The Man Who Remained — His Second Life Began with a Humble Bow of Apology. - Chapter 65: Seiryuu Gate.

Seiryuu Gate.

Reflecting on their journey to Hourai, Cross muttered quietly.

“It was a long trip…”

Ellie nodded in agreement at his words, though her eyes narrowed into a sharp glare as she looked at him.

“Yes, well… that’s because someone kept wandering off to every little place along the way.”

“…We really did go to a lot of places, didn’t we?”

“Indeed. If we had taken the direct route, we only needed to pass through three cities. And yet, somehow, we ended up stopping by nearly a dozen.”

“Helping out people in need along the way… it felt nostalgic for me.”

“That’s all well and good. However, I do wonder why the people needing help were almost exclusively attractive women?”

“…Helping those in trouble is part of my duty, even if I’m no longer officially a hero.”

“And just what was the gender ratio of those troubled souls, I wonder?”

“…Sixty-forty?”

“Eighty percent were women.”

“…Haha.”

With a weak, evasive laugh, Cross averted his gaze.

Stare…

Ellie’s eyes were so sharp that the sound effect practically echoed in the air, before she let out a small sigh.

“Well, it’s fine. You truly did just help people in need. But… don’t you have something to say to me?”

“…I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble. And… thank you for still supporting what I wanted to do.”

“You’re welcome. Though, of course, it’s only natural. After all, I am your knight.”

As she said this, Ellie smiled softly.

They had wandered here and there, taking detours whenever Cross’s curiosity was piqued, no matter how small the distraction.

On such a journey, Cross actively sought out small troubles within the towns they visited – and was frequently caught up in them himself.

For Ellie, this journey was often quite troublesome.

However, not once did she ever think she disliked it.

Even now, her probing was not out of irritation, but rather her desire to be acknowledged and praised.

In fact, Ellie believed that having a master who needed looking after made her role all the more worthwhile.

In terms of food, clothing, and shelter, Cross handled everything far more competently than Ellie herself, leaving her wishing he could be just a little more troublesome, so she could at least feel like his attendant in times like these.

“Still… that place really was incredible.”

As Cross spoke, Ellie nodded.

Even among all the unusual experiences of this journey, there was one event that stood out beyond all else.

“Yes… it was truly… how should I even describe it…”

It had left Ellie completely at a loss.

Nothing dramatic had happened.

They had simply stumbled upon a hidden village in the forest, where Cross and Ellie were treated as honoured guests upon arrival.

Though unofficial, the village functioned well on its own, and its residents, preferring to avoid outsiders, nonetheless lived comfortably, without any problems requiring help.

In fact, the village was so well-managed that there wasn’t even the slightest issue to address.

What left an unforgettable impact on Cross and Ellie was something else entirely.

The residents were all tanuki monsters.

Not humanoid beastfolk, nor bipedal hybrids – they were genuine, fully animalistic tanuki, walking on all fours, looking exactly like adorable little raccoon dogs, only slightly larger.

The entire hidden village was filled with them.

But there was one aspect that made them distinctly monstrous.

Their voices.

Creatures that should never speak spoke words.

They didn’t just speak – every single one of them had a deep, rumbling, irresistibly sexy voice.

The females were husky. The males were dandy. Regardless of age or gender, all spoke with resonant, seductive tones.

Adorable little tanuki forms.

Voices like suave actors.

This went beyond mismatch – it was downright surreal.

They had simply been welcomed politely, as any guests would be, yet the experience left a deeper impression on them than being attacked by bandits or visiting any unofficial village thus far.

“…Well, in any case… our journey is finally at its end.”

As he spoke, Cross gazed off into the distance at their destination: an enormous gate.

Constructed from logs, it was painted green, yet its crude, unfashionable structure could not compare to the grandeur of the royal capital’s gates. It looked like something built centuries ago.

However, that did not mean it was inferior – quite the opposite. In its own way, this gate was far stronger and more ideal than any ornamented structure.

Its unsightly, purely functional build prioritised repairs and fortification over aesthetics, proof that it had withstood countless attacks to protect this land.

Seeing it, Cross felt a sense of rugged strength emanating from the gate.

“It’s rare to see so much bamboo in one place.”

As Cross looked beyond the gate, Ellie raised her eyebrows slightly.

“You’re familiar with bamboo, Cross?”

“Yeah. There was some in the human world too. But not as impressive as this.”

He looked again at the mountain rising beyond the gate, covered in vibrant green bamboo groves.

Here and there, he could see red roofs and buildings with an exotic atmosphere.

It looked like a place well worth sightseeing.

Both Cross and Ellie felt the excitement of witnessing a distinct new culture.

“Hourai was originally called ‘Toukoku,’ apparently. But when it joined the Demon Kingdom, its name was changed to Hourai. Though, even after becoming a village instead of a country, neither its culture nor its people changed.”

“Hmm… so it’s kind of like a foreign land.”

“Technically it’s domestic, but culturally, I suppose you could say that.”

“I’m looking forward to this. Well, let’s head in.”

Pointing towards the gate, Cross prompted Ellie, who smiled and pulled out the commission papers given to them by Aura.

“We should be able to get in without issue if we show this to the guards—”

Before Ellie could finish her sentence, a stranger suddenly appeared before them, blocking their path.

He wore nothing but ragged cloth and was clearly not a gate guard. Twin horns protruded from his head – an unmistakable oni.

He radiated a tense, dangerous aura as he glared at Cross.

“I smell it… I smell it… The scent of one who has lived and breathed battle… the scent of a warrior.”

As he spoke, his body swayed fluidly. Grasping the hilt of his sword, he pointed its tip at Cross.

“W-wait, we’re not here to—”

“Whether you are suspicious or not is irrelevant to me! A strong man has come. I am here. We have met. There is only one thing left to do. Words at this point are meaningless.”

With that, the man drew a curved single-edged sword in one swift motion.

“…What should we do, Cross?”

Ellie was a former knight with exceptional abilities, not just in combat but in all aspects of learning and skill, to the extent that she could one day become a Demon Lord herself.

And yet, perhaps because she was so serious by nature, unexpected developments like this often left her completely at a loss, unable to keep up.

Her mind in disarray, she left the decision to Cross.

And she would soon realise just how unwise that was.

To Ellie, this sudden attack felt utterly absurd.

But to Cross, it was nothing special.

To him, this oni was just another guy picking a fight.

And whether human or monster, his response to a challenge remained the same.

“Ellie. Lend me your sword.”

Confused, Ellie handed him a fairly ordinary broadsword she had prepared for this journey – shorter but heavier and sturdier.

Cross drew it, grinning provocatively as he faced the oni.

“I’m Cross. You said words are meaningless, but at least tell me your name before I beat it out of you.”

The oni’s face split into a delighted smile.

“Yes! That is how a true warrior should be! Very well. I shall name myself. I am Kiryuu Unyou – a fool who lives only to swing his blade!”

With that declaration, Kiryuu Unyou respectfully lowered his head, then immediately readied his sword once more.

In an instant, he slid forward, closing the distance with blinding speed.

“One strike – received.”

His sword flashed so quickly that Cross realised he couldn’t dodge in time. Instead, he stepped back and forcefully kicked up his own sword to deflect the blow.

“What?!”

Kiryuu Unyou recoiled, retreating smoothly to outside Cross’s range.

“…Tch. He’s not just fast. I can’t read his rhythm at all.”

Cross’s comment made Kiryuu Unyou grin.

“Defence, disruption, and strike – the secret of my Touhou Seirin style is to place everything on the opening attack!”

“…I have no idea what you’re saying, but it sounds awesome!”

Words like ‘secret style’ and ‘passed down through generations’ sparked Cross’s enthusiasm.

“Indeed! I don’t really understand it either, but just think of it as my sword art.”

With that, Kiryuu Unyou charged again, only to have his attack countered by Cross.

Despite the deadly nature of their clash, both wore expressions of fierce joy.

“…Oh, right. We’re official guests. And we’re being attacked right at the gate. I should just ask the guards for help.”

Ellie muttered to herself, ignoring the idiotic fight as she calmly walked over to the gate guards.

“We have come here as the representatives of Her Majesty, Demon Lord Aurafeel St. Shriden Toxion Diz Raul. Here are our commission papers and official credentials.”

Ellie addressed a woman wearing an unusual green armour reinforced with metal frames and woven with grass. The unique design piqued Ellie’s interest.

“Ah… ahaha… Welcome. As the representative of the Seiryuu Gate Guards of Hourai Village, I extend our greetings.”

The woman spoke stiffly, her subordinates saluting behind her.

“Yes, though I am only the attendant. The actual representative is—”

The woman’s gaze drifted, her expression paling rapidly.

“Um… could it be that the representative is… that person over there?”

Her trembling finger pointed at Cross and Kiryuu Unyou’s fierce duel.

Ellie sighed and nodded.

“Yes. As you see, we were suddenly attacked by… well, I’m not quite sure who. Could you please do something about this—”

“…I apologise. Truly, I am so sorry, but I… I lack the authority to intervene here…”

“Oh? I thought you were the highest-ranking guard here.”

“No… unfortunately, I’m only second in command.”

“Second? Then surely you have some command authority?”

“Yes… I do. Over everyone except the captain.”

At this, her face turned deathly pale, tears welling in her eyes.

“…Could it be that the person over there is…?”

“I am so sorry. You are correct. That is our gate captain, Kiryuu Unyou, protector of the Seiryuu Gate… Please forgive us. I… I will commit seppuku as apology.”

She knelt down abruptly, drawing her blade with a face resigned to death.

Realising her intent was genuine, Ellie scrambled to restrain her, desperately trying to talk her out of it as the chaos around them continued.