Volume 5 Chapter 29 The People Of Kiryou's Town (Part I)
──At Kakkan Saku's home──
"I heard Mō Etsu-sama is planning a martial arts tournament!"
"And the King's younger sibling will watch as a guest!"
"Kiryou's town will become famous in the royal capital for sure!"
"What a great thing to celebrate!"
Important government officials from Kiryou were gathered at the house.
Kakkan Saku's home was in the town center.
It was easy for officials to stop by after work.
Kakkan Saku let the officials meet at his home without stopping them.
He didn't invite them himself, of course.
But he didn't turn anyone away either.
Plus, Kakkan Saku made a promise to the officials.
'What's said here won't reach Mō Etsu-sama's ears.'
Kakkan Saku just gave them a place to talk freely.
He didn't care what they discussed.
He sat at the table's head, quietly listening to their talk.
"Mō Etsu-sama is the child of the famous 'General White Crane' Mō Boku Etsu-sama."
One official said this.
"Mō Boku Etsu-sama would be happy. Mō Etsu-sama is holding the tournament here to make himself more famous!"
The others cheered at his words.
They kept talking, holding their cups of sake.
"That's why Mō Etsu-sama invited the King's younger sibling to watch."
"To bring back the glory of Mō Boku Etsu-sama's time..."
"Yes. And there's that rumor too."
"'The red-haired girl will have a child with a brave bird, and it will be a dragon.' That's what they say."
"Ah. Maybe Mō Etsu-sama will pick the 'brave bird' at the tournament. That's probably his plan."
"The winner might become a big figure in Kiryou's town!"
The officials raised their cups and cheered.
As the party went on, their talk got louder and more excited.
Their guesses started sounding like facts, and they said the tournament was to pick the 'brave bird' to follow Mō Etsu.
They forgot.
Mō Etsu only said, 'I'll hold a tournament in Kiryou's town.'
The officials got excited on their own.
About the tournament.
About the next leader of Moukou.
About the 'dragon' said to be born from Tan, Mō Etsu's red-haired daughter.
They kept talking excitedly about things that hadn't happened yet.
Mō Etsu himself was preparing the tournament.
Only a few days were left until it started.
The officials waited eagerly for that day.
But──
"I think you're getting too carried away."
Suddenly, Kakkan Saku spoke up.
The officials stopped moving.
They put down their cups and looked at Kakkan Saku, sitting in the main seat.
"The King's younger sibling is here with their group. If you act silly and loud, it will shame Mō Boku Etsu-sama. Do you want people to think those who served the General are careless?"
Kakkan Saku spoke coldly, not looking at them.
"Anyone who shames Mō Boku Etsu-sama isn't needed in Kiryou's town. They should lose their job and be sent away."
"I-I'm so sorry!"
"I didn't mean to disrespect Mō Boku Etsu-sama!"
"We just wanted to praise Mō Etsu-sama!"
The officials stood up together and bowed to Kakkan Saku.
Silence fell for a while.
The sound of Kakkan Saku putting down his teacup reached the bowed officials.
"...Mō Etsu-sama may have grown up."
After a long sigh, Kakkan Saku spoke.
"He's showing his strength to the King's younger sibling with this tournament. It also shows Kiryou's town is doing well and that he's a good leader. It's a smart move for Mō Boku Etsu-sama's son."
The officials didn't reply.
Kakkan Saku knew they weren't being watched.
"If only... Mō Etsu-sama had shown this kind of determination sooner."
He murmured softly, sounding both sad and hopeful.
He looked at the room's corner, where white armor and a spear stood.
These belonged to Mō Boku Etsu, the 'General White Crane,' who once wore them in battle.
After Mō Boku Etsu was hurt and couldn't fight, Kakkan Saku took care of these items.
They were kept in a special part of the house, treated as sacred by the staff.
No one could go near them, let alone touch or talk about them.
Only Kakkan Saku could approach, speak to, and honor what they stood for.
"We must make sure the tournament goes well."
Finally, Kakkan Saku looked back at the officials.
"As you said, Tan-sama might be involved. It's also a chance for him to impress the King's younger daughter."
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!