with the Bokou Tribe.
Gaku Kiryuu will work as a guest general for Aika Country.
A mansion has already been prepared for Gaku Kiryuu, and he is waiting there for Kaine and Nona to arrive. To make sure they feel comfortable, the furniture is said to be familiar to the Bokou Tribe.
The messenger delivered a box-shaped carriage to pick up Kaine and Nona.
Inside, they won't have to worry about being seen from outside.
It's a consideration to help them move calmly, even in a foreign land.
As expected of Ryougen-kun. The welfare system is thorough.
"That's great, isn't it? Kaine-san. Nona-san."
After hearing the story, I called out to the two of them.
"The friendship between Aika Country and the Bokou Tribe has been established. This will prevent the invasion from the Jinkyo Tribe. You two can live freely in Aika Country as nobles of a friendly nation."
"...freely."
"That's right, Kaine-san."
"...Is it okay to go out and play freely?"
"Well, as long as you get permission from the people around you and Nona-san, I think it should be fine."
"......Okay. I understand."
Kaine nodded with satisfaction.
On the other hand, Nona looked worried.
It's because it's a life in an unfamiliar country. She must have a lot of concerns.
"Don't worry, Nona-san."
It was Shouou who spoke to her.
"Aika Country values its guests from other countries. I'm from Souma Country too, but I'm traveling normally with Tenhou and the others like this."
"Y-yes, Kaou-sama."
"If you have any worries, you should consult your father, Tanshi-san, or Shuu-sensei. Of course, I and Tenhou will help you too."
"...Thank you very much."
Nona deeply bowed her head to Shouou.
"I'm happy to have met Kaou-sama..."
"R-really? I'm glad to hear you say that."
"Y-yes. From now on, I look forward to your guidance."
It seems that neither Kaine nor Nona feels anxious about their new life.
They are important figures for the friendship between Aika Country and the Bokou Tribe.
Kaine is also a key figure in the 'Four Fiends' technique, chaos.
I'll make sure to pay attention so that the two of them can live peacefully.
As time passed──
Our journey continued without any problems──
We safely arrived at the capital of Aika Country, Hokurin.
Outside the town of Hokurin, soldiers were gathered.
Not right in front of the town gate... but a little before that, on the road.
There, soldiers were forming a crowd.
And in the center was──Ryougen-kun, the younger brother of the king of Aika Country.
"Thank you for fulfilling your mission!"
Ryougen-kun shouted in a loud voice.
"I, Ai Hakusho, am truly grateful to you all."
Ryougen-kun was sitting in an open carriage, looking at us.
Next to the carriage were Tanshi-san and Gaku Kiryuu.
Behind them... were Seirei and Touri-san. Huh, why?
There's no way they would know when I was coming back.
...Could it be that Ryougen-kun called them?
Hakuyou was also there as a guard beside Seirei and Touri-san.
Touri-san looked at Shuu-sensei and let out a sigh of relief.
She must have felt reassured seeing her mother's face after a long time.
Seirei looked... very calm.
She seems to have matured a lot since we last met.
Maybe it's because she became friends with Ryougen-kun's daughter.
Nearby, there was an elder who took care of Shouou.
He was holding something like a letter.
Maybe it was a letter from Souma Country. He probably wanted to show it to Shouou as soon as possible.
"I can't believe... Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother is here!"
Shouou's eyes widened.
"W-Why such a grand welcome?"
"That's probably because we are no longer a secret mission."
It was Shuu-sensei who answered the question.
"The Aika Country and Bokou Tribe are forming a friendly relationship to act as a deterrent against the Jinkyo Tribe. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother probably wants to announce that widely. If the rumors spread, the Jinkyo Tribe will find it harder to act."
"It also serves as a way to appeal to other tribes... I mean, to promote it."
I said.
"The Bokou Tribe has been welcomed by Aika Country. If that's the case, other tribes might think, 'If we form a friendly relationship with Aika Country, we will be treated well too.' If that happens, they might send their own friendly envoys."
"Tenhou is right. Ryougen-kun must have thought that far ahead."
Maybe because Ryougen-kun was there, the main road was temporarily blocked.
However, people were gathering around the town gate in the distance.
Ryougen-kun seems to have everyone curious about who he came to greet.
Also... now that I think about it, there's a covered carriage parked near the gate.
It has the royal family's emblem on it.
It looks like there are other royal family members besides Ryougen-kun who have come.
I wonder if they came to check on things. Who could it be?
"Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother, we are honored by your personal welcome."
Shuu-sensei, representing the delegation, knelt down on the ground.
I, along with Shouou and the other soldiers, followed suit.
Kaine and Nona, who got off the carriage, did the same, along with the women accompanying them.
"We, the messenger, have returned safely."
"Thank you for your hard work. You all have fulfilled your mission splendidly."
Ryougen-kun nodded with a calm expression.
"The captains of the soldiers will report, so... the others should rest comfortably at home."
"Thank you for your consideration."
""Thank you very much!!""
We echoed Shuu-sensei's words.
Then, Shuu-sensei said,
"Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother, the Bokou Tribe members are tired from their long journey, so I, Gen Shuuyoku, would like to guide everyone to the mansion. How does that sound?"
"Yes. I appreciate it. Gen Shuuyoku-dono."
Saying that, Ryougen-kun clapped his hands.
Then, the soldiers who had been standing behind stepped forward.
"Let's take care of the prisoners here. You all should rest your bodies. I'll make sure you have everything you need for that. If anyone is feeling unwell, we can call a doctor... no, Gen Shuuyoku-dono is here. I shouldn't have to worry about everyone's health."
"What I could do was very little. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
Kneeling on the ground, Shuu-sensei smiled.
"I'm really grateful for the help from my disciples on this journey. Please give them some kind words."
"That's right. Kou Tenhou and Sui Kaou. You did well."
Ryougen-kun turned to us.
"After the battles in the north, you all fulfilled your mission for Aika Country. I thank you as the king's younger brother."
"That's too kind of you."
"Thank you. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
Shouou and I bowed our heads.
After thinking for a moment, I said,
"However, I was able to fulfill my mission thanks to Shikei."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes. Because Shikei was there to help me, I managed to survive."
This is the truth.
I couldn't have rescued the hostages or neutralized Kai Shuujaku without Shouou.
Plus... Shouou is also a hostage from Souma Country.
If I highlight her greatness, her position and treatment should improve.
"Please, if you could say a word to Shikei instead of me..."
"I must humbly say, my younger disciple is underestimating himself too much!"
Shouou interrupted my words.
"This achievement is mostly due to Tenhou's efforts, and I only helped a little."
"Isn't Shikei being too modest?"
"The senior disciple cannot take away the achievements of my younger disciple. Please consider Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
"...Hmm."
"...Hmm, hmm, hmm."
I exchanged glances with Shouou.
Ryougen-kun covered his mouth on the carriage, as if trying to hold back laughter.
"...I understand your thoughts! I get it!"
After a while, Ryougen-kun nodded.
"I will reward you later. And, Kou Tenhou."
"Yes. Your Royal Highness the King's younger brother."
"I want to give you a certain position. I think Tanshi mentioned it before, do you remember?"
"...Yes. I remember."
Tanshi-san had said before.
'His Royal Highness the King's younger brother wants to assign a unit to Kou Tenhou'...
That position is probably what he means.
"There's no need to speak it out loud here. Just be prepared in your heart."
"Understood."
"Well then... I shouldn't keep those who are tired from the long journey for too long. Let's talk after you all have settled down."
Ryougen-kun looked at each member of the delegation.
Then──
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. The delegation is dismissed here! Leave the rest to us and take your time to rest. Tanshi, Gaku Kiryuu, Gen Shuuyoku, and the captains of the guard unit, please gather at my mansion the day after tomorrow. Until then, make sure to rest your bodies. That's all!"
With those words, the group was dismissed.
Shouou and I stood up, exchanged glances, and then clasped hands.
After that, I went over to Seirei and Hakuyou.
Shouou went to the elderly caretaker.
Shuu-sensei went to the worried Touri-san.
We headed towards our respective families, and then──
"Welcome back! Brother!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Hou-sama. Gyokushi-sama is waiting for you at home."
I reunited with my family and headed home.
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