Volume 5 Chapter 24-2 The Great Villain of the World, Heading to Investigate Kiryou's Town (Part VI)
"As the oldest servant, I must say... I agree with Mō Etsu-sama's plan."
The man with white hair spoke.
"It's only natural for Mō Etsu-sama, a lover of martial arts, to host a martial arts tournament. If it benefits the people, I have no objections. Isn't that a wonderful thing?"
"Is that your opinion, Kakkan Saku?"
Moukou addressed the white-haired man.
He hadn't expected the elder to agree.
The white-haired man, Kakkan Saku, had been a close aide to the previous Moukou.
It was said that he had once fought alongside the previous Moukou in battle.
After the previous Moukou's passing, he had been supporting Mō Etsu.
Kakkan Saku rarely spoke in public.
As a trusted confidant of the previous Moukou, he held significant influence.
Mō Etsu believed the elder was cautious about wielding that power.
"Kakkan Saku, you support holding the martial arts tournament, correct?"
"Of course, Mō Etsu-sama."
Kakkan Saku smiled and clasped his hands together.
"I must say, I don't understand those who oppose it. Why are they making such a fuss?"
"──Kakkan Saku!?"
"──We're not exactly against it..."
"──We're just expressing our concerns..."
The veteran retainers spoke up in a panic.
They all knelt down and bowed to Mō Etsu.
"──We should hold the martial arts tournament."
"──If it's for the people, there can be no dissent."
"──I believe it's a good idea."
Soon, they began to express opinions different from before.
"I see... I understand everyone's thoughts."
Mō Etsu nodded.
"Then, let's begin the preparations. Inform the townspeople about the martial arts tournament and start recruiting participants. Kiryou is vast; there are plenty of locations. We should be ready in just a few days."
"""Understood."""
And just like that, the martial arts tournament in Kiryou was officially locked in.
* * *
──A few dozen minutes later──
"Share your thoughts with me, Rotaimei."
In the mansion's reception room, Mō Etsu turned to his bodyguard and asked.
Sitting across from him was a bald man.
The guy was huge, with a long, wild beard.
His name was Rotaimei.
He'd served at Mō Etsu's side as a bodyguard during that big assembly earlier.
He was also one of the martial artists under Mō Etsu's care.
"Well, well. That's a tough one."
Rotaimei scratched his head, looking awkward.
"See, I've been told by the higher-ups here in Kiryou that I should pack up and get out of town. Can't imagine why anyone would care what I think right now."
"You never lie to me."
Mō Etsu said this, then took a small sip of tea.
"You always say what you can and can't do. Not just about yourself, but with me, too. You told me straight up──dealing with those rumors in Kiryou was too much for me alone. That's why I finally went to Yuuri-sama for help."
"Glad to be of service, Mō Etsu-sama."
"I'm honestly glad I didn't kick you out. Though, I get why the bureaucrats can't stand that sharp tongue of yours."
"Can't help it. I was born hopelessly honest."
"We're not so different, you and I. We both know our limits."
Mō Etsu gave an awkward, crooked smile.
"You also said this: 'There's no way Mō Etsu-sama's guests alone can keep all the fighters and riffraff pouring into Kiryou in check.'"
"I did say that. Because it's the truth."
"I know the reason, Rotaimei. I have very few loyal followers left. Compared to my father... I'm nothing special. Can't be helped."
"Mō Etsu-sama, you know exactly what you can't do. That's your strength."
Suddenly, Rotaimei's joking air vanished.
He turned serious, eyes sharp.
"Therefore, imitating your father──Mō Boku Etsu-sama──is out of the question. Don't you agree?"
"Of course. It's because I can't."
Mō Etsu bore a pained expression,
"I once tried to do something I couldn't, and it caused great harm. I should have realized sooner... that I couldn't handle it alone and should have asked for help. I won't make the same mistake again."
"So, you were entrusted with His Highness the King's younger brother's daughter. After receiving her opinion, it was decided that a martial arts tournament would be held. And you also gained the consent of all your subordinates."
"Indeed."
"The matter is already underway. Yet, why do you seek my opinion, Mō Etsu-sama?"
"I'm curious why Kakkan Saku so readily agreed..."
Kakkan Saku rarely speaks in public.
There's no need.
His stance never changes.
Everyone knows it; it's simple.
'We should emulate the previous Moukou, Mō Boku Etsu-sama.'
──That's all.
So Kakkan Saku doesn't say much.
When necessary, he just presents the records of the previous generation.
The previous Moukou was a great presence, even acknowledged by the royal family.
Many people revered him.
Therefore, the current Moukou should follow in the same footsteps.
That is Kakkan Saku's stance.
"My father never held a martial arts tournament."
Mō Etsu continued.
"Yet Kakkan Saku agreed to hold the tournament so easily. That's what bothers me."
"I see. By the way, Mō Etsu-sama,"
"Yes?"
"If you were to oppose Kakkan Saku, could you handle it on your own strength, Mō Etsu-sama?"
"I can't."
"Then, let's increase our allies."
Rōtaimei guzzled his tea and stood up.
"The Princess, His Highness the King's younger brother's daughter, is set to attend the martial arts tournament. A meeting is in order, then. I shall deliver the missive. I am to be sent as the liaison officer."
"I can do that... but why?"
"The Princess will likely have martial artists as her guards. I wish to speak with them."
"So that's how you plan to gather allies?"
"Indeed."
Rotaimei scratched his head again.
"If I inform the other side, even in the worst-case scenario, I should be able to escape with Mō Etsu-sama's daughter."
"You're always up for some wild scheme..."
"I do what I can."
"Do what you can... and what you can't?"
"Yes, I am Rotaimei, the man who does what he 'can't.'"
"That nickname... I've never heard it from anyone but you..."
"I'm just starting to spread the word. In a few years, it should be on everyone's lips."
"You're in no rush, are you?"
Mō Etsu smiled, then, and after a moment, he looked at Rotaimei,
"Even in the worst-case scenario... you, Rotaimei, can whisk away my daughters, can't you?"
"With outside help, I'd say 'I can.'"
"Including whisking me away?"
"Since I have no intention of saving myself, that would be 'I can't.'"
"A honest man, you are."
"That's why I'm such a target for high-ranking bureaucrats. Without Mō Etsu-sama's protection, I'd have left Kiryou town long ago. Even someone like me, working without help, under everyone's scorn..."
"Another 'I can't'?"
"Yes."
"Understood. Rotaimei, I entrust you with this letter. Deliver it to Yuuri-sama."
"Understood."
The martial artist, Rotaimei, pressed his hands together in salute to Mō Etsu.
"Hey, I'm just a second-rate fighter. Meeting a real top-tier master? Kinda intimidating, you know. But hey... I'll give it my best shot."
"Go on, then. And spread your nickname around while you're at it, Rotaimei the 'Can't-Do.'"
"Well, if it's an order from my lord, I guess I've got no choice but to obey."
And so, Mō Etsu and his guest continued their meeting.
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