Volume 5 Chapter 23-2 The Great Villain of the World, Heading to Investigate Kiryou's Town (Part V)
'Seems like the's gonna pick a son-in-law based on strength.'
And these words are carved into the Tree all around Kiryou's town.
'The girl with the red hair shall be wed to a brave bird, and bear a dragon.'
These words are drawing martial artists to Kiryou's town.
Maybe they think showing strength will make them the Moukou's son-in-law.
The rumors are about to spread even further.
More extreme.
More attention-grabbing.
But──
"By holding a martial arts tournament hosted by Mō Etsu-sama, you could manage the martial artists, and even change the meaning of these rumors."
Yuuri begins to explain.
"If Mō Etsu-sama were to announce a martial arts tournament in Kiryou's town, people would think, 'Could it be that Mō Etsu-sama was inviting martial artists as guests for the tournament?'"
"...That's a plausible story."
"It would be best to let the martial artists visiting the town participate in the tournament as well. That way, they won't showcase their strength all over town. If they want to prove their strength, let them do it in the tournament, fair and square."
After saying all that, Yuuri takes a breath,
"Of course, the martial arts tournament must not result in injuries or deaths. That would leave a disaster in its wake. Therefore, it's wise to set a rule that the match can be stopped at any time. Fortunately, I have guards who can stop any opponent. I recommend appointing them as the judges."
"...I see, I see."
Mō Etsu nods repeatedly.
"But, then, would I have to marry off my daughter to the winner of the tournament..."
"There's no need to mention marriage at all."
"...Huh?"
"All you need to say is, 'We're holding a martial arts tournament to select the strongest.' If the participants think they can marry Mō Etsu-sama's daughter by winning, that's their own delusion. Mō Etsu-sama should simply prepare a prize that satisfies the winner──say, a fortune that allows them to marry anyone they choose."
"What?!"
"That way, the winner can marry their chosen partner. Then, we spread rumors through the town. 'The champion, the brave one, seems to have married a girl with red hair.' 'Surely, they'll have children as magnificent as dragons.' This changes the meaning of the rumors. And with that, the story ends."
"Ah... indeed!"
"Mō Etsu-sama does favor martial artists, doesn't he?"
"Yes. To catch up to my father, 'General White Crane'... I often think about surrounding myself with the strong."
"There's nothing unnatural about Mō Etsu-sama hosting a martial arts tournament, is there?"
"...As you say."
With that, Mō Etsu prostrated himself on the ground.
"Thank you! As expected of the daughter of His Highness the King's younger brother. I, Mō Etsu, am overwhelmed with gratitude!"
Then Mō Etsu rubbed his forehead against the floor.
"Yuuri-sama's wisdom surpasses an army of ten thousand. The favor of rescuing me from a tight spot, I promise never to forget!!"
"For someone of noble status to do such a thing to me..."
"...I am but a incompetent who loves martial arts. I know I'm not my father's equal. What hesitation should I have in kowtowing to the daughter of His Highness the King's younger brother?"
"Mō Etsu-sama..."
(Guess this person isn't the mastermind after all...)
Thinking as much, Yuuri exchanged glances with Seirei.
But there's a chance someone tied to the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' is near Mō Etsu.
That's why Yuuri couldn't spill all the beans.
There's another reason to hold this martial arts tournament.
It's to drag the rumored mastermind out into the open.
The enemy's spread a rumor: "The girl with red hair will unite with a brave bird, and give birth to a dragon."
Tenhou's plan was to turn that tables on them.
If the martial arts tournament goes ahead, the winner will be hailed as the 'bravest of all.'
The enemy can't afford to ignore that.
Suppose the enemy doesn't join the martial arts tournament, then some unrelated person will win.
That winner will be recognized as the 'bravest.'
The rumor loses its power.
Later on, if someone from the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' claims, "No, I'm the brave bird," it'll just be laughed off.
The martial arts tournament to decide the brave one will already be over.
Mō Etsu won't be cornered, the enemy will miss their chance to get close, and their rumor will fade away as mere gossip.
But if someone from the 'Golden Feather Syndicate' wins... they can get close to Mō Etsu.
They can show everyone they're the 'brave bird' written in the Tree script.
Joining the martial arts tournament is in their interest.
So, Tenhou has laid bait to lure the enemy onto the stage.
With the added bonus of nullifying their scheme.
Of course, there's no telling if the enemy will take the bait.
Even so, it's worth a shot.
Up until now, the royal family has been played by the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
It's about time to switch things up and take the initiative.
The martial arts tournament was the perfect opportunity for just that.
(...Still, Kou Tenhou-sama is someone to be feared.)
Yuuri knew he was an extraordinary person.
But she never imagined he'd come up with such a scheme.
(If only that person would become close to Rou-sama... then Rou-sama's reign would be unshakable. And I... I could rest easy, watching over Rou-sama from afar...)
Lost in such thoughts, Yuuri made her way back to her chamber.
* * *
──Tenhou's Perspective──
"Did I write something weird? I hope it's okay..."
"What's up, Tenhou?"
"Well, you know, I wrote about the 'martial arts tournament' in that document I gave to the black cat earlier."
"Yeah. You did."
"I'm just worried if the meaning of that document got across properly..."
"Me and Shuu-sensei double-checked it. It's all good, Tenhou."
"...Is that so?"
"Tenhou, what's really bugging you?"
"I'm worried they might think I suggested the martial arts tournament because I think it's cool, or because I want to see all kinds of martial arts for myself..."
"That's impossible. Why would you even think that?"
It's because I have this experience from my past life, getting totally hooked on the 'Martial Arts Tournament Mode' in the game 'History of Swordmaster.'
There was this mode you could unlock after clearing the game, a one-on-one tournament for martial artists.
You'd pick your character, equip your favorite items, and battle it out.
Man... that was seriously fun.
It's exhilarating.
Fighting in a martial artist's tournament.
When I was thinking about what to do with the rumors circulating in Kiryou's town, for some reason, I remembered the 'Martial Arts Tournament Mode.'
I thought that if we held a martial arts tournament, we could change the meaning of those rumors.
So I suggested it, but──
"...I hope no one's misunderstood me."
"So, like I said, it's all good. Geez."
With a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I waited for a reply from Seirei.
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