Seirei Gensouki Konna Sekai De Deaeta Kimi Ni
[Towards the Journey]

[Towards the Journey]

Part 1

Just before the summer, Rio secretly met the king and queen.

Right now Rio was telling them how the agricultural reform he was carrying out in the village was starting to show results.

The farmland developed by Rio showed many forms of clear evidence that it would yield a much better harvest compared to other lands, and was rich in grain.

The difference is very clear. The villagers danced wildly while giving their gratitude to Rio. They then unanimously decided that they would start adopting agriculture following Rio's method.

When hearing such a detailed story, Homura showed a deep interest in her.

From the beginning, Rio told such a story for the sake of provoking Homura's curiosity, so it was according to his plan.

Rio did that to avoid garnering too much attention to the village by immediately spreading the technology. He considered it the safest way to deploy the technology.

By making Homura, the king, participate in it, he predicted that the plan would be a great achievement.

Rio explained everything, from the form of agricultural tools to the method of sowing seeds, soil improvement [soil reform], water wheels for taking water, canal making, etc.

Homura listened to his explanation with a serious expression. Even Gouki and Shizuku beside him showed interested expressions on their faces regarding the topic.

Homura was very interested in the water wheel to draw water.

「I can hear a very interesting topic. 」

Homura said that after talking for almost an hour about it. He's really interested in her.

「Gouki, wouldn't such a method require on-site live surveys? If it turns out to be good, I think I will implement it within the kingdom starting next year. 」

If Rio's story was true, they had no choice but to implement the reform.

He handed the investigation to his trusted subordinates. Moreover, Homura planned to apply that method starting next year if there was any possibility for it.

If it was Gouki, it would also be easier to get Rio cooperation.

"By pleasure . 」

「Uhm, I'll hand it to you. If the requirements are too much, you do not need to pay too much attention to it. 」

The talk of that method continued a while after that.

After the story passed the first stage, Homura winked at Gouki and Kayoko.

Afterwards, the Saga couple responded with their line of sight.

「Then, Rio -」

With a somehow humble expression, as if being affected by it, Homura spoke to Rio.

「We have something important to tell you today. 」[TL: I have a bad feeling about this [But my feminist side is somehow boiling in excitement]]

"Something that matters?"

Rio asked in a confused tone.

An unusual atmosphere came out from Homura.

Rio straightened his back to accept whatever would happen directly.

"G . It has to do with your revenge. 」

"Prick," Rio's eyebrows twitched.

They had never talked about the topic of his revenge so far. Somehow it became a mute deal with them.

That's a very sensitive topic. Even if it was unintentionally revealed in the conversation, it would only lead to more hatred.

「What problems?」

As long as such a topic appeared, was there anything else to talk about except his pent-up hatred?

Rio looked at Homura who slightly straightened his back.

「Uhm ....」.

Homura stared intently into Rio's eyes, who asked that question.

The yellowish-brown student stared straight into reality.

They did not hesitate or hesitate.

When looking at such good eyes, Homura wondered about the countless number of people who made contact with him.

「……. I also hate that guy named Lucius. The truth is, I really want to help you with my own hands. But unfortunately I cannot leave this kingdom 」

「It was reasonable ....」.

Although he had yet to understand Homura's true intentions, Rio said the most appropriate words.

Because Homura was the ruler of this kingdom.

And for such a man, even if his daughter was murdered, it was only a matter of fact that he could not avenge her death by going to a distant land and leaving his kingdom.

「That's why, even if it's just a little, I can at least lend my followers to you. They will help you, not Shizuku and me [washi]. You can use it as much as you like 」

「Hah, EH .....?」

Bombarded by surprise after surprise, Rio inadvertently became stiff.

It just popped up.

Homura was a little amused when he saw Rio's astonished expression.

「T-No, but, doing such a thing is …. . 」

Even though his mind had finally learned of the situation, even so, Rio was still confused.

The words that Homura had just spoken echoed in Rio ears.

It seemed like he really meant it when he said those words.

Or his ears might have mistaken him.

「I'll give you 10 of my followers. They are all the people you met in the village when you met Gouki for the first time 」

At that time, there were only 10 people, including Gouki and Kayoko.

「Don't tell me ..... Gouki-dono and Kayoko-dono as well?」

Rio was speechless because of that absurdity.

Section 2

"Religion . Both have given their own will to come also 」

Homura replied in a calm tone.

「……. . If Gouki-dono were to disappear from the kingdom, wouldn't that cause no small trouble? 」

Gouki is the senior samurai of the kingdom.

With his "Ikkitousen" prowess, along with the faith and achievements that piled up in the kingdom, there was no doubt that Gouki leaving all of it would cause minor problems for the kingdom by suddenly disappearing.

「I've made arrangements for that situation. I will slowly spread rumors about Gouki's retirement throughout the kingdom. There is nothing unusual for someone of his age to retire. In fact, he has already given a lot of consideration to this issue 」

「……」

Hearing those words, Rio was stunned.

Although there was an unofficial place, the king himself made a very important statement regarding Gouki's followers, who were also the heads of his subordinates.

It seems they have already made the necessary arrangements.

Although she knew about it, Rio had a difficult feeling to describe.

「Gouki's son and daughter are coming too, right? What about them ? 」

The Saga couple have Hayate and Komomo.

Although she heard they had second and third sons close to Hayate's age, she had never met them.

What will they do to them?

「People who will go are Gouki and Kayoko. If so, your fellow travelers will increase to 11 people 」

Saying that, Homura was staring at Gouki and Kayoko.

"Yes nih . Although we will bring Komomo, his brothers will be left behind in this region 」

Gouki replied in an unshakable tone.

「Strahl Region is not a place where you can easily come and go, you know? It took several months of traveling on foot even for someone at the level of Gouki-dono 」

Since there was some steep terrain along the way, it would make the movement speed down if they were traveling on foot, unless they took a detour, which was even more time-consuming.

Although it was possible to shorten that time if they flew with spirit arts, as in Rio's case, it would be a difficult journey if they only strengthened their physical abilities with spirit arts.

Even if they traveled like that to the Strahl region, there was no positive evidence that Lucius was still alive.

Yet they say something like following him all the way to that place, which would make it difficult for them to return to their homes; do they really understand the meaning of their statements?

Therefore Rio was confused.

「The position of the head of the family will be handed over to Hayate. There is nothing in this kingdom that will hinder me in following Rio-sama 」

「No, that's the problem ………. Have you already discussed this matter with Hayate-dono and his brother? 」

Even Hayate and her brother would be shaken if their parents disappeared for no reason.

What will they think about Gouki leaving the kingdom.

「They will be samurai sooner or later. Preparations to be separated from their parents have been done for a long time. I've explained the truth secretly to Hayate 」

「Other people also don't mind accompanying Rio-sama. They have a bit of special circumstances, each of them is a member of the dark side of [anbu]. No need to worry that they will be a hindrance, because they have no family, highest loyalty, and have mastered a series of skills 」

Rio could not keep his mouth shut.

While it may be true that they were sons of samurai, how could they be separated from their parents.

Even if it was painful when they were together, they would feel dissatisfied.

It seemed that the king's life was the reason why the retainer was unable to resist the order.

Even so, there must be some orders that they could not follow.

「Although that may be true, there is no need to obey such an order, right? Because I'm fine with going alone 」

Rio said that as if indirectly trying to reject the proposal.

「Very good because even I can't forgive Lucius that. Today's problem is mine and Kayoko's personal desire for something we couldn't achieve in the past. There is no doubt that it is our long-standing ambition to follow Rio-sama 」

「………. But that doesn't mean the others think that way either, right 」

「Other people are the ones who serve the Saga family. Their loyalty is very high. They are also very happy to follow us

「But ....」.

The Saga couple had already decided their hearts.

Rio was speechless as he did not know what he should say to them.

「……. As I thought, I cannot accept such help. Although I am happy with your feelings, this is something I have to finish myself 」

After a moment of silence, he made his decision; rio refused their help with a stern tone.

「Mu ~, As I thought, this is the case, yes …. . 」

Homura said those words while smiling wryly, he somehow anticipated Rio's refusal of his previous help.

「But, you know. It's not your own problem. We also share a similar hatred with that Lucius. This is where we have to make a difference. I don't want you to carry the burden of revenge yourself 」

「It .....」

Even if they wanted to judge Lucius, he did not know the reason why they were so eager to accompany him.

Another case if they were traveling as comrades, because Rio was strongly against them following him as a follower.

He did not understand what he had to do when he suddenly accepted the promise of loyalty.

The meaning of those words is also that he will be burdened with the lives of his followers.

It would only cause a lot of trouble, even if they accompanied him like that.

It would bring trouble to his relationship with Seirei no Tami if he brought too many humans into their community, and would hinder his movement speed, compared to when he was traveling alone.

「There is a very big difference between me and Gouki-dono's movement speed. I'm even sure Gouki-dono won't be able to catch up to my speed of 」

Since he had no choice, Rio talked about one of the reasons that he did not want them to accompany him.

「Although I heard from Gouki that you excel in Spirit arts, even so, the people who will follow you are only made up of high-level spirit arts users, even in this kingdom, Thou know? I don't think they won't be able to follow .... 」.

Since he did not know the way Rio moved, Homura spoke as if confused.

「That's because I'm going to fly in the sky」 [TL: Why didn't he say "That's because I'm superman"]

"When saying that, inevitably if that person would be considered a lunatic," Rio scoffed at himself.

Section 3

「Fly ..... ing? 」

Sure enough, Homura showed a doubtful expression, as he was unable to gauge the meaning of Rio's words.

「It's like this」

Rio decided to show it to make it easier for them to understand.

The air inside the room rose, and then condensed, as if encompassing the surroundings of Rio. Rio's body floated in the air as if it had buoyancy.

「!!!!!? 」

Homura and the others saw the spectacle.

「Although I have just floated now, with his movements, I can fly quite fast in the sky」

Rio gave his explanation to Homura and the others, who were still dumbfounded.

「Is it spirit art? …… Doing something like that is ………. Gouki, do you know someone who can do something like this? 」

Even if he himself was a spirit user, as far as he knew, Homura did not know anyone who could do something like Rio, so he asked Gouki with a dumbfounded expression.

「……. Though, I can blow my body with a storm. If it floats with stability in the middle of the air ……. . 」

Gouki also replied with a dumbfounded expression, as he still could not take his eyes off the figure of Rio, who was floating in the air.

As expected, as it takes continuous minute control of Odo, even just by controlling stability while floating cannot be done with half-hearted power control.

「By the way, I can move as fast as someone who runs normally by strengthening his physical abilities with spirit arts, ignoring any kind of obstacles; whether it be mountains, valleys, or forests 」

Rio added the information at the end of his explanation.

Traveling long distances with them would only reduce the speed of his own movements, as expected, Rio still wanted to reject Homura's offer.

In addition, he also wanted to visit the Seirei no Tami village.

He, who for some reason was accepted as their sworn friend, there was a very high possibility that it would turn into an awkward situation if he was accompanied by Gouki and the others.

Although they might get permission to enter if Rio asked for it, it would be with a not so good face.

「Mu ~, of course, it will only be a hindrance if they travel with you ………. 」

Homura placed his hand on his chin, as if pondering deeply.

"Good . I'll stop asking your permission for this matter any more than this for now. But, you should keep this problem in one corner of your head. Because you might change your mind before your departure 」

「Understanding ………. 」

Rio replied, despite thinking maybe he didn't need that.

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

One week after that, there was a figure of Komomo walking next to Rio.

Dressed in a purple kimono, her happy smile attracted attention within the village with her cuteness. [TL: YES LOLITA, NO TOUCH!]

Furthermore, next to him were the royal technical officer and Gouki.

Besides Komomo, the reason Gouki and the others came to the village was to survey the location of the agricultural reform in the village.

To guide Gouki, Rio was explaining the agricultural enhancement points as they walked in the village.

「Rio-sama！ Go around to get water! This is the right water wheel! 」

As he guided Komomo and Gouki to the water wheel, Komomo's eyes lit up as he looked at the water wheel that sucked in water bit by bit.

「That's a water wheel to fetch water. To actually see this kind of masterpiece ……. 」

Even Gouki was astonished at the spectacle of water being pulled by the water wheel.

The technical officer next to him also starred in the pop-up structure.

「The structure is not too complicated. This article is running by using the dynamic power of the water flowing in the river for —-

Thus Rio explained the structure of the water wheel.

Gouki and the others listened intently in order not to miss the information from Rio's explanation.

Rio politely answered the question posed to him by the technical officer after he was done with his explanation.

After that, Rio guided them to various places in the village, while explaining every job involved in the agricultural reform.

「How is it, workable? Implemented

"Yes! This is a technological revolution! Even if it's just a water wheel to fetch water, it's worthy enough to be considered a service for our kingdom's agricultural reform 」

The technical officer replied as if excited by Gouki's question.

They decided to stay in this village for a while to dampen the technology.

「Then, Rio-sama. I can say that it is worth to travel here .... 」.

With the technical officers on their side exchanging opinions about this and that, Gouki spoke to Rio.

「Regarding this issue, I don't want it delivered [using my name], do I? I myself don't really want to be famous within the kingdom, so I shouldn't be doing something that will attract too much attention, right? 」

They decided during their secret meeting, a few days earlier, that the name of the originator of the technology, and that Rio would not be published.

They firmly reminded the technical officer to keep the secret; he even rejected the idea of getting paid from Homura.

「Although I agree with you. I also received a firm order to give a courteous thank you from His Majesty. I would bet my life to stop him if there was someone who wanted to utilize that information to get something. Isn't it natural for me to do that? 」

「Even if you say it …. . 」

"Everything is fine . It has been decided that we will not give it unless it is a treasure 」[TLC *: ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ]

Gouki's tone was firm.

Even if he somehow avoided an answer, it was as if the matter had already been dealt with and he had already received compensation.

Even if he made an excuse in that place, he would immediately bring up the same reason, and end up giving away the treasure.

「I ……. . View . Can I think about it for a moment? 」

Unable to give an answer immediately, Rio tried to gain some time before replying.