“The people of Arcana decided that Ran would be taken to Magyan, the home of her new master, Princess Sunae. We were able to accompany her, and as a result, we were late returning to the village.” This time Suji presented a large box she had been carrying on her back. “Along with their welcome, they held a royal exhibition. Although they were aware of our position, they addressed all of us individually by our names, and we participated in the matches...” Suji opened up the lid of the box, revealing a number of gold and silver treasures that had been sent by the Arcana Kingdom. “We took advantage of the fact they were unfamiliar with our Arts and we secured a victory. As a reward, Arcana gave us these treasures.” As the treasures were revealed, a clattering noise came from outside of the room. Someone was probably peeking in. Pretending not to notice, they carried on with the conversation.
“It was not only the Arcana Kingdom. His Majesty the King of Magyan, who was impressed with the strength of our martial arts, also gave us similar treasures.” This time, Konoko opened a box she had been carrying. It was a box with a completely different design to the Arcanian box, and filled to the brim with a number of treasures from the Magyan Kingdom. This also caused a commotion outside of the room, though the atmosphere in the room remained tense.
“So what is the reason for you giving that to us?” the Testudo Style master asked with a stern expression, after a moment’s pause. Regarding the goods from Suiboku, that was his way of apologizing to the entirety of Tempera, and as such it was expected that he would give them to the village’s representatives. However, regarding the treasures from Arcana and Magyan, they should have been accepted by the four women for themselves. It made no sense that they were now presenting them to the village elders. “It seems you were all doing quite well in those far and distant countries. It would have been better for you to stay. Why did you decide to come back instead?” The Testudo Style master’s words clearly indicated his refusal of their gifts.
“We learned, once again, how powerless we are.” The four women, who were still at the feet of the masters, were painfully honest with their words. “We each fought a rematch with an opponent we had previously won against at the royal exhibition. Each of us lost shamefully, unable to use their unfamiliarity as an advantage, and unable to even land a hit.”
“We were able to keep our dignity in such a public place, but doing so pushed us to our limits.”
“We had no right to leave the village and no right to speak of our families. Realizing that, we...wish to ask...for more...training.”
“These treasures are too much for us. We will donate them to the village, so please accept them.” They had all spoken the truth. While they had managed to keep up appearances, in the end, it hadn’t helped.
“Of course!” The Drunken Fist Style master roared with anger. “Kazuno! What the hell were you trying to do? You can’t even tie your own belt!”
“It’s a good thing you won! What would have happened if you had lost?”
“Punks who aren’t even fully mature have no right to be saying their family names!”
His attendants followed his lead and scolded Kazuno. It was to be expected. The masters of the Four Vessels Style, the Bursting Venom Style, and the Mist Shadow Style all wore the same expression.
“Even though you’ve been ostracized by the village, you show off your abilities in distant countries? You’ve got it the wrong way around!”
“Did being with them make you feel generous? Asking us for more training with that pained expression! Give me a break!”
The women withstood the verbal criticism.
They’re so strong...
The three princesses were deeply impressed with the Temperan girls’ gracefulness. The three of them had each sympathized with the martial artists after the rematches, comforting them by telling them that their opponents were simply too strong. However, in reality, this is what should have happened. They themselves all knew that they carried royal names, so they should also have been criticized when they lost. The feelings of shame and guilt were so painful, they felt their chests tighten.
“Well, we can deal with that later. We have guests, so let’s see what they have to say.” The Bursting Venom Style master turned his stern gaze towards the three princesses. “So, what brings you here?” The head of the secret village might have been speaking to the royalty of a nation, but he didn’t act like it. The women briefly thought about the breach of protocol, although it was really just a meaningless custom. If the four martial artists were a disgrace to their village, then the three royals were a disgrace to their home countries.
“I am Magyan Toris. I am a relative of Magyan Sunae, who visited here a few days ago. I was one of the opponents of these four women in the royal exhibition,” Toris spoke as their representative. “As you are already aware, they secured a wonderful victory, leaving a long-lasting impression of how incredible Tempera is among the citizens of my country. Although they had already done enough, we four then proceeded to ask for a rematch. They thus allowed us to save face.” They knew that they would be thrashed, yet still allowed a rematch. Various kings had been thankful for that, as were the three princesses.
“As a show of gratitude, Magyan, as well as other countries, gifted these treasures.” The four women then proceeded to present the boxes they were also carrying on their backs. The gifts were a symbol of gratitude for the rematch and were more numerous than the rewards from the royal exhibition.
“I see... Suji, it seems you’ve learned to show some consideration for your opponents.” If it was a fight you needed to win, you had to win by any means possible. After that, you could then face your opponent with courtesy. Someone without sympathy for their opponent wouldn’t be able to do such a thing.
“So, you only came to offer us these treasures?”
“No... With all due respect, I would like to be able to witness the thing known as ‘true martial arts.’” The atmosphere changed as the words “true martial arts” rang out. The envoys were aware that the martial arts displayed in Magyan at the time didn’t measure up. In all honesty, that wasn’t a bad thing.
“They lost honorably, but...their defeat piqued our curiosity. Just how powerful is a real martial artist?”
“I see. That’s something you wouldn’t have been able to witness except by coming all the way to Tempera Village.” They had just barely managed with Yabia and the others, which had led them to wonder just how powerful an elite martial artist was. It was entirely natural that they were curious.
“I assume you have certain things you wish to keep secret from outsiders. However, I would like to see your technique, as long as you do not mind that.”
“Well, it is true that I find it vexing that some people think of Suji as a representation of the Bursting Venom Style, as well as thinking of it as an uncommon martial art...” the Bursting Venom Style master said, feigning reluctance as he rubbed his chin.
“We are aware of your wishes. If you would allow us some time, we will now discuss what to do,” the Testudo Style master responded, stopping the Bursting Venom Style master from continuing the conversation.
It’s vital to get a good starting point when negotiating. If we can rope the Bursting Venom Style master into this, then maybe we can also befriend the other families, Toris thought to herself, before allowing herself a silent self-directed laugh, mocking herself internally.
“Of course. Would it be best for us to leave the village momentarily?”
“No, no...we have a place that those four were using. I’ll guide you there.” They could take advantage of the situation, isolate the Bursting Venom Style warriors, and just focus on them.
That would be adding insult to injury...hee hee hee.